02:29

Ruth Deutschmann

Benjamin Epp

2008-05-06

Sylvia Manning - Baumgartner

Nicole D´Incecco

1940

Did you notice when your mother was pregnant? No, not at all! I don't know how that was possible. I don't know. They hadn't explained the facts of life to us; we didn't notice anything. We hadn't had any sexual education... - none at all. And they never said anything, that another "babyle" was on its way or anything. We didn't pay too much attention and - no, I didn't notice anything. What was it like when another small one was there? Your mother - where did she give birth? She gave birth at home. We were sent to the neighbours, to this one and that one for a few days each. And when we got home again there was a new "babyle". Yes. And when she nursed we didn't see anything. She sat down on a chair back there and had a large cloth... covering her. We didn't know what that was all about. They never talked about it, no. I wonder how they were able to make babies. I don't know. I never, ever noticed. Never! None of us did. None of us. I don't know. To this day, I don't know. I can't account for it. Well. How and when, there was somebody around day and night. I don't know. In your memory: ...was every child a joy for your parents? Or was it more like: "My goodness, another child!"? No, it was a joy. Because, my mother said: "I'd rather take in another child which is not mine than give away one of mine." That was her answer when anybody said: "My God, you have so many children." She said: "That's all right", she said, "I'd never give a child away. I'd rather take another one in." But you had to go away, for example! Yes! There was not enough room in the apartment. ...I was the one who had to go to the farmers most often and... was always gone.