Поющие в терновнике

           Butthere’splentyoffoodanddrink,thebandhasbeenengagedtoplayaslongassomeonewantstodance,andalittlenoisewillonlyspeedmeintomydreams.Father,wouldyouhelpmeupthestairs,please?"

           Onceoutsidethereceptionroomshedidnotturntothemajesticstaircase,butguidedthepriesttoherdrawingroom,leaningheavilyonhisarm.Itsdoorhadbeenlocked;shewaitedwhileheusedthekeyshehandedhim,thenprecededhiminside.

           "Itwasagoodparty,Mary,"hesaid.

           "Mylast."

           "Don’tsaythat,mydear."

           "Whynot?I’mtiredofliving,Ralph,andI’mgoingtostop."Herhardeyesmocked."Doyoudoubtme?ForoverseventyyearsI’vedonepreciselywhatIwantedtodowhenIwantedtodoit,soifDeaththinkshe’stheonetochoosethetimeofmygoing,he’sverymuchmistaken.I’lldiewhenIchoosethetime,andnosuicide,either.It’sourwilltolivekeepsuskicking,Ralph;itisn’thardtostopifwereallywantto.I’mtired,andIwanttostop.Verysimple."

           Hewastired,too;notofliving,exactly,butoftheendlessfaçade,theclimate,thelackoffriendswithcommoninterests,himself.Theroomwasonlyfaintlylitbyatallkerosenelampofpricelessrubyglass,anditcasttransparentcrimsonshadowsonMaryCarson’sface,conjuringoutofherintractablebonessomethingmorediabolical.Hisfeetandbackached;itwasalongtimesincehehaddancedsomuch,thoughhepridedhimselfonkeepingupwithwhateverwasthelatestfad.