Вино из одуванчиков

           Twiceayeartheybroughtthebigflappingrugsouiintotheyardandlaidthemwheretheylookedoutofplaceanduninhabited,onthelawn.ThenGrandmaandMothercamefromthehousewithwhatlookedtobethebackrungsofthosebeautifulloopedwirechairsdowntowninthesoda-fountainplace.Thesegreatwirewandswerehandedaroundsotheystood,Douglas,Tom,Grandma,Great-grandma,andMotherpoisedlikeacollectionofwitchesandfamiliarsoverthedutypattensofoldArmenia.ThenatasignalfromGreat-grandma,ablinkoftheeyesoragummingofthelips,theflailswereraised,theharpingwiresbangeddownagainandagainupontherugs.

           "Takethat!Andthat!"saidGreat-grandma."Gettheflies,boys,killthecooties!"

           "Oh,you!"saidGrandmatohermother.

           Theyalllaughed.Theduststormpuffedupaboutthem.Theirlaughingbecamechoked.

           Showersoflint,tidesofsand,goldenflakesofpipetobaccofluttered,shiveredontheexplodedandre-explodedair.Pausing,theboyssawthetreadoftheirshoesandtheolderpeople’sshoespressedabilliontimesinthewarpandwoofofthisrug,nowtobesmoothedcleanasthetideoftheirbeatingsweptagainandagainalongtheorientalshore.

           "There’swhereyourhusbandspilledthatcoffee!"Grandmagavetherugablow.

           "Here’swhereyoudroppedthecream!"Great-grandmawhackedupagreattwisterofdust.

           "Lookatthescuffmarks.Boys,boys!"

           "Double-Grandma,here’stheinkfromyourpen!"

           "Pshaw!Minewaspurpleink.