Поющие в терновнике

           ShetoldmeabitaboutFee,butshedidn’tsaywhothefatherwas,andIdidn’tliketoask.Anyway,shemademepromisetobegoodtoFee—sheknewthey’dhaveFeeofftheplacetheminuteshewasdead,soshehadsuggestedtoJamesthattheyfindFeeahusband.Ifeltsorryforthepooroldthing;shewasterriblyfondofFee.

           "Wouldyoubelieve,Father,thatthefirsttimeIwasevercloseenoughtoFeetosayhellotoherwasthedayImarriedher?"

           "Oh,I’dbelieveit,"thepriestsaidunderhisbreath.Helookedattheliquidinhisglass,thendraineditandreachedforthebottle,fillingbothglasses."Soyoumarriedaladyfaraboveyou,Paddy."

           "Yes.Iwasfrightenedtodeathofheratfirst.Shewassobeautifulinthosedays,Father,andso…outofit,ifyouknowwhatImean.Asifshewasn’teventhere,asifitwasallhappeningtosomeoneelse."

           "She’sstillbeautiful,Paddy,"saidFatherRalphgently."IcanseeinMeggiewhatshemusthavebeenlikebeforeshebegantoage."

           "Ithasn’tbeenaneasylifeforher,Father,butIdon’tknowwhatelseIcouldhavedone.Atleastwithmeshewassafe,andnotabused.Ittookmetwoyearstogetupthecouragetobe—well,arealhusbandtoher.Ihadtoteachhertocook,tosweepafloor,washandironclothes.Shedidn’tknowhow.

           "Andneveronceinalltheyearswe’vebeenmarried,Father,hassheevercomplained,orlaughed,orcried.