Зима тревоги нашей

           Shedressedasquicklyandefficientlyasabutcherwhetshisknifeandshecheckedagainstafull-lengthmirrorthewaythatsamebutchertestshisbladeagainsthisthumb.Speedbutnorush,speedforthemanwhowillnotwait,andthen—thecasualslownessoftheinformed,thesmart,thechic,theconfident,theladywithprettylegsandimmaculatewhitegloves.Nomanshepassedfailedtolookafterher.MillerBrothers’truckdriverwhistledashelumberedbywithlumberandtwohigh-schoolboysleveledslittedValentinoeyesatherandpainfullyswallowedthesalivathatfloodedtheirhalf-openmouths.

           "Howaboutthat?"saidone.

           And,"Yeah!"theotherreplied.

           "How’dyoulike—"

           "Yeah!"

           Aladydoesnotwander—notinNewBaytown.Shemustbegoingsomeplace,havesomebusiness,howeversmallandmeaningless.AsshewalkedindottedstepsalongtheHighStreet,shebowedandspoketopassers-byandreviewedthemautomatically.

           Mr.Hall—hewaslivingoncredit,hadbeenforsometime.

           Stoney—atough,maleman,butwhatwomancouldliveonacop’ssalaryorpension?Besides,hewasherfriend.

           HaroldBeckwithrealestateandplentyofit,butHaroldwasqueerasaduck.Hehimselfwasprobablytheonlypersonintheworldwhodidn’tknowit.

           MacDowell—"Sonicetoseeyou,sir.How’sMilly?"Impossible—Scottish,tight,tiedtohiswife—aninvalid,thekindwholivesforever.Hewasasecret.Nooneknewwhathewasworth.