“A bar mitzvah? For the love of God why? Are you not a Christian any more?”

“We don’t only look after the Irish, Mary. Christian, Jew or heathen: if they’re in my ward, I’m their friend. I helped that family get naturalized when they arrived.”

“I wouldn’t feel comfortable in a Jewish house.”

“The Jews are like the Irish, Mary. Do a Jew a favor, and he’ll never forget.” He grinned. “They quarrel with each other, too.” He paused. “So where are you going?”

“Uptown.”

“I’ll walk with you.”

That was the last thing she needed. Uptown, the streets became genteel again. Rich people lived up there. The place she was going wanted a quiet, respectable girl. What would they think if they caught sight of Sean, the Bowery boy in his loud coat, the devil from Five Points? She’d sooner they didn’t even know she had a brother. For if they knew, they’d be sure to ask what he did, and what could she say?

What did Sean do? Organize the local ward? Yes. Help the poor? No doubt. Stuff ballot boxes? Certainly. Run errands for his friend Fernando Wood? Why not? Enforce his will, at point of knife? Better not ask.

Sean would do whatever it took to please the boys at Tammany Hall.

Tammany was a sort of Indian name. The Tammany men called themselves Braves, and their leaders were sachems, just like an Indian tribe. It was organized a bit like a tribe, too—a loose collection of groups and gangs who’d banded together for mutual assistance. They had a meeting place, though, which they called Tammany Hall, on the other side of the Common. And they were certainly effective. If you were a new immigrant, you went to Tammany Hall. They helped you find a place to live, maybe helped with your rent, found you a job—especially if you were Irish. You might become a fireman. Your wife and daughter might work at home, stitching ready-to-wear clothes for Brooks Brothers. Then Tammany Hall told you who to vote for. And made sure they were elected, too.

If Tammany did favors, it expected favors in return. You kept on the right side of Tammany, if you had any sense. And there were fellows like Sean to persuade you of the wisdom of doing so, should you have any doubts. Respectable people didn’t like Tammany.

“I’m all right by myself,” she said.

“I’ll treat you to the train,” he offered.