Вино из одуванчиков

           ElmiraBrownsittingthereatthebottomofthesteps,nothingbroke,heritbonesmadeoutofJell-O,Isuspect,andthewitchsobbin’onhershoulder,andthenallofthemgoin’upstairssuddenly·laughing.Cry-yi,youfigureitout.Igotoutoftherefast!"

           Tomloosenedhisshirtandtookoffhistie.

           "Magic,yousay?"askedDouglas.

           "MagicsixwaysfromSunday."

           "Youbelieveit?"

           "YesIdoandnoIdon’t."

           "Boy,thistownisfullofstuff!"Douglaspeeredoffatthehorizonwherecloudsfilledtheskywithimmenseshapesofoldgodsandwarriors."Spellsandwaxdollsandneedlesandelixirs,yousaid?"

           "Wasn’tmuchasanelixir,butawfulfineasanupchuck.Blap!Wowie!"Tomclutchedhisstomachandstuckouthistongue.

           "Witches..."saidDouglas.Hesquintedhiseyesmysteriously.

           Andthenthereisthatdaywhenallaround,allaroundyouhearthedroppingoftheapples,onebyone,fromthetrees.Atfirstitisonehereandonethere,andthenitisthreeandthenitisfourandthennineandtwenty,untiltheapplesplummetlikerain,falllikehorsehoofsinthesoft,darkeninggrass,andyouarethelastappleonthetree;andyouwaitforthewindtoworkyouslowlyfreefromyourholduponthesky,anddropyoudownanddown.Longbeforeyouhitthegrassyouwillhaveforgottenthereeverwasatree,orotherapples,orasummer,orgreengrassbelow.Youwillfallindarkness...

           "No!"

           ColonelFreeleighopenedhiseyesquickly,saterectinhiswheelchair.