Поющие в терновнике

           HewasuncomfortablyawarethatinsomewayMeggiethoughthehadfailedher,buthedidn’tknowwhysheshouldthinkso,oronwhatbasisshehadjudgedhim.Sheknewwhathewas;whywassheangry?

           ***

           Ingreydawnlightthelittlecavalcadeescortingthebodiesreachedthecreek,andstopped.Thoughthewaterwasstillcontainedwithinitsbanks,theGillanhadbecomeariverinfullspate,runningfastandthirtyfeetdeep.FatherRalphswamhischestnutmareacrosstomeetthem,stolearoundhisneckandtheinstrumentsofhiscallinginasaddlebag.WhileFee,Bob,Jack,HughieandTomstoodaround,hestrippedthecanvasoffthebodiesandpreparedtoanointthem.AfterMaryCarsonnothingcouldsickenhim;yethefoundnothingrepugnantaboutPaddyandStu.Theywerebothblackaftertheirfashion,PaddyfromthefireandStufromsuffocation,butthepriestkissedthemwithloveandrespect.

           Forfifteenmilestheroughsheetofironhadjarredandbouncedoverthegroundbehindtheteamofdrafthorses,scarringthemudwithdeepgougeswhichwouldstillbevisibleyearslater,eveninthegrassofotherseasons.Butitseemedtheycouldgonofarther;theswirlingcreekwouldkeepthemonitsfarside,withDroghedaonlyamileaway.Theystoodstaringatthetopsoftheghostgums,clearlyvisibleevenintherain.

           "Ihaveanidea,"saidBob,turningtoFatherRalph."Father,you’retheonlyoneonafreshhorse;itwillhavetobeyou.Ourswillonlyswimthecreekonce—they’vegotnomoreinthemafterthemudandthecold.