Вино из одуванчиков

           "Iputinsomepulverizedcarrotsandparsleyroot,cutfine;juniperberry..."

           AgainshepausedasifavoicehadsaidSTOPtoherandshelookedoutacrossallthosefaces.

           Theroom,shenoticed,wasbeginningtoturnslowly,firstfromlefttoright,thenrighttoleft.

           "Rosemaryrootsandcrowfootflower..."shesaidratherdimly.SheletgoofTom’shand.Tomopenedoneeyeandlookedather.

           "Bayleaves,nasturtiumpetals..."shesaid.

           "Maybeyoubettersitdown,"saidMrs.Goodwater.

           Oneladyatthesidewentandopenedawindow.

           "Drybetelnuts,lavenderandcrab-appleseed,"saidMrs.Brownandstopped."Quicknow,let’shavetheelection.Gottohavethevotes.I’lltabulate."

           "Nohurry,Elmira,"saidMrs.Goodwater.

           "Yes,thereis."Elmiratookadeeptremblingbreath."Remember,ladies,nomorefear.Dolikeyoualwayswantedtodo.Voteforme,and..."Theroomwasmovingagain,upanddown."Honestyingovernment.AllthoseinfavorofMrs.Goodwaterforpresidentsay‘Aye.’"

           "Aye,"saidthewholeroom.

           "AllthoseinfavorofMrs.ElmiraBrown?"saidElmirainafaintvoice.

           Sheswallowed.

           Afteramomentshespoke,alone.

           "Aye,"shesaid.

           Shestoodstunnedontherostrum.

           Asilencefilledtheroomfromwalltowall.InthatsilenceMrs.ElmiraBrownmadeacroakingsound.Sheputherhandonherthroat.SheturnedandlookeddimlyatMrs.Goodwater,whonowverycasuallydrewforthfromherpurseasmallwaxdollinwhichwereanumberofrustedthumbtacks.