Поющие в терновнике

           Butcan’tyousee,you’vebecomeathreat?ThereforehaveIcrushedyoubeneaththeheelofmyambition;youhavenomoresubstancetomethanabruisedroseinthegrass.Thesmellofroses.ThesmellofMaryCarson.Rosesandashes,ashesofroses.

           "Ashesofroses,"hesaid,mounting."Let’sgetasfarfromthesmellofrosesasthemoon.Tomorrowthehousewillbefullofthem."

           HekickedthechestnutmareandcanteredaheadofMeggiedownthetracktothecreek,longingtoweep;foruntilhesmelledthefutureadornmentsofMaryCarson’scoffinithadnotactuallyimpingedonhisthinkingbrainasanimminentfact.Hewouldbegoingawayverysoon.Toomanythoughts,toomanyemotions,allofthemungovernable.Theywouldn’tleavehiminGillyadayafterlearningthetermsofthatincrediblewill;theywouldrecallhimtoSydneyimmediately.Immediately!Hefledfromhispain,neverhavingknownsuchpain,butitkeptpacewithhimeffortlessly.Itwasn’tsomethinginavaguesometime;itwasgoingtohappenimmediately.AndhecouldalmostseePaddy’sface,therevulsion,theturningaway.Afterthishewouldn’tbewelcomeonDrogheda,andhewouldneverseeMeggieagain.

           Thediscipliningbeganthen,hammeredbyhoofsandinasensationofflying.Itwasbetterso,betterso,betterso.Gallopingonandon.Yes,itwouldsurelyhurtlessthen,tuckedsafelyinsomecellinabishop’spalace,hurtlessandless,untilfinallyeventheachefadedfromconsciousness.Ithadtobebetterso.