Read A Certain Music for Free Online Page A

hand spoke to the other ...
    'Two weeks is short.'
    'We work at night.'
    'And who are "we"?'
    'Just you and me.'
    'Our boots –?'
    'Will be covered.'
    'Our hair?'
    'Will be curled.'
    'If I cough.'
    'There are lozenges.'
    'And how do we get there?'
    The rhythm changed. 'Child, run and fetch Mutti 's sewing box.'
    'Why are you doing this, Frau Schwarz?' the woman asked.
    'I don't like things to beat me.'
    'That's not all, is it?'
    'No, that's not all ... ah, thank you, Child. Now to take measurements. Both of you – up!'

Eighteen
    They got to the factory as a wave of women began to surge towards the gate.
    'Pardon me, ladies –'
    The women paused, turned to the speaker, a few edged closer.
    'A word if you please. I don't speak for myself but for this dear child –'
    They were listening.
    The voice set the scene. Went on. 'I know of the box and that in it is silk with small flaws, but enough for –'
    There was stirring. Women glanced at each other. Some moved off.
    'That's for cushions, lady.'
    'And linings.'
    More moved away.
    'Ladies, you haven't heard this simple request –'
    'If it's that simple, you do it!'
    'I'm sorry,' someone in a green kerchief mumbled. And hurried off.
    'Well!' exclaimed Frau Schwarz. She squared her shoulders, straightened her spectacles and turned to face the second wave of workers. 'Let's hope this lot are more amenable,' she muttered.
    The second wave simply pushed past.
    'I expect they're tired.' Frau Schwarz smiled. But behind the spectacles, eyes glinted.
    'These must be the last,' she announced as about forty women in twos and threes started to straggle out.
    'Pardon me, ladies –' Again she began, but this time all were 'sisters-in-arms'. 'Such an opportunity – one each of us would remember forever ... ' Frau Schwarz was struggling. 'All I ask – not for myself – is two lengths, flawed though they be and of little value ... ' A pause to dab at cheeks, lips. 'Who will be kind enough, generous enough to perform this simple task?'
    'Not me, lady.'
    'Nor me.'
    'Me neither.'
    'I will!'
    There was a hush. Eyes turned and followed the speaker as she pushed to the front. A small fair-haired woman stood before Frau Schwarz. 'I will,' she repeated. 'Advise me of the lengths and an address and I will see that they are delivered.'
    Bodies inched forward. There was shuffling, muttering ...
    'She's mad –'
    'She'll lose her place –'
    The woman spoke. 'My man was killed. I was despairing ... I was alone and without hope. Then a child showed me a kindness. It was a simple gesture but it gave me strength ... This is the child ... '
    • • •
    'Well!'
    They waited on a street corner.
    'Well, well!' uttered Frau Schwarz yet again and waved down a carriage. With a flick of a whip the horse clopped on.
    Frau Schwarz studied flaxen braids that fell across a bib. 'What is it, Child? Look at me.'
    The child raised her head.
    'It's that woman, isn't it? You're worried that she will lose her place in embroidery because of this. Such a load of nonsense! I assure you, she will not regret what she has done. She will always have her place. Always. I give you my word. You understand me?'
    The child nodded. She suddenly remembered a tale that had been told to them in class. It was of the good witch of Korneuburg, whose wondrous powers changed lives. 'The good witch,' her teacher had said, 'was a giant among mortals ...' The child studied Frau Schwarz in her largeness. And wondered.

Nineteen
    The following week brought Frau Schwarz with her sewing box and a letter.
    Now, when lessons were over the child would reach for her satchel and run. But not in the direction of the Reinerstrasse . Others noticed, made questioning gestures, appointed this one and that to follow and report. But where once they had ridiculed the stumbling on cobblestones, now they saw sprinting and skipping. Even the mother whom she met was brighter in her step. And livelier too.
    The watchers kicked at stones. And said nothing.
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