Three Rings for Alice

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July 12, 2008

Alice fears for her budding career when the new city hall is built and new rotary telephones are installed. Her intimate knowledge of the Milwaukee neighborhood as well as her acumen with office procedures qualify her for a secretarial position which very few women are awarded in the nineteenth century. While setting up a telephone station in the city treasurer’s office, Alice takes a call from a mystery man.

Alice Smith clasped her hands inside her rabbit muff and scurried across the frozen rubble that was Wells Street in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. After church, Alice and her friend Minnie were on their way back to Mrs. Robert’s Boarding Establishment for Young Ladies when the imposing tower of Milwaukee’s new City Hall caught Alice’s attention. The edifice reminded her of the tower of Babel she had just heard about at Brother Amos’s Christian Servants Congregation.

Her companion, Minnie, shoved her onto the walk just in time. They both watched one of those rickety horseless carriages careen past.

“I don’t know how those ghastly things can be allowed on the streets,” Minnie complained. The girls gave their long skirts a twist and shake to straighten their taffeta petticoats.

“You’ve got your new blue wool on, I see,” Minnie carried on, giddy as usual. “I meant to compliment you earlier. That jacket makes you look as professional as any man.”

“Thank you, Minnie.” Alice absently patted her hat into place. “It cost two weeks’ worth of board money. I’ve been so worried about losing my job. I know I shouldn’t have been so impractical.” She stared at the tall building’s sharp outline on the horizon. “Oh, Minnie, the dedication ceremony is already next Monday. Christmas is ruined for me. Mayor Koch said they decided to install those new rotary telephones. They won’t need a switchboard operator any more. What’ll I do?”

Minnie clutched Alice by the elbow and pulled her toward Mrs. Robert’s. “It’s too cold to stand about moping. Did the Mayor release you from service?”

“N-no.”

“Oh, Alice, you practically run the place. You know just how to talk to people so they don’t get all annoyed, and you know everyone’s schedule. Without you, the whole city would stumble to a halt.” Minnie opened the door. Smells of Mrs. Robert’s Yankee Pot Roast, which she served only on Sundays, assailed them while they hung their wraps. “Besides, you can always work for Emma at her stenography business.”

“You’re right. I just love the switchboard, though. Are we still meeting the boys and Selma later?”

Minnie grinned. “Right. At the Baby Park.”

“Don’t be so romantic, Min. Frank will propose to you soon.”

“I’ll wait for Harry and Selma first.” Minnie laughed then sobered as they took their seats at the dining table. Two other lady boarders and Mrs. Robert made up their company. Mrs. Robert nodded grimly and led the prayer.

After the “amen,” Alice reached for the bread basket. “I’m never going to marry, of course. After living at the Protestant Orphan Asylum, no one will ever tell me how to live my life again.”

*******

Just as Minnie predicted, four years later, in 1899, Alice reveled at being one of the few females in the country to work in a city mayor's office. Alice enthusiastically adopted the life of the New Woman as recently elected Mayor Rose made Alice his secretary.

One afternoon as Alice delivered a report to the Treasurer’s Office, the telephone on George MacTeague’s empty desk began to ring. At the third jingle, Alice snatched up the handset. “Good afternoon, City Hall, Office of the Treasurer.”

“Good afternoon, Madam,” a richly-timbered male voice replied. “I wonder if you could be so kind as to read the trolley schedule to me. No one seems to be able to tell me where it goes.”

Alice stared uncomprehending at the large numbers on the base of the telephone. Her knees shook even as it occurred to her that she needed to redirect the man—but where?

July 25, 2008

Second Installment

“I’m sorry, sir, for my…temporary confusion. The trolley schedule. Yes, let me check for you.”

Alice held the handset away from her and took a deep breath. A quick glance at George’s desktop reminded her that she was not in her own familiar surroundings. There she knew the location of every schedule, every important piece of information, such as the exchange the man was seeking.

“Sir, the Milwaukee Electric Railway and Light Company will have the schedule for you. It is…” Alice squeezed her eyes shut and prayed for the number to pop into her head. Yes! She answered him as professionally as she could and returned George’s handset. Alice plopped in George’s chair behind his desk, fanning herself. The Treasurer’s Office felt like Mrs. Robert’s washroom. She jumped when she heard the door open.

“What an unexpected pleasure, Alice, my dear!” George MacTeague tossed his coat on the rack near the frosted glass door. He was a nicely proportioned man, fit and toned, which Alice had to admit she admired, despite the fact that he practiced boxing. His nose was flattened due to at least two messy breaks in the years they’d been acquainted, but even that didn’t spoil his charm. “Don’t tell me the mayor has given you to me, now.”

Alice rose from his chair. She straightened an errant ruffle of her blouse. “Certainly not, George. And I wish you would act more professionally during office hours. I merely delivered the accounts payable and then answered your telephone.”

“Oh?” George sat on the corner of his desk, blocking Alice’s exit. “What did I miss?”

“The caller wanted the trolley schedule.” Alice attempted to move past George’s swinging leg.

“Which you no doubt supplied simply from memory. You’re amazing, Alice. How about we celebrate by having supper together?”

Alice drew in her breath and clasped her hands in front of her. “I must return to my desk, Mr. MacTeague. Will you please let me past?”

“Not until you say yes.”
“George, you know very well that I am not interested in any romantic nonsense. Since Mrs. Roberts is not cooking tonight, I plan to have a bowl of Campbell’s soup and read the new novel by Kate Chopin. Nothing else.”

George stood and moved far enough aside so that Alice could brush by. “You plan to come to Lakeside Park tomorrow, don’t you? They’re playing the music of Scott Joplin. Frank is coming with Minnie. Harry, too.”

Alice stopped and turned in the doorway. “Oh, you convinced Harry to come out?”

“It’s been over two years since Selma passed away. Poor fella, he’ll get on all right.”

Alice sighed. “Well, then. Until tomorrow.” Although inwardly she fumed at George, she was also delighted to hear Harry Connors was coming out of mourning. “Thank you, Lord,” Alice mouthed her prayer. Selma, his fiancé, had been a nurse and succumbed to a fever. The six of them had been great chums. Alice and Minnie had even convinced Selma and Harry to attend worship services. Brother Amos planned to perform their wedding ceremony before her death.

Alice could hear her telephone ring. Once, twice, three times. Then silence. She hurried. Maybe the caller would try again.

Just as Alice locked the door, her telephone began to jingle again. She ran back and snatched the handset on the third ring. “Office of the Mayor. This is Miss Smith.”

“Good afternoon. I hope to learn the time of the next city council meeting.”

August 7, 2008

Third Installment

Minnie Kelly whirled until she flopped onto Alice’s bed. “Oh, Alice! I never had so much fun. Did you ever hear such wonderful music?”

Alice thought the antics of the banjo player in his red-striped jacket and straw hat rather silly, but she enjoyed the smile on Harry’s face. She consented to dance a polka with him when it was called for by the Poles in the audience. Harry’s melted-on sadness brightened as they laughed at the sight of whole families weaving together. Minnie and Frank had bobbed nearby.

“…So, what do you think? Has the music made me mad?”

“I’m sorry, Min—I didn’t hear you quite right.”

“I said—” Minnie sat straight up with a pout and folded her arms—“I’m ready to be married. Since Frank seems so reluctant to propose, I’m going to do it for him.”

“Minnie!”

“I don’t see what objections you could have. You have your own mystery fella.”

“Answering the questions of a stranger over the telephone hardly accounts to having a mystery fellow, Minnie.”

“You told me that just this week you and he talked about music and…and…the plight of the new immigrants.”

“I don’t even know his name.”

Minnie flopped back again and raised her arms to the ceiling. “”That’s so romantic.”

“But, Minnie…Frank. Are you sure he returns your feelings?” Of their friends, Frank Hill was the most sensible, faithful Christian man, whose serious dedication to the law and serving others Alice admired. How did he feel about Minnie, his boss’s daughter? Alice considered Minnie dear, but dedicated more to having fun than thinking seriously about life’s important matters—such as helping the less fortunate. “Promise me you won’t put him in a rough spot, Min, please?”

Minnie huffed and stamped to the door of Alice’s room. She sent a wounded look to her friend. “What could be rough about saying ‘yes’? You’ll be my bridesmaid, of course. Oh, Alice, you’ll see. Maybe you’ll even change your mind about ending up an old maid, like Emma.”

After Minnie’s departure, Alice prepared for bed. Her prayers were distracted with her tangled thoughts. Minnie’s remark about Emma Peters was unfair. Their friend Emma was an independent ethical businesswoman, whose stenography pool was invaluable to City Hall. Emma had never married, but seemed perfectly content with her lot in life, even if she did not care for church. Bless Emma, Lord, and keep her well, and soften her heart.

Would Frank accept Minnie? Lord, please don’t let Minnie do anything foolhardy. If Minnie did propose, Alice would be able to report on the changing nature of male-female relationships the next time…he called. Perhaps they should introduce themselves. Alice rolled over and sighed in the patch of streetlight that shone through her slit of a window. He knew her name. Why had she never asked his? Because I am not bold. Maybe Minnie had a good idea, after all. The next time the telephone rang her special three-ring signal, Alice would ask for his name. She finished her prayers as she fell asleep.

On Monday morning about ten o’clock, Alice was typing when Minnie rushed through her door at City Hall. Weeping and waving her boater so the ribbons made it dangerous to approach her, Alice could not hear her story. “Sit, dear. I’ll bring you water.”

“Alice, Alice!” Minnie clasped her arm. “He said no. But that’s not the worst part.” Minnie blew her nose. “Father was in an uproar this morning. Frank is leaving! He resigned to take a new position. In Denver.”

August 22, 2008

Fourth Installment

On the morning of the Labor Day parade down Grand Avenue, Alice stood beside Emma Peters to see the high wheelers and motor cars carrying important labor union leaders.

“It’s official,” Emma said.

“No, truly?” Alice brushed a blue ribbon from her hat away from her nose. “Our dear Minnie at Downer College.”

Alice noted that Emma had singed a silvery curl of hair at her temple, probably with the iron that morning. How old was Emma? Alice did not know.

Emma tugged her jacket closer about her tall spare frame. “Well, her dear papa managed to convince the dean that Minnie could proceed directly to the stenography course. She’ll be able to join our company by spring.” Emma gazed at the clacking automobile carrying the aged Mr. Henry Villard who single-handedly developed Milwaukee’s electric rail system before he lost his company in the turmoil of 1895. A gust of wind flapped a sign on his car proclaiming “Founder: Northern Pacific Railroad and Edison General Electric Company.”

“Poor man,” Alice said. “How can he show his face?”

“Nevertheless, the new Milwaukee Light Rail and Electric Company is a modern wonder. Cities throughout the state are emulating it.” The crowd began to disperse. “You are attending Mrs. Ward’s suffrage lecture later, are you not?”

Alice agreed to meet Emma and sit together. As Alice threaded her way back to Mrs. Robert’s, she decided to ask Minnie to join them. They had not had much of a chance to talk since Minnie had returned to her father’s house. The last time they spoke, Minnie had strung but three sentences together, and only at Alice’s urging. Minnie changed her once full rounded hairstyle to a severe unflattering one. She claimed it was easier to care for. Even her new drab-colored shirtwaists spouted fewer ruffles.

A pair of hands gripping her shoulders interrupted Alice’s muse. She stopped short to stare up at George MacTeague’s sardonic grin. Alice shook herself free. “Why, George, it’s not like you to assault ladies on the street.”

“Is that what you think of me? I merely kept you from hurting yourself. May I accompany you on the rest of your journey? Keep you from further harm?”

Alice stepped around him. “Since I have yet to come to any harm at all, I don’t see how you can keep me from any more of it.”

“I’ll take that as a yes.” George followed. “Say, Alice, how about we take supper together and catch up on news? Since Frank left, it seems our old gang is breaking up.”

Alice heaved a deep sigh and halted. “It appears so. This is my destination. Good day.” She reached to open the rooming house’s front door.

George tried to take her arm. “But we don’t need to. Break up, that is.”

Alice sidestepped. George might be harmless, but she had never been able to see past his frivolity. He made every attempt at discussion, every outing, into a case for jocularity. “George, I must ask you to stop soliciting my company. I do not believe that we have much to say to each other, and I do not find your views on the plight of modern society amusing in the least.” Alice entered the foyer of the rooming house and shut the door firmly. She leaned against it willing her pounding heart to calm. While confronting a bothersome suitor so directly might be necessary for a modern single woman, Alice still found the experience disconcerting.

Mrs. Robert had recently had a telephone installed. Of all of the boarders, Alice was the one most used to its demanding summons, due to the nature of her work. When the brrring! sounded right next to her, she jumped in fright. A second ring had her looking about for her desk, confused. By the third ring, Alice had collected her wits and dove to answer.

A crackling noise and intermittent buzzes were the only response to her repeated greetings. The only sound she could decipher before she replaced the handset in its cradle was a train’s plaintive whistle.

September 3, 2008

Fifth Installment

Alice was startled when several green file folders were slapped on her desk. She had been contemplating a particularly tricky passage in the Mayor’s cramped handwriting. She looked from a slowly floating carbon copy of an invoice for office supplies, disturbed by the forceful placement of the files, up the sleeve of his files’ owner to the angry-looking countenance of George MacTeague.

“So, you have plenty of regard for the friendship of Harry Connors, Miss Smith. Or were you simply waiting for poor Selma to pass on so you could marry him yourself?”

Alice plunked her pencil on her desk with precise care. She pushed herself to her feet, trying to reign in the frightening flash of temper at George’s unwarranted outburst.

“Is there something I can help you with, work related, Mr. MacTeague?” she folded her arms and sent a scathing glance at the folders. “Do you have a need to have these filed, for instance? Perhaps you’d like me to show Lawrence how to put them away properly?”

Alice watched a muscle twitch along George’s jaw line. “My secretary is perfectly capable of filing. What I want to know is what you were doing with Harry and not—”

“You? I don’t have to explain my activities to you. How—”

“Ah, Mr. MacTeague. To what do we owe the pleasure of your visit? Don’t tell me someone’s raided the Treasury.”

Alice closed her eyes at the sound of Mayor Rose’s smooth tone. He had obviously heard their exchange—while he was working on his speech for the new millennium celebration! She opened her eyes, put on a smile and whirled to face her boss. Her “Sir, I’m terribly sorry,” was echoed immediately by George.

The mayor did not match her smile. “Perhaps you could take your lunch now, Miss Smith, while I meet with Mr. MacTeague.”

“Yes, sir.” Alice risked a glance at George while she closed up her desk. He had not attempted to speak to her since early September, two months ago, accept on official business. She had been lulled by his apparent accession to her wishes that he cease seeking her company. She bobbed her head at the mayor after pulling her wrap from the coat hook and closing the door behind her. Oh Lord, preserve my job. Why couldn’t George have left her alone?

Not hungry, Alice fed her bread crumbs to the pigeons that bobbed their heads along the bridge over the Milwaukee River. Harry Connors had not deserved to lose the love of his life. George would not understand the depth of their friend’s despair, even after two years. But George had been right to talk about the break up of their group of friends. Since Selma had died and Frank left and even fun-loving Minnie turned into a sober career woman, nothing had been the same.

Alice had met Harry outside of Brother Amos’s last Sunday. Harry had not attended the service. When Alice engaged him in conversation, the two of them had walked miles while Harry unburdened himself. It felt natural to continue their talk the next evening after work. And they both had to eat. George had no business questioning her.

Alice had enjoyed talking to Harry. She even hoped she could help him overcome the anger he expressed for God.

She tossed the last crumbs to a white and gray dove. “But the truth is, I’ve been lonely. No Minnie to talk to. And no phone calls.”

Could Harry make her change her mind about not sharing her life?

September 19

Sixth Installment

“But, Alice, my dearest, they would love to have you. You mustn’t act so—so, orphanish anymore.”

“I am an orphan, Harry, and nothing will change that. I have no family, no status, no support other than what I provide for myself. I’ve always known that’s the way it must be.”

Alice watched Harry finger some fronds of the huge Christmas tree displayed in the square. School children had decorated it with paper chains and snow flakes, and she thought it beautiful, remembering back not so many years ago when she was one of those children who had been so proud of her snowflake, but had no one to show.

He turned to take her mittened hand, an eager puppy smile pulling the lines at the corners of his gray eyes upward. Alice was glad to note how the despair since the death of his fiancé continued to dissipate. “It can be different for you, dear,” he said. “Independence destroyed one woman I loved—”

“Oh, look, Harry, some children are going ice skating on the river. Do you think it’s safe yet? Should we speak to them?” Alice gently removed her hand from Harry’s. Although she enjoyed his companionship and appreciated his mother’s invitation for her to spend the holidays with them in the country, she did not feel ready to follow the path Harry seemed to be forging for them.

Alice looked into his eyes, hoping he would understand. He pursed his lips in a rueful smile. “I think they’re safe, Alice. Please, will you consider Mother’s invitation for Christmas? Since Christina married last year, she feels lonesome. I’m afraid, as a son, I don’t quite measure up.”

Alice drew her blue wool scarf tighter around her ears. A chill wind blew off Lake Michigan, and the clouds promised more snow. “If I accept the invitation will you come to Brother Amos’s with me tonight?”

His quick intake and hesitation told her all she needed to know. Harry had never confessed a faith in any greater power than what science could prove. When even scientific methods could not save Selma, Harry became fatalistic, believing that nothing at all controlled his life.

“I can’t,” Harry said.

As Alice spent time with Harry, she became more concerned about his attitude. She discussed the matter with Brother Amos after a meeting of the congregation of Christian Servants. Brother Amos had been convinced that Alice could persuade Harry to join the ranks of the true believers by her continued modeling of sensible faith in God and practical service to those in need. “Don’t worry,” Brother Amos told her. “Who can resist the power of the Almighty?”

How could Harry believe in nothing but fate, yet hope for any kind of future happiness? “How can you celebrate Christmas, with nothing behind it?” Alice asked.

“Christmas makes everyone happy. I see the value in that,” Harry said.

Alice remained silent on their walk back to her room. At Mrs. Robert’s door, Harry stopped her and said, “I know Mother’s already gotten you a gift. It would mean so much to all of us if you would come.”

Alice shook her head. “It would mean so much to me if you would come to church.”

“How can you ask me to support something so meaningless?”

“But you already are, by celebrating something you don’t believe. I just can’t be with you while you do that. I’d best go inside. Good-bye, Harry, and Happy Christmas.”

October 6, 2008

Seventh Installment

The busy schedule of Mayor Rose’s recent successful re-election had Alice working hard to catch up on reports, and general correspondence. About seven o’clock one evening in March, the gaslight from the high chandelier flickered. Alice looked upward at the spindly shadows the fixture’s chains cast upon the ceiling.

“Oh, don’t get any dimmer, you. I can hardly see as it is.” She put down her pen and flexed her hands inside their fingerless gloves. “Ooh, I’m numb.” She could barely feel her fingertips, they were so cramped and cold. She stood and walked briskly to the hallway and back to the desk to warm up.

“Oh, no!”

Her Parker fountain pen released a great blot of ink across the long document she had finished. “And I know better than to set you down like that, too! I must be getting tired.” Alice picked up the ruined document carefully and began to wad it up.

“Are you all right in there, Miss Smith? Who’s with you?”

“Reggie, I’m fine,” Alice replied to the night watchman. She smiled at the narrow white-haired and whiskered black face peeking around the open door.

“You leave the drafts come in like that, you likely to ketch yer death, Miss.”

“I forgot about the door when I saw this letter all messed up.”

‘Here. You let me take o’ that for you. Don’t you get your hands all inked. What you doing so late, anyhow?”

“Catching up after the election excitement. I’ve got to rewrite this letter to Captain Pabst. I wish I could type this instead of hand writing, but the mayor likes a more personal touch. Someone should invent a pen that didn’t leak, though.”

“Sounds like you’re busy, all right, Miss. Sure there isn’t anyone else here?”

“Just me and the furniture. I’m afraid you caught me talking to myself.”

“I understand, Miss. You come and tell me when you’re about to leave and I’ll walk you to the corner. Is there someone going to meet you?”

“I’ll be fine. I’ll find you before I go. I’d better get back to work.”

A half hour later, Alice locked the office door. She pulled her coat tighter as she listened through the echoing building for a sign of Reggie. Voices came up the stairwell. Alice walked to the railing.

That voice! Who was talking to Reggie? Alice frowned and cocked her head. She started down the first flight of steps.

“This way, sir,” Alice heard Reggie say.

“Thank you. I’ll be sure to tell Everett about the news. And make sure….”

Two sets of footsteps faded. That other man talking to Reggie had to be the same man who’d telephoned her—had it really been over a year ago? She could not forget the richness of his laugh, his amusing commentary on the foibles of modern society, and questions about books and the music they both liked.

“Reggie! Wait!” Alice hurried down the last flight to see Reggie pulling the huge front lobby door closed. He turned to face her.

“All ready, Miss Smith?”

“Reggie, who was that? Who were you just talking to?”

“Ah, miss. He was just asking directions. He won’t bother you none.”

“But what was his name?”

“I don’t know how he calls himself, Miss Smith. Here, now, let me see you to the corner.”

“But, Reggie, I think I know him.”

“Oh, I don’t think so, Miss Smith. He’s not from around here. He’s just moving in.”

November 5, 2008

Eighth Installment

“Why must I be the last to know anything!” Minnie Kelly appeared like a miniature tornado in Alice’s bedroom door. “Mrs. Robert let me in.” She unbuttoned her long coat and unwound her scarf. “Harry! How perfect. Are you very much in love?”

Alice raised a brow. “Minnie, my dear, come in. Where have you been?”

Minnie cast her a frown and plopped on the bed. “Oh, don’t be tiresome. You know perfectly well what I’ve been doing.” She fingered a curl by her ear that had escaped her combs.

“And how are your classes?”

The silence stretched until Minnie jumped to her feet. “It’s just so deadly dull! Who can stand that endless droning? Listening to people all day and copying down what they say.” Minnie folded her arms and paced, her long skirt swishing around her booted ankles. “And none of it very interesting.”

Alice choked a smile back and widened her eyes in feigned sympathy when her friend stopped in front of her desk, where she’d been writing a letter to Harry’s mother.

“Are you making fun of me?”

Alice turned away and picked up her pen. “Why, no, Min. I just don’t see how a modern woman stenographer like yourself finds work dull.”

Minnie stamped her boot. “I don’t want to be a modern woman! How can you bear it?”

“Because I must, Minnie. Not all of us have the same choices.”

“But now you can change that.”

Alice looked up from her letter. “I don’t know.” She sighed.

“Harry is quite a good catch. I’ve always thought so.”

“Harry’s more than a catch! He works hard in his father’s shipping business. In fact, his father is considering opening a branch in San Francisco.”

“Oh, but…I can’t bear for you to go away. Now that I’ve…”

“Who says I’m going anywhere? And now what have you done?”

“I’m not going back, that’s what. Father says I can take notes for him at the office. And if you marry Harry, you’ll have to go with him.”

Alice clasped her hands tightly. “He hasn’t asked me.”

“He will. I’ve heard…oh, but I mustn’t say.”

“Minnie, tell me you haven’t been gossiping.”

Minnie pouted. “George said you two were quite an item.”

“I don’t know why George would say that.”

“Don’t you want to be married?” Minnie looked about with a sneer. “And escape all this drudgery?”

“I love my work. And Mrs. Robert is kind. And safe.”

“Too safe. You never do anything, go anywhere any more. You’re turning into an old maid.”

“You almost turned into one yourself.”

“Well, I came to my senses, thank heavens. I want more for you.”

“I do, too. He called again.”

Minnie pulled up Alice’s other chair. “That mystery man? Oh, tell me everything.”

“There’s not that much to say, really. He said he had been traveling and missed all the bustle of Milwaukee.” Alice felt her face grow warm.

“I’m guessing he missed one bustle in particular.”

“Minnie!”

Alice’s friend giggled. “Go on.”

“He asked me…asked me about…well, if you must know, we talked about books.”

“Books! That’s worse than dictation. Oh, surely that can’t be all.”

“We talked about the changes at City Hall. Just the public ones, of course.”

“Naturally you wouldn’t gossip.”

Minnie pried until Alice pled exhaustion and the need to get up early. Sleep proved elusive and, when it came, she dreamed of a blurry-faced man whose voice tickled her conscience with a mocking familiarity.

Ninth Installment

November 15

At the sound of the telephone trill, Alice’s neat stack of letters to be signed slipped from her nerveless grasp and spilled across the mayor’s desk.

“Everyone knows City Hall is closed for the evening. That’s the trouble with doing away with a switchboard operator. Who would be telephoning at this time of night?”

Alice jarred her elbow on her dash through the door but managed to snatch the receiver on the third ring. “Office of the Mayor. Miss Smith.” She rubbed her funny bone, making a not-funny face as prickles shot up her arm.

“Good afternoon, madam. I understand there’s to be quite an ostentatious Easter parade down Grand Avenue on Sunday, and I wondered where I might be able to find a bonnet?”

Alice giggled, and was immediately embarrassed. She cleared her throat. “Excuse me, sir, but it’s evening in this part of the country.” Only you would make me feel like a silly schoolgirl. “And I’m afraid City Hall does not traffic in the millinery business, sir.”

“Well, then, Miss Smith, then I must ask you next if it’s evening in your part of the country, what are you doing so late at your place of employment?”

“The mayor entrusted his correspondence to me. I’m finished now.”

“I caught you just in time, then. Have you finished The Turn of the Screw yet?”

Alice sat on the edge of her desk. “Henry James certainly makes society seem foolish, does he not?”

Twenty minutes later, Alice pinned her hat on, and locked the office door.

When Alice walked into the foyer at Mrs. Robert’s, the strident ring of her telephone made Alice feel jumpy and excited. Could it be?

“Oh, Alice, I knew it would be you! I can’t believe it, I tell you. I just can’t. Whatever does he think he’s doing? Not say anything at all, try and contact us. His bosom friends, no less.”

“Minnie, is that you?”

“Of course, silly. Who else?”

“What you’re talking about.” Alice unbuttoned her jacked with one hand, shifting the receiver as she slipped her arms free.

“It’s our Frank Hill. Father told that he’s working for Baxter Brothers—those new solicitors. Father met him today during a deposition.”

“Our Frank? I thought he was—”

“He was. But now he’s back. And not a word to anyone. I’ve a mind to ignore him completely should we ever cross paths.”

“Then it’s a good thing he did not marry you if you cut him off so dramatically. I’m too tired to talk. Can you meet me for lunch tomorrow?”

“Yes, yes. I’ll have Ida pack us a basket and meet you at the park.”

Alice was surprised the next afternoon to find Harry accompanying Minnie to their rendezvous.

“What pleasant company I am afforded for mid-day in spring.”

“Harry had business with Father and asked to join us when he discovered our plans,” Minnie said, looking up at them after spreading a blanket on the grass.

“I intended to speak to you anyway, Alice, about being my dinner guest tonight. At the Schlitz Hotel. And you too, of course, Minnie.”

“What are you celebrating?” Minnie asked with a too-sweet smile. She passed a cold leg of chicken to Alice.

Alice gave her a warning frown.

“Special news to be sure,” Harry said, rubbing his hands. “I won’t say any more now.”

“I’m afraid I’ll be detained again, Frank,” Alice said.

“Why is the mayor always more important than me?”