Театр

           Letmeseeyouoncemoreandthen,ifyou’restillangrywithme,we’llcallitaday."

           Therewasalongpausebeforeheanswered.

           "Allright.I’llcomeafterthematineeonWednesday."

           "Don’tthinkunkindlyofme,Tom."

           Sheputdownthereceiver.Atalleventshewascoming.Shewrappedupagainthethingshehadreturnedtoher,andhidthemawaywhereshewasprettysureEviewouldnotseethem.Sheundressed,putonheroldpinkdressing-gownandbegantomake-up.Shewasoutofhumour:thiswasthefirsttimeshehadevertoldhimthatshelovedhim.Itvexedherthatshehadbeenforcedtohumiliateherselfbybegginghimtocomeandseeher.Tillthenithadalwaysbeenhewhosoughthercompany.Shewasnotpleasedtothinkthatthesituationbetweenthemnowwasopenlyreversed.

           JuliagaveaverypoorperformanceatthematineeonWednesday.Theheatwavehadaffectedbusinessandthehousewasapathetic.Juliawasindifferent.Withthatsicknessofapprehensiongnawingatherheartshecouldnotcarehowtheplaywent.("Whatthehelldotheywanttocometothetheatreforonadaylikethisanyway?")Shewasgladwhenitwasover.

           "I’mexpectingMr.Fennell,"shetoldEvie."Whilehe’shereIdon’twanttobedisturbed."

           Eviedidnotanswer.Juliagaveheraglanceandsawthatshewaslookinggrim.

           ("Tohellwithher.WhatdoIcarewhatshethinks!")

           Heoughttohavebeentherebynow.Itwasafterfive.