embarrassment. She felt an inexplicable urge to burst out laughing,
but managed to keep it to a smile as Sean climbed up on to the balcony
and took her hand.
'Ruth, I'm terribly sorry. I didn't plan all this, things got a little
out of control, ' he whispered hurriedly, then he muttered an
introduction to Dennis Petersen, who had ponderously mounted the steps
behind him. Now Dennis turned to face the crowd and spread his arms in
the gesture that Moses might have employed on his return from the
mountain.
'Ladies and gentlemen, citizens of Ladyburg, friends, ' he began, and
from the way he said it Sean knew he was good for another half, hour.
He glanced sideways at Ruth and saw that she was smiling.
It came as a surprise to him when he realized she was enjoying herself
Sean relaxed a little.
'It gives me great pleasure to welcome to our fair town this lovely
lady, friend of one of our foremost . . . ' Ruth's fingers found their
way surreptitiously into Sean's hand, and Sean relaxed a little more.
He saw the wide brim of Ada's hat standing out in the crowd and he
smiled at her. She replied with a nod of approval towards Ruth.
By some curious twist of oratory, Dennis was now talking about the new
water filtration plant and its benefit to the community.
', But, my friends, this is only the first of a series of projects
planned by your Board. ' He paused significantly.
'Hear, hear,' Sean interjected loudly and clapped his hands.
The applause was taken up by the crowd, and Sean stepped past Dennis to
the rail of the balcony.
'On behalf of Mrs. Friedman and myself, I thank you for your
friendship and your hospitality.' Then, leaving Dennis on the balcony
making helpless little movements with his hands and silently opening
and closing his mouth, Sean spirited Ruth away, ran her through a rapid
fire series of introductions and handshakes, gathered Ada and Dirk and
got them all into the car rage
While Sean and Mbenjane fussed with the luggage, Ruth an!
Ada settled their skirts and adjusted their hats before meeting each
other's eyes again.
'Although Sean warned me, I didn't expect you to be quite so lovely,'
Ada said. Flushing with pleasure and relief, Ruth leaned impulsively
across to touch her arm.
'I've been longing to meet you, Mrs. Courtney.
'If you promise to call me Ada, then I'll call you Ruth.'
Sean scrambled into the carriage, flustered and perspiring.
'Let's get the hell out of here! That week was to be remembered for
many years. The usual Christmas festivities paled into insignificance
beside it.
Matrons competed fiercely to provide food, mountains of it, prepared
from their closely guarded recipe books. In between cooking they
conducted old feuds, began new ones and worried about their
daughters.
The young bucks competed on the gymkhana and polo field, then again on
the dance floor. Dirk Courtney won the junior tent, pegging event.
