Поющие в терновнике

           "Showus!"

           "Yes,showus!"Hughiegiggled,outflankingher.

           Sheclaspedthedollagainstherchestandshookherhead."No,she’smine!Igotherformybirthday!"

           "Showus,goon!Wejustwanttohavealook."

           Prideandjoywonout.Sheheldthedollsoherbrotherscouldsee."Look,isn’tshebeautiful?HernameisAgnes."

           "Agnes?Agnes?"Jackgaggedrealistically."Whatasoppyname!Whydon’tyoucallherMargaretorBetty?"

           "Becauseshe’sAgnes!"

           Hughienoticedthejointinthedoll’swrist,andwhistled."Hey,Jack,look!Itcanmoveitshand!"

           "Where?Let’ssee."

           "No!"Meggiehuggedthedollcloseagain,tearsforming."No,you’llbreakher!Oh,Jack,don’ttakeheraway—you’llbreakher!"

           "Pooh!"Hisdirtybrownhandslockedaboutherwrists,closingtightly."WantaChineseburn?Anddon’tbesuchacrybaby,orI’lltellBob."Hesqueezedherskininoppositedirectionsuntilitstretchedwhitely,asHughiegotholdofthedoll’sskirtsandpulled."Gimme,orI’lldoitreallyhard!"

           "No!Don’t,Jack,pleasedon’t!You’llbreakher,Iknowyouwill!Oh,pleaseleaveheralone!Don’ttakeher,please!"Inspiteofthecruelgriponherwristssheclungtothedoll,sobbingandkicking.

           "Gotit!"Hughiewhooped,asthedollslidunderMeggie’scrossedforearms.

           JackandHughiefoundherjustasfascinatingasMeggiehad;offcamethedress,thepetticoatsandlong,frillydrawers.