Театр
Chapter 1
Itwasaveryproperroomforthemanagerofafirst-classtheatre.Thewallshadbeenpanelled(atcostprice)byagooddecoratorandonthemhungengravingsoftheatricalpicturesbyZoffanyanddeWilde.Thearmchairswerelargeandcomfortable.MichaelsatinaheavilycarvedChippendale*chair,areproductionbutmadebyawell-knownfirm,andhisChippendaletable,withheavyballandclawfeet,wasimmenselysolid.OnitstoodinamassivesilverframeaphotographofherselfandtobalanceitaphotographofRoger,theirson.Betweenthesewasamagnificentsilverink-standthatshehadherselfgivenhimononeofhisbirthdaysandbehinditarackinredmorocco,heavilygilt,inwhichhekepthisprivatepaperincasehewantedtowritealetterinhisownhand.Thepaperboretheaddress,SiddonsTheatre,andtheenvelopehiscrest,aboar’sheadwiththemottounderneath:Nemomeimpunelacessit.*Abunchofyellowtulipsinasilverbowl,whichhehadgotthroughwinningthetheatricalgolftournamentthreetimesrunning,showedMargery’scare.Juliagaveherareflectiveglance.Notwithstandinghercroppedperoxidehairandherheavily-paintedlipsshehadtheneutrallookthatmarkstheperfectsecretary.ShehadbeenwithMichaelforfiveyears.Inthattimeshemusthavegottoknowhiminsideandout.Juliawonderedifshecouldbesuchafoolastobeinlovewithhim.
ButMichaelrosefromhischair.
"Now,darling,I’mreadyforyou."
MargerygavehimhisblackHomburg*hatandopenedthedoorforJuliaandMichaeltogoout.
