Поющие в терновнике

           "Whyshouldn’tyoutellme,Father?WhydidyousayitoughttobeMum?"

           "It’sasubjectwomenkeepverymuchtothemselves.Tomentionmenstruationorone’speriodinfrontofmenorboysjustisn’tdone,Meggie.It’ssomethingstrictlybetweenwomen."

           "Why?"

           Heshookhishead,andlaughed."Tobehonest,Ireallydon’tknowwhy.Ievenwishitweren’tso.Butyoumusttakemywordforitthatitisso.Nevermentionittoasoulexceptyourmother,anddon’ttellheryoudiscusseditwithme."

           "Allright,Father,Iwon’t."

           Itwasdamnablydifficult,thisbeingamother;somanypracticalconsiderationstoremember!"Meggie,youmustgohomeandtellyourmotheryou’vebeenpassingblood,andaskhertoshowyouhowtofixyourselfup."

           "Mumdoesit,too?"

           "Allhealthywomendo.Butwhenthey’reexpectingababytheystopuntilafterthebabyisborn.That’showwomentellthey’reexpectingbabies."

           "Whydotheystopwhenthey’reexpectingbabies?"

           "Idon’tknow,Ireallydon’t.Sorry,Meggie."

           "Whydoesthebloodcomeoutofmybottom,Father?"

           Heglaredupattheangel,whichlookedbackathimserenely,nottroubledbywomen’stroubles.ThingsweregettingtoostickyforFatherRalph.Amazingthatshepersistedwhenshewasusuallysoreticent!Yetrealizinghehadbecomethesourceofherknowledgeabouteverythingshecouldn’tfindinbooks,heknewhertoowelltogiveheranyhintofhisembarrassmentordiscomfort.Shewouldwithdrawintoherselfandneveraskhimanythingagain