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in her bed.”
    â€œWhat do you think has been bothering her?” Ferenc asked.
    I hesitated before telling him, but I wanted to hear what he would say. “I think she has been trying to talk my mother into sending me and my sisters to America.”
    â€œThat would be a smart thing to do, and she shouldn’t go on living here alone, either,” he said. “She should sell her property, move to Beregszász, and live with your mother. She’d be closer to things there. She’s too isolated here, and it isn’t safe. Please tell her what. I said. Now I’d better move on before she finds me here.”
    I did not want Ferenc to leave. “Don’t go yet. She doesn’t mind when you talk to me. It’s only when it’s Rozsi that she gets upset.”
    He laughed and got up. “When is Rozsika coming back?”
    â€œAfter Mother has the baby. It’s expected in a few weeks. It might even be born on my birthday.”
    â€œWhen is that?”
    â€œJune 10th.”
    â€œThen I may not see her. I’m being transferred,” he said. “Please explain to Rozsi about my new orders. And I hope you have a nice birthday.” He left the porch and watered his horse. Then he waved to me, sadness lingering in his face, as he rode off.
    Soon after Ferenc left, Babi came from the fields with a special treat of wild strawberries laced on a long grass stem. While we were eating supper, she said, “You had a visitor,” and I knew from the tone of her voice that she meant Ferenc.
    â€œOh, you saw the horseshoe prints around the trough.”
    â€œYes, and I also saw the horse and his rider and so did everyone else in the fields. You don’t think such a sight can go by unnoticed.”
    She sounded amused, and I was surprised. “You’re not angry.”
    â€œWhat good would it do me if I were?”
    Later that evening, Babi asked me, “What did you and Ferenc talk about?”
    I knew I had to be careful about how much I said. “First he asked how you are.”
    â€œHow I am! How! Rozsi is would be more to the truth.”
    â€œNo, Babi, you just don’t like him, but he really did ask about you. He even asked me to give you a message.”
    â€œThis I would like to hear.”
    â€œI told him about your wanting to send us to America.”
    â€œYou told him that?”
    â€œYes, Babi.”
    â€œPiri, you can’t go repeating to strangers things that are said in our house.”
    I was silent. I had said too much again. But Babi asked me, “What did he think I should do?” When I didn’t answer, she repeated the question.
    â€œHe said that you should sell and move to Beregszász so you can be closer to things.”
    â€œWhat things?”
    â€œHe didn’t say. He just said it was not safe for you here, so isolated from everything.”
    â€œSuddenly everybody is telling me what to do. I managed all right up to now. I’ll just have to take my chances. Did he ask you when Rozsi is coming back?”
    I did not answer immediately, so she added, “Or did you just tell him?”
    â€œI don’t remember,” I said.
    â€œDid he say when he would be back?”
    â€œHe is being transferred. He won’t be coming this way any more.” I resented the expression on Babi’s face as she looked up from her sewing.
    School was over at the end of May, and by the time my birthday came around, I was spending most of my days roaming the fields with Molcha.
    *   *   *
    Joli was born June 16. Rozsi sent a letter telling us that Mother and the baby girl were fine. Lajos’ leave was over and Lilli and Manci were expected back from Prague any day.
    Babi was happy to hear that it was all over. I realized from her expression of relief how concerned she had been. “Well, you know that your mother should stop having children, she is not so young any