Поющие в терновнике

           ThosewhohadriddenthelongmilesinthemudtoshowtheirlikingforPaddyweretired,thosewhohadbroughtthebodiesinweretired,thosewhohadslavedtocookandcleanweretired,FatherRalphwassotiredhefeltasifhemovedinadream,eyesslidingawayfromFee’spinched,hopelessface,Meggie’sexpressionofmingledsorrowandanger,thecollectivegriefofthatcollectiveclusterBob,JackandHughie…

           Hegavenoeulogy;MartinKingspokebrieflyandmovinglyonbehalfofthoseassembled,andthepriestwentonintotheRequiemimmediately.Hehadasamatterofcoursebroughthischalice,hissacramentsandastole,fornoprieststirredwithoutthemwhenhewentofferingcomfortoraid,buthehadnovestmentswithhim,andthehousepossessednone.ButoldAngushadcalledinatthepresbyteryinGillyonhisway,andcarriedtheblackmourninggarbofaRequiemMasswrappedinanoilskinacrosshissaddle.Sohestoodproperlyattiredwiththerainhissingagainstthewindows,drummingontheironrooftwostoriesup.

           Thenoutintoit,thegrievingrain,acrossthelawnallbrownedandscorchedbyheat,tothelittlewhite-railingedcemetery.Thistimetherewerepallbearerswillingtoshouldertheplainrectangularboxes,slippingandslidinginthemud,tryingtoseewheretheyweregoingthroughtherainbeatingintheireyes.AndthelittlebellsontheChinesecook’sgravetinkleddrably:HeeSing,HeeSing,HeeSing.

           Itgotitselfoveranddonewith.