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reestablished us as ladies worthy of respect in a society without law and church-going women. At least, I hope I did.’’
    ‘‘And in the meantime,’’ Lissa asked, ‘‘how do you propose we eat?’’
    Rachel unbuttoned her coat. ‘‘We are not destitute and you know it.’’
    ‘‘Not yet.’’
    Rachel slipped off her coat, folded it in half, and laid it over the back of a chair. ‘‘A lady would rather starve than offer herself up as a public display to an unruly crowd of men. Men who would certainly get the wrong impression and who might very likely come to the conclusion that she was open to all sorts of immoral suggestions.’’
    ‘‘I wasn’t displaying myself, I was singing to them. Much like I did to our friends back home.’’
    ‘‘Those are two entirely different things, and well you know it. You had only to paint your face and dress immodestly to proclaim yourself beyond the pale.’’
    ‘‘You are being ridiculous.’’
    ‘‘I am very serious and hoping they will attribute your little lapse to youthful ignorance. But you and I both know you have been taught how to behave so that you do not invite unwelcome attention. If we are to survive in this degraded town, we must be very circumspect, very careful and above reproach.’’
    ‘‘I’ll not starve, Rachel.’’
    ‘‘Nor will you have to. I have secured a source of income for us.’’
    Lissa’s foot stilled. ‘‘And just what would that be?’’
    ‘‘Mr. Parker is going to provide us with room, board, and pay to cook his meals, wash his clothes, and clean his hotel.’’
    Lissa leaned back in her chair. ‘‘How very circumspect and above reproach of you to find us employment by caring for an unmarried man and working in his saloon.’’
    Rachel stiffened. ‘‘It is not a saloon. It is a hotel.’’
    ‘‘Do not try and wrap that establishment up in a pretty little bow when you know good and well it is a saloon that serves spirits and caters to gamblers. Renting out bunks and slapping a respectable name on it does not make it any less than what it is.’’
    ‘‘We will not be in it while it is open for business. We will do our cleaning between hours. Besides, it is only temporary. At some point, there will be a ship going back east. And rest assured, we will be on it.’’
    Lissa rolled her eyes. ‘‘You are simply trading one desperate situation for another. We starve here or we starve back east. What’s the difference?’’
    ‘‘The difference is that Elizabeth, New Jersey, is an established, civilized community with churches and women and morals.’’ She held up a hand to stop Lissa’s counterpoint. ‘‘We will not starve, either. We will save every bit of gold we earn here and use it to set up a home and a respectable livelihood once we return.’’
    ‘‘Save our gold? Similar to the gold you just tossed out like so much garbage?’’
    ‘‘It was tainted.’’
    ‘‘So is money earned working in a saloon, Rachel. There is absolutely no difference.’’
    ‘‘We have been over this already. I am through talking in circles with you.’’
    Lissa’s foot began to swing again. ‘‘ ‘And thus I clothe my naked villainy with old odd ends stolen out of holy writ; and seem a saint, when most I play the devil.’ ’’
    ————
    The following morning Rachel found Mr. Parker in his usual spot—coffee, newspaper, and all.
    He stood.
    She hovered in the doorway. ‘‘We need to discuss a few things when you have a moment.’’
    ‘‘Of course. Won’t you join me?’’
    She stepped into the kitchen. ‘‘Actually, I thought I should start breakfast.’’
    ‘‘I’ve been making do with coffee every morning for quite some time. One more morning won’t hurt.’’ He poured her a cup of the same and set it in front of a vacant chair.
    Settling herself down, she picked up the tin cup. Maybe if she drank it swiftly, it would go down better.
    She took a big swig. Hot . Slamming the