Поющие в терновнике

           Lookatthis!It’solderthanourtenancyofthehouse.Well,atleastthey’rehandyforpacking."

           Itwasnicetoseehermothersocheerful,Meggiethoughtasshespeddownthebackstepsandacrossthedustyyard.Thougheveryonewasnaturallylookingforwardtolivinginthebighouse,Mumseemedtohungerforitasifshecouldrememberwhatlivinginabighousewaslike.Howclevershewas,whatperfecttasteshehad!Thingsnoonehadeverrealizedbefore,becausetherehadbeenneithertimenormoneytobringthemout.Meggiehuggedherselfwithexcitement;DaddyhadsentintotheGillyjewelerandusedsomeofthefivethousandpoundstobuyMumarealpearlchokerandrealpearlearrings,onlythesehadlittlediamondsinthemaswell.Hewasgoingtogivethemtoherattheirfirstdinnerinthebighouse.Nowthatshehadseenhermother’sfacefreedofitshabitualdourness,shecouldhardlywaitfortheexpressionitwouldwearwhenshereceivedherpearls.FromBobtothetwins,thechildrenwereagogforthatmoment,becauseDaddyhadshownthemthebigflatleathercase,openedittorevealthemilkyopalescentbeadsontheirblackvelvetbed.Theirmother’sblossominghappinesshadaffectedthemdeeply;itwaslikeseeingthestartofagooddrenchingrain.Untilnowtheyhadneverquiteunderstoodhowunhappyshemusthavebeenalltheyearstheyhadknownher.

           Thechookyardwashuge,andheldfourroostersandupwardoffortyhens.