Поющие в терновнике

           Hewasleaving,itwouldbesohardtodowithouthim,butthequestionhaditsownimportance.

           "Father,inthestablesyousaid‘ashesofroses.’Didyoumeanthecolorofmydress?"

           "Inaway,perhaps.ButIthinkreallyImeantsomethingelse."

           "What?"

           "Nothingyou’dunderstand,myMeggie.Thedyingofanideawhichhadnorighttobeborn,letalonenurtured."

           "Thereisnothingwhichhasnorighttobeborn,evenanidea."

           Heturnedhisheadtowatchher."YouknowwhatI’mtalkingabout,don’tyou?"

           "Ithinkso."

           "Noteverythingbornisgood,Meggie."

           "No.Butifitwasbornatall,itwasmeanttobe."

           "YouarguelikeaJesuit.Howoldareyou?"

           "I’llbeseventeeninamonth,Father."

           "Andyou’vetoiledallseventeenyearsofit.Well,hardworkagesusaheadofouryears.Whatdoyouthinkabout,Meggie,whenyou’vethetimetothink?"

           "Oh,aboutJimsandPatsyandtherestoftheboys,aboutDaddyandMum,aboutHalandAuntieMary.Sometimesaboutgrowingbabies.I’dlikethatverymuch.Andriding,thesheep.Allthethingsthementalkabout.Theweather,therain,thevegetablegarden,thehens,whatI’mgoingtodotomorrow."

           "Doyoudreamofhavingahusband?"

           "No,exceptIsupposeI’llhavetohaveoneifIwanttogrowbabies.Itisn’tniceforababytohavenofather."

           Inspiteofhispainhesmiled;shewassuchaquaintmixtureofignoranceandmorality.Thenheswungsideways,tookherchininhishandandstareddownather.