Поющие в терновнике

           "Shortofbindingherhandandfoot,nottomentiongaggingher,therewasnowayIcouldkeepherout,"saidFatherRalphtartly,notpleasedathavingtojustifyhimself,butnotsureFrankwouldn’thaveagoathim,too.Hewasn’tintheleastafraidofFrank,buthewasafraidofcreatingasceneinpublic."Shewasfrightenedforyou,Frank;shewantedtobenearenoughtoyoutoseeforherselfthatyouwereallright.Don’tbeangrywithher;she’supsetenoughalready."

           "Don’tyoudareletDaddyknowyouwerewithinamileofthisplace,"FranksaidtoMeggie.

           "Doyoumindifwecuttherestofourtourshort?"thepriestasked."Ithinkwecouldalldowitharestandacupofteaatthepresbytery."HepinchedthetipofMeggie’snose."Andyou,younglady,coulddowithagoodwash."

           ***

           Paddyhadhadatormentingdaywithhissister,atherbeckandcallinawayFeeneverdemanded,helpingherpickherfastidious,cross-patchwaythroughtheGillymudinimportedguipurelaceshoes,smilingandchattingwiththepeopleshegreetedroyally,standingbyhersideasshepresentedtheemeraldbracelettothewinneroftheprincipalrace,theGillanboneTrophy.Whytheyhadtospendalltheprizemoneyonawoman’strinketinsteadofhandingoveragold-platedcupandanicebundleofcashwasbeyondhim,forhedidnotunderstandthekeenlyamateurnatureoftheracemeeting,theinferencethatthepeoplewhoenteredhorsesdidn’tneedvulgarmoney,insteadcouldcarelesslytossthewinningstothelittlewoman.