Театр

           Juliagaveabeautifulperformanceofunaffectedmodesty.Thecorridorwaspackednowwithpeoplewhowantedtogetatleastaglimpseofher.Dollyhadtofightherwayout.

           "Trynottobetoolate,"shesaidtoJulia."It’sgoingtobeaheavenlyparty."

           "I’llcomeassoonaseverIcan."

           AtlastthecrowdwasgotridofandJulia,havingundressed,begantotakeoffhermake-up.Michaelcamein,wearingadressing-gown.

           "Isay,Julia,you’llhavetogotoDolly’spartybyyourself.I’vegottoseethelibrariesandIcan’tmanageit.I’mgoingtostingthem."

           "Oh,allright."

           "They’rewaitingformenow.Seeyouinthemorning."

           HewentoutandshewasleftalonewithEvie.ThedressshehadarrangedtowearforDolly’spartywasplacedoverachair.Juliasmearedherfacewithcleansingcream.

           "Evie,Mr.Fennelwillberinginguptomorrow.WillyousayI’mout?"

           EvielookedinthemirrorandcaughtJulia’seyes.

           "Andifheringsupagain?"

           "Idon’twanttohurthisfeelings,poorlamb,butIhaveanotionIshallbeverymuchengagedforsometimenow."

           Eviesniffedloudly,andwiththatratherdisgustinghabitofhersdrewherforefingeracrossthebottomofhernose.

           "Iunderstand,"shesaiddryly.

           "Ialwayssaidyouweren’tsuchafoolasyoulooked."Juliawentonwithherface."What’sthatdressdoingonthatchair?"

           "That?That’sthedressyousaidyou’dwearfortheparty."

           "Putitaway.Ican’tgotothepartywithoutMr.Gosselyn."

           "Sincewhen?"

           "Shutup,youoldhag.