Поющие в терновнике

           Theonlysoundswerethewindhotinthegrass,hissingtrees,anoccasionalclankfromthecoolingRolls,andasleepybirdsomewhereclosecomplainingbecausetheyhadbrokenitsrest;thesolesmellthefragrant,indefinablescentofthebush.

           Luketurnedhisbackonthenight,pulledouthistobaccopouchandbookletofricepapers,andbegantorollhimselfacigarette.

           "Wereyoubornouthere,Meghann?"heasked,rubbingthestrandsofleafbackandforthinhispalm,lazily.

           "No,IwasborninNewZealand.WecametoDroghedathirteenyearsago."

           Heslippedtheshapedtendrilsintotheirpapersheath,twiddleditexpertlybetweenthumbandforefinger,thenlickeditshut,pokedafewwispsbackinsidethetubewithamatchend,struckthematchandlitup.

           "Youenjoyedyourselftonight,didn’tyou?"

           "Oh,yes!"

           "I’dliketotakeyoutoallthedances."

           "Thankyou."

           Hefellsilentagain,smokingquietlyandlookingbackacrosstheroofoftheRollsatthestandoftimberwheretheiratebirdstilltwitteredquerulously.Whenonlyasmallremnantofthetubesputteredbetweenhisstainedfingershedroppeditonthegroundandscrewedhisbootheelviciouslydownuponituntilhewassureitwasout.NoonekillsacigaretteasdeadasanAustralianbushman.

           Sighing,Meggieturnedfromthemoonvista,andhehelpedhertothecar.Hewasfartoowisetokissheratthisearlystage,becauseheintendedtomarryherifhecould;letherwanttobekissed,first.