Ход королевы
Chapter 3
Andthethingthatkeptturningupwastheword“tournament.”Therewasawholesectioncalled“TournamentLife.”Shehadnotknowntherewassuchathingasachesstournament.Shethoughtchesswasjustsomethingyoudid,thewayMrs.Wheatleyhookedrugsandputtogetherjigsawpuzzles.
“Younglady,”Mr.Bradleysaid,“youhavetobuythemagazineorputitback.”
Sheturned,startled.“Can’tIjust…?”
“Readthesign,”Mr.Bradleysaid.
Infrontofherwasahand-letteredsign:IFYOUWANTTOREADIT—BUYIT.Bethhadfifteencentsandthatwasall.Mrs.Wheatleyhadtoldherafewdaysbeforethatshewouldhavetodowithoutanallowanceforawhile;theywererathershortandMr.WheatleyhadbeendelayedoutWest.Bethputthemagazinebackandleftthestore.
Halfwaybackuptheblockshestopped,thoughtamomentandwentback.Therewasastackofnewspapersonthecounter,byMr.Bradley’selbow.Shehandedhimadimeandtookone.Mr.Bradleywasbusywithaladywhowaspayingforaprescription.Bethwentovertotheendofthemagazinerackwithherpaperunderherarmandwaited.
AfterafewminutesMr.Bradleysaid,“Wehavethreesizes.”Sheheardhimgoingtothebackofthestorewiththeladyfollowing.BethtookthecopyofChessReviewandslippeditintohernewspaper.
Outsideinthesunshineshewalkedablockwiththepaperunderherarm.Atthefirstcornershestopped,tookoutthemagazineandslippeditunderthewaistbandofherskirt,coveringitwithherrobbin’s-egg-bluesweater,madeofreprocessedwoolandboughtatBenSnyder’s.
