Поющие в терновнике

           Itisn’tinyou,isit?"

           Forsomereasonthathurt,hurtrightdowntohissoulasMaryCarson’scrueltauntshadnot."No,Meggie,you’reright.Itisn’tinme."Hesprangup,smilingwryly."WouldyouthinkitstrangeifIsaidIwisheditwas?"Heputahandtohishead."No,Idon’twishitwasatall!Gohome,Meggie,gohome!"

           Herfacewassad."Goodnight,Father."

           Hetookherhandsinhis,bentandkissedthem."Goodnight,dearestMeggie."

           Hewatchedherwalkacrossthegraves,stepovertherailing;intherosebuddressherretreatingformwasgraceful,womanlyandalittleunreal.Ashesofroses."Howappropriate,"hesaidtotheangel.

           CarswereroaringawayfromDroghedasashestrolledbackacrossthelawn;thepartywasfinallyover.Inside,thebandwaspackingawayitsinstruments,reelingwithrumandexhaustion,andthetiredmaidsandtemporaryhelpersweretryingtoclearup.FatherRalphshookhisheadatMrs.Smith.

           "Sendeveryonetobed,mydear.It’saloteasiertodealwiththissortofthingwhenyou’refresh.I’llmakesureMrs.Carsonisn’tangry."

           "Wouldyoulikesomethingtoeat,Father?"

           "GoodLord,no!I’mgoingtobed."

           ***

           Inthelateafternoonahandtouchedhisshoulder.Hereachedforitblindlywithouttheenergytoopenhiseyes,andtriedtoholditagainsthischeek.

           "Meggie,"hemumbled.

           "Father,Father!Oh,pleasewillyouwakeup?"

           AtthetoneofMrs.Smith’svoicehiseyescamesuddenlyveryawake."Whatisit,Mrs.Smith?"

           "It’sMrs.Carson,Father.