Поющие в терновнике

           "Iwanttogo!"saidJack,eyesshining.

           "Andme,"saidHughieeagerly.

           "Andus,"saidJimsonbehalfofhimselfandtheinarticulatePatsy.

           ButtheyalllookedatBob,whowastheboss.

           "We’vegottobesensible,’hesaid."Woolisastapleofwar,andnotonlyforclothes.It’susedaspackinginammunitionandexplosives,forallsortsoffunnythingswedon’thearof,I’msure.Pluswehavebeefcattleforfood,andtheoldwethersandewesgoforhides,glue,tallow,lanolin—allwarstaples.

           "Sowecan’tgooffandleaveDroghedatorunitself,nomatterwhatwemightwanttodo.Withawaronit’sgoingtobemightyhardtoreplacethestockmenwe’reboundtolose.Thedrought’sinitsthirdyear,we’rescrub-cutting,andthebunniesaredrivingussilly.Forthemomentourjob’shereonDrogheda;notveryexcitingcomparedtogettingintoaction,butjustasnecessary.We’llbedoingourbestbithere."

           Themalefaceshadfallen,thefemaleoneslightened.

           "WhatifitgoesonlongerthanoldPigIronBobthinksitwill?"askedHughie,givingthePrimeMinisterhisnationalnickname.

           Bobthoughthard,hisweatherbeatenvisagefulloffrowninglines."Ifthingsgetworseanditgoesonforalongtime,thenIreckonaslongaswe’vegottwostockmenwecansparetwoClearys,butonlyifMeggie’swillingtogetbackintoproperharnessandworktheinsidepaddocks.