Cat of the Century by Rita Mae Brown Read Free Book Online Page A

you showing?”
    “No, I foxhunt and trail ride.”
    “I wish we had foxhunting here. We have to go to St. Louis or Kansas City. It teaches balance over terrain, something we don’t really get here. And, of course, the other professors and I have to tell the kids the fox isn’t harmed.”
    “Good for environmental studies. You see things and get to places many people don’t get to even with ATVs.” Harry noticed the framed photos on the wall. “Quite a gallery. Saddlebreds are so beautiful, no wonder movie stars like William Shatner and Renata DeCarlo show them.”
    “Beautiful they are. I wish more people realized how versatile they are.”
    “Yes,” Harry replied simply. “Will you be giving a speech tomorrow night?”
    “Me? No.” Gayle smiled with relief. “Jahnae Barnett, our president, will. Have you met her?”
    “No, I just got in about three hours ago.”
    “I’ll make a point of introducing you. She’s extraordinary: a good administrator, someone who loves the classroom, a wonderful fund-raiser, but most of all, a true visionary. When people do what they love, everyone benefits.”
    “I believe that. Your career testifies to that. I’m sorry I won’t hear you speak.”
    “Come back. Actually do come back. We keep riding in the ring in winter, but when the show season starts, we do take the students outside. Do you know most of our equestrian science graduates are working in the horse world?”
    “I didn’t know that.”
    Gayle glanced down at Tucker, who had come around to sit by her. “What an expressive face. Corgis are tough dogs.” She paused. “We are very grateful to Aunt Tally and to her family for allowing us to celebrate her centennial and raise funds. I don’t need to tell you how tight things are.”
    “Doesn’t seem to be an end in sight.”
    “Her niece, Mrs. Sanburne, whom I’m sure you know, has pledged $250,000. Callaway Hills Stables has also pledged a nice sum, because the late Mrs. Weldon,” Gayle paused, “adored Tally. Tally stood up to her, but she was funny about it. Mrs. Weldon respected her because Tally never told her anything that wasn’t so.”
    “That’s Aunt Tally.” Harry nodded.
    “We are hoping to raise half a million. I don’t know where we are now, but perhaps after Tally’s speech, which should be memorable, more will be forthcoming.”
    “A half a million.” Harry pursed her lips. “That’s an ambitious sum.”
    Gayle pushed back a stray lock of hair. “Yes, it is. Then I think about those mega-universities with portfolios worth billions. It’s overwhelming.”She smiled broadly. “We aren’t a mega-university for which I am grateful. What we have, though, is our Ivy League Society. Did Tally mention it to you?”
    “No.”
    “Many of our alumnae and alumni and friends, as well as people who did not attend here but who are attracted to our ethic and our commitment to the student, make William Woods University a beneficiary of a will, insurance policy, or trust. Tally is a member of the Ivy League Society, but she warns us that she intends to live forever.”
    Harry laughed. “She’s making a run for it.”
    “I so look forward to seeing her tomorrow and to hearing her speech on the very day she hits the century mark.”
    At that moment, feeling a Tanqueray glow, Tally was discussing her speech.
    “And …?” She had given Inez the gist of it.
    “Blossom, reality is always in order. From what you’ve told me, that’s what you’re doing: telling the truth. Odd, isn’t it? We try to tell the truth throughout our lives, but for some reason people don’t begin to listen until we’re old.”
    “Idiots!” Aunt Tally waved a dismissive hand.
    “More by the minute, too.” Inez settled back in the comfortable chair. “People believe what they see on TV. Astonishes me. Or what beeps up from their handheld BlackBerries and whatever.”
    “All of that controlled by large corporations. Well, not blogging and messages, but I