Зима тревоги нашей

           "Mary,I’veneverseenyourhusbandsogay."

           "It’sthefortuneyouread,"saidMary."It’schangedhimovernight."

           Whatafrighteningthingisthehuman,amassofgaugesanddialsandregisters,andwecanreadonlyafewandthoseperhapsnotaccurately.Aflareofsearingredpainformedinmybowelsandmovedupwarduntilitspearedandtoreattheplacejustundermyribs.Agreatwindroaredinmyearsanddrovemelikeahelplessship,dismastedbeforeitcouldshortensail.ItastedbittersaltandIsawapulsing,heavingroom.Everywarningsignalscreameddanger,screamedhavoc,screamedshock.ItcaughtmeasIpassedbehindmyladies’chairsanddoubledmeoverinquakingagony,andjustassuddenlyitwasgone.Istraightenedupandmovedonandtheydidn’tevenknowithadhappened.Iunderstandhowpeopleoncebelievedthedevilcouldtakepossession.I’mnotsureIdon’tbelieveit.Possession!Theseethingbirthofsomethingforeignwitheverynerveresistingandlosingthefightandsettlingbackbeatentomakepeacewiththeinvader.Violation—that’stheword,ifyoucanthinkofthesoundofawordedgedwithblueflamelikeablowtorch.

           Mydear’svoicecamethrough."Itdoesn’treallyharmtohearnicethings,"shesaid.

           Itriedmyvoiceanditwasstrongandgood."Alittlehope,evenhopelesshope,neverhurtanybody,"Isaid,andIputthejugawayinitscabinet,andwentbacktomychairanddrankhalftheglassofancient,fragrantrumandsatdownandcrossedmykneesandlockedmyfingersinmylap.