Епоха невинності

           Conformitytothedisciplineofasmallsocietyhadbecomealmosthissecondnature.Itwasdeeplydistastefultohimtodoanythingmelodramaticandconspicuous,anythingMr.vanderLuydenwouldhavedeprecatedandtheclubboxcondemnedasbadform.Buthehadbecomesuddenlyunconsciousoftheclubbox,ofMr.vanderLuyden,ofallthathadsolongenclosedhiminthewarmshelterofhabit.Hewalkedalongthesemi-circularpassageatthebackofthehouse,andopenedthedoorofMrs.vanderLuyden’sboxasifithadbeenagateintotheunknown."M’ama!"thrilledoutthetriumphantMarguerite;andtheoccupantsoftheboxlookedupinsurpriseatArcher’sentrance.Hehadalreadybrokenoneoftherulesofhisworld,whichforbadetheenteringofaboxduringasolo.SlippingbetweenMr.vanderLuydenandSillertonJackson,heleanedoverhiswife."I’vegotabeastlyheadache;don’ttellanyone,butcomehome,won’tyou?"hewhispered.Maygavehimaglanceofcomprehension,andhesawherwhispertohismother,whonoddedsympathetically;thenshemurmuredanexcusetoMrs.vanderLuyden,androsefromherseatjustasMargueritefellintoFaust’sarms.Archer,whilehehelpedheronwithherOperacloak,noticedtheexchangeofasignificantsmilebetweentheolderladies.AstheydroveawayMaylaidherhandshylyonhis."I’msosorryyoudon’tfeelwell.I’mafraidthey’vebeenoverworkingyouagainattheoffice.""No—it’snotthat:doyoumindifIopenthewindow?"hereturnedconfusedly,lettingdownthepaneonhisside.