Claudia Carzino-Cormano said. "If you don't mind. Pamela?"
"I think I'll wait for the champagne," Pamela Mallin said.
"Bring some champagne," Humberto ordered. "Something very nice."
Clete held up a hand to keep the waiter from adding ice or soda to his glass, picked it up, and took a deep swallow.
"With the... uh... how shall I put it?" Cashley-Price went on, "time con-straints placed upon us by the situation, we shall have to take care of that right away. I have an hour free tomorrow at three. We could have our first session then. Would that be convenient, Cletus? Dorotea?"
"I'll be out of town tomorrow," Clete said.
"You can't be out of town tomorrow," Dorotea said.
"It's unavoidable, Dorotea," Humberto said. "He really has to go. Business, you understand, that just can't be put off."
Thank you, Uncle Humberto!
"Where is he going?" Dorotea demanded.
"Posadas," Clete said.
"To Estancia San Miguel," Humberto added. "Business."
"And when will you be returning, Cletus?" Cashley-Price asked.
"Why don't I call you the minute I get back?" Clete said.
"We are going to be very pressed for time," Cashley-Price said.
Waiters appeared with Claudia's drink and champagne.
The first waiter held back until the second waiter had poured the cham-pagne before passing out menus.
Humberto ordered a second bottle of champagne.
Two of Humberto's acquaintances stopped at the table to shake his hand.
Clete glanced at Dorotea, who was scowling at him.
"Cletus, I know what you're thinking," she said. "We have to meet with Fa-ther Cashley-Price."
"I know that," Clete said, and smiled at her.
"They do a very nice rack of lamb in here," Humberto announced.
"May I toast the happy couple?" Father Welner said, raising his glass.
"If we have a morning ceremony," Pamela Mallin said, "people won't ex-pect to be asked to stay over."
"Well, some people will have to stay over anyway," Claudia argued. "And afternoon ceremonies are so much nicer."
"I'm not hungry at all" Dorotea said.
"You have to eat, dear," Pamela Mallin said.
"I'm eating for two, is that what you're saying, Mother?"
"That's not what I meant at all."