AS HELGA AND I MET WITH HERMAN

In the summer we for a few weeks, went to bathe in Sysemu, a fishing village on the shore of the White sea. One summer, Conrad Meyer, the son of a wealthy widow in Arkhangelsk, a student of Dorpat /Yuryev, Tartu/ University, brought on vacation with his friend at the University, Hermann von Berg. I must say that in Dorpat Conrad somehow got sick, so seriously that he almost died. But he went out his faithful Herman, who did not depart from the patient any step. Ever grateful mother of Conrad was to invite Herman on vacation — and Christmas, and summer. And that's when Conrad brought Herman with him to Sysemu, Helga there met him.  Prior to our departure to Sysemu, mom pulled me aside to say that according to her information there will be a Conrad with a friend, and she thinks Helga interested in him. "Wherefore, Erna, — said my mother, in case if they start up an affair, you too, please, not to be confused beneath their feet."  Conrad is a friend indeed appeared in Systme, and I tried not to move away from Herman. We wonderfully spent time, all the time teasing each other. Herman called me "a moron," and I called him"a sky bump." After his engagement with Helga, Herman wrote poems in my album, Margit made a copy of this page and will send you. After Herman Helg left, she began to correspond with him, and they met again at Christmas.    Every year, December 28, our club organized a charity Bazaar to benefit the children's shelter, where aunt Lida Surkova and mother were Ministers.  Helga and I managed the sale of tea and sandwiches, and traded quite successfully. And two students — Conrad and Herman never left us and was sudili tea.  Returning next year from the market on the Sixth Mile, I felt that Helga wants me to share something. I remained silent and waited.
Helsa: "Erna, why don't you ask me?»
Erna: "why, you tell me what you want to say."
Helga:"Herman asked me if I wanted to be his wife."
Erna: "what did you tell him?»
Helga: "Refused him, of course, because it's only student love/ Studentenliebe/ «
A few seconds of silence to the house, we have not yet reached.
Helga: "Why don't you keep asking me? After all, I said "Yes" /Ich sagte"Ja"/.
And now, Robbie, I'll tell you what really happened in Systme. I tried to do everything as my mother asked me: Conrad completely provided Helga, and she monopolized Herman. Many of our friends and relatives came to Syem — someone older than us, someone younger, someone of the same age. But alone we were not. We swam, played games, chatted, walked on the beach, kept nodding off from exhaustion.  Possibly I didn't let Herman out of the eye. But before leaving Conrad and Herman from SISMI the last two of the evening Helga and Hermann suddenly disappeared somewhere. After wandering along the shore for an hour or two, they also suddenly appeared, complaining that they lost track of time — so much about what they wanted to talk. This was the end of an imaginary mother novel Helga Conrad. Later when they were told about his unsuccessful attempt to intervene in their romance, all laughed to tears. Mother not very lamented — in its the eyes of the only advantage Conrad's were his money. But he almost had a reputation for the rake. Unlike Herman, he at the University is seriously engaged, enjoyed College life, and freedom from mother's care.  In 1918, he was enlisted in the army of General Miller. After the evacuation of the whites he lived in one room with his mother Jenny Ivanovna Meyer, trying to meet her than I could. Finally managed to get her an exit visa, and she died in Holland in 1921. As lishenets, Conrad worked as a janitor, at the same time performing the duties of a German pastor. He was married twice. His first wife, the Polish girl, after the divorce with their daughter returned to Poland. During the second World war their daughter was walking down the streets of Warsaw, when a German soldier shot her.
That year for Christmas, we had the Sixth Edition of the dance as usual. According to the old custom, mummers, groups went from house to house — they were admitted only if one of the mummers will remove the mask and recognizes the maid or host or hostess. In the Christmas time together with Conrad traveled Herman.  Our mother was very superstitious, bad luck, she complained that Herman first appeared in our house in a mask. On the masquerades Helga has always been charming: under the mask she has lost her shyness, and nobody knew.  I, on the contrary: the mask felt stupid and didn't know how to behave. The next time Herman came to see us, he and Helga were engaged. It was a few days before Christmas. We gathered my mom's relatives – Pacy, young and old. We all made Christmas decorations together, then we all had dinner together. It is just thirty five Herman all of them met for the first time. On Christmas Eve, after Church, they all again gathered at the us /in the Church we with Helga sang in the choir/.  In our house it was fun and noisy. Later, the German admitted: "I have Never been and this kind of situation — were all talking at once and no one else had heard." And it was not a criticism, he did us a compliment.  Helga and Herman remained engaged for several years. Herman went on to study at the University, Helga was about to become Frau von Berg. They were married on January 6, 1917, on an Orthodox holiday — Epiphany. All feared, whether Herman after the wedding to finish University. But fears were vain. On the contrary, Helga had helped him. They lived in Dorpat. When his eyes ached, Helga read aloud the husband of his textbooks, so he successfully passed the exams. ( *Here I want to note, as in the Arkhangelsk German settlement existed different customs — German /Christmas celebration, Christmas Eve, etc./ with a purely Russian — costumed, icons, houses, etc. – GL)

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REVOLUTION

Exactly one year later, January 6, 1918, was my wedding. Helga and Hermann came from Dorpat to us for Christmas. After my wedding Herman returned to Derpt-Helga was expecting a child, and it was better for her to stay in the parental home. It was assumed that Herman would come to Arkhangelsk before giving birth. But fate would have it otherwise. White still remained in Arkhangelsk, but the Reds were already approaching.  The revolution began with Kerensky, then Lenin, Trotsky... But now Kolchak was advancing from Siberia, from the South-West was advancing Denikin. Helga gave birth to autumn, but Herman not was able to us makes its way. The Pope was enlisted in The British expedition corps, and in 1919 he was evacuated to England with his family. Olaf and I were then in Amsterdam, where his firm's headquarters were located.  Helga and her bzbi / you, Robbie!/ haven't been British subjects, but it seems to me, Herman had managed to take you before the evacuation of the British from Arkhangelsk and Murmansk.
In London, the Pope could not get a job. Some high-ranking military, a friend of his father, advised to go to Folkestone, where the climate is better.  And there our eleven-year-old sister Hedwig went to school. With the help of Peggy bell another of our sister Elsa took a job in Sydenham. I still have photos of Elsa marked this year . The rest I remember vaguely, too much has happened for a change. I don't remember Helga being with you in England. I have a picture I was sent from Dorpat, Helga, Herman and front you stand — you.  We went to Dorpat, is the four of us sisters, he marked 1918 year. On the death of Helgi, I learned much later, the news it brought me into some state of shock.  In the summer I avoided swim — after all in such water drowned Helga!  How awful it was for Herman to lose his wife, and for you, mother, you were probably afraid to swim, too. However, perhaps not you, you were still too young to to the depths to feel the tragedy of her death.
Many years later I found out, it seems, I was informed from Poland that Herman intends to marry again. Then I heard that they live in Wiesbaden. You stayed in Dorpat, to continue the teaching. Maybe you didn't get along with your stepmother, though. / Wiesbaden reminded me of something. Once in the Arkhangelsk mom began rheumatism, and it for a few weeks I went there to be treated — baths. We were very young then.  Dad wrote me that he's used to the idea of marrying Herman, he even endorses.  He wrote that his new wife is very nice woman.  Maybe I'm wrong, but that's how I understood dad's letter. And so to the end of his life dad became angry, and no wonder. In Russia he lost everything: the estate, the house, all property. At first Kerensky revolution proceeded without bloodshed, and was wondering what the best times will come. The sale of the Sixth Mile the Pope is well earned. Other timber companies transferred their money to England. That's not true. For the conclusion of trade transactions they had in England current accounts, usually quite modest, and, as I know, large investments there nobody did — G L/. Dad also believed in the new Russian securities and purchased it. Fortunately, Helga dowry received from the Pope his share, and a year later I got my. We have the money, managed to transfer in Sweden, so we had some tools that allowed us to buy our Island. But about him later.

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OUR LIFE WITH OLAF

(*Olaf Vager was born in 1888 and died in Stockholm in 1965. M. Sh.)
As I said, we were married in 1918, January 6. In Russia red fought with white. I had a British passport, but I also had to get Swedish. To this end, Olaf sent the clerk with all necessary documents to Petrograd.  The clerk was simple, he seamlessly made his way through the front to Petrograd, got my Swedish documents and returned safely to Arkhangel'sk. When Olaf and I went to Petrograd, we were not hindered — we were representatives of a neutral country, Sweden. There we arrived on January 31, 1918. The next day in the morning papers was 14 Feb — Russia has moved to a new style. We stayed in a hotel where the same night we were awakened by some noise-it turned out, security officers check all the guests. Searched the room, ripped open mattresses and pillows, looking for something... Finally it burst into ten or twelve soldiers with their chief. Olaf calmly presented his Swedish passport, saying he was a diplomatic courier. The chief began to apologize and ordered his soldiers to leave our room.  We were lucky, right from the train we went to the Swedish Ambassador, he issued Olaf a diplomatic courier and gave him two bags of diplomatic mail for delivery to Sweden through Finland. At the Ambassador's Breakfast we met his daughter, Elsa Brenstrom, who was going to Siberia to take care of the wounded there. In Siberia it became famous, there it was called "Siberian angel". That's how Olaf became a diplomatic courier. The next day we took a train to Finland and reached Tammerfors /Tamer/late in the evening. The next train went only in the morning. Accompanied by Bolshevik soldiers we found a hotel — there was no one there except a servant who slept in the kitchen. We slept in an unheated room without having to remove coats. In the morning we from the kitchen brought something to eat, we went to the station, boarded the train, but it was only to Raymac.
We expected to get to Sweden in the usual way-by train to go around the Baltic sea to Tornio and from there to Haparanda.  But our way was blocked by Mannerheim with his Finns. Riihimaki was Packed with refugees, and the hotel was only one. We managed to remove the corner in the pastor's house — in one room with three other married couples of refugees. When we managed to get to the hotel, we ate there. I think we've been waiting in line all the time for the three ships of the Swedish evacuation mission to finally arrive.
That winter the Baltic sea was covered with a thick layer of ice, up to Sweden. And yet two days later two ships arrived-a large icebreaker and the steamship "Heimdal", which could break through the ice. The third vessel — Vineta-crushed the ice, and it went down. But food, mattresses, blankets, pillows managed to be rescued — them from "Vineta" on ice dragged on two other steamships. So taking on Board all waiting for the evacuation could not and we were afraid that we'll be here for hours.  The hotel posted an announcement that first of all Swedish and diplomatic couriers are subject to evacuation, and only then the rest of the Scandinavians — how many steamships will be able to take on Board. Red without end we checked in, and then, to undergo a medical examination, Olaf was cut off. I took two Embassy bags, Olaf -- all our belongings. Finally I found myself on Board the "Heimdal", but the crowd never saw the husband. For the first time in my life, I almost went hysterical. Maybe its here and there, maybe he's on the ice breaker? We finally found each other.
Passengers were given on a hammock or on a litter. Elderly, sick and children were placed in cabins, we, young women, joined in pairs, we were given one bed and pillow. With some young girl, we lay down on our litter right on the floor in the aisle, on which all the time someone went-someone went to the toilet, the men from the hold went to their wives. We were pushed, stepped on, and in the morning my legs were covered with bruises. In the bathroom cold water, but Olaf bought Seltzer water and I, having moistened a cotton wool to wipe his hands and face. We were fed in five phases. We are lucky that we, the northerners, were warm coats and boots — despite the cold, we with Olaf could sit on the deck, however, almost alone. For three days we traveled to Stockholm. Sometimes "Heimdal" stuck in the ice, the icebreaker had to come back — to clear to two to three meters can move forward, then another two-three meters... frankly, unusually held on a honeymoon!
In Rahimjan we heard cannon firing, but Mannerheim promised not to launch an offensive before the end of the Swedish evacuation. Before the departure on the waterfront rose some hype, jumped out from somewhere a lot of red soldiers who began to point guns at the "Heimdal". All passengers were ordered to go down. It turned out that we were traveling with a Finnish man-a Professor, and red found out that his son is an officer at the Mannerheim. They demanded that our captain brought him back to shore. But the captain refused and the passport of the Professor is stamped "Retired" and now he is on Swedish territory, and therefore they have no right to demand the return of the Professor. The Reds threatened to open a machine gun fire on us, but the captain raised the anchor, and we swam. And more nothing write home about not happened.

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STOCKHOLM. 1918 year.

I haven't met Olaf's mom, his two younger sisters, or his younger brother in person. In Arkhangelsk, I was lucky enough to find a young Swedish woman who began to teach me the basics of the Swedish language , I did not want to come to Sweden without learning a little Swedish, especially since I knew that my mother-in-law did not speak any other language. It turned out, however, that she Norwegian girl, and my initial Swedish little than me helped.
The head of Olaf came from Amsterdam to Sweden to here, on neutral ground, to discuss the situation. Later all business correspondence went through his sister in Sweden: she sent letters from Arkhangelsk to Amsterdam, and letters from Amsterdam to Arkhangelsk. Soon, however, we returned from Stockholm to Arkhangelsk — this time we drove a passenger ferry to Petrograd. The journey was risky, the captain did not have a scheme of minefields in the Kronstadt area. And it was expensive: 1000 SEK per person, but Olaf's firm at any cost wanted him to go there, and she paid our fare. We were traveling business men, and among the passengers I was the only woman.  On the ship all the time, was guarded by three lookouts — one on the mast, two on the nose, and several times they are warned about the mines. The weather was fine, the sea smooth as a mirror. I did not fear at all, sat on my deck and read an interesting book, which was kindly offered to me by a Danes. But we had to stay on deck all the time and not take off the rescue belts.  So our return trip to Arkhangelsk was pleasant and interesting.    In Arkhangelsk we had to wear a yellow-blue armband — Swedish national colors. The Bolsheviks tried to resume commercial activities with neutral countries, and treated us in a polite way. It was disgusting to see them treading their own! In 1919 we with Olaf a few times, I traveled on business from Stockholm to Amsterdam and London before returning to Arkhangelsk. And once we get a telegram from the assistant Olaf from Arkhangelsk: "Shergold evacuated, what to do with the chest?"Leaving Arkhangelsk for the first time, I filled a large chest with our silver, jewelry, tablecloths, crystal vases, photos — and left it at the sawmill. Now there is a danger: will it survive there, will it not burn?  Without delay, Olaf Telegraph ordered: send to a warehouse in Verde, Norway.  To us in Stockholm chest got only a few years. That's why I still have old photos, however, crystal vases smashed to pieces.  While we lived in Stockholm, the Dutch company "Altius Ko" Olaf paid his salary by the managing Director in Arkhangelsk in the hope for better times in Russia.  One eight-year-old nephew Olaf said: "When I grow up, I want to work as uncle Olaf — do nothing and get good money for it!"And in the Arkhangelsk meanwhile, the Bolsheviks confiscated all saw mills, were taken from their owners all of their possessions, and many are simply killed.

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OUR ISLAND

Many years ago we with Olaf somehow one Sunday went from Stockholm to a sea voyage in skerries on some island there. In skerries I just fell in love in my life seen anything like it! When we seem to have settled in Sweden, I saw an ad in the newspaper that are sold in the archipelago Islands, beaches and a Peninsula.  We decided to go there-to see, and in the spring of 1920, on the money received from his father in dowry, we purchased the smallest island — one acre /0.4 ha/, which grew a couple hundred trees — mostly ate Yes pine trees, but there came across among them birch trees, ash and juniper. We bought the smallest prefabricated house, which in those days in Sweden began to produce. One room and a kitchen with a stove, which was heated with firewood. There were no other buildings, no running water or electricity on the island, and we lived with kerosene lamps for a long time. Olaf bought a small boat with outboard motor "Penta" - only 2.5 horsepower, bought from the company, which was also quite new in Stockholm. Our island was called "Asken" — "ashen". Nearby there was a bigger island, where the passenger boat regularly delivered mail, Newspapers, food and various goods.  But then Olaf happened to spend on our island only two years, and to me — three as in the early spring Olaf firm "Altius and Ko" received from Russian "Severoles" the right to concession.

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AGAIN IN RUSSIA

Under the new regime, sawmills had ceased to generate profits, and the government had turned to old foreign owners for help. In 1921, he opened a firm "Anglais", formerly owned by the British, and in 1922 — "Hollandic", formerly code-named "Altius Ko" and Olaf has been appointed managing Director.  According to the new Bolshevik laws, we could not provide housing, except that the corner of some room. Then Olaf appointed honorary Swedish Vice-Consul, and provided him with the entire upper floor in the old building of the office of "Altius and Co.", at the bottom of the firm's office was placed.  In Russia Olaf went with his assistant /in Arkhangelsk, he lived in the same room of our apartment/ from Rotterdam on a cargo ship, taking with him everything you need for life: any food, tea, coffee, sugar, flour, jam, needles and threads, etc. / With its employees Olaf were paid partly of these goods./ I stayed in Stockholm, and for the summer with three sisters Olafa went to our island. And in autumn, my birthday, received from Olaf's telegram:" House put in order, insects are no more. We have two bedrooms and a dining room. There's some furniture and a Desk. Bring everything else as much as you can."  I gathered what I could: warm clothes, waterproof raincoats, up to cans of molasses for gingerbread. And again embarked on an adventurous journey. First went by train to Trondheim, from there on a passenger ferry to tromsø, where I had to wait for "Luz" — coming from England empty coal miner, the last vessel going to Arkhangelsk before winter.  The Russians have chartered the "Luz" for shipping timber from Arkhangelsk to England. The captain of the "Luz" has agreed to go to tromsø fjord and pick up where his only passenger — Erna Vager. Go to the fjord, but not to drop anchor, which would be too expensive.
I had a lot of Luggage, and besides, I was taking more clothes to friends and acquaintances. Moreover, in tromsø I bought a rocking chair — Christmas gift Olaf, he loved rocking. Also I bought two more wicker chairs-for myself and for the Dutchman, our tenant. Norwegian General Consulate in Arkhangelsk was the best friend of Olaf, even with their bachelor years. He asked the ship's broker in tromsø, Mr. Aoune, to help me as much as possible.  He also agreed that the coastal pilot at the southern end of the fjord would call Auna when the "Luz" appeared there, and then the vessel should approach the rendezvous site in an hour and a half. Then Aune and his assistant promised to pick me up from the hotel and take me to Luz by motorboat. For us we drag the other boat, already pre-loaded my Luggage. And in the open sea, in complete darkness, in the night, through a Blizzard and a snowstorm, we saw approaching us a huge black silhouette of the ship... "lous?"said Aune.   "Yes, — have responded us. — Where is the passenger?» «Here!»
We got a rope ladder. Waves threw our motor up and down. The stairs were swinging in all directions, but we somehow managed to catch her. Keeping one hand on the ladder, Aune the other was steering the ship, trying to avoid hitting the motorboat with the vessel. I step to step clambered up. Finally the men grabbed me and dragged me aboard. Luggage is also drawn manually, without a winch. Finally all in one piece was on Board. Goodbye, Aune! Goodbye, Norway!
On Board I was met by a very nice captain-British and Russian supervisor.  I was taken to the captain's cabin, and in the morning the Negro steward brought me tea there. The captain was so fond of my rocking chair that he begged me to leave it to him, but I was taking it for Olaf. The snow was falling from the tromsø and Nordkapp around, we are in a snow storm, no better than in tromsø that the captain ordered to stop the car.  Then he was afraid to go. The car stalled, and I was really worried about our "Luz." But here it is again pounding.  I confess, I have never doubted many times that we have come to an end. Monstrous waves beat our boat to the right, then left. How many times have I flown from my bed? That night, a passenger steamer broke up, which we met in tromsø fjord. "Rinard Witt" drowned, where I recently got from Trondheim to tromsø. But about these tragedies I learned later, already in Arkhangelsk.
In Trondheim I stayed at the hotel: "Britain" and went to dinner in an elegant restaurant, where he went in his best toilet. I ordered boiled salmon with Dutch sauce, a small bottle of "Chateau-IKEM", a glass of fruit with cognac and coffee. I do not doubt that in Soviet Russia, I will only dream of such luxury, and therefore decided all of this is now enjoy.   We skirted North Cape, passed Murmansk, entered the White sea ... Suddenly-stop machine! Ice blocked our way to the mouth of Dvina. (Water in a mouth less salty, than in the sea, and it freezes earlier – GL).   Almost three days we waited for the icebreaker. With Archangel you get disconnected, telegrams captain did not answer my attempts to communicate with the Norwegian Consul, too, remained unsuccessful. Our Russian supervisor was worried, the captain threatened to return to England, I was afraid that he would really come back, and with me. Finally, the icebreaker appeared and made our way to the nearest sawmill. At the beach, I saw Olaf, he was waiting for me with the sleigh and coachman. Seen, but could only shout to him from afar, while customs officials will not make the inspection, and only then will allow us to go ashore.
"Passenger view in the first place!"ordered the captain. "Nothing of the sort!"- said our Russian supervisor. Next to me sat the chief of customs, looking at me, he exclaimed: "Erna R., what brings you here?"He didn't know that I am now a Vager. You know, Robbie, I already told you that I worked at customs, translating shipping documents into military cargo.  Well, now, that was my former boss.   He jumped up, embraced me warmly, and I saw a louse on his collar.  But was very grateful to him, when he said, "of Course, the passenger in the first place, and that her husband was with horses, I suppose, the freeze on the Bank".
The captain was delighted, and the warden was angry, I couldn't stand. Finally I with all my junk came ashore, to Olaf.  In my life I have nothing worse than that trip experienced. But I stayed safe and sound, and finally we were back together with Olaf!

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IN COMMUNIST RUSSIA

In Arkhangelsk, in the office of the "Altius," which was under our apartment, working some of our old friends and relatives, but everyone was afraid to talk to us. Even the youngest boy, asked Olaf about anything except official business, it is not to say all employees are given the obligation to report where everything they hear from Magerov and Haushild, our Dutchman. The same we heard and from our typist – Alina PEC, ( my second cousin and friend of our Elsa) and from many others. Our accountant, a cashier, had a heartache, and she received a medical certificate that released her in the event of a heart attack to inform us, the rest of the time, under the threat of exile, she was required to report every word heard from us. Knowing this, we avoided talking to them on political topics, and so we had no one to communicate freely, except an old friend of Olaf-the Norwegian Consul, and his wife, his Secretary with his wife, a very nice old-fashioned Russian lady, with our Dutch, who lived with us, and even with two Dutch, who lived elsewhere and worked at the sawmill, but usually on Sundays visited us.
Olaf often had to travel on business to Moscow. I'm lying consular duties: helped the Swedish sailors, to maintain correspondence with the Swedish Embassy and Leningrad. In the morning on the balcony we raised our Swedish, blue with a yellow cross, the flag, and in the evening it was lowered. We had horses and coachman who was in charge of our modest garden where the greenhouses in early spring we planted spinach and cucumbers. We were lucky: Kucher knew a lot about vegetables and fruits, and I did not have to give him instructions.
We were given special cards, giving us the right to buy in stores everything we want. Often in stores there was a sign: "Butter and sugar today". When I stood in a long queue, came to the counter, the saleswoman told me that I do not need to stand in queues/ just go to the counter, she said, and we will let you go, all you need — and oil and sugar/.  It sickened me, I saw in the stores treat their own, with women at home waiting for hungry children, because I have no one at home crying from hunger!  Until what disgusting was this pretentious courtesy-just to make a good impression of the then Russia on us, "noble" foreigners.  So we lived there from 1922 to 1929. We had a coming cook, very good, well-trained; a native of Arkhangelsk, she used to work for some Prince in St. Petersburg. Having lost her job in the revolution, she returned home. She flatly refused to do anything other than cooking, and I had to hire her assistant, who was also watching our cow. Don't laugh, Robbie, we bought a cow to have fresh milk. And we had three dogs — pointer and two setters, one of them belonged to our Dutchman. Was the cat because we moved all the rats from the former Surkov brewery — it bordered our garden. Olaf liked to hunt, that's why he got dogs.
From Norway, the company "Arendal" Olaf wrote out a motor boat-our small island we sold. On a new boat engine was not in two and a half horsepower, and as much as five. The cabin had two beds, a folding table, a window with a mosquito net. The company "Arendal" gave us the opportunity to decide how to equip our boat. At my request, to quarters we could stand upright. They built it in a small sawmill, and I acted as a designer. Beyond expectations, the result was very good, I would say that my proposals even improved its appearance.  I called it "Hacken" - in honor of the Swedish spirit of lakes and rivers.
In the summer we downstream went on a picnic — sometimes alone, sometimes with the Anvik, the so-called nor-viskovo Ambassador, his wife and two young children; they had their own boat, but no cabins. (*From a letter of Alexander Browne, who arrived in London from Arkhangelsk in 1919, Alexander Lurs in Hamburg: "Konrad Meyer wants to try to bring their mother from Arkhangelsk: the Anvik still there, he will definitely give her Norwegian visa" — GL). Sometimes we took our Dutchman with us. Sometimes we Olaf was gone for the weekend, slept in the boat, Olaf day hunted, I gathered berries. I had a gun, but I didn't shoot it. My father was fond of hunting, and he taught me to shoot at the target — both from a gun and from a revolver. When we still lived on the Sixth mile, hungry wolves in the winter were selected to Arkhangelsk, and if we had to return late from the guests home, I always kept my revolver in the clutch. Ever our horses are not raced so fast as when he sensed the wolves.  Often we have seen how in the dark their eyes sparkle. But lone wolves do not attack, and I didn't have to become a "quick draw" — a favorite expression of Margate, had seen it there cowboy movies.
Every second year Olaf and I went abroad, but only in winter, so we did not visit our island. But went there every year the rest Vagary, and almost believed their island. For seventeen years Olaf has not seen our island, and I have – ten.
When we lived in Arhangelsk, in Onega opened the Norwegian concession, and its Manager was appointed his older brother Olav — Andreas, who arrived there with his Russian wife Sonya and their three children. Over time, however, for the company "Altius", it became impossible to work with "Severoles". In 1927-1928, the closed company "Angeles" and "Norwegian".
Andreas sent the children home to Stockholm: they lived in Bromma and went to school there. And in the beginning of 1929 it was the turn to close and "Resogarantia". We are still some time remained in Arkhangelsk, and then, in Leningrad, the train went in the opposite way. About a year before our departure from the Swedish Embassy, the Vice-Consul arrived in Arkhangelsk and took over from Olaf, who had previously performed these duties. New Vice-Consul joined our small group of foreigners — Enwiki, Wiklund, our Dutch and us.

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BRITAIN. 1929-1939 years

From Russia we, together with Andreas and Sonja, via Gothenburg and Tabari, reached London on 9 March 1929. Olaf was hoping to get a job in some Russian-English timber company. This date I remember well, because then was my daughter's birthday, Andreas — she turned eleven, and Sonia wanted on the phone to congratulate her from Gothenburg, and I had to help her, Sonya spoke only in Russian, Swedish knew barely. We are all together in London spent a few days, while Andreas and Sonja went back to Sweden.
After a long search, Olaf was finally promised a job, and we went on a real honeymoon — drove to nice, as dreamed for so many years. In Calais and on the train I saw how I forgot French — because in French I have not spoken since my work in the Arkhangelsk customs. Olaf did not know French at all. In Paris, my tongue started to come loose and in nice, I again spoke freely. All these years, my French has remained preserved in memory.
On the way back to Stockholm we stopped in Milan for a day. The Windows of our hotel overlook a large square, it was filled with people — everyone listened to some speaker. I asked the waiter: what is happening there? Acts of Mussolini, he replied. Before that I never Mussolini did not hear, and soon his name went down in history. Another night we spent in Berlin, the hotel is so familiar to me from childhood. We returned to Sweden via Sassnitz-Trelleborg.
In January 1930, aboard Sweden, again through Gothenburg and Tilbury, we arrived in London. Brother of former head of Olaf for company "Altius" lived in England: their only son wanted to study at Oxford. They had a house in Golders Green, and they wanted us to live nearby, which we did. A week we lived in a hotel and then moved into a new house that had one common wall with the neighboring house. Olaf began to work, where he went every day on the subway.  I felt bad about: the house smelled of fresh paint, fogs, black the soot from the rain... had to get furniture, to get used to new grocery stores. Mrs. kupman helped us a lot here, which was very nice of her, because I just met her.  She asked me to join her club, play tennis, badminton, bridge. There I met and soon became friends with three more ladies. And all -??? feel lousy. Only by coming to the doctor, I found out why: after twelve years of marriage I was expecting a child.
So began my new life. Advice me to contact was not in a coma, Mrs. Koopman lady is older, so I could rely only on the doctor. He gave me all the necessary instructions, prepared all that was necessary for childbirth: found a babysitter, etc. Recommend me a book "the Art of being a mother: a guide", I bought another tutorial on knitting. My father then lived in Poland, knowing that he would soon become a grandfather, he rejoiced that I live in such a beautiful environment, in a separate house with a garden — and in front of him and behind him. "Enjoy the flowers more," my dad wrote to me.
Apparently, our baby firmly decided not to be born in a Communist country, where everything was so terrible, especially in recent years — around us hunger, for us surveillance, etc.everything was quite different.  Margaret was born in the house on Hurstwood born in Golders Green, October 3, 1930.  I had to ask the nanny to stay with us for a week longer — in my left hip began blockage of the veins, and I was ordered to lie in bed without movement — so then it was treated. After a while, I hired a visiting servant and let the nanny go. But there was no time to go in for sports.
At all same life in of England was easy and comfortable. In Golders Green, a milkman, a grocer, a fisherman, a butcher, a Baker -- they all brought their goods right into our house. At the insistence of the nanny, we had a phone that was not often in small houses. When Margaret grew older, her nothing so pleasing as the sound of a bell of our ice cream. At home we spoke Swedish, I knew that I speak English with an accent and did not want my daughter to take it from me. On the advice of a neighbor, Mrs. Koopman, of three years, Margaret went to kindergarten at the school "Montessori" in the Finchley family, very close to us. As a rule, only four-year-olds were accepted there, but I explained why I would like Margit to go to school earlier, and she was accepted.
Margate always preferred to play with older children. Our neighbors had only one child — Brenda, four years older than Margit-they played great together. Margaret always tried to imitate the Brand and was angry if he could not do something that makes her friend. In kindergarten Margit decided to do all that was taught to another girl-five-year-old rosemary, daughter of the head of the school. The teachers did their best to prepare rosemary for the next school. Need to say that in the kindergarten the children were allowed to do what they want, and each worked individually. Before school I taught Margaret to write printed letters, our address, her name and our phone.
Summer we spent on the beach, in Frinton, and the next year went to Stockholm, and from there to our island. In frinton Olaf came to every weekend, on "Askene" Margate and I stayed all summer, and Olaf prvodil with us only a few weeks in August. One summer Hedwig came to us, even before her marriage, she wanted to learn how to farm and relax a little, and we went to frinton. For her wedding I went one — through Holland, Berlin to Schwedt-on-Oder, where lived the parents of the groom, of Henry Pepke.  Dad came to the wedding from Poland. I could not forgive Hedwig, she didn't invite Elsa, because you could easily pay her way. From Norway came my father's older sister aunt Matilda the Stump. I asked Dagmar Vager, wife Paula, younger brother of Olaf,/they later got divorced/ who had come to England to stay with us in Golders Green to look after Margaret and Olaf. Shortly after the wedding, Chamberlain returned and Munich with good news: "there will Never be a war with Germany again!»

SWEDEN. 1939 год

In the summer of 1939 we all went to Stockholm, and from there to our island, where Olaf spent a month with us and returned to England. We Margaret had to return to the "patricians", our tickets were "2 Sep". The day Hitler's troops invaded Poland and unleashed the second World war.
We didn't leave the radio all day. There was no news from Olaf. We settled in the house of Andreas and Sony Appelviken, in Bromma, and Sonia got an idea, bro to send Margaret to a local school. But I was afraid that I have nothing to pay, because in addition to return tickets and outerwear we had nothing. I didn't know it was free in Sweden. In the Swedish branch of "Lloyd" I was told: wait a week or two. And I waited, there was nothing else to do. And sent Margaret to school in the same one where he studied the Swedish crown Princess Victoria, Smekalina that is halfway between Apelsinka and the Royal castle in Martingale .
Thames has already been shut down for civilian shipping, and Patricia, without us, has been sent to Newcastle to pick up all the Swedes who want to go home. London was blacked out. And here in the dark, or in the office, Olaf frantically Packed everything we could take with us. In Sweden, he arrived safely in November — that he is on the road, I was told from Lloyd in Newcastle. The "Patricia" deck was painted in Swedish national colors and brightly lit with spotlights at night-letting the German pilots know that the vessel of the neutral country is coming. All the passengers spent the night on the deck, in the rescue belts, with pocket lanterns — in case the ship is torpedoed.
From Sweden, Olaf sent the keys to our house to an unknown London broker, ordering us to pack the furniture and everything and ship it on a Norwegian cargo ship to Bergen.
Meanwhile, we were living in a small house Andreas: the three of us and five of them. On new year's eve, we heard on the radio that near Bergen sank Norwegian cargo ship with our London property-Norway Germans have not yet occupied, but torpedoed all cargo ships to prevent the delivery of food to England. So the second time we lost all our property: first, the Bolsheviks took all of Russia, and now the Germans had let him down in the North starved thankfully Olaf was able to bring something: silverware, my jewellery, winter clothing, blankets, sheets.
Insurance premiums were so high, that Olaf had to insure things only on any part their actual value of, and on forestry from insurance companies money we have been able to purchase only the most modest environment and only most necessary for our new apartment: just one room and cuisine of. A few years in a row we had to tight: Olaf could not get a job-who needs an employee who exceeded fifty? Through the Red Cross we finally received news from British subjects, in Hitler's Germany – from the Pope and Elsa: they are alive and well, live at Hedwig in Perleberg.
Hedwig's husband, German pilot Henry Pepke, was killed on a RAID on London. Hedwig wrote, that is happy, that we in Sweden, from its letters I understood, that Pepke bombed Golders-green, where stood our house. We also received news from our friends in Holland, now occupied by the Germans. When part of Henry Pepke stood in Holland, he visited them and asked in the event of his death to keep in touch through Hedwig.
Finally Olaf joined the service, life has become easier. As soon as Margit school ended in June, we went to our island, Olaf came to us not only for three weeks in July, but every weekend spent with us. I had to sell a little bit of my jewelry to send parcels to my father and Elsa-while it was still allowed. But later the East German government was forbidden to send. German bombs badly damaged our home in the Golders Green, but he was not allowed to be completely at home neighbors. In our house settled a bombed-out London of the family. Olaf nearly had a fit when we announced that we in the house have very high taxes — and dual English and Swedish. Even in 1965, after his death, Margit and I had to continue paying taxes. After endless efforts, Margit and I managed to betray the house to its new residents, but after paying taxes, lawyers and other expenses, we have almost nothing left from the sale of the house.  This was the end of our epic London.