Девять рассказов
Just Before the War with the Eskimos
Shethencollectedhertennisthings—racket,handtowel,andsunhat—andfollowedSelena.Atfifteen,Ginniewasaboutfivefeetnineinher9-Btennisshoes,andassheenteredthelobby,herself-consciousrubber-soledawkwardnesslentheradangerousamateurquality.ItmadeSelenaprefertowatchtheindicatordialovertheelevator.
"Thatmakesadollarninetyyouoweme,"Ginniesaid,stridinguptotheelevator.
Selenaturned."Itmayjustinterestyoutoknow,"shesaid,"thatmymotherisveryill."
"What’sthematterwithher?"
"Shevirtuallyhaspneumonia,andifyouthinkI’mgoingtoenjoydisturbingherjustformoney..."Selenadeliveredtheincompletesentencewithallpossibleaplomb.
Ginniewas,infact,slightlyputoffbythisinformation,whateveritsdegreeoftruth,butnottothepointofsentimentality."Ididn’tgiveittoher,"shesaid,andfollowedSelenaintotheelevator.
WhenSelenahadrungherapartmentbell,thegirlswereadmitted—orrather,thedoorwasdrawninandleftajar—byacoloredmaidwithwhomSelenadidn’tseemtobeonspeakingterms.GinniedroppedhertennisthingsonachairinthefoyerandfollowedSelena.Inthelivingroom,Selenaturnedandsaid,"Doyoumindwaitinghere?ImayhavetowakeMotherupandeverything."
"O.K.,"Ginniesaid,andploppeddownonthesofa.
"Ineverinmylifewould’vethoughtyoucouldbesosmallaboutanything,"saidSelena,whowasjustangryenoughtousetheword"small"butnotquitebraveenoughtoemphasizeit.
