Ход королевы
Chapter 1
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Shehadlearnedtosavehertranquilizersuntilnight.Thathelpedhersleep.ShewouldputtheoblongpillinhermouthwhenMr.Fergussenhandedittoher,getitunderhertongue,takeasipofthecannedorangejuicethatcamewiththepill,swallow,andthenwhenMr.Fergussenhadgoneontothenextchild,takethepillfromhermouthandslipitintothepocketofhermiddyblouse.Thepillhadahardcoatinganddidnotsofteninthetimeitsatunderhertongue.
Forthefirsttwomonthsshehadsleptverylittle.Shetriedto,lyingstillwithhereyestightlyshut.Butshewouldhearthegirlsintheotherbedscoughorturnormutter,oranightorderlywouldwalkdownthecorridorandtheshadowwouldcrossherbedandshewouldseeit,evenwithhereyesclosed.Adistantphonewouldring,oratoiletwouldflush.Butworstofallwaswhensheheardvoicestalkingatthedeskattheendofthecorridor.Nomatterhowsoftlytheorderlyspoketothenightattendant,nomatterhowpleasantly,Bethimmediatelyfoundherselftenseandfullyawake.Herstomachcontracted,shetastedvinegarinhermouth;andsleepwouldbeoutofthequestionforthatnight.
Nowshewouldsnuggleupinbed,allowingherselftofeelthetensioninherstomachwithathrill,knowingitwouldsoonleaveher.Shewaitedthereinthedark,alone,monitoringherself,waitingfortheturmoilinhertopeak.Thensheswallowedthetwopillsandlaybackuntiltheeasebegantospreadthroughherbodylikethewavesofawarmsea.
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“Willyouteachme?”
Mr.
