Page 80 of The Missing Pages
Concerned. Previous telegrams have gone unanswered. I have learned you’ve canceled meetings. Please inform me if you need assistance. Office has confirmed receipt of wire transfer. Sangorski wants to file a claim with his insurance company. Please respond as soon as possible. B.A.Q.
The next day, she vowed she would reply to Quaritch. She tried to will herself out of bed, despite what had become a debilitating fatigue. She told herself she must get back to her responsibilities, and the first order at hand was getting herself dressed.
Ada stood in front of the long mirror in her hotel room and gazed at her reflection. The white silk blouse that she had been given while onboard theCarpathiaand had fit her loosely then, now felt tight around her chest. Her breast felt tender and swollen. She could barely fasten the buttons closed.
It was then a fear gripped her, the realization that perhaps it was more than just grief that had taken root inside her.
She cupped her stomach and prayed it was just a trick of her imagination. Ada had carved out a career using her powers of observation and a strong instinct. She suspected that she was not wrong.
The next afternoon, Ada was fueled by a new adrenaline. The fatigue had not waned, and her monthly cycle was now several days late, but the fear of her situation propelled her into action. She knew she had to start preparing for a shift in her story. Would a visit to see Harry’s mother at Lynnewood Hall be inorder? Would she want to know that Ada was carrying her dear son’s child? But there was the first matter at hand to deal with. How could she explain such a trip to Quaritch?
She sat down and finally responded to him, using her most professional tone.
Dear Mr. Quaritch,
I first must apologize for being so negligent in my work duties following my arrival in New York. Witnessing the horror of theTitanic’s sinking, with so many innocent lives lost, has taken far longer than I thought to recover from.
While I did not know Mr. Harry Widener for a very long time, his loss to both his family and the book world is a tremendous one. I think perhaps I should inquire about visiting his friend Dr. Rosenbach in Philadelphia, in the hope of ensuring that our relationship with the family and their book collection stays strong. Please advise.
In the meantime, please wire me instructions regarding what statements I need to provide to Sangorski’s insurance company. I apologize I was unable to bring theRubaiyatsafely to New York as planned, but the circumstances as you know were quite impossible.
Sincerely,
Ada Lippoldt
In the days that followed, Ada’s stomach began to clench and the waves of nausea became more frequent. Her room did not have a private bathroom and, wanting to obscure hermorning sickness from any gossip, she made sure she pulled the flush chain just before she vomited into the porcelain bowl.
She learned that a few dry crackers could sustain her during the day as she forced herself to go to her appointments. At the Plaza Hotel, she finally met Belle da Costa Greene, who was dressed in a beautiful pine-colored coat and matching hat.
“Why, Miss Lippoldt, I’m concerned by your pallor. It looks nearly as green as my coat,” she remarked. “Perhaps your horrific ordeal at sea isn’t yet fully behind you.”
“I’m getting better each day, Miss Greene. But it has been a challenge.”
They ordered tea and Belle was aflutter with all the chatter concerning those who had perished, particularly those in the book world.
“A tragedy about the young Mr. Harry Widener,” she said. “Mr. Morgan had the greatest respect for him and I always enjoyed our conversation when he came to visit our library. It’s a terrible loss.”
“Indeed.” Ada averted her eyes, not wanting to cry.
“And is it true that the garishRubaiyatwent down with the ship as well?”
“It is true,” Ada confirmed.
“Well, that’s not such a painful loss. But the miniature Bacon from the Huth sale… that’s just devastating. And I’ve heard Mr. Widener told Mr. Quaritch that he would never take it off his person. Why, if ever a bibliophile could achieve legendary status, surely that is now the late lamented Mr. Widener!”
Ada’s stomach churned, and she thought she would become sick if she didn’t excuse herself right away.
“I just need a moment,” she said and then went to the powder room to compose herself.
When Ada returned, she tried to change the subject. “As I’m sure you are aware, there is no more esteemed icon for the few female book lovers in these rarefied circles we dwell in. So I wanted to ask you for some advice, Miss Greene,” she began. “I want to make the most of my time here in the United States, perhaps even extend my stay longer than the three weeks I was supposed to be here.”
She took a sip of her tea and forced a smile. “As you might imagine, I’m in no great hurry to get on a boat again!”
“I can imagine that quite easily,” Belle agreed.
“Thank you for your compassion,” Ada answered. “I hope you don’t mind my asking you a question in regards to my career. I admire you so much and all you’ve managed to accomplish.”
Belle smiled. “No, please go ahead. I welcome questions. Curiosity is a sign of strong intelligence.”
