Эпоха невинности

           Hefeltadistinctdisappointmentonlearningthatshewasaway;andalmostimmediatelyrememberedthat,onlythedaybefore,hehadrefusedaninvitationtospendthefollowingSundaywiththeReggieChiversesattheirhouseontheHudson,afewmilesbelowSkuytercliff.HehadhadhisfilllongagoofthenoisyfriendlypartiesatHighbank,withcoasting,ice-boating,sleighing,longtrampsinthesnow,andageneralflavourofmildflirtingandmilderpracticaljokes.HehadjustreceivedaboxofnewbooksfromhisLondonbook-seller,andhadpreferredtheprospectofaquietSundayathomewithhisspoils.Buthenowwentintotheclubwriting-room,wroteahurriedtelegram,andtoldtheservanttosenditimmediately.HeknewthatMrs.Reggiedidn’tobjecttohervisitors’suddenlychangingtheirminds,andthattherewasalwaysaroomtospareinherelastichouse.