Театр
Chapter 23
"Onesimplycannotescapethem."
"Ican’timaginehowtheyknewyouweregoing."
Thelittlecrowdthathadassembledwhentheyrealizedthatsomethingwasgoingonstoodatarespectfuldistance.ThePressrepresentativecameupandtoldMichaelhethoughthe’dgiventhereportersenoughforacolumn.Thetrainsteamedout.
JuliahadrefusedtotakeEviewithher.Shehadafeelingthatinordertoregainherserenityshemustcutherselfoffcompletelyforatimefromheroldlife.EvieinthatFrenchhouseholdwouldbeoutofplace.ForMadameFalloux,Julia’sAuntCarrie,marriedasagirltoaFrenchman,nowasanold,oldladyspokeFrenchmoreeasilythanEnglish.Shehadbeenawidowformanyyearsandheronlysonhadbeenkilledinthewar.Shelivedinatall,narrowstonehouseonahill,andwhenyoucrosseditsthresholdfromthecobbledstreetyouentereduponthepeaceofabygoneage.Nothinghadbeenchangedforhalfacentury.Thedrawing-roomwasfurnishedwithaLouisXVsuiteundercovers,andthecoverswereonlytakenoffonceamonthtogivethesilkunderneathadelicatebrushing.Thecrystalchandelierwasshroudedinmuslinsothatthefliesshouldnotspotit.Infrontofthechimney-piecewasafire-screenofpeacocks’feathersartfullyarrangedandprotectedbyglass.ThoughtheroomwasneverusedAuntCarriedusteditherselfeveryday.Thedining-roomwaspanelledandheretoothechairswereunderdust-covers.Onthesideboardwasasilverepergne,asilvercoffee-pot,asilvertea-potandasilvertray.
