Поющие в терновнике

           FatherRalphreachedforthewhiskeybottlestandingonthesideboard,andpouredatumblerhalffull.

           "Idon’thonestlyknow.Godinheaven,Paddy,IwishIknewwhichisanIrishman’sgreatercurse,thedrinkorthetemper.Whatpossessedyoutosaythat?No,don’tevenbotheranswering!Thetemper.It’strue,ofcourse.Iknewhewasn’tyoursthemomentIfirstsawhim."

           "There’snotmuchmissesyou,isthere?"

           "Isupposenot.However,itdoesn’ttakemuchmorethanveryordinarypowersofobservationtoseewhenthevariousmembersofmyparisharetroubled,orinpain.Andhavingseen,itismydutytodowhatIcantohelp."

           "You’reverywelllikedinGilly,Father."

           "ForwhichnodoubtImaythankmyfaceandmyfigure,"saidthepriestbitterly,unabletomakeitsoundaslightashehadintended.

           "Isthatwhatyouthink?Ican’tagree,Father.Welikeyoubecauseyou’reagoodpastor."

           "Well,Iseemtobethoroughlyembroiledinyourtroubles,atanyrate,"saidFatherRalphuncomfortably."You’dbestgetitoffyourchest,man."

           Paddystaredintothefire,whichhehadbuiltuptotheproportionsofafurnacewhilethepriestwasputtingMeggietobed,inanexcessofremorseandfrantictobedoingsomething.Theemptyglassinhishandshookinaseriesofrapidjerks;FatherRalphgotupforthewhiskeybottleandreplenishedit.AfteralongdraftPaddysighed,wipingtheforgottentearsfromhisface.

           "Idon’tknowwhoFrank’sfatheris.IthappenedbeforeImetFee.