diverged. She didnтt suppose there was
much money to be made, but even to pretend
to be rich seemed like happiness to her.
Augusta was willing to be poor, if she was
loved. "Now Iтve no fortune," Asa said to
her in response, "but Iтm biling over with
affections, which Iтm ready to pour out
all over you, like apple sass, over roast
pork."
The women exited. He was alone on the
stage. Anna could see Laura Keene mouthing
his line, just as he spoke it. The woman
seated next to her surprised her by
whispering it aloud as well.
"Well, I guess I know enough to turn you
inside out, old gal, you sockdologizing
old man-trap," the three of them said.
Anna turned to her seatmate who stared
back. Her accent, Anna thought, had been
English. "Donтt you love theater?" she
asked Anna in a whisper. Then her face
changed. She was looking at something
above Annaтs head.
Anna looked, too. Now she understood the
womanтs expression. John Wilkes Booth was
standing in the presidential box, staring
down on the actor. Anna rose. Her seatmate
caught her arm. She was considerably older
than Anna, but not enough so that Anna
could entirely dismiss her possible impact
on Booth.
"Do you know him?" the woman asked.
"Heтs a friend of my brotherтs." Anna had
no intention of introducing them. She
tried to edge away, but the woman still
held her.
"My name is Cassie Streichman."
"Anna Surratt."
There was a quick, sideways movement in
the womanтs eyes. "Are you related to Mary
Surratt?"
