Ход королевы
Chapter 2
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“Elizabeth,MissLonsdaleinformsmethatyouhaveoftenleftchapelforlongperiods.Thatwillend.YouwillremaininchapelforthefullninetyminutesonSundays.YouwillwriteasummaryofeachSunday’stalkandhaveitonmydeskbyMondaymorning.”Mrs.Deardorffleanedbackinthewoodendeskchairandfoldedherhandsacrossherlap.“AndElizabeth…”
Bethlookedathercarefully.“Yes,ma’am.”
Mrs.Deardorffsmiledgrimly.“Nomorechess.”
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ThenextmorningBethwenttotheVitaminLineafterbreakfast.Shecouldseethatthehasphadbeenreplacedonthewindowandthatthistimetherewerescrewsinallfouroftheholesateachsideofthepadlock.
WhenshecameuptothewindowFergussenlookedatherandgrinned.“Wanttohelpyourself?”hesaid.
Sheshookherheadandheldherhandoutforthevitaminpills.Hehandedthemtoherandsaid,“Takeiteasy,Harmon.”Hisvoicewaspleasant;shehadneverheardhimspeakthatwayatvitamintimebefore.
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MissLonsdalewasn’ttoobad.SheseemedembarrassedathavingBethreporttoheratnine-thirty,andsheshowedhernervouslyhowtounfoldandsetoutthechairs,helpingherwiththefirsttworowsofthem.Bethwasabletohandleiteasilyenough,butlisteningtoMissLonsdaletalkaboutgodlesscommunismandthewayitwasspreadingintheUnitedStateswasprettybad.Bethwassleepy,andshehadn’thadtimetofinishbreakfast.Butshehadtopayattentionsoshecouldwriteherreport.
