Зима тревоги нашей

           Ihadplannedtousethedarkpre-dayforthecalmingmedicineofcontemplation.Instead,whenmyeyesjerkedopen,thetailofthecowinthelakehadbeenvisibleatleasthalfanhour.Iawakenedwithajarliketheblowofdrivenairfromhighexplosive.Sometimessuchanawakeningsprainsmuscles.MineshookthebedsothatMaryawakened,saying,"What’sthematter?"

           "I’veoverslept."

           "Nonsense.It’searly."

           "No,myablativeabsolute.Thisisamonsterdayforme.Theworldwillbegrocery-happytoday.Don’tyougetup."

           "You’llneedagoodbreakfast."

           "KnowwhatI’lldo?I’llgetacartonofcoffeeattheForemasterandI’llravenMarullo’sshelveslikeawolf."

           "Youwill?"

           "Rest,littlemouseofamouseness,andtrytofindawayforustoescapefromourdarlingchildren.Weneedthat.Imeanit."

           "Iknowwedo.I’lltrytothink."

           Iwasdressedandgonebeforeshecouldsuggestanyoftheseasonalthingsformyprotectionandcomfort.

           Joeywasinthecoffeeshopandhepattedthestoolbesidehim.

           "Can’t,Morph.I’mlate.Annie,couldyougivemeaquartofcoffeeinacarton?"

           "It’llhavetobetwopints,Eth."

           "Good.Evengooder."

           Shefilledandcoveredthelittlepaperbucketsandputtheminabag.

           Joeyfinishedandwalkedacrosswithme.

           "You’llhavetosaymasswithoutthebishopthismorning."

           "Guessso.Say,howaboutthatnews?"

           "Ican’ttakeitin."

           "YourememberIsaidIsmelledsomething."

           "IthoughtaboutthatwhenIheardit.You’vegotquiteanose.