The flyer urged people all across the country to take part in patriotic demonstrations on June 29 by celebrating the birthday of Queen Wilhelmina’s son-in-law, Prince Bernhard. “Here’s our chance to fight back,” Eloise said. “We’re going to do this!”

Ans heard life in her voice for the first time in weeks. She read the details of the peaceful demonstration again and couldn’t see any harm in going, especially if it lifted Eloise’s spirits. “But let’s see what Professor Huizenga thinks first,” she said.

Eloise showed him the flyer at the dinner table that evening. “Ans and I are planning to go,” she told him.

“Absolutely not!”

“But, Herman, why not?”

“Because this is certain to provoke the Nazis. How can I keep you safe if you go about provoking our enemy?”

“But it’s a peaceful demonstration. All we’re going to do is wear something orange in support of the queen and the House of Orange and carry one of those white carnations that the prince so famously wears.”

“That’s all?” His voice rose in alarm.

Eloise smiled and ran her hand down his arm, then clasped his fingers. “Maybe we’ll wave a few pictures of Prince Bernhard and the royal family too. There’s nothing wrong with that, is there?”

“My dear, I know you aren’t that naive.”

“It’s just a birthday celebration. And the prince himself is German.”

“It’s a political protest against Nazi rule. The prince has publicly denounced the Nazis.” His gaze was stern.

Eloise’s smile faded. “I have to do something,” she said softly.

“Remember how worried you were for my safety when I was trapped in Den Haag after the invasion? Do you understand how much I would worry about you if you went to this demonstration?”

“But I will go mad if I don’t do something to fight back! I can’t stay hidden away at home all day. Do you want me to end up in the asylum again? Let me stand up and protest. It’s the very least I can do.”

The professor looked at Ans, pleading for help. Ans had seen the positive change in Eloise today and believed that fighting back would be good for her. She decided to take a chance and defend her. “We have so little hope at the moment, Professor. To be honest, I would like to fight back, as well.”

“See, Herman? Think of the proud history of your ancestors here in Leiden. They defended the city against Spanish rule and refused to surrender. Leiden was besieged for more than six months, and even though people were starving, they didn’t give up. After the siege lifted, the House of Orange rewarded the citizens of Leiden by founding the very university where you’re a professor.” She punctuated each of her last dozen words with a poke in the center of her husband’s chest.