Поющие в терновнике

           "Ithinkthisisgoodbye,Meggie.Wecan’tbealoneagain."

           "Ifyouhadn’tbeenapriest,Father,wouldyouhavemarriedme?"

           Thetitlejarred."Don’tcallmethatallthetime!MynameisRalph."Whichdidn’tanswerherquestion.

           Thoughheheldher,hedidnothaveanyintentionofkissingher.Thefaceraisedtohiswasnearlyinvisible,forthemoonhadsetanditwasverydark.Hecouldfeelhersmall,pointedbreastslowdownonhischest;acurioussensation,disturbing.Evenmoresowasthefactthatasnaturallyasifshecameintoaman’sarmseverydayofherlife,herarmshadgoneuparoundhisneck,andlinkedtightly.

           Hehadneverkissedanyoneasalover,didnotwanttonow;nor,hethought,didMeggie.Awarmsaluteonthecheek,aquickhug,asshewoulddemandofherfatherwerehetogoaway.Shewassensitiveandproud;hemusthavehurtherdeeplywhenheheldupherpreciousdreamstodispassionateinspection.Undoubtedlyshewasaseagertobedonewiththefarewellashewas.Woulditcomforthertoknowhispainwasfarworsethanhers?Ashebenthisheadtocomeathercheeksheraisedherselfontiptoe,andmorebyluckthangoodmanagementtouchedhislipswithherown.Hejerkedbackasifhetastedthespider’spoison,thenhetippedhisheadforwardbeforehecouldloseher,triedtosaysomethingagainstthesweetshutmouth,andintryingtoanswershepartedit.