Театр

           ToherconsternationshefoundwhentheygottoParisthatnothingseemedtobeknownabouther,andthechefdetraintoldherthateverysleeperwasengaged.Theonlychancewasthatsomeoneshouldnotturnupatthelastmoment.Shedidnotliketheideaofsittingupallnightinthecornerofafirst-classcarriage,andwentintodinnerwithaperturbedmind.Shewasgivenatablefortwo,andsoonamancameandsatdownoppositeher.Shepaidnoattentiontohim.Presentlythechefdetraincamealongandtoldherthathewasverysorry,buthecoulddonothingforher.Shemadeauselessscene.Whentheofficialhadgone,themanathertableaddressedher.Thoughhespokefluent,idiomaticFrench,sherecognizedbyhisaccentthathewasnotaFrenchman.Shetoldhiminanswertohispoliteinquirythewholestoryandgavehimheropinionofthetravelagency,therailwaycompany,andthegeneralinefficiencyofthehumanrace.Hewasverysympathetic.Hetoldherthatafterdinnerhewouldgoalongthetrainandseeforhimselfifsomethingcouldnotbearranged.Oneneverknewwhatoneoftheconductorscouldnotmanageforatip.

           "I’msimplytiredout,"shesaid."I’dwillinglygivefivehundredfrancsforasleeper."

           Theconversationthusstarted,hetoldherthathewasanattacheattheSpanishEmbassyinParisandwasgoingdowntoCannesforEaster.Thoughshehadbeentalkingtohimforaquarterofanhourshehadnottroubledtonoticewhathewaslike.