Мгла
The Spell of Mrs. Carmody. The Second Night in the Market. The Final Confrontation.
Hergroupbegantomurmurwithher,torockbackandforthunconsciously,liketruebelieversatatentrevival.Theireyeswereshinyandblank.Theywereunderherspell.
Around3:00A.M.(thesermonwentonrelentlessly,andthepeoplewhowerenotinterestedhadretreatedtothebacktotrytogetsomesleep)IsawOllieputabagofgroceriesonashelfunderthecheckoutnearesttheOUTdoor.Halfanhourlaterheputanotherbagbesideit.Nooneappearedtonoticehimbutme.Billy,Amanda,andMrs.Turmanslepttogetherbythedenudedcold-cutssection.Ijoinedthemandfellintoanuneasydoze.
Atfour-fifteenbymywristwatch,Ollieshookmeawake.Cornellwaswithhim,hiseyesgleamingbrightlyfrombehindhisspectacles.
"It’stime,David,"Olliesaid.
Anervouscramphitmybellyandthenpassed.IshookAmandaawake.ThequestionofwhatmighthappenwithbothAmandaandStephanieinthecartogetherpassedintomymind,andthenpassedrightoutagain.Todayitwouldbebesttotakethingsjustastheycame.
Thoseremarkablegreeneyesopenedandlookedintomine."David?"
"We’regoingtotakeastabatgettingoutofhere.Doyouwanttocome?"
"Whatareyoutalkingabout?"
Istartedtoexplain,thenwokeupMrs.TurmansoIwouldonlyhavetogothroughittheonce.
"Yourtheoryaboutscent,"Amandasaid."It’sreallyonlyaneducatedguessatthispoint,isn’tit?"
"Yes."
"Itdoesn’tmattertome,"Hattiesaid.Herfacewaswhiteandinspiteofthesleepshe’dgottentherewerelargediscoloredpatchesunderhereyes.
