Ход королевы
Chapter 1
”
HebeatherwithwhatshewastolearnlaterwascalledtheScholar’sMate,afterfourmoves.Itwasquick,butnotquickenoughtokeepherfrombeingfifteenminuteslateforGeography.Shesaidshe’dbeeninthebathroom.
Mr.Schellstoodatthedeskwithhishandsonhiships.Hesurveyedtheclass.“Haveanyofyouyoungladiesseenthisyoungladyintheladies’?”
Thereweresubduedgiggles.Nohandswereraised,notevenJolene’s,althoughBethhadliedforhertwice.
“Andhowmanyofyouladieswereintheladies’beforeclass?”
Thereweremoregigglesandthreehands.
“AnddidanyofyouseeBeththere?Washingherprettylittlehands,perhaps?”
Therewasnoresponse.Mr.Schellturnedbacktotheboard,wherehehadbeenlistingtheexportsofArgentina,andaddedtheword“silver.”ForamomentBeththoughtitwasdonewith.Butthenhespoke,withhisbacktotheclass.“Fivedemerits,”hesaid.
Withtendemeritsyouwerewhippedonthebehindwithaleatherstrap.Bethhadfeltthatstraponlyinherimagination,butherimaginationexpandedforamomentwithavisionofpainlikefireonthesoftpartsofherself.Sheputahandtoherheart,feelinginthebottomofthebreastpocketofherblouseforthatmorning’spill.Thefearreduceditselfperceptibly.Shevisualizedhertoothbrushholder,thelongrectangularplasticcontainer;ithadfourmorepillsinitnow,thereinthedrawerofthelittlemetalstandbyhercot.
Thatnightshelayonherbackinbed.Shehadnotyettakenthepillinherhand.
