Эпоха невинности

           Welland’sturntogrowpaleastheendlessconsequencesofherblunderunrolledthemselvesbeforeher;butshemanagedtolaugh,andtakeasecondhelpingofscallopedoysters,beforeshesaid,strugglingbackintoheroldarmourofcheerfulness:"Mydear,howcouldyouimaginesuchathing?Ionlymeantthat,afterthedecidedstandMammatookaboutitsbeingEllen’sdutytogobacktoherhusband,itseemsstrangethatsheshouldbeseizedwiththissuddenwhimtoseeher,whentherearehalfadozenothergrandchildrenthatshemighthaveaskedfor.ButwemustneverforgetthatMamma,inspiteofherwonderfulvitality,isaveryoldwoman."Mr.Welland’sbrowremainedclouded,anditwasevidentthathisperturbedimaginationhadfastenedatonceonthislastremark."Yes:yourmother’saveryoldwoman;andforallweknowBencombmaynotbeassuccessfulwithveryoldpeople.Asyousay,mydear,it’salwaysonethingafteranother;andinanothertenorfifteenyearsIsupposeIshallhavethepleasingdutyoflookingaboutforanewdoctor.It’salwaysbettertomakesuchachangebeforeit’sabsolutelynecessary."AndhavingarrivedatthisSpartandecisionMr.Wellandfirmlytookuphisfork."Butallthewhile,"Mrs.Wellandbeganagain,assherosefromtheluncheon-table,andledthewayintothewildernessofpurplesatinandmalachiteknownasthebackdrawing-room,"Idon’tseehowEllen’stobegotheretomorrowevening;andIdoliketohavethingssettledforatleasttwenty-fourhoursahead.