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Updated: May 15, 2025
And Katja must have understood, for she went away at once. It was just as well, because at almost the same moment Barbara returned to join Nona, her arms full of queer-shaped packages, and looking happier than she had since their arrival in the Russian city. The Next Step The following afternoon it seemed to Nona Davis that all Petrograd was a-glitter with onion-shaped domes.
Because I had intended to try to get permission to return there alone. You know I told you of Sonya's arrest, but I did not tell you that I intend to do all that I possibly can to befriend her. She seems to have no one who cares what becomes of her so far as I can find out, except her two old servants, Katja and Nika.
Katja was waiting and fortunately there were but a few other persons in the Cathedral at the same hour. As quickly and as intelligently as she knew how, the old woman explained that Sonya was in a civil prison in Petrograd and was to be tried for treason within another week. Katja had not seen her child, but had received a few lines in reply to a dozen letters which a friend had written for her.
The American girl could see that in spirit old Katja and Nika were the devoted slaves of the younger woman. Sonya was not at first conscious of the seriousness of her illness. She wore a dressing gown of some rough homespun, a curious shade of Russian blue, the color of her own eyes.
Perhaps the government may be willing to allow me to dispose of my property, although of course I can't tell. But I have made a will and had it witnessed here in the prison. If it is possible I want you to have half of the little I have left and Katja and Nika the rest. There would be no chance to leave it to the cause of peace in these days." Nona received the little paper.
Nothing could be done for her release and Katja would only be made the more miserable. Neither was Katja to let Nona know anything of her whereabouts until after sentence was passed. Then if Katja could find the American girl she was to say farewell for Sonya Valesky.
It was old Katja, Sonya Valesky's servant, whom she had left with Nika in her little hut. What had brought the old woman to Petrograd? In reality Nona knew without asking the question. It was Katja's devotion to Sonya. The old woman was speaking a queer jumble of languages, Russian and the few words of English she had learned while the American girl was living in the same house.
Some of the domes were of blue, set with stars to represent the canopy of the sky. But Nona knew that the central dome of St. Isaac's was an enormous copper ball covered with gold and that its radiance could be seen at a great distance. She had had great difficulty in fulfilling her engagement with Katja.
How little had she really deserved the Russian woman's affection, for how much she had distrusted her! Well, Nona again determined to do all that was possible now to prove her allegiance. As soon as she could get away from Katja, Nona secured a sleigh and drove at once to the house of the American Ambassador.
What Nona finally learned was, that Katja was imploring her to meet her somewhere the next day, where they could talk without being observed. Nona knew of no place except the one that was always open to rich and poor alike in Russia. And she had to think quickly. Yet the churches had always been their refuge ever since the arrival of the four Red Cross girls in Europe.
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