Поющие в терновнике
Chapter 10
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Noonewasverysurprisedatthenews,andnoonedreamedofobjecting.TheonlythingwhichdidstartlethemwasMeggie’sadamantrefusaltowriteandtellBishopRalph,heralmosthystericalrejectionofBob’sideathattheyinviteBishopRalphtoDroghedaandhaveabighousewedding.No,no,no!Shehadscreameditatthem;Meggiewhoneverraisedhervoice.Apparentlyshewasmiffedthathehadnevercomebacktoseethem,maintainingthathermarriagewasherownbusiness,thatifhedidn’thavethecommondecencytocometoDroghedafornoreason,shewasnotgoingtofurnishhimwithanobligationhecouldnotrefuse.
SoFeepromisednottosayawordinherletters;sheseemednottocareonewayortheother,nordidsheseeminterestedinMeggie’schoiceofahusband.KeepingthebooksofastationaslargeasDroghedawasafull-timejob.Fee’srecordswouldhaveservedahistorianwithaperfectdescriptionoflifeonasheepstation,fortheydidn’tsimplyconsistoffiguresandledgers.Everymovementofeverymobofsheepwasrigidlydescribed,thechangesoftheseasons,theweathereachday,evenwhatMrs.Smithservedfordinner.TheentryinthelogbookforSunday,July22,1934,said:Skyclear,nocloud,temperatureatdawn34degrees.NoMasstoday.Bobin,JackoutatMurrimbahwith2stockmen,HughieoutatWestDamwith1stockman,Beerbarreldroving3-yearwethersfromBudgintoWinnemurra.Temperaturehighat3o’clock,85degrees.Barometersteady,30.6inches.Windduewest
