"Nastya?" Marie called. When there was no response, Marie sighed and reluctantly left her post at the window to locate the screeching Anastasia. Anastasia, Marie’s younger sister, had a habit of causing mischief, and Marie was certain that her little sister was behind this latest disturbance. Marie ran as fast as she could in her formal white dress to the bathroom. Upon reaching the doorway, Marie quickly scanned the room. Anastasia was nowhere to be seen.

"Anastasia?" Marie whispered. "Mashka's come to the rescue, where are you?" There was only silence. Suddenly, a grinning face peeked over the edge of the large bathtub. Marie jumped in fright, and let out a small screech of her own.

"It's only me, Mashka." Marie’s twelve-year-old sister laughed joyfully.

"Don't scare me like that!" Marie said, as sternly as she could.

"I really do need your help." Anastasia said sounding a little hurt and pouting for the pure theatrics of it.

"What do you need, Nastya?”

"My bow." Anastasia said, reaching behind her back for the ribbon. "I can't get it tight enough. Could you tie it for me, Mashka?" Anastasia looked up at Marie with pleading eyes. Marie walked over to her, and carefully tied Anastasia’s ribbon.

"Is that better? It's not too tight, is it?" Marie asked with genuine concern, placing a loving hand on Anastasia’s shoulder.


"No, that's just right, thank you." Anastasia answered with a sloppy curtsy and a giggle. She grabbed her elder sister’s hand and brought her voice down to a low whisper. Anastasia’s blue eyes gleamed with mischief. "Let's go Mashka! I have the greatest prank to play on Tati!" She started to drag Marie off, but “Mashka” stayed put, thinking of her soldier.

Tatiana, or Tati, was the second sister, about two years younger than Olga, and two years older than Marie. Tatiana had a habit of being far too proper for Anastasia’s liking, and all of Tatiana’s siblings jokingly called her “the Governess” because of her habit of taking charge of the situation and being the un-official leader of all the children; even Olga. Olga didn't seem to mind the younger Tatiana taking charge; the two eldest sisters were very close..

"Nastya, I'd really rather not..." Marie said. Anastasia tried to pull her again, but she was too strong for Anastasia. "Some other time..."

"You're no fun Mashka." Anastasia whined, then she brightened. "I bet Aleksey will help me. He's more fun than you."

Aleksey was Marie’s little brother, the youngest of the five siblings and the only boy. At age nine, Aleksey was a lovable troublemaker like Anastasia. Unfortunately, the happy-go-lucky little boy had a dreadful illness which often caused him to be bedridden for days on end. Neither Aleksey’s parents nor sisters would discuss this malady.