Театр

           "Poorlamb,hemustbeaspoorasachurchmouse."

           Theroomremindedherverymuchofsomeofthelodgingsshehadlivedinwhenshewasfirstonthestage.Shenoticedthepatheticattemptshehadmadetoconcealthefactthatitwasabedroomaswellasasitting-room.Thedivanagainstthewallwasevidentlyhisbedatnight.Theyearsslippedawayfromherinfancyandshefeltstrangelyyoungagain.Whatfuntheyhadhadinroomsverylikethatandhowtheyhadenjoyedthefantasticmealstheyhadhad,thingsinpaperbagsandeggsandbaconfriedonthegas-ring!Hecameinwiththeteainabrownpot.Sheateasquaresponge-cakewithpinkicingonit.Thatwasathingshehadnotdoneforyears.TheCeylontea,verystrong,withmilkandsugarinit,tookherbacktodaysshethoughtshehadforgotten.Shesawherselfasayoung,obscure,strugglingactress.Itwasratherdelicious.Itneededagesture,butshecouldonlythinkofone:shetookoffherhatandgaveherheadashake.

           Theytalked.Heseemedshy,muchshyerthanhehadseemedoverthetelephone;well,thatwasnottobewonderedat,nowshewastherehemustberatherovercome,andshesetherselftoputhimathisease.HetoldherthathisparentslivedatHighgate,hisfatherwasasolicitor,andhehadlivedtheretoo,buthewantedtobehisownmasterandnowinthelastyearofhisarticleshehadbrokenawayandtakenthistinyflat.Hewasworkingforhisfinalexamination.Theytalkedofthetheatre.Hehadseenherineveryplayshehadactedinsincehewastwelveyearsold.