Голодные игры

           Onthelastafternoon,we’lleachgetachancetoperforminprivatebeforetheGamemakers.Thethoughtofmeetingtheothertributesface-to-facemakesmequeasy.IturntherollIhavejusttakenfromthebasketoverandoverinmyhands,butmyappetiteisgone.

           WhenHaymitchhasfinishedseveralplattersofstew,hepushesbackhisplatewithasigh.Hetakesaflaskfromhispocketandtakesalongpullonitandleanshiselbowsonthetable."So,let’sgetdowntobusiness.Training.Firstoff,ifyoulike,I’llcoachyouseparately.Decidenow."

           "Whywouldyoucoachusseparately?"Iask.

           "Sayifyouhadasecretskillyoumightnotwanttheothertoknowabout,"saysHaymitch.

           IexchangealookwithPeeta."Idon’thaveanysecretskills,"hesays."AndIalreadyknowwhatyoursis,right?Imean,I’veeatenenoughofyoursquirrels."

           IneverthoughtaboutPeetaeatingthesquirrelsIshot.SomehowIalwayspicturedthebakerquietlygoingoffandfryingthemupforhimself.Notoutofgreed.Butbecausetownfamiliesusuallyeatexpensivebutchermeat.Beefandchickenandhorse.

           "Youcancoachustogether,"ItellHaymitch.Peetanods.

           "Allright,sogivemesomeideaofwhatyoucando,"saysHaymitch.

           "Ican’tdoanything,"saysPeeta."Unlessyoucountbakingbread."

           "Sorry,Idon’t.Katniss.Ialreadyknowyou’rehandywithaknife,"saysHaymitch.

           "Notreally.ButIcanhunt,"Isay."Withabowandarrow."

           "Andyou’regood?"asksHaymitch.

           Ihavetothinkaboutit.I’vebeenputtingfoodonthetableforfouryears.