Зима тревоги нашей

           Peoplepassinginthestreetflickeredthelightinsidethestore.IdugbackinthedebrisofthedayforWalder’swordsandforhisfacewhenhesaidthem:"Ado-it-yourselfpolicecourt.Youhavetopayforaviolation.You’rehisdownpayment,kindof,sothelightwon’tgoout."That’swhatthemansaid.Walderinhissafeworldofcrooksshakenbyonegleamingshaftofhonesty.

           Sothelightwon’tgoout.DidAlfiosayitthatway?Walderdidn’tknow,buthedidknowthat’swhatMarullomeant.

           Itracedtheserpentonthetalismanandcamebacktothebeginning,whichwastheend.Thatwasanoldlight—MarullithreethousandyearsagofoundtheirwaythroughthelupariaetotheLupercalonthePalatinetoofferavotivetoLyceanPan,protectoroftheflocksfromwolves.Andthatlighthadnotgoneout.Marullo,thedago,thewop,theguinea,sacrificedtothesamegodforthesamereason.Isawhimagainraisehisheadoutofthewelteroffatneckandachingshoulders,Isawthenoblehead,thehoteyes—andthelight.Iwonderedwhatmypaymentwouldbeandwhendemanded.IfItookmytalismandowntotheOldHarborandthrewitinthesea—wouldthatbeacceptable?

           Ididnotdrawtheshades.Onlongholidaysweleftthemupsothecopscouldlookin.Thestoreroomwasdark.IlockedthealleydoorandwashalfwayacrossthestreetwhenIrememberedthehatboxbehindthecounter.Ididnotgobackforit.Itwouldbeakindofquestionasked