Зима тревоги нашей

           Webreakfastedandcoffeedandcoffeedagain,myMaryproppedupinbed,lookingyoungerandmoreinnocentthanherdaughter.Andeachofusspokerespectfullyofhowwellwehadslept.

           Mytimehadcome."Getcomfortable.Ihavenewsbothsadandglad."

           "Good!Didyoubuytheocean?"

           "Marulloisintrouble."

           "What?"

           "AlongtimeagohecametoAmericawithoutaskingleave."

           "Well—what?"

           "Nowtheyareaskinghimtoleave."

           "Deported?"

           "Yes."

           "Butthat’sawful."

           "It’snotnice."

           "Whatwillwedo?Whatwillyoudo?"

           "Playtimeisover.Hesoldmethestore—orratherhesoldyouthestore.It’syourmoney.Hehastoconverthispropertyandhelikesme;hepracticallygaveittome—threethousanddollars."

           "Butthat’sawful.Youmean—youmeanyouownthestore?"

           "Yes."

           "You’renotaclerk!Notaclerk!"

           Sherolledfacedowninthepillowsandwept,big,full-bosomedsobs,thewayaslavemightwhenthecollarisstruckoff.

           Iwentoutonthedoll’sfrontstoopandsatinthesununtilshewasready,andwhenshehadfinishedandwashedherfaceandcombedherhairandputonherdressinggown,sheopenedthedoorandcalledtome.Andshewasdifferent,wouldalwaysbedifferent.Shedidn’thavetosayit.Thesetofhernecksaidit.Shecouldholdupherhead.Weweregentlefolksagain.

           "Can’twedoanythingtohelpMr.Marullo?"

           "I’mafraidnot."

           "Howdidithappen?Whofoundout?"

           "Idon’tknow."

           "He’sagoodman.Theyshouldn’tdoittohim.