Зима тревоги нашей

           Andhowmuchofthehoneythecleverbeescollectdothecleverbeeseat?"

           WhenMaryisconfusedorperplexed,shespurtsangerthewayanoctopusspurtsink,andhidesinthedarkcloudofit.

           "Youmakemesick,"shesaid."Youcan’tletanyonehavealittlehappiness."

           "Mydarling,itisn’tthat.It’sadespairingunhappinessI’mafraidof,thepanicmoneybrings,theprotectivenessandtheenvy."

           Shemusthavebeenunconsciouslyfearfulofthesamething.Shestruckatme,probedforahurtingplace,andfounditandtwistedthejaggedwords."Here’sagroceryclerkwithoutabeanworriedabouthowbaditwillbewhenhe’srich.Youactasthoughyoucouldpickupafortuneanytimeyouwantto."

           "IthinkIcan."

           "How?"

           "That’stheworry."

           "Youdon’tknowhoworyou’dhavedoneitbefore.You’rejustbluffing.Youalwaysbluff."

           Theintenttowoundraisesrage.Icouldfeelthefeverriseinme.Ugly,desperatewordsmoveduplikevenom.Ifeltasourhatefulness.

           Marysaid,"Look!Thereitgoes!Didyouseeit?"

           "Where?What?"

           "Wentrightpastthetreethereandintoouryard."

           "Whatwasit,Mary?Tellme!Whatdidyousee?"

           IntheduskIsawhersmile,thatincrediblefemalesmile.Itiscalledwisdombutitisn’tthatbutratheranunderstandingthatmakeswisdomunnecessary.

           "Youdidn’tseeanything,Mary."

           "Isawaquarrel—butitgotaway."

           Iputmyarmaboutherandturnedher."Let’sgoaroundtheblockbeforewegoin."