Епоха невинності

           Initheread:"Granny’stelegramsuccessful.PapaandMammaagreemarriageafterEaster.AmtelegraphingNewland.Amtoohappyforwordsandloveyoudearly.YourgratefulMay."Halfanhourlater,whenArcherunlockedhisownfront-door,hefoundasimilarenvelopeonthehall-tableontopofhispileofnotesandletters.ThemessageinsidetheenvelopewasalsofromMayWelland,andranasfollows:"ParentsconsentweddingTuesdayafterEasterattwelveGraceChurcheightbridesmaidspleaseseeRectorsohappyloveMay."Archercrumpleduptheyellowsheetasifthegesturecouldannihilatethenewsitcontained.Thenhepulledoutasmallpocket-diaryandturnedoverthepageswithtremblingfingers;buthedidnotfindwhathewanted,andcrammingthetelegramintohispockethemountedthestairs.Alightwasshiningthroughthedoorofthelittlehall-roomwhichservedJaneyasadressing-roomandboudoir,andherbrotherrappedimpatientlyonthepanel.Thedooropened,andhissisterstoodbeforehiminherimmemorialpurpleflanneldressing-gown,withherhair"onpins."Herfacelookedpaleandapprehensive."Newland!Ihopethere’snobadnewsinthattelegram?Iwaitedonpurpose,incase—"(NoitemofhiscorrespondencewassafefromJaney.)Hetooknonoticeofherquestion."Lookhere—whatdayisEasterthisyear?"Shelookedshockedatsuchunchristianignorance."Easter?Newland!Why,ofcourse,thefirstweekinApril.Why?""Thefirstweek?"Heturnedagaintothepagesofhisdiary,calculatingrapidlyunderhisbreath."Thefirstweek,didyousay?"Hethrewbackhisheadwithalonglaugh