Зима тревоги нашей

           "Thecrazyfringewillruintownelectionsunlesswedosomething.We’vegottooffernewcandidates.Wedon’thaveanychoice.It’saterriblethingtodotooldfriends,butthey’dbethefirsttoknowwecan’tlettheeggheadfringegetin."

           "Whydon’tyoutalktothem?"

           "They’rebruisedandmad.Theyhaven’thadtimetothinkitout.DidMarullocome?"

           "Hesentafriend.Iboughtthestoreforthreethousand."

           "That’sgood.Yougotabargain.Getthepapers?"

           "Yes."

           "Well,ifhejumps,thebillsarelisted."

           "Hewon’tjump.Hewantstogo.He’stired."

           "Inevertrustedhim.Neverknewwhathehadhisfingersin."

           "Washeacrook,sir?"

           "Hewastricky,playedbothsidesofthestreet.He’sworthalotifhecandisposeofhisproperty,butthreethousand—that’sagiveaway."

           "Helikedme."

           "Hemusthave.Whodidhesend,theMafia?"

           "Agovernmentman.Yousee,Marullotrustedme."

           Mr.Bakerclaspedhisbrow,andthatwasoutofcharacter."Whydidn’tIthinkofit?You’retheman.Goodfamily,reliable,property-owner,businessman,respected.Youdon’thaveanenemyintown.Ofcourseyou’retheman."

           "Theman?"

           "ForTownManager."

           "I’veonlybeenabusinessmansinceSaturday."

           "YouknowwhatImean.Aroundyouwecouldgetrespectablenewfaces.Why,it’stheperfectway."

           "FromgroceryclerktoTownManager?"

           "NobodyeverthoughtofaHawleyasagroceryclerk."

           "Idid.Marydid."

           "Butyouaren’t.