Ход королевы

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           Marencowasasomberlittledark-skinnedmaninadazzlingcanary-coloredshirt.HespokealmostnoEnglishandBethnoPortuguese;theybeganplayingwithoutpreliminaryconversation.Bethdidnotfeelliketalking,anyway.Hereyeswerescratchy,andherbodywasuncomfortableallover.ShehadfeltgenerallyunpleasantfromthetimetheirplanelandedinMexico,asthoughshewereonthevergeofdevelopinganillnessthatsheneverquitegot,andshehadnotgonebacktosleepthenightbefore.Mrs.Wheatleyhadcoughedinhersleepandmutteredandrasped,whileBethtriedtoforceherselftorelax,toignorethedistractions.Shedidnothaveanygreenpillswithher.Therewerethreeleft,buttheywereinKentucky.Shelayonherbackwithherarmsstraightathersidesasshehadasaneight-year-oldtryingtosleepbythehallwaydooratMethuen.Now,sittingonastraightwoodenchairinfrontofalongtablefulofchessboardsintheballroomofaMexicanhotel,shefeltirritatedandabitdizzy.Marencohadjustopenedwithpawntokingfour.Herclockwasticking.Sheshruggedandplayedpawntoqueen’sbishopfour,trustingtheformalmaneuversoftheSiciliantokeephersteadyuntilshegotintothegame.Marencobroughttheking’sknightoutwithcivilorthodoxy.Shepushedthequeenpawntothefourthrank;heexchangedpawns.Shebegantorelaxashermindmovedawayfromherbodyandontothetableauofforcesinfrontofher.

           Byeleven-thirtyshehadhimdownbytwopawns,andjustafternoonheresigned.