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80
Rita’s mama looks now at Manya, now at Dusya. Manya too
looks at Dusya.
“What’s that child saying?” Dusya asks worriedly. No one
answers.
“If you’ll keep quiet, the misfortune will pass you by.” Laura
adds.
“But the upper echelons? What about that? I won’t be sent
to Siberia, will I?” Rita’s mama worries.
“Don’t be afraid, only honest and upright people are sent
there. Don’t hope and don’t feel sad! The jack of spades will
want to marry the queen of hearts.” She’s the mother of her
friend, after all.
“Me?”
“Yes, via the upper echelons.”
“Dear God, via the office? There’s only bosses there! Jack of
spades? Who could be that jack of spades? The new
agriculturist?”
“
Da ti shot razmechtalas –
you must be dreaming
,
the new
agronom
?”