Поющие в терновнике

           MissCarmichaelhadthepatricianfeatures,butlackedthespecialgloryofthatred-goldhair;MissKinghadexquisiteblondtresses,butlackedthelissomebody;MissMackailwasstunningofbody,butinthefaceverylikeahorseeatinganapplethroughawire-nettingfence.Yethisoverallreactionwasoneofdisappointment,andananguishedwishtoturnbackthecalendar.Hedidn’twantMeggietogrowup,hewantedthelittlegirlhecouldtreatashistreasuredbabe.OnPaddy’sfaceheglimpsedanexpressionwhichmirroredhisownthoughts,andsmiledfaintly.Whatblissitwouldbeifjustonceinhislifehecouldshowhisfeelings!Buthabit,traininganddiscretionweretooingrained.

           Astheeveningworeonthedancinggrewmoreandmoreuninhibited,theliquorchangedfromchampagneandwhiskeytorumandbeer,andproceedingssettleddowntosomethingmorelikeawoolshedball.BytwointhemorningonlyatotalabsenceofstationhandsandworkinggirlscoulddistinguishitfromtheusualentertainmentsoftheGillydistrict,whichwerestrictlydemocratic.

           PaddyandFeewerestillinattendance,butpromptlyatmidnightBobandJackleftwithMeggie.NeitherFeenorPaddynoticed;theywereenjoyingthemselves.Iftheirchildrencouldn’tdance,theycould,anddid;witheachothermostly,seemingtothewatchingFatherRalphsuddenlymuchmoreattunedtoeachother,perhapsbecausethetimestheyhadanopportunitytorelaxandenjoyeachotherwererare.