Эпоха невинности

           CarfryandMissHarle;andbythetimethatNewlandbecameengagedthetiebetweenthefamilieswassofirmlyestablishedthatitwasthought"onlyright"tosendaweddinginvitationtothetwoEnglishladies,whosent,inreturn,aprettybouquetofpressedAlpineflowersunderglass.Andonthedock,whenNewlandandhiswifesailedforEngland,Mrs.Archer’slastwordhadbeen:"YoumusttakeMaytoseeMrs.Carfry."Newlandandhiswifehadhadnoideaofobeyingthisinjunction;butMrs.Carfry,withherusualacuteness,hadrunthemdownandsentthemaninvitationtodine;anditwasoverthisinvitationthatMayArcherwaswrinklingherbrowsacrosstheteaandmuffins."It’sallverywellforyou,Newland;youKNOWthem.ButIshallfeelsoshyamongalotofpeopleI’venevermet.AndwhatshallIwear?"Newlandleanedbackinhischairandsmiledather.ShelookedhandsomerandmoreDiana-likethanever.ThemoistEnglishairseemedtohavedeepenedthebloomofhercheeksandsoftenedtheslighthardnessofhervirginalfeatures;orelseitwassimplytheinnerglowofhappiness,shiningthroughlikealightunderice."Wear,dearest?IthoughtatrunkfulofthingshadcomefromParislastweek.""Yes,ofcourse.ImeanttosaythatIshan’tknowWHICHtowear."Shepoutedalittle."I’veneverdinedoutinLondon;andIdon’twanttoberidiculous."Hetriedtoenterintoherperplexity."Butdon’tEnglishwomendressjustlikeeverybodyelseintheevening?""Newland!Howcanyouasksuchfunnyquestions?Whentheygotothetheatreinoldball-dressesandbareheads.