Зима тревоги нашей

           Mysonrespondedtomygreetingwiththesharpexpressionofapieceofchewedgum.

           "Ihopeyougotyourlonelylovin’heartsweptup."

           "Huh?"

           "Huh,sir!LastIheard,somebodyhadtookandthrewitonthefloor."

           "Numberone,"hesaid,"numberoneinthewholecountry.Soldamillioncopiesintwoweeks."

           "Great!I’mgladthefutureisinyourhands."IjoinedthenextchorusasIwentupthestairs."‘Yourglancegivesmeantswheneverweromance,andtheysayIcouldn’tknowmymind.’"

           Ellenwasstalkingmewithabookinherhand,onefingerbetweenthepages.Iknowhermethod.ShewouldaskmewhatshethoughtImightthinkaninterestingquestionandthenletslipwhateveritwasMarywantedtotellme.It’sakindoftriumphforEllentotellfirst.Iwouldn’tsaysheisatattletale,butsheis.Iwavedcrossedfingersather.

           "King’sX."

           "But,Daddy—"

           "IsaidKing’sX,MissHothouseRhubarb,andImeantKing’sX."Islammedthedoorandshouted,"Aman’sbathroomishiscastle."AndIheardherlaugh.Idon’ttrustchildrenwhentheylaughatmyjokes.Iscrubbedmyfacerawandbrushedmyteethuntilmygumsbled.Ishaved,putonacleanshirtandthebowtiemydaughterhated,asadeclarationofrevolt.

           MyMarywasflitteredwithimpatiencewhenIfacedher.

           "Youwon’tbelieveit."

           "Seoleogifheobladesonbirigth.Speak."

           "MargieisthenicestfriendIeverhad."

           "Iquote—‘Themanwhoinventedthecuckooclockisdead