Ход королевы
Chapter 3
TherewastheApplePiClubandtheSubDebsandGirlsAroundTown.Theywerelikesororitiesatacollege,andyouhadtobepledged.ThegirlsinApplePiwereeighthandninthgraders;mostofthemworebrightcashmeresweatersandfashionablyscuffedsaddleoxfordswithargylesocks.Someofthemlivedinthecountryandownedhorses.Thoroughbreds.Girlslikethatneverlookedatyouinthehallways;theywerealwayssmilingatsomeoneelse.Theirsweaterswerebrightyellowanddeepblueandpastelgreen.Theirsockscameuptojustbelowthekneesandweremadeof100percentvirginwoolfromEngland.
SometimeswhenBethsawherselfinthemirrorofthegirls’roombetweenclasses,withherstraightbrownhairandnarrowshouldersandroundfacewithdullbrowneyesandfrecklesacrossthebridgeofhernose,shewouldtastetheoldtasteofvinegarinhermouth.Thegirlswhobelongedtotheclubsworelipstickandeyeshadow;Bethworenomake-upandherhairstillfelloverherforeheadinbangs.Itdidnotoccurtoherthatshewouldbepledgedtoaclub,nordidittoanyoneelse.
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“Thisweek,”Mrs.MacArthursaid,“wewillbegintostudythebinomialtheorem.Doesanyoneknowwhatabinomialis?”
FromthebackrowBethputupherhand.Itwasthefirsttimeshehaddonethis.
“Yes?”Mrs.MacArthursaid.
Bethstood,feelingsuddenlyawkward.“Abinomialisamathematicalexpressioncontainingtwoterms.”TheyhadstudiedthislastyearatMethuen.“XplusYisabinomial.”
“Verygood,”Mrs.MacArthursaid.
