Поющие в терновнике

           OldRobertson’shorsesareallgood,andyou’llbetheresoonenough."

           "Can’tbesoonenough."Hepackedhispipewithcoarsetobaccoandpulledataperfromthebigjarthatstoodnearthestove.Aquickflickinsidethefireboxdooranditcaught;heleanedbackinhischairandsuckedsodeeplythepipemadebubblingnoises."How’sitfeeltobefour,Meggie?"heaskedhisdaughter.

           "Prettygood,Daddy."

           "DidMumgiveyouyourpresent?"

           "Oh,Daddy,howdidyouandMumguessIwantedAgnes?"

           "Agnes?"HelookedswiftlytowardFee,smilingandquizzingherwithhiseyebrows."Isthathername,Agnes?"

           "Yes.She’sbeautiful,Daddy.Iwanttolookatherallday."

           "She’sluckytohaveanythingtolookat,"Feesaidgrimly."JackandHughiegotholdofthedollbeforepoorMeggiehadachancetoseeitproperly."

           "Well,boyswillbeboys.Isthedamagebad?"

           "Nothingthatcan’tbemended.Frankcaughtthembeforeitwenttoofar."

           "Frank?Whatwashedoingdownhere?Hewassupposedtobeattheforgeallday.Hunterwantshisgates."

           "Hewasattheforgeallday.Hejustcamedownforatoolofsomesort,"Feeansweredquickly;PadraicwastoohardonFrank.

           "Oh,Daddy,Frankisthebestbrother!HesavedmyAgnesfrombeingkilled,andhe’sgoingtoglueherhaironagainformeaftertea."

           "That’sgood,"herfathersaiddrowsily,leaninghisheadbackinthechairandclosinghiseyes.