Поющие в терновнике

           Smithandthemaidsweretheretolookafterthemphysically.

           YetthediscoveryofFrank’splighthadprofoundlyaffectedeveryone.Theolderboysgrieveddeeplyfortheirmother,spentsleeplessnightsrememberingherfaceatthatawfulmoment.Theylovedher,andhercheerfulnessduringthepreviousfewweekshadgiventhemaglimpseofherwhichwasnevertoleavethem,andwastoinspirethemwithapassionatedesiretobringitbackagain.Iftheirfatherhadbeenthepivotuponwhichtheirlivesturneduntilthen,fromthatmomentontheirmotherwasputalongsidehim.Theybegantotreatherwithatender,absorbedcarenoamountofindifferenceonherpartcouldbanish.FromPaddytoStutheClearymalesconspiredtomakeFee’slifewhatevershewanted,andtheydemandedadherencetothisendfromeveryone.Noonemusteverharmherorhurtheragain.AndwhenPaddypresentedherwiththepearlsshetookthemwithabrief,expressionlesswordofthanks,nopleasureorinterestinherperusal;buteveryonewasthinkinghowdifferentherreactionwouldhavebeenwereitnotforFrank.

           Hadthemovetothebighousenotoccurred,poorMeggiewouldhavesufferedagreatdealmorethanshedid,forwithoutadmittingherintofull,exclusivelymalemembershipoftheprotect-Mumsociety(perhapssensingthatherparticipationwasmoregrudgingthantheirs),herfatherandolderbrothersexpectedthatMeggieshouldshoulderallthetasksFeeobviouslyfoundrepugnant.Asitturnedout,Mrs.SmithandthemaidssharedtheburdenwithMeggie.