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Abel had a new, rather conservative dark blue suit made specially for the occasion, and took over the Presidential Suite at the Washington Baron for the day of the inauguration He enjoyed watching the vital young President deliver his inaugural speech, full of hope and proeneration of Americans, born in this century’ - Abel only just qualified - ’tempered by war’ - Abel certainly qualified - ’disciplined by a hard and bitter peac& - Abel ain ’Ask not what your country can do for you Ask what you can do for your country!
ne crowd rose to a nored the snow that had failed to dampen the impact of John F Kennedy’s brilliant oratory
Abel returned to the Washington Baron exhilarated He showered before changing for dinner into white tie and tails, also made especially for the occasion When he studied his ample frame in the mirror, Abel had to adance His tailor had done the best he could in the circumstances and did not coer evening suits for Abel in the past three years Florentyna would have chastised him for those unnecessary inches, as she used to call the about it Why did his thoughts always return to Florentyna? He checked his medals First The Polish Veterans’ Medal, next the decorations for his service in the desert and in Europe, and then his cutlery uished service with knives and forks
In all, seven inaugural balls were held in Washington that evening, and Abel’s invitation directed him to the DC Armoury He was placed at a table of Polish Deo T11ey had a lot to celebrate Edmund Muskie was in the Senate and terf ress No one mentioned the tly elected Polish Republicans Abel spent a happy evening with two old friends, who along with hiress They both asked after Florentyna
The dinner was interrupted by the entrance of John F Kennedy and his beautiful wife, Jacqueline They stayed about fifteen minutes, chatted with a few carefully selected people and then h Abel didn’t actually speak to the President, despite leaving his table and placing hie to have a ith Vincent Hogan as he was leaving with the Kennedy entourage
’7vft Rosnovski, what a fortuitous !
Abel would like to have exTlained to the boy that with hi was fortuitous, but noas neither the tiuided hie marble pillar
’I can’t say too much at the moment, Mr Rosnovski, as I must stick with the President, but I think you can expect a call from us in the near future Naturally, the President has rather a lot of appointments to deal with at the moment’
’Naturally,’ said Abel
’But I aan, ’that in your case everything will be confirmed by late March or early April May I be the first to offer ratulations, Mr Rosnovski? I am confident you will serve the President well’
Abel watched Vincent Hogan literally run off to be sure he caught up with the Kennedy party, ere already cli into a fleet of open - doored limousines
’You look pleased with yourself,’ said one of his Polish friends as Abel returned to his table and sat down to attack a tough steak, which would not have been allowed inside a Baron ’Did Kennedy invite you to be his new Secretary of State?’
They all laughed
’Not yet,’ said Abel ’But he did tell me the accommodation in the White House was not in the same class as the Baron’
Abel flew back to New York the nextthe Polish Chapel of Our Lady of Czestochowa in the National Shrine It ton National airport was chaos and Abel eventually arrived at the New York Baron three hours later than planned
George joined hione hen Abel ordered a ht we celebrate,’ said Abel ’I saw Hogan at the ball and my appointment will be confirmed in the next feeeks The official announcement will be made soon after I return froratulations, Abel I know of no one who deserves the honour e I can assure you that your reill not be in heaven, because when it’s all official, I’ president of the Baron Group in ne They were already halfway through the bottle