Таинственная история Билли Миллигана

           Rothasked.Christeneshookherhead.

           Mrs.Rothpointedtoanemptyseatontherightsideoftheroom."Yousitinthatchairrightthere,Billy.Nowgotoit."Christenedidn’tknowwhyMrs.Rothwasangry.Shehadtriedsohardtomaketheteacherlikeher.ThroughhertearsshefeltRagencomingouttodosomethingbadtotheteacher.Soshesqueezedhereyesshut,stampedherfeetandmadeRagenstop.Thenshelefttoo.

           Billyopenedhiseyes,lookedaround,dazed,tofindhimselfinclass.God,howhadhegottenhere?Whyweretheystaringathim?Whyweretheygiggling?

           Onthewayoutofclass,heheardMrs.Rothcalltohim,"Thankyoufortheapple,Billy.Itwasveryniceofyou.I’mreallysorryIhadtoscoldyou."

           Hewatchedasshewentdownthecorridor,andwonderedwhatintheworldshewastalkingabout.

           ThefirsttimeKathyandJimboheardtheBritishaccent,theythoughtBillywasclowning.Jimbowasintheroomwithhimwhiletheyweresortingtheirlaundry.KathycametothedoortoseeifBillywasreadytowalkwithherandChallatoschool.

           "What’sthematter,Billy?"sheasked,seeingthedazedlookonhisface.

           Helookedather,aroundtheroomandattheotherboy,whowasstaringathimtoo.Hehadnoideawhothesetwowereorhoworwhyhewashere.Hedidn’tknowanyonenamedBilly.

           AllheknewwasthathisnamewasArthurandhewasfromLondon.