Театр

           Whiletheywaitedforitshemaintainedabrightflowofconversation.Hescarcelyanswered.Helookedanxiouslyatthedoor.Andwhenthecoffeecameshedrankitwithmaddeningdeliberation.Bythetimetheygotinthecarhewasinastateofcoldfuryandhestaredsilentlyinfrontofhimwithasulkypoutonhismouth.Juliawasnotdissatisfiedwithherself.TheyreachedthetheatretwominutesbeforethecurtainroseandasJuliaappearedtherewasaburstofclappingfromtheaudience.Julia,apologizingtothepeopleshedisturbed,threadedherwaytoherseatinthemiddleofthestalls.Herfaintsmileacknowledgedtheapplausethatgreetedherbeautifully-timedentrance,butherdowncasteyesmodestlydisclaimedthatitcouldhaveanyconnexionwithher.

           Thecurtainwentupandafterashortscenetwogirlscamein,oneveryprettyandyoung,theothermucholderandplain.InaminuteJuliaturnedtoTomandwhispered:

           "WhichisAviceCrichton,theyoungoneortheoldone?"

           "Theyoungone."

           "Oh,ofcourse,yousaidshewasfair,didn’tyou?"

           Shegavehisfaceaglance.Hehadlosthissulkylook;ahappysmileplayedonhislips.Juliaturnedherattentiontothestage.AviceCrichtonwasverypretty,noonecoulddenythat,withlovelygoldenhair,fineblueeyesandalittlestraightnose;butitwasatypethatJuliadidnotcarefor.

           "Insipid,"shesaidtoherself."Chorus-girly."

           Shewatchedherperformanceforafewminutes.Shewatchedintently,thensheleantbackinherstallwithalittlesigh.

           "Shecan’tactfortoffee,"*shedecided."