Поющие в терновнике

           I’vealwaysmeanttoteachyougirlshowtodrive,butthere’sneverbeenthetimebefore.Allright,Fee?"

           "Allright,Paddy,"shesaidhappily.

           "Now,Meggie,we’vegottodealwithyou."

           Meggielaidhersockandneedledown,lookedupatherfatherinamixtureofinquiryandresentment,suresheknewwhathewasgoingtosay:hermotherwouldbebusywiththebooks,soitwouldbeherjobtosupervisethehouseanditsenvirons.

           "I’dhatetoseeyouturnintoanidle,snobbymisslikesomeofthegraziers’daughtersweknow,"Paddysaidwithasmilewhichrobbedhiswordsofanycontempt."SoI’mgoingtoputyoutoworkatafull-timejob,too,weeMeggie.You’regoingtolookaftertheinsidepaddocksforus—Borehead,Creek,Carson,WinnemurraandNorthTank.You’realsogoingtolookaftertheHomePaddock.You’llberesponsibleforthestockhorses,whichonesareworkingandwhichonesarebeingspelled.Duringmustersandlambingwe’llallpitchintogether,ofcourse,butotherwiseyou’llmanageonyourown,Ireckon.Jackcanteachyoutoworkthedogsanduseastockwhip.You’reaterribletomboystill,soIthoughtyoumightliketoworkinthepaddocksmorethanliearoundthehouse,"hefinished,smilingmorebroadlythanever.

           Resentmentanddiscontenthadflownoutthewindowwhilehetalked;hewasoncemoreDaddy,wholovedherandthoughtofher.