Refugee in search of a homeland

the horses.

"This is our new apprentice: Dieter," said Herr Hoffmeister. "Na, let's hope," was his cryptic welcome.

I didn't know what that was supposed to mean, but I kept my mouth shut.

The other people were all working in the potato field. There didn't seem to be any machinery for the potato harvest, as we had them at home. They were dug with a hoe, collected in bags and put on a heavy cart which was pulled by two oxen. The man in charge of the oxen was Heinz. He looked a little younger than I.

"Let's be on our way again. I want to show you some of the other fields and the paddocks where the cows are."

It was a long walk and I was glad I didn't have to get my hands dirty on the first day. Then we walked down the hill again, and towards Rittmarshausen. In one of the fenced-in paddocks along the road were the six cows.

"You can help me to get them back into the yard. It's nearly dinner time, and they need to be milked."

When we arrived at the yard each cow seemed to know her spot in the shed. After tying them up we went inside. Herr Hoffmeister showed me a map of the farm. Several patches surrounded the village in irregular patterns.

"These fields in red belong to me." "They are all over the place!" "Yes, I told you that they are rather scattered. They have been divided by my grandfather, and some have been purchased later on. It's not a good situation, but É"

"I guess, I'll just have to memorise them." "Oh, don't worry, you'll soon learn. The others know them." Sitting around the dinner table was somewhat hierarchical, I thought. Herr Hoffmeister sat at the head of the table. Then along the wall was a bench where Herr Kothe, the horse man, sat, then Heinz, then I and Gustav, a day worker from the village came last. Frau Hoffmeister sat on her husbands right, and then came the three girls, in order of seniority. The girls had to help with the serving, and they kept jumping up and down, whilst we were stuck on our bench behind the table. The meal was plain but nourishing. There would always be some meat, plenty of potatoes and vegetables. As much as you could eat! I noticed the other men had all good appetites, so I knew I would be right here as far as food was concerned. After the meal the men excused themselves. Kothe and Gustav went home, Heinz and I went to our respective rooms. The girls had to wash up and clean the kitchen, and then they too were free.

"I will call you tomorrow morning, Dieter, about 5.30 am. We'll start work then," said Herr Hoffmeister, when I said good night to him.

My room was tiny. Just enough space for my single bed along the wall,

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