Поющие в терновнике

           Oh,God.Youdisgustingoldspider.You’vewon,butwhatavictory.Thetriumphofonedisintegratingcaricatureofhumanityoveranother.Youcan’tdefeatmyMeggie,norcanyoutakefromherwhatwasneveryours.ImightburninHellalongsideyou,butIknowtheHellthey’vegotplannedforyou:toseemyindifferencetoyoupersistaswerotawaytogetherthroughalleternity…

           Paddywaswaitingforhiminthehalldownstairs,lookingsickandbewildered.

           "Oh,Father!"hesaid,comingforward."Isn’tthisawful?Whatashock!Ineverexpectedhertogooutlikethis;shewassowelllastnight!DearGod,whatamIgoingtodo?"

           "Haveyouseenher?"

           "Heavenhelpme,yes!"

           "Thenyouknowwhathastobedone.I’veneverseenacorpsedecomposesofast.Ifyoudon’tgetherdecentlyintosomesortofcontainerwithinthenextfewhoursyou’llhavetopourherintoapetroldrum.She’llhavetobeburiedfirstthinginthemorning.Don’twastetimebeautifyinghercoffin;coveritwithrosesfromthegardenorsomething.Butgetamoveon,man!I’mgoingintoGillyforvestments."

           "Getbackassoonasyoucan,Father!"Paddypleaded.

           ButFatherRalphwasratherlongerthanasimplevisittothepresbyterydemanded.BeforeheturnedhiscarinthatdirectionhedrovedownoneofGillanbone’smoreprosperoussidestreets,toafairlypretentiousdwellingsurroundedbyawell-laid-outgarden.

           HarryGoughwasjustsittingdowntohisdinner,butcameintotheparlorwhenthemaidtoldhimwhohadcalled.