Зима тревоги нашей

           Ilethimoutandsatdownagainandturnedoutthelightandsatlisteningtomyhouse.Itthuddedlikeaheart,andmaybeitwasmyheartandarustlingoldhouse.Ithoughttogotothecabinetandtakethetalismaninmyhand—hadstooduptogetit.

           Iheardacrunchingsoundandawhinnylikeafrightenedcolt,andquickstepsinthehallandsilence.Myshoessquidgedonthestairs.IwentintoEllen’sroomandswitchedonthelight.Shewasballedupunderasheet,herheadunderherpillow.WhenItriedtoliftthepillowsheclungtoitandIhadtoyankitaway.Alineofbloodranfromthecornerofhermouth.

           "Islippedinthebathroom."

           "Isee.Areyoubadlyhurt?"

           "Idon’tthinkso."

           "Inotherwords,it’snoneofmybusiness."

           "Ididn’twanthimtogotojail."

           Allenwassittingontheedgeofhisbed,nakedexceptforjockeyshorts.Hiseyes—theymademethinkofamouseinacorner,readyatlasttofightabroom.

           "Thestinkingsneak!"

           "Didyouhearitall?"

           "Iheardwhatthatstinkingsneakdid."

           "Didyouhearwhatyoudid?"

           Thedrivenmouseattacked."Whocares?Everybodydoesit.It’sthewaythecookycrumbles."

           "Youbelievethat?"

           "Don’tyoureadthepapers?Everybodyrightuptothetop—justreadthepapers.Yougettofeelingholy,justreadthepapers.Ibetyoutooksomeinyourtime,becausetheyalldo.I’mnotgoingtotaketherapforeverybody.Idon’tcareaboutanything.Exceptthatstinkingsneak."

           Maryawakensslowly,butshewasawake.