Зима тревоги нашей

           WhenIcamebacktothebedroom,AllenhadtheplumedKnightTemplarhaton,andifitmakesmelookthatsillyImustresign.Theleatherhatboxwasopenonthefloor.Ithasasupportmadeofvelvet-coveredcardboardlikeanupside-downporridgebowl.

           "IwonderiftheycanbleachthatostrichplumeordoIhavetogetanewone?"

           "Ifyougetanewone,canIhavethis?"

           "Whynot?Where’sEllen?Ihaven’theardheryoungscreechyvoice."

           "She’swritingonherILoveAmericaessay."

           "Andyou?"

           "I’mthinkingaboutit.WillyoubringsomePeekshome?"

           "I’llprobablyforgetit.Whydon’tyoudropinatthestoreandpickitupsomeday?"

           "Okay.MindifIasksomething—sir?"

           "I’dbeflattered."

           "DidweusetoownallHighStreetfortwoblocks?"

           "Wedid."

           "Anddidwehavewhalingships?"

           "Yep."

           "Well,whydon’twenow?"

           "Welostthem."

           "Howcome?"

           "Justupandlostthem."

           "That’sajoke."

           "It’saprettydarnedseriousjoke,ifyoudissectit."

           "We’redissectingafrogatschool."

           "Goodforyou.Notsogoodforthefrog.Whichofthesebeauty-tiesshallIwear?"

           "Theblueone,"hesaidwithoutinterest."Say,whenyougetdressedcanyou—haveyougottimetocomeupintheattic?"

           "I’llmaketimeifit’simportant."

           "Willyoucome?"

           "Iwill."

           "Allright.I’llgoupnowandturnonthelight."

           "Bewithyouinacoupleoftie-tyingmoments."

           Hisfootstepssoundedhollowlyontheuncarpetedatticstairs.