Edith Wharton

Xingu Edith Wharton

Mrs. Ballinger is one of the ladies who pursue Culture in bands, asthough it were dangerous to meet alone. To this end she had foundedthe Lunch Club, an association composed of herself and several otherindomitable huntresses of erudition. The Lunch Club, after three orfour winters of lunching and debate, had acquired such local distinctionthat the entertainment of distinguished strangers became one of itsaccepted functions; in recognition of which it duly extended to thecelebrated "Osric Dane," on the day of her arrival in Hillbridge, aninvitation to be present at the next meeting. The club was to meet at Mrs. Bellinger's. The other members, behindher back, were of one voice in deploring her unwillingness to cede herrights in favor of Mrs. Plinth, whose house made a more impressivesetting for the entertainment of celebrities; while, as Mrs. Leveretobserved, there was always the picture-gallery to fall back on.