i knew that the day would finally come , and in truth in the beginning i did hate giving speeches , and would wriggle out of them given half a chance , but along with many other courses that i had taken since my disastrous visit to palm beach , i had taken presentation/speeches , and was now getting more relaxed about them , so i reluctantly agreed that i might look favourably on an invitation to the summer banquette six months hence , and with a curt i will be in touch she hung up , with not even a thank-you , she really should work on her diplomacy skills .