Міжнародний епізод

           Westgateverycheerfullydeclared;“nothingunpleasantlastsoverhere.ItwasveryhotwhenCaptainLittledalewashere;hedidnothingbutdrinksherrycobblers.HeexpressedsomedoubtinhisletterwhetherIwillrememberhim—asifIdidn’tremembermakingsixsherrycobblersforhimonedayinabouttwentyminutes.Ihopeyoulefthimwell,twoyearshavingelapsedsincethen.”“Oh,yes,he’sallright,”saidLordLambeth.“Iamalwaysverygladtoseeyourcountrymen,”Mr.Westgatepursued.“Ithoughtitwouldbetimesomeofyoushouldbecomingalong.Afriendofminewassayingtomeonlyadayortwoago,‘It’stimeforthewatermelonsandtheEnglishmen.”“TheEnglishmenandthewatermelonsjustnowareaboutthesamething,”PercyBeaumontobserved,wipinghisdrippingforehead.“Ah,well,we’llputyouonice,aswedothemelons.YoumustgodowntoNewport.”“We’llgoanywhere,”saidLordLambeth.“Yes,youwanttogotoNewport;that’swhatyouwanttodo,”Mr.Westgateaffirmed.“Butlet’ssee—whendidyougethere?”“Onlyyesterday,”saidPercyBeaumont.“Ah,yes,bytheRussia.Whereareyoustaying?”“AttheHanover,Ithinktheycallit.”“Prettycomfortable?”inquiredMr.Westgate.“Itseemsacapitalplace,butIcan’tsaywelikethegnats,”saidLordLambeth.Mr.Westgatestaredandlaughed.“Oh,no,ofcourseyoudon’tlikethegnats.