The Eisensons lived in the upstairs apartment, while the Abners occupied the downstairs flat. Mrs. Eisenson had asked Droozy’s mother whether the girl could babysit with her children on New Year’s Eve. This was shortly after Droozy’s eleventh birthday. Although she was quite grown up in many ways, she did not like the dark or being alone at night. Despite this Droozy mustered up her courage and agreed to be the guard with three-year-old Sandy and six-month-old Philip. Droozy ascended the dimly lit stairs to the Eisenson abode and entered an even darker living room, which was gaily decorated for the occasion with blue, red, green and purple lights, which cast eerie shadows on the walls and floors.

            All was well until the couple left, closing the door tightly behind them. Sandy was still up and sang many verses of “There is Blood on the Saddle” and asked equally many questions. Droozy kept him up as long as possible because with him awake she was not too terribly frightened. When Sandy’s eyes began to droop Droozy knew that she would have to sit up alone. The little boy crept into his bed and five minutes later was fast asleep. The sound of his breathing coupled with that of brother Phillip sounded very frightful and Droozy repeatedly visited their room, checking under their beds to see whether a marauder had not somehow been hiding there. Soon the purple shadows began to take on shape and appeared like phantoms and evil spirits. Droozy’s heart pounded more and more and she was paralyzed with fright, absolutely unable to move. She buried her head in the couch pillow and hardly dared breathe. She was in this condition, what seemed to be hours, when gentle sleep took over. Droozy was awakened a few minutes later by a creaking noise and out of the corner of her eyes a spectre-like shadow crept closer and closer to the couch. Frozen terror seized Droozy when suddenly a voice was heard: “Droozy, I want a drink of water, I’m thirsty.” Droozy gave out with a terrified shriek and looked squarely into the eyes of the little blond demon, Sandy. Shakily Droozy took hold of the child’s hand and groped her way to the faucet, where the request was met. After several more nerve-tingling hours the Eisensons made their way up the stairs. Droozy was never so happy to see anyone. They gave Droozy fifty cents of which twenty five were later returned the child’s mother, since Mama did not want to “overcharge” neighbors. It was a long time before Droozy babysat again!

Up
Introduction
Pork Dumplings
Please Don't Eat the Goldfish
Pretty Shoes
Blueberry Cake
Sukkot
The Garden
Maxel
The Red Rabbit
Passover
The Lost Bathing Tickets
What Shall I Do?  The Double Message
Pieces of Gold
Aromas of the Sabbath
The Birth of a Brother
Green Apples
Herr Kübler
The Broken Leg
Boarding School
The American Calendar
Suse Puppe
Shirley Temple Eyes
Kristallnacht Nov. 9, 10, 11
Aunt (Tante) Mathilde
Ice Skates
The Cologne Cathedral
The Escape
A Belgian Holiday
Gas Balloons and the S. S. Washington
Papa
The Statue
A Bad Dream
A Pencil Thief
The West Virginia Hills
Thanksgiving
Ice Cream, Grieben and Baked Spaghetti
The Gypsy’s Song
Venetian Blinds
The Deaf One
Dimmed Lights
Marryyayo
Friendship
Norma Mae
The Spelling Bee
Run, Thief, Run!
Chances
The Candy Store
The Birthday Party
Deep, Shallow Waters
Red Riding Hood
Small Mama
Droozy In Love
Eskimo Pies
Apple Picking Time
Working Days
Easter Baskets
Valedictorian
Farewell
Blind Joe
Lessons Learned From Parents
About the Author