I cant say we like it, said Lord Lambeth; but Beaumont likes it better than I.
Well, it wont last, Mr. Westgate very cheerfully declared; nothing unpleasant lasts over here. It was very hot when Captain Littledale was here; he did nothing but drink sherry cobblers. He expressed some doubt in his letter whether I will remember himas if I didnt remember making six sherry cobblers for him one day in about twenty minutes. I hope you left him well, two years having elapsed since then.
Oh, yes, hes all right, said Lord Lambeth.
I am always very glad to see your countrymen, Mr. Westgate pursued. I thought it would be time some of you should be coming along. A friend of mine was saying to me only a day or two ago, Its time for the watermelons and the Englishmen.
The Englishmen and the watermelons just now are about the same thing, Percy Beaumont observed, wiping his dripping forehead.
Ah, well, well put you on ice, as we do the melons. You must go down to Newport.
Well go anywhere, said Lord Lambeth.
Yes, you want to go to Newport; thats what you want to do, Mr. Westgate affirmed. But lets seewhen did you get here?
Only yesterday, said Percy Beaumont.
Ah, yes, by the Russia. Where are you staying?
At the Hanover, I think they call it.
Pretty comfortable? inquired Mr. Westgate.
It seems a capital place, but I cant say we like the gnats, said Lord Lambeth.
Mr. Westgate stared and laughed. Oh, no, of course you dont like the gnats. We shall expect you to like a good many things over here, but we shant insist upon your liking the gnats; though certainly youll admit that, as gnats, they are fine, eh? But you oughtnt to remain in the city.
So we think, said Lord Lambeth. If you would kindly suggest something
Suggest something, my dear sir? and Mr. Westgate looked at him, narrowing his eyelids. Open your mouth and shut your eyes! Leave it to me, and Ill put you through. Its a matter of national pride with me that all Englishmen should have a good time; and as I have had considerable practice, I have learned to minister to their wants. I find they generally want the right thing. So just please to consider yourselves my property; and if anyone should try to appropriate you, please to say, Hands off; too late for the market. But lets see, continued the American, in his slow, humorous voice, with a distinctness of utterance which appeared to his visitors to be part of a humorous intentiona strangely leisurely, speculative voice for a man evidently so busy and, as they felt, so professionallets see; are you going to make something of a stay, Lord Lambeth?
Oh, dear, no, said the young Englishman; my cousin was coming over on some business, so I just came across, at an hours notice, for the lark.
Is it your first visit to the United States?
Oh, dear, yes.
I was obliged to come on some business, said Percy Beaumont, and I brought Lambeth along.
And you have been here before, sir?
Nevernever.
I thought, from your referring to business said Mr. Westgate.
Oh, you see Im by way of being a barrister, Percy Beaumont answered. I know some people that think of bringing a suit against one of your railways, and they asked me to come over and take measures accordingly.
Whats your railroad? he asked.
The Tennessee Central.
The American tilted back his chair a little and poised it an instant. Well, Im sorry you want to attack one of our institutions, he said, smiling. But I guess you had better enjoy yourself first!
Im certainly rather afraid I cant work in this weather, the young barrister confessed.
Leave that to the natives, said Mr. Westgate. Leave the Tennessee Central to me, Mr. Beaumont. Some day well talk it over, and I guess I can make it square. But I didnt know you Englishmen ever did any work, in the upper classes.
Oh, we do a lot of work; dont we, Lambeth? asked Percy Beaumont.
I must certainly be at home by the 19th of September, said the younger Englishman, irrelevantly but gently.
For the shooting, eh? or is it the hunting, or the fishing? inquired his entertainer.
Oh, I must be in Scotland, said Lord Lambeth, blushing a little.
Well, then, rejoined Mr. Westgate, you had better amuse yourself first, also. You must go down and see Mrs. Westgate.
We should be so happy, if you would kindly tell us the train, said Percy Beaumont.
It isnt a trainits a boat.
Oh, I see. And what is the name ofatheatown?
It isnt a town, said Mr. Westgate, laughing. Its awell, what shall I call it? Its a watering place. In short, its Newport. Youll see what it is. Its cool; thats the principal thing. You will greatly oblige me by going down there and putting yourself into the hands of Mrs. Westgate. It isnt perhaps for me to say it, but you couldnt be in better hands. Also in those of her sister, who is staying with her. She is very fond of Englishmen. She thinks there is nothing like them.
Mrs. Westgate oraher sister? asked Percy Beaumont modestly, yet in the tone of an inquiring traveler.
Oh, I mean my wife, said Mr. Westgate. I dont suppose my sister-in-law knows much about them. She has always led a very quiet life; she has lived in Boston.
Percy Beaumont listened with interest. That, I believe, he said, is the mostaintellectual town?
I believe it is very intellectual. I dont go there much, responded his host.
I say, we ought to go there, said Lord Lambeth to his companion.
Oh, Lord Lambeth, wait till the great heat is over, Mr. Westgate interposed. Boston in this weather would be very trying; its not the temperature for intellectual exertion. At Boston, you know, you have to pass an examination at the city limits; and when you come away they give you a kind of degree.
Lord Lambeth stared, blushing a little; and Percy Beaumont stared a little alsobut only with his fine natural complexionglancing aside after a moment to see that his companion was not looking too credulous, for he had heard a great deal of American humor. I daresay it is very jolly, said the younger gentleman.
I daresay it is, said Mr. Westgate. Only I must impress upon you that at presenttomorrow morning, at an early houryou will be expected at Newport. We have a house there; half the people in New York go there for the summer. I am not sure that at this very moment my wife can take you in; she has got a lot of people staying with her; I dont know who they all are; only she may have no room. But you can begin with the hotel, and meanwhile you can live at my house. In that waysimply sleeping at the hotelyou will find it tolerable. For the rest, you must make yourself at home at my place. You mustnt be shy, you know; if you are only here for a month that will be a great waste of time. Mrs. Westgate wont neglect you, and you had better not try to resist her. I know something about that. I expect youll find some pretty girls on the premises. I shall write to my wife by this afternoons mail, and tomorrow morning she and Miss Alden will look out for you. Just walk right in and make yourself comfortable. Your steamer leaves from this part of the city, and I will immediately send out and get you a cabin. Then, at half past four oclock, just call for me here, and I will go with you and put you on board. Its a big boat; you might get lost. A few days hence, at the end of the week, I will come down to Newport and see how you are getting on.