Поющие в терновнике

           Iamtobepaidfourthousandpoundsayearasthestationmanager,andBobwillbepaidthreethousandayearastheassistantmanager.Alltheworkingboys—Jack,HughieandStu—willbepaidtwothousandayear,andthelittleboysaretogetonethousandayeareachuntilthey’reoldenoughtodecidewhattheywanttodo.

           "Whenthelittleboysaregrownup,theestatewillguaranteeeachofthemayearlyincomeequaltoafullworkingmemberofDrogheda,eveniftheydon’twanttoworkonDrogheda.WhenJimsandPatsyturntwelve,they’llbesenttoRiverviewCollegeinSydneytoboardandbeeducatedattheexpenseoftheestate.

           "Mumistohavetwothousandpoundsayearforherself,andsoisMeggie.Thehouseholdaccountwillbekeptatfivethousandpounds,thoughwhyFatherthinksweneedsomuchtorunahouse,Idon’tknow.Hesaysincasewewanttomakemajoralterations.IhavehisinstructionsastohowmuchMrs.Smith,Minnie,CatandTomaretobepaid,andImustsayhe’sgenerous.OtherwagesIdecideonmyself.Butmyfirstdecisionasmanageristoputonatleastsixmorestockmen,soDroghedacanberunasitshouldbe.It’stoomuchforahandful."Thatwasthemostheeversaidabouthissister’smanagement.

           Noonehadeverheardofhavingsomuchmoney;theysatsilent,tryingtoassimilatetheirgoodfortune.

           "We’llneverspendthehalfofit,Paddy,"saidFee."Hehasn’tleftusanythingtospenditon."

           Paddylookedathergently."Iknow,Mum.