Театр

           Juliahummedinanundertoneasshewentintoherdressing-room.

           Michaelfollowedherinalmostatonce.

           "Itlookslikeawinnerallright."Hethrewhisarmsroundherandkissedher."ByGod,whataperformanceyougave."

           "Youweren’tsobadyourself,dear."

           "That’sthesortofpartIcanplayonmyhead,"heansweredcarelessly,modestasusualabouthisownacting."Didyouhearthemduringyourlongspeech?Thatoughttoknockthecritics."

           "Oh,youknowwhattheyare.They’llgivealltheirattentiontotheblastedplayandthenthreelinesattheendtome."

           "You’rethegreatestactressintheworld,darling,butbyGod,you’reabitch."

           Juliaopenedhereyesverywideinanexpressionofthemostnaivesurprise.

           "Michael,whatdoyoumean?"

           "Don’tlooksoinnocent.Youknowperfectlywell.Doyouthinkyoucancodanoldtrooperlikeme?"

           Hewaslookingatherwithtwinklingeyes,anditwasverydifficultforhernottoburstoutlaughing.

           "Iamasinnocentasababeunborn."

           "Comeoffit.IfanyoneeverdeliberatelykilledaperformanceyoukilledAvice’s.Icouldn’tbeangrywithyou,itwassobeautifullydone."

           NowJuliasimplycouldnotconcealthelittlesmilethatcurledherlips.Praiseisalwaysgratefultotheartist.Avice’sonebigscenewasinthesecondact.ItwaswithJulia,andMichaelhadrehearseditsoastogiveitalltothegirl.ThiswasindeedwhattheplaydemandedandJulia,asalways,hadinrehearsalsacceptedhisdirection.