The Upstairs Room

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussions of antisemitism, genocide, and graphic violence.

One day, Annie hears a noise outside and moves toward the window. When Sini reprimands her, warning of the danger, Annie wonders how bad Poland could be. Then, Opoe storms in, angry that Annie has placed a book on top of her lace cap. Even though the cap seems okay, and Annie apologizes, Opoe is still upset. Not long after, Dini Hannink arrives to warn of an imminent German search. Dientje panics, but when Johan arrives home, he tells the girls that the hiding place in the closet will save them, but they must spend the night there. Opoe worries that the girls will suffocate, but Johan plans to leave it slightly open. If soldiers arrive, one of them will close the shelf before they answer the door. When they enter the space, Dientje hands them two apples. Sini forces Annie to stay awake, and Opoe checks on them later, bringing the girls tea at two o’clock in the morning. The Germans never arrive.

The next morning, when the girls get out, they see pale, stricken faces in the mirror. Annie is upset because Johan invited Sini to the stable that evening, so the younger girl vows not to do her math or to talk to her sister for the rest of the day.