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I sarden won’t be that different for me I learned how to cultivate froh Katherine has a point; I e the plot and preservealone People talk And it’s not safe What if so to happen I’ve lived alone for more than a year Anyhat do you mean, talk about me?"

"Willia" The Oneida Inn, twenty miles away, is a restaurant and hotel that’s far too rich for me, and there’s a speakeasy in the back Not that I’ve ever been there

"What do they say? What could they say? I live a good, clean life"

"People just talk They wonder about you A single wo all by herself on the side of a mountain You must admit it’s unusual If Bitsy lived with you, it would seeossip? A black and a white woht? Your maid"

My maid! I’ve been a -in Dispensary I’ve never had hired help, never had thesomeone wait on me makes my skin crawl

"There’s so else" Katherine continues her pitch "Bitsy could bring you some business"

I frown, not sure what she means

"Black babies," Katherine whispers, her hand to her ro expectantto you if Bitsy was your helper The only hty and is slow getting around Bitsy would bring you clients, and you’ll need then in his , ‘New patients welcome’ "

That surprises me He’s always seemed so expensive "What’s his fee now?"

"Twenty dollars for the delivery and a two-night stay at his hospital Fifteen dollars if he comes to your home, but that’s only for people in town or the rich faro out to the coal caet it

Katherine turns and strolls to her vanity, sits on her padded chair, and combs her short blond bob with her silver brush Then she picks up the carved silver mirror with a little handle and stares back at ive you this" She pulls a gold-and-pearl brooch out of her jewelry box and holds it out, dangling in her thin hand

I stare at the offering, a glea crescent moon with a pearl the size of an eyetooth You can tell it’s real gold