Поющие в терновнике

           TherewasahorrifiedintakeofbreathfromeverychildintheroomasSisterAgathastoodwiththedisgustingsickdrippingdownherblackpleatsontothefloor,herfacepurplewithrageandastonishment.Thendowncamethecane,anywhereitcouldlandonMeggie’sbodyassheflungupherarmstoshieldherfaceandcringed,stillretching,intothecorner.WhenSisterAgatha’sarmwassotireditdidnotwanttoliftthecane,shepointedtowardthedoor.

           "Gohome,yourevoltinglittlePhilistine,"shesaid,turnedonherheelandwentthroughintoSisterDeclan’sclassroom.

           Meggie’sfranticgazefoundStu;henoddedhisheadasiftotellhershemustdoasshewastold,hissoftblue-greeneyesfullofpityandunderstanding.Wipinghermouthwithherhandkerchief,shestumbledthroughthedoorandoutintotheplayground.Therewerestilltwohourstogobeforeschoolwasdismissed;sheploddeddownthestreetwithoutinterest,knowingtherewasnochancetheboyswouldcatchupwithher,andtoofrightenedtofindsomewheretowaitforthem.Shehadtogohomeonherown,confesstoMumonherown.

           Feenearlyfelloverherasshestaggeredoutofthebackdoorwithafullbasketofwetwashing.Meggiewassittingonthetop-stepofthebackveranda,herheaddown,theendsofherbrightcurlsstickyandthefrontofherdressstained.Puttingdownthecrushingweightofthebasket,Feesighed,pushedastrandofwaywardhairoutofhereyes.

           "Well,whathappened?"shedemandedtiredly.

           "IwassickalloverSisterAgatha."