Ход королевы
Chapter 4
“And,dear,”Mrs.Wheatleysaid,“bringdownthatlittlebottleofgreenpillsbymybedside.”
WhenBethcamebackshegavethepillstoMrs.Wheatley.Mrs.Wheatleyhadhalfaglassofbeersittingbesideher;shetookouttwoofthepillsandswallowedthemwiththebeer.“Mytranquilityneedstoberefurbished,”shesaid.
“Issomethingwrong?”Bethasked.
“I’mnotAristotle,”Mrs.Wheatleysaid,“butitcouldbeconstruedaswrong.IhavereceivedamessagefromMr.Wheatley.”
“Whatdidhesay?”
“Mr.WheatleyhasbeenindefinitelydetainedintheSouthwest.TheAmericanSouthwest.”
“Oh,”Bethsaid.
“BetweenDenverandButte.”
Bethsatdownonthesofa.
“Aristotlewasamoralphilosopher,”Mrs.Wheatleysaid,“whileIamahousewife.Orwasahousewife.”
“Can’ttheysendmebackifyoudon’thaveahusband?”
“Youputitconcretely.”Mrs.Wheatleysippedherbeer.“Theywon’tifwelieaboutit.”
“That’seasyenough,”Bethsaid.
“You’reagoodsoul,Beth,”Mrs.Wheatleysaid,finishingherbeer.“Whydon’tyouheatthetwochickendinnersinthefreezer?Settheovenatfourhundred.”
Bethhadbeenholdingtwosanitarynapkinsinherrighthand.“Idon’tknowhowtoputtheseon.”
Mrs.Wheatleystraightenedherselfupfromherslumpedpositioninthechair.“Iamnolongerawife,”shesaid,“exceptbylegalfiction.IbelieveIcanlearntobeamother.I’llshowyouhowifyoupromisemenevertogonearDenver.
