Поющие в терновнике

           Thetwoheavylineswerethereoneithersideofthemasterfulnose,themulishmouthwassetindomitably,theslightlyprotrudingandglacialeyesfixedwithoutblinkingonMeggie.FatherRalph’sownbeautifuleyespassedfromniecetoaunt,andbacktonieceagain.

           MaryCarsonsmiledatPaddy,andputherhandonhisarm."Youmaytakemeintodinner,Padraic.FatherdeBricassartwillescortFiona,andtheboysmustmakedowithMeghannbetweenthem."OverhershouldershelookedbackatMeggie."Doyoudancetonight,Meghann?"

           "She’stooyoung,Mary,she’snotyetseventeen,"saidPaddyquickly,rememberinganotherparentalshortcoming;noneofhischildrenhadbeentaughttodance.

           "Whatapity,"saidMaryCarson.

           Itwasasplendid,sumptuous,brilliant,gloriousparty;atleast,theyweretheadjectivesmostbandiedabout.RoyalO’MarawastherefromInishmurray,twohundredmilesaway;hecamethefarthestwithhiswife,sonsandlonedaughter,thoughnotbymuch.Gillypeoplethoughtlittleoftravelingtwohundredmilestoacricketmatch,letaloneaparty.DuncanGordon,fromEach-Uisge;noonehadeverpersuadedhimtoexplainwhyhehadcalledhisstationsofarfromtheoceantheScotsGaelicforaseahorse.MartinKing,hiswife,hissonAnthonyandMrs.Anthony;hewasGilly’sseniorsquatter,sinceMaryCarsoncouldnotbesocalled,beingawoman.EvanPugh,fromBraichyPwll,whichthedistrictpronouncedBrakeypull.DominicO’RourkefromDibban-Dibban,HorryHopetonfromBeel-Beel;anddozensmore.