Ход королевы
Chapter 5
Whensheleftafterelevennooneurgedhertostay,andnoonesaidanythingaboutherjoining.Shewasrelievedtogetintothetaxiandgohome,andwhenshegotthereshespentanhourinherroomwithTheMiddleGameinChess,translatedfromtheRussianofD.Luchenko.
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Theschoolknewabouther,wellenough,bythenexttournament,andthistimeshehadn’tclaimedillnessasanexcuse.Mrs.Wheatleytalkedtotheprincipal,andBethwasexcusedfromherclasses.Nothingwassaidabouttheillnessesshehadliedabout.Theywroteherupintheschoolpaper,andpeoplepointedheroutinthehallways.ThetournamentwasinKansasCity,andaftershewonitthedirectortookherandMrs.Wheatleytoasteakhousefordinnerandtoldhertheywerehonoredtohaveherparticipate.Hewasaseriousyoungman,andhetreatedbothofthempolitely.
“I’dliketoplayintheU.S.Open,”Bethsaidoverdessertandcoffee.
“Sure,”hesaid.“Youmightwinit.”
“Wouldthatleadtoplayingabroad?”Mrs.Wheatleyasked.“InEurope,Imean?”
“Noreasonwhynot,”theyoungmansaid.HisnamewasNobile.Heworethickglassesandkeptdrinkingicewater.“Theyhavetoknowaboutyoubeforetheyinviteyou.”
“WouldwinningtheOpenmakethemknowaboutme?”
“Sure.BennyWattsplaysinEuropeallthetime,nowthathe’sgothisinternationaltitle.”
“How’stheprizemoney?”Mrs.Wheatleyasked,lightingacigarette.
“Prettygood,Ithink.”
“WhataboutRussia?”Bethsaid.
Nobilestaredatheraminute,asthoughshehadsuggestedsomethingillicit.
