Coronation by Paul Gallico Read Free Book Online

situation, Clagg could do nothing but growl, mutter and mumble and avoid looking at his family, who had now managed to join him, and then tell the story of the fraudulent seats to those nearest him. Several of them only laughed, obviously disbelieving, but some of them knew that he was telling the truth; their sense of fair play was outraged and they even shouted at the constable that it was a shame and he ought to let the Claggs through, which of course made him all the more determined to stick to his guns and his duty.
    Gwendoline said suddenly, ‘I’m tired, Daddy.’ Clagg picked her up in his arms. She rested her head on his shoulder contentedly and trustingly, and immediately went to sleep.
    They would have gone away then, and probably found their way back to St Pancras and home, or might even have managed somewhere to connect with a television set, had it not been for the inevitable rumours, one after the other, that went sweeping through the ranks of those barred from entrance, keeping hope alive.
    When the first protests and attempts to pass the barrier had proved unavailing, the crowd had begun to thin and change as disappointed ones left and new ones arrived, but retained a kind of permanent core who stayed there because of bits of so-called inside information which seeped through to them: the gates would be thrown open once more within an hour; within two hours; within three. As soon as the press of people on the other side had distributed itself, more were to be permitted to enter. No, the gen was that immediately after the Crowning those that had remained outside would be allowed in.
    There was no truth in any of these rumours, but they continued to multiply or gain fresh impetus whenever newcomers would arrive or at the emergence of someone from within. Every time the small door opened there would be a buzz and stir in the crowd as they caught a glimpse of the packed throng on the other side. They also saw that a space had been cleared by the police just inside the door, which furnished fuel to the hopes that they were preparing to admit them. There was even one report that when the constable guarding the portal was changed, an ‘all right’ chap would be coming on who would know how to close an eye and see that deserving parties managed to get inside. These quickly circulated bits of hearsay kept this knot of people standing there in the rain waiting and hoping, hour after hour through the morning. And among them were the Claggs.
    They had nowhere else to go except home, defeated. As long as there seemed a chance of getting in at this point, they had to remain. And unfamiliar as they were with the manner in which false stories could circulate through a crowd, Clagg believed that here was their best opportunity rather than to go wandering about the fringe of the Coronation area in the city that was unknown to them.
    And perversely enough, things did happen which made it appear as though they were about to win through. Such as the time when the door opened and two police sergeants, stiffly saluted by the P.C. on guard, came out. They stood for a moment regarding the knot of people and conversing in low tones. Hearts began to beat in anticipation, eyes again came alight with expectancy; there were shouts of ‘What about it Sergeant?’ It seemed so obvious that they were looking the situation over preparatory to giving orders to have them admitted. But they only turned their backs and without even speaking to the constable returned inside again. Yet even while immediate hopes were dashed, how could one know that, having looked the situation over, they would not make their report within, after which action in favour of those waiting would be taken? At least so the grape-vine had it, and the Claggs stayed on.
    Gwendoline awakened, lifted her head from her father’s shoulder and asked sleepily, ‘Is the Queen coming?’
    He put her down with aching arms. Her mother pushed some damp locks away from her forehead