Поющие в терновнике

           DuncanGordonhadarrivedfromEach-Uisge,GarethDaviesfromNarrengang,HorryHopetonfromBeel-Beel,EdenCarmichaelfromBarcoola.OldAngusMacQueenhadflaggeddownoneoftheamblinglocalgoodstrainsandriddenwiththeenginedrivertoGilly,whereheborrowedahorsefromHarryGoughandrodeoutwithhim.Hehadcoveredovertwohundredmilesofmud,onewayoranother.

           "I’mwipedout,Father,"Horrysaidtothepriestlaterasthesevenofthemsatinthesmalldiningroomeatingsteak-and-kidneypie."Thefirewentthroughmefromoneendtotheotherandlefthardlyasheepaliveoratreegreen.LuckythelastfewyearshavebeengoodisallIcansay.Icanaffordtorestock,andifthisrainkeepsupthegrasswillcomebackrealquick.Butheavenhelpusfromanotherdisasterduringthenexttenyears,Father,becauseIwon’thaveanythingputasidetomeetit."

           "Well,you’resmallerthanme,Horry,"GarethDaviessaid,cuttingintoMrs.Smith’smeltinglylightflakypastrywithevidentenjoyment.Nothinginthelineofdisasterscoulddepressablack-soilplainsman’sappetiteforlong;heneededhisfoodtomeetthem."IreckonIlostabouthalfofmyacreage,andmaybetwo-thirdsofmysheep,worseluck.Father,weneedyourprayers."

           "Aye,"saidoldAngus."IwasnasaehardhitasweeHorryandGarry,Father,butbadenoughfora’that.Ilostsixtythoosandofmaacres,andhalfmaweesheep.’Tistimeslikethis,Father,makemewishIhadnaleftSkyeasayoungladdie."

           FatherRalphsmiled.