Зима тревоги нашей

           Ellenstudiedourguestwitharecordingeye,everydetailofhairdressandmake-up.AndIknewthenhowyoungtheystarttheminuteexaminationonwhichtheybasewhatiscalledtheirintuition.Ellenavoidedmyeyes.Sheknewshehadshottokillandsheexpectedrevenge.Verywell,mysavagedaughter.Ishallrevengemyselfinthecruelestwayyoucanimagine.Ishallforgetit.

           Anditwasagooddinner,over-richandtoomuchofit,ascompanydinnersmustbe,andamountainofdishesnotordinarilyused.Andcoffeeafterward,whichwedonotordinarilyhave.

           "Doesn’titkeepyouawake?"

           "Nothingkeepsmeawake."

           "Notevenme?"

           "Ethan!"

           Andthenthesilent,deadlywarofthedishes."Letmehelp."

           "Notatall.You’retheguest."

           "Well,letmecarrythem."

           Mary’seyessoughtoutthechildrenandherspiritmovedonthemwithfixedbayonet.Theyknewwhatwascoming,buttheywerehelpless.

           Marysaid,"Thechildrenalwaysdoit.Theyloveto.Andtheydoitsowell.I’mproudofthem."

           "Well,isn’tthatnice?Youdon’tseeitmuchanymore."

           "Iknow.Wefeelveryfortunatethattheywanttohelp."

           Icouldreadtheirferretylittleminds,lookingforanescape,thinkingofmakingafuss,gettingsick,droppingthebeautifulolddishes.Marymusthavereadtheirevillittlemindsalso.Shesaid,"Theremarkablethingisthattheyneverbreakanything,don’tevenchipaglass."

           "Well,youareblessed!"Margiesaid."Howdidyouteachthem?"

           "Ididn’t.It’sjustnaturalwiththem.