Епоха невинності

           Itwasknownthatshehadinsistedonsendingherowncarpentertolookintothepossibilityoftakingdowntheendpanelofthefrontpew,andtomeasurethespacebetweentheseatandthefront;buttheresulthadbeendiscouraging,andforoneanxiousdayherfamilyhadwatchedherdallyingwiththeplanofbeingwheeledupthenaveinherenormousBathchairandsittingenthronedinitatthefootofthechancel.Theideaofthismonstrousexposureofherpersonwassopainfultoherrelationsthattheycouldhavecoveredwithgoldtheingeniouspersonwhosuddenlydiscoveredthatthechairwastoowidetopassbetweentheironuprightsoftheawningwhichextendedfromthechurchdoortothecurbstone.Theideaofdoingawaywiththisawning,andrevealingthebridetothemobofdressmakersandnewspaperreporterswhostoodoutsidefightingtogetnearthejointsofthecanvas,exceededevenoldCatherine’scourage,thoughforamomentshehadweighedthepossibility."Why,theymighttakeaphotographofmychildANDPUTITINTHEPAPERS!"Mrs.Wellandexclaimedwhenhermother’slastplanwashintedtoher;andfromthisunthinkableindecencytheclanrecoiledwithacollectiveshudder.Theancestresshadhadtogivein;butherconcessionwasboughtonlybythepromisethatthewedding-breakfastshouldtakeplaceunderherroof,though(astheWashingtonSquareconnectionsaid)withtheWellands’houseineasyreachitwashardtohavetomakeaspecialpricewithBrowntodriveonetotheotherendofnowhere.