Театр

           Hetoldherthatoncewhenhewasfourteenhehadstoodoutsidethestagedoorafteramatineeandwhenshecameouthadaskedhertosignhernameinhisautograph-book.Hewassweetwithhisblueeyesandpalebrownhair.Itwasapityheplastereditdownlikethat.Hehadawhiteskinandratherahighcolour;shewonderedifhewasconsumptive.Althoughhisclotheswerecheapheworethemwell,shelikedthat,andhelookedincrediblyclean.

           SheaskedhimwhyhehadchosenTavistockSquare.Itwascentral,heexplained,andhelikedthetrees.Itwasquitenicewhenyoulookedoutofthewindow.Shegotuptolook,thatwouldbeagoodwaytomakeamove,thenshewouldputonherhatandsaygood-byetohim.

           "Yes,itisrathercharming,isn’tit.It’ssoLondon;itgivesoneasortofjollyfeeling."

           Sheturnedtohim,standingbyherside,asshesaidthis.Heputhisarmroundherwaistandkissedherfullonthelips.Nowomanwasevermoresurprisedinherlife.Shewassotakenabackthatsheneverthoughtofdoinganything.Hislipsweresoftandtherewasaperfumeofyouthabouthimwhichwasreallyratherdelightful.Butwhathewasdoingwaspreposterous.Hewasforcingherlipsapartwiththetipofhistongueandnowhehadbotharmsroundher.Shedidnotfeelangry,shedidnotfeelinclinedtolaugh,shedidnotknowwhatshefelt.