Поющие в терновнике

           Whilelipsshapedconventionalphrases,eyesandthemindsbehindthemspeculated,deduced,smiledslyly.

           "Ihearwe’regoingtoloseyou,Father,"saidMissCarmichaelnastily.

           Hehadneverlookedsoremote,sodevoidofhumanfeelingashedidthatmorninginhislacelessalbanddullblackchasublewithsilvercross.Itwasasifheattendedonlyinbody,whilehisspiritmovedfaraway.ButhelookeddownatMissCarmichaelabsently,seemedtorecollecthimself,andsmiledwithgenuinemirth.

           "Godmovesinstrangeways,MissCarmichael,"hesaid,andwenttospeaktosomeoneelse.

           Whatwasonhismindnoonecouldhaveguessed;itwasthecomingconfrontationwithPaddyoverthewill,andhisdreadofseeingPaddy’srage,hisneedofPaddy’srageandcontempt.

           BeforehebegantheRequiemMassheturnedtofacehiscongregation;theroomwasjammed,andreekedsoofrosesthatopenwindowscouldnotdissipatetheirheavyperfume.

           "Idonotintendtomakealongeulogy,"hesaidinhisclear,almostOxforddictionwithitsfaintIrishunderlay."MaryCarsonwasknowntoyouall.Apillarofthecommunity,apillaroftheChurchshelovedmorethananylivingbeing."

           Atthatpointtherewerethosewhosworehiseyesmocked,butotherswhomaintainedjustasstoutlythattheyweredulledwitharealandabidinggrief.

           "ApillaroftheChurchshelovedmorethananylivingbeing,"herepeatedmoreclearlystill;hewasnotonetoturnaway,either."Inherlasthourshewasalone,yetshewasnotalone.