Театр

           TheDennorantshadaskedhimdowntothecountryforaweek-end,andherehehadmetanumberofpersonswhoweregladtotakeadvantageofhistechnicalknowledge.HebegantogetinvitationsfrompeoplewhomJuliadidnotknow.Acquaintanceswouldmentionhimtoher.

           "YouknowTomFennell,don’tyou?He’sveryclever,isn’the?Ihearhe’ssavedtheGillianshundredsofpoundsontheirincome-tax."

           Juliawasnonetoopleased.Itwasthroughherthathehadgotaskedtopartiesthathewantedtogoto.Itbegantolookasifinthisrespecthecoulddowithouther.Hewaspleasantandunassuming,verywell-dressednow,andwithafresh,cleanlookthatwasengaging;hewasabletosavepeoplemoney;Juliaknewtheworldwhichhewassoanxioustogetintowellenoughtorealizethathewouldsoonestablishhimselfinit.Shehadnoveryhighopinionofthemoralsofthewomenhewouldmeetthereandshecouldnamemorethanonepersonoftitlewhowouldbegladtosnaphimup.Julia’scomfortwasthattheywereallasmeanascat’smeat.Dollyhadsaidhewasonlyearningfourhundredayear;hecertainlycouldn’tliveinthosecirclesonthat.

           JuliahadwithdecisionturneddowntheAmericanofferbeforeevershementionedittoTom;theirplaywasplayingtoverygoodbusiness.ButoneofthoseinexplicableslumpsthatoccasionallyaffectthetheatrenowsweptoverLondonandthetakingssuddenlydropped.ItlookedasthoughtheywouldnotbeabletocarryonlongafterEaster.Theyhadanewplayonwhichtheysetgreathopes.