Театр

           He’sgonetoViennatolearnGerman.Ofcoursehe’sveryyoung,buthisfatherandIthoughtitwouldbegoodforhimtospendafewmonthsabroadbeforegoinguptoCambridge.Andwhatpartshaveyouplayed?Yourcigarette’sgoneout.Won’tyouhaveanother?"

           "Oh,it’sallright,thanks.I’vebeenplayingontour,butI’mfrightfullyanxioustobeintown."Despairgavehercourageandsheutteredthespeechshehadevidentlyprepared."I’vegotthemosttremendousadmirationforyou,MissLambert.Ialwayssayyou’rethegreatestactressonthestage.I’velearntmorefromyouthanIdidalltheyearsIwasattheR.A.D.A.*Mygreatestambitionistobeinyourtheatre,MissLambert,andifyoucouldseeyourwaytogivingmealittlesomething,Iknowitwouldbethemostwonderfulchanceagirlcouldhave."

           "Willyoutakeoffyourhat?"

           JoanDenvertookthecheaplittlehatoffherheadandwithaquickgestureshookoutherclose-croppedcurls.

           "Whatprettyhairyouhave,"saidJulia.

           Stillwiththatslightlyimperious,butinfinitelycordialsmile,thesmilethataqueeninroyalprocessionbestowsonhersubjects,Juliagazedather.Shedidnotspeak.SherememberedJaneTaitbout’smaxim:Don’tpauseunlessit’snecessary,butthenpauseaslongasyoucan.Shecouldalmosthearthegirl’sheartbeatingandshefelthershrinkinginherready-madeclothes,shrinkinginherskin.

           "Whatmadeyouthinkofaskingmysontogiveyoualettertome?"

           Joangrewredunderhermake-upandsheswallowedbeforesheanswered.