Free The Castle in the Forest by Norman Mailer Page A

Braunau, the incumbent of the parish church, Father Koest-ler, proceeded to study the problem. After a month came a discouraging response: The power to grant dispensations in cases such as Herr Hitler’s did not reside in him. Klara and Alois would have to apply to the Bishop of Linz. Father Koestler would help him to write the letter.
     
     
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    Most Reverend Episcopate:
    Those who with most humble devotion have appended their signatures below have decided upon marriage. But according to the enclosed family tree they are prevented by the canoni-
    cal impediment of collateral affinity. They therefore make the humble request that the Most Reverend Episcopate will graciously secure for them a dispensation on the following grounds:
    The bridegroom has been a widower since August 10th of this year, and he is the father of two minors, a boy of two and a half years (Alois) and a girl of one year and two months (Angela), and they both need the services of a nurse, all the more because he is a Customs official away from home all day and often at night, and therefore in no position to supervise the education and upbringing of his children. The bride has been caring for these children ever since their mother’s death, and they are very fond of her. Thus it may be justifiably assumed that they will be well brought up and the marriage will be a happy one. Moreover, the bride is without means, and it is unlikely that she will ever have another opportunity to make a good marriage.
    For these reasons, the undersigned repeat their humble petition for a gracious procurement of dispensation from the impediment of affinity.
    Braunau am Inn, 27 October, 1884
    Alois Hitler, Bridegroom
    Klara Poelzl, Bride
     
    Alois had become friends with Father Koestler’s housekeeper, a plump middle-aged woman with a light in her eye.
    Given the matching light in his eye, he showed her the letter and said, “There is no mention of a very important reason for our marriage. The bride is pregnant.”
    “Oh, we know that,” she said, “but it is not a good idea to leave a stone in the envelope.”
    After a digestive pause, Alois said, “That is fine advice. It is well seated,” and he put his hand on her behind as if to test the center of her wisdom. She gave him a crack across the face.
    “How could you do that?” he asked.
    “Herr Hitler, don’t you get slapped a lot?”
    “Yes, but I also receive nice surprises. From good women who are not as high and mighty as you.”
    She laughed. She could not help herself. The cheeks of her face must be as red as the place where he had left his compliment. “Good luck with the Bishop of Linz,” she said. “He is a timid fellow.”
    Word did not come back from Linz until a full month had passed. The Bishop of Linz would not grant the dispensation.
    If Alois had had little liking for the Church, he could now despise it. “Churchmen wear black cassocks,” he said to himself, “to cover their lily white asses.”
    To Father Koestler, he asked respectfully, “What, then, Father, is the next step?”
    “The letter containing your plea must now be translated into Latin by the diocesan scholars in Linz. That would allow us to send it to Rome. I think the papal court will be more receptive. They usually are.”
    Yes, thought Alois, they will be far enough away not to worry about an Austrian man and woman. To the priest he said, “I thank you for your wisdom. I learn much from you, Father. I think in Rome they will see that the act of providing a decent mother for my two children will constitute good Catholic virtue. That is a virtue I seek to acquire.”
    His hints were not small. He was one sinner who might be ready to return to the mother fold.
    Father Koestler was sufficiently pleased to offer good economic advice. Since translation into Latin was costly, it might be wise to sign a Testimonium Pauperatis.
    “This says, ‘a declaration of poverty’?” Alois could translate that much Latin by