Театр

           Whenshegothomeshewentupstairstoherroom.Shesnatchedherhatoffherheadandflungitangrilyonthebed.Shestrodeovertothelooking-glassandstaredatherself.

           "Old,old,old,"shemuttered."Therearenotwowaysaboutit;I’mentirelydevoidofsexappeal.Youwouldn’tbelieveit,wouldyou?You’dsayitwaspreposterous.Whatotherexplanationisthere?IwalkfromoneendoftheEdgwareRoadtotheotherandGodknowsI’ddressedthepartperfectly,andnotamanpaysthesmallestattentiontomeexceptabloodylittleshop-assistantwhowantsmyautographforhisyounglady.It’sabsurd.Alotofsexlessbastards.Idon’tknowwhat’scomingtotheEnglish.TheBritishEmpire!"

           Thelastwordsshesaidwithascornthatwouldhavewitheredawholefrontbenchofcabinetministers.Shebegantogesticulate.

           "It’sridiculoustosupposethatIcouldhavegottomypositionifIhadn’tgotsexappeal.Whatdopeoplecometoseeanactressfor?Becausetheywanttogotobedwithher.DoyoumeantotellmethatIcouldfillatheatreforthreemonthswitharottenplayifIhadn’tgotsexappeal?Whatissexappealanyway?"

           Shepaused,lookingatherselfreflectively.

           "SurelyIcanactsexappeal.Icanactanything."

           Shebegantothinkoftheactresseswhonotoriouslyhadit,ofoneespecially,LydiaMayne,whomonealwaysengagedwhenonewantedavamp.Shewasnotmuchofanactress,butincertainpartsshewaswonderfullyeffective.Juliawasagreatmimic,andnowshebegantodoanimitationofLydiaMayne