Chapter 26

Chapter 26- As fall came around, New York was changing, and Mrs. Archer felt that it always changed for the worse. Mr. Beaufort was bankrupt, and was suffering greatly. Also Mrs. Struther's parties were no longer looked down upon and although Ellen was one of the first, of social status, to attend this, she received very little credit. Mrs. Struther's even was invited to a party of Medora Mason's. Ellen was somewhat of a black sheep in her family. She was considered "Bohemian," which I guess is very bad for back then. Archer also wonders why May blushed when Ellen's name was mentioned. Newland describes his life like "an absent-minded man who goes about bumping into furniture of his own room." Also people are beginning to comment about Ellen, not returning to her husband, other than family (Mr. Jackson). Mr. Jackson suggests that along with Mr. Beaufort's financial problem, Ellen will suffer too(implying adultery). Newland says that he was "burning with unavailing wrath: he was exactly in the state when a man is sure to do something stupid, knowing all the while that he is doing it." I found this interesting because he then gave away how little he knew about the family's decisions concerning Ellen. On the way home, May was very quiet and Newland knew it was due to his outburst about Ellen. At home he tells her that he may have to go to Washington for a few days and says it is for business, but May doesn't seem to believe him. She then tells him to make sure he visits Ellen and then smiles and says that perhaps that is the only reason he is even going there. So obvoiusly there is more doubt than I expected in this relationship, I thought that May was more gulliable than is was, but really she knew his intentions and wished him the best of luck in Washington.