Вино из одуванчиков

           Yougofirstandkickanyinvisiblestringsoutoftheway.Ringthatdoorbell,butpullyourfingeroffquick,thejuice’llburnyoutoacinder!"

           Tomdidnottouchthebell.

           "ClaraGoodwater!"Mrs.Brownflickedthebellbuttonwithheriodinedfinger.

           Farawayinthecooldimemptyroomsofthebigoldhouse,asilverbelltinkledandfaded.

           Tomlistened.Stillfartherawaytherewasastirofmouselikerunning.Ashadow,perhapsablowingcurtain,movedinadistantparlor.

           "Hello,"saidaquietvoice.

           AndquitesuddenlyMrs.Goodwaterwasthere,freshasastickofpeppermint,behindthescreen.

           "Why,hellothere,Tom,Elmira.What—"

           "Don’trushme!Wecameoveraboutyourpracticingtobeafull-fledgedwitch!"

           Mrs.Goodwatersmiled."Yourhusband’snotonlyamailman,butaguardianofthelaw.Gotanoseouttohere!"

           "Hedidn’tlookatnomail."

           "He’stenminutesbetweenhouseslaughingatpostcards.andtryin’onmail-ordershoes."

           "Itain’twhatheseen;it’swhatyouyourselftoldhimaboutthebooksyougot."

           "Justajoke.Goin’tobeawitch!Isaid,andbang!OffgallopsSam,likeI’dflungLightningathim.Ideclaretherecan’tbeonewrinkleinthatman’sbrain."

           "Youtalkedaboutyourmagicotherplacesyesterday—"

           "YoumustmeantheSandwichClub..."

           "TowhichIpointedlywasnotinvited."

           "Why,lady,wethoughtthatwasyourregulardaywithyourgrandma."

           "IcanalwayshaveanotherGrandmaday,ifpeople’donlyaskmeplaces."