Зима тревоги нашей

           I’veseenthecustomerjumpasthoughI’dreadhismind.WhatIhateworstaboutitisthesuspicion.It’sunpleasanttobesuspicious.Makesmeangry,asthoughonepersonwereinjuringmany.

           Thedayworeontoakindofsadness,andtimesloweddown.AfterfiveChiefStoneycamein,leanandgrimandulcerish.HeboughtaTVdinner—countrysteak,carrots,mashedpotatoes,cookedandfrozeninakindofaluminumtray.

           Isaid,"Youlooklikeyouhadatouchofsun,Chief."

           "Well,Iain’t.Ifeelfine."Helookedmiserable.

           "Wanttwoofthose?"

           "Justone.Mywife’sgonevisiting.Acopdon’tgetholidays."

           "Toobad."

           "Maybeit’sjustaswell.Withthismobhangingaround,Idon’tgethomemuch."

           "Iheardyouwereaway."

           "Whotoldyou?"

           "Willie."

           "Hebetterlearntokeephisbigmouthshut."

           "Hedidn’tmeanharm."

           "Hasn’tgotbrainsenoughtomeanharm.Maybenotbrainsenoughtostayoutofjail."

           "Whohas?"IsaiditonpurposeandIgotevenmoreresponsethanIhadanticipated.

           "Justwhatdoyoumeanbythat,Ethan?"

           "Imeanwe’vegotsomanylawsyoucan’tbreathewithoutbreakingsomething."

           "That’sthetruth.Getssoyoudon’treallyknow."

           "Iwasgoingtoaskyou,Chief—cleaningup,Ifoundanoldrevolver,alldirtyandrusty.Marullosaysit’snothis,anditsureisn’tmine.WhatdoIdowithit?"

           "Turnitovertome,ifyoudon’twanttoapplyforalicense."

           "I’llbringitdownfromhometomorrow.Istuckitinacanofoil.