Summary

Lizzie appeared exhausted, so the narrator said that Karl and herself should leave. But Lizzie insisted that they stay so she could tell the entire story on February 13th, the anniversary of an important event.

Lizzie said that, despite the fear of bombings, life continued as normal, with her and Karli going to school whenever there was electricity. Winter was very cold, and people were freezing. Her 16th birthday was on February 9th, and that evening Mutti said she had a surprise. The children rushed to the window to see into the garden, and saw Marlene’s shadow—Mutti had convinced the zoo director to allow Marlene to live with them in case of a bomb.

The family ate potatoes with Marlene in the garden under the snow, and Marlene seemed to be staring right into Elizabeth...