Епоха невинності

           TheNewportArcheryClubalwayshelditsAugustmeetingattheBeauforts’.Thesport,whichhadhithertoknownnorivalbutcroquet,wasbeginningtobediscardedinfavouroflawn-tennis;butthelattergamewasstillconsideredtooroughandinelegantforsocialoccasions,andasanopportunitytoshowoffprettydressesandgracefulattitudesthebowandarrowheldtheirown.Archerlookeddownwithwonderatthefamiliarspectacle.Itsurprisedhimthatlifeshouldbegoingonintheoldwaywhenhisownreactionstoithadsocompletelychanged.ItwasNewportthathadfirstbroughthometohimtheextentofthechange.InNewYork,duringthepreviouswinter,afterheandMayhadsettleddowninthenewgreenish-yellowhousewiththebow-windowandthePompeianvestibule,hehaddroppedbackwithreliefintotheoldroutineoftheoffice,andtherenewalofthisdailyactivityhadservedasalinkwithhisformerself.ThentherehadbeenthepleasurableexcitementofchoosingashowygreystepperforMay’sbrougham(theWellandshadgiventhecarriage),andtheabidingoccupationandinterestofarranginghisnewlibrary,which,inspiteoffamilydoubtsanddisapprovals,hadbeencarriedoutashehaddreamed,withadarkembossedpaper,Eastlakebook-casesand"sincere"arm-chairsandtables.