80

Archibald was standing at the window across the street, binoculars in hand. “My God!” he cried. “The place is turning into a zoo!”

“What do you mean, dear?” Vernella said, emerging from the dressing room in a long gown and pearls.

Thorn came down the steps from his bedroom in a velvet smoking jacket. “What’s this I hear?”

“They are pathetic! They have sheep in the window.”

“Like a butcher shop!” Thorn said as he lit his pipe.

“I didn’t think it could get much worse. But this time they’ve outdone themselves,” Archibald said. “When I think of this park when I was a child. And to see it turn into a circus…”

Vernella put her arm around her husband’s waist. “Don’t worry, my dear. We’ll change it back. When you buy the Settlers’ Club, we’ll be the King and Queen of Gramercy Park.”

Archibald smiled slightly. “I suppose. And what will you be, Thorn?”

A little dribble formed in the corner of Thorn’s mouth as he chewed on his pipe. I’ll be the God of fire, he thought. “Oh, I suppose I’ll just be a visiting prince.”

Archibald laughed. “Not you, Thorn. You’re much better suited to being a dictator. Now let’s break out the champagne.”