Ход королевы
Chapter 5
“Howdoesitfeel?Beingagirlamongallthosemen?”
“Idon’tmindit.”
“Isn’titfrightening?”Theyweresittingfacingeachother.MissBalkeleanedforward,lookingintentlyatBeth.
Bethshookherhead.Thephotographercameovertothesofaandbegantakingreadingswithameter.
“WhenIwasagirl,”thereportersaid,“Iwasneverallowedtobecompetitive.Iusedtoplaywithdolls.”
ThephotographerbackedoffandbegantostudyBeththroughhiscamera.SherememberedthedollMr.Ganzhadgivenher.“Chessisn’talways‘competitive,’”shesaid.
“Butyouplaytowin.”
Bethwantedtosaysomethingabouthowbeautifulchesswassometimes,butshelookedatMissBalke’ssharp,inquiringfaceandcouldn’tfindthewordsforit.
“Doyouhaveaboyfriend?”
“No.I’mfourteen.”Thephotographerbegansnappingpictures.
MissBalkehadlightedacigarette.SheleanedforwardnowandtappedtheashesintooneofMrs.Wheatley’sashtrays.“Areyouinterestedinboys?”sheasked.
Bethwasfeelingmoreandmoreuneasy.ShewantedtotalkaboutlearningchessandaboutthetournamentsshehadwonandaboutpeoplelikeMorphyandCapablanca.Shedidnotlikethiswomananddidnotlikeherquestions.“I’minterestedinchessmostly.”
MissBalkesmiledbrightly.“Tellmeaboutit,”shesaid.“Tellmehowyoulearnedtoplayandhowoldyouwere.”
BethtoldherandMissBalketooknotes,butBethfeltthatshewasn’treallyinterestedinanyofit.Shefoundasshewentontalkingthatshereallyhadverylittletosay.
