Поющие в терновнике

           Feedidn’tanswer,onlysatstaringinfrontofherwithbeadsofsweatalongherupperlip,eyesstilledtoadesperatelyrationalpain,asifwithinherselfshewasmarshalingeveryresourceshepossessednottoscream.

           "Daddy,Daddy!"Meggiecalledsharply,frightened.

           Thetoneofhervoicebroughthimoutstillfasteninghisflannelundershirt,withBob,Jack,HughieandStubehindhim.Meggiepointedwordlesslyathermother.

           Paddy’sheartseemedtoblockhisthroat.HebentoverFee,hishandpickinguponelimpwrist."Whatisit,dear?"heaskedintonesmoretenderthananyofhischildrenhadeverheardhimuse;yetsomehowtheyknewtheywerethetonesheusedwithherwhentheywerenotaroundtohear.

           Sheseemedtorecognizethatspecialvoiceenoughtoemergefromhershockedtrance,andthebiggreyeyeslookedupintohisface,sokindandworn,nolongeryoung.

           "Here,"shesaid,pointingatasmallitemofnewstowardthebottomofthepage.

           Stuarthadgonetostandbehindhismother,hishandlightlyonhershoulder;beforehestartedtoreadthearticlePaddyglancedupathisson,intotheeyessolikeFee’s,andhenodded.WhathadrousedhimtojealousyinFrankcouldneverdosoinStuart;asiftheirloveforFeeboundthemtightlytogetherinsteadofseparatingthem.

           Paddyreadoutloud,slowly,histonegrowingsadderandsadder.Thelittleheadlinesaid:BOXERRECEIVESLIFESENTENCE.