Noon At Tiffany's by Echo Heron

Author:Echo Heron [Heron, Echo]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-1-938439-71-1
Publisher: BookBaby
Published: 2012-08-22T19:15:00+00:00

“You can’t possibly be serious about going into Tiffany’s today.” Alice put down her tea. “It’s Sunday. You have to rest sometime, Clara. You haven’t eaten or slept properly in weeks.” She looked from Dudley to George to Henry. “Can’t one of you please talk sense into her?”

They watched Clara fumble with her hatpin, her face pinched with fatigue.

“It’s a lost cause,” Dudley said. “I detect that stubborn determination in her eyes. It’s a stronger force than any or all of us could fight.”

George elbowed Henry in the ribs. “You’re one of the Tiffany Powers—do something. Convince her to go with us to Prospect Park instead of that slave mill. I can’t stand the idea of her missing a scrumptious picnic lunch.”

“I’ve tried,” Henry sighed. “I’ve even asked Mr. Tiffany to let her take a few days away, but he’s driving himself as hard as she is herself. He’s probably at his desk this very moment, slaving over lists of new things for her to work on.”

“Just keep talking amongst yourselves as though I’m not here,” Clara said, pulling on her gloves. “But I would appreciate it if you wouldn’t go on about what a glorious day you’re going to have until after I’ve gone. I’m already about as low-spirited as a snake, and so tired that I barely had the energy to lift a fork to my mouth.”

Edward Booth appeared in the doorway looking both jaunty and elegant in his bicycle breeches. “Hello there. I say, is anyone up for a ride to the country? Clara? Alice? How about you, George? Dudley? It’s a lovely day. I don’t think we’ll get many more like it before the snow flies. What say? Anyone willing to have a go?”

“Sorry,” Alice said, “I’ve already thrown my lot in with these gentlemen. Perhaps next week?”

“I’m just a penniless artist,” Dudley said. “I can’t afford the price of a streetcar, let alone a wheel.”

“I’d like to go with you some other time,” Henry said, “but I don’t think we have that much ambition today.”

George raised his chin to show contempt for the idea. “Really, Mr. Booth, I doubt anyone here would be even remotely interested in wasting the day getting sweaty and dirty. As far as I’m concerned, the country is a place best visited while looking out the window of a train dining car.”

“I’d love to go.”

They turned in unison to stare at Clara.

Alice frowned. “But only a minute ago you said you couldn’t even lift a fork, you were so tired.”

“You didn’t offer a bicycle ride into the country, now, did you?” She removed her hat and brushed a wave of dark hair from her eyes. “If you can wait five minutes, Mr. Booth, I’ll change into my bicycle suit and hat.”

“I was thinking of riding along the Hudson River past Yonkers,” Edward called after her retreating figure. “It should be about a 70-mile trip, and some of the going will be fairly strenuous. Do you think you’re up to it?”

“If Annie

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