Chapter 23

           Thenextmorning,whenArchergotoutoftheFallRivertrain,heemergeduponasteamingmidsummerBoston.Thestreetsnearthestationwerefullofthesmellofbeerandcoffeeanddecayingfruitandashirt-sleevedpopulacemovedthroughthemwiththeintimateabandonofboardersgoingdownthepassagetothebathroom.ArcherfoundacabanddrovetotheSomersetClubforbreakfast.EventhefashionablequartershadtheairofuntidydomesticitytowhichnoexcessofheateverdegradestheEuropeancities.Care-takersincalicoloungedonthedoor-stepsofthewealthy,andtheCommonlookedlikeapleasure-groundonthemorrowofaMasonicpicnic.IfArcherhadtriedtoimagineEllenOlenskainimprobablesceneshecouldnothavecalledupanyintowhichitwasmoredifficulttofitherthanthisheat-prostratedanddesertedBoston.Hebreakfastedwithappetiteandmethod,beginningwithasliceofmelon,andstudyingamorningpaperwhilehewaitedforhistoastandscrambledeggs.AnewsenseofenergyandactivityhadpossessedhimeversincehehadannouncedtoMaythenightbeforethathehadbusinessinBoston,andshouldtaketheFallRiverboatthatnightandgoontoNewYorkthefollowingevening.Ithadalwaysbeenunderstoodthathewouldreturntotownearlyintheweek,andwhenhegotbackfromhisexpeditiontoPortsmouthaletterfromtheoffice,whichfatehadconspicuouslyplacedonacornerofthehalltable,sufficedtojustifyhissuddenchangeofplan.