Ход королевы
Chapter 14
Itwasgoodtoforgetthatforawhile.
TheyaskedaboutMethuen,andasalwaysshewasrestrained.Butoneofthempresseditabit,andshefoundherselfsaying,“Theystoppedmefromplaying.Itwasapunishment,”andhepickeduponthatimmediately.ItsoundedDickensian,hesaid.“Whywouldtheypunishyoulikethat?”Bethsaid,“Ithinktheywerecruelonprinciple.Atleastthedirectorwas.Mrs.HelenDeardorff.Willyouprintthat?”ShewastalkingtothemanfromTime.Heshrugged.“That’sforthelegaldepartment.Ifyouwintomorrow,theymight.”
“Theyweren’tallcruel,”shesaid.“TherewasamannamedFergussen,somekindofattendant.Helovedus,Ithink.”
ThemanfromUPIwhohadinterviewedheronherfirstdayinMoscowspokeup.“Whotaughtyoutoplayiftheydidn’twantyoudoingit?”
“HisnamewasShaibel,”shesaid,thinkingofthatwallofpicturesinthebasement.“WilliamShaibel.Hewasthejanitor.”
“Tellusaboutit,”thewomanfromtheObserversaid.
“Weplayedchessinthebasement,afterhetaughtmehow.”
Clearlytheylovedit.ThemanfromParis-Matchshookhishead,smiling.“Thejanitortaughtyoutoplaychess?”
“That’sright,”Bethsaid,withaninvoluntarytremorinhervoice.“Mr.WilliamShaibel.Hewasadamngoodplayer.Hespentalotoftimeatit,andhewasgood.”
Aftertheyleftshetookawarmbath,stretchingoutintheenormouscast-irontub.Thensheputonherjeansandbegansettingupthepieces.Buttheminuteshehaditontheboardandbegantoexamineit,allthetightnesscameback.
