Международный эпизод

           HereouryoungEnglishmenenjoyed,astheysupposed,aglimpseofAmericansociety,whichwasdistributedoverthemeasurelessexpanseinavarietyofsedentaryattitudes,andappearedtoconsistlargelyofprettyyounggirls,dressedasifforafetechampetre,swayingtoandfroinrockingchairs,fanningthemselveswithlargestrawfans,andenjoyinganenviableexemptionfromsocialcares.LordLambethhadatheory,whichitmightbeinterestingtotracetoitsorigin,thatitwouldbenotonlyagreeable,buteasilypossible,toenterintorelationswithoneoftheseyoungladies;andhiscompanion(ashehaddoneacoupleofdaysbefore)foundoccasiontochecktheyoungnobleman’scolloquialimpulses.“Youhadbettertakecare,”saidPercyBeaumont,“oryouwillhaveanoffendedfatherorbrotherpullingoutabowieknife.”“Iassureyouitisallright,”LordLambethreplied.“YouknowtheAmericanscometothesebighotelstomakeacquaintances.”“Iknownothingaboutit,andneitherdoyou,”saidhiskinsman,who,likeacleverman,hadbeguntoperceivethattheobservationofAmericansocietydemandedareadjustmentofone’sstandard.“Hangit,thenlet’sfindout!”criedLordLambethwithsomeimpatience.“YouknowIdon’twanttomissanything.”“Wewillfindout,”saidPercyBeaumontveryreasonably.“WewillgoandseeMrs.Westgateandmakeallproperinquiries.