Поющие в терновнике

           Aboutfouro’clockthecloudsrolledawaytotheeast,andeveryoneunconsciouslybreathedeasier;somehowitwasimpossibletorelaxduringadrystorm,eventhougheverybuildingonDroghedawasequippedwithalightningconductor.JackandBobgotupandwentoutsidetogetalittlefreshair,theysaid,butinrealitytoreleasepentbreath.

           "Look!"saidBob,pointingwestward.

           AbovethetreesthatringedtheHomePaddockround,agreatbronzepallofsmokewasgrowing,itsmarginstorntotatteredstreamersinthehighwind.

           "GodJesus!"Jackcried,runninginsidetothetelephone.

           "Fire,fire!"heshoutedintothereceiver,whilethosestillinsidetheroomturnedtogapeathim,thenranoutsidetosee."FireonDrogheda,andabigone!"Thenhehungup;itwasallheneededtosaytotheGillyswitchandtothosealongthelinewhohabituallypickedupwhenthefirsttinklecame.ThoughtherehadnotbeenabigfireintheGillydistrictsincetheClearyshadcometoDrogheda,everyoneknewtheroutine.

           Theboysscatteredtogethorses,andthestockmenwerepilingoutofthejackaroobarracks,whileMrs.Smithunlockedoneofthestorehousesanddoledouthessianbagsbythedozen.Thesmokewasinthewestandthewindwasblowingfromthatdirection,whichmeantthefirewouldbeheadingforthehomestead.FeetookoffherlongskirtandputonapairofPaddy’spants,thenranwithMeggieforthestables;everypairofhandscapableofholdingabagwouldbeneeded.

           InthecookhouseMrs.