Вино из одуванчиков

           WithdrawfromthecandidacyoftheHoneysuckleLodgeorfacemeface-to-facetomorrowwhenIrunforofficeandwrestitfromyouinafairfight.I’llbringTomherewithme.Aninnocentgoodboy.Andinnocenceandgoodwillwintheday."

           "Iwouldn’tcountonmebeinginnocent,Mrs.Brown,"saidtheboy."Mymothersays—"

           "Shutup,Tom,good’sgood!You’llbethereonmyrighthand,boy."

           "Yes’m"saidTom.

           "If,thatis,"saidElmira,"Icanlivethroughthenightwiththisladymakingwaxdummiesofme—shovingrustyneedlesthroughtheveryheartandsoulofthem.Ifyoufindagreatbigfiginmybedallshriveledupcomesunrise,Tom,you’llknowwhopickedthefruitinthevineyard.AndlooktoseeMrs.Goodwaterpresidenttillshe’sahundredandninety-fiveyearsold."

           "Why,lady,"saidMrs.Goodwater,"I’mthreehundredandfivenow.UsedtocallmeSHEintheolddays."Shepokedherfingersatthestreet."Abracadabra-zimmity-ZAM!How’sthat?"

           Elmirarandownofftheporch.

           "Tomorrow!"shecried.

           "Tillthen,lady!"saidMrs.Goodwater.

           TomfollowedElmira,shruggingandkickingantsoffthesidewalkashewent.

           Runningacrossadriveway,Elmirascreamed.

           "Mrs.Brown!"criedTom.

           AcarbackingoutofagarageranrightoverElmira’srightbigtoe.

           Mrs.ElmiraBrown’sfoothurtherinthemiddleofthenight,soshegotupandwentdowntothekitchenandatesomecoldchickenandmadeaneat,painfullyaccuratelistofthings.First,illnessesinthepastyear.