Ход королевы
Chapter 3
ShewalkedoverandsatontheedgeofBeth’sbed,smilingatherdistractedly,asthoughshewerethinkingaboutsomethingelse.BethhadlivedwithheraweeknowandshenoticedthatMrs.Wheatleywasoftenthatway.
“Iusedtoplaychess,”Bethsaid.
Mrs.Wheatleyblinked.“Chess?”
“Ilikeitalot.”
Mrs.Wheatleyshookherheadasthoughshakingsomethingoutofherhair.“Oh,chess!”shesaid.“Theroyalgame.Hownice.”
“Doyouplay?”Bethsaid.
“Oh,Lord,no!”Mrs.Wheatleysaidwithaself-deprecatinglaugh.“Ihaven’tthemindforit.Butmyfatherusedtoplay.Myfatherwasasurgeonandquiterefinedinhisways;Ibelievehewasasuperiorchessplayerinhistime.”
“CouldIplaychesswithhim?”
“Hardly,”Mrs.Wheatleysaid.“Myfatherpassedonyearsago.”
“IsthereanyoneIcouldplaywith?”
“Playchess?Ihavenoidea.”Mrs.Wheatleypeeredatherforamoment.“Isn’titprimarilyagameforboys?”
“Girlsplay,”shesaid.
“Hownice!”ButMrs.Wheatleywasclearlymilesaway.
***
Mrs.WheatleyspenttwodaysgettingthehousecleanedforMissFarley,andshesentBethtobrushherhairthreetimesonthemorningofthevisit.
WhenMissFarleycameinthedoorshewasfollowedbyatallmanwearingafootballjacket.BethwasshockedtoseeitwasFergussen.Helookedmildlyembarrassed.“Hithere,Harmon,”hesaid.“Iinvitedmyselfalong.”HewalkedintoMrs.Wheatley’slivingroomandstoodtherewithhishandsinhispockets.
MissFarleyhadasetofformsandachecklist.
