Chapter 3

           Julia,takenbyhisenthusiasmandhisfantasticexuberance,acceptedhisoffer.Hestartedherinmodestpartswhichunderhisdirectionsheplayedasshehadneverplayedbefore.Heinterestedthecriticsinher,heflatteredthembylettingthemthinkthattheyhaddiscoveredaremarkableactress,andallowedthesuggestiontocomefromthemthatheshouldletthepublicseeherasMagda.ShewasagreathitandtheninquicksuccessionhemadeherplayNorainTheDoll’sHouse,AnninManandSuperman,andHeddaGabler.Middle-poolwasdelightedtodiscoverthatithadinitsmidstanactresswhoitcouldboastwasbetterthananystarinLondon,andcrowdedtoseeherinplaysthatbeforeithadgonetoonlyfromlocalpatriotism.TheLondonparagraphers*mentionedhernowandthen,andanumberofenthusiasticpatronsofthedramamadethejourneytoMiddlepooltoseeher.Theywentbackfullofpraise,andtwoorthreeLondonmanagerssentrepresentativestoreportonher.Theyweredoubtful.ShewasallverywellinShawandIbsen,butwhatwouldshedoinanordinaryplay?Themanagershadhadbitterexperien-ces.Onthestrengthofanoutstandingperformanceinoneofthesequeerplaystheyhadengagedanactor,onlytodiscoverthatinanyothersortofplayhewasnobetterthananybodyelse.

           WhenMichaeljoinedthecompanyJuliahadbeenplayinginMiddlepoolforayear.JimmiestartedhimwithMarchbanksinCandida.