Поющие в терновнике

           "Where’sMeggie?"hebarked.

           "Inthedrawingroom.Mrs.Cleary’sstilloutinthepaddockwiththebodies.JackandTomhavegonetobringthemin.Oh,Father,sometimesinspiteofmyfaithIcan’thelpthinkingGodistoocruel!WhydidHehavetotakebothofthem?"

           ButallFatherRalphhadstayedtohearwaswhereMeggiewas;hehadgoneintothedrawingroomsheddinghisoilskinsashewent,trailingmuddywaterbehindhim.

           "Meggie!"hesaid,comingtoherandkneelingatonesideofherchair,takinghercoldhandsinhiswetonesfirmly.

           Sheslippedfromthechairandcrawledintohisarms,pillowedherheadonhisdrippingshirtandclosedhereyes,sohappyinspiteofherpainandgriefthatsheneverwantedthemomenttoend.Hehadcome,itwasavindicationofherpoweroverhim,shehadn’tfailed.

           "I’mwet,darlingMeggie;you’llgetsoaked,"hewhispered,hischeekonherhair.

           "Itdoesn’tmatter.You’vecome."

           "Yes,I’vecome.Iwantedtobesureyouweresafe,IhadafeelingIwasneeded,Ihadtoseeformyself.Oh,Meggie,yourfatherandStu!Howdidithappen?"

           "Daddywascaughtinthefire,andStufoundhim.Hewaskilledbyaboar;itfellonhimafterheshotit.JackandTomhavegoneouttobringthemin."

           Hesaidnomore,butheldherandrockedherasifshewereababyuntiltheheatofthefirepartiallydriedhisshirtandhairandhefeltsomeofthestiffnessdrainfromher.Thenheputhishandbeneathherchin,tiltedherheaduntilshelookedupathim,andwithoutthinkingkissedher.