Поющие в терновнике

           ThathadbeenSaturday,andthiswaslateThursdayafternoon;fivedayssittingupincrowdedtrains,chokedbycigarettesmokeandsoot.

           Thebedwasrockingmonotonouslyintimetotheclickety-clickofsteelwheelspassingoverrailjoins,butMeggieturnedherheadintothepillowgratefully,andslept,andslept.

           ***

           Someonehadtakenoffhershoesandstockings,andcoveredherwithasheet;Meggiestirred,openedhereyesandlookedaround.Lukewassittingonthewindowledgewithonekneedrawnup,smoking.Hermovementmadehimturntolookather,andhesmiled.

           "Anicebrideyouare!HereIamlookingforwardtomyhoneymoonandmywifeconksoutfornearlytwodays!IwasabitworriedwhenIcouldn’twakeyouup,butthepublicansaysithitswomenlikethat,thetripupinthetrainandthehumidity.Hesaidjustletyousleepitoff.Howdoyoufeelnow?"

           Shesatupstiffly,stretchedherarmsandyawned,"Ifeelmuchbetter,thankyou.Oh,Luke!IknowI’myoungandstrong,butI’mawoman!Ican’ttakethesortofphysicalpunishmentyoucan."

           Hecametositontheedgeofthebed,rubbingherarminarathercharminggestureofcontrition."I’msorry,Meghann,Ireallyam.Ididn’tthinkofyourbeingawoman.Notusedtohavingawifewithme,that’sall.Areyouhungry,darling?"

           "Starved.