Chapter 1

           ThedooropenedandMichaelGosselynlookedup.Juliacamein.

           "Hulloa!Iwon’tkeepyouaminute.Iwasjustsigningsomeletters."

           "Nohurry.IonlycametoseewhatseatshadbeensenttotheDennorants.What’sthatyoungmandoinghere?"

           Withtheexperiencedactress’sinstincttofitthegesturetotheword,byamovementofherneatheadsheindicatedtheroomthroughwhichshehadjustpassed.

           "He’stheaccountant.HecomesfromLawrenceandHamphreys.He’sbeenherethreedays."

           "Helooksveryyoung."

           "He’sanarticledclerk.Heseemstoknowhisjob.Hecan’tgetoverthewayouraccountsarekept.Hetoldmeheneverexpectedatheatretoberunonsuchbusinesslikelines.Hesaysthewaysomeofthosefirmsinthecitykeeptheiraccountsisenoughtoturnyourhairgrey."

           Juliasmiledatthecomplacencyonherhusband’shandsomeface.

           "He’sayoungmanoftact."

           "Hefinishestoday.Ithoughtwemighttakehimbackwithusandgivehimaspotoflunch.He’squiteagentleman."

           "Isthatasufficientreasontoaskhimtolunch?"Michaeldidnotnoticethefaintironyofhertone."Iwon’taskhimifyoudon’twanthim.Imerelythoughtitwouldbeatreatforhim.Headmiresyoutremendously.He’sbeentoseetheplaythreetimes.He’scrazytobeintroducedtoyou."

           Michaeltouchedabuttonandinamomenthissecretarycamein.

           "Herearetheletters,Margery.WhatappointmentshaveIgotforthisafternoon?"

           JuliawithhalfanearlistenedtothelistMargeryreadoutand,thoughsheknewtheroomsowell,idlylookedabouther.