Chapter 9

           

           Thefloorofthestageconsistedofsmoothboards,atthesideswassomepaintedcardboardrepresentingtrees,andatthebackwasaclothstretchedoverboards.Inthecenterofthestagesatsomegirlsinredbodicesandwhiteskirts.Oneveryfatgirlinawhitesilkdresssatapartonalowbench,tothebackofwhichapieceofgreencardboardwasglued.Theyallsangsomething.Whentheyhadfinishedtheirsongthegirlinwhitewentuptotheprompter’sboxandamanwithtightsilktrousersoverhisstoutlegs,andholdingaplumeandadagger,wentuptoherandbegansinging,wavinghisarmsabout.

           Firstthemaninthetighttrouserssangalone,thenshesang,thentheybothpausedwhiletheorchestraplayedandthemanfingeredthehandofthegirlinwhite,obviouslyawaitingthebeattostartsingingwithher.Theysangtogetherandeveryoneinthetheaterbeganclappingandshouting,whilethemanandwomanonthestage—whorepresentedlovers—begansmiling,spreadingouttheirarms,andbowing.

           Afterherlifeinthecountry,andinherpresentseriousmood,allthisseemedgrotesqueandamazingtoNatásha.Shecouldnotfollowtheoperanorevenlistentothemusic;shesawonlythepaintedcardboardandthequeerlydressedmenandwomenwhomoved,spoke,andsangsostrangelyinthatbrilliantlight.Sheknewwhatitwasallmeanttorepresent,butitwassopretentiouslyfalseandunnaturalthatshefirstfeltashamedfortheactorsandthenamusedatthem.

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