Театр

           Theyreadtheirpapers,andtheirmagazine,didagreatdealofsewingforcharitablepurposes,playeddominoesandlistenedtotheradiothatJuliahadgiventhem.ThoughtheAbbeandtheCommandanthaddinedwiththemeveryThursdayformanyyearstheywerealwaysinaflutterwhenThursdaycame.TheCommandant,withthesailor’sdownrightnessthattheyexpectedofhim,didnothesitatetosaysoifsomethingwasnotcookedtohisliking,andeventheAbbe,thoughasaint,hadhislikesanddislikes.Forinstance,hewasveryfondofsoleNormande,butheinsistedonitsbeingcookedwiththebestbutter,andwithbutteratthepriceitwassincethewarthatwasveryexpensive.EveryThursdaymorningAuntCarrietookthecellarkeyfromtheplacewhereshehadhiddenitandherselffetchedabottleofclaretfromthecellar.Sheandhersisterfinishedwhatwasleftofitbytheendoftheweek.

           TheymadeagreatfussofJulia.Theydosedherwithtisanes,*andwereanxiousthatsheshouldnotsitinanythingthatmightbethoughtadraught.Indeedagreatpartoftheirliveswasdevotedtoavoidingdraughts.Theymadeherlieonsofasandweresolicitousthatsheshouldcoverherfeet.Theyreasonedwithherabouttheclothesshewore.Thosesilkstockingsthatweresothinyoucouldseethroughthem;andwhatdidshewearnexttoherskin?AuntCarriewouldnothavebeensurprisedtolearnthatsheworenothingbutachemise.

           "Shedoesn’tevenwearthat,"saidMrs.Lambert.

           "Whatdoesshewearthen?"

           "Panties,"saidJulia.

           "Andasoutien-gorge,*Isuppose."