Зима тревоги нашей

           Maybesixtyyearsago,theTaylorhouseburneddownandwasneverrebuilt.AskidsDannyandIusedtorideoutthereonbicycles.Weplayedinthestonecellarandbuiltahuntinglodgeofbricksfromtheoldfoundation.Thegardensmusthavebeenwonderful.Wecouldseeavenuesoftreesandasuggestionofformalhedgesandbordersamongthescrabbleofthereturnedforest.Hereandtherewouldbeastretchofstonebalustrade,andoncewefoundabustofPanonataperingstand.Ithadfallenonitsfaceandburieditshornsandbeardinthesandyloam.Westooditupandcleaneditandcelebrateditforatime,butgreedandgirlsgotthebetterofus.WefinallycarteditintoFloodhamptonandsoldittoajunkmanforfivedollars.Itmusthavebeenagoodpiece,maybeanoldone.

           DannyandIwerefriendsasallboysmusthavefriends.ThenhisappointmenttotheNavalAcademycamethrough.Isawhimonceinuniformandnotagainforyears.NewBaytownwasandisatight,close-madetown.EveryoneknewDannywasexpelledandnoonediscussedit.Taylorsdiedout,well,justasHawleysdiedout.I’mtheonlyoneleft,and,ofcourse,Allen,myson.Dannydidn’tcomebackuntiltheywerealldead,andhecamebackadrunk.AtfirstItriedtohelpbuthedidn’twantme.Hedidn’twantanybody.But,inspiteofit,wewereclose—veryclose.

           IwentovereverythingIcouldrememberrightuptothatverymorningwhenIgavehimthedollartolethimfindhislocaloblivion.