Театр

           Michael,havingtakenJulia’sadvice,hadgonetoagooddealoftroublewithAvice.Hehadrehearsedherbyherselfupstairsinhisprivateroomandhadgivenhereveryintonationandeverygesture.Hehadalso,Juliahadgoodreasontobelieve,lunchedwithherseveraltimesandtakenherouttosupper.Theresultofallthiswasthatshewasplayingthepartuncommonlywell.Michaelrubbedhishands.

           "I’mverypleasedwithher.Ithinkshe’llmakequiteahit.I’vehalfamindtogiveheracontract."

           "Iwouldn’t,"saidJulia."Nottillafterthefirstnight.Youcanneverreallytellhowaperformanceisgoingtopanouttillyou’vegotanaudience."

           "She’sanicegirlandaperfectlady."

           "Anicegirl,Isuppose,becauseshe’smadlyinlovewithyou,andaperfectladybecauseshe’sresistingyouradvancestillshe’sgotacontract."

           "Oh,mydear,don’tbesosilly.Why,I’moldenoughtobeherfather."

           Buthesmiledcomplacently.Sheknewverywellthathislove-makingwentnofartherthanholdinghandsandakissortwoinataxi,butsheknewalsothatitflatteredhimtoimaginethatshesuspectedhimcapableofinfidelity.

           ButnowJulia,havingsatisfiedherappetitewithproperregardforherfigure,attackedthesubjectwhichwasonhermind.

           "Charlesdear,IwanttotalktoyouaboutRoger."

           "Ohyes,hecamebacktheotherday,didn’the?Howishe?"

           "Mydear,amostterriblethinghashappened.He’scomebackafearfulprigandIdon’tknowwhattodoaboutit."

           Shegavehimherversionoftheconversation.