Поющие в терновнике

           Orisitthatbeautifulmenfindthepriesthoodarefugefromtheconsequencesoftheirlooks?I’llbetthegirlsinGillyjusteattheirheartsoutoveryou."

           "Ilearnedlongagonottotakeanynoticeoflove-sickgirls."Helaughed."Anypriestunderfiftyisatargetforsomeofthem,andapriestunderthirty-fiveisusuallyatargetforallofthem.Butit’sonlytheProtestantgirlswhoopenlytrytoseduceme."

           "Youneveranswermyquestionsoutright,doyou?"Straightening,shelaidherpalmonhischestandhelditthere."You’reasybarite,Ralph,youlieinthesun.Areyouasbrownallover?"

           Smiling,heleanedhisheadforward,thenlaughedintoherhair,hishandsunbuttoningthecottondrawers;astheyfelltothegroundhekickedthemaway,standinglikeaPraxitelesstatuewhileshetouredallthewayaroundhim,takinghertimeandlooking.

           Thelasttwodayshadexhilaratedhim,sodidthesuddenawarenessthatshewasperhapsmorevulnerablethanhehadimagined;butheknewher,andhefeltquitesafeinasking,"Doyouwantmetomakelovetoyou,Mary?"

           Sheeyedhisflaccidpenis,snortingwithlaughter."Iwouldn’tdreamofputtingyoutosomuchtrouble!Doyouneedwomen,Ralph?"

           Hisheadrearedbackscornfully."No!"

           "Men?"

           "They’reworsethanwomen.No,Idon’tneedthem."

           "Howaboutyourself?"

           "Leastofall."

           "Interesting."Pushingthewindowallthewayup,shesteppedthroughintothedrawingroom."Ralph,CardinaldeBricassart!"shemocked.