Ход королевы
Chapter 4
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DuringthenightBethwoketohearrainontheroofoverherheadandintermittentrattlingagainstthepanesofherdormerwindows.Shehadbeendreamingofwater,ofherselfswimmingeasilyinaquietoceanofstillwater.Sheputapillowoverherheadandcurleduponherside,tryingtogetbacktosleep.Butshecouldnot.Therainwasloud,andasitcontinuedtofall,thesadlanguorofherdreamwasreplacedbytheimageofachessboardfilledwithpiecesdemandingherattention,demandingtheclarityofherintelligence.
Itwastwointhemorningandshedidnotgetbacktosleepfortherestofthenight.Itwasstillrainingwhenshewentdownstairsatseven;thebackyardoutsidethekitchenwindowlookedlikeaswampwithhillocksofnear-deadgrassstickinguplikeislands.Shewasnotcertainhowtofryeggsbutdecidedshecouldboilsome.Shegottwofromtherefrigerator,filledapanwithwaterandputitontheburner.Shewouldplaypawntokingfouragainsthim,andhopefortheSicilian.Sheboiledtheeggsfiveminutesandputthemincoldwater.ShecouldseeBeltik’sface,youthful,arrogantandsmart.Hiseyesweresmallandblack.Whenhesteppedtowardheryesterdayasshewasleaving,somepartofherhadthoughthewouldhither.
Theeggswereperfect;sheopenedthemwithaknife,puttheminacupandatethemwithsaltandbutter.Hereyesweregrainyunderthelids.Thefinalgamewouldbeginateleven;itwasseven-twentynow.ShewishedshehadacopyofModernChessOpenings,tolookovervariationsontheSicilian.
