the ways of men-第29节
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tical mind it is refreshing to see how much can be made of a little； and what a fund of profit and pleasure can be extracted from small things； if one goes to work in the right way。
The trick can doubtless be overdone： at moments one feels the little game is worked a bit too openly。 The other evening； for instance； when we entered the dining…room of our hotel and found it decorated with flags and flowers； because； forsooth； it was the birthday of 〃Victoria R。 and I。；〃 when champagne was offered at dessert and the band played 〃God Save the Queen；〃 while the English solemnly stood up in their places； it did seem as if the proprietor was poking fun at his guests in a sly way。
I was apparently the only person； however； who felt this。 The English were much flattered by the attention； so I snubbed myself with the reflection that if the date had been July 4； I doubtless should have considered the flags and music most A PROPOS。
There are also moments when the vivid picturesqueness of this place comes near to palling on one。 Its beauty is so suspiciously like a set scene that it gives the impression of having been arranged by some clever decorator with an eye to effect only。
One is continually reminded of that inimitable chapter in Daudet's TARTARIN SUR LES ALPES； when the hero discovers that all Switzerland is one enormous humbug； run to attract tourists； that the cataracts are 〃faked；〃 and avalanches arranged beforehand to enliven a dull season。 Can anything be more delicious than the disillusion of Tartarin and his friends； just back from a perilous chamois hunt； on discovering that the animal they had exhausted themselves in following all day across the mountains； was being refreshed with hot wine in the kitchen of the hotel by its peasant owner？
When one visits the theatrical abbey across the lake and inspects the too picturesque tombs of Savoy's sovereigns； or walks in the wonderful old garden； with its intermittent spring； the suspicion occurs； in spite of one's self； that the whole scene will be folded up at sunset and the bare…footed 〃brother〃 who is showing us around with so much unction will； after our departure； hurry into another costume； and appear later as one of the happy peasants who are singing and drinking in front of that absurdly operatic little inn you pass on the drive home。
There is a certain pink cottage； with a thatched roof and overhanging vines； about which I have serious doubts； and fully expect some day to see Columbine appear on that pistache…green balcony （where the magpie is hanging in a wicker cage）； and； taking Arlequin's hand； disappear into the water…butt while Clown does a header over the half…door； and the cottage itself turns into a gilded coach； with Columbine kissing her hand from the window。
A problem which our intelligent people have not yet set themselves to solve； is being worked out abroad。 The little cities of Europe have discovered that prosperity comes with the tourist； that with increased facilities of communication the township which expends the most in money and brains in attracting rich travellers to its gates is the place that will grow and prosper。 It is a simple lesson； and one that I would gladly see our American watering…places learn and apply。
Chapter 24 … The Better Part
AS I watch； year after year； the flowers of our aristocratic hothouses blooming behind the glass partitions of their conservatories； tended always by the same gardeners； admired by the same amateurs； and then； for the most part； withering unplucked on their virgin stems； I wonder if the wild flowers appreciate the good luck that allows them to taste the storm and the sunshine untrammelled and disperse perfume according to their own sweet will。
To drop a cumbersome metaphor； there is not the shadow of a doubt that the tamest and most monotonous lives in this country are those led by the women in our 〃exclusive〃 sets； for the good reason that they are surrounded by all the trammels of European society without enjoying any of its benefits； and live in an atmosphere that takes the taste out of existence too soon。
Girls abroad are kept away from the 〃world〃 because their social life only commences after marriage。 In America； on the contrary； a woman is laid more or less on the shelf the day she becomes a wife； so that if she has not made hay while her maiden sunshine lasted； the chances are she will have but meagrely furnished lofts； and how； I ask； is a girl to harvest always in the same field？
When in this country； a properly brought up young aristocrat is presented by her mamma to an admiring circle of friends； she is quite a BLASEE person。 The dancing classes she has attended for a couple of years before her debut （that she might know the right set of youths and maidens） have taken the bloom off her entrance into the world。 She and her friends have already talked over the 〃men〃 of their circle； and decided； with a sigh； that there were matches going about。 A juvenile Newporter was recently overheard deploring （to a friend of fifteen summers）； 〃By the time we come out there will only be two matches in the market；〃 meaning； of course； millionnaires who could provide their brides with country and city homes； yachts； and the other appurtenances of a brilliant position。 Now； the unfortunate part of the affair is； that such a worldly…minded maiden will in good time be obliged to make her debut； dine； and dance through a dozen seasons without making a new acquaintance。 Her migrations from town to seashore； or from one country house to another； will be but changes of scene： the actors will remain always the same。 When she dines out； she can； if she cares to take the trouble； make a fair guess as to who the guests will be before she starts； for each entertainment is but a new shuffle of the too well…known pack。 She is morally certain of being taken in to dinner by one of fifty men whom she has known since her childhood； and has met on an average twice a week since she was eighteen。
Of foreigners such a girl sees little beyond a stray diplomatist or two； in search of a fortune； and her glimpses of Paris society are obtained from the windows of a hotel on the Place Vendome。 In London or Rome she may be presented in a few international salons； but as she finds it difficult to make her new acquaintances understand what an exalted position she occupies at home； the chances are that pique at seeing some Daisy Miller attract all the attention will drive my lady back to the city where she is known and appreciated； nothing being more difficult for an American 〃swell〃 than explaining to the uninitiated in what way her position differs from that of the rest of her compatriots。
When I see the bevies of highly educated and attractive girls who make their bows each season； I ask myself in wonder； 〃Who； in the name of goodness； are they to marry？〃
In the very circle where so much stress is laid on a girl's establishing herself brilliantly； the fewest possible husbands are to be found。 Yet； limited as such a girl's choice is； she will sooner remain single than accept a husband out of her set。 She has a perfectly distinct idea of what she wants； and has lived so long in the atmosphere of wealth that existence without footmen and male cooks； horses and French clothes； appears to her impossible。 Such large proportions do these details assume in her mind that each year the husband himself becomes of less importance； and what he can provide the essential point。
If an outsider is sufficiently rich； my lady may consent to unite her destinies to his； hoping to get him absorbed into her own world。
It is pathetic； considering the restricted number of eligible men going about； to see the trouble and expense that parents take to keep their daughters EN EVIDENCE。 When one reflects on the number of people who are disturbed when such a girl dines out； the horses and men and women who are kept up to convey her home； the time it has taken her to dress； the cost of the toilet itself； and then see the man to whom she will be consigned for the evening； … some bored man about town who has probably taken her mother in to dinner twenty years before； and will not trouble himself to talk with his neighbor； or a schoolboy； breaking in his first dress suit； … when one realizes that for many maidens this goes on night after night and season after season； it seems incredible that they should have the courage； or think it worth their while to keep up the game。
The logical result of turning eternally in the same circle is that nine times out of ten the men who marry choose girls out of their own set； some pretty stranger who has burst on their jaded vision with all the charm of the unknown。 A conventional society maiden who has not been fortunate enough to meet and marry a man she loves； or whose fortune tempts her； during the first season or two that she is 〃out；〃 will in all probability go on revolving in an ever…narrowing circle until she becomes stationary in its centre。
In comparison with such an existence the life of the average 〃summer girl〃 is
