Вино из одуванчиков

           Shehadstuffedturkeys,chickens,squabs,gentlemen,andboys.Shehadwashedceilings,walls,invalids,andchildren.Shehadlaidlinoleum,repairedbicycles,woundclocks,stokedfurnaces,swabbediodineontenthousandgrievouswounds.Herhandshadflownallaroundaboutanddown,gentlingthis,holdingthat,throwingbaseballs,swingingbrightcroquetmallets,seedingblackearth,orfixingcoversoverdumplings,ragouts,andchildrenwildlystrewnbyslumber.Shehadpulleddownshades,pinchedoutcandles,turnedswitches,and—grownold.Lookingbackonthirtybillionsofthingsstarted,carried,finishedanddone,itallsummedup,totaledout;thelastdecimalwasplaced,thefinalzeroswungslowlyintoline.Now,chalkinhand,shestoodbackfromlifeasilenthourbeforereachingfortheeraser.

           "Letmeseenow,"saidGreat-grandma."Letmesee..."

           Withnofussorfurtherado,shetraveledthehouseinanever-circlinginventory,reachedthestairsatlast,and,makingnospecialannouncement,shetookherselfupthreeflightstoherroomwhere,silently,shelaidherselfoutlikeafossilimprintunderthesnowingcoolsheetsofherbedandbegantodie.

           Againthevoices:

           "Grandma!Great-grandma!"

           Therumorofwhatshewasdoingdroppeddownthestairwell,hit,andspreadripplesthroughtherooms,outdoorsandwindowsandalongthestreetofelmstotheedgeofthegreenravine.

           "Herenow,here!"Thefamilysurroundedherbed.

           "Justletmelie,"shewhispered.