Зима тревоги нашей

           Idonotwant,neverhavewanted,moneyforitself.ButmoneyisnecessarytokeepmyplaceinacategoryIamusedtoandcomfortablein.Allthismusthaveworkeditselfoutinthedarkplacebelowmythinkinglevel.Itemergednotasathoughtbutasaconviction.

           "Goodafternoon,"Mrs.Bakersaid."Sogladyoucouldcome.You’veneglectedus,Mary.Hasn’titbeenagloriousday?Didyouenjoytheservice?ForaclergymanIthinkhe’ssuchaninterestingman."

           "Wedon’tseeyounearlyoftenenough,"Mr.Bakersaid."IrememberyourgrandfathersittinginthatverychairandreportingthatthedirtySpaniardshadsunktheMaine.Hespilledhistea,onlyitwasn’ttea.OldCap’nHawleyusedtolacehisrumwithalittletea.Hewasatruculentman,somethoughtaquarrelsomeman."

           IcouldseethatMarywasfirstshakenandthenpleasedatthiswarmth.Ofcourseshedidn’tknowIhadpromotedhertobeanheiress.Areputationformoneyisalmostasnegotiableasmoneyitself.

           Mrs.Baker,herheadjerkingwithsomenervousdisorder,pouredteaintocupsasthinandfragileasmagnoliapetals,andherpouringhandwastheonlysteadypartofher.

           Mr.Bakerstirredwithathoughtfulspoon."Idon’tknowwhetherIloveteaortheceremonyofit,"hesaid."Ilikeallceremonies—eventhesillyones."

           "IthinkIunderstand,"Isaid."ThismorningIfeltcomfortableintheservicebecauseithadnosurprises.Iknewthewordsbeforetheyweresaid.