Девять рассказов

           "Thankyou,"saidthegirl,andmadetheroomonthenighttablefortheashtray.

           Awoman’svoicecamethrough."Muriel?Isthatyou?"

           Thegirlturnedthereceiverslightlyawayfromherear."Yes,Mother.Howareyou?"shesaid.

           "I’vebeenworriedtodeathaboutyou.Whyhaven’tyouphoned?Areyouallright?"

           "Itriedtogetyoulastnightandthenightbefore.Thephonehere’sbeen-"

           "Areyouallright,Muriel?"

           Thegirlincreasedtheanglebetweenthereceiverandherear."I’mfine.I’mhot.Thisisthehottestdaythey’vehadinFloridain-"

           "Whyhaven’tyoucalledme?I’vebeenworriedto-"

           "Mother,darling,don’tyellatme.Icanhearyoubeautifully,"saidthegirl."Icalledyoutwicelastnight.Oncejustafter-"

           "Itoldyourfatheryou’dprobablycalllastnight.But,no,hehadto-Areyouallright,Muriel?Tellmethetruth."

           "I’mfine.Stopaskingmethat,please."

           "Whendidyougetthere?"

           "Idon’tknow.Wednesdaymorning,early."

           "Whodrove?"

           "Hedid,"saidthegirl."Anddon’tgetexcited.Hedroveverynicely.Iwasamazed."

           "Hedrove?Muriel,yougavemeyourwordof-"

           "Mother,"thegirlinterrupted,"Ijusttoldyou.Hedroveverynicely.Underfiftythewholeway,asamatteroffact."

           "Didhetryanyofthatfunnybusinesswiththetrees?"

           "Isaidhedroveverynicely,Mother.Now,please,Iaskedhimtostayclosetothewhiteline,andall,andheknewwhatImeant,andhedid.Hewaseventryingnottolookatthetrees-youcouldtell.DidDaddygetthecarfixed,incidentally?"

           "Notyet."