To where the black sedan was parked. He thrust his face angrily close to the face

Of the driver, who did not flinch but flapped open his wallet to show a green

Identification card. Sonny stepped back without saying a word. He spat so that

The spittle hit the back door of the sedan and walked away. He was hoping the

Driver would get out of the sedan and come after him, on the mall, but nothing

happened. When he reached the steps he said to his father, "Those guys are FBI

men. They're taking down all the license numbers. Snotty bastards."

Don Corleone knew who they were. His closest and most intimate friends had

Been advised to attend the wedding in automobiles not their own. And though he

disapproved of his son's foolish display of anger, the tantrum served a purpose.

It would convince the interlopers that their presence was unexpected and

Unprepared for. So Don Corleone himself was not angry. He had long ago learned

That society imposes insults that must be borne, comforted by the knowledge that

In this world there comes a time when the most humble of men, if he keeps his

Eyes open, can take his revenge on the most powerful. It was this knowledge that

Prevented the Don from losing the humility all his friends admired in him.

But now in the garden behind the house, a four-piece band began to play. All the

Guests had arrived. Don Corleone put the intruders out of his mind and led his