Зима тревоги нашей

           Hermoods,hercruelties,hernervousnessaretheingredientsofabeingquitebeautifulanddear.Iknow,becauseIsawherstandinginhersleepholdingthepinktalismantoherlittlebreastandlookingawomanfulfilled.Andasthetalismanwasimportantandstillistome,soitistoEllen.MaybeitisEllenwhowillcarryandpassonwhateverisimmortalinme.AndinmygreetingIputmyarmsaroundherandshe,truetoform,tickledmyearandgiggled.MyEllen.Mydaughter.

           IturnedmyheadtoMary,sleepingandsmilingonmyright.Thatisherplacesothat,whenitisgoodandrightandready,shecanshelterherheadonmyrightarm,leavingmylefthandfreeforcaressing.

           Afewdaysbefore,Isnickedmyforefingerwiththecurvedbananaknifeatthestore,andacallusyscabtoughenedtheballofmyfingertip.AndsoIstrokedthelovelylinefromeartoshoulderwithmysecondfingerbutgentlyenoughnottostartleandfirmlyenoughnottotickle.Shesighedasshealwaysdoes,adeep,gatheredbreathandalowreleaseofluxury.Somepeopleresentawakening,butnotMary.Shecomestoadaywithexpectancythatitwillbegood.And,knowingthis,Itrytooffersomesmallgifttojustifyherconviction.AndItrytoholdbackgiftsforoccasions,suchastheoneInowproducedfrommymind’spurse.

           Hereyesopened,hazedwithsleep."Already?"sheasked,andsheglancedatthewindowtoseehownearthedayhadcome.Overthebureauthepicturehangs—treesandalakeandasmallcowstandinginthewaterofthelake.