Епоха невинності

           AttheCenturyhehadfoundWinsettagain,andattheKnickerbockerthefashionableyoungmenofhisownset;andwhatwiththehoursdedicatedtothelawandthosegiventodiningoutorentertainingfriendsathome,withanoccasionaleveningattheOperaortheplay,thelifehewaslivinghadstillseemedafairlyrealandinevitablesortofbusiness.ButNewportrepresentedtheescapefromdutyintoanatmosphereofunmitigatedholiday-making.ArcherhadtriedtopersuadeMaytospendthesummeronaremoteislandoffthecoastofMaine(called,appropriatelyenough,MountDesert),whereafewhardyBostoniansandPhiladelphianswerecampingin"native"cottages,andwhencecamereportsofenchantingsceneryandawild,almosttrapper-likeexistenceamidwoodsandwaters.ButtheWellandsalwayswenttoNewport,wheretheyownedoneofthesquareboxesonthecliffs,andtheirson-in-lawcouldadducenogoodreasonwhyheandMayshouldnotjointhemthere.AsMrs.Wellandrathertartlypointedout,itwashardlyworthwhileforMaytohavewornherselfouttryingonsummerclothesinParisifshewasnottobeallowedtowearthem;andthisargumentwasofakindtowhichArcherhadasyetfoundnoanswer.Mayherselfcouldnotunderstandhisobscurereluctancetofallinwithsoreasonableandpleasantawayofspendingthesummer.SheremindedhimthathehadalwayslikedNewportinhisbachelordays,andasthiswasindisputablehecouldonlyprofessthathewassurehewasgoingtolikeitbetterthanevernowthattheyweretobetheretogether.