Міжнародний епізод

           LordLambethcametoseethemonthemorrow,bringingPercyBeaumontwithhim—thelatterhavinginstantlydeclaredhisintentionofneglectingnoneoftheusualofficesofcivility.Thisdeclaration,however,whenhiskinsmaninformedhimoftheadventoftheirAmericanfriends,hadbeenprecededbyanotherremark.“Heretheyare,then,andyouareinforit.”“WhatamIinfor?”demandedLordLambeth.“Iwillletyourmothergiveitaname.Withallrespecttowhom,”addedPercyBeaumont,“Imustdeclineonthisoccasiontodoanymorepoliceduty.HerGracemustlookafteryouherself.”“Iwillgiveherachance,”saidherGrace’sson,atriflegrimly.“Ishallmakehergoandseethem.”“Shewon’tdoit,myboy.”“We’llseeifshedoesn’t,”saidLordLambeth.ButifPercyBeaumonttookasomberviewofthearrivalofthetwoladiesatJones’sHotel,hewassufficientlyamanoftheworldtoofferthemasmilingcountenance.Hefellintoanimatedconversation—conversation,atleast,thatwasanimatedonherside—withMrs.Westgate,whilehiscompanionmadehimselfagreeabletotheyoungerlady.Mrs.Westgatebeganconfessingandprotesting,declaringandexpounding.“ImustsayLondonisagreatdealbrighterandprettierjustnowthanitwaswhenIwasherelast—inthemonthofNovember.Thereisevidentlyagreatdealgoingon,andyouseemtohaveagoodmanyflowers.Ihavenodoubtitisverycharmingforallyoupeople,andthatyouamuseyourselvesimmensely.ItisverygoodofyoutoletBessieandmecomeandsitandlookatyou.