Поющие в терновнике

           Onspindlycream-and-gilttablesWaterfordlampsstoodnexttoWaterfordashtraysandWaterfordvasesstuffedwithcreamandpinkroses;allthebigcomfortablechairshadbeenrecoveredincreamwateredsilkandplacedinsmallcozygroupingswithlargeottomansdrawnuptoeachoneinvitingly;inonesunnycornerstoodtheexquisiteoldspinetwithanenormousvaseofcreamandpinkrosesonit.AbovethefireplacehungtheportraitofFee’sgrandmotherinherpalepinkcrinoline,andfacingherattheotherendoftheroomwasanevenlargerportraitofayoungish,red-hairedMaryCarson,faceliketheyoungishQueenVictoria,inastiffblackgownfashionablybustled.

           "Allright,"saidFee,"nowwecanmoveupfromthecreek.I’lldotheotherroomsatmyleisure.Oh,isn’titlovelytohavemoneyandadecenthometospenditon?"

           Aboutthreedaysbeforetheymoved,soearlyinthemorningthesunhadnotyetrisen,theroostersinthefowlyardwerecock-a-doodlingjoyously.

           "Miserablewretches,"saidFee,wrappingoldnewspapersaroundherchina."Idon’tknowwhattheythinkthey’vedonetocrowabout.Notaneggintheplaceforbreakfast,andallthemenathomeuntilwefinishmoving.Meggie,you’llhavetogodowntothechookyardforme;I’mbusy."ShescannedayellowedsheetoftheSydneyMorningHerald,snortingoveranadvertisementforwasp-waistedstays."Idon’tknowwhyPaddyinsistswegetallthenewspapers;nooneeverhastimetoreadthem.Theyjustpileuptoofasttoburninthestove.