Поющие в терновнике

           TheceilidhwasbeingheldinabarnlikeshackfallingtorackandruindowninthemidstofthemangroveswampsfesteringaboutthemouthoftheDungloeRiver.Oh,whatacountrythiswasforsmells!Meggiethoughtindespair,hernosetwitchingtoyetanotherindescribablydisgustingaroma.Molasses,mildew,dunnies,andnowmangroves.Alltherottingeffluviaoftheseashorerolledintoonesmell.

           Sureenough,everymanarrivingattheshedworeakilt;astheywentinandshelookedaround,Meggieunderstoodhowdrabapeahenmustfeelwhendazzledbythevividgorgeousnessofhermate.Thewomenwereovershadowedintonearnonexistence,animpressionwhichthelaterstagesoftheeveningonlysharpened.

           Twopipersinthecomplex,light-blue-basedAndersontartanwerestandingonaricketydaisatoneendofthehall,pipingacheerfulreelinperfectsynchrony,sandyhaironend,sweatrunningdownruddyfaces.

           Afewcouplesweredancing,butmostofthenoisyactivityseemedtobecenteredaroundagroupofmenwhowerepassingoutglassesofwhatwassurelyScotchwhiskey.Meggiefoundherselfthrustintoacornerwithseveralotherwomen,andwascontenttostaytherewatching,fascinated.Notonewomanworeaclantartan,forindeednoScotswomanwearsthekilt,onlytheplaid,anditwastoohottodrapeagreatheavypieceofmaterialaroundtheshoulders.SothewomenworetheirdowdyNorthQueenslandcottondresses;whichstutteredintolimpsilencebesidethemen’skilts.