Епоха невинності

           Onceortwice,inthemountains,Archerhadpointedsouthwardandsaid:"There’sItaly";andMay,herfeetinagentian-bed,hadsmiledcheerfully,andreplied:"Itwouldbelovelytogotherenextwinter,ifonlyyoudidn’thavetobeinNewYork."Butinrealitytravellinginterestedherevenlessthanhehadexpected.Sheregardedit(onceherclotheswereordered)asmerelyanenlargedopportunityforwalking,riding,swimming,andtryingherhandatthefascinatingnewgameoflawntennis;andwhentheyfinallygotbacktoLondon(wheretheyweretospendafortnightwhileheorderedHISclothes)shenolongerconcealedtheeagernesswithwhichshelookedforwardtosailing.InLondonnothinginterestedherbutthetheatresandtheshops;andshefoundthetheatreslessexcitingthanthePariscafeschantantswhere,undertheblossominghorse-chestnutsoftheChampsElysees,shehadhadthenovelexperienceoflookingdownfromtherestaurantterraceonanaudienceof"cocottes,"andhavingherhusbandinterprettoherasmuchofthesongsashethoughtsuitableforbridalears.Archerhadrevertedtoallhisoldinheritedideasaboutmarriage.ItwaslesstroubletoconformwiththetraditionandtreatMayexactlyasallhisfriendstreatedtheirwivesthantotrytoputintopracticethetheorieswithwhichhisuntrammelledbachelorhoodhaddallied.Therewasnouseintryingtoemancipateawifewhohadnotthedimmestnotionthatshewasnotfree;andhehadlongsincediscoveredthatMay’sonlyuseofthelibertyshesupposedherselftopossesswouldbetolayitonthealtarofherwifelyadoration.