Winter of the World by Ken Follett

be shot if they vote against. But they’re going to do it anyway.’
    Heinrich went back inside and Lloyd returned to the Social Democrats. ‘The diehards are weakening,’ Lloyd told Walter and his colleagues. ‘They’re afraid of a civil war
if the Act is rejected.’
    The gloom deepened.
    They all returned to the debating chamber at six o’clock.
    Wels spoke first. He was calm, reasonable and unemotional. He pointed out that life in a democratic republic had been good for Germans, overall, bringing freedom of opportunity and social
welfare, and reinstating Germany as a normal member of the international community.
    Lloyd noticed Hitler making notes.
    At the end Wels bravely professed allegiance to humanity and justice, freedom and socialism. ‘No Enabling Law gives you the power to annihilate ideas that are eternal and
indestructible,’ he said, gaining courage as the Nazis began to laugh and jeer.
    The Social Democrats applauded, but they were drowned out.
    ‘We greet the persecuted and oppressed!’ Wels shouted. ‘We greet our friends in the Reich. Their steadfastness and loyalty deserve admiration.’
    Lloyd could just make out his words over the hooting and booing of the Nazis.
    ‘The courage of their convictions and their unbroken optimism guarantee a brighter future!’
    He sat down amid raucous heckling.
    Would the speech make any difference? Lloyd could not tell.
    After Wels, Hitler spoke again. This time his tone was quite different. Lloyd realized that in his earlier speech the Chancellor had only been warming up. His voice was louder now, his phrases
more intemperate, his tone full of contempt. He used his right arm constantly to make aggressive gestures – pointing, hammering, clenching his fist, putting his hand on his heart, and
sweeping the air in a gesture that seemed to brush all opposition aside. Every impassioned phrase was cheered uproariously by his supporters. Every sentence expressed the same emotion: a savage,
all-consuming, murderous rage.
    Hitler was also confident. He claimed he had not needed to propose the Enabling Act. ‘We appeal in this hour to the German Reichstag to grant us something we would have taken
anyway!’ he jeered.
    Heinrich looked worried, and left the box. A minute later Lloyd saw him on the floor of the auditorium, whispering in his father’s ear.
    When he returned to the box he looked stricken.
    Lloyd said: ‘Have you got your written assurances?’
    Heinrich could not meet Lloyd’s eye. ‘The document is being typed up,’ he replied.
    Hitler finished by scorning the Social Democrats. He did not want their votes. ‘Germany shall be free,’ he screamed. ‘But not through you!’
    The leaders of the other parties spoke briefly. Every one appeared crushed. Prelate Kaas said the Centre Party would support the bill. The rest followed suit. Everyone but the Social Democrats
was in favour.
    The result of the vote was announced, and the Nazis cheered wildly.
    Lloyd was awestruck. He had seen naked power brutally wielded, and it was an ugly sight.
    He left the box without speaking to Heinrich.
    He found Walter in the entrance lobby, weeping. He was using a large white handkerchief to wipe his face, but the tears kept coming. Lloyd had not seen men cry like that except at funerals.
    Lloyd did not know what to say or do.
    ‘My life has been a failure,’ Walter said. ‘This is the end of all hope. German democracy is dead.’
    (vii)
    Saturday 1 April was Boycott Jew Day. Lloyd and Ethel walked around Berlin, staring in incredulity, Ethel making notes for her book. The Star of David was crudely daubed
on the windows of Jewish-owned shops. Brownshirts stood at the doors of Jewish-owned department stores, intimidating people who wanted to go in. Jewish lawyers and doctors were picketed. Lloyd
happened to see a couple of Brownshirts stopping patients going in to see the von Ulrichs’ family physician, Dr Rothmann, but then a hard-handed coal-heaver with a