Зима тревоги нашей
Chapter 8
"Sure,I’llpromise,Eth.ButIhopeI’veconvincedyouwhatadrunk’spromiseisworth.Justbringthecash.Stayaslongasyoulike.Myhouseisyourhouse.I’mgoingout.SeeyouWednesday,Eth."HeeasedhimselfupoutoftheoldArmycot,flungthecomforterbehindit,andwalkedoutwitharollinggait.Hispantswerenotzippedup.
Isatforawhile,watchingthecandlegutterdownintothegreaseofthesaucer.Everythinghehadsaidwastrue,exceptonethingonwhichIplacedmybet.Hehadn’tchangedthatmuch.SomewhereinthewreckagewasDannyTaylor.Ididn’tbelievehecouldamputateDanny.IlovedDannyandIwaspreparedto—dojustwhathesaid.Iwas.FromadistanceIheardhimsinginginaclear,highfalsetto:
"Speed,bonnieboat,likeabirdonthewing.
‘Onward!’thesailorscry!
Carrytheladthat’sborntobeking
OvertheseatoSkye."
AfteralonelywhileIblewoutthecandleandwalkedhomebywayofHighStreet.Williewasn’tasleepyetinthepolicecar.
"Seemstomeyou’reoutalot,Eth,"hesaid.
"Youknowhowitis."
"Sure.Spring.Youngman’sfancy."
Marywasasleep,smiling,butwhenIslippedinbesideher,shehalfawakened.Themiserywasinmystomach—thecold,hurtingmisery.Maryturnedonhersideandgatheredmeintoherwarmgrass-smellingbodyandIneededher.Iknewthemiserywouldgetless,butrightnowIneededher.Idon’tknowwhethershereallyawakenedbutevensleepingsheknewmyneed.
