Зима тревоги нашей

           "Youalwaysmixmeup.You’vegoteveryrighttobeproud—PilgrimFathersandwhalingcaptainsrightinonefamily."

           "Havethey?"

           "Whatdoyoumean?"

           "Wouldmygreatancestorsbeproudtoknowtheyproducedagoddamgroceryclerkinagoddamwopstoreinatowntheyusedtoown?"

           "Youarenot.You’remorelikethemanager,keepthebooksandbankthemoneyandorderthegoods."

           "Sure.AndIsweepoutandcarrygarbageandkowtowtoMarullo,andifIwasagoddamcat,I’dbecatchingMarullo’smice."

           Sheputherarmsaroundhim."Let’sbesilly,"shesaid."Pleasedon’tsayswearwordsonGoodFriday.Idoloveyou."

           "Okay,"hesaidafteramoment."That’swhattheyallsay.Don’tthinkthatletsyouliejaybirdnakedwithamarriedman."

           "Iwasgoingtotellyouaboutthechildren."

           "Theyinjail?"

           "Nowyou’resillyagain.Maybeit’sbetteriftheytellyou."

           "Nowwhydon’tyou—"

           "MargieYoung-Hunt’sgoingtoreadmeagaintoday."