Театр

           "Certainlynot,"criedJuliatartly.

           "Then,myniece,underyourdressyouarenaked?"

           "Practically."

           "C’estdelafolie,"*saidAuntCarrie.

           "C’estvraimentpasraisonnable,mafille,"*saidMrs.Lambert.

           "Andwithoutbeingaprude,"addedAuntCarrie,"Imustsaythatitishardlydecent."

           Juliashowedthemherclothes,andonthefirstThursdayafterherarrivaltheydiscussedwhatsheshouldwearfordinner.AuntCarrieandMrs.Lambertgrewrathersharpwithoneanother.Mrs.Lambertthoughtthatsinceherdaughterhadeveningdresseswithhersheoughttowearone,butAuntCarrieconsidereditquiteunnecessary.

           "WhenIusedtocomeandvisityouinJersey,mydear,andgentlemenwerecomingtodinner,Irememberyouwouldputonatea-gown."

           "Ofcourseatea-gownwouldbeverysuitable."

           TheylookedatJuliahopefully.Sheshookherhead.

           "Iwouldsoonerwearashroud."

           AuntCarrieworeahigh-neckeddressofheavyblacksilk,withastringofjet,andMrs.Lambertasimilarone,butwithherlaceshawlandapastenecklace.TheCommandant,asturdylittlemanwithamuch-wrinkledface,whitehaircutenbrosse*andanimposingmoustachedyedadeepblack,wasverygallant,andthoughwellpastseventypressedJulia’sfootunderthetableduringdinner.Onthewayoutheseizedtheopportunitytopinchherbottom.

           "Sexappeal,"Juliamurmuredtoherselfaswithdignityshefollowedthetwooldladiesintotheparlour.

           Theymadeafussofher,notbecauseshewasagreatactress,butbecauseshewasinpoorhealthandneededrest.