Noon at Tiffany's Read Free

Wolcott sisters unconsciously mimicked his expression.
    “This is most satisfactory, Miss Wolcott!” He tapped the paper. “You say here that you studied architectural decoration?”
    “Clara was the only woman in the entire architectural decoration division,” Josie broke in. “She graduated first in her class.”
    “What my sister has neglected to say is that I had a great deal of help from the other students. I assure you, they were as qualified as I—”
    Mr. Tiffany thrust his hand toward her. Momentarily confused, she thought perhaps a handshake was his way of terminating the interview. She was about to extend her hand when she realized he merely wished to see her portfolio.
    He placed the leather case on his desk and opened it with a reverence she would not have expected of him. Mr. Belknap stepped closer, and for what seemed an extensive amount of time, the two men stood side by side, silently considering her work. It pleased her to see they didn’t rush through the watercolors and sketches, but rather spent whole minutes examining each image. Mr. Belknap picked out several watercolors, pouring over each one with the excitement a child might have experienced upon seeing a long-awaited gift.
    Tiffany lowered the best of her hummingbird illustrations and regarded her with a respect that had not been there before, as if he’d seen her soul though her art. Remaining perfectly still, she held her breath.
    “First rate work, Miss Wolcott,” he said quietly. “You have an excellent eye for color and detail. We are of a similar artistic leaning. Like you, I find my muse in nature. You’ve hit upon exactly the sort of thing I’m looking for in an artisan.”
    She let out a sigh of relief. “Thank you. I have other examples of my work, including my designs from Ransom’s. If you’d like, I’ll bring the rest around tomorrow.”
    “That won’t be necessary,” he said, handing back her case. “What you have here is more than acceptable. I need no further proof of your capabilities.”
    He seemed to retreat into deeper thought, fixing on something she couldn’t even guess at. Within the space of a single breath, he’d put a distance between himself and everyone in the room. It crossed her mind that he might be trying to find the words to tell her that her capabilities, though ‘first rate,’ weren’t quite good enough for Tiffany’s, when he motioned to Mr. Belknap.
    “After I’ve finished writing out instructions, I’d like you to escort the ladies downstairs and introduce them to Mr. Bracey.” He turned abruptly to Josie. “Where are you and your sister residing at present, Miss Wolcott?”
    Stricken, Josie looked to Clara, who answered for her. “My sister and I are living at Miss Todd’s boardinghouse near Fort Greene Park in Brooklyn. Perhaps you know of the place?”
    As soon as the words were out of her mouth, Clara wanted to call them back. It was not likely Louis Tiffany would be on familiar terms with boardinghouses, let alone the people who inhabited them.
    Tiffany pointedly ignored her, never taking his eyes off Josie. “You write in your application letter that you’ve registered for the fall session at the Art Students’ League, yet you also wish to have an apprenticeship at Tiffany’s?”
    Josie answered so softly he was required to lean close. “I, well, we, meaning my mother and sisters, thought it best if I were to have some practical experience along with my studies.”
    He regarded her for a long while before resuming in a gentler tone. “You’re seventeen, Miss Wolcott, a most tender age. I’m afraid having a position here, plus studying at the League will be a strain on your health.”
    “I assure you it won’t,” she said. “As you say, I’m young, which provides me with the strength I’ll need for a demanding schedule.”
    He gave her a last searching look and took his seat behind the massive desk. Absently he stroked his beard, then set to writing. For