Поющие в терновнике

           "Father,willyoueatwithus?Cornedbeefandcabbagewithboiledpotatoesandparsleysauce,andforoncethebeef’snottoosalty."

           "No,Harry,Ican’tstay.IjustcametotellyouMaryCarsondiedthismorning."

           "HolyJesus!Iwastherelastnight!Sheseemedsowell,Father!"

           "Iknow.ShewasperfectlywellwhenItookherupthestairsaboutthree,butshemusthavediedalmostthemomentsheretired.Mrs.Smithfoundheratsixthisevening.Bythenshe’dbeendeadsolongshewashideous;theroomwasshutuplikeanincubatorallthroughtheheatoftheday.DearLord,Ipraytoforgetthesightofher!Unspeakable,Harry,awful."

           "She’llbeburiedtomorrow?"

           "She’llhavetobe."

           "Whattimeisit?Ten?WemusteatdinneraslateastheSpaniardsinthisheat,butnoneedtoworry,it’stoolatetostartphoningpeople.Wouldyoulikemetodothatforyou,Father?"

           "Thankyou,itwouldbeagreatkindness.IonlycameintoGillyforvestments.IneverexpectedtobesayingaRequiemwhenIstartedout.ImustgetbacktoDroghedaasquicklyasIcan;theyneedme.TheMasswillbeatnineinthemorning."

           "TellPaddyI’llbringherwillwithme,soIcandealwithitstraightafterthefuneral.You’reabeneficiary,too,Father,soI’dappreciateyourstayingforthereading."

           "I’mafraidwehaveaslightproblem,Harry.Marymadeanotherwill,yousee.Lastnightaftersheleftthepartyshegavemeasealedenvelope,andmademepromiseI’dopenitthemomentIsawherdeadbodyformyself.