Зима тревоги нашей

           "Doctor?"

           "No."

           "Ican’tleaveyoualone.CanEllenstaywithyou?"

           "No,shehasexaminations."

           "CouldIcallupMargieYoung-Hunttocomeover?"

           "Herphoneisout.She’sgettinganewthingamabob."

           "Icangobyandaskher."

           "She’dkillanybodythatwakedherthisearly."

           "Icouldslipanoteunderherdoor."

           "No,Idon’twantyouto."

           "Nothingtoit."

           "No,no.Idon’twantyouto.Idon’twantyouto."

           "Ican’tleaveyoualone."

           "That’sfunny.Ifeelbetter.Iguessitwasshoutingatyouthatdidit.Well,it’strue,"shesaid,andtoproveitshegotupandputonherdressinggown.Shedidlookbetter.

           "You’rewonderful,mydarling."

           Icutmyselfshavingandwentdowntobreakfastwitharedtatteroftoiletpaperstickingtomyface.

           NoMorphstandingontheporchpickinghisteethwhenIwentby.Iwasglad.Ididn’twanttoseehim.Ihurriedjustincasehemighttrytocatchupwithme.

           WhenIopenedthealleydoorIsawthebrownbankenvelopethathadbeenpushedunderit.Itwassealedandbankenvelopesaretough.Ihadtogetoutmypocketknifetoslititopen.

           Threesheetsofpaperfromafive-centlinedschoolpad,writtenonwithasoftleadpencil.Awill:"I,beinginmyrightmind..."and"InconsiderationI..."Anoteofhand:"Iagreetorepayandpledgemy..."Bothpaperssigned,thewritingneatandprecise."DearEth:Thisiswhatyouwant."

           Theskinonmyfacefeltashardasacrab’sback