@@@@@ "Isn't it nice to see the streetcar with
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"Isn't it nice to see the streetcar with nobody on it but people
dressed for a ball?" said Eleanor Butler"Did you know, Scarlett,
that they always stop running the cars early on the night of the Saint
Cecilia so they can scrub them out before they make the special runs
to
take people to the ball?"
"I didn't know that, Miss EleanorHow do people get home?"
"Oh, they run another special at two when the ball's over
"What if somebody wants to ride who isn't going to the ball?"
"They can't, of courseNobody would even think of itEverybody
knows the cars don't run after nine o'clock"Mama,
you sound like the duchess in Alice in Wonderland" Eleanor Butler
began
to laugh, too"I suppose I do," she sputtered cheerfully, then
laughed even harderShe was still laughing when the carriage moved
forward and stopped and the door was pulled openScarlett looked
out
onto a scene that made her catch her breathThis was the way a ball
should oe be! Tall black iron poles held a pair of enormous lanterns
brightly lit with a half dozen gas jetsThey illuminated the deep
portico and towering white columns of a temple-like building set back
from the street behind a tall iron fenceA gleaming white canvas
walkway led from the scoured white marble carriage block to the
portico's stepsOver walkway and block a white canvas awning had
been
erected"Just think," she said, marvelling, "you could go from your
carriage to the Ball in the pouring rain and not a drop of water
would touch you"That's the idea," Rhett agreed, "but it's never been
testedIt never rains on the night of the Saint Cecilia
"Rhett!" Eleanor Butler was genuinely shockedScarlett smiled at
Rhett, pleased that he could make fun of something that he took as
seriously as this ballHe'd told her all about it, how many years and
years it had been going on-everything in Charleston seemed to have
been
around for at least a hundred years-how it was completely run by
men
Only men could be members of the Society"Step down, Scarlett,"
said
Rhett, "you should feel right at home hereThis building is the
Hibernian HallInside you'll see a plaque with the harp of Ireland
in best gold paint
Don't be rude," scolded his moth