Человек в высоком замке

           Dumpingthecontentsofherjewelryboxontothebed,shespreadoutthepins,relicswhichshehadownedforyears,givenherbyFrankorbyothermenbeforetheirmarriage,andthenewonewhichJoehadgottenherinDenver.Yes,asmallhorse-shapedsilverpinfromMexicowoulddo;shefoundtheexactspot.Soshecouldwearthedressafterall.

           I’mgladtogetanythingnow,shethoughttoherself.Somuchhadgonewrong;solittleremainedanyhowofthewonderfulplans.

           Shedidanextensivebrushingjobonherhairsothatitcrackledandshone,andthatleftonlytheneedofachoiceofshoesandearrings.Andthensheputonhernewcoat,gothernewhandmadeleatherpurse,andsetout.

           InsteadofdrivingtheoldStudebaker,shehadthemotelownerphoneforataxi.WhileshewaitedinthemotelofficeshesuddenlyhadthenotiontocallFrank.Whyithadcometohershecouldnotfathom,buttheretheideawas.Whynot?sheaskedherself.Shecouldreversethecharges;hewouldbeoverwhelmedtohearfromherandgladtopay.

           Standingbehindthedeskintheoffice,sheheldthephonereceivertoherear,listeningdelightedlytothelong-distanceoperatorstalkbackandforthtryingtomaketheconnectionforher.ShecouldheartheSanFranciscooperator,faroff,gettingSanFranciscoinformationforthenumber,thenmanypopsandcracklesinherear,andatlasttheringingnoiseitself.Asshewaitedshewatchedforthetaxi;itshouldbealonganytime,shethought.Butitwon’tmindwaiting;theyexpectit.