The Baby Experiment by Anne Dublin Read Free Book Online Page A

doesn’t like to be kept waiting.”
    â€œAll right, but —”
    â€œLise,” the other girl whispered, “It’s your turn.” Lise shrugged and turned back to the game.
    Johanna wrapped her cloak around Rebecca, hurried out of the room, and closed the door behind her. Her heart pounding, she whispered the words of a psalm she remembered from home:
The help of the innocent comes
    from the Lord.
    Their strength is He in time of need.
    The Lord helps them and rescues them.
    He rescues them from the wicked
    and saves them,
    Because they trust in Him.
    The words carried her along the corridor, through the grand foyer, and out the front door.
    What have I done? Johanna thought. How will I travel on the dangerous road to Amsterdam with a nine-month-old baby? Her fear was almost more than she could bear. She stood frozen on the front step.
    A man came hurrying up the path. When he reached Johanna, he stopped and said, “Why, it is Fraulein … Richter, is it not?”
    â€œYes,” mumbled Johanna, curtseying. “We met at my interview.”
    â€œQuite right,” said Herr Vogel. He looked down at the squirming bundle in Johanna’s arms. “Where, may I ask, are you going with that baby?”
    â€œI … I’m taking her outside for some fresh air.”
    â€œI see.” Herr Vogel paused. “Nowhere else?”
    â€œNo,” said Johanna, blushing. “Where else would I take her?” Another lie , she thought. I am getting quite skillful at that particular sin.
    Herr Vogel peered over Johanna’s shoulder. “If I were taking care of these babies …” He pursed his lips. “… these dying babies who are subject to an experiment …”
    â€œYes?” said Johanna. “What would you do?”
    Herr Vogel averted his eyes. “I might want to rescue one of the babies.”
    â€œYou would?” Johanna’s heart skipped a beat. Does Herr Vogel suspect what I am doing? Will he betray me?
    â€œI am not saying I would .” Herr Vogel raised his eyebrows. “Only that I might want to.” He lowered his eyebrows. “But of course, the risks would be great; the punishment, severe. Still …”
    â€œStill?”
    â€œA human life.” Herr Vogel put his hand on Johanna’s arm. “Worth the risk, I believe.” He looked straight at Johanna, as if he could read her mind. “And if I were to take that risk, I would leave as quickly as possible.” He sighed and took out his pocket watch. “I must go now. I have an appointment with a certain Frau Taubman.” As he turned to go, he said. “Fraulein Richter?”
    â€œYes?” Johanna’s knees were shaking.
    â€œGodspeed.”
    â€œThank you, sir.”
    Johanna looked down into Rebecca’s trusting eyes. The baby smiled up at her.
    â€œI’ll do it,” whispered Johanna. “It is a matter of life and death. Your life, and mine, too, if it is to have any meaning.”
    Johanna looked up and saw Cecile peeking out from behind the hedge. Johanna straightened her back and strode towards her waiting companion.
    The sun was shining in a sky of watery blue. A brisk wind whipped her cloak about and tried to lift her long skirt. It dried the tears in her eyes — tears she hadn’t been aware of.
    â€œWhat happened?” said Cecile. “I thought you would never come!”
    â€œI’ll tell you later. Let’s find Daniel.”
    They heard Daniel before they saw him. Snores rumbled from his throat. His cap was pulled over his eyes and his whiskered chin was resting on his chest. The reins lay slack in his hands. An empty jug of beer lay next to him on the wagon seat.
    â€œWait here,” Johanna whispered. “I’ll talk to Daniel.” She walked over to Daniel and shook his arm. “Wake up!” The snoring only grew louder. She shook his arm again. “Daniel, wake