Театр

           Withouttalkingmuchhelistened,apparentlywithattention,towhattherestofthemweresaying,butshehadanoddfeelingthathewasoccupiedwiththoughtsofhisown.Heseemedtoobservethemwithadetachedcuriositylikethatwithwhichhemighthaveobservedanimalsinazoo.Itwasfaintlydisquieting.WhentheopportunitypresenteditselfshedeliveredthelittlebitofdialogueshehadpreparedforDolly’sbenefit.

           "Oh,Rogerdarling,youknowyourwretchedfather’sbusytonight.I’vegotacoupleofseatsforthesecondhouseatthePalladiumandTomwantsyoutodinewithhimattheCafeRoyal."

           "Oh!"Hepausedforasecond."Allright."

           SheturnedtoDolly.

           "It’ssoniceforRogertohavesomebodylikeTomtogoaboutwith.They’regreatfriends,youknow."

           MichaelgaveDollyaglance.Therewasatwinkleinhiseyes.Hespoke.

           "Tom’saverydecentsortofboy.Hewon’tletRogergetintoanymischief."

           "IshouldhavethoughtRogerwouldprefertogoaboutwithhisEtonfriends,"saidDolly.

           "Oldcow,"thoughtJulia."Oldcow."

           Butwhenluncheonwasoversheaskedhertocomeuptoherroom.

           "I’llgetintobedandyoucantalktomewhileI’mresting.Agoodoldgirls’gossip,that’swhatIwant."

           SheputherarmaffectionatelyroundDolly’svastwaistandledherupstairs.Forawhiletheyspokeofindifferentthings,clothesandservants,make-upandscandal;thenJulia,leaningonherelbow,lookedatDollywithconfidingeyes.

           "Dolly,there’ssomethingIwanttotalktoyouabout.