Поющие в терновнике

           "Willyoupromisemesomething,Fee?"

           "Ifyoulike."

           "LookafterMeggie,don’tforgether.Makehergotothelocaldances,lethermeetafewyoungmen,encouragehertothinkofmarriageandahomeofherown.Isawalltheyoungmeneyeinghertoday.Givehertheopportunitytomeetthemagainunderhappiercircumstancesthanthese."

           "Whateveryousay,Father."

           Sighing,helefthertothecontemplationofherthinwhitehands.

           Meggiewalkedwithhimtothestables,wheretheImperialpublican’sbaygeldinghadbeenstuffingitselfonhayandbrananddwellinginsomesortofequineheavenfortwodays.Heflungthepublican’sbatteredsaddleonitsbackandbenttostrapthesurcingleandgirthwhileMeggieleanedagainstabaleofstrawandwatchedhim.

           "Father,lookwhatIfound,"shesaidashefinishedandstraightened.Sheheldoutherhand,initonepale,pinkish-grayrose."It’stheonlyone.Ifounditonabushunderthetankstands,attheback.Isupposeitdidn’tgetthesameheatinthefire,anditwasshelteredfromtherain.SoIpickeditforyou.It’ssomethingtoremembermeby."

           Hetookthehalf-openbloomfromher,hishandnotquitesteady,andstoodlookingdownatit."Meggie,Ineednoreminderofyou,notnow,notever.Icarryyouwithinme,youknowthat.There’snowayIcouldhideitfromyou,isthere?"

           "Butsometimesthere’sarealityaboutakeepsake,"sheinsisted."Youcantakeitoutandlookatit,andrememberwhenyouseeitallthethingsyoumightforgetotherwise.