11 THE GIFT I was feeling fine, albeit a little wobbly. I'm sure I would have been able to recuperate more quickly if I had been able to sit by the window in the sunlight and fresh air. Christine, however, kept a steady watch in the courtyard, only leaving at four o’clock in the afternoon, after which the weather turned cold and foggy. I kept the coconut fibres under my bed just in case, in the firm knowledge that no one would sweep under the bed and get rid of them by mistake. Unfortunately it was difficult for me to appear by the window in disguise because the others in the home knew me too well. My mates were back on duty during the day. As a prisoner I remained exempt. The trip to Berchtesgaden, and with it the end of my incarceration, was approaching rapidly. My friends could only come to see me on their time off and when they had nothing better to do. This evening was one of those times. ‘We were able to eavesdrop on the officers again,’ the Student said. ‘The local organisation Kraft durch Freude will be carrying out the ceremony.
