Поющие в терновнике

           Iamthesecondson,andithasalwaysbeenafamilytraditionthatthesecondsonembracetheChurchifhefeelsthewishforit.I’mveryproudofmynameandmylineage,youknow.ForfifteenhundredyearstherehavebeendeBricassarts."

           Ah,thatwasgood!Anold,aristocraticnameandaperfectrecordofkeepingthefaiththroughemigrationsandpersecutions.

           "AndtheRalph?"

           "AconstrictionofRanulf,YourGrace."

           "Isee."

           "I’mgoingtomissyougreatly,Father,"saidArchbishopClunyDark,pilingjamandwhippedcreamonhalfasconeandpoppingitwholeintohismouth.

           FatherRalphlaughedathim."Youplacemeinadilemma,YourGrace!HereIamseatedbetweenmyoldmasterandmynew,andifIanswertopleaseone,Imustdispleasetheother.ButmayIsayIshallmissYourGrace,whilelookingforwardtoservingYourGrace?"

           Itwaswellsaid,adiplomat’sanswer.ArchbishopdiContini-Verchesebegantothinkhemightdowellwithsuchasecretary.Buttoogood-lookingbyfar,withthosefinefeatures,thestrikingcoloring,themagnificentbody.

           FatherRalphlapsedbackintosilence,staringattheteatablewithoutseeingit.Hewasseeingtheyoungpriesthehadjustdisciplined,thelookinthosealreadytormentedeyesasherealizedtheywerenotevengoingtolethimsaygoodbyetohisgirl.DearGod,whatifithadbeenhim,andthegirlMeggie?Onecouldgetawaywithitforawhileifonewasdiscreet;foreverifonelimitedwomentotheyearlyvacationawayfromtheparish.