Зима тревоги нашей

           Imadeoutthecow’stailfrommybed,andknewthedayhadcome.

           "Ibringyoutidingsofgreatjoy,myflyingsquirrel."

           "Crazy."

           "HaveIeverliedtoyou?"

           "Maybe."

           "Areyouawakeenoughtohearthetidingsofgreatjoy?"

           "No."

           "ThenIwillwithholdthem."

           Sheturnedonherleftshoulderandmadeadeepcreaseinhersoftflesh."Youjokesomuch.Ifit’slikeyou’regoingtocementoverthelawn—"

           "Iamnot."

           "Oryou’restartingacricketfarm—"

           "No.Butyoudorememberolddiscardedplans."

           "Isitajoke?"

           "Well,it’sathingsostrangeandmagicthatyouaregoingtohavetobuttressyourbelief."

           HereyeswereclearandwakefulnowandIcouldseethelittletremblesaroundherlipspreparingforlaughter."Tellme."

           "DoyouknowamanofEyetalianextractionnamedMarullo?"

           "Crazy—you’rebeingsilly."

           "Youwillfinditso.SaidMarullohasgonefromhereforatime."

           "Where?"

           "Hedidn’tsay."

           "Whenwillhebeback?"

           "Stopconfusingme.Hedidn’tsaythateither.Whathedidsayand,whenIprotested,whatheorderedwasthatweshouldtakehiscarandgoonahappytripovertheholiday."

           "You’rejokingme."

           "WouldItellaliethatwouldmakeyousad?"

           "Butwhy?"

           "ThatIcan’ttellyou.WhatIcansweartofromBoyScoutoathtopapaloathisthatthemink-linedPontiacwithatankfullofvirgingasolineawaitsyourhighness’spleasure."