Зима тревоги нашей

           Abeat-uptarotdeckoffortune-tellingcardsinthehandsofanidle,mischievouswoman,andshehadriggedthecards.Dothecardsinclinebutnotcommand?Well,thecardsinclinedmeouttothePlaceinthemiddleofthenight,andtheyinclinedmetogivemorethoughtthanIwantedto,toasubjectIdetested.That’squiteabitofincliningrightthere.CouldtheyinclinemetoabusinessclevernessIneverhad,toacquisitivenessforeigntome?CouldIinclinetowantwhatIdidn’twant?Therearetheeatersandtheeaten.That’sagoodruletostartwith.Aretheeatersmoreimmoralthantheeaten?Intheendallareeaten—all—gobbledupbytheearth,eventhefiercestandthemostcrafty.

           TheroostersuponClamHillhadbeencrowingforalongtimeandIhadheardandnotheard.IwishedIcouldstaytoseethesunrisestraightoutfromthePlace.

           IsaidtherewasnoritualinvolvedwiththePlacebutthatisnotentirelytrue.SometimeoneachvisitIreconstructOldHarborformymind’spleasure—thedocks,thewarehouses,theforestsofmastsandunderbrushofriggingandcanvas.Andmyancestors,myblood—theyoungonesonthedeck,thefullygrownaloft,thematureonthebridge.NononsenseofMadisonAvenuethenortrimmingtoomanyleavesfromcauliflowers.Somedignitywasthenforaman,somestature.Amancouldbreathe.

           Thatwasmyfathertalking,thefool.