Поющие в терновнике

           "Damnit,Meg,where’syourpride?We’llworkforwhatwehave,notborrow!I’veneverowedanyoneapennyinallmylife,andI’mnotgoingtostartnow."

           Shescarcelyheardhim,glaringathimthroughahazeofbrilliantred.Inallherlifeshehadneverbeensoangry!Cheat,liar,egotist!Howdaredhedoittoher,trickheroutofababy,trytomakeherbelieveheeverhadanyintentionofbecomingagrazier!He’dfoundhisniche,withArneSwensonandthesugar.

           Concealingherragesowellitsurprisedher,sheturnedherattentionbacktothelittlerubberwheelinherhand."TellmeabouttheseFrenchletterthings.Howdotheystopmehavingababy?"

           Hecametostandbehindher,andcontactoftheirbodiesmadehershiver;fromexcitementhethought,fromdisgustsheknew.

           "Don’tyouknowanything,Meg?"

           "No,"shelied.WhichwastrueaboutFrenchletters,atanyrate;shecouldnotremembereverseeingamentionofthem.

           Hishandsplayedwithherbreasts,tickling."Look,whenIcomeImakethis—Idon’tknow—stuff,andifI’mupinsideyouwithnothingon,itstaysthere.Whenitstaystherelongenoughoroftenenough,itmakesababy."

           Sothatwasit!Heworethething,likeaskinonasausage!Cheat!

           Turningoffthelight,hedrewherdownontothebed,anditwasn’tlongbeforehewasgropingforhisantibabydevice;sheheardhimmakingthesamesoundshehadmadeintheDunnypubbedroom,knowingnowtheymeanthewaspullingontheFrenchletter.