Зима тревоги нашей

           Heheldhisblackhatinhishandandhesmiledatmenervouslylikeadogoutofbounds.

           "Comein."

           "No,"hesaid."Ijustgotonewordtosay.Iheardhowthatfellaofferedyouakickback."

           "Yes?"

           "Iheardhowyouthrewhimout."

           "Whotoldyou?"

           "Ican’ttell."Hesmiledagain.

           "Well,whataboutit?YoutryingtosayIshouldhavetakenit?"

           Hesteppedforwardandshookmyhand,pumpeditupanddowntwiceveryformally."You’reagoodfella,"hesaid.

           "Maybehedidn’tofferenough."

           "Youkidding?You’reagoodfella.That’sall.You’reagoodfella."Hereachedinhisbulgingsidepocketandbroughtoutabag."Youtakethis."Hepattedmyshoulderandtheninawelterofembarrassmentturnedandfled;hisshortlegspumpedhimawayandhisfatneckflamedwhereitbulgedoverhisstiffwhitecollar.

           "Whatwasit?"

           Ilookedinthebag—coloredcandyEastereggs.Wehadabigsquareglassjarofthematthestore."Hebroughtapresentforthekids,"Isaid.

           "Marullo?Broughtapresent.Ican’tbelieveit."

           "Well,hedid."

           "Why?Heneverdidanythinglikethat."

           "Iguesshejustplainlovesme."

           "IstheresomethingIdon’tknow?"

           "Duckblossom,thereareeightmillionthingsnoneofusknow."Thechildrenwerestaringinfromtheopenbackdoor.Iheldoutthebagtothem."Apresentfromanadmirer.Don’tgetintothemuntilafterbreakfast."

           Asweweregettingdressedforchurch,Marysaid,"IwishIknewwhatthatwasallabout."