Епоха невинності
Chapter 26
"Ofcourse,Newland,IknowyouletdearMaygotoMrs.Struthers’sSundayevenings—"shebegan;andMayinterposedgaily:"Oh,youknow,everybodygoestoMrs.Struthers’snow;andshewasinvitedtoGranny’slastreception."Itwasthus,Archerreflected,thatNewYorkmanageditstransitions:conspiringtoignorethemtilltheywerewellover,andthen,inallgoodfaith,imaginingthattheyhadtakenplaceinaprecedingage.Therewasalwaysatraitorinthecitadel;andafterhe(orgenerallyshe)hadsurrenderedthekeys,whatwastheuseofpretendingthatitwasimpregnable?OncepeoplehadtastedofMrs.Struthers’seasySundayhospitalitytheywerenotlikelytositathomerememberingthatherchampagnewastransmutedShoe-Polish."Iknow,dear,Iknow,"Mrs.Archersighed."Suchthingshavetobe,Isuppose,aslongasAMUSEMENTiswhatpeoplegooutfor;butI’veneverquiteforgivenyourcousinMadameOlenskaforbeingthefirstpersontocountenanceMrs.Struthers."AsuddenblushrosetoyoungMrs.Archer’sface;itsurprisedherhusbandasmuchastheotherguestsaboutthetable."Oh,ELLEN—"shemurmured,muchinthesameaccusingandyetdeprecatingtoneinwhichherparentsmighthavesaid:"Oh,THEBLENKERS—.
