Театр

           Shehadbeendeaftohispassionateentreatiesfortwentyyears,anditwasverynaturalifhehadgivenuphisquestashopeless.ItwaslikeMountEverest;ifthosehardymountaineerswhohadtriedforsolonginvaintoreachthesummitfinallyfoundaneasyflightofstepsthatledtoit,theysimplywouldnotbelievetheireyes:theywouldthinktherewasacatchinit.Juliafeltthatshemustmakeherselfalittleplainer;shemust,asitwere,reachoutahelpinghandtothewearypilgrim.

           "It’sgettingdreadfullylate,"shesaidsoftly."ShowmeyournewdrawingandthenImustgohome."

           Heroseandshegavehimbothherhandssothatheshouldhelpherupfromthesofa.Theywentupstairs.Hispyjamasanddressing-gownwereneatlyarrangedonachair.

           "Howwellyousinglemendoyourselves.Suchacosy,friendlybedroom."

           Hetooktheframeddrawingoffthewallandbroughtitoverforhertolookatunderthelight.Itwasaportraitinpencilofastoutishwomaninabonnetandalowneckeddresswithpuffedsleeves.Juliathoughtherplainandthedressridiculous.

           "Isn’titravishing?"shecried.

           "Iknewyou’dlikeit.Agooddrawing,isn’tit?"

           "Amazing."

           Heputthelittlepicturebackonitsnail.