Ход королевы

           Bethdriedherhandsagainandlifteditdownfromtheshelf,listeningcarefully.Thereweregigglesandshoutsfromthegirlsintheshower,butnothingelse.Shehadmadeapointofbeingthefirstin,togetthestallnearestthedoor,andshehadleftquickly.Nooneelsewouldbethroughyet.Sheopenedthepurse.

           Therewerecoloredpostcardsandanew-lookinglipstickandatortoise-shellcombandanelegantlinenhandkerchief.Bethpushedthroughthesewithherrighthand.Atthebottom,inalittlesilvermoneyclip,werebills.Shepulledthemout.Twofives.Shehesitatedforamomentandthentookthemboth,togetherwiththeclip.Sheputthepursebackandreplacedthelock.

           Shehadleftherowndoorshutbutunlocked.SheopeneditnowandslidtheclippedfivesintoherAlgebrabook.Thenshelockedherdoor,wentbacktotheshowerandstayedtherewashingherselfuntilalltheothergirlshadleft.

           Wheneveryoneelsewasgone,Bethwasstillgettingdressed.Margarethadnotopenedherpurse.Bethsigheddeeply,likeMrs.Wheatley.Herheartwasstillpounding.ShegotthemoneyclipoutofheralgebrabookandpusheditunderthelockerMargarethadused.ItmighthavejustfallentherefromMargaret’spurse,andanybodycouldhavetakenthemoney.Shefoldedthebillsandputtheminhershoe.Thenshetookherownblueplasticpursefromtheshelf,openeditandreachedintothelittlepocketthatheldthemirror.Shetookouttwogreenpills,puttheminhermouth,wenttothewashstandandswallowedthemdownwithapapercupofwater