The Custom of the Country

The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Custom of the Country, by Edith WhartonThis eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it,give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online atwww.gutenberg.netTitle: The Custom of the CountryAuthor: Edith WhartonRelease Date: February 12, 2004 [EBook #11052]Language: English*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CUSTOM OF THE COUNTRY ***Produced by Steve Harris and PG Distributed ProofreadersTHE CUSTOM OF THE COUNTRYby EDITH WHARTON1913THE CUSTOM OF THE COUNTRYI"Undine Spragg—how can you?" her mother wailed, raising a prematurely-wrinkled hand heavy with rings to defendthe note which a languid "bell-boy" had just brought in.But her defence was as feeble as her protest, and she continued to smile on her visitor while Miss Spragg, with aturn of her quick young fingers, possessed herself of the missive and withdrew to the window to read it."I guess it's meant for me," she merely threw over her shoulder at her mother."Did you EVER, Mrs. Heeny?" Mrs. Spragg murmured with deprecating pride.Mrs. Heeny, a stout professional-looking person in a waterproof, her rusty veil thrown back, and a shabby alligatorbag at her feet, followed the mother's glance with good-humoured approval."I never met with a lovelier form," she agreed, answering the spirit rather than the letter of her hostess's enquiry ...