Ход королевы

           Itmusthavebeenpartofasuitebecausewhatshesawwasagrandparlorwithacrystalchandelierhangingfromanelaboratelymoldedceiling,apairofgreenoverstuffedsofasandlarge,darkoilpaintingsonthefarwall,whereanopendoorledtoabedroom.Therewerethreemeninshirtsleevesstandingaroundatablethatsatbetweenthecouches.Onthetablewasacrystaldecanterandthreeshotglasses.Inthecenterofthetablewasachessboard;twoofthemenwerewatchingandcommentingwhilethethirdmovedpiecesaroundspeculativelywithhisfingertips.ThetwomenwatchingwereTigranPetrosianandMikhailTal.TheonemovingthepieceswasVasilyBorgov.Theywerethreeofthebestchessplayersintheworld,andtheywereanalyzingwhatmusthavebeenBorgov’sadjournedpositionfromhisgamewithDuhamel.

           OnceasachildshehadbeenonherwaydownthehallintheAdministrationBuildingandhadstoppedforamomentbythedoortoMrs.Deardorff’soffice,whichwasuncharacteristicallyopen.Lookingfurtivelyinside,shehadseenMrs.Deardorffstandingthereintheouterofficewithanoldermanandawoman,involvedinconversation,theirheadstogetherinanintimacyshewouldneverhaveexpectedMrs.Deardorfftobecapableof.Ithadbeenashocktopeerintothisadultworld.Mrs.Deardorffheldherindexfingeroutandwastappingthelapelofthemanwithitasshetalked,eyetoeye,withhim.Bethneversawthecoupleagainandhadnoideawhattheyhadbeentalkingabout,butsheneverforgotthescene.