Поющие в терновнике

           Butawayfromthosediscerningeyesofhisshesaggedbackintoherwingchairandclenchedherfists,thegesturewhichrailsagainsttheinconsistenciesoffate.

           Naked,FatherRalphsteppedofftheverandatostandonthebarberedlawnwithhisarmsraisedabovehishead,eyesclosed;helettherainpouroverhiminwarm,probing,spearingrunnels,anexquisitesensationonbareskin.Itwasverydark.Buthewasstillflaccid.

           ***

           ThecreekbrokeitsbanksandthewatercrepthigherupthepilesofPaddy’shouse,fartheroutacrosstheHomePaddocktowardthehomesteaditself.

           "Itwillgodowntomorrow,"saidMaryCarsonwhenPaddywenttoreport,worried.

           Asusual,shewasright;overthenextweekthewaterebbedandfinallyreturnedtoitsnormalchannels.Thesuncameout,thetemperaturezoomedtoahundredandfifteenintheshade,andthegrassseemedtotakewingforthesky,thigh-highandclean,bleachedbrilliantasgilt,hurtingtheeyes.Washedanddusted,thetreesglittered,andthehordesofparrotscamebackfromwherevertheyhadgonewhiletherainfelltoflashtheirrainbowbodiesamidthetimber,moreloquaciousthanever.

           FatherRalphhadreturnedtosuccorhisneglectedparishioners,sereneintheknowledgehisknuckleswouldnotberapped;underthepristinewhiteshirtnexttohisheartresidedacheckforonethousandpounds.Thebishopwouldbeecstatic.

           ThesheepweremovedbacktotheirnormalpastureandtheClearyswereforcedtolearntheOutbackhabitofsiesta.