Поющие в терновнике

           Yetastimewentonherenthusiasmandherlongingtohavesomeoneofherowntolovewitheredinher;theincubuschildhungheavier,moreresentful.

           DocSmithtalkedofanearliertransfertoCairns;hewasn’tsureMeggiecouldsurviveabirthinDungloe,whichhadonlyacottageinfirmary.Herbloodpressurewasrecalcitrant,thefluidkeptmounting;hetalkedoftoxemiaandeclampsia,otherlongmedicalwordswhichfrightenedAnneandLuddieintoagreeing,muchastheylongedtoseethebabybornatHimmelhoch.

           BytheendofMaytherewereonlyfourweekslefttogo,fourweeksuntilMeggiecouldridherselfofthisintolerableburden,thisungratefulchild.Shewaslearningtohateit,theverybeingshehadwantedsomuchbeforediscoveringwhattroubleitwouldcause.WhyhadsheassumedLukewouldlookforwardtothebabyonceitsexistencewasareality?Nothinginhisattitudeorconductsincetheirmarriageindicatedhewould.

           Timesheadmitteditwasadisaster,abandonedhersillyprideandtriedtosalvagewhatshecouldfromtheruins.Theyhadmarriedforallthewrongreasons:heforhermoney,sheasanescapefromRalphdeBricassartwhiletryingtoretainRalphdeBricassart.Therehadneverbeenanypretenseatlove,andonlylovemighthavehelpedherandLuketoovercometheenormousdifficultiestheirdifferingaimsanddesirescreated.

           Oddlyenough,sheneverseemedabletohateLuke,whereshefoundherselfhatingRalphdeBricassartmoreandmorefrequently.Yetwhenallwassaidanddone,RalphhadbeenfarkinderandfairertoherthanLuke.