Поющие в терновнике

           "MypoorPaddy!MypoorStuart!MypoorFrank!"shemourned,thengotherselfunderthatironcontroloncemore,asifshewasdeterminedtoelongateherperiodsofdarknessuntilthelightshonenomoreinherlifetime.

           Hereyesroamedtheroomwithoutseemingtorecognizeit."Yes,Father,I’mlistening,"shesaid.

           "Fee,whataboutyourdaughter?Doyoueverrememberthatyouhaveadaughter?"

           Thegreyeyesliftedtohisface,dwelledonitalmostpityingly."Doesanywoman?What’sadaughter?Justareminderofthepain,ayoungerversionofoneselfwhowilldoallthethingsonehasdone,crythesametears.No,Father.ItrytoforgetIhaveadaughter—ifIdothinkofher,itisasoneofmysons.It’shersonsamotherremembers."

           "Doyoucrytears,Fee?I’veonlyseenthemonce."

           "You’llneverseethemagain,forI’vefinishedwithtearsforever."Herwholebodyquivered."Doyouknowsomething,Father?TwodaysagoIdiscoveredhowmuchIlovePaddy,butitwaslikeallofmylife—toolate.Toolateforhim,toolateforme.IfyouknewhowIwantedthechancetotakehiminmyarms,tellhimIlovedhim!Oh,God,Ihopenootherhumanbeingeverhastofeelmypain!"

           Heturnedawayfromthatsuddenlyravagedface,togiveittimetodonitscalm,andhimselftimetocopewithunderstandingtheenigmawhowasFee.

           Hesaid,"Nooneelsecaneverfeelyourpain."

           Onecornerofhermouthliftedinasternsmile."Yes.That’sacomfort,isn’tit?Itmaynotbeenviable,butmypainismine."