Театр

           Shehadletheremotionrunawaywithher;shehadbeenfeeling,notacting.Againacoldshiverrandownherspine.Thiswasserious.Itwasallveryfinetohaveabrokenheart,butifitwasgoingtointerferewithheracting...no,no,no.Thatwasquiteanotherpairofshoes.Heractingwasmoreimportantthananyloveaffairintheworld.

           "I’lltryandpullmyselftogether."

           "It’snogoodtryingtoforceoneself.You’retiredout.It’smyfault,Ioughttohaveinsistedonyourtakingaholidaylongago.Whatyouwantisagoodrest."

           "Whataboutthetheatre?"

           "IfIcan’tletit,I’llrevivesomeplaythatIcanplayin.There’sHeartsareTrumps.Youalwayshatedyourpartinthat."

           "Everyonesaystheseason’sgoingtobewonderful.Youcan’texpectmuchofarevivalwithmeoutofthecast;youwon’tmakeapenny."

           "Idon’tcareahangaboutthat.Theonlythingthatmattersisyourhealth."

           "Oh,Christ,don’tbesomagnanimous,"*shecried."Ican’tbearit."

           Suddenlysheburstintoastormofweeping.

           "Darling!"

           Hetookherinhisarmsandsatherdownonthesofawithhimselfbesideher.Sheclungtohimdesperately

           "You’resogoodtome,Michael,andIhatemyself.I’mabeast,I’maslut,I’mjustabloodybitch.I’mrottenthroughandthrough."

           "Allthatmaybe,"hesmiled,"butthefactremainsthatyou’reaverygreatactress."

           "Idon’tknowhowyoucanhavethepatienceyouhavewithme.I’vetreatedyoufoully.You’vebeentoowonderfulandI’vesacrificedyouheartlessly."