Театр

           Andthenyouhadtocometothebackofthestage,nearwhereIwasstanding,thetearswerestreamingdownyourface;youstoodwithyourbacktotheaudienceandinyourordinaryvoiceyousaidtothestagemanager:whatthebloodyhellisthatelectriciandoingwiththelights?Itoldhimtoleaveouttheblue.Andtheninthesamebreathyouturnedroundandfacedtheaudiencewithagreatcryofanguishandwentonwiththescene."

           "But,darling,thatwasacting.Ifanactressfelttheemotionssherepresentedshe’dtearherselftopieces.Irememberthescenewell.Itusedtobringdownthehouse.I’veneverheardsuchapplauseinmylife."

           "IsupposeIwasafooltobetakeninbyit.Ibelievedyoumeantwhatyousaid.WhenIsawthatitwasallpretenceitsmashedsomething.I’veneverbelievedinyousince.I’dbeenmadeafoolofonce;ImadeupmymindthatIwouldn’teverbemadeafoolofagain."

           Shegavehimherdelightfulanddisarmingsmile.

           "Darling,Ithinkyou’retalkingnonsense."

           "Ofcourseyoudo.Youdon’tknowthedifferencebetweentruthandmake-believe.Youneverstopacting.It’ssecondnaturetoyou.Youactwhenthere’sapartyhere.Youacttotheservants,youacttofather,youacttome.Tomeyouactthepartofthefond,indulgent,celebratedmother.Youdon’texist,you’reonlytheinnumerablepartsyou’veplayed.I’veoftenwonderediftherewaseverayouorifyouwereneveranythingmorethanavehicleforalltheseotherpeoplethatyou’vepretendedtobe.