Міжнародний епізод

           “Idaresayitisveryjolly,”saidtheyoungergentleman.“Idaresayitis,”saidMr.Westgate.“OnlyImustimpressuponyouthatatpresent—tomorrowmorning,atanearlyhour—youwillbeexpectedatNewport.Wehaveahousethere;halfthepeopleinNewYorkgothereforthesummer.Iamnotsurethatatthisverymomentmywifecantakeyouin;shehasgotalotofpeoplestayingwithher;Idon’tknowwhotheyallare;onlyshemayhavenoroom.Butyoucanbeginwiththehotel,andmeanwhileyoucanliveatmyhouse.Inthatway—simplysleepingatthehotel—youwillfindittolerable.Fortherest,youmustmakeyourselfathomeatmyplace.Youmustn’tbeshy,youknow;ifyouareonlyhereforamonththatwillbeagreatwasteoftime.Mrs.Westgatewon’tneglectyou,andyouhadbetternottrytoresisther.Iknowsomethingaboutthat.Iexpectyou’llfindsomeprettygirlsonthepremises.Ishallwritetomywifebythisafternoon’smail,andtomorrowmorningsheandMissAldenwilllookoutforyou.Justwalkrightinandmakeyourselfcomfortable.Yoursteamerleavesfromthispartofthecity,andIwillimmediatelysendoutandgetyouacabin.Then,athalfpastfouro’clock,justcallformehere,andIwillgowithyouandputyouonboard.It’sabigboat;youmightgetlost.Afewdayshence,attheendoftheweek,IwillcomedowntoNewportandseehowyouaregettingon.”ThetwoyoungEnglishmeninauguratedthepolicyofnotresistingMrs.Westgatebysubmitting,withgreatdocilityandthankfulness,toherhusband.