Chapter 17

           "Well,"saidJustinetohermother,"I’vedecidedwhatI’mgoingtodo."

           "Ithoughtitwasalreadydecided.ArtsatSydneyUniversity,isn’tthatright?"

           "Oh,thatwasjustaredherringtolullyouintoafalsesenseofsecuritywhileImademyplans.Butnowit’sallset,soIcantellyou."

           Meggie’sheadcameupfromhertask,cuttingfir-treeshapesincookiedough;Mrs.Smithwasillandtheywerehelpingoutinthecookhouse.Sheregardedherdaughterwearily,impatiently,helplessly.WhatcouldonedowithsomeonelikeJustine?IfsheannouncedshewasgoingofftotrainasawhoreinaSydneybordello,Meggieverymuchdoubtedwhethershecouldbeturnedaside.Dear,horribleJustine,queenamongjuggernauts.

           "Goon,I’mallagog,"shesaid,andwentbacktoproducingcookies.

           "I’mgoingtobeanactress."

           "Awhat?"

           "Anactress."

           "GoodLord!"Thefirtreeswereabandonedagain."Look,Justine,IhatetobeaspoilsportandtrulyIdon’tmeantohurtyourfeelings,butdoyouthinkyou’re—well,quitephysicallyequippedtobeanactress?"

           "Oh,Mum!"saidJustine,disgusted."Notafilmstar;anactress!Idon’twanttowigglemyhipsandstickoutmybreastsandpoutmywetlips!Iwanttoact."Shewaspushingchunksofdefattedbeefintothecorningbarrel."IhaveenoughmoneytosupportmyselfduringwhateversortoftrainingIchoose,isn’tthatright?"

           "Yes,thankstoCardinaldeBricassart."

           "Thenit’sallsettled.