Зима тревоги нашей

           "Oh,youfool,"saidMary.Andshelookedgladandrelieved.Theachewentoutoftheair.

           "Cantheybleachostrichfeathers?"Iasked."It’sturnedyellow."

           "Ithinkso.AskMr.Schultz."

           "I’lltakeitdownMonday."

           "IwishMargiewouldturnthecards,"saidMary."Iwoulddearlylovethat."

           Iputthehatonthenewelpostofthebanister,anditlookedlikeadrunkenadmiralifthereissuchathing.

           "Getthecardtable,Eth.Ittakeslotsofroom."

           Ibroughtitfromthehallclosetandsnappedthelegsopen.

           "Margielikesastraightchair."

           Isetadiningchair."Dowehavetodoanything?"

           "Concentrate,"saidMargie.

           "Onwhat?"

           "Asnearaspossibleonnothing.Thecardsareinmypurseoveronthecouch."

           I’dalwaysthoughtoffortune-tellingcardsasgreasyandthickandbent,butthesewerecleanandshining,asthoughtheywerecoatedwithplastic.Theywerelongerandnarrowerthanplayingcardsandmanymorethanfifty-two.Margiesatstraightatthetableandfannedthem—bright-coloredpicturesandintricatesuits.ThenameswereinFrench:l’empereur,l’ermite,lechariot,lajustice,lemat,lediable—earth,sun,moon,andstars,andsuitsofswords,cups,batons,andmoney,Iguess,ifdenieromeansmoney,butthesymbolwasshapedlikeaheraldicrose,andeachsuitwithitsroi,reine,andchevalier.