Поющие в терновнике

           "No,Meggie,Hal’snotbetterinthewayyoumean,buthe’satpeace.He’sgonetoGod,he’soutofhispain."

           "Daddymeanshe’sdead,"saidFeetonelessly.

           "Oh,Daddy,no!Hecan’tbedead!"

           Butthesmallcreatureinthepillowednestwasdead.Meggieknewitthemomentshelooked,thoughshehadneverseendeathbefore.Helookedlikeadoll,notachild.Shegotupandwentouttotheboys,sittinghunchedinanuneasyvigilaroundthekitchenfire,withMrs.Smithonahardchairnearbykeepinganeyeonthetinytwins,whosecothadbeenmovedintothekitchenforwarmth.

           "Haljustdied,"saidMeggie.

           Stuartlookedupfromadistantreverie."It’sbetterso,"hesaid."Thinkofthepeace."HegottohisfeetasFeecameoutofthehallway,andwenttoherwithouttouchingher."Mum,youmustbetired.Comeandliedown;I’lllightafireforyouinyourroom.Comeonnow,liedown."

           Feeturnedandfollowedhimwithoutaword.Bobgotupandwentoutontotheveranda.Therestoftheboyssatshufflingforawhileandthenjoinedhim.Paddyhadn’tappearedatall.WithoutawordMrs.SmithtooktheperambulatorfromitscorneroftheverandaandcarefullyputthesleepingJimsandPatsyintoit.ShelookedacrossatMeggie,tearsrunningdownherface.

           "Meggie,I’mgoingbacktothebighouse,andI’mtakingJimsandPatsywithme.I’llbebackinthemorning,butit’sbestifthebabiesstaywithMinnieandCatandmeforawhile.Tellyourmother."