Поющие в терновнике

           Thestaringeyesweremottling,herthinlipsblack;andeverywhereonherweretheflies.HehadtohaveMrs.Smithkeepshooingthemawayasheworkedoverher,mutteringtheancientLatinexhortations.Whatafarce,andsheaccursed.Thesmellofher!Oh,God!Worsethananydeadhorseinthefreshnessofapaddock.Heshrankfromtouchingherindeathashehadinlife,especiallythoseflyblownlips.Shewouldbeamassofmaggotswithinhours.

           Atlastitwasdone.Hestraightened."GotoMr.Clearyatonce,Mrs.Smith,andforGod’ssaketellhimtogettheboysworkingonacoffinrightaway.NotimetohaveonesentoutfromGilly;she’srottingawaybeforeourveryeyes.Dearlord!Ifeelsick.I’mgoingtohaveabathandI’llleavemyclothesoutsidemydoor.Burnthem.I’llnevergetthesmellofheroutofthem."

           Backinhisroominridingbreechesandshirt—forhehadnotpackedtwosoutanes—herememberedtheletter,andhispromise.Seveno’clockhadstruck;hecouldheararestrainedchaosasmaidsandtemporaryhelpersflewtoclearthepartymessaway,transformthereceptionroombackintoachapel,readythehousefortomorrow’sfuneral.Nohelpforit,hewouldhavetogointoGillytonighttopickupanothersoutaneandvestmentsfortheRequiemMass.Certainthingshewasneverwithoutwhenheleftthepresbyteryforanoutlyingstation,carefullystrappedincompartmentsinthelittleblackcase,hissacramentsforbirth,death,benediction,worship,andthevestmentssuitableforMassatwhatevertimeoftheyearitwas.