Her Infinite Variety (24 page)

"And what is that, dear friend?"

"An ambassador!"

"God bless you, anyway. And good luck!"

When Clara returned to her house after lunch, she heard the telephone ringing, and she picked it up in the hall. It was the president!

"Hello, Clara! You probably know what I'm calling about. Everyone here seems to know what I'm doing before I do."

"You want me to be ambassador to Santa Emilia."

"That's it! How about it?"

"Oh, I accept, with gratitude, Mr. President."

"Great! Have you ever been there?"

"No. But I managed to find it on the map."

"Don't be picky. Size isn't everything. I'm told it has a wonderful beach. At Puerta Castilia. Perhaps Jackie and I will join you on a vacation there."

"I'll have it ready. I might even arrange a revolution for you."

"Why do you say that? Do you know something I don't know? It wouldn't be surprising."

"No. It's just that those people are always having revolutions, aren't they? And if they do, please don't send the secretary of state. Let me handle it myself, will you?"

"Clara, you've been on my team for exactly two minutes, and you're already giving me orders. Is it going to be that way with every woman I appoint?"

"You should be so lucky, Mr. President."

"Well, come to see me and Jackie before you go. She sends her love."

"And mine to her."

Clara solemnly kissed the telephone after she hung up. Then she turned her mind to her preparations. She would take Annie Hally with her as her secretary. Peter Vim Alstine could take her place as foundation chairman in her absence. If, in his opinion, Tony should ever show enough maturity and development to take over that job, it should be considered. And she would write her mother to remind her of Oscar Wilde's dictum that children start by loving their parents. Later, they judge them. Rarely if ever do they forgive them. Well, she forgave Violet. She forgave her utterly.