kebeasar0403

@@@@@The horses stamped their feet and bobbed their headsA white-aproned man swept the canvas walkway free of the scattering of leaves that had accumulated then slid back the long iron bolt and swung wide the gatesHe disappeared into the shadows just as the sound of voices poured from the buildingFor three blocks along the street carriages waited to move in turn to collect their passengers"Wake up, they're coming," Ezekiel growled to the sleeping boys in the footman liveryThey jerked at his prodding finger, then grinned and scrambled down from their resting place at his feetPeople came pouring through the open doors, talking, laughing, pausing on the porch, reluctant to see the end of the eveningAs they did every year, they said that this had been the best Saint Cecilia ever, the best orchestra, the best food, the best punch, the best time they had ever hadThe streetcar driver spoke to his horses "I'll get you to your stable, boys, don't you fret He pulled the handle near his head and the brightly polished bell beside the blue light clanged its summons"Good night, good night," cried obedient riders to the people on the porch and first one couple, then three, then a laughing avalanche of young people ran along the white canvas pathTheir elders smiled and made comments about the tirelessness of youthThey moved at a slower, more dignified pace In some cases their dignity failed to hide a certain unsteadiness of the legsScarlett plucked Rhett's sleeve"Oh, do let's ride the car, RhettThe air feels so good and the carriage will be stuffy "There's a long walk after we get offI'd love to walk some He took a deep breath of the fresh night air"I would, too," he saidGo on to the car and save us a place * * They hadn't far to rideThe streetcar turned east on Broad Street, only a block away, then moved grandly through the silent city to the end of Broad in front of the Post Office building