Театр

           Itgaveoneagrandfeelingofconfidencetobeheart-whole.

           Theroominwhichshesatwasconnectedbythreearchwayswiththebigdining-roomwheretheysuppedanddanced;amidthecrowddoubtlesswereacertainnumberwhohadbeentotheplay.Howsurprisedtheywouldbeiftheyknewthatthequietlittlewomaninthecorneroftheadjoiningroom,herfacehalfhiddenbyafelthat,wasJuliaLambert.Itgaveherapleasantsenseofindependencetositthereunknownandunnoticed.Theywereactingaplayforherandshewastheaudience.Shecaughtbriefglimpsesofthemastheypassedthearchway,youngmenandyoungwomen,youngmenandwomennotsoyoung,menwithbaldheadsandmenwithfatbellies,oldharridans*clingingdesperatelytotheirpaintedsemblanceofyouth.Somewereinlove,andsomewerejealous,andsomewereindifferent.

           Hersteakarrived.Itwascookedexactlyasshelikedit,andtheonionswerecrispandbrown.Sheatethefriedpotatoesdelicately,withherfingers,savouringeachoneasthoughitwerethepassingmomentthatshewouldbiddelay.

           "Whatislovebesidesteakandonions?"sheasked.Itwasenchantingtobealoneandallowhermindtowander.ShethoughtoncemoreofTomandspirituallyshruggedahumorousshoulder."Itwasanamusingexperience."

           Itwouldcertainlybeusefultoheroneofthesedays.ThesightofthedancersseenthroughthearchwaywassomuchlikeasceneinaplaythatshewasremindedofanotionthatshehadfirsthadinSt.Malo.