Поющие в терновнике

           Heonlywantedtomakeherlifealittleeasier.AndagainshefoundherselfyearningforthedaywhenMeggiebecameoldenoughtotaketheburdenofitfromFrank’sshoulders.

           Shepickedupasmalllampfromthetable,thenputitdownagainandwalkedacrosstowhereFrankwassquattedbeforethestove,packingwoodintothebigfireboxandfiddlingwiththedamper.Hiswhitearmwasropedwithprominentveins,hisfinelymadehandstoostainedevertocomeclean.Herownhandwentouttimidly,andverylightlysmoothedthestraightblackhairoutofhiseyes;itwasascloseasshecouldbringherselftoacaress.

           "Goodnight,Frank,andthankyou."

           TheshadowswheeledanddartedbeforetheadvancinglightasFeemovedsilentlythroughthedoorleadingintothefrontpartofthehouse.

           FrankandBobsharedthefirstbedroom;shepusheditsdooropennoiselesslyandheldthelamphigh,itslightfloodingthedoublebedinthecorner.Bobwaslyingonhisbackwithhismouthsaggingopen,quiveringandtwitchinglikeadog;shecrossedtothebedandrolledhimoverontohisrightsidebeforehecouldpassintoafull-fledgednightmare,thenstayedlookingdownathimforamoment.HowlikePaddyhewas!

           JackandHughiewerealmostbraidedtogetherinthenextroom.Whatdreadfulscampstheywere!Neveroutofmischief,butnomaliceinthem.Shetriedvainlytoseparatethemandrestoresomesortofordertotheirbedclothes,butthetwocurlyredheadsrefusedtobeparted.Softlysighing,shegaveup.