Поющие в терновнике

           Whatshethought,nooneeverknew,evenherhusband;sheleftthediscipliningofthechildrentohim,anddidwhateverhecommandedwithoutcommentorcomplaintunlessthecircumstancesweremostunusual.MeggiehadheardtheboyswhisperingthatshestoodinasmuchaweofDaddyastheydid,butifthatwastrueshehiditunderaveneerofimpenetrable,slightlydourcalm.Sheneverlaughed,nordidsheeverlosehertemper.

           Finishedherinspection,FeelaidAgnesonthedressernearthestoveandlookedatMeggie.

           "I’llwashherclothestomorrowmorning,anddoherhairagain.Frankcangluethehaironafterteatonight,Isuppose,andgiveherabath."

           Thewordswerematter-of-factratherthancomforting.Meggienodded,smilinguncertainly;sometimesshewantedsobadlytohearhermotherlaugh,buthermotherneverdid.ShesensedthattheysharedaspecialsomethingnotcommontoDaddyandtheboys,buttherewasnoreachingbeyondthatrigidback,thoseneverstillfeet.Mumwouldnodabsentlyandfliphervoluminousskirtsexpertlyfromstovetotableasshecontinuedworking,working,working.

           WhatnoneofthechildrensaveFrankcouldrealizewasthatFeewaspermanently,incurablytired.Therewassomuchtobedone,hardlyanymoneytodoitwith,notenoughtime,andonlyonepairofhands.ShelongedforthedaywhenMeggiewouldbeoldenoughtohelp;alreadythechilddidsimpletasks,butatbarelyfouryearsofageitcouldn’tpossiblylightentheload.Sixchildren,andonlyoneofthem,theyoungestatthat,agirl.