Поющие в терновнике

           "How’sthecutting,Luke?"heasked,shovelingeggsandbaconontohisplate.

           "IfIsaidIlikedit,wouldyoubelieveme?"Lukelaughed,heapinghisownplate.

           Luddie’sshrewdeyesrestedonthehandsomeface,andhenodded."Oh,yes.You’vegottherightsortoftemperamentandtherightsortofbody,Ithink.Itmakesyoufeelbetterthanothermen,superiortothem."Caughtinhisheritageofcanefields,farfromacademiaandwithnochanceofexchangingonefortheother,Luddiewasanardentstudentofhumannature;hereadgreatfattomesboundinMoroccoleatherwithnamesontheirspineslikeFreudandJung,HuxleyandRussell.

           "IwasbeginningtothinkyouwerenevergoingtocomeandseeMeggie,"Annesaid,spreadinggheeonhertoastwithabrush;itwastheonlywaytheycouldhavebutteruphere,butitwasbetterthannone.

           "Well,ArneandIdecidedtoworkonSundaysforawhile.Tomorrowwe’reofftoIngham."

           "WhichmeanspoorMeggiewon’tseeyoutoooften."

           "Megunderstands.Itwon’tbeformorethanacoupleofyears,andwedohavethesummerlayoff.ArnesayshecangetmeworkattheCSRinSydneythen,andImighttakeMegwithme."

           "Whydoyouhavetoworksohard,Luke?"askedAnne.

           "Gottogetthemoneytogetherformypropertyoutwest,aroundKynuna.Didn’tMegmentionit?"

           "I’mafraidourMeggie’snotmuchgoodatpersonaltalk.Youtellus,Luke."