Ход королевы
Chapter 2
Nothing”—foramomentthemusclesatthesidesofDeardorff’sjawstoodoutlikesteelcables—“nothinginthehistoryoftheMetheunHomehasbeensodeplorable.Itmustnothappenagain.”
Mr.Schellspokeup.“Weareterriblydisappointed—”
“Ican’tsleepwithoutthepills,”Bethsaid.
Therewasastartledsilence.Noonehadexpectedhertospeak.ThenMrs.Deardorffsaid,“Allthemorereasonwhyyoushouldnothavethem.”Buttherewassomethingoddinhervoice,asthoughshewerefrightened.
“Youshouldn’thavegiventhemtousinthefirstplace,”Bethsaid.
“Iwillnothavebacktalkfromachild,”Mrs.Deardorffsaid.ShestoodupandleanedacrossthedesktowardBeth.“Ifyouspeaktomelikethatagain,youwillregretit.”
ThebreathcaughtinBeth’sthroat.Mrs.Deardorff’sbodyseemedenormous.Bethdrewbackasthoughshehadtouchedsomethingwhitehot.
Mrs.Deardorffsatdownandadjustedherglasses.“Yourlibraryandplaygroundprivilegeshavebeensuspended.YouwillnotattendtheSaturdaymoviesandyouwillbeinbedpromptlyateighto’clockintheevenings.Doyouunderstand?”
Bethnodded.
“Answerme.”
“Yes.”
“Youwillbeinchapelthirtyminutesearlyandwillberesponsibleforsettingupthechairs.Ifyouareinanywayremissinthis,MissLonsdalehasbeeninstructedtoreporttome.Ifyouareseenwhisperingtoanotherchildinchapelorinanyclass,youwillautomaticallybegiventendemerits.”Mrs.Deardorffpaused.“Youunderstandthemeaningoftendemerits,Elizabeth?”
Bethnodded.
“Answerme.”
“Yes.
