There was an uncomfortable silence in the room, or rather, there was a roomful of silent, uncomfortable women.
The silence soon ended.
"Since most of us have decided to spend an evening at Guido's Gay Nineties," Olivia said, "I doubt that
we have a problem with Eustace being related to the lady"
"Some lady," Winifred sniffed.
"To the lady," Olivia repeated, with a distinct emphasis on the word lady, "who plays the piano there."
"Well, I think," Winifred said, "that Eustace Belford should be asked to resign from the club. In fact," she went on,
"if I were the president, I would demand her resignation."
"You are not the president," Eloise reminded her. "I am, and I have no intention of asking Eustace to
resign."
"In that case, I resign. I refuse to be associated any longer with a club that
would frequent a place like Guido's Gay Nineties."
"You have no idea what sort of a place it is," Eustace pointed out.
"And do you?" Winifred challenged. "Have you ever been there?"
"No," Eustace had to admit, resolving to rectify that.
####
That night, Rose was surprised to see Eustace's chauffeur, Emil, escort her into Giddy's.