Зима тревоги нашей

           Thetarotcardsdidnotrespondwhenshesoughthelpforherself.

           Margiehadknownmanymen,mostofthemguilty,woundedintheirvanity,ordespairing,sothatshehaddevelopedacontemptforherquarryasaprofessionalhunterofvermindoes.Itwaseasytomovesuchmenthroughtheirfearsandtheirvanities.Theyachedsotobefooledthatshenolongerfelttriumph—onlyakindofdisgustedpity.Thesewereherfriendsandassociates.Sheprotectedthemevenfromthediscoverythattheywereherfriends.Shegavethemthebestofherselfbecausetheydemandednothingofher.Shekeptthemsecretbecauseatthebottomshedidnotadmireherself.DannyTaylorwasoneofthese,andAlfioMarulloanother,andChiefStonewallJacksonSmithathird,andtherewereothers.Theytrustedherandshethem,andtheirsecretexistencewastheonewarmhonestytowhichshecouldretiretorestoreherself.Thesefriendstalkedfreelyandwithoutfeartoher,fortothemshewasakindofAndersen’sWell—receptive,unjudging,andsilent.Asmostpeoplehavesecretvices,MargieYoung-Huntconcealedasecretvirtue.AndbecauseofthisquietthingitisprobablethatsheknewmoreaboutNewBaytown,andevenWessexCounty,thananyone,andherknowledgewasun-warpedbecauseshewouldnot—couldnot—useitforherownprofit.Butinotherfields,everythingthatcametoherhandwasusable.

           HerprojectEthanAllenHawleybegancasuallyandoutofidleness.Inawayhewascorrectinthinkingitwasmischievous,atestingofherpower.