Поющие в терновнике

           "Oh,Lord!"Feesaid,herhandsonherhips.

           "Igotcaned,too,"Meggiewhispered,thetearsstandingunshedinhereyes.

           "Anicekettleoffish,Imustsay."Feeheavedherbasketup,swayinguntilshegotitbalanced."Well,Meggie,Idon’tknowwhattodowithyou.We’llhavetowaitandseewhatDaddysays."Andshewalkedoffacrossthebackyardtowardtheflappinghalf-fullclotheslines.

           Rubbingherhandswearilyaroundherface,Meggiestaredafterhermotherforamoment,thengotupandstarteddownthepathtotheforge.

           FrankhadjustfinishedshoeingMr.Robertson’sbaymare,andwasbackingitintoastallwhenMeggieappearedinthedoorway.Heturnedandsawher,andmemoriesofhisownterriblemiseryatschoolcamefloodingbacktohim.Shewassolittle,sobaby-plumpandinnocentandsweet,butthelightintheeyeshadbeenbrutallyquenchedandanexpressionlurkedtherewhichmadehimwanttomurderSisterAgatha.Murderher,reallymurderher,takethedoublechinsandsqueeze…Downwenthistools,offcamehisapron;hewalkedtoherquickly.

           "What’sthematter,dear?"heasked,bendingoveruntilherfacewaslevelwithhisown.Thesmellofvomitrosefromherlikeamiasma,buthecrushedhisimpulsetoturnaway.

           "Oh,Fruh-Fruh-Frank!"shewailed,herfacetwistingupandhertearsundammedatlast.Shethrewherarmsaroundhisneckandclungtohimpassionately,weepinginthecuriouslysilent,painfulwayalltheClearychildrendidoncetheywereoutofinfancy.