Поющие в терновнике

           "We’llgetMumtofixherup,eh?We’llwashandironherclothes,andglueonherhairagain.I’llmakeyousomeproperhairpinsoutofthosepearls,too,sotheycan’tfalloutandyoucandoherhairinallsortsofways."

           ***

           FionaClearywasinthekitchen,peelingpotatoes.Shewasaveryhandsome,veryfairwomanalittleundermediumheight,butratherhard-facedandstern;shehadanexcellentfigurewithatinywaistwhichhadnotthickened,inspiteofthesixbabiesshehadcarriedbeneathit.Herdresswasgreycalico,itsskirtsbrushingthespotlessfloor,itsfrontprotectedbyanenormousstarchedwhiteapronthatloopedaroundherneckandtiedinthesmallofherspinewithacrisp,perfectbow.Fromwakingtosleepingshelivedinthekitchenandbackgarden,herstoutblackbootsbeatingacircularpathfromstovetolaundrytovegetablepatchtoclotheslinesandthencetothestoveagain.

           SheputherknifeonthetableandstaredatFrankandMeggie,thecornersofherbeautifulmouthturningdown.

           "Meggie,IletyouputonyourSunday-bestdressthismorningononecondition,thatyoudidn’tgetitdirty.Andlookatyou!Whatalittlegrubyouare!"

           "Mum,itwasn’therfault,"Frankprotested."JackandHughietookherdollawaytotryandfindouthowthearmsandlegsworked.Ipromisedwe’dfixitupasgoodasnew.Wecan,can’twe?"

           "Letmesee."Feeheldoutherhandforthedoll.

           Shewasasilentwoman,notgiventospontaneousconversation.