Зима тревоги нашей

           "It’spartofthetrade.Bakercancomebacknow.Wonderifhewill."

           "Comeback?"

           "Yougetnosmellthere?"

           Ilookedathimhelplessly."I’mmissingsomethingandIdon’tevenknowwhatitis."

           "JesusGod."

           "YoumeanIshouldseesomething?"

           "That’swhatImean.Thelawofthefangisnotrepealed."

           "Oh,Lord!TheremustbeawholeworldImiss.Iwastryingtorememberwhetherit’sbothlettuceandmayonnaiseyoulike."

           "Both."HestrippedthecellophanecoverfromhispackofCamelsandwaddedittopushinthelock.

           "Gottogo,"Isaid."We’vegotaspecialsaleontea.Sendinaboxtop,yougetababy!Knowanyladies?"

           "Isuredo,andthat’saboutthelastprizetheywant.Don’tbothertobringthem,I’llcomeforthesandwiches."Hewentinhisdoorandtherewasnoclickofthespringlock.IdidhopethatJoeyneverdiscoveredthathewasthebestteacherIhadeverhad.Henotonlyinformed,hedemonstratedand,withoutknowingit,preparedawayforme.

           Everyonewhoknewaboutsuchthings,theexperts,agreedthatonlymoneygetsmoney.Thebestwayisalwaysthesimplest.Theshockingsimplicityofthethingwasitsgreateststrength.ButIreallybelieveitwasonlyadetaileddaydreamuntilMarullothroughnoneofhisfaultwalkedinhisowndarknessoveracliff.OnceitseemedalmostcertainthatIcouldgetthestoreformyown,onlythendidthehigh-flowndreamingcomedowntoearth.Agoodbutill-informedquestionmightbe:IfIcouldgetthestore,whydidIneedmoney?Mr.