Зима тревоги нашей

           And,asusuallyhappens,NewBaytownpeoplepersuadedthemselvesthattheylikeditthatway.Theyweresparedthenoiseandlitterofsummerpeople,thegarishglowofneonsigns,thespendingoftouristmoneyandtouristrazzle-dazzle.Onlyafewnewhouseswerebuiltaroundthefineinlandwaters.ButthesnakeofpopulationcontinuedtowritheoutandeveryoneknewthatsoonerorlateritwouldengulfthevillageofNewBaytown.Thelocalpeoplelongedforthatandhatedtheideaofitatthesametime.Theneighboringtownswererich,spilledoverwithlootfromtourists,puffedwithspoils,gleamedwiththegreathousesofthenewrich.OldBaytownspawnedartandceramicsandpansies,andthedamnbroadfootedbroodofLesboswovehandmadefabricsandsmalldomesticintrigues.NewBaytowntalkedoftheolddaysandofflounderandwhentheweakfishwouldstartrunning.

           Inthereedyedgesoftheinnerwaters,themallardsnestedandbroughtouttheiryoungflotillas,muskratsdugcommunitiesandswamlithelyintheearlymorning.Theospreyshung,aimed,andplummetedonfish,andseagullscarriedclamsandscallopshighintheairanddroppedthemtobreakthemopenforeating.Someottersstillclovethewaterlikesecretfurrywhispers;rabbitspoachedinthegardensandgraysquirrelsmovedlikelittlewavesinthestreetsofthevillage.Cockpheasantsflappedandcoughedtheircrowing.Blueheronspoisedintheshallowwaterlikeleggyrapiersandatnightthebitternscriedoutlikelonesomeghosts.