Ход королевы
Chapter 3
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Itwouldtakesixdollarstojoinandfivedollarstogetintothetournament.WhenyoutookthebusdownMainyoupassedHenryClayHigh;itwaselevenblocksfromJanwellDrive.AnditwasfiveweeksuntilThanksgiving.
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“Cananyonesayitverbatim?”Mrs.MacArthursaid.
Bethputupherhand.
“Beth?”
Shestood.“Inanyrighttrianglethesquareofthehypotenuseisequaltothesumofthesquaresoftheothertwosides.”Shesatdown.
MargaretsnickeredandleanedtowardGordon,whosatbesideherandsometimesheldherhand.“That’sthebrain!”shewhisperedinasoft,girlishvoiceradiantwithcontempt.Gordonlaughed.Bethlookedoutthewindowattheautumnleaves.
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“Idonotknowwherethemoneygoes!”Mrs.Wheatleysaid.“Ihaveboughtlittlemorethantriflesthismonth,andyetmyhoardhasbeendecimated.Decimated.”Sheploppedintothechintz-coveredarmchairandstaredattheceilingforamoment,wide-eyed,asifexpectingaguillotinetofall.“Ihavepaidelectricbillsandtelephonebillsandhaveboughtsimple,uncomplicatedgroceries.Ihavedeniedmyselfcreamformymorningcoffee,haveboughtnothingwhateverformyperson,haveattendedneitherthecinemanortherummagesalesatFirstMethodist,andyetIhavesevendollarsleftwhereIshouldhaveatleasttwenty.”Shelaidthecrumpledone-dollarbillsonthetablebesideher,havingfishedthemfromherpurseafewmomentsbefore.“WehavethisforourselvesuntiltheendofOctober.Itwillscarcelybuychickennecksandporridge.
