Театр

           Juliawasablenowtohaveagoodlookathim.Thoughstockyandshorthehadgoodfeatures,hisblackhairwasplastereddownonhisheadandhehadfineeyes,buthisteethwerepoorandhispaleskingavehimanunhealthylook.TherewasasortofimpudenceinhismannerthatJuliadidnotmuchlike,butthen,asshesensiblyreflected,youcouldhardlyexpectthemodestyofthevioletinayoungmanwhopickedyouupintheEdgwareRoad.

           "Beforewegoanyfurtherlet’s’avethisautograph,eh?Doitnow,that’smymotto."

           Hetookafountainpenfromhispocketandfromabulgingpocket-bookalargecard.

           "Oneofourtradecards,"hesaid."That’lldoO.K."

           Juliathoughtitsillytocarrythesubterfugetothislength,butshegood-humouredlysignedhernameonthebackofthecard.

           "Doyoucollectautographs?"sheaskedhimwithasubtlesmile.

           "Me?Noa.Ithinkit’salotoftommyrot.Myyoungladydoes.She’sgotCharlieChaplinandDouglasFairbanksandIdon’tknowwhatall.Showyou’erphotoifyoulike."

           Fromhispocket-bookheextractedasnapshotofaratherpert-looking*youngwomanshowingallherteethinacinemasmile.

           "Pretty,"saidJulia.

           "Andhow.We’regoingtothepicturestonight.ShewillbesurprisedwhenIgiveheryourautograph.ThefirstthingIsaidtomeselfwhenIknewitwasyouwas,I’llgetJuliaLambert’sautographforGwenordieintheattempt.We’regoingtogetmarriedinAugust,whenI’avemy’oliday,youknow;we’regoingtotheIsleofWightforthe’oneymoon.