Пролетая над гнездом кукушки

           Hestoppedinfrontofherwindowandhesaidinhisslowest,deepestdrawlhowhefiguredhecoulduseoneofthesmokesheboughtthismornin’,thenranhishandthroughtheglass.

           Theglasscameapartlikewatersplashing,andthenursethrewherhandstoherears.Hegotoneofthecartonsofcigaretteswithhisnameonitandtookoutapack,thenputitbackandturnedtowheretheBigNursewassittinglikeachalkstatueandverytenderlywenttobrushingthesliversofglassoffherhatandshoulders.

           "I’msuresorry,ma’am,"hesaid."GawdbutIam.ThatwindowglasswassospickandspanIcompletelyforgotitwasthere."

           Ittookjustacoupleofseconds.Heturnedandlefthersittingtherewithherfaceshiftingandjerkingandwalkedbackacrossthedayroomtohischair,lightingupacigarette.

           Theringingthatwasinmyheadhadstopped.