Ход королевы

           Shewasgoodatit,andDaddypraisedherforit.“Youcatchonrealquick,sweetiepie,”hesaid.Shehadneverbeenhappier.Butwhentherewaspaintinthescrewslotshewouldsay,“LetDaddyfixthatforyou,”andwoulddosomethingtogetthescrewheadreadysothatallshehadtodowasputthebladeintheslotandturn.Butwhatdidhedotogetthatpaintaway?Andwhichwayshouldyouturnthescrewdriver?Foramomentshealmostchokedinasuddenflushofinadequacy.Theshoutsfromthefilmarenarosetoaroar,andthevolumeofthefreneticmusicrosewithit.Shecouldgetdownoffthestoolandgobackandtakeherseat.

           Butifshedidthat,shewouldgoonfeelingthewayshefeltnow.Shewouldhavetolieinbedatnightwiththelightfromunderthedoorinherfaceandthesoundsfromthecorridorinherearsandthebadtasteinhermouth,andtherewouldbenorelief,noeaseinherbody.Shetookthescrewdriverhandleandbangedthetwobigscrewheadswithit.Nothinghappened.Shegrittedherteethandthoughthard.Thenshenoddedgrimly,tookafreshpurchaseonthescrewdriver,andusingthecornerofitsblade,begantochiseloutthepaint.ThatwaswhatDaddyhaddone.Shepressedwithbothhands,keepingherfeetfirmlyonthestool,andpushedalongtheslot.Somepaintchippedloose,exposingthebrassofthescrew.Shekeptpushingwiththesharpcornerandmorecameloose.Thenabigflakeofpaintfelloff,andtheslotwasexposed.

           Shetookthescrewdriverinherrighthand,putthebladecarefullyintheslotandturned—totheleft,thewayDaddyhadtaughther.