Поющие в терновнике

           TherewastheblazingredandwhiteofClanMenzies,thecheeryblackandyellowofClanMacLeodofLewis,thewindowpaneblueandredchecksofClanSkene,thevividcomplexityofClanOgilvy,thelovelyred,greyandblackofClanMacPherson.LukeinClanMacNeil,ArneintheSassenach’sJacobeantartan.Beautiful!

           LukeandArnewereobviouslywellknownandwellliked.Howoftendidtheycomewithouther,then?Andwhathadpossessedthemtobringhertonight?Shesighed,leanedagainstthewall.Theotherwomenwereeyeinghercuriously,especiallytheringsonherweddingfinger;LukeandArneweretheobjectsofmuchfeminineadmiration,herselftheobjectofmuchfeminineenvy.Iwonderwhatthey’dsayifItoldthemthebigdarkone,whoismyhusband,hasseenmepreciselytwiceinthelasteightmonths,andneverseesmewiththeideaofgettingintoabed?Lookatthepairofthem,theconceitedHighlandfops!AndneitherofthemScottishatall,justplayactingbecausetheyknowtheylooksensationalinkiltsandtheyliketobethecenterofattention.Youmagnificentpairoffrauds!You’retoomuchinlovewithyourselvestowantorneedlovefromanyoneelse.

           Atmidnightthewomenwererelegatedtostandingaroundthewalls;thepipersskirledinto"CaberFeidh"andtheseriousdancingbegan.Fortherestofherlife,wheneversheheardthesoundofapiperMeggiewasbackinthatshed.