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She tried not to think how similar that would be to what A
Supper was a simple affair with fried oysters, cold chicken, Welsh rarebit, preserved fruit, stewed tomatoes, roasted potatoes, Charlotte Russe, ice cream, and cake.
As they made their way through the various courses, Mr. De
“I’m surprised our paths haven’t crossed as adults, Mrs. Brandt,” he said.
“We don’t keep the same society,” Sarah said with a smile. “I live down in Greenwich Village.”
He obviously found that odd but was too polite to say so. “It’s a very picturesque part of the city,” he said diplomatically.
“My husband’s work was there, and we enjoyed living in the neighborhood.”
“Sarah’s husband was a physician,” her mother hastily-and somewhat apologetically-explained. “He passed away several years ago.”
“I’m sorry to hear it,” Mr. De
“I understand,” she said. “I also wish that medical science could do more to save lives, but even after centuries of study, we still know very little about the causes of death and disease. It’s very difficult for me in my own work that I simply can’t save everyone.”
Sarah ignored the warning look her mother was giving her. She wanted to disenchant Mr. De
“Are you a physician as well?” he asked in disbelief.
“A midwife,” she said.
“Sarah was always independent,” her father explained, with only a hint of disapproval.
“An admirable quality,” De
Sarah could have shocked him right out of his chair, but she said, “I’d be bored without my work. I need to feel I’m being useful.”
Mr. De
“I attend whoever needs my services,” Sarah replied. “I don’t work to amuse myself, Mr. De
He looked at her as if she were an entirely new kind of creature, but amazingly, she saw no disgust, or even disapproval, in his light eyes. “Hazel, my wife, she sometimes visited a Settlement House on the Lower East Side. I thought she did it because it was fashionable among her friends to play Lady Bountiful to the poor.”
“The Settlement Houses provide valuable services to the women and children in that part of the city,” Sarah said. “Your wife was also helping save lives, in her own way,” she added generously, without any real knowledge of what actual services Mrs. De
Sarah’s parents were listening to this conversation with growing discomfort. They knew such things weren’t suitable topics for discussion at table or between members of the opposite sex at any time. On the other hand, Mr. De
But Sarah’s mother couldn’t abide any more of this. “How did your parents enjoy their trip to Europe this summer?” she asked Mr. De
When the ladies withdrew so the men could smoke their cigars, Sarah steeled herself for her mother’s indignation.
“Really, Sarah, must you inform everyone you meet that you are employed as a midwife? Some people might find that distasteful,” she said when they were alone.
“I’m not ashamed of my life, Mother, and I hope you aren’t ashamed of me.”
Her mother frowned, not pleased by Sarah’s attempt to make her feel guilty. “It’s not a matter of shame. It’s a matter of good taste. I thought you wanted Richard’s help for your friend. He’s much more likely to help you if you excite his chivalrous feelings.”
“Instead of putting him off with my independence?” she asked with just a trace of irony.
Somehow her mother managed to resist the temptation to argue with her. “I’m simply reminding you that men like to feel superior to women. If we let them believe we are helpless, they will gladly do whatever we require of them and consider themselves honored to have been of service.”
“Are you saying that men must be tricked into behaving well?” Sarah asked in amazement.
“Of course they do,” her mother said impatiently. “I thought you most certainly must have learned that by now. Men rely on women’s gentler natures to help them overcome their baser instincts. A businessman wouldn’t hesitate for a moment to dismiss your friend after the scandal he’s caused the bank, whether he actually killed that woman or not. I’m not convinced your friend even deserves your help, but since you’ve chosen to offer it, you must ingratiate yourself to Mr. De
“And it won’t hurt if Mr. De
Her mother shook her head. “I despair of ever seeing you wed again, Sarah. Dr. Brandt must have been a very tolerant man indeed to have endured your willfulness.”
Tom Brandt had reveled in her willfulness, but Sarah knew her mother wouldn’t believe her if she said so. “I’m perfectly happy as I am, Mother, and I have no intention of pretending to be something I’m not just to catch a husband.”
“If that’s your attitude, then I’m afraid you never will,” her mother said sadly.
The two of them sat in uncomfortable silence until the men joined them a few minutes later. Sarah had seated herself on a sofa so Mr. De
“Perhaps you’d play for us, my dear,” Mr. Decker said to his wife, surprising Sarah. She’d assumed the two of them would want to be included in her conversation with De
“You must imagine I’m going to ask for a very great favor,” Sarah said with a small smile when De
“For your sake, I hope you are. I could hardly refuse you anything after your parents have gone to such lengths to ensure my cooperation,” he replied with a smile of his own.
“Don’t worry, Mr. De
“Why would I be worried by that?” he bantered back. “In fact, I shall be very disappointed if you don’t.”
Sarah had to stifle a laugh at that. “You must understand that my parents believe I married beneath my station,” she explained, “and ever since my husband died, they’ve been trying to rectify the situation. I had no idea you were a widower when I asked my father to introduce us.”
“But your parents did,” he said, his eyes twinkling with amusement. “And they were doing what parents do. Mine do the same thing, Mrs. Brandt, and with amazing regularity. I can’t tell you how many women they’ve thrust into my path in the past five years. It’s actually refreshing to discover that others are being imposed upon in the same way.”