Зима тревоги нашей
Chapter 1
"Waterunderthebridge,Ethan—waterunderthebridge.Iknowyougotburned.Buttimesarechanging,newopportunitiesopeningup."
"Ihadmyopportunity,Mr.Baker,moreopportunitythangoodsense.Don’tforgetIownedthisstorerightafterthewar.Hadtosellhalfablockofrealestatetostockit—thelastofourbusinessproperty."
"Iknow,Ethan.I’myourbanker.Knowyourbusinessthewayyourdoctorknowsyourpulse."
"Sureyouknow.Tookmelessthantwoyearstodamnneargobankrupt.Hadtoselleverythingbutmyhousetopaymydebts."
"Youcan’ttakealltheblameforthat.FreshoutoftheArmy—nobusinessexperience.Anddon’tforgetyouransmackintoadepression,onlywecalleditrecession.Someprettyseasonedbusinessmenwentunder."
"Iwentunderallright.It’sthefirsttimeinhistoryaHawleywaseveraclerkinaguineagrocery."
"Nowthat’swhatIdon’tunderstand,Ethan.Anybodycangobroke.WhatIdon’tseeiswhyyoustaybroke,amanofyourfamilyandbackgroundandeducation.Itdoesn’thavetobepermanentunlessyourbloodhaslostitsguts.Whatknockedyouout,Ethan?Whatkeptyouknockedout?"
Ethanstartedanangryretort—Courseyoudon’tunderstand;you’veneverhadit—andthenhesweptasmallcircleofgumwrappersandcigarettebuttsintoapyramidandmovedthepyramidtowardthegutter."Mendon’tgetknockedout,orImeantheycanfightbackagainstbigthings.Whatkillsthemiserosion;theygetnudgedintofailure.Theygetslowlyscared.I’mscared.LongIslandLightingCompanymightturnoffthelights.Mywifeneedsclothes.Mychildren—shoesandfun.
