Поющие в терновнике

           Foroddlyenough,thedaughtersofpoorcountryfamiliesdidnotoftenride.Ridingwasapastimefortherichyoungwomenofcountryandcityalike.Oh,girlsofMeggie’sbackgroundcoulddrivebuggiesandteamsofheavyhorses,eventractorsandsometimescars,butrarelydidtheyride.Itcosttoomuchtomountadaughter.

           FatherRalphhadbroughtelastic-sidedanklebootsandtwilljodhpursfromGillyandplumpedthemdownontheClearykitchentablenoisily.Paddyhadlookedupfromhisafter-dinnerbook,mildlysurprised.

           "Well,whathaveyougotthere,Father?"heasked.

           "RidingclothesforMeggie."

           "What?"bellowedPaddy’svoice.

           "What?"squeakedMeggie’s.

           "RidingclothesforMeggie.Honestly,Paddy,you’reafirst-classidiot!Heirtothebiggest,richeststationinNewSouthWales,andyou’veneverletyouronlydaughtersitahorse!Howdoyouthinkshe’sgoingtotakeherplacealongsideMissCarmichael,MissHopetonandMrs.AnthonyKing,equestriennesall?Meggie’sgottolearntoride,sidesaddleaswellasastride,doyouhear?Irealizeyou’rebusy,soI’mgoingtoteachMeggiemyself,andyoucanlikeitorlumpit.Ifithappenstointerferewithherdutiesinthehouse,toobad.ForafewhourseachweekFeeisjustgoingtohavetomanageminusMeggie,andthat’sthat."

           OnethingPaddycouldn’tdowasarguewithapriest;Meggielearnedtorideforthwith.