The Secret Healer(40)
“As if I am that interested,” he said, with a dismissive wave of his hand. “I only wanted to help you. But I have better things to do.” He turned away.
“Thank you, once more, for your help. It was very kind.”
He nodded, grimaced, and took a couple of steps.
“Oh, Kuntz?”
He turned around to face Madlen again. “Yes?”
“I really do hope you fulfill your dreams! Tell the big fish I said hello.”
A smile crept across his face. “I’ll do it, and when I do, I’ll throw my cap in greeting to the sea.”
She laughed and watched him for a moment to see how quickly he disappeared amid the throngs of people. Then she turned to the house and took a deep breath. She went up to the door, her legs wobbly as she hesitated a moment. She screwed up her courage and knocked. A woman yelled out that she’d be right there. The door opened just a crack. Madlen could barely make out the woman’s face, but she was far too young to be her aunt.
“Agathe?” she asked carefully.
The woman looked confused.
“I’m not Agathe,” she finally said. “Who are you?”
“My name is . . .” Madlen hesitated. If she used her real name at the wrong house, her carefully disguised tracks would be uncovered. On the other hand, she had to say a name her aunt would recognize.
“Is it possible for Agathe to come to the door?”
“What do you want with her?”
“Jerg sent me.”
“Jerg?”
“That’s correct.”
The woman scrutinized Madlen again. “Wait here please.” A little while later, she opened the door wide enough for Madlen to see another woman in the house.
“You say that my brother . . .” She took a step forward. “Madlen?”
“Maria,” she corrected hurriedly, hoping that she would have the opportunity to explain later.
It was clear that Agathe didn’t understand why her niece had introduced herself as Maria. But she stepped forward and embraced Madlen warmly. “Whatever the reason, I’m so happy to see you.” Her heart skipped a beat as she pushed Madlen away from her a bit. “Or did something happen to your father?”
Madlen shook her head. The look of sincere concern in her aunt’s eyes touched her. “No, he’s fine.”
“Then come in; you’re always welcome in my home.” She pulled Madlen by the hand into the hall.
“Roswitha, warm up some spiced wine and bring it to us.” She put her arm around Madlen’s shoulder. “Let’s find some peace and quiet so you can tell me what brings you here.”
Madlen was surprised that Agathe hugged her over and over again. She was obviously overjoyed to see her, although she didn’t know why. She leaned close to Agathe, so that neither Roswitha nor anyone else in the house could hear what she had to say. “I’m in trouble. I’m sorry to bother you so.”
Agathe looked deep into her eyes as they entered a dining room that apparently doubled as a sewing room. “Whatever it is, I’ll help you as much as I can. Sit down and tell me everything.” She looked at Madlen. “Or do you want to take a bath first? You might be more comfortable if you got out of these filthy clothes.”
Madlen hesitated. She hadn’t counted on so much warmth and friendliness. For a moment, she was so overwhelmed that she didn’t know how to behave.
“Don’t worry. I’ll get you something to wear.”
“That would be nice,” she said hesitantly.
“I’ll take care of it.” Agathe left the room in a hurry. When she returned, she told Madlen that she would bring her to the indoor bathroom and then go look for a dress. Madlen was too astounded to object. A bathroom! She followed her aunt silently upstairs and watched a male servant fill up a big tub with buckets of warm water. It was a while before it was full enough and the servant left the room. She hesitantly began to undress, when her aunt came into the room and carefully laid out towels and clothes for her. Madlen didn’t dare tell her that this was the first bath she’d ever taken. She entered the tub carefully and sank up to her shoulders in the warm water. It was wonderfully invigorating for her tired limbs. Agathe came in again with scented soap and washed her hair; Madlen thought that she must be having a wonderful dream, though it was still the middle of the day. She’d never seen or heard of anything like this. It was as if she had entered a totally different world.
She emerged from the tub when her skin became wrinkled. Madlen laughed at the sight of her fingers. “I hope that goes away.”
“Don’t give it a thought; after you’ve emptied a bottle of spiced wine, your fingers will look like they usually do.”