Театр

           Whydon’tyoutalkitoverwithsomeonemoreofyourownage?Tom,forinstance."

           "Tom?Apoorlittlesnob.Hisonlyambitioninlifeistobeagentleman,andhehasn’tthesensetoseethatthemorehetriesthemorehopelessitis."

           "Ithoughtyoulikedhimsomuch.Why,atTaplowlastsummeryoujustlivedinhispocket."

           "Ididn’tdislikehim.Imadeuseofhim.HecouldtellmealotofthingsthatIwantedtoknow.ButIthoughthimaninsignificant,sillylittlething."

           Juliarememberedhowinsanelyjealousshehadbeenoftheirfriendship.Itmadeherangrytothinkofalltheagonyshehadwasted.

           "You’vedroppedhim,haven’tyou?"heaskedsuddenly.

           Shewasstartled.

           "IsupposeIhavemoreorless."

           "Ithinkit’sverywiseofyou.Hewasn’tuptoyourmark."

           Helookedatherwithhiscalm,reflectiveeyes,andonasuddenJuliahadasickeningfearthatheknewthatTomhadbeenherlover.Itwasimpossible,shetoldherself,itwasonlyherguiltyconsciencethatmadeherthinkso;atTaplowtherehadbeennothing;itwasincrediblethatanyofthehorridgossiphadreachedhisears;andyettherewassomethinginhisexpressionthatmadehercertainthatheknew.Shewasashamed.

           "IonlyaskedhimtocomedowntoTaplowbecauseIthoughtitwouldbeniceforyoutohaveaboyofthatagetoplayaroundwith."

           "Itwas."

           Therewasinhiseyesafainttwinkleofamusement.Shefeltdesperate