the ways of men(人们的手段)-第40章
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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。
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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
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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
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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 unti
