The Diary of a Young Girl-Anne Frank-Tuesday, April 11, 1944-continued

 

The Diary of a Young Girl-Anne Frank-Tuesday, April 11, 1944-continued

After sometime, there was more sound rattling as a can fell down and after that the footsteps receded. Now, they were out of danger. All of them were dumb with fear and suspense. No one spoke even a word. They had to use a metal waste-paper basket to attend to their natural calls. It spread a foul smell there. 

They were exhausted and it was midnight then. Margot lay down near the food cupboard and Anne made her bed between the legs of the table. It was difficult for them to pass night in that way. They were expecting police anytime. They had resolved to explain their position to them, explaining that they were in the hiding. If the police were pro-Hitler, then they would not spare them, otherwise they might have sympathy on them. That was to be their fate now.

In those fearful moments, it was also suggested that Anne’s diary should be burnt. But her father did not support the idea. Anne also consoled Mrs. van Daan, who was much afraid and encouraged her to face them boldly. At five-thirty, Anne sat with Peter near his window and felt how close their bodies were. It was alsoplanned to make a telephone call to Mr. Kleiman and ask him for some immediate help. Actually they were taking risk because there might be a police guard at the door or in the warehouse, who could be heard using phone.

The list prepared by them included the following points:

Burglary: Police entered, reached up to book case….burglars were interrupted…they forced the warehouse door….ran through garden…. main entrance was bolted….. Mr. Kugler must have left it opened, etc, etc…

They phoned to Mr. Kleiman. After that, they sat around the table waiting for Jan or police.

Peter was already sleeping; Anne and Mr. van Daan were lying on the floor. Suddenly they heard the sound of footsteps below and Anne got up quietly. It was Miep knocking at the bookcase. Jan and Miep came in. they were greeted with shouts and tears. After that, Jan fixed a pinewood board over the gap in the door and then went off with Miep to inform the police about the break-in.

Then the inmates of the Annex got busy in setting the things right. Jan was back at eleven o’clock and all of them sat at the table. He had a story to narrate. He told them that Mr. Sleegers, the night watchman, was on the round when he noticed a hole in the door. He called the police and two of them reached there and made a search in the building. His wife informed Miep that Mr. Sleegers would come on Tuesday and tell Mr. Kugler the rest of the story.

Anne also writes that Jan happened to meet Mr. van Hoeven, the person, who supplied them with potatoes. He knew about the break in. He told Jan that he had seen a gap in the door when he and his wife were walking past the building. He looked inside the hole with a flashlight and the burglars must have run away due to that. He did not inform the police because of the people in the hiding.

It was clear that Mr. Hoeven knew about the inmates of the Annex. Anne felt satisfaction that they were safe in the Annex. She thanked God for that.

The incident made them more alert and they also decided to do certain things.

Peter would be patrolling the house from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. and he would not open his window anymore because one of the Keg’s employees had noticed it opened. They would not flush the toilet after 9:30 pm. Mr. Sleegers was hired as night watchman. Debates continued in the Annex. Mr. Kugler blamed them for carelessness. Jan Also told them that they should never go down.

 

They were reminded of the hard fact that they were Jews chained to one spot with no rights, but with so many obligations. They had no options but to brave the situation with immense faith in God. 684

Friday, April 14, 1944

Anne reports that all is not well with them after they had experienced woes due to the third robbery.

Their mental state is not normal and Anne is occasionally becoming sentimental. One bad thing is following another. Peter has forgot to unbolt the front door today. Consequently, Mr. Kugler and the warehouse employees had to enter by breaking the office kitchen window. The windows in the Annex remained open and were seen by Keg’s men. Mr. Kugler was furious at this serious negligence of the insiders of the Annex. Peter began to cry when he was held responsible for the negligence.

 Anne also reports some more bad news that took place in the Annex. Both the cats fell ill and they were to be taken secretly outside of the Annex for medical treatment.

The good news is that Mr. Kleiman is feeling better and is going to consult a specialist very soon. They have received eight ration books. For two weeks, they would eat beans only. Thus Anne describes some more food items here. She also writes something about war. (865)