Поющие в терновнике

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           "IwonderwhyStuhasn’tfiredagain?"Meggieaskedhermotherastheytrottedtowardthesoundofthosetwofirsttriplevolleys,notabletogoanyfasterinthemud,anddesperatelyanxious.

           "Isupposehedecidedwe’dheard,"Feesaid.ButinthebackofhermindshewasrememberingStuart’sfaceastheypartedindifferentdirectionsonthesearch,thewayhishandhadgoneouttoclasphers,thewayhehadsmiledather."Wecan’tbefarawaynow,"shesaid,andpushedhermountintoaclumsy,slidingcanter.

           ButJackhadgottherefirst,sohadBob,andtheyheadedthewomenoffastheycameacrossthelastofthelivinglandtowardtheplacewherethebushfirehadbegun.

           "Don’tgoin,Mum,"saidBobasshedismounted.

           JackhadgonetoMeggie,andheldherarms.

           Thetwopairsofgreyeyesturned,notsomuchinbewildermentordreadasinknowledge,asiftheydidnotneedtobetoldanything.

           "Paddy?"askedFeeinavoicenotlikeherown.

           "Yes.AndStu."

           Neitherofhersonscouldlookather.

           "Stu?Stu!Whatdoyoumean,Stu?Oh,God,whatisit,what’shappened?Notbothofthem—no!"

           "Daddygotcaughtinthefire;he’sdead.Stumusthavedisturbedaboar,anditchargedhim.Heshotit,butitfellonhimasitwasdyingandsmotheredhim.He’sdeadtoo,Mum."

           Meggiescreamedandstruggled,tryingtobreakfreeofJack’shands,butFeestoodbetweenBob’sgrimy,bloodyonesasifturnedtostone,hereyesasglassyasagazing-ball.