Международный эпизод

           Hedeliveredhisusualperipateticdiscourse,andtheystoppedandstared,andpeepedandstooped,accordingtotheofficialadmonitions.BessieAldenaskedtheoldmaninthecrimsondoubletagreatmanyquestions;shethoughtitamostfascinatingplace.LordLambethwasinhighgoodhumor;hewasconstantlylaughing;heenjoyedwhathewouldhavecalledthelark.WillieWoodleykeptlookingattheceilingsandtappingthewallswiththeknuckleofapearl-grayglove;andMrs.Westgate,askingatfrequentintervalstobeallowedtositdownandwaittilltheycameback,wasasfrequentlyinformedthattheywouldnevercomeback.ToagreatmanyofBessie’squestions—chieflyoncollateralpointsofEnglishhistory—theancientwarderwasnaturallyunabletoreply;whereuponshealwaysappealedtoLordLambeth.Buthislordshipwasveryignorant.Hedeclaredthatheknewnothingaboutthatsortofthing,andheseemedgreatlydivertedatbeingtreatedasanauthority.“Youcan’texpecteveryonetoknowasmuchasyou,”hesaid.“Ishouldexpectyoutoknowagreatdealmore,”declaredBessieAlden.“Womenalwaysknowmorethanmenaboutnamesanddatesandthatsortofthing,”LordLambethrejoined.“TherewasLadyJaneGreywehavejustbeenhearingabout,whowentinforLatinandGreekandallthelearningofherage.”“youhavenorighttobeignorant,atallevents,”saidBessie.“Whyhaven’tIasgoodarightasanyoneelse?”“Becauseyouhavelivedinthemidstofallthesethings.”“Whatthingsdoyoumean?Axes,andblocks,andthumbscrews?”“Allthesehistoricalthings.