Театр

           Sheseemedtobetwopersons,themistressinherlover’sembrace,andtheactresswhoalreadysawinhermind’seyethevastvaguedarkaudienceandheardtheshoutsofapplauseasshesteppedontothestage.When,alittlelater,theylaysidebyside,hewithhisarmroundherneck,sheforgotabouthimsocompletelythatshewasquitesurprisedwhenhebrokealongsilence.

           "Don’tyoucareformeanymore?"

           Shegavehimalittlehug.

           "Ofcourse,darling.Idoteonyou."

           "You’resostrangetoday."

           Sherealizedthathewasdisappointed.Poorlittlething,shedidn’twanttohurthisfeelings.Hewasverysweetreally.

           "WiththefirstnightbeforemeI’mnotreallymyselftoday.Youmustn’tmind."

           Whenshecametotheconclusion,quitedefinitelynow,thatshenolongercaredtwostrawsforhimshecouldnothelpfeelingagreatpityforhim.Shestrokedhischeekgently.

           "Sweetiepie.(IwonderifMichaelrememberedtohaveteasentalongtothequeues.Itdoesn’tcostmuchandtheydoappreciateitsoenormously.)Youknow,Ireallymustgetup.MissPhillipsiscomingatsix.Eviewillbeinastate,shewon’tbeabletothinkwhat’shappenedtome."

           Shechatteredbrightlywhileshedressed.Shewasconscious,althoughshedidnotlookathim,thatTomwasvaguelyuneasy.Sheputherhaton,thenshetookhisfaceinbothherhandsandgavehimafriendlykiss.

           "Good-bye,mylamb.Haveagoodtimetonight."

           "Bestofluck."

           Hesmiledwithsomeawkwardness.Sheperceivedthathedidnotquiteknowwhattomakeofher