Эпоха невинности

           ""Oh,presently—let’srunaracefirst:myfeetarefreezingtotheground,"shecried;andgatheringupthecloakshefledawayacrossthesnow,thedogleapingaboutherwithchallengingbarks.ForamomentArcherstoodwatching,hisgazedelightedbytheflashoftheredmeteoragainstthesnow;thenhestartedafterher,andtheymet,pantingandlaughing,atawicketthatledintothepark.Shelookedupathimandsmiled."Iknewyou’dcome!""Thatshowsyouwantedmeto,"hereturned,withadisproportionatejoyintheirnonsense.Thewhiteglitterofthetreesfilledtheairwithitsownmysteriousbrightness,andastheywalkedonoverthesnowthegroundseemedtosingundertheirfeet."Wheredidyoucomefrom?"MadameOlenskaasked.Hetoldher,andadded:"ItwasbecauseIgotyournote."Afterapauseshesaid,withajustperceptiblechillinhervoice:"Mayaskedyoutotakecareofme.""Ididn’tneedanyasking.""Youmean—I’msoevidentlyhelplessanddefenceless?Whatapoorthingyoumustallthinkme!Butwomenhereseemnot—seemnevertofeeltheneed:anymorethantheblessedinheaven."Heloweredhisvoicetoask:"Whatsortofaneed?""Ah,don’taskme!Idon’tspeakyourlanguage,"sheretortedpetulantly.Theanswersmotehimlikeablow,andhestoodstillinthepath,lookingdownather."WhatdidIcomefor,ifIdon’tspeakyours?""Oh,myfriend—!"Shelaidherhandlightlyonhisarm,andhepleadedearnestly:"Ellen—whywon’tyoutellmewhat’shappened?"Sheshruggedagain.