He told his mother to leave the key in the window for him.
"Shall I book seats ?" he asked of Clara.
"Yes.

And put on an evening suit, will you?
I've never seen you in it." "But, good Lord, Clara! Think of ME in evening suit at the theatre!" he remonstrated.
"Would you rather not ?" she asked.
"I will if you WANT me to; but I s'll feel a fool." She laughed at him.
"Then feel a fool for my sake, once, won't you ?" The request made his blood flush up.
"I suppose I s'll have to." "What are you taking a suitcase for ?" his mother asked.
He blushed furiously.
"Clara asked me," he said.
"And what seats are you going in ?" "Circle--three-and-six each!" "Well, I'm sure!" exclaimed his mother sarcastically.
"It's only once in the bluest of blue moons," he said.
He dressed at Jordan's, put on an overcoat and a cap, and met Clara in a cafe.

She was with one of her suffragette friends.

She wore an old long coat, which did not suit her, and had a little wrap over her head, which he hated.

The three went to the theatre together.
Clara took off her coat on the stairs, and he discovered she was in a sort of semi-evening dress, that left her arms and neck and part of her breast bare.