Вино из одуванчиков

           "Idon’tknow,"whisperedTomfiercely,eyesshut,feelingthatelbowcomeoutofdarknessathim.

           "—wife,asIsay,ofoureminenthandwritingexpert,SamuelBrown...(morelaughter)...oftheU.S.PostalService,"continuedMrs.Goodwater."Mrs.Brownwantstogiveussomeopinions.Mrs.Brown?"

           Elmirastoodup.Herchairfelloverbackwardandsnappedshutlikeabeartraponitself.Shejumpedaninchoffthefloorandteeteredonherheels,whichgaveoffcrackingsoundsliketheywouldfalltodustanymoment."Igotplentytosay,"shesaid,holdingtheemptyQuakerOatsboxinonehandwithaBible.ShegrabbedTomwiththeotherandplowedforward,hittingseveralpeople’selbowsandmutteringtothem,"Watchwhatyou’redoing!Careful,you!"toreachtheplatform,turn,andknockaglassofwaterdrippingoverthetable.ShegaveMrs.Goodwateranotherbristlyscowlwhenthishappenedandlethermopitupwithatinyhandkerchief.Thenwithasecretlookoftriumph,Elmiradrewforththeemptyphilterglassandhelditup,displayingitforMrs.Goodwaterandwhispering,"Youknowwhatwasinthis?It’sinsideme,now,lady.Thecharmedcirclesurroundsme.Noknifecancleave,nohatchetbreakthrough."

           Theladies,alltalking,didnothear.

           Mrs.Goodwaternodded,heldupherhands,andtherewassilence.

           ElmiraheldtighttoTom’shand.Tomkepthiseyesshut,wincing.

           "Ladies,"Elmirasaid,"Isympathizewithyou.Iknowwhatyou’vebeenthroughtheselasttenyears.IknowwhyyouvotedforMrs.