Девять рассказов
Uncle Wiggly in Connecticut
Theonewiththeterrific—"
"MarciaLouise.Iranintoheronce,too.Shetalkyourearoff?"
"God,yes.Butyouknowwhatshetoldme,though?Dr.Whiting’sdead.ShesaidshehadaletterfromBarbaraHillsayingWhitinggotcancerlastsummeranddiedandall.Sheonlyweighedsixty-twopounds.Whenshedied.Isn’tthatterrible?"
"No."
"Eloise,you’regettinghardasnails."
"Mm.Whatelse’dshesay?"
"Oh,shejustgotbackfromEurope.HerhusbandwasstationedinGermanyorsomething,andshewaswithhim.Theyhadaforty-seven-roomhouse,shesaid,justwithoneothercouple,andabouttenservants.Herownhorse,andthegroomtheyhad,usedtobeHitler’sownprivateridingmasterorsomething.Oh,andshestartedtotellmehowshealmostgotrapedbyacoloredsoldier.RightonthemainfloorofLord&Taylor’sshestartedtotellme—youknowJackson.Shesaidhewasherhusband’schauffeur,andhewasdrivinghertomarketorsomethingonemorning.Shesaidshewassoscaredshedidn’teven—"
"Waitjustasecond."Eloiseraisedherheadandhervoice."Isthatyou,Ramona?"
"Yes,"asmallchild’svoiceanswered.
"Closethefrontdoorafteryou,please,"Eloisecalled.
"IsthatRamona?Oh,I’mdyingtoseeher.DoyourealizeIhaven’tseenhersinceshehadher—"
"Ramona,"Eloiseshouted,withhereyesshut,"gooutinthekitchenandletGracetakeyourgaloshesoff."
"Allright,"saidRamona."C’mon,Jimmy."
"Oh,I’mdyingtoseeher,"MaryJanesaid."Oh,God!LookwhatIdid.I’mterriblysorry,El."
"Leaveit.
