@@@@@ The Irish Times had printed the
@@@@@
The Irish Times had printed the announcement of the wedding plans
on the
front pageScarlett darted - at the other passengers in the
compartment to see if any of were reading the paperThe tweedsuited
sportsman was in a sporting magazine; the nicely dressed mother and
son
were playing cribbageShe read about herself againThe Times had
a great
deal of its own commentary to the formal announcementlett smiled
at
the part about "The 0 'hara of Ballyhara, a be ornament to the
innermost circles of Viceregal society" and white and dashing
equestrienne She had brought only a single small case with her for
her in Dublin and Galway, so she needed only one porter to acct her
from the station to the nearby hotelThe reception area was jammed
with people"What the - said Scarlett"The races," said the
porter
"You didn't do something so foolish as to come to Galway not knowing,
did
you? You'll find no to sleep in here
Impertinent, thought Scarlett, see if you get a tip
She weaved her way to the reception desk"I'd like to speak to the
manager The harassed desk clerk looked her up and down, then
said,
"Yes, of course, madam, one moment," and vanished behind an
etched-glass screenhe returned with a balding man in a black frock
coat and striped trousers"Is there some complaint, madam?
I'm afraid that the hotel's service does become less, ah, flawless,
shall we say, when the races are in progressWhatever inconvenience
Scarlett interrupted him"I remember the service as flawless She
smiled winningly"That's why I like to stay at the RailwayI'll
need a room tonight The manager's
unctuousness evaporated like August dew
"A room tonight? It's quite out of-" The desk clerk was pulling at his
armThe manager glared at