Поющие в терновнике

           Thethreelistenerssatwatchingtheplayofexpressiononthetanned,strongface,theglitterofthoseveryblueeyes;sincehehadcomebeforebreakfastMeggiehadn’tutteredawordtoanyone.OnandonhetalkedaboutthemarvelouscountryBackofBeyond;thegrass,thebiggreybrolgabirdsmincingdelicatelyinthedustofKynuna’sonlyroad,thethousandsuponthousandsofflyingkangaroos,thehotdrysun.

           "Andonedaysoonabigchunkofallthatisgoingtobemine.Meg’sputabitofmoneytowardit,andatthepacewe’reworkingitwon’ttakemorethanfourorfiveyears.Sooner,ifIwascontenttohaveapoorerplace,butknowingwhatIcanearncuttingsugar,I’mtemptedtocutabitlongerandgetareallydecentbitofland."Heleanedforward,bigscarredhandsaroundhisteacup."DoyouknowInearlypassedArne’stallytheotherday?EleventonsIcutinoneday!"

           Luddie’swhistlewasgenuinelyadmiring,andtheyembarkeduponadiscussionoftallies.Meggiesippedherstrongdarkmilklesstea.Oh,Luke!Firstithadbeenacoupleofyears,nowitwasfourorfive,andwhoknewhowlongitwouldbethenexttimehementionedaperiodofyears?Lukelovedit,noonecouldmistakethat.Sowouldhegiveitupwhenthetimecame?Wouldhe?Forthatmatter,didshewanttowaitaroundtofindout?TheMuellerswereverykindandshewasfarfromoverworked,butifshehadtolivewithoutahusband,Droghedawasthebestplace.