Ход королевы

           Shewantedthingsbrighterinthelivingroom,morecheerful.ShewantedtoeraseMrs.Wheatley’shalf-realpresencefromtheplace.Shewouldgetabrightrugforthefloorandhavethewindowswashed.Shewouldgetastereoandsomerecords,anewbedspreadandpillowcasesforthebedupstairs.FromPurcell’s.Mrs.Wheatleyhadbeenagoodmother;shehadnotintendedtodieandleaveher.

           ***

           Bethsleptwellandawokefeelingangry.Sheputonthechenillerobeandpaddeddownstairsinslippers—Mrs.Wheatley’sslippers—andfoundherselfthinkingfuriouslyoftheseventhousanddollarsshehadpaidAllstonWheatley.Shelovedhermoney;sheandMrs.Wheatleyhadbothtakengreatpleasureinaccumulatingitfromtournamenttotournament,watchingitgatherinterest.TheyhadalwaysopenedBeth’sbankstatementstogethertoseehowmuchnewinteresthadbeencreditedtotheaccount.AndafterMrs.Wheatley’sdeathithadconsoledhertoknowthatshecouldgoonlivinginthehouse,buyinghergroceriesatthesupermarketandgoingtomovieswhenshewantedtowithoutfeelingpinchedformoneyorhavingtothinkaboutgettingworkorgoingtocollegeorfindingtournamentstowin.

           ShehadbroughtthreeofBenny’schesspamphletswithherfromNewYork;whilehereggswereboilingshesetupherboardonthekitchentableandgotoutthebookletwithgamesfromthelastMoscowInvitational.TheRussianbookletswereprintedonexpensivepaperwithgood,cleartype.ShehadnotreallymasteredRussianfromthenightcourseattheuniversity,butshecouldreadthenamesandthenotationseasilyenough.