Вино из одуванчиков

           Augustwon’tbeatotalloss.Hey,kids!"

           AndCharliewasoff,wavinghisarms,yelling.

           TomstoodonthesidewalkinfrontofLaviniaNebbs’house,hisfacepale.

           "Mygosh!"hewhispered."What’veIgoneanddonenow!"

           HeturnedtoDouglas.

           "Isay,Doug,what’veIgoneanddonenow?"

           Douglaswasstaringatthehouse.Hislipsmoved.

           "Iwasthere,lastnight,intheravine.IsawElizabethRamsell.Itcamebyherelastnightonthewayhome.Isawthelemonadeglassthereontherail.Justlastnightitwas.Icoulddrinkthat,Ithought...Icoulddrinkthat..."

           Shewasawomanwithabroomoradustpanorawashragoramixingspooninherhand.Yousawhercuttingpiecrustinthemorning,hummingtoit,oryousawhersettingoutthebakedpiesatnoonortakingthemin,cool,atdusk.SherangporcelaincupslikeaSwissbellringer,totheirplace.Sheglidedthroughthehallsassteadilyasavacuummachine,seeking,finding,andsettingtorights.Shemademirrorsofeverywindow,tocatchthesun.Shestrolledbuttwicethroughanygarden,trowelinhand,andtheflowersraisedtheirquiveringfiresuponthewarmairinherwake.Shesleptquietlyandturnednomorethanthreetimesinanight,asrelaxedasawhiteglovetowhich,atdawn,abriskhandwillreturn.Waking,shetouchedpeoplelikepictures,tosettheirframesstraight.

           But,now...?

           "Grandma,"saideveryone."Great-grandma."

           Nowitwasasifahugesuminarithmeticwerefinallydrawingtoanend.