Пролетая над гнездом кукушки

           Thewindwasblowingtheboatsattheirmoorings,nuzzlingthemupagainstthewetrubbertiresalongthedocksotheymadeasoundliketheywerelaughingatus.Thewaterwasgigglingundertheboards,andthesignhangingoverthedoortothebaitshackthatread"SEAMAN’SSERVICE—CAPTBLOCK,PROP"wassqueakingandscratchingasthewindrockeditonrustyhooks.Themusselsthatclungtothepilings,fourfeetoutofwatermarkingthetideline,whistledandclickedinthesun.

           Thewindhadturnedcoldandmean,andBillyBibbittookoffhisgreencoatandgaveittothegirl,andsheputitonoverherthinlittleT-shirt.Oneoftheloaferskeptcallingdown,"Heyyou,Blondie,youlikefruitcakekidslikethat?"Theman’slipswerekidney-coloredandhewaspurpleunderhiseyeswherethewind’dmashedtheveinstothesurface."Heyyou,Blondie,"hecalledoverandoverinahigh,tiredvoice,"heyyou,Blondie...heyyou,Blondie...heyyou,Blondie..."

           Webunchedupclosertogetheragainstthewind.

           "Tellme,Blondie,what’vetheygotyoucommittedfor?"

           "Ahr,sheain’tcommitted,Perce,she’spartofthecure!"

           "Isthatright,Blondie?Youhiredaspartofthecure?Heyyou,Blondie."

           Sheliftedherheadandgaveusalookthataskedwherewasthathard-boiledbunchshe’dseenandwhyweren’ttheysayingsomethingtodefendher?Nobodywouldanswerthelook.Allourhard-boiledstrengthhadjustwalkedupthosestepswithhisarmaroundtheshouldersofthatbald-headedcaptain.