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slowly, “I will help to stop its spread, ma’am.”
    That gave her pause. She sipped her tea and nibbled a ladyfinger, and I felt the relief of her wide gray stare removed from me, only to turn and catch Marm, the dull, unhappy look in her eyes changed to a curious sort of pride.
    â€œAnd so what is the problem?” Mrs. Browning asked. “You know that you can work at any job you like.”
    â€œHe expects me there at eight in the morning,” I told her.
    â€œAh,” she said. She sniffed her tea and put it down and wiped her fingertips on her satin napkin. “You know my rules,” she said.
    Marm spoke up, surprising me. “Mrs. Browning,” she said, “can’t you consider giving Prudence credit for doing such a worthy job? Surely you could overlook the rules thisone time and allow her to make up the lessons nights and weekends.”
    My eyes stung salty when I felt Marm at my side once again. I told Mrs. Browning I’d do any work she asked.
    â€œJealousy is a large commodity at our school, you know that, Prudence. Rules are created to keep order,” Mrs. Browning said. “The girls would not think their education was very important if I let you work instead of attending school.”
    â€œLet’s not tell the other girls,” I suggested.
    â€œMiss Prudence Galewski,” she said, “if you can no longer appreciate the standards of our institution, perhaps I can find another needy girl on whom I can bestow the donated funds that you currently enjoy.”
    I never saw my missus so frosty before.
    â€œDo you not own the school, Mrs. Browning?” Marm broke in. “Can you not consider for one moment the rare situation my daughter is in? For once, a man in high position has recognized a girl’s talent, and is willing to give her a chance to use it. I don’t understand why you won’t help Prudence, why you can’t see the opportunity being offered to her!”
    â€œI’m afraid
you
do not see what is before you,” Mrs.Browning huffed. “The opposite sex stands ready to take advantage of your daughter, and you are ushering her straight into such difficulty!”
    â€œI beg your pardon!” Marm exclaimed, jumping out of her chair. “Prudence is the most important person in the world to me, and if I thought she would come to harm in any way, I would not let her work in that office. But I am proud of my daughter for her intelligence and bravery, and I am sorry you don’t feel the same way. Good night to you, ma’am!”
    She took my wrist and we walked out. It was all so horrible.
    And now I’m not in school anymore.
    I hope I have made the right decision.

October 19, 1906
    T oday was my first day of work with Mr. Soper. It was disorienting for me to rise with the church bells and get ready for work instead of preparing for school. I felt confused, and didn’t know what was appropriate dress for my first ride in a motor carriage as my wardrobe consists mainly of my simple black school skirts and white shirtwaists and jackets. Would I need something more professional, like a suit? I didn’t know what an assistant was supposed to look or act like. I wasn’t sure I would be able to meet my chief’s expectations. Mrs. Browning’s doubts sounded in my head, but I put on my good maroon outfit with matching cape and hat and made myself walk the whole mile to work as walking always calms me.
    I met Mr. Soper at the office, where he waited outside in the crisp morning air with Mr. Thompson, our round, baldingclient. They both leaned on one of those Stanley Steamers I’ve seen advertised on billboards near Tin Pan Alley. When Mr. Soper saw me, he nodded to Mr. Thompson, who went to the front of the motor carriage, opened the hood, and began to do something with the engine. I had never been so close to an actual locomobile—they’re always passing so rapidly on the streets,