Shaken to the Core Read Online Free

wife. They pressed kisses to her cheeks and told her when to expect them and the other piscaturi for the procession to the graveyard.
    Then Giuliana was alone with Turi and her despair. For the first time in her life, she was on her own, with no one to rely on for help. The other Sicilian families in the city wouldn’t be able to help either; they just didn’t have the money to spare. What was she to do?
    She bent over the casket and kissed Turi ’s cold forehead one final time. “I’ll stay,” she whispered to him in Sicilian. “I’ll find work in a factory or in a private home.”
    But that was easier said than done. Like most women in her village, Giuliana had never learned how to read or write, so how was she supposed to read the newspaper advertisements?
     

 
    CHAPTER 2
    Winthrop Residence
    Nob Hill
    San Francisco, California
    March 21, 1906
    Today was the day. Nervous energy prickled down Kate ’s spine as she headed for the morning room. She hoped she would be able to sit still during breakfast. Her mother hated it when she fidgeted. She took her place at the mahogany table, pulled her linen napkin from its silver ring, and spread it across her lap. “Good morning, Mother. Morning, Father.”
    “Good morning,” her father said, glancing up from his newspaper.
    With any luck, she would soon provide the photographs for this very newspaper. The thought made her giddy.
    Her mother returned the greeting but kept looking at her plate with a frown. “The bacon is cold—again.” She stabbed at it with her fork. “With a name like Obedience, you’d think our maid would manage to get the food onto the table while it’s still warm. I’ve told her a hundred times. If it weren’t nearly impossible to get good servants, I’d put her out on the street.”
    “Obedience can’t manage all the work on her own,” Kate said.
    “Well, it’s not as if we didn’t try to hire another maid, but you know how hard it is to find a reliable girl nowadays—or any girl, for that matter.” Her mother tsked with disapproval. “Many young women are seeking employment in the factories South of Market.”
    “Then why don’t we hire a Chinese houseboy?” Kate reached for the pitcher of cream and poured a little over her bowl of oatmeal. “The Harringtons have one, and they seem very satisfied with him.”
    Her mother’s frown deepened. “You know I don’t like Chinese people. They are just not trustworthy.”
    Kate sprinkled sugar over her oatmeal. “How do you know, if you’ve never employed one?”
    “It is common knowledge,” her mother answered. “Right, Cornelius?”
    Not looking up from his newspaper, her father gave a noncommittal nod. “It shouldn’t be a problem for much longer. They’re running our ad again today, and they added the bit about ‘good wages,’ just the way I suggested. See?” He turned the newspaper around to show them the help wanted section.
    Her mother pushed the plate with the cold bacon away. “I hope a competent girl will turn up this time.”
    The grandfather clock in the vestibule struck nine.
    By the time it struck ten, she would either be the San Francisco Call’ s newest staff member or be on her way home, dejected.
    Her father folded the newspaper and emptied his cup of coffee. “I have to head to the office now. The Millicent sets off for Shanghai tomorrow, and I want to make sure all the cargo is accounted for.”
    The mention of the ship named after her softened her mother’s expression.
    Kate hastily swallowed another spoonful of oatmeal and then jumped up. “I’ll go with you. I have some things to attend to on Market Street.”
    Her mother’s delicate china cup rattled on its saucer. “But I need you to be here when the applicants for the maid position arrive. What could you possibly have to do on Market Street that is more important than that?”
    “I’m sure you’ll manage to pick the best one,” Kate responded without answering her mother’s