Ход королевы

           ShewaswearinghernavypleatedskirtandawhiteblousewithredlettersspellingMethuenoverthepocket.

           Therewasnooneintheroomwhentheycamein;Mr.Ganzhadunlockedthedoorwithakeyfromhispocket.Afteraminuteabellrangandtherewerethesoundsoffootstepsandsomeshoutsinthehallway,andstudentsbegantocomein.Theyweremostlyboys.Bigboys,asbigasmen;thiswasseniorhigh.Theyworesweatersandslouchedwiththeirhandsintheirpockets.Bethwonderedforamomentwhereshewassupposedtosit.Butshecouldn’tsitifshewasgoingtoplaythemallatonce;shewouldhavetowalkfromboardtoboardtomakethemoves.“Hey,Allan.Watchout!”oneboyshoutedtoanother,jerkinghisthumbtowardBeth.Abruptlyshesawherselfasasmallunimportantperson—aplain,brown-hairedorphangirlindullinstitutionalclothes.Shewashalfthesizeoftheseeasy,insolentstudentswiththeirloudvoicesandbrightsweaters.Shefeltpowerlessandsilly.Butthenshelookedattheboardsagain,withthepiecessetinthefamiliarpattern,andtheunpleasantfeelingslessened.Shemightbeoutofplaceinthispublichighschool,butshewasnotoutofplacewiththosetwelvechessboards.

           “Takeyourseatsandbequiet,please.”Mr.Ganzspokewithsurprisingauthority.“CharlesLevywilltakeBoardNumberOne,sincehe’sourtopplayer.Therestcansitwheretheywantto.Therewillbenotalkingduringplay.”

           Suddenlyeveryonewasquiet,andtheyallbegantolookatBeth.Shelookedbackatthem,unblinking,andshefeltrisinginherahatredasblackasnight.