Ход королевы

           Shestood,holdinghervalise,andlookedaroundher.Therewasadresser,andadeskwhoseorange-lookingwoodmatchedit,withapinkglasslamponit,andapinkchenillebedspreadontheenormousbed.“Youhavenoideahowdifficultitistofindgoodmaplefurniture,”Mrs.Wheatleywassaying,“butIthinkIdidverywell,ifIdosaysomyself.”Bethhardlyheardher.Thisroomwashers.Shelookedattheheavilypaintedwhitedoor;therewasakeyinit,undertheknob.Shecouldlockthedoorandnoonecouldcomein.

           Mrs.Wheatleyshowedherwherethebathroomwasdownthehallandthenleftheralonetounpack,closingthedoorbehindher.Bethsetdownherbagandwalkedaround,stoppingonlybrieflytolookouteachofthewindowsatthetree-linedstreetbelow.Therewasacloset,biggerthanMother’shadbeen,andanightstandbythebed,withalittlereadinglamp.Itwasabeautifulroom.IfonlyJolenecouldseeit.ForamomentshefeltlikecryingforJolene,shewantedJolenetobethere,goingaroundtheroomwithherwhiletheylookedatallthefurnitureandthenhungBeth’sclothesinthecloset.

           InthecarMrs.Wheatleyhadsaidhowgladtheyweretohaveanolderchild.ThenwhynotadoptJolene?Bethhadthought.Butshesaidnothing.ShelookedatMr.Wheatleywithhisgrim-setjawandhistwopalehandsonthesteeringwheelandthenatMrs.WheatleyandsheknewtheywouldneverhaveadoptedJolene.

           Bethsatonthebedandshookoffthememory.Itwasawonderfullysoftbed,anditsmelledcleanandfresh.