Chapter 19

           NordidJuliasleepwellthatnight.ShewasawakewhensheheardRogercomein,andturningonherlightshesawthatitwasfour.Shefrowned.Hecameclatteringdownthestonestairsnextmorningjustwhenshewasbeginningtothinkofgettingup.

           "CanIcomein,mummy?"

           "Comein."

           Hewasstillinhispyjamasanddressing-gown.Shesmiledathimbecausehelookedsofreshandyoung.

           "Youwereverylatelastnight."

           "No,notvery.Iwasinbyone."

           "Liar.Ilookedatmyclock.Itwasfour."

           "Allright.Itwasfourthen,"heagreedcheerfully.

           "Whatonearthwereyoudoing?"

           "Wewentontosomeplaceaftertheshowandhadsupper.Wedanced."

           "Whowith?"

           "Acoupleofgirlswepickedup.Tomknewthembefore."

           "Whatweretheirnames?"

           "OnewascalledJillandonewascalledJoan.Idon’tknowwhattheirothernameswere.Joan’sonthestage.SheaskedmeifIcouldn’tgetheranunderstudy*inyournextplay."

           AtalleventsneitherofthemwasAviceCrichton.ThatnamehadbeeninherthoughtseversinceDollyhadmentionedit.

           "Butthoseplacesaren’topentillfour."

           "No,wewentbacktoTom’sflat.TommademepromiseIwouldn’ttellyou.Hesaidyou’dbefurious."

           "Oh,mydear,ittakesagreatdealmorethanthattomakemefurious.IpromiseyouIwon’tsayaword."

           "Ifanyone’stoblameIam.IwenttoseeTomyesterdayafternoonandwearrangeditthen.Allthisstuffaboutlovethatonehearsaboutinplaysandreadsinnovels.I’mnearlyeighteen.IthoughtIoughttoseeformyselfwhatitwasallabout."