Поющие в терновнике

           It’sonlyinthemostprivatepartofourlifetogetherthatsheeverdisplaysanyfeeling,andeventhensheneverspeaks.Ihopeshewill,yetIdon’twantherto,becauseIalwayshavetheideaifshedid,itwouldbehisnameshe’dsay.Oh,Idon’tmeanshedoesn’tlikeme,orourchildren.ButIlovehersomuch,anditjustseemstomeshehasn’tgotthatsortoffeelingleftinher.ExceptforFrank.I’vealwaysknownshelovedFrankmorethantherestofusputtogether.Shemusthavelovedhisfather.ButIdon’tknowathingabouttheman,whohewas,whyshecouldn’tmarryhim."

           FatherRalphlookeddownathishands,blinking."Oh,Paddy,whathellitistobealive!ThankGodIhaven’tthecouragetotrymorethanthefringeofit."

           Paddygotup,ratherunsteadily."Well,I’vedoneitnow,Father,haven’tI?I’vesentFrankaway,andFeewillneverforgiveme."

           "Youcan’ttellher,Paddy.No,youmustn’ttellher,ever.JusttellherFrankranawaywiththeboxersandleaveitatthat.SheknowshowrestlessFrank’sbeen;she’llbelieveyou."

           "Icouldn’tdothat,Father!"Paddywasaghast.

           "You’vegotto,Paddy.Hasn’tsheknownenoughpainandmisery?Don’theapmoreonherhead."Andtohimselfhethought:Whoknows?Maybeshe’lllearntogivetheloveshehasforFranktoyouatlast,toyouandthelittlethingupstairs.

           "Youreallythinkthat,Father?"

           "Ido.Whathappenedtonightmustgonofurther."

           "ButwhataboutMeggie?Shehearditall."