Поющие в терновнике

           HewasnotaCatholic.WhenFatherWattyfoundouthethrewuphishandsinhorror.

           "DearLord,Luke,whydidn’tyoutellmeearlier?Indeedandtogoodness,itwilltakeallofourenergiestohaveyouconvertedandbaptizedbeforethewedding!"

           LukestaredatFatherWatty,astonished."Whosaidanythingaboutconverting,Father?I’mquitehappyasIambeingnothing,butifitworriesyou,writemedownasaCalathumpianoraHolyRollerorwhateveryoulike.ButwritemedownaCatholicyouwillnot."

           Invaintheypleaded;Lukerefusedtoentertaintheideaofconversionforamoment."I’vegotnothingagainstCatholicismorEire,andIthinktheCatholicsinUlsterareharddoneby.ButI’mOrange,andI’mnotaturncoat.IfIwasaCatholicandyouwantedmetoconverttoMethodism,I’dreactthesame.It’sbeingaturncoatIobjectto,notbeingaCatholic.Soyou’llhavetodowithoutmeintheflock,Father,andthat’sthat."

           "Thenyoucan’tgetmarried!"

           "Whyonearthnot?Ifyoudon’twanttomarryus,Ican’tseewhytheReverendupattheChurchofEnglandwillobject,orHarryGoughtheJ.P."

           Feesmiledsourly,rememberinghercontretempswithPaddyandapriest;shehadwonthatencounter.

           "But,Luke,Ihavetobemarriedinchurch!"Meggieprotestedfearfully.