Театр

           MichaelhadlongwantedJuliaatleasttogetamaidwhoseappearancewasmoresuitabletotheirposition,andhehadtriedtopersuadeEviethattheworkwastoomuchforher,butEviewouldnothearofit.

           "Youcansaywhatyoulike,Mr.Gosselyn,butnoone’sgoingtomaidMissLambertaslongasI’vegotme’ealthandstrength."

           "We’reallgettingon,youknow,Evie.We’renotsoyoungaswewere."

           Eviedrewherforefingeracrossthebaseofhernostrilsandsniffed.

           "AslongasMissLambert’syoungenoughtoplaywomenoftwenty-five,I’myoungenoughtodress’er.Andmaid’er."Eviegavehimasharplook."An’whatd’youwanttopaytwolotsofwagesfor,whenyoucangettheworkdoneforone?"

           Michaelchuckledinhisgood-humouredway.

           "There’ssomethinginthat,Eviedear."

           ShebustledJuliaupstairs.WhenshehadnomatineeJuliawenttobedforacoupleofhoursintheafternoonandthenhadalightmassage.Sheundressednowandslippedbetweenthesheets.

           "Damn,myhotwaterbottle’snearlystonecold."

           Shelookedattheclockonthechimney-piece.Itwasnowonder.Itmusthavebeenthereanhour.ShehadnonotionthatshehadstayedsolonginMichael’sroom,lookingatthosephotographsandidlythinkingofthepast.

           "Forty-six.Forty-six.Forty-six.IshallretirewhenI’msixty.Atfifty-eightSouthAfricaandAustralia.Michaelsayswecancleanupthere.Twentythousandpounds.Icanplayallmyoldparts.OfcourseevenatsixtyIcouldplaywomenofforty-five.Butwhataboutparts?Thosebloodydramatists."