Вино из одуванчиков

           "Ishouldsaynot!WhattayouthinkIam,anyway?"

           "Causeifworstcomestoworst,andbothofusarerealold—sayfortyorforty-fivesomeday—wecanownagoldmineoutWestandsittheresmokingcornsilkandgrowingbeards."

           "Growingbeards!Boy!"

           "LikeIsay,youstickaroundanddon’tletnothinghappen."

           "Youcandependonme,"saidTom.

           "It’snotyouIworryabout,"saidDouglas."It’sthewayGodrunstheworld."

           Tomthoughtaboutthisforamoment.

           "He’sallright,Doug,"saidTom."Hetries."

           Shecameoutofthethebathroomputtingiodineonherfingerwhereshehadalmostloppeditoffcuttingherselfachunkofcocoanutcake.Justthenthemailmancameuptheporchsteps,openedthedoor,andwalkedin.Thedoorslammed.ElmiraBrownjumpedafoot.

           "Sam!"shecried.Shewavedheriodinedfingerontheairtocoolit."I’mstillnotusedtomyhusbandbeingapostman.Everytimeyoujustwalkin,itscaresthelifeoutofme!"

           SamBrownstoodtherewiththemailpouchhalfempty,scratchinghishead.Helookedbackoutthedoorasifafoghadsuddenlyrolledinonacalmsweetsummermorn.

           "Sam,you’rehomeearly,"shesaid.

           "Can’tstay,"hesaidinapuzzledvoice.

           "Spititout,what’swrong?"Shecameoverandlookedintohisface.

           "Maybenothing,maybelots.IjustdeliveredsomemailtoClaraGoodwaterupthestreet..."

           "ClaraGoodwater!"

           "Nowdon’tgetyourdanderup.Booksitwas,fromtheJohnson-SmithCompany,Racine,Wisconsin.Titleofonebook...