Театр

           AuntCarrieandJulia’smother,Mrs.Lambert,livedinthemorning-room,alongnarrowroom,withEmpirefurniture.OnthewallsinovalframeswereoilportraitsofAuntCarrieandherdeceasedhusband,ofhisfatherandmother,andapastelofthedeadsonasachild.Heretheyhadtheirwork-boxes,heretheyreadtheirpapers,theCatholicLaCroix,theRevuedesDeuxMondesandthelocaldaily,andheretheyplayeddominoesintheevening.ExceptonThursdayeveningswhentheAbbeandtheCommandantLaGarde,aretirednavalofficer,cametodinner,theyhadtheirmealsthere;butwhenJuliaarrivedtheydecidedthatitwouldbemoreconvenienttoeatinthedining-room.

           AuntCarriestillworemourningforherhusbandandherson.Itwasseldomwarmenoughforhertoleaveoffthelittleblacktricotthatshecrocheted*herself.Mrs.Lambertworeblacktoo,butwhenMonsieurL’AbbeandtheCommandantcametodinnersheputoverhershouldersawhitelaceshawlthatJuliahadgivenher.Afterdinnertheyplayedplafondfortwosous*ahundred.Mrs.Lambert,becauseshehadlivedforsomanyyearsinJerseyandstillwenttoLondon,knewallaboutthegreatworld,andshesaidthatagamecalledcontractwasmuchplayed,buttheCommandantsaiditwasallverywellforAmericans,buthewascontenttosticktoplafond,andtheAbbesaidthatforhisparthethoughtitapitythatwhisthadbeenabandoned.Butthere,menwereneversatisfiedwithwhattheyhad;theywantedchange,change,change,allthetime.