Міжнародний епізод

           “Doyouexpectthemtogiveusaverygrandreception?”Bessiereflectedamoment;shewasaddicted,asweknow,toreflection.“Well,yes.”“Mypoor,sweetchild,”murmuredhersister.“WhathaveIsaidthatissosilly?”askedBessie.“Youarealittletoosimple;justalittle.Itisverybecoming,butitpleasespeopleatyourexpense.”“Iamcertainlytoosimpletounderstandyou,”saidBessie.“ShallItellyouastory?”askedhersister.“Ifyouwouldbesogood.Thatiswhattheydotoamusesimplepeople.”Mrs.Westgateconsultedhermemory,whilehercompanionsatgazingattheshiningsea.“DidyoueverhearoftheDukeofGreen-Erin?”“Ithinknot,”saidBessie.“Well,it’snomatter,”hersisterwenton.“It’saproofofmysimplicity.”“Mystoryismeanttoillustratethatofsomeotherpeople,”saidMrs.Westgate.“TheDukeofGreen-EriniswhattheycallinEnglandagreatswell,andsomefiveyearsagohecametoAmerica.HespentmostofhistimeinNewYork,andinNewYorkhespenthisdaysandhisnightsattheButterworths’.Youhaveheard,atleast,oftheButterworths.Bien.Theydideverythingintheworldforhim—theyturnedthemselvesinsideout.Theygavehimadozendinnerpartiesandballsandwerethemeansofhisbeinginvitedtofiftymore.AtfirstheusedtocomeintoMrs.Butterworth’sboxattheoperainatweedtravelingsuit;butsomeonestoppedthat.Atanyrate,hehadabeautifultime,andtheypartedthebestfriendsintheworld.Twoyearselapse,andtheButterworthscomeabroadandgotoLondon.