Міжнародний епізод

           Westgateallthistimehadnot,astheysaidatNewport,“comeon.”Hiswifemorethanonceannouncedthatsheexpectedhimonthemorrow;butonthemorrowshewanderedaboutalittle,withatelegraminherjeweledfingers,declaringitwasverytiresomethathisbusinessdetainedhiminNewYork;thathecouldonlyhopetheEnglishmenwerehavingagoodtime.“Imustsay,”saidMrs.Westgate,“thatitisnothankstohimifyouare.”Andshewentontoexplain,whileshecontinuedthatslow-pacedpromenadewhichenabledherwell-adjustedskirtstodisplaythemselvessoadvantageously,thatunfortunatelyinAmericatherewasnoleisureclass.ItwasLordLambeth’stheory,freelypropoundedwhentheyoungmenweretogether,thatPercyBeaumontwashavingaverygoodtimewithMrs.Westgate,andthat,underthepretextofmeetingforthepurposeofanimateddiscussion,theywereindulginginpracticesthatimpartedashadeofhypocrisytothelady’sregretforherhusband’sabsence.“Iassureyouwearealwaysdiscussinganddiffering,”saidPercyBeaumont.“Sheisawfullyargumentative.Americanladiescertainlydon’tmindcontradictingyou.UponmywordIdon’tthinkIwasevertreatedsobyawomanbefore.She’ssodevilishpositive.”Mrs.Westgate’spositivequality,however,evidentlyhaditsattractions,forBeaumontwasconstantlyathishostess’sside.HedetachedhimselfonedaytotheextentofgoingtoNewYorktotalkovertheTennesseeCentralwithMr.Westgate;buthewasabsentonlyforty-eighthours,duringwhich,withMr.