Трое в лодке не считая собаки

           Ourfinebronzedcountenancesandpicturesqueclotheswerefollowedroundtheplacewithadmiringgaze. Wewerethecynosureofeveryeye. 

           Itwasaproudmomentforusall. 

           Weadjournedsoonafterthefirstballet,andwendedourwaybacktotherestaurant,wheresupperwasalreadyawaitingus. 

           Imustconfesstoenjoyingthatsupper. Forabouttendaysweseemedtohavebeenliving,moreorless,onnothingbutcoldmeat,cake,andbreadandjam. Ithadbeenasimple,anutritiousdiet;buttherehadbeennothingexcitingaboutit,andtheodourofBurgundy,andthesmellofFrenchsauces,andthesightofcleannapkinsandlongloaves,knockedasaverywelcomevisitoratthedoorofourinnerman. 

           Wepeggedandquaffedawayinsilenceforawhile,untilthetimecamewhen,insteadofsittingboltupright,andgraspingtheknifeandforkfirmly,weleantbackinourchairsandworkedslowlyandcarelessly —whenwestretchedoutourlegsbeneaththetable,letournapkinsfall,unheeded,tothefloor,andfoundtimetomorecriticallyexaminethesmokyceilingthanwehadhithertobeenabletodo—whenwerestedourglassesatarm’s-lengthuponthetable,andfeltgood,andthoughtful,andforgiving. 

           ThenHarris,whowassittingnextthewindow,drewasidethecurtainandlookedoutuponthestreet. 

           Itglisteneddarklyinthewet,thedimlampsflickeredwitheachgust,therainsplashedsteadilyintothepuddlesandtrickleddownthewater-spoutsintotherunninggutters.