Joe said, “Good morning, sir. Joe Stark.” He extended his hand, and Dr. Franklin shook it. “And my wife, Marguerite Stark.”
“Hello,” Dr. Franklin said, shaking my outstretched hand and clearly notrecognizing me. It was a chilly day for once, mid-November making itself felt as it usually did not in this most temperate of climates. It was, in fact, the first anniversary of my arrival in the United States, and I was wearing my sage-green suit and stylish hat and holding my black coat with the red lining over one arm, no doubt looking very different from the flushed, nervous young woman of the summer. At any rate, Dr. Franklin merely said, “What can I do for you, Mr.Stark? Oh—sit, sit. Are you a student? Prospective student? GI Bill?”
“A student, sir,” Joe said. “In History and Law.”
“Right. The dual degree program. Yes. You’ve come to me about taking a Finance course, I suppose. Would your wife be more comfortable waiting outside with my secretary?”
“No,” I said. “Joe and I are both here to speak with you.”
He seemed to take me in at last. “Wait,” he said slowly. “The auditor, aren’t you?”
“Yes,” I said. “And my husband is, as you pointed out, the Jew.”
“And?” Professor Franklin asked. “I’m a busy man, Mrs. Stark, and whatever others may have told you, there’s no right to audit a class. Oh, we’re all very sorry for the refugees, of course, but you’re here now, and you’ll have to pull your own weight. If you want to go to college, you can pay for it like everybody else. Isn’t the GI Bill enough of a handout? We worry about the Reds and come this close to Communism at home. Madness.”
“Are you quite finished?” I asked. Joe’s neck had gone red, and I knew he was holding himself back.
“Yes,” Professor Franklin said, and stood. “If you’ll excuse me, I have a class to prepare for.”
I stayed where I was. So did Joe. I said, “I’m afraid I need a bit more time from you. You see, I recently sold a rather valuable item. An heirloom of my family.”
“So youdowant to go to college,” he said, sitting down again. “Why didn’t you say so? You’ll have to apply, like everyone else. No special treatment.” He glanced at Joe again.
“Yes,” I said, “I’ve heard that there may be an informal quota on Jewish admissions. Never mind; Joe was long since admitted and is now doing both Stanford and the Army great credit, and as I told you, I don’t wish to apply. I’ve found otherways to learn what I need to know in order to manage our investments.”
“Your …” For once, Professor Franklin seemed to have nothing to say.
“Our investments,” I repeated. “We’re buying rather a lot of real estate, you see. This appears a most prudent investment at the present moment, now that all these veterans, some of them even Jews, are buying houses. The GI Bill, as you say. Whether Communist or not, you must admit that this presents a very great opportunity.”
“Well, naturally,” Professor Franklin said. “Anybody would see that.”
“Even though there is still land available to buy?” I said.“Doeseveryone see that? But you may say that seeing and buying are two different things, and that one must also have the daring to take the jump, as I believe the saying goes. In that, we agree.”
“To take the leap,” Joe said. “Yes, it takes daring, and that’s just what you’ve got.”
“So what’s your point here?” Professor Franklin asked, looking between the two of us. “Are you setting up some sort of corporation, looking for a board of directors to advise you?”
“No, Professor,” I said. “I’m here to tell you that Joe and I have just come from a meeting with Dean Webster, among others, to set up a rather large scholarship fund. This affects you to some degree, so I thought you would wish to be informed.”
“Well, of course,” he said. “A scholarship fund is always welcome. We have any number of worthy candidates. Young men too young for war, or not called up, who have every?—”
I held up a hand, and after a moment, he stopped. “But you see,” I said, “this is a scholarship for women.”
“Oh. Then what does it have to do with me? Economicsand business aren’t subjects women have much interest in. Or, I may say, much talent for.”
“More precisely,” I said, “it’s a scholarship forimmigrantwomen. Most definitely including Jewish women, for I’ve had the university put this in the writings. There is one exception: Negro women who are not immigrants will also be included. There will be no quota in our fund, formal or informal, for NegroesorJews. How many women can be admitted to the university each year now? Up to forty percent of the student body, is it not?”
“Almost every major university has a policy like that,” Professor Franklin said. “It’s a university, not a finishing school.”
“Yes,” I said. “I’ve heard this. This is why Joe and I have specified that this scholarship is for women who wish to study mathematics, economics, law, medicine, or the sciences. I must thank you for the idea, for if you hadn’t been so dismissive, I may never have thought of it. I may know what you’ll say next, too—that a woman can’t easily get a job in these fields, at least one similar to what a man would get, even with the best degree in the world. One must start somewhere, though, don’t you agree?”
“I have no opinion on the subject,” Professor Franklin said stiffly.
“Oh,” Joe said, “I expect you do. Just not one fit for public airing.”
I said, “Dean Webster has most kindly agreed to sit on the scholarship committee, and to help choose the other members. As for Joe and me, we plan to add to the fund over the coming years as we progress with our ventures, and to solicit funds from others, too, once we’re well underway. I wish this fund to be a sort of beacon that can light the way for young women who might otherwise see only darkness. Howmany Americans have come to this country in such darkness? In steerage? Even in chains?”
“And you’re going to raise them all up, is that it?” Professor Franklin said. “Crusaders make me tired.”
