Зима тревоги нашей

           Mr.Baker’sgoingtoNewYorktomorrowforafewdays.He’sbusyasabug."

           "Whatabout?"

           "HowdoIknow?ButIseparatethemail.He’sbeengettingalotfromAlbany."

           "Politics?"

           "Ionlyseparateit.Idon’treadit.Isbusinessalwaysthisslow?"

           "Aroundfouro’clock,yes.It’llpickupintenminutesorso."

           "Yousee?You’velearned.Ibetyoudidn’tknowthatbeforeyouwentbroke.Beseeingyou.Grabthegoldringforafreeride."

           Thelittlebuyingspurtbetweenfiveandsixcameonschedule.Thesun,heldbackbydaylight-saving,wasstillhighandthestreetslightasmidafternoonwhenhebroughtinthefruitbinsandclosedthefrontdoorsanddrewthegreenshades.Then,readingfromalist,hegatheredthesuppliestocarryhomeandputthemallinonebigbag.Withhisapronoffandhiscoatandhaton,heboostedupandsatonthecounterandstaredattheshelvesofthecongregation."Nomessage!"hesaid."OnlyrememberthewordsofSatchelPaige.IguessIhavetolearnaboutnotlookingback."

           Hetookthefoldedlinedpagesfromhiswallet,madealittleenvelopeforthemofwaxedpaper.Then,openingtheenameldoortotheworksofthecoldcounter,heslippedthewaxyenvelopeinacornerbehindthecompressorandclosedthemetaldooronit.

           UnderthecashregisteronashelfhefoundthedustyanddogearedManhattantelephonebook,keptthereforemergencyorderstothesupplyhouse.