Chapter 10

           ThenextdayhepersuadedMaytoescapeforawalkintheParkafterluncheon.Aswasthecustominold-fashionedEpiscopalianNewYork,sheusuallyaccompaniedherparentstochurchonSundayafternoons;butMrs.Wellandcondonedhertruancy,havingthatverymorningwonherovertothenecessityofalongengagement,withtimetoprepareahand-embroideredtrousseaucontainingthepropernumberofdozens.Thedaywasdelectable.ThebarevaultingoftreesalongtheMallwasceiledwithlapislazuli,andarchedabovesnowthatshonelikesplinteredcrystals.ItwastheweathertocalloutMay’sradiance,andsheburnedlikeayoungmapleinthefrost.Archerwasproudoftheglancesturnedonher,andthesimplejoyofpossessorshipclearedawayhisunderlyingperplexities."It’ssodelicious—wakingeverymorningtosmelllilies-of-the-valleyinone’sroom!"shesaid."Yesterdaytheycamelate.Ihadn’ttimeinthemorning—""Butyourrememberingeachdaytosendthemmakesmelovethemsomuchmorethanifyou’dgivenastandingorder,andtheycameeverymorningontheminute,likeone’smusic-teacher—asIknowGertrudeLefferts’sdid,forinstance,whensheandLawrencewereengaged.""Ah—theywould!"laughedArcher,amusedatherkeenness.Helookedsidewaysatherfruit-likecheekandfeltrichandsecureenoughtoadd:"WhenIsentyourliliesyesterdayafternoonIsawsomerathergorgeousyellowrosesandpackedthemofftoMadameOlenska.Wasthatright?""Howdearofyou!Anythingofthatkinddelightsher.It’soddshedidn’tmentionit:shelunchedwithustoday,andspokeofMr.