Театр

           "’Insuchanightasthis,whenthesweetwinddidgentlykissthetrees...’"

           Charlesswitchedoffeverythingbutoneshadedlamp,andwhenhesatdownagainshenestleduptohim.Heputhisarmroundherwaistandsherestedherheadonhisshoulder.

           "Thisisheaven,"shemurmured.

           "I’vemissedyouterriblyallthesemonths."

           "Didyougetintomischief?"

           "Well,IboughtanIngresdrawingandpaidalotofmoneyforit.Imustshowityoubeforeyougo."

           "Don’tforget.Wherehaveyouputit?"

           Shehadwonderedfromthemomentshegotintothehousewhethertheseductionwouldtakeplaceinthestudyorupstairs.

           "Inmybedroom,"heanswered.

           "That’smuchmorecomfortablereally,"shereflected.

           ShelaughedinhersleeveasshethoughtofpooroldCharlesdevisingasimplelittletricklikethattogetherintohisbedroom.Whatmugsmenwere!Shy,thatwaswhatwasthematterwiththem.AsuddenpangshotthroughherheartasshethoughtofTom.DamnTom.Charlesreallywasverysweetandshewasdeterminedtorewardhimatlastforhislongdevotion.

           "You’vebeenawonderfulfriendtome,Charles,"shesaidinherlow,ratherhuskyvoice.Sheturnedalittlesothatherfacewasverynearhis,herlips,againlikeLadyHamilton’s,slightlyopen."I’mafraidIhaven’talwaysbeenverykindtoyou."

           Shelookedsodeliciouslyyielding,aripepeachwaitingtobepicked,thatitseemedinevitablethatheshouldkissher.Thenshewouldtwinehersoftwhitearmsroundhisneck.Butheonlysmiled.

           "Youmustn’tsaythat.You’vebeenalwaysdivine."