Зима тревоги нашей

           Hewashopelesslyinlovewithher,somuchsothatwhensheneededadivorcehedidnotaskforaremarriageclauseinhisalimonysettlement.

           Hersecondhusbandthoughtshehadaprivatefortuneandsoshehad.Hedidn’tleavehermuchwhenhedied,but,withthealimonyfromherfirsthusband,shecouldlivedecently,dresswell,andcastaboutatleisure.Supposeherfirsthusbandshoulddie!Therewasthefearspot.Therewasthenight—ordaymare—themonthly-check-mare.

           InJanuaryshehadseenhimatthatgreatwidecrossofMadisonAvenueandFifty-seventhStreet.Helookedoldandgaunt.Shewashauntedwithhismortality.Ifthebastarddied,themoneywouldstop.Shethoughtshemightbetheonlypersonintheworldwhowholeheartedlyprayedforhishealth.

           Hislean,silentfaceanddeadeyescameonhermemoryscreennowandtouchedoffthehotspotinherstomach.Ifthesonofabitchshoulddie...

           Margie,leaningtowardthemirror,pausedandhurledherwilllikeajavelin.Herchinrose;theropesdroppedback;hereyesshone;theskinsnuggledclosetoherskull;hershoulderssquared.Shestoodupandwaltzedinadeftcircleonthedeep-piledredcarpet.Herfeetwerebare,withgleamingpinkenedtoenails.Shemustrush,shemusthurry,beforeitwastoolate.

           Sheflungopenherclosetandlaidhandsonthesweet,provocativedressshehadbeensavingfortheFourthofJulyweekend,theshoeswithpencilheels,thestockingsmoresheerthannostockingsatall.Therewasnolanguorinhernow.