Chapter 22

           "ApartyfortheBlenkers—theBlenkers?"Mr.Wellandlaiddownhisknifeandforkandlookedanxiouslyandincredulouslyacrosstheluncheon-tableathiswife,who,adjustinghergoldeye-glasses,readaloud,inthetoneofhighcomedy:"ProfessorandMrs.EmersonSillertonrequestthepleasureofMr.andMrs.Welland’scompanyatthemeetingoftheWednesdayAfternoonClubonAugust25that3o’clockpunctually.TomeetMrs.andtheMissesBlenker."RedGables,CatherineStreet.R.S.V.P.""Goodgracious—"Mr.Wellandgasped,asifasecondreadinghadbeennecessarytobringthemonstrousabsurdityofthethinghometohim."PoorAmySillerton—younevercantellwhatherhusbandwilldonext,"Mrs.Wellandsighed."Isupposehe’sjustdiscoveredtheBlenkers."ProfessorEmersonSillertonwasathorninthesideofNewportsociety;andathornthatcouldnotbepluckedout,foritgrewonavenerableandveneratedfamilytree.Hewas,aspeoplesaid,amanwhohadhad"everyadvantage."HisfatherwasSillertonJackson’suncle,hismotheraPennilowofBoston;oneachsidetherewaswealthandposition,andmutualsuitability.Nothing—asMrs.Wellandhadoftenremarked—nothingonearthobligedEmersonSillertontobeanarchaeologist,orindeedaProfessorofanysort,ortoliveinNewportinwinter,ordoanyoftheotherrevolutionarythingsthathedid.Butatleast,ifhewasgoingtobreakwithtraditionandfloutsocietyintheface,heneednothavemarriedpoorAmyDagonet,whohadarighttoexpect"somethingdifferent,"andmoneyenoughtokeepherowncarriage.