Elizabeth enjoyed a lovely weekend with Gideon. They went to see a play and had dinner afterward at Delmonico’s with an old friend of Gideon’s and the French war bride he had brought home with him after the war. On Sunday Mrs. Vanderslice sought her out after church and begged her once again to attend another séance at Madame Ophelia’s, which she politely declined to do. Then she and Anna exchanged secret smiles.

Elizabeth and Mother Bates spent most of Monday writing letters to various elected officials in support of the Woman Suffrage Amendment, which had failed to pass in the last session of congress. This meant they would have to wait until the new congress convened in December, eight long months away.

“Do you think there is any chance President Wilson will call a special session of congress to vote on the amendment?” Elizabeth asked while the two of them were eating lunch.

“He’s been surprisingly supportive of late, but he is still the most intractable man I’ve ever known,” Mother Bates said in disgust.

“At least he finally came out in support of Woman Suffrage.”

Mother Bates gave an unladylike snort. “But only when he saw which way the wind was blowing. After the Democrats lost control of congress in last year’s election, he knew the Republicans would eventually pass the amendment and get all the credit. But he’d waited too long and let his own party get out of his control, so he still couldn’t get it passed.”

“It’s so infuriating,” Elizabeth said. “What good does it do us to have a new congress that will probably pass the amendment if they don’t meet until December? Even if they pass the amendment right away, there won’t be time to get it ratified by enough states before the 1920 election.”

“I know, it’s a horrible way to run a government, making the people wait almost thirteen months for the new congress to convene after they’re elected. But maybe Wilson will surprise us and call a special session.”

Elizabeth smiled. “Maybe I should predict that at my next séance.”

Mother Bates sighed. “I thought you only wanted to predict things you knew were going to happen.”

—

Elizabeth was still working the cramp out of her writing hand late that afternoon when the maid came into the parlor to announce a visitor. From the look on her face, Elizabeth could guess who it was.

“There’s a . . . a lady here to see you, Mrs. Gideon.”

Elizabeth took pity on her. “Is her name Madame Ophelia?”

The poor girl nearly sighed with relief. “Yes, ma’am. I didn’t want to say it in case you didn’t believe me.”

“Please show her in and bring us some tea, will you?” Luckily, Mother Bates had gone upstairs to lie down, so Elizabeth could receive her visitor alone.