按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
My husband tells me you are a friend of Captain Littledale；
he was such a charming man。 He made himself most agreeable here；
and I am sure I wonder he didn't stay。 It couldn't have been
pleasanter for him in his own country； though； I suppose；
it is very pleasant in England； for English people。
I don't know myself； I have been there very little。
I have been a great deal abroad； but I am always on the Continent。
I must say I'm extremely fond of Paris； you know we Americans
always are； we go there when we die。 Did you ever hear that before？
That was said by a great wit； I mean the good Americans；
but we are all good； you'll see that for yourself。
All I know of England is London； and all I know of London is
that place on that little corner； you know； where you buy jackets
jackets with that coarse braid and those big buttons。
They make very good jackets in London； I will do you
the justice to say that。 And some people like the hats；
but about the hats I was always a heretic； I always got
my hats in Paris。 You can't wear an English hatat least
I never couldunless you dress your hair a l'Anglaise；
and I must say that is a talent I have never possessed。
In Paris they will make things to suit your peculiarities；
but in England I think you like much more to havehow shall I
say it？one thing for everybody。 I mean as regards dress。
I don't know about other things； but I have always
supposed that in other things everything was different。
I mean according to the peopleaccording to the classes；
and all that。 I am afraid you will think that I don't take
a very favorable view； but you know you can't take a very
favorable view in Dover Street in the month of November。
That has always been my fate。 Do you know Jones's Hotel
in Dover Street？ That's all I know of England。 Of course
everyone admits that the English hotels are your weak point。
There was always the most frightful fog； I couldn't see to try
my things on。 When I got over to Americainto the light
I usually found they were twice too big。 The next time I
mean to go in the season； I think I shall go next year。
I want very much to take my sister； she has never been to England。
I don't know whether you know what I mean by saying
that the Englishmen who come here sometimes get spoiled。
I mean that they take things as a matter of course
things that are done for them。 Now； naturally； they are
only a matter of course when the Englishmen are very nice。
But； of course； they are almost always very nice。
Of course this isn't nearly such an interesting country as England；
there are not nearly so many things to see； and we haven't your
country life。 I have never seen anything of your country life；
when I am in Europe I am always on the Continent。 But I have
heard a great deal about it； I know that when you are among
yourselves in the country you have the most beautiful time。
Of course we have nothing of that sort； we have nothing on
that scale。 I don't apologize； Lord Lambeth； some Americans
are always apologizing； you must have noticed that。
We have the reputation of always boasting and bragging and
waving the American flag； but I must say that what strikes me
is that we are perpetually making excuses and trying to smooth
things over。 The American flag has quite gone out of fashion；
it's very carefully folded up； like an old tablecloth。
Why should we apologize？ The English never apologize
do they？ No； I must say I never apologize。 You must take
us as we comewith all our imperfections on our heads。
Of course we haven't your country life； and your old ruins；
and your great estates； and your leisure class； and all that。
But if we haven't； I should think you might find it a pleasant change
I think any country is pleasant where they have pleasant manners。
Captain Littledale told me he had never seen such pleasant manners
as at Newport； and he had been a great deal in European society。
Hadn't he been in the diplomatic service？ He told me
the dream of his life was to get appointed to a diplomatic
post in Washington。 But he doesn't seem to have succeeded。
I suppose that in England promotionand all that sort of thing
is fearfully slow。 With us； you know； it's a great deal too fast。
You see； I admit our drawbacks。 But I must confess I think Newport
is an ideal place。 I don't know anything like it anywhere。
Captain Littledale told me he didn't know anything like it anywhere。
It's entirely different from most watering places；
it's a most charming life。 I must say I think that when one
goes to a foreign country one ought to enjoy the differences。
Of course there are differences； otherwise what did one come
abroad for？ Look for your pleasure in the differences；
Lord Lambeth； that's the way to do it； and then I am sure
you will find American societyat least Newport society
most charming and most interesting。 I wish very much my
husband were here； but he's dreadfully confined to New York。
I suppose you think that is very strangefor a gentleman。
But you see we haven't any leisure class。〃
Mrs。 Westgate's discourse； delivered in a soft； sweet voice；
flowed on like a miniature torrent； and was interrupted by a
hundred little smiles； glances； and gestures； which might have
figured the irregularities and obstructions of such a stream。
Lord Lambeth listened to her with； it must be confessed；
a rather ineffectual attention； although he indulged in a good
many little murmurs and ejaculations of assent and deprecation。
He had no great faculty for apprehending generalizations。
There were some three or four indeed which； in the play
of his own intelligence； he had originated； and which had
seemed convenient at the moment； but at the present time
he could hardly have been said to follow Mrs。 Westgate
as she darted gracefully about in the sea of speculation。
Fortunately she asked for no especial rejoinder；
for she looked about at the rest of the company as well；
and smiled at Percy Beaumont； on the other side of her；
as if he too much understand her and agree with her。
He was rather more successful than his companion；
for besides being； as we know； cleverer； his attention was
not vaguely distracted by close vicinity to a remarkably
interesting young girl； with dark hair and blue eyes。
This was the case with Lord Lambeth； to whom it occurred
after a while that the young girl with blue eyes and dark
hair was the pretty sister of whom Mrs。 Westgate had spoken。
She presently turned to him with a remark which established
her identity。
〃It's a great pity you couldn't have brought my brother…in…law with you。
It's a great shame he should be in New York in these days。〃
〃Oh； yes； it's so very hot；〃 said Lord Lambeth。
〃It must be dreadful；〃 said the young girl。
〃I daresay he is very busy；〃 Lord Lambeth observed。
〃The gentlemen in America work too much；〃 the young girl went on。
〃Oh； do they？ I daresay they like it；〃 said her interlocutor。