Зима тревоги нашей
Chapter 11
UnderU,underUnitedStates,underJustice,Deptof...Hisfingermoveddownthecolumnpast"AntitrustDivUSCourtHouse,CustomsDiv,DetentionHdqtrs,FedBurofInvestgatn,"andunderit,"Immigration&NaturalizationSvce,20WBway,BA7-0300,NightsSatSun&HolidaysOL6-5888."
Hesaidaloud,"OL6-5888—OL6-5888becauseit’slate."Andthenhespoketohiscannedgoodswithoutlookingatthem."Ifeverything’sproperandaboveboard,nobodygetshurt."
Ethanwentoutthealleydoorandlockedit.HecarriedhisbagofgroceriesacrossthestreettotheForemasterHotelandGrill.Thegrillwasnoisywithcocktailersbutthetinylobbywherethepublicphoneboothstoodwasdesertedevenbytheroomclerk.Heclosedtheglassdoor,puthisgroceriesonthefloor,spreadhischangeontheshelf,insertedadime,anddialed0.
"Operator."
"Oh!Operator—IwanttocallNewYork."
"Willyoudialthenumber,please?"
Andhedid.
Ethancamefromwork,carryinghisbagofgroceries.Howgoodthelongafternoonsare!Thelawnwassotallandlushthatittookhisfootprints.HekissedMarydamply.
"Pollywog,"hesaid,"thelawnisrunningwild.DoyouthinkIcouldgetAllentocutit?"
"Well,it’sexaminationtime.Youknowhowthatis,andschoolclosingandall."
"What’sthatunearthlysquallingsoundintheotherroom?"
"He’spracticingwithhisvoice-throwinggadget.He’sgoingtoperformattheschoolclosingshow."
"Well,IguessI’llhavetocutthelawnmyself."
"I’msorry,dear."
