Поющие в терновнике

           "It’sapassingwish,Angus,youknowthat.YouleftSkyeforthesamereasonIleftClunamara.Itwastoosmallforyou."

           "Aye,naedoot.Theheatherdoesnamakesicabonnieblazeasthegums,eh,Father?"

           Itwouldbeastrangefuneral,thoughtFatherRalphashelookedaround;theonlywomenwouldbeDroghedawomen,forallthevisitingmournersweremen.HehadtakenahugedoseoflaudanumtoFeeafterMrs.Smithhadstrippedher,driedherandputherintothebigbedshehadsharedwithPaddy,andwhensherefusedtodrinkit,weepinghysterically,hehadheldhernoseandtippeditruthlesslydownherthroat.Funny,hehadn’tthoughtofFeebreakingdown.Ithadworkedquickly,forshehadn’teatenintwenty-fourhours.Knowingshewassoundasleep,herestedeasier.Meggiehekepttabson;shewasoutinthecookhouseatthemomenthelpingMrs.Smithpreparefood.Theboyswereallinbed,soexhaustedtheycouldhardlymanagetopeelofftheirwetthingsbeforecollapsing.WhenMinnieandCatconcludedtheirstintofthevigilcustomdemandedbecausethebodieslayinadeserted,unblessedplace,GarethDaviesandhissonEnochweretakingover;theothersallottedhour-longspansamongthemselvesastheytalkedandate.

           Noneoftheyoungmenhadjoinedtheireldersinthediningroom.TheywereallinthecookhouseostensiblyhelpingMrs.Smith,butinrealitysotheycouldlookatMeggie.WhenherealizedthisfactFatherRalphwasbothannoyedandrelieved.Well,itwasoutoftheirranksshemustchooseherhusband,assheinevitablywould.