Поющие в терновнике

           "Whatyoudon’tseemtounderstand,Frank,isthatifwemisstonight’strainwehavetowaitawholeweek,andIjustdon’thavethepriceofaweek’sstayinSydneyinmypocket.Thisisabigcountry,andwherewe’regoingisn’tservedbyadailytrain.WecouldgetasfarasDubboonanyoneofthreetrainstomorrow,butthenwe’dhavetowaitforalocalconnection,andtheytoldmewe’dsufferalotmoretravelingthatwaythanifwemaketheefforttocatchtonight’sexpress."

           "I’llmanage,Paddy,"Feerepeated."I’vegotFrankandMeggie;I’llbeallright."HereyeswereonFrank,pleadingforhissilence.

           "ThenI’llsendMaryatelegramnow,tellinghertoexpectustomorrownight."

           CentralStationwasbiggerthananybuildingtheClearyshadeverbeeninside,avastglasscylinderwhichseemedsimultaneouslytoechoandabsorbthedinofthousandsofpeoplewaitingbesidebattered,strappedsuitcasesandfixedlywatchingagiantindicatorboardwhichmenwithlongpolesalteredbyhand.Inthegatheringeveningdarknesstheyfoundthemselvesapartofthethrong,theireyesonthesteelconcertinagatesofplatformfive;thoughshut,theyborealargehand-paintedsignsayingGILLANBONEMAIL.OnplatformoneandplatformtwoaterrificactivityheraldedtheimminentdepartureoftheBrisbaneandMelbournenightexpresses,passengerscrowdingthroughthebarriers.Soonitwastheirturn,asthegatesofplatformfivesquashedthemselvesopenandthepeoplebeganeagerlytomove.