Поющие в терновнике

           Butnothingkeptthedustatbayforlong,andafterawhilethecreekdrieduptoastringofwaterholes,sothattherewasnowatertobepumpedupfromittokitchenorbathroom.Stuarttookthetanktruckouttotheboreheadandbroughtitbackfull,emptieditintooneofthespareraintanks,andthewomenhadtogetusedtoadifferentkindofhorriblewaterondishesandclothesandbodies,worsethanmuddycreekwater.Therank,sulphur-smellingminerallystuffhadtobewipedoffdishesscrupulously,andmadethehairdullandcoarse,likestraw.Whatlittlerainwatertheyhadwasusedstrictlyfordrinkingandcooking.

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           FatherRalphwatchedMeggietenderly.ShewasbrushingPatsy’scurlyredhead,Jimsstandingobedientlybutalittlerockilywaitingforhisturn,bothpairsofbrightblueeyesturneduptoheradoringly.Justlikeatinymother,shewas.Ithadtobeathingborninthem,hemused,thatpeculiarobsessionwomenhadforinfants,elseatherageshewouldhaveregardeditasadutyratherthanpurepleasure,andbeenofftodosomethingmorealluringasfastasshecould.Insteadshewasdeliberatelyprolongingtheprocess,crimpingPatsy’shairbetweenherfingerstoshapewavesoutofitsunruliness.