Поющие в терновнике

           Inspiteofthemutedgroansandsoundsofdisgust,everyoneincludingStupolishedhisplatecleanwithbread,andateseveralslicesmorespreadthicklywithbutterandnativegooseberryjam.Feesatdownandboltedhermeal,thengotupatoncetohurrytoherworktableagain,whereintobigsoupplatesshedoledoutgreatquantitiesofbiscuitmadewithplentyofsugarandlacedallthroughwithjam.Ariverofsteaminghotcustardsaucewaspouredovereach,andagainsheploddedtothediningtablewiththeplates,twoatatime.Finallyshesatdownwithasigh;thisshecouldeatatherleisure.

           "Oh,goodie!Jamroly-poly!"Meggieexclaimed,sloppingherspoonupanddowninthecustarduntilthejamseepedthroughtomakepinkstreaksintheyellow.

           "Well,Meggiegirl,it’syourbirthday,soMummadeyourfavoritepudding,"herfathersaid,smiling.

           Therewerenocomplaintsthistime;nomatterwhatthepuddingwas,itwasconsumedwithgusto.TheClearysallhadasweettooth.

           Noonecarriedapoundofsuperfluousflesh,inspiteofthevastquantitiesofstarchyfood.Theyexpendedeveryouncetheyateinworkorplay.Vegetablesandfruitwereeatenbecausetheyweregoodforyou,butitwasthebread,potatoes,meatandhotflourypuddingswhichstavedoffexhaustion.