Поющие в терновнике

           Iftherewasnotenoughbreadtogoaround,hewentwithout;ifitwasachoicebetweennewclothesforhimornewclothesforoneofhisoffspring,hewentwithout.Initsway,thatwasmorereliableevidenceoflovethanamillioneasykisses.Histemperwasveryfiery,andhehadkilledamanonce.Luckhadbeenwithhim;themanwasEnglish,andtherewasashipinDunLaoghaireharborboundforNewZealandonthetide.

           Fionawenttothebackdoorandshouted,"Tea!"

           Theboystrailedingradually,Frankbringinguptherearwithanarmloadofwood,whichhedumpedinthebigboxbesidethestove.PadraicputMeggiedownandwalkedtotheheadofthenon-companydiningtableatthefarendofthekitchen,whiletheboysseatedthemselvesarounditssidesandMeggiescrambledupontopofthewoodenboxherfatherputonthechairnearesttohim.

           Feeservedthefooddirectlyontodinnerplatesatherworktable,morequicklyandefficientlythanawaiter;shecarriedthemtwoatatimetoherfamily,Paddyfirst,thenFrank,andsoondowntoMeggie,withherselflast.

           "Erckle!Stew!"saidStuart,pullingfacesashepickeduphisknifeandfork."Whydidyouhavetonamemeafterstew?"

           "Eatit,"hisfathergrowled.

           Theplateswerebigones,andtheywereliterallyheapedwithfood:boiledpotatoes,lambstewandbeanscutthatdayfromthegarden,ladledinhugeportions.