Immigrants must be treated with kindness and consideration. Any Government official violating the terms of this notice will be recommended for dismissal from the Service. Any other person so doing will be forthwith required to leave Ellis Island. It is earnestly requested that any violation hereof, or any instance of any kind of improper treatment of immigrants at Ellis Island, or before they leave the Barge Office, be promptly brought to the attention of the Commissioner.
Alma could scarcely believe her timing—or that Williams would hang a placard that was so directly threatening to the staff. She glanced at him—the rigid set of his shoulders, the way he stroked his mustache as he eyed the sign approvingly. He wasn’t someone she wanted to make her enemy, and in fact, she was glad to make him an ally.
“Sir”—she broke the silence—“can I speak with you in your office? I have a few things to tell you in regards to our previous conversation.”
He turned his sharp eyes on her. “Of course, Miss Brauer. Let’s go to my office.”
She followed him, all the while practicing what she wanted to say in her head.
His desk was immaculate, with only a few necessary items aligned perfectly with one another: a stapler, a name plate, and an empty basket meant for incoming documents. All in order, all clean and tidy.
Motioning to the seat opposite him, he plucked what looked to be an expensive fountain pen from the desktop and opened a folder. “What can I do for you?”
She sat on the edge of the seat and, with a rush of courage, said, “I’ve heard—rather, I know for a fact—there have been some wrongdoings here at Ellis Island as you’ve suggested, and I feel it’s important to share what I have seen go on here with you.” She cleared her throat. “I’m happy to do so because it’s the right thing to do. But, if I share, sir, I’d like something in return. An exchange.”
His salt-and-pepper brows arched above a pair of bright eyes. “What sort of exchange?”
“Since I’ll likely be shunned by my colleagues as soon as they learn I’m the snitch, it’s only fair I receive something in return.”
“Go on.”
“I’d like a position as an interpreter—”
“Miss Brauer,” he interrupted, holding up his hand, “you need to take a series of tests, and besides, you know women aren’t permitted—”
“I know I’m one of the most intelligent and hard-working members of this staff,” she interrupted him. “I speak three languages fluently and can manage simple exchanges with two others. I’m sure that by next year, I’ll be nearly fluent in a fourth. Not only that, I am kind and honest with the immigrants and they trust me. I’m precisely the kind of employee you are seeking. I deserve this, Mr. Williams.”
“Miss Brauer, I’m not sure I can promise—”
“The information I have is about Mr. Lambert. And there is more.”
Williams paused, laying his fountain pen on the desk just above the folder. He leaned forward, holding her gaze her for a long moment. “Mr. Lambert, you say?”
She suppressed a smile. She had him.
“Yes, sir,” she said. “And it’s not a small thing, sir.”
At last he shook his head. “As much as I’d like that information, it just isn’t done, Miss Brauer. You don’t have proper schooling.”
“I’m more competent than many of the men on staff, sir, and I plan to remedy my lack of schooling very soon. I’d like to enroll in courses at New York University.”
He eyed her intently, but she forced herself to remain calm, unflappable. At last, he exhaled. “How about this, Miss Brauer. Once you’re enrolled in classes, you can begin training one day a week with one of our interpreters until you finish your schooling. At that point, we’ll see how things go and perhaps we can look into a position for you.”
She knew this was the best offer she was going to receive. She jumped to her feet, grinning, and held out her hand. “Shake on it, sir?”
He shook her hand firmly. “Well, then, let’s hear your news, Miss Brauer.”
She relayed everything she’d heard and seen from the staff the last several months, and at last, she told him about Lambert.
He questioned her intently, took copious notes, and finally sat back in his chair, folding his hands on the crown of his belly. “Can you go into more detail about the nature of Mr. Lambert’s abuse? I’ve heard a lot of rumors about him and many others since I’ve arrived, and some have turned out to be true, some have not. You must understand, Miss Brauer, I can’t charge the chief officer of the registry without solid proof.”
“Yes, sir. I think I know just the proof you mean.”
If I could talk Fran into it.
“If you can produce this proof, we’ll have another conversation. Perhaps discuss your role as an interpreter more at length. I’ll look forward to that.” Though his tone remained stiff, Alma didn’t miss the gleam in his eye. He wanted to nab Lambert, she could plainly see it, and he might be one step closer.
She nodded solemnly. “Me too, sir.”
She was ready to put this chapter behind her.
45
Alma took the train uptown to the Lancasters’ home. She had to see Fran, tell her what had happened and, somehow, try to convince her to return to Ellis Island to support Alma’s claims against John. As if that would be easy.
She stifled a yawn. She’d had another argument with her parents the night before. Robert had been outraged by her demand to keep her own wages rather than continue to turn them over to him. How had he not considered the loss of income when he’d decided to give her the ultimatum of leaving their home? It was probably the beer. It seemed to make his memory fuzzy and his temper worse. Eventually, she had gone to bed with the intent to keep her paycheck without telling him. When she picked it up, she’d simply not bring it home and cash it herself. In the meantime, she needed to find a place to live.
At the Lancasters’, Claire ushered her inside. “She’s in the bedroom. Let me just tell her you’re here.”
“Thank you,” Alma replied. “I know it’s late, but I need to speak to her right away.”
“It’s all right.” Claire patted her arm with a plump hand. “I can make you a cup of something hot if you like?”
“No, thank you.”
Claire hurried off, her round rump swishing, and returned with Francesca in tow.
“Is something wrong?” Fran asked, frowning.
Claire suddenly became more attentive to the dishes in the drying rack, and the maid looked up from her book at the table.
Alma switched to Italian to hide their conversation from overeager ears. “Should we step outside, or maybe go to your room quickly?”
They went to Fran’s bedroom, and Alma launched into the story, including her stepfather’s ultimatum. “But I won’t marry Lambert, not after what he did to you.” She looked down at her hands. “The only problem is, I don’t know where to go. Emma’s parents would never take me in if my parents told them what happened between us, and I know they will. Helene has just moved into an apartment with a female friend of hers, and she’s going to ask about taking in another roommate, but I don’t know what I’m going to do if she says no, and until then…”