third floor. Whenever an air-raid forced her to take shelter behind a strange gate, she tried to dispel the fear of her companions through conversation. “Why, you really have nerves made of steel,” she often heard. No, she did not have nerves made of steel. She had normal, human nerves but knew how to maintain her composure. She was shocked when on 5 September Colonel Umiastowski called on all men able to carry arms to leave the capital, but she did not show her anxiety. She only firmly informed her husband that if he decided to leave Warsaw she would go with him. Political tension intensified by the hour, causing people in Warsaw to make suggestions under panic. Colonel Umiastowski’s appeal blared again and again, a dismal reminder. “Should we leave? Where to?” some pondered. “If we stay they could take us for deserters,” others explained. “Desertion?” Mr D. shuddered.
He left Warsaw with his wife at 7 a.m. on 6 September. They took 500 zlotys, two golden wedding rings, a golden watch, and a rather small bag [105] with two changes of underwear and food. They entrusted their flat and belongings to Mrs D.’s sister.
The streets were bustling even though it was early in the morning. A crowd of people was heading in a gloomy procession towards the Kierbedź Bridge. Most people were walking in groups, discussing current events, pushed forward by a sudden psychosis. Everybody was carrying something, in their hands or on their backs: a parcel, suitcase, or bundle. Some people were pulling carts loaded with heaps of bedding and other baggage. There were both Poles and Jews. All the shops were still closed. Groups of people stood gathered outside every tenement gate—still discussing [whether to stay or go] or biding their farewell. Here and there people leaned out the windows. Yet windows of abandoned flats were already shut tight. “Yesterday evening it was already impossible to get on a train. Lots of people remained at the station [even though] they had tickets. They paid astronomic sums of money for taxies, passenger cars, and lorries.” “I’ve heard that it is dangerous to travel by train, as the Germans are shelling the tracks.” Mrs D. could hear snatches of conversations.
She stopped for a while by the bridge. She looked at the Royal Castle. The ancient walls looked bleak in the morning sun. There were no guards and [the Castle was] empty and dead. “Mr President left Warsaw two days ago,” somebody behind her whispered.
