Театр

           Hewasboundtocome;afterall,he’dpromised,hadn’the?Sheputonadressing-gown,nottheoneshemadeupin,butaman’sdressing-gown,inplum-colouredsilk.Evietookaninterminabletimetoputthingsstraight.

           "ForGod’ssakedon’tfuss,Evie.Leavemealone."

           Eviedidnotspeak.Shewentonmethodicallyarrangingthevariousobjectsonthedressing-tableexactlyasJuliaalwayswantedthem.

           "Whythedevildon’tyouanswerwhen’Ispeaktoyou?"

           Evieturnedroundandlookedather.Shethoughtfullyrubbedherfingeralonghernostrils.

           "Greatactressyoumaybe..."

           "Getthehelloutofhere."

           Aftertakingoffherstagemake-upJuliahaddonenothingtoherfaceexceptputtheveryfaintestshadingofblueunderhereyes.Shehadasmooth,paleskinandwithoutrougeonhercheeksorredonherlipsshelookedwan.Theman’sdressing-gowngaveaneffectatoncehelpless,fragileandgallant.Herheartwasbeatingpainfullyandshewasveryanxious,butlookingatherselfintheglassshemurmured:MimiinthelastactofBoheme.Almostwithoutmeaningtoshecoughedonceortwiceconsumptively.Sheturnedoffthebrightlightsonherdressing-tableandlaydownonthesofa.PresentlytherewasaknockonthedoorandEvieannouncedMr.Fen-nell.Juliaheldoutawhite,thinhand.

           "Fmlyingdown.I’mafraidI’mnotverywell.Findyourselfachair.It’sniceofyoutocome."

           "I’msorry.What’sthematter?"

           "Oh,nothing."Sheforcedasmiletoherashylips."Ihaven’tbeensleepingverywellthelasttwoorthreenights."