Международный эпизод

           Itmaybefreelymentioned,however,thatwhenever,afteraroundofvisitsinBondStreetandRegentStreet,shewasabouttoreturnwithhersistertoJones’sHotel,shemadeanearnestrequestthattheyshouldbedrivenhomebywayofWestminsterAbbey.ShehadbegunbyaskingwhetheritwouldnotbepossibletotaketheToweronthewaytotheirlodgings;butithappenedthatatamoreprimitivestageofhercultureMrs.Westgatehadpaidavisittothisvenerablemonument,whichshespokeofeverafterwardvaguelyasadreadfuldisappointment;sothatsheexpressedtheliveliestdisapprovalofanyattempttocombinehistoricalresearcheswiththepurchaseofhairbrushesandnotepaper.ThemostshewouldconsenttodointhislinewastospendhalfanhouratMadameTussaud’s,whereshesawseveraldustywaxeffigiesofmembersoftheroyalfamily.ShetoldBessiethatifshewishedtogototheTowershemustgetsomeoneelsetotakeher.Bessieexpressedhereuponanearnestdispositiontogoalone;butuponthisproposalaswellMrs.Westgatesprinkledcoldwater.“Remember,”shesaid,“thatyouarenotinyourinnocentlittleBoston.ItisnotaquestionofwalkingupanddownBeaconStreet.”ThenshewentontoexplainthatthereweretwoclassesofAmericangirlsinEurope—thosethatwalkedaboutaloneandthosethatdidnot.“Youhappentobelong,mydear,”shesaidtohersister,“totheclassthatdoesnot.”“Itisonly,”answeredBessie,laughing,“becauseyouhappentopreventme.