The Paper Daughters of Chinatown - Heather B. Moore Page 0,69
under federal mandate.”
Dolly gave up on holding back her tears, and as soon as Kum Quai alighted from the buggy, they embraced. Finally, Dolly had her daughter back. Finally, Kum Quai was free.
“In the summer of 1899, a ship sailing from Hong Kong to San Francisco had had two cases of plague on board. Because of this, although no passengers were ill when the ship reached San Francisco, it was to be quarantined on Angel Island. When the boat was searched, 11 stowaways were found—the next day two were missing. Their bodies were later found in the Bay, and autopsy showed they contained plague bacilli. Despite this scare, there was no immediate outbreak of disease. But rats from the ship probably had something to do with the epidemic that hit San Francisco nine months later.”
—“Bubonic Plague Hits San Francisco: 1900–1909,” PBS.org
1900
Dolly set the newspaper on the table and looked at the gathered staff members, which included the interpreters, part-time staff, and Mrs. Field. Everyone’s expression was somber because they had all heard the rumors. “The rumors are true,” Dolly said. “The bubonic plague has spread and taken root in Chinatown.”
Yuen Qui gasped. “What will happen?”
Ah Cheng rose from the table. She walked to the kitchen window and gazed outside, her hands set firmly on her hips.
“More of what’s been happening over the past year,” Dolly said. “But full quarantine this time. Of the entire Chinatown.”
“It’s best for everyone,” Mrs. Field said, her lips pulled into a thin line. “They have to stop the spread of the disease somehow.”
Ah Cheng turned from the window. “They tried that in Hawaii, and what happened?”
“They burned homes and shops.” Dolly folded her arms against the chill pricking her skin. “Yet it still didn’t stop the plague from spreading.”
“Until there is a better solution, this is the only choice.” Mrs. Field clasped her hands atop the table. “And don’t get any foolish notions of continuing rescues. You’ll only put the rest of us at risk.” With her gaze focused on Dolly, it was no secret whom Mrs. Field was addressing. She rose from her chair as if she were putting a stop to the conversation. No one spoke as she left the room.
Dolly watched the woman go. Yes, there would be more risk involved . . .
The mission home had already stopped all visits from sponsors and donors. Visits gave the chance for the girls to show off their talents, including singing and recitations. The donations were often generous following a performance. The quietness of the mission home had been unsettling.
“She might be right,” Yuen Qui said in a tentative voice.
“Should we turn down pleas for help?” Ah Cheng asked.
This was not a question for Dolly, even if Mrs. Field might disagree. Dolly met the gazes of her two interpreters. “We will do as we’ve always done,” she said in a firm tone. “We will find a way around any obstacles.”
“I will go,” a voice said from the kitchen doorway.
Dolly turned to see Tien. The girl had become a young woman now. Her legs were longer, her eyes bigger, her curves softer. But she was still much too young to go on rescues. There was too much potential risk that she would draw the attention of the tong in the wrong way.
Yuen Qui smiled at the girl. “Thank you for the offer, Tien. Right now, we don’t know what kind of help we’ll need. We don’t know how the plague will affect us all.”
Tien’s face reddened, and Dolly worried that the girl felt affronted. But Yuen Qui had a way with Tien and brought out her softer side.
“But if we need you, we’d be happy for your help,” Yuen Qui continued.
At this, Tien gave a satisfied nod, then left the doorway. Without a sound. As always.
Dolly exhaled. “Well, it appears that not everyone at the mission home is afraid of the plague.”
Her own words haunted her a few days later when a young girl, no more than nine years old, arrived on their doorstep.
Dolly was preparing to scout the streets and find out which areas in Chinatown were in quarantine, when she opened the door to discover Leung Kum Ching. At least that’s what Dolly deciphered through the girl’s hysterical sobs.
Dolly drew the crying girl into the house and shut the door. Ah Cheng appeared almost immediately. Mrs. Field didn’t even open her office door to investigate.
“You need to take deep breaths,” Ah Cheng said, placing her hands on the girl’s shoulders. “Tell me what