Зима тревоги нашей

           Theninthedrenchingsunshineweshookhandsandgreetedandshookhandsandwishedtheseason’sbesttothecommunityofourneighbors.Allthosewehadspokentocomingin,weregreetedgoingout—acontinuationofthelitany,ofacontinuouslitanyintheformofdecorousgoodmanners,aquietsupplicationtobenoticedandtoberespected.

           "Goodmorning.Andhowareyouthisfineday?"

           "Verywell,thankyou.Howisyourmother?"

           "She’sgettingold—gettingold—theachesanddaggersofgettingold.I’lltellheryouaskedforher."

           Thewordsaremeaninglessexceptintermsoffeeling.Doesanyoneactastheresultofthoughtordoesfeelingstimulateactionandsometimesthoughtimplementit?AheadofoursmallparadeinthesunwentMr.Baker,avoidingsteppingoncracks;hismother,deadthesetwentyyears,wassafefromabrokenback.AndMrs.Baker,Amelia,trippingalongbesidehim,tryingtomatchhisunevenstridewithherflutteringfeet,asmall,bright-eyedbirdofawoman,butaseed-eatingbird.

           Allen,myson,walkedbesidehissister,buteachofthemtriedtogivetheimpressionthattheyweretotalstrangers.Ithinkshedespiseshimandhedetestsher.Thismaylastalltheirliveswhiletheylearntoconcealitinarosecloudoflovingwords.Givethemtheirlunches,mysister,mywife—theirhard-boiledeggsandpickles,theirjelly-and-peanut-buttersandwiches,theirredbarrel-smellingapples,andturnthemfreeintheworldtospawn.

           Andthat’sjustwhatshedid.