Page 104 - tender-is-the-night

room. But Rosemary triumphed. Her fineness of character,
her courage and steadfastness intruded upon by the vulgar-
ity of the world, and Rosemary showing what it took with
a face that had not yet become mask-like—yet it was actu-
ally so moving that the emotions of the whole row of people
went out to her at intervals during the picture. There was
a break once and the light went on and after the chatter of
applause Dick said to her sincerely: ‘I’m simply astounded.
You’re going to be one of the best actresses on the stage.’
Then back to Daddy’s Girl: happier days now, and a lovely
shot of Rosemary and her parent united at the last in a father
complex so apparent that Dick winced for all psychologists
at the vicious sentimentality. The screen vanished, the lights
went on, the moment had come.
‘I’ve arranged one other thing,’ announced Rosemary to
the company at large, ‘I’ve arranged a test for Dick.’
‘A what?’
‘A screen test, they’ll take one now.’
There was an awful silence—then an irrepressible chor-
tle from the Norths. Rosemary watched Dick comprehend
what she meant, his face moving first in an Irish way; simul-
taneously she realized that she had made some mistake in
the playing of her trump and still she did not suspect that
the card was at fault.
‘I don’t want a test,’ said Dick firmly; then, seeing the
situation as a whole, he continued lightly, ‘Rosemary, I’m
disappointed. The pictures make a fine career for a wom-
an—but my God, they can’t photograph me. I’m an old
scientist all wrapped up in his private life.’

104 Tender is the Night