Ход королевы
Chapter 5
Themanstoodup,tookoffhiscapandstretched.HelookeddownatBethforamoment.“Reshevskywasplayinglikethatwhenhewasyourage,littlegirl.Younger.”
***
BackintheroomMrs.WheatleywasstillreadingtheEnquirer.ShelookedoverherreadingglassesatBethasshecameinthedoor.“Finishedalready?”shesaid.
“Yes.”
“Howdidyoudo?”
“Iwon.”
Mrs.Wheatleysmiledwarmly.“Honey,”shesaid,“youareatreasure.”
***
Mrs.WheatleyhadseenanadaboutasaleatShillito’s—adepartmentstoreafewblocksfromtheGibson.SincetherewerefourhoursbeforeBeth’snextgame,theywentover,throughlightlyfallingsnow,andMrs.WheatleyrummagedinthebasementawhileuntilBethsaid,“I’dliketolookattheirsweaters.”
“Whatkindofsweaters,dear?”
“Cashmere.”
Mrs.Wheatley’seyebrowswentup.“Cashmere?Areyousurewecanaffordit?”
“Yes.”
Bethfoundapale-graysweateronsalefortwenty-fourdollars,anditfitherperfectly.Lookinginthetallmirror,shetriedtoimagineherselfasamemberoftheApplePiClub,likeMargaret;butthefacewasstillBeth’sface,roundandfreckled,withstraightbrownhair.Sheshruggedandboughtthesweaterwithatraveler’scheck.TheyhadpassedanelegantlittleshoestorewithsaddleoxfordsinthewindowonthewaytoShillito’sandshetookMrs.Wheatleythereandboughtherselfapair.Thensheboughtargylesockstogowiththem.Thetagsaid:“100%wool.MadeinEngland.
