Поющие в терновнике

           WhileFatherRalphputatowelingpaddinginitsheranthepiecesofsatinintoshapeonthesewingmachine,thentogethertheyfixedthelininginplacewiththumbtacks.AndafterthatFeedressedherbabyinhisbestvelvetsuit,combedhishairandlaidhiminthesoftnestwhichsmelledofher,butnotofMeggie,whohadbeenhismother.Paddycloseddownthelid,weeping;thiswasthefirstchildhehadlost.

           ForyearsthereceptionroomatDroghedahadbeeninuseasachapel;analtarhadbeenbuiltatoneend,andwasdrapedingoldenraimentMaryCarsonhadpaidthenunsofSt.Maryd’Ursoathousandpoundstoembroider.Mrs.SmithhaddeckedtheroomandthealtarwithwinterflowersfromDrogheda’sgardens,wallflowersandearlystocksandlateroses,massesofthemlikepinkandrustypaintingsmagicallyfindingthedimensionofscent.Inalacelesswhitealbandablackchasublefreeofanyornamentation,FatherRalphsaidtheRequiemMass.

           AswithmostofthegreatOutbackstations,Droghedaburieditsdeadonitsownland.Thecemeterylaybeyondthegardensbythewillow-litteredbanksofthecreek,boundedbyawhite-paintedwrought-ironrailingandgreeneveninthisdrytime,foritwaswateredfromthehomesteadtanks.MichaelCarsonandhisbabysonwereentombedthereinanimposingmarblevault,alife-sizeangelontopofitspedimentwithsworddrawntoguardtheirrest.