Епоха невинності

           Originally,ithadbeenintendedthatMay’sengagementshouldnotbeannouncedtillherreturnfromFlorida,andthefactthatithadbeenmadeknownsoonercouldnotbeexpectedtoalterMr.Welland’splans.Archerwouldhavelikedtojointhetravellersandhaveafewweeksofsunshineandboatingwithhisbetrothed;buthetoowasboundbycustomandconventions.Littlearduousashisprofessionaldutieswere,hewouldhavebeenconvictedoffrivolitybythewholeMingottclanifhehadsuggestedaskingforaholidayinmid-winter;andheacceptedMay’sdeparturewiththeresignationwhichheperceivedwouldhavetobeoneoftheprincipalconstituentsofmarriedlife.HewasconsciousthatMadameOlenskawaslookingathimunderloweredlids."Ihavedonewhatyouwished—whatyouadvised,"shesaidabruptly."Ah—I’mglad,"hereturned,embarrassedbyherbroachingthesubjectatsuchamoment."Iunderstand—thatyouwereright,"shewentonalittlebreathlessly;"butsometimeslifeisdifficult...perplexing...""Iknow.""AndIwantedtotellyouthatIDOfeelyouwereright;andthatI’mgratefultoyou,"sheended,liftingheropera-glassquicklytohereyesasthedooroftheboxopenedandBeaufort’sresonantvoicebrokeinonthem.Archerstoodup,andlefttheboxandthetheatre.OnlythedaybeforehehadreceivedaletterfromMayWellandinwhich,withcharacteristiccandour,shehadaskedhimto"bekindtoEllen"intheirabsence."Shelikesyouandadmiresyousomuch—andyouknow,thoughshedoesn’tshowit,she’sstillverylonelyandunhappy