War and Peas

money. At least three generations old, which should be enough. And she had a rich husband, too. Maybe he accounts for it.“
    “How’s that?“
    “Well, somebody on the Philharmonic Committee told me her husband was a self-made man in the plumbing-fixtures business. Has some kind of patent on portable-john elements or flush handles or something.“
    “But he was a Snellen, too?“
    “No. When they divorced, she apparently took back her maiden name, of which she’s inordinately proud.”
    Jane nodded. “Rather the granddaughter of the Pea King than the ex-wife of the Toilet Bowl Prince, huh? I’m not sure I wouldn’t feel the same way.”
    In the distance, an unskilled but enthusiastic band struck up a tune. “Oh-ho, we better get over there. Sounds like the ceremony is about to start,“ Shelley said.
    “What about the other carton?”
    Shelley looked at her pityingly. “Jane, there is no other carton. I just didn’t want to trail along behind Georgia and Derek like spear-carriers at the opera.”

    The site of the new museum was across the road from the festival area. The ceremony was to be the closing event of this year’s Pea Festival, and in spite of Regina Palmer’s death, the museum staff and volunteers did their best to create a celebratory atmosphere. Rows of folding chairs were set up in front of a raised platform where the speakers were to sit. Around the perimeter, stakes with colorful bunches of helium-filled balloons sported the Snellen Museum name and pea-pod logo. Another booth like the one Shelley and Jane had manned was set up as well to give away brochures and an artist’s rendering of the new museum and to sell Snellen mementos. The ground-breaking at five o’clock was conducted with great decorum and mercifully short speeches. Jane was surprised at how many supporters of the museum actually turned up. Of course, the free ice-cream cones promised at the end probably had something to do with it.
    Georgia’s and Derek’s roles were confined to sitting on the raised platform and being introduced, Derek as assistant director and Georgia Snellen as a member of the board of directors. Babs and Jumper Cable were likewise introduced as president and vice president, respectively, of the board. Lisa Quigley was the first to speak, giving a brief history of the museum in a weary voice in spite of her attempts at sparkling intonations. She lauded architect Whitney Abbot’s highly creative and yet practical plans for the new museum and added that he wished her to express his extreme regret at being unable to attend the ceremony. At this, she paused as if she’d lost her place for a moment, then quickly took her seat.
    Babs McDonald stepped up to the podium and again welcomed everyone, then made the only reference to Regina Palmer. “Only yesterday, the Snellen Museum lost its guiding hand, but not its guiding spirit,“ she said in her surprisingly young, musical voice. “In great part Regina Price Palmer, the director for the last ten years, was responsible for us all being here today. We salute her memory and her dedication. And, of course, we also salute Miss Daisy Snellen, whose very generous bequest has made it possible for the Snellen Museum to move into the new century in a new home. We hope everyone has enjoyed the Festival this year. I’ve seen many familiar faces here from years past. And we fervently hope to see all of you next year at the Festival, when we will be celebrating the opening of our new museum.”
    It almost sounded like a song, or a battle hymn, the way she said it.
    Babs descended from the platform on Jumper’s arm—he was clad now in a museum Pea Pickin’ T-shirt and khaki trousers, not as formal as the occasion might demand, but certainly appropriate—and the two of them arranged their hands on the shovel handle to lift the first, symbolic bit of earth from the ground. They held the position while photos were taken for the local papers and the museum’s newsletter and archives.
    Somebody behind them sniffled and Jane turned to see Sharlene. Jane moved over to take an empty seat and gestured at Sharlene to come sit between her and Shelley. When Sharlene quit blowing her nose and wiping her eyes, Jane said, “Sharlene, I know it’s awfully soon to say this, but you must keep in mind that this is a new, exciting era for the Snellen. I know you’re very sad about Ms. Palmer, but think how pleased she would be if she were here today.“
    “I know. It’s