necessary to be enlightened.
“The Anchorage is a place women come for sanctuary when they’re in trouble, any kind of trouble. Right now we have unwed mothers, destitute widows, a woman hiding from her abusive husband, and a girl leaving a life of prostitution. The Anchorage offers safety, protection, medical services, the rudiments of an education, and above all, hope for the future. Safety and hope are two basic rights of human beings, after all, and why should a woman’s past keep her from knowing a safe present and a hopeful future? That’s why you’re here.” At his blank look, I went on, “You offered me the power of Gallagher Enterprises, and I’d like to take you up on that offer.” As I spoke, the animated interest in his face faded into a bland expression of courteous boredom.
“Miss Swan, if you can be patient, I’ll write you a check as soon as I return home.”
“Oh, I don’t want your money. Is that why your face got all shuttered? The Anchorage is supported by very generous contributions from a number of highly placed women whose husbands have more money than they know what to do with. I have my own money, besides, or I will have when I’m twenty-five, so please be assured that I have absolutely no designs on your inheritance.” I could tell my use of that word sobered him, made him remember how he came to have the kind of wherewithal that would make me seek him out.
“Then what?”
I guessed the abrupt bark of a question originated more from the unexpected memory of his brother than from impatience and explained, “Yvesta Stanislaw is an older woman with two small children. She can’t read and write, her English is far from perfect, and she needs work.” He started to speak, but I held up a peremptory hand and rushed on. “Yvesta is hard-working, strong, honest, and reliable. She’s escaped an unbearable life, and right now the only future she can see is to go back to it, go back to a man who beats her and her children and drinks away the few pennies she manages to save. I won’t have it. I realize she can’t do anything really sophisticated, but she can clean and sew, and I know Gallagher Enterprises is in the textile business. I thought you might have an opening for a seamstress at one of your locations. If not, maybe she could clean at one of your banks or offices. You must have someone doing so now. Why not Yvesta? Of course, I’ll need to approve the conditions in which she works, and a day job would be better because she could leave her children at Hull House. Still, if she must work at night, I’m sure we can work out arrangements for the children. It’s a small thing I’m asking of you, Mr. Gallagher, but it would mean so much to Yvesta.”
He never hesitated. “All right.”
“All right what?”
“All right, I’ll find a job for her somewhere. Isn’t that what you wanted me to do or did I miss the point entirely?”
“No, I just thought it might take longer to persuade you.”
“I am a relatively intelligent man and I recognize when resistance is useless. I—” He was interrupted by a loud rap at the door and Crea’s voice.
“Johanna!” Crea stepped just inside the room, her face anxious and her tone urgent. “You’d better come. Something’s not right with Flora’s labor. She’s scared and asking for you. Eulalie sent for our regular doctor but he’s out, so she’s gone in search of another one. Can you come? I don’t know what to do.”
“Of course, I’ll come.” To Drew Gallagher I said, “I’m sorry. Perhaps we could finish this conversation later.”
He settled comfortably into his chair. “You’re obviously needed elsewhere and I’m in no hurry. I can wait a while.”
“I don’t know how long I’ll be.”
“Miss Swan, I’m all grown up and can take care of myself. Please don’t give me a second thought.” I smiled my appreciation and hurried with Crea out into the hallway, immediately following Mr. Gallagher’s
“The Anchorage is a place women come for sanctuary when they’re in trouble, any kind of trouble. Right now we have unwed mothers, destitute widows, a woman hiding from her abusive husband, and a girl leaving a life of prostitution. The Anchorage offers safety, protection, medical services, the rudiments of an education, and above all, hope for the future. Safety and hope are two basic rights of human beings, after all, and why should a woman’s past keep her from knowing a safe present and a hopeful future? That’s why you’re here.” At his blank look, I went on, “You offered me the power of Gallagher Enterprises, and I’d like to take you up on that offer.” As I spoke, the animated interest in his face faded into a bland expression of courteous boredom.
“Miss Swan, if you can be patient, I’ll write you a check as soon as I return home.”
“Oh, I don’t want your money. Is that why your face got all shuttered? The Anchorage is supported by very generous contributions from a number of highly placed women whose husbands have more money than they know what to do with. I have my own money, besides, or I will have when I’m twenty-five, so please be assured that I have absolutely no designs on your inheritance.” I could tell my use of that word sobered him, made him remember how he came to have the kind of wherewithal that would make me seek him out.
“Then what?”
I guessed the abrupt bark of a question originated more from the unexpected memory of his brother than from impatience and explained, “Yvesta Stanislaw is an older woman with two small children. She can’t read and write, her English is far from perfect, and she needs work.” He started to speak, but I held up a peremptory hand and rushed on. “Yvesta is hard-working, strong, honest, and reliable. She’s escaped an unbearable life, and right now the only future she can see is to go back to it, go back to a man who beats her and her children and drinks away the few pennies she manages to save. I won’t have it. I realize she can’t do anything really sophisticated, but she can clean and sew, and I know Gallagher Enterprises is in the textile business. I thought you might have an opening for a seamstress at one of your locations. If not, maybe she could clean at one of your banks or offices. You must have someone doing so now. Why not Yvesta? Of course, I’ll need to approve the conditions in which she works, and a day job would be better because she could leave her children at Hull House. Still, if she must work at night, I’m sure we can work out arrangements for the children. It’s a small thing I’m asking of you, Mr. Gallagher, but it would mean so much to Yvesta.”
He never hesitated. “All right.”
“All right what?”
“All right, I’ll find a job for her somewhere. Isn’t that what you wanted me to do or did I miss the point entirely?”
“No, I just thought it might take longer to persuade you.”
“I am a relatively intelligent man and I recognize when resistance is useless. I—” He was interrupted by a loud rap at the door and Crea’s voice.
“Johanna!” Crea stepped just inside the room, her face anxious and her tone urgent. “You’d better come. Something’s not right with Flora’s labor. She’s scared and asking for you. Eulalie sent for our regular doctor but he’s out, so she’s gone in search of another one. Can you come? I don’t know what to do.”
“Of course, I’ll come.” To Drew Gallagher I said, “I’m sorry. Perhaps we could finish this conversation later.”
He settled comfortably into his chair. “You’re obviously needed elsewhere and I’m in no hurry. I can wait a while.”
“I don’t know how long I’ll be.”
“Miss Swan, I’m all grown up and can take care of myself. Please don’t give me a second thought.” I smiled my appreciation and hurried with Crea out into the hallway, immediately following Mr. Gallagher’s
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