Поющие в терновнике

           Strokingthebrightpinkfoldsofthedress,granderthananyshehadeverseenonahumanwoman,shepickedAgnesuptenderly.Thedollhadjointedarmsandlegswhichcouldbemovedanywhere;evenherneckandtiny,shapelywaistwerejointed.Hergoldenhairwasexquisitelydressedinahighpompadourstuddedwithpearls,herpalebosompeepedoutofafoamingfichuofcreamlacefastenedwithapearlpin.Thefinelypaintedbonechinafacewasbeautiful,leftunglazedtogivethedelicatelytintedskinanaturalmattetexture.Astonishinglylifelikeblueeyesshonebetweenlashesofrealhair,theiririsesstreakedandcircledwithadarkerblue;fascinated,MeggiediscoveredthatwhenAgneslaybackfarenough,hereyesclosed.Highononefaintlyflushedcheekshehadablackbeautymark,andherduskymouthwaspartedslightlytoshowtinywhiteteeth.Meggieputthedollgentlyonherlap,crossedherfeetunderhercomfortably,andsatjustlooking.

           ShewasstillsittingbehindthegorsebushwhenJackandHughiecamerustlingthroughthegrasswhereitwastooclosetothefencetofeelascythe.HerhairwasthetypicalClearybeacon,alltheClearychildrensaveFrankbeingmartyredbyathatchsomeshadeofred;Jacknudgedhisbrotherandpointedgleefully.Theyseparated,grinningateachother,andpretendedtheyweretroopersafteraMaorirenegade.Meggiewouldnothaveheardthemanyway,soengrossedwassheinAgnes,hummingsoftlytoherself.

           "What’sthatyou’vegot,Meggie?"Jackshouted,pouncing.