Lydia Ream smiled her appreciation and followed obediently. “The Congressman and Mr. James will be down shortly. They’re taking a call.”
I seated Lydia to my immediate left. I had every reason to trust her table manners and I wanted to get a better look at her dress. I have never had to institute a dress code at the Inn, because people of this ilk generally conform to acceptable standards. However, seldom do they dress as swank and spiffy as Lydia Johns Ream.
I guess you would call it a ball gown. It was floor-length, made of some kind of taffeta, and in front it was cut low enough to cause a chest cold. It was also bright red, a color our mother had always forbidden Susannah and me to wear for modesty’s sake. Mrs. Ream was also wearing jewelry. Real jewelry. Diamonds and rubies and things.
“You look very nice,” I said. I meant it.
“Thank you. I hope I haven’t overdressed.” Thankfully, just then Ms. Parker strode into the room followed by her young protegee, Linda McMahon. I scurried to meet them, but before I could intercept them they had settled themselves at the far end of the table. Linda had seated herself on the far end, opposite Lydia’s side, and Jeanette was seated at the very end, right in Susannah’s chair.
“Good evening,” I said perfunctorily, and then cut right to the chase. “This end seat is reserved.”
“There is no card or sign to indicate that.” Jeanette Parker did not display the slightest intention of moving.
“Actually, we have no need for cards, because all the seating is done by me, your hostess.”
Linda stood up, but Jeanette remained rooted to Susannah’s chair. Perhaps literally so. She was, after all, wearing a homespun cotton pajama outfit that was dyed a very pale shade of green. Had it not been for her flaming orange hair, she would have looked for all the world like a giant rutabaga. Of course most rutabagas don’t talk.
“Ms. Yoder,” said this rutabaga, “I just about broke my neck coming down those impossibly steep stairs of yours, not to mention that I pinched a nerve in my lower vertebrae trying to nap on that hideous thing you call a mattress. The fact that I can sit at all is something of a miracle. Is it really so necessary that I move, now that I’ve finally gotten comfortable?”
“Yes,” I said and turned to greet Joel Teitlebaum and Billy Dee Grizzle, who had appeared at the door. I may never be a mother, but twenty-two years of teaching Sunday School at Beech Grove Mennonite Church have taught me how to deal with children.
“Evening, ma’am,” said Billy Dee cordially. He had changed from a plaid to a plain denim shirt, which was the perfect foil for the rather attractive bola tie he was wearing.
“Good evening,” I said just as pleasantly, and then for his ears only I whispered, “Don’t worry. The reporter doesn’t take meals with us.”
Billy Dee nodded, and I turned my attention to Joel Teitlebaum.
If possible, Joel Teitlebaum was looking even taller and skinnier than he had before. He was wearing corduroy slacks, a striped shirt, and a narrow striped tie, which undoubtedly accounted for it. And although it might have been just my imagination, it seemed to me that his color had improved. Milking must have agreed with him.
“How did you like milking?” I asked. Frankly, I found it strange that someone who didn’t drink milk on principle would be interested in such an activity.
Joel’s color improved even more when he blushed. “Actually, I didn’t go milking after all. I decided to nap instead. But Mose, I mean Mr. Hostetler, said he’d let me help him tomorrow.”
“I see,” I said. Actually I didn’t. Not only was there far too much napping going on, but an hour of Mose’s time was now unaccounted for. Unless he’d been napping as well. Either way, it was best Freni not find out about it.
I seated Joel to the left of Linda, who had scooted up one chair to make room for Jeanette. They were, after all, roughly the same age, and undoubtedly knew each other, since they were both conspirators for A.P.E.S.
Billy Dee, however, posed a problem. If I put him down on the far end, on the other side of Susannah, my sister would just make a fool of herself. I couldn’t very well move him next to Lydia and have him come between her and her husband, could I? So I took the only option I had left and put him on my immediate right, next to Joel. My intentions were entirely pure, I assure you.
Fortunately we didn’t have to wait much longer for Congressman Ream and Delbert James. But no sooner did they step into the room than both men appeared to do a double take. It was as if they had accidentally entered the wrong room and were flustered at their mistake.