Поющие в терновнике

           Smithandthegirlstolookafterus,andearnadecentwage,"saidPaddyasifhecouldhardlybelievehisgoodfortuneratherthanhisbad.

           "Thenwhatmoredowewant,Jack?"Bobaskedhisbrother."Don’tyouagree?"

           "Itsuitsme,"saidJack.

           FatherRalphmovedrestlessly.HehadnotstoppedtoshedhisRequiemvestments,norhadhetakenachair;likeadarkandbeautifulsorcererhestoodhalfintheshadowsatthebackoftheroom,isolated,hishandshiddenbeneaththeblackchasuble,hisfacestill,andatthebackofthedistantblueeyesahorrified,stunnedresentment.Therewasnotevengoingtobethelonged-forchastisementofrageorcontempt;Paddywasgoingtohanditalltohimonagoldenplateofgoodwill,andthankhimforrelievingtheClearysofaburden.

           "WhataboutFeeandMeggie?"thepriestaskedPaddyharshly."Doyounotthinkenoughofyourwomentoconsultthem,too?"

           "Fee?"askedPaddyanxiously.

           "Whateveryoudecide,Paddy.Idon’tcare."

           "Meggie?"

           "Idon’twantherthirteenmillionpiecesofsilver,"Meggiesaid,hereyesfixedonFatherRalph.

           Paddyturnedtothelawyer."Thenthat’sit,Harry.Wedon’twanttocontestthewill.LettheChurchhaveMary’smoney,andwelcome."

           Harrystruckhishandstogether."Goddamnit,Ihatetoseeyoucheated!"

           "IthankmystarsforMary,"saidPaddygently."Ifitwasn’tforherI’dstillbetryingtoscrapealivinginNewZealand"