Вино из одуванчиков

           "Happiness,Doug,heregoeshappiness!"Andhewentthewayofthetrolley,JohnHuff,andthedove-fingeredladies.

           Aboveontheroofatappingsound.Tap-rap-bang.Pause.Tap-rap-bang.Nailandhammer.Hammerandnail.Abirdchoir.Andanoldwomansinginginafrailbutheartyvoice.

           "Yes,we’llgatherattheriver...river...river...Yes,we’llgatherattheriver...ThatflowsbythethroneofGod..."

           "Grandma!Great-grandma!"

           Tap,softly,tap.Tap,softly,

           "...river...river..."

           Andnowitwasonlythebirdspickinguptheirtinyfeetandputtingthemdownagainontheroof.Rattle-rattle.Scratch.Peep.Peep.Soft.Soft.

           "...river..."

           Douglastookonebreathandletitalloutatonce,wailing.

           Hedidnothearhismotherrunintotheroom.

           Afly,liketheburningashofacigarette,felluponhissenselesshand,sizzled,andflewaway.

           Fouro’clockintheafternoon.Fliesdeadonthepavement.Dogswetmopsintheirkennels.Shadowsherdedundertrees.Downtownstoresshutupandlocked.Thelakeshoreempty.Thelakefullofthousandsofpeopleuptotheirnecksinthewarmbutsoothingwater.

           Four-fifteen.Alongthebrickstreetsoftownthejunkwagonmoved,andMr.Jonassingingonit.

           Tom,drivenoutofthehousebythescorchedlookonDouglas’sface,walkedslowlydowntothecurbasthewagonstopped.

           "Hi,Mr.Jonas."

           "Hello,Tom."

           TomandMr.Jonaswerealoneonthestreetwithallthatbeautifuljunkinthewagontolookatandneitherofthemlookingatit.Mr.