Поющие в терновнике

           ThenshefeltFrankpullatherfingersandtakeherintohisarms,pushingherfaceintothesideofhisneck.Wrappingherarmsabouthim,shetookcomfortfromhimuntilhisnearnesscalmedherenoughtobecomeawareofhownicehesmelled,allhorsesandsweatandiron.

           Whenshequietened,Frankmadehertellhimwhatwasthematter;hepickedupthedollandstaredintoitsemptyheadinwonder,tryingtorememberifhisinfantuniversehadbeensobesetbystrangeterrors.Buthisunpleasantphantomswereofpeopleandwhispersandcoldglances.Ofhismother’sfacepinchedandshrinking,herhandtremblingasitheldhis,thesetofhershoulders.

           WhathadMeggieseen,tomakehertakeonso?HefanciedshewouldnothavebeennearlysoupsetifpoorAgneshadonlybledwhenshelostherhair.Bleedingwasafact;someoneintheClearyfamilybledcopiouslyatleastonceaweek.

           "Hereyes,hereyes!"Meggiewhispered,refusingtolookatthedoll.

           "She’sabloodymarvel,Meggie,"hemurmured,hisfacenuzzlingintoherhair.Howfineitwas,howrichandfullofcolor!

           IttookhimhalfanhourofcajolingtomakeherlookatAgnes,andhalfanhourmoreelapsedbeforehecouldpersuadehertopeerintothescalpedhole.Heshowedherhowtheeyesworked,howverycarefullytheyhadbeenalignedtofitsnuglyyetswingeasilyopenedorclosed.

           "Comeonnow,it’stimeyouwentinside,"hetoldher,swingingherupintohisarmsandtuckingthedollbetweenhischestandhers.