Поющие в терновнике

           Twohourslaterthefirstrelayofexhaustedmenstaggeredintosnatchfoodanddrink,gatheruptheirwaningstrengthtogobackandfighton.Forthishadthestationwomentoiled,tomakesuretherewasstewanddamperbread,teaandrumandbeeraplenty,evenforthreehundredmen.Inafire,everyonedidwhatheorshewasbestequippedtodo,andthatmeantthewomencookedtokeepupthesuperiorphysicalstrengthofthemen.Caseaftercaseofliquoremptiedandwasreplacedbynewcases;blackfromsootandreelingwithfatigue,themenstoodtodrinkcopiouslyandstuffhugechunksofdamperintotheirmouths,gobbledownaplatefulofstewwhenithadcooled,gulpalasttumblerofrum,thenoutagaintothefire.

           InbetweentripstothecookhouseMeggiewatchedthefire,awedandterrified.Initswayithadabeautybeyondthebeautyofanythingearthly,foritwasthingoftheskies,ofsunssofarawaytheirlightcampcoldly,ofGodandtheDevil.Thefronthadgallopedoneastward,theywerecompletelysurroundednowandMeggiecouldpickoutdetailstheundefinedholocaustofthefrontdidnotpermit.