Епоха невинності

           AsshewalkedbesideArcherwithherlongswinginggaitherfaceworethevacantserenityofayoungmarbleathlete.ToArcher’sstrainednervesthevisionwasassoothingasthesightoftheblueskyandthelazyriver.Theysatdownonabenchundertheorange-treesandheputhisarmaboutherandkissedher.Itwaslikedrinkingatacoldspringwiththesunonit;buthispressuremayhavebeenmorevehementthanhehadintended,forthebloodrosetoherfaceandshedrewbackasifhehadstartledher."Whatisit?"heasked,smiling;andshelookedathimwithsurprise,andanswered:"Nothing."Aslightembarrassmentfellonthem,andherhandslippedoutofhis.ItwastheonlytimethathehadkissedheronthelipsexceptfortheirfugitiveembraceintheBeaufortconservatory,andhesawthatshewasdisturbed,andshakenoutofhercoolboyishcomposure."Tellmewhatyoudoallday,"hesaid,crossinghisarmsunderhistilted-backhead,andpushinghishatforwardtoscreenthesun-dazzle.Tolethertalkaboutfamiliarandsimplethingswastheeasiestwayofcarryingonhisownindependenttrainofthought;andhesatlisteningtohersimplechronicleofswimming,sailingandriding,variedbyanoccasionaldanceattheprimitiveinnwhenaman-of-warcamein.AfewpleasantpeoplefromPhiladelphiaandBaltimorewerepicknickingattheinn,andtheSelfridgeMerryshadcomedownforthreeweeksbecauseKateMerryhadhadbronchitis.Theywereplanningtolayoutalawntenniscourtonthesands;butnoonebutKateandMayhadracquets,andmostofthepeoplehadnotevenheardofthegame.