Поющие в терновнике

           ’We’vegottohelphimkeephissecret.Whatgoodwillitdohimorustoseehim?"

           Paddywasstillweeping,butnotforFrank;forthelifewhichhadgonefromFee’sface,forthedyinginhereyes.AJonah,that’swhattheladhadalwaysbeen;thebitterbringerofblight,foreverstandingbetweenFeeandhimself,thecauseofherwithdrawalfromhisheartandtheheartsofhischildren.EverytimeitlookedasiftheremightbehappinessinstoreforFee,Franktookitaway.ButPaddy’sloveforherwasasdeepandimpossibletoeradicateasherswasforFrank;hecouldneverusetheladashiswhippingboyagain,notafterthatnightinthepresbytery.

           Sohesaid,"Well,Fee,ifyouthinkit’sbetternottoattempttogetintouchwithhim,wewon’t.YetI’dliketoknowhewasallright,thatwhatevercanbedoneforhimisbeingdone.HowaboutifIwritetoFatherdeBricassartandaskhimtolookoutforFrank?"

           Theeyesdidn’tliven,butafaintpinkstoleintohercheeks."Yes,Paddy,dothat.OnlymakesureheknowsnottotellFrankwefoundout.PerhapsitwouldeaseFranktothinkforcertainthatwedon’tknow."

           WithinafewdaysFeeregainedmostofherenergy,andherinterestinredecoratingthebighousekeptheroccupied.Butherquietnessbecamedouragain,onlylessgrim,encapsulatedbyanexpressionlesscalm.Itseemedshecaredmoreforhowthebighousewouldeventuallylookthanshedidforherfamily’swelfare.Perhapssheassumedtheycouldlookafterthemselvesspiritually,andthatMrs.