Ход королевы
Chapter 3
“Godknows,”Mrs.Wheatleywassaying,“Godknowstheyhavetobemeticulousaboutwhomtheyturntheirchargesoverto.Youcan’thavescoundrelstakingtheresponsibilityforagrowingchild.”
Bethsetherforkdowncarefully.“MayIgotothebathroom,please?”
“Why,certainly.”Shepointedtothelivingroomwithherfork.Mrs.Wheatleyhadbeenholdingtheforkallduringlunch,eventhoughshehadeatennothing.“Thewhitedoortotheleftofthesofa.”
Bethgotup,squeezedpastthepianothatpracticallyfilledthesmalldiningroomandwentintothelivingroomandthroughitsclutterofcoffeetableandlamptablesandhugerosewoodTV,nowshowinganafternoondrama.ShewalkedcarefullyacrosstheOrionshagcarpetandintothebathroom.Thebathroomwastinyandcompletelydoneinrobin’s-eggblue—thesameshadeasMrs.Wheatley’scardigan.Ithadabluecarpetandlittleblueguesttowelsandabluetoiletseat.Eventhetoiletpaperwasblue.Bethliftedthetoiletseat,vomitedthetunafishintothebowlandflushedit.
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WhentheygottothetopofthestairsMrs.Wheatleyrestedforamoment,leaningherhipagainstthebanisterandbreathingheavily.Thenshetookafewstepsalongthecarpetedhallwayanddramaticallypushedadooropen.“This,”shesaid,“willbeyourroom.”Sinceitwasasmallhouse,Bethhadvisualizedsomethingtinyforherself,butwhenshewalkedinshecaughtherbreath.Itlookedenormoustoher.Thefloorwasbareandpaintedgray,withapinkovalrugatthesideofthedoublebed.Shehadneverhadaroomofherownbefore.
