Зима тревоги нашей

           Iclosedthealleydoor,tookoffmyraincoat,unhookedmyapron,wentintothetoilet,tooktheweightoffthechainandstoppedtheflushing,movedbackofthecounter,openedthedrawer,openedmyhatboxandclosedandstrappedit,wentbacktotheentrance,tookupmybroom,andlookedatthewatch.Itwastwominutesandtwentysecondspastnineo’clock;prettygood,butwithalittlepracticeitcouldbecutundertwominutes.

           IwasonlyhalffinishedwiththesidewalkwhenStoney,thechiefconstable,cameacrossfromtheForemasterGrill.

           "Morning,Eth.Gimmeaquickhalf-poundofbutter,poundofbacon,bottleofmilk,andadozeneggs.Mywiferunoutofeverything."

           "Surething,Chief.How’severything?"Igotthethingstogetherandsnappedopenabag.

           "Okay,"hesaid."IcomebyaminuteagobutIheardyouwasinthecan."

           "It’lltakemeaweektogetoverallthosehard-boiledeggs."

           "That’sthetruth,"saidStoney."Man’sgottogo,he’sgottogo."

           Sothatwasallright.

           Ashewasabouttoleave,hesaid,"What’swithyourfriend,DannyTaylor?"

           "Idon’tknow—isheonone?"

           "No,helookedprettygood,fairlyclean.Iwassittinginthecar.Hehadmewitnesshissignature."

           "Forwhat?"

           "Idon’tknow.HadtwopapersbutturnedbacksoIcouldn’tsee."

           "Twopapers?"

           "Yeah,two.HesignedtwiceandIwitnessedtwice."

           "Washesober?"

           "Seemedlike.Hadhishaircutandanecktieon."

           "IwishIcouldbelieveit,Chief."

           "SodoI.Poorfella.