Поющие в терновнике

           AfterFeehadpouredeveryoneacupofteafromhergiantpot,theystayedtalking,drinkingorreadingforanhourormore,Paddypuffingonhispipewithhisheadinalibrarybook,Feecontinuouslyrefillingcups,Bobimmersedinanotherlibrarybook,whiletheyoungerchildrenmadeplansforthemorrow.Schoolhaddispersedforthelongsummervacation;theboyswereonthelooseandeagertocommencetheirallottedchoresaroundthehouseandgarden.Bobhadtotouchuptheexteriorpaintworkwhereitwasnecessary,JackandHughiedealtwiththewoodheap,outbuildingsandmilking,Stuarttendedthevegetables;playcomparedtothehorrorsofschool.FromtimetotimePaddyliftedhisheadfromhisbooktoaddanotherjobtothelist,butFeesaidnothing,andFranksatslumpedtiredly,sippingcupaftercupoftea.

           FinallyFeebeckonedMeggietositonahighstool,anddidupherhairinitsnightlyragsbeforepackingherofftobedwithStuandHughie;JackandBobbeggedtobeexcusedandwentoutsidetofeedthedogs;FranktookMeggie’sdolltotheworktableandbegantoglueitshaironagain.Stretching,Padraicclosedhisbookandputhispipeintothehugeiridescentpauashellwhichservedhimasanashtray.

           "Well,Mother,I’mofftobed."

           "Goodnight,Paddy."

           Feeclearedthedishesoffthediningtableandgotabiggalvanizedirontubdownfromitshookonthewall.SheputitattheoppositeendoftheworktablefromFrank,andliftingthemassivecast-ironkettleoffthestove,filleditwithhotwater.