Таинственная история Билли Миллигана

           Helookeddownandsawthesockshewaswearing,oneblackandtheotherpurple."Oh,Isay,thesearemostcertainlynotmates."

           Thegirlgiggledandsodidtheboy."Oh,you’resilly,Billy.That’sgood.YousoundjustlikeDr.WatsononthoseSherlockHolmesmoviesyou’realwayswatching,doesn’the,Jimbo?"Thensheskippedoff,andtheboycalledJimboranout,shouting,"Betterhurryuporyou’llbelate."

           Why,hewondered,weretheycallinghimBillywhenhisnamewasArthur?

           Washeanimpostor?Hadhecomeintothishouseamongthesepeopleasaspy?Adetective?Itwouldtakesomelogicalthinkingtoputthepiecesofthepuzzletogether.Whywashewearingtwodifferent-colorsocks?Whohadputthemon?Whatwasgoingonhere?

           "Youcoming,Billy?YouknowwhatDaddyChalwilldoifyou’relateagain."

           Arthurdecidedthatifhewasgoingtobeanimpostor,hemightaswellgoalltheway.HejoinedChallaandKathyontheirwalktotheNicholasDriveschool,buthesaidnothingallthewaythere.Whentheypassedaroom,Kathysaid,"Whereyougoing,Billy?You’dbettergetinthere."

           Hehungbackuntilhecouldfigureout—bythelastemptyseat—whereitwouldbesafetosit.Hewalkedtoitwithoutlookingrightorleft,holdinghisheadhigh,notdaringtospeak;hehadfiguredoutthattheothershadlaughedbecausehespokedifferently.