Summary

April 17, 1945 – This entry begins with a segment from the Declaration of Independence, in Rose’s handwriting. Rose writes that she is crying by the time she is told to stop writing. She is particularly affected by the words, “Life.” “Liberty.” “Happiness.” “Unalienable Rights.” Rose is thrilled that she is finally allowed to write again, after more than six months.

At the American Embassy, she received her notebook, a temporary passport and cash Uncle Roger left for her. Because Rose now looks nothing like her photo in the passport, she had been required to write out the beginning of the Declaration of Independence, to compare to the writing in the rest of the journal and, therefore, prove her identity. Rose writes “That has convinced even me that I am still Rose – my handwriting has not changed” (74).

Rose is staying at the Paris Ritz...