Театр
Chapter 1
Sincehisfiveyearsatthewarhehadadoptedamilitarybearing,sothatifyouhadnotknownwhohewas(whichwasscarcelypossible,forinonewayandanotherhisphotographwasalwaysappearingintheillustratedpapers)youmighthavetakenhimforanofficerofhighrank.Heboastedthathisweighthadnotchangedsincehewastwenty,andforyears,wetorfine,hehadgotupeverymorningateighttoputonshortsandasweaterandhavearunroundRegent’sPark.
"Thesecretarytoldmeyouwererehearsingthismorning,MissLambert,"theyoungmanremarked."Doesthatmeanyou’reputtingonanewplay?"
"Notabitofit,"answeredMichael."We’replayingtocapacity."
"Michaelthoughtweweregettingabitragged,sohecalledarehearsal."
"I’mverygladIdid.IfoundlittlebitsofbusinesshadcreptinthatIhadn’tgiventhemandagoodmanylibertieswerebeingtakenwiththetext.I’magreatsticklerforsayingtheauthor’sexactwords,though,Godknows,thewordsauthorswritenowadaysaren’tmuch."
"Ifyou’dliketocomeandseeourplay,"Juliasaidgraciously,"I’msureMichaelwillbedelightedtogiveyousomeseats."
"I’dlovetocomeagain,"theyoungmanansweredeagerly."I’veseenitthreetimesalready."
"Youhaven’t?"criedJulia,withsurprise,thoughsherememberedperfectlythatMichaelhadalreadytoldherso."Ofcourseit’snotabadlittleplay,it’sservedourpurposeverywell,butIcan’timagineanyonewantingtoseeitthreetimes."
