Вино из одуванчиков

           Hewatchedherfumblethemetaltopofftheice-creamfreezerandmanipulatethescoop,packingthecardboardpintchock-fullwith"chocolateontop,yes!"Hegavethemoney,receivedthechill,icypack,andrubbingitacrosshisbrowandcheek,laughing,thumpedbarefootedlyhomeward.Behindhimthelightsofthelonelylittlestoreblinkedoutandtherewasonlyastreetlightshimmeringonthecorner,andthewholecityseemedtobegoingtosleep.

           Openingthescreendoor,hefoundMomstillironing.Shelookedhotandirritatedbutshesmiledjustthesame.

           "WhenwillDadbehomefromlodgemeeting?"heasked.

           "Aboutelevenoreleven-thirty,"Motherreplied.Shetooktheicecreamtothekitchen,dividedit.Givinghimhisspecialportionofchocolate,shedishedoutsomeforherselfandtherestwasputaway,"forDouglasandyourfatherwhentheycome."

           Theysatenjoyingtheicecream,wrappedatthecoreofthedeepquietsummernight.Hismotherandhimselfandthenightallaroundtheirsmallhouseonthesmallstreet.Helickedeachspoonfuloficecreamthoroughlybeforediggingforanother,andMomputherironingboardawayandthehotironinitsopencasecooling,andshesatinthearmchairbythephonograph,eatingherdessertandsaying,"Myland,itwasahotdaytoday.Earthsoaksupalltheheatandletsitoutatnight.It’llbesoggysleeping.

           Theybothsatlisteningtothenight,presseddownbyeverywindowanddoorandcompletesilencebecausetheradioneededanewbattery,andtheyhadplayedalltheKnickerbockerQuartetrecordsandAlJolsonandTwoBlackCrowsrecordstoexhaustion;