Театр

           WhentheyhadbeenengagedforrathermorethanayearanAmericanmanager,lookingfortalentandhavingheardofJimmieLangton’srepertorycompany,cametoMiddlepoolandwasgreatlytakenbyMichael.Hesenthimroundanoteaskinghimtocometohishotelonthefollowingafternoon.Michael,breathlesswithexcitement,showedittoJulia;itcouldonlymeanthathewasgoingtoofferhimapart.Herheartsank,butshepretendedthatshewasasexcitedashe,andwentwithhimnextdaytothehotel.ShewastowaitinthelobbywhileMichaelsawthegreatman.

           "Wishmeluck,"hewhispered,asheturnedfromhertoenterthelift."It’salmosttoogoodtobetrue."

           JuliasatinagreatleatherarmchairwillingwithallhermighttheAmericanmanagertoofferapartthatMichaelwouldrefuseorasalarythathefeltitwouldbebeneathhisdignitytoaccept.OralternativelythatheshouldgetMichaeltoreadtheparthehadinviewandcometotheconclusionthathecouldnottouchit.ButwhenshesawMichaelcomingtowardsherhalfanhourlater,hiseyesbrightandhisstepswinging,sheknewhehadclicked.Foramomentshethoughtshewasgoingtobesick,andwhensheforcedonherfaceaneager,happysmile,shefeltthathermuscleswerestiffandhard.

           "It’sallright.Hesaysit’sadamnedgoodpart,aboy’spart,nineteen.EightortenweeksinNewYorkandthenontheroad.It’sasafefortyweekswithJohnDrew.Twohundredandfiftydollarsaweek."

           "Oh,darling,howwonderfulforyou."

           Itwasquiteclearthathehadacceptedwithalacrity.