Эпоха невинности

           Sillertonaregivingagarden-partyformotherandallofusthisafternoon?ItwastoounluckythatIcouldn’tgo;butI’vehadasorethroat,andmotherwasafraidofthedrivehomethisevening.Didyoueverknowanythingsodisappointing?Ofcourse,"sheaddedgaily,"Ishouldn’thavemindedhalfasmuchifI’dknownyouwerecoming."Symptomsofalumberingcoquetrybecamevisibleinher,andArcherfoundthestrengthtobreakin:"ButMadameOlenska—hasshegonetoNewporttoo?"MissBlenkerlookedathimwithsurprise."MadameOlenska—didn’tyouknowshe’dbeencalledaway?""Calledaway?—""Oh,mybestparasol!IlentittothatgooseofaKatie,becauseitmatchedherribbons,andthecarelessthingmusthavedroppedithere.WeBlenkersarealllikethat...realBohemians!"Recoveringthesunshadewithapowerfulhandsheunfurleditandsuspendeditsrosydomeaboveherhead."Yes,Ellenwascalledawayyesterday:sheletsuscallherEllen,youknow.AtelegramcamefromBoston:shesaidshemightbegonefortwodays.IdoLOVEthewayshedoesherhair,don’tyou?"MissBlenkerrambledon.Archercontinuedtostarethroughherasthoughshehadbeentransparent.Allhesawwasthetrumperyparasolthatarcheditspinknessabovehergigglinghead.Afteramomentheventured:"Youdon’thappentoknowwhyMadameOlenskawenttoBoston?Ihopeitwasnotonaccountofbadnews?"MissBlenkertookthiswithacheerfulincredulity."Oh,Idon’tbelieveso.Shedidn’ttelluswhatwasinthetelegram.Ithinkshedidn’twanttheMarchionesstoknow