FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 1943
Dearest Kitty,
Every time I write to you, something special has happened, usually unpleasant rather than pleasant. This time, however, something wonderful is going on.
On Wednesday, September 8, we were listening to the seven ocloews when we heard an annou: "Here is some of the best news of the war so far: Italy has capitulated." Italy has unditionally surrehe Dutch broadcast from England began at eight-fifteen with the news: "Listeners, an hour and fifteen minutes ago, just as I finished writing my daily report, we received the wonderful news of Italys capitulation. I tell you, I ossed my notes into the aper basket with more delight than I did today!」
"God Save the King," the Ameriational anthem and the Russian Iionale」
were played. As always, the Dutch program lifting without being too optimistic.
The British have landed in Naples. Northern Italy is occupied by the Germans. The truce was signed on Friday, September 3, the day the British landed in Italy. The Germans are ranting and raving in all the neers at the treachery of Badoglio and the Italian king.
Still, theres bad news as well. Its about Mr. Kleiman. As you know, we all like him very much. Hes unfailingly cheerful and amazingly brave, despite the fact that hes always sid in pain and t eat much or do a lot of walking. "When Mr. Kleimaers a room, the sun begins to shine," Mother said retly, and shes absolutely right.
Now it seems he has to go to the hospital for a very difficult operation on his stomach, and will have to stay there for at least four weeks. You should have seen him wheold us good-bye. He acted so normally, as though he were just off to do an errand.
Yours, Anne
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 1943
Dearest Kitty,
Relationships here in the Annex are getting worse all the time. We dont dare open our mouths at mealtime (except to slip in a bite of food), because no matter what we say, someone is bound to resent it or take it the wrong way. Mr. Voskuijl occasionally es to visit us. Unfortunately, hes not doing very well. He isnt making it any easier for his family, because his attitude seems to be: what do I care, Im going to die anyway! When I think how touchy everyone is here, I just imagine what it must be like at the Voskuijls.
Ive been taking valerian every day to fight the ay and depression, but it doesnt stop me from being even more miserable the day. A good hearty laugh would help better than ten valerian drops, but weve almost fotten how to laugh.
Sometimes Im afraid my face is going to sag with all this sorrow and that my mouth is going to permaly droop at the ers. The others arent doing aer.
Everyone here is dreading the great terror known as winter.
Another fact that doesly brighten up our days is that Mr. van Maaren, the man who works in the warehouse, is getting suspicious about the Annex. A person with any brains must have noticed by now that Miep sometimes says shes going to the lab, Bep to the file room and Mr. Kleiman to the Opekta supplies, while Mr.
Kugler claims the Annex doesnt belong to this building at all, but to the o door.
We wouldnt care what Mr. van Maaren thought of the situation except that hes known to be unreliable and to possess a high degree of curiosity. Hes not one who be put off with a flimsy excuse.
One day Mr. Kugler wao be extra cautious, so at twenty past twelve he put on his coat ao the