The Woman Who Said No

A wide lawn before a tall white columned portico in Washington on a bright hot August day, clear sunlight, a low wooden platform with two slim stand microphones, the woman, a slim woman of forty-eight, broad smile, small dark hat with a fine net veil, dark dress with a small brooch, white gloves, a white handbag in her hands, a round medal on a striped ribbon at her chest, her face in three-quarter view, at the right edge only the shoulder and back of a man in a light grey suit seen from behind, rows of guests seen from directly behind, faces turned fully away.