Міжнародний епізод

           “IfIwereinlovewithLordLambeth,asyousaidjustnow,itwouldbebadpolicyonyourparttoabusehim.”“Mydearchild,don’tgivemelessonsinpolicy!”criedMrs.Westgate.“ThepolicyImeantofollowisverydeep.”Theyounggirlbegantowalkabouttheroomagain;thenshestoppedbeforehersister.“Ihaveneverheardinthecourseoffiveminutes,”shesaid,“somanyhintsandinnuendoes.IwishyouwouldtellmeinplainEnglishwhatyoumean.”“Imeanthatyoumaybemuchannoyed.”“Thatisstillonlyahint,”saidBessie.Hersisterlookedather,hesitatinganinstant.“ItwillbesaidofyouthatyouhavecomeafterLordLambeth—thatyoufollowedhim.”BessieAldenthrewbackherprettyheadlikeastartledhind,andalookflashedintoherfacethatmadeMrs.Westgaterisefromherchair.“Whosayssuchthingsasthat?”shedemanded.“Peoplehere.”“Idon’tbelieveit,”saidBessie.“Youhaveaveryconvenientfacultyofdoubt.Butmypolicywillbe,asIsay,verydeep.Ishallleaveyoutofindoutthiskindofthingforyourself.”Bessiefixedhereyesuponhersister,andMrs.Westgatethoughtforamomentthereweretearsinthem.“Dotheytalkthatwayhere?”sheasked.“Youwillsee.Ishallleaveyoualone.”“Don’tleavemealone,”saidBessieAlden.“Takemeaway.”“No;Iwanttoseewhatyoumakeofit,”hersistercontinued.“Idon’tunderstand.”“YouwillunderstandafterLordLambethhascome,”saidMrs.Westgatewithalittlelaugh.