Зима тревоги нашей

           Mygreat-grandmotherwassentencedtoAlaskaforwitchcraft."

           "Whatdidshedo?"

           "Sheraisedstorms."

           Ilaughed."Iseeyoucomebyitnaturally."

           "Raisingstorms?"

           "Readingcards—samething,maybe."

           Marysaid,"You’rejoking.Thatisn’ttrue."

           "Itmaybejoking,Mary,butit’strue.Thatwastheworstcrime,worsethanmurder.I’vestillgotherpapers—onlyofcoursethey’reinRussian."

           "CanyouspeakRussian?"

           "Onlyalittlenow."

           Isaid,"Maybewitchcraftstillistheworstcrime."

           "SeewhatImean?"saidMary."Hejumpsthissideandthatside.Youneverknowwhathe’sthinking.Lastnighthe—hegotupbeforedaylightthismorning.Wentforawalk."

           "I’mascoundrel,"Isaid."Anunmitigated,unredeemablerascal."

           "Well,IwouldliketoseeMargieturnthecards—butherownwaywithoutyoumixingin.Ifwekeeptalking,thechildrenwillbehomeandthenwecan’t."

           "Excusemeamoment,"Isaid.Iclimbedthestairstoourbedroom.Theswordwasonthebedandthehatboxopenonthefloor.Iwenttothebathroomandflushedthetoilet.Youcanhearthewaterrushingalloverthehouse.Iwetaclothincoldwaterandpresseditagainstmyforeheadandparticularlyagainstmyeyes.Theyseemedtobulgefrominsidepressure.Thecoldwaterfeltgood.IsatonthetoiletseatandputmyfacedownagainstthedampwashclothandwhenitwarmedupIwetitagain.Goingthroughthebedroom,IpickedtheplumedKnightTemplar’shatfromitsboxandmarcheddownthestairswearingit.