Поющие в терновнике

           Hepickeduptheskirtsofhissoutaneandsteppedoverthewrought-ironrailing,feelingitwasinevitablethathehadnotyetdonewithMeggieonthisnight.Ifheconfrontedoneofthewomeninhislife,hemustalsodealwiththeother.Hisamuseddetachmentwascomingback;shecouldnotdispersethatforlong,theoldspider.Thewickedoldspider.Godrother,Godrother!

           "DarlingMeggie,don’tcry,"hesaid,sittingonthedew-wetgrassbesideher."Here,I’llbetyoudon’thaveadecenthandkerchief.Womenneverdo.Takemineanddryyoureyeslikeagoodgirl."

           Shetookitanddidasshewastold.

           "Youhaven’tevenchangedoutofyourfinery.Haveyoubeensittingheresincemidnight?"

           "Yes."

           "DoBobandJackknowwhereyouare?"

           "ItoldthemIwasgoingtobed."

           "What’sthematter,Meggie?"

           "Youdidn’tspeaktometonight!"

           "Ah!Ithoughtthatmightbeit.Come,Meggie,lookatme!"

           Awayintheeastwasapearlyluster,afleeingoftotaldarkness,andtheDroghedaroosterswereshriekinganearlywelcometothedawn.Sohecouldseethatnotevenprotractedtearscoulddimthelovelinessofhereyes.

           "Meggie,youwerebyfartheprettiestgirlattheparty,andit’swellknownthatIcometoDroghedamoreoftenthanIneed.IamapriestandthereforeIoughttobeabovesuspicion—abitlikeCaesar’swife—butI’mafraidpeopledon’tthinksopurely.AspriestsgoI’myoung,andnotbad-looking."