Зима тревоги нашей

           Shesatupandpulleddownherskirtlikeayounglady.

           "I’vebeenreadingthespeechesofHenryClay.Hesurewasgood."

           "Yes,hewas."

           "Doyourememberthem?"

           "Notreally,Iguess.It’sbeenalongtimesinceIreadthem."

           "He’sgreat."

           "Somehowitdoesn’tseemschoolgirlreading."

           "He’sjustgreat."

           Ethangotupfromhischairwithawholelongandwearydaypushinghimback.

           InthekitchenhefoundMaryred-eyedandangry.

           "Iheardyou,"shesaid."Idon’tknowwhatyouthinkyou’redoing.He’sjustalittleboy."

           "That’sthetimetostart,mydarling."

           "Don’tdarlingme.Iwon’tstandatyrant."

           "Tyrant?Oh,Lord!"

           "He’sjustalittleboy.Youwentforhim."

           "Ithinkhefeelsbetternow."

           "Idon’tknowwhatyoumean.Youcrushedhimlikeaninsect."

           "No,darling.Igavehimaquickglimpseoftheworld.Hewasbuildingafalseone."

           "Whoareyoutoknowwhattheworldis?"

           Ethanwalkedpastherandoutthebackdoor.

           "Whereareyougoing?"

           "Tocutthelawn."

           "Ithoughtyouweretired."

           "Iam—Iwas."Helookedoverhisshoulderandupatherstandinginsidethescreeneddoor."Amanisalonelything,"hesaid,andhesmiledatheramomentbeforehegotoutthelawnmower.

           Maryheardthewhirringbladestearingthroughthesoftandsupplegrass.

           Thesoundstoppedbythedoorstep.Ethancalled,"Mary,Mary,mydarling.Iloveyou."Andthewhirlingbladesragedonthroughtheovergrowngrass.