Поющие в терновнике

           Apurpleweltflaredupimmediately;thenextcutcameatthejunctionoffingersandpalm,moresensitivestill,andthefinaloneacrossthetipsofthefingers,wherethebrainhasloadedtheskindownwithmoresensationthananywhereelsesavethelips.SisterAgatha’saimwasperfect.ThreemorecutsfollowedonBob’sotherhandbeforesheturnedherattentiontoJack,nextinline.Bob’sfacewaspalebuthemadenooutcryormovement,nordidhisbrothersastheirturnscame;evenquietandtenderStu.

           AstheyfollowedtheupwardriseofthecaneaboveherownhandsMeggie’seyesclosedinvoluntarily,soshedidnotseethedescent.Butthepainwaslikeavastexplosion,ascorching,searinginvasionofherfleshrightdowntothebone;evenastheachespreadtinglingupherforearmthenextcutcame,andbythetimeithadreachedhershoulderthefinalcutacrossherfingertipswasscreamingalongthesamepath,allthewaythroughtoherheart.Shefastenedherteethinherlowerlipandbitdownonit,tooashamedandtooproudtocry,tooangryandindignantattheinjusticeofittodareopenhereyesandlookatSisterAgatha;thelessonwassinkingin,evenifthecruxofitwasnotwhatSisterAgathaintendedtoteach.

           Itwaslunchtimebeforethelastofthepaindiedoutofherhands.Meggiehadpassedthemorninginahazeoffrightandbewilderment,notunderstandinganythingthatwassaidordone.