Evie smiled and glanced down at her watered-silk gown. “I chose it for the short sleeves, to be honest. Summer has been quite warm.”
“Yes, someone at the hospital mentioned it might well top one hundred degrees today,” Father said, looking at Mother. “That’s why I’ve suggested your mother take it very easy and enjoy the use of the new electric ceiling fan.”
Evie knew her mother was given to fainting spells when overheated and nodded enthusiastically. “You need to stay in your room and wear something very light. Don’t bother with a corset or extra petticoats. We have plenty of ice too. I’ll make sure you have something cold to drink around the clock.”
“Are you feeling all right now, Mother?” Evan asked. He looked just as concerned as their father.
“Goodness, you three. I’m fine for the time being. I’m drinking plenty of fluids and taking it easy, so stop fussing,” Mother said, shaking her head. “Now let’s get down to business. I want to make sure we’re on top of everything that needs to be done for the fund raiser.”
“I have arranged all the food for the party,” Evie offered. “Mrs. Niedermeier and I have come up with a perfect plan. She really is the most talented of cooks. There will be a buffet set up under the trees where it will be cooler. We will have ice forthe food that needs to stay cold and warming trays for the hot items. I’ve ordered the very best—rather lavish, if I do say so, but I want to impress upon the guests that nothing has really changed. Yes, we are experiencing difficult economic times, but they are still quite well-off and need to remember that the poor will suffer even more than usual if they don’t continue to donate to the cause.”
“How are things going in the country financially, Roman?”
Father shrugged. “Not good, that’s for sure. More railroads have declared bankruptcy, and there have been additional bank closures. It’s a worrisome time for rich and poor.”
“But especially the poor. The rich might be less rich, but they’re still better off than most. Look at us. We’re still buying the luxuries of life—ice, electricity. We don’t have to worry about food on the table or a safe place to sleep tonight.” Evie crossed her arms. “The rich might not like losing some of their pet projects, but it’s not causing them the trouble and pain that others are suffering.”
“Evie’s right on that account.” Evan went to the refreshment cart and poured himself a lemonade. He held the glass up. “Anyone else want one?”
“I’ll take one.” Evie thought the cool liquid sounded wonderful.
Evan crossed the room and handed the glass to her before going back to pour himself another. “We had a meeting this morning at the law firm. Numerous banking clients came to hear our senior partners explain the legalities of what might occur in the future. The problem is the people are losing faith.”
Evan took a seat and continued, “A great many people and businesses defaulted on their loans last month. This has caused the banks to falter, and citizens are making runs on the banks to pull their savings. It’s hit the Midwest states quite hard. Over one hundred banks have suspended operations,and those same banks hold mortgages. The people fear the banks will demand payment in full, and the bank owners are afraid they will be left holding the bag for debts that will never be repaid.”
“What did your partners tell them to do?” Mother asked.
“Hold fast. They’re of a mind to sell off assets to cover cash runs, but that isn’t going to bode well.”
“And all of this because the US Treasury allowed gold reserves to drop nearly one hundred million dollars. People feared that the end of the world had come and rushed to change over their notes for gold,” Roman declared.
“Among other issues. It’s going to get much worse before it gets better,” Evan assured them.
Evie frowned. “Then this party must raise enough money to help see the charities through for a good amount of time. If we’re to see the economy struggle even more, the rich will tighten their hold on their wealth and the poor will assuredly bear the brunt of it.”
“They are always the ones who suffer the most. When the economy struggles, the rich trade lobster and pheasant for fish and chicken,” Mother began. “The poor who were already struggling on potatoes and pork fat are left scrounging for whatever scraps can be found.”
“We need our wealthy friends to be very generous with their donations,” Evie reiterated. “We’ll give them a magical night with wonderfully lavish food, beautiful music, and delightful company. We must convince them that their money is more than secure.”
“And that like most economic downfalls, it will reverse and recover,” Evan added. “There is no reason to believe it won’t. This is just one of those things that happens every twenty or so years.”
Later that evening, Evie sought out her twin. Ever since Evie had returned from nursing school, she could see in Evan’s eyes that he knew something wasn’t quite right. She wanted to reassure him but wasn’t yet ready to admit what was going on. Never had she refused to share her heart with him, but this time it seemed necessary.
Up and down the hall, their siblings moved from room to room getting ready for bed. Laughter and loud boisterous voices were common each evening, an expected cacophony that gave assurance that all was well. Fifteen-year-old Jim went rushing by with the youngest boy, Jared, in his arms.
Jared flapped his arms up and down. “Look, Evie, I’m a bird!” he shouted as they passed by.
“A bird who’s going to bed,” Jim added.
Evie laughed. She recalled a time Evan had done the same thing while Jim took on the role of bird. She loved the hubbub of their family and the great fun they always had. She paused in front of Evan’s bedroom door. There was no one in the world she was closer to, and now, after several years spent mostly apart, they were together again. School had consumed them both, and then Evan had been busy learning the law while she’d been at nursing school. She supposed as they grew older, married, and began their own families they’d be together less and less. It was the natural order of things, yet she would miss him and all of this. She glanced down the hall at her siblings hurrying off to their quarters. Evie smiled and rapped on the door.
“I thought you would be coming to see me. Enter, please.” He welcomed her into his room and motioned her to the dressing table chair. “What do you have to say for yourself? All evening at supper you looked as if you wanted to tell me something.”
Evie laughed. “I just wondered what was going on with you. We’ve had so little time to talk and no time alone.”
“It’s true.” Evan plopped down on the edge of his bed. “I’ve definitely missed you, and now you return looking as if something is amiss.”
“Nothing’s amiss.” Evie hated lying. It soured her stomach nearly as much as surgery did.
