Поющие в терновнике

           Thematerialsarrived,sodidthepaintersandtheupholsterer;MeggieandCatweresentupladderstowashandpolishthetopwindowswhileMrs.SmithandMinniecopedwiththebottomonesandFeestrodearoundwatchingeverythingwithaneagleeye.

           BythesecondweekinJanuaryitwasalldone,andsomehowofcoursethenewsleakedoutonthepartylines.Mrs.ClearyhadmadetheDroghedadrawingroomintoapalace,andwouldn’titbeonlythecivilthingforMrs.HopetontoaccompanyMrs.KingandMrs.O’Rourkeonawelcome-to-the-big-housevisit?

           NoonearguedthattheresultofFee’seffortswasabsolutebeauty.ThecreamAubussoncarpetswiththeirfadedbunchesofpinkandredrosesandgreenleaveshadbeenstrewnratherhaphazardlyaroundthemirror-finishedfloor.Freshcreampaintcoveredthewallsandtheceiling,everymoldingandcarvingpainstakinglypickedoutingilt,butthehugeoval-shapedflatspacesinthepanelinghadbeenpaperedwithfadedblacksilkbearingthesamebunchesofrosesasthethreecarpets,likestiltedJapanesepaintingsincreamandgiltsurrounds.TheWaterfordchandelierhadbeenlowereduntilitsbottompendantchimedabaresixandahalffeetfromthefloor,everyprismofitsthousandspolishedtoaflashingrainbow,anditsgreatbrasschaintetheredtothewallinsteadofbeingbunchedup.