Chapter 24

           Theylunchedslowlyandmeditatively,withmuteintervalsbetweenrushesoftalk;for,thespelloncebroken,theyhadmuchtosay,andyetmomentswhensayingbecamethemereaccompanimenttolongduologuesofsilence.Archerkeptthetalkfromhisownaffairs,notwithconsciousintentionbutbecausehedidnotwanttomissawordofherhistory;andleaningonthetable,herchinrestingonherclaspedhands,shetalkedtohimoftheyearandahalfsincetheyhadmet.Shehadgrowntiredofwhatpeoplecalled"society";NewYorkwaskind,itwasalmostoppressivelyhospitable;sheshouldneverforgetthewayinwhichithadwelcomedherback;butafterthefirstflushofnoveltyshehadfoundherself,asshephrasedit,too"different"tocareforthethingsitcaredabout—andsoshehaddecidedtotryWashington,whereonewassupposedtomeetmorevarietiesofpeopleandofopinion.AndonthewholesheshouldprobablysettledowninWashington,andmakeahomethereforpoorMedora,whohadwornoutthepatienceofallherotherrelationsjustatthetimewhenshemostneededlookingafterandprotectingfrommatrimonialperils."ButDr.Carver—aren’tyouafraidofDr.Carver?Ihearhe’sbeenstayingwithyouattheBlenkers’."Shesmiled."Oh,theCarverdangerisover.Dr.Carverisaverycleverman.Hewantsarichwifetofinancehisplans,andMedoraissimplyagoodadvertisementasaconvert.""Aconverttowhat?""Toallsortsofnewandcrazysocialschemes.