Поющие в терновнике

           WhenPaddycameinatsixthechild’sbreathingwasaudiblefromtheveranda,andhislipswereblue.

           Paddysetoffatonceforthebighouseandthetelephone,butthedoctorwasfortymilesawayandoutonanothercase.Theyignitedapanofsulphurandheldhimoveritinanattempttomakehimcoughupthemembraneinhisthroatslowlychokinghim,buthecouldnotmanagetocontracthisribcageenoughtodislodgeit.Hiscolorwasgrowingadeeperblue,hisrespirationwasconvulsive.Meggiesatholdinghimandpraying,herheartsqueezedtoawedgeofpainbecausethepoorlittlefellowfoughtsoforeverybreath.Ofallthechildren,Halwasthedearesttoher;shewashismother.Neverbeforehadshewishedsodesperatelytobeagrown-upmother,thinkingthatweresheawomanlikeFee,shewouldsomehowhavethepowertohealhim.Feecouldn’thealhimbecauseFeewasn’thismother.Confusedandterrified,sheheldtheheavinglittlebodyclose,tryingtohelpHalbreathe.

           Itneveroccurredtoherthathemightdie,evenwhenFeeandPaddysanktotheirkneesbythebedandprayed,notknowingwhatelsetodo.AtmidnightPaddypriedMeggie’sarmsfromaroundthestillchild,andlaidhimdowntenderlyagainstthestackofpillows.

           Meggie’seyesflewopen;shehadhalffallentosleep,lulledbecauseHalhadstoppedstruggling."Oh,Daddy,he’sbetter!"shesaid.

           Paddyshookhishead;heseemedshriveledandold,thelamppickingupfrostybitsinhishair,frostybitsinhisweek-longbeard.