Девять рассказов
Just Before the War with the Eskimos
"It’schicken,"hesaid,standingoverher,watchingher."Boughtitlastnightinagoddamdelicatessen."
"Itlooksverygood."
"Well,eatit,then."
Ginnietookabite.
"Good,huh?"
Ginnieswallowedwithdifficulty."Very,"shesaid.
Selena’sbrothernodded.Helookedabsentlyaroundtheroom,scratchingthepitofhischest."Well,IguessIbettergetdressed....Jesus!There’sthebell.Takeiteasy,now!"Hewasgone.
Leftalone,Ginnielookedaround,withoutgettingup,foragoodplacetothrowoutorhidethesandwich.Sheheardsomeonecomingthroughthefoyer.Sheputthesandwichintoherpolo-coatpocket.
Ayoungmaninhisearlythirties,neithershortnortall,cameintotheroom.Hisregularfeatures,hisshorthaircut,thecutofhissuit,thepatternofhisfoulardnecktiegaveoutnoreallyfinalinformation.Hemighthavebeenonthestaff,ortryingtogetonthestaff,ofanewsmagazine.HemighthavejustbeeninaplaythatclosedinPhiladelphia.Hemighthavebeenwithalawfirm.
"Hello,"hesaid,cordially,toGinnie."Hello."
"SeenFranklin?"heasked.
"He’sshaving.Hetoldmetotellyoutowaitforhim.He’llberightout."
"Shaving.Goodheavens."Theyoungmanlookedathiswristwatch.Hethensatdowninareddamaskchair,crossedhislegs,andputhishandstohisface.Asifheweregenerallyweary,orhadjustundergonesomeformofeyestrain,herubbedhisclosedeyeswiththetipsofhisextendedfingers."Thishasbeenthemosthorriblemorningofmyentirelife,"hesaid,removinghishandsfromhisface.
