Поющие в терновнике

           ThereforewehavearrangedthatyouleaveimmediatelyfordutyintheparishofDarwin,intheNorthernTerritory.YouwillproceedtoBrisbanetonightontheexpresstrain,andfromthereyouwillproceed,againbytrain,toLongreach.InLongreachyouwillboardaQantasplaneforDarwin.Yourbelongingsarebeingpackedatthismomentandwillbeontheexpressbeforeitdeparts,sothereisnoneedforyoutoreturntoyourpresentparish.

           "NowgotothechapelwithFatherJohnandpray.Youwillremaininthechapeluntilitistimetojointhetrain.Foryourcomfortandconsolation,FatherJohnwilltravelwithyoutoDarwin.Youaredismissed."

           Theywerewiseandaware,thepriestsinadministration;theywouldpermitthesinnernoopportunitytohavefurthercontactwiththeyounggirlhehadtakenashismistress.Ithadbecomethescandalofhispresentparish,andveryembarrassing.Asforthegirl—letherwait,andwatch,andwonder.FromnowuntilhearrivedinDarwinhewouldbewatchedbytheexcellentFatherJohn,whohadhisorders,thenafterthateveryletterhesentfromDarwinwouldbeopened,andhewouldnotbeallowedtomakeanylongdistancephonecalls.Shewouldneverknowwherehehadgone,andhewouldneverbeabletotellher.Norwouldhebegivenanychancetotakeupwithanothergirl.Darwinwasafrontiertown;womenwerealmostnonexistent.Hisvowswereabsolute,hecouldneverbereleasedfromthem;ifhewastooweaktopolicehimself,theChurchmustdoitforhim.