Театр

           JuliasatupinbedandlookedatRogerwithwide,inquiringeyes.

           "Roger,whatdoyoumean?"

           Hewascomposedandserious.

           "Tomsaidheknewacoupleofgirlswhowereallright.He’shadthembothhimself.Theylivetogetherandsowephonedandaskedthemtomeetusaftertheshow.HetoldthemIwasavirginandthey’dbettertossupforme.WhenwegotbacktotheflathetookJillintothebedroomandleftmethesitting-roomandJoan."

           ForthemomentshedidnotthinkofTom,shewassodisturbedatwhatRogerwassaying.

           "Idon’tthinkit’ssomuchreally.Idon’tseeit’sanythingtomakeallthatfussabout."

           Shecouldnotspeak.Thetearsfilledhereyesandranquicklydownherface.

           "Mummy,what’sthematter?Whyareyoucrying?"

           "Butyou’realittleboy."

           Hecameovertoherandsittingonthesideofherbedtookherinhisarms.

           "Darling,don’tcry.Iwouldn’thavetoldyouifI’dthoughtitwasgoingtoupsetyou.Afterall,ithadtohappensoonerorlater."

           "Butsosoon.Sosoon.Itmakesmefeelsoold."

           "Notyou,darling.Agecannotwitherher,norcustomstaleherinfinitevariety."

           Shegiggledthroughhertears.

           "Youfool,Roger,d’youthinkCleopatrawouldhavelikedwhatthatsillyolddonkeysaidofher?Youmighthavewaitedalittlelonger."

           "It’sjustaswellIdidn’t.Iknowallaboutitnow.TotellyouthetruthIthinkit’sratherdisgusting."

           Shesigheddeeply.Itwasacomforttofeelhimholdinghersotenderly.Butshefeltterriblysorryforherself.

           "You’renotangrywithme,darling?"heasked.