Поющие в терновнике

           EnochDavieswastwenty-nine,a"blackWelshman,"whichmeanthewasblack-hairedandverydark-eyed,ahandsomeman;LiamO’Rourkewastwenty-six,sandy-hairedandblue-eyed,likehistwenty-five-year-oldbrotherRory;ConnorCarmichaelwasthespitofhissister,olderatthirty-two,andverygood-lookingindeed,ifalittlearrogant;thepickofthebunchinFatherRalph’sestimationwasoldAngus’sgrandsonAlastair,theclosesttoMeggieinageattwenty-fourandasweetyoungman,withhisgrandfather’sbeautifulblueScotseyesandhairalreadygray,afamilytrait.Letherfallinlovewithoneofthem,marryhim,havethechildrenshewantedsobadly.Oh,God,myGod,ifYouwilldothatforme,I’llgladlybearthepainoflovingher,gladly…

           ***

           Noflowerssmotheredthesecoffins,andthevasesallaroundthechapelwereempty.Whatblossomshadsurvivedtheterribleheatofthefieryairtwonightsagohadsuccumbedtotherain,andlaidthemselvesdownagainstthemudlikeruinedbutterflies.Notevenastalkofbottlebrush,oranearlyrose.Andeveryonewastired,sotired.