Міжнародний епізод

           Youbelongtoahistoricalfamily.”“Bessieisreallytoohistorical,”saidMrs.Westgate,catchingawordofthisdialogue.“Yes,youaretoohistorical,”saidLordLambeth,laughing,butthankfulforaformula.“Uponmyhonor,youaretoohistorical!”HewentwiththeladiesacoupleofdayslatertoHamptonCourt,WillieWoodleybeingalsooftheparty.Theafternoonwascharming,thefamoushorsechestnutswereinblossom,andLordLambeth,whoquiteenteredintothespiritofthecockneyexcursionist,declaredthatitwasajollyoldplace.BessieAldenwasinecstasies;shewentaboutmurmuringandexclaiming.“It’stoolovely,”saidtheyounggirl;“it’stooenchanting;it’stooexactlywhatitoughttobe!”AtHamptonCourtthelittleflocksofvisitorsarenotprovidedwithanofficialbellwether,butarelefttobrowseatdiscretionuponthelocalantiquities.Ithappenedinthismannerthat,indefaultofanotherinformant,BessieAlden,whoondoubtfulquestionswasabletosuggestagreatmanyalternatives,foundherselfagainapplyingforintellectualassistancetoLordLambeth.Butheagainassuredherthathewasutterlyhelplessinsuchmatters—thathiseducationhadbeensadlyneglected.“AndIamsorryitmakesyouunhappy,”headdedinamoment.“Youareverydisappointing,LordLambeth,”shesaid.“Ah,nowdon’tsaythat,”hecried.“That’stheworstthingyoucouldpossiblysay.”“No,”sherejoined,“itisnotsobadastosaythatIhadexpectednothingofyou.”“Idon’tknow.Givemeanotionofthesortofthingyouexpected.