Театр

           Thatthere’snodoubtaboutatall."

           "Diet!"shethought."WhenI’msixtyIshallletmyselfgo.IshalleatallthebreadandbutterIlike.I’llhavehotrollsforbreakfast,I’llhavepotatoesforlunchandpotatoesfordinner.Andbeer.God,howIlikebeer.Peasoupandtomatosoup;treaclepuddingandcherrytart.Cream,cream,cream.AndsohelpmeGod,I’llnevereatspinachagainaslongasIlive."

           WhenthemassagewasfinishedEviebroughtheracupoftea,asliceofhamfromwhichthefathadbeencut,andsomedrytoast.Juliagotup,dressed,andwentdownwithMichaeltothetheatre.Shelikedtobethereanhourbeforethecurtainrangup.Michaelwentontodineathisclub.Eviehadprecededherinacabandwhenshegotintoherdressing-roomeverythingwasreadyforher.Sheundressedoncemoreandputonadressing-gown.Asshesatdownatherdressing-tabletomakeupshenoticedsomefreshflowersinavase.

           "Hulloa,whosentthem?Mrs.deVries?"Dollyalwayssentherahugebasketonherfirstnights,andonthehundredthnight,andthetwohundredthiftherewasone,andinbetween,wheneversheorderedflowersforherownhouse,hadsomesenttoJulia.

           "No,miss."

           "LordCharles?"

           LordCharlesTamerleywastheoldestandthemostconstantofJulia’sadmirers,andwhenhepassedaflorist’shewasveryapttodropinandordersomerosesforher.

           "Here’sthecard,"saidEvie.

           Julialookedatit.Mr.ThomasFennell.TavistockSquare.

           "Whataplacetolive.