Вино из одуванчиков

           "Icanseeyou."

           "Andthen,"shesaid,"andthen..."

           Hervoicemovedonandonastheafternoongrewlateandthetwilightdeepenedquickly,buthervoicemovedinthegardenandanyonepassingontheroad,atafardistance,couldhavehearditsmothsound,faintly,faintly...

           TwodayslaterWilliamForresterwasathisdeskinhisroomwhenthelettercame.DouglasbroughtitupstairsandhandedittoBillandlookedasifheknewwhatwasinit.

           WilliamForresterrecognizedtheblueenvelope,butdidnotopenit.Hesimplyputitinhisshirtpocket,lookedattheboyforamoment,andsaid,"Comeon,Doug;mytreat."

           Theywalkeddowntown,sayingverylittle,Douglaspreservingthesilencehesensedwasnecessary.Autumn,whichhadthreatenedforatime,wasgone.Summerwasbackfull,boilingthecloudsandscouringthemetalsky.Theyturnedinatthedrugstoreandsatatthemarblefountain.WilliamForrestertooktheletteroutandlaiditbeforehimandstilldidnotopenit.

           Helookedoutattheyellowsunlightontheconcreteandonthegreenawningsandshiningonthegoldlettersofthewindowsignsacrossthestreet,andhelookedatthecalendaronthewall.August27,1928.Helookedathiswristwatchandfelthisheartbeatslowly,sawthesecondhandofthewatchmovingmovingwithnospeedatall,sawthecalendarfrozentherewithitsonedayseemingforever,thesunnailedtotheskywithnomotiontowardsunsetwhatever.Thewarmairspreadunderthesighingfansoverhishead.