Поющие в терновнике

           Onedaytherewouldn’tbeanymoreRalphdeBricassarts,becausethey’dvaluetheirmanhoodenoughtoseethatherdemandingitofthemwasauselesssacrifice,havingnomeaningwhatsoever…

           Suddenlyshestoodupandwaddledthroughtothelivingroom,whereAnnewassittingreadinganundergroundcopyofNormanLindsay’sbannednovel,Red-heap,veryobviouslyenjoyingeveryforbiddenword.

           "Anne,Ithinkyou’regoingtogetyourwish."

           Annelookedupabsently."What,dear?"

           "PhoneDocSmith.I’mgoingtohavethiswretchedbabyhereandnow."

           "Oh,myGod!Getintothebedroomandliedown—notyourbedroom,ours!"

           Cursingthewhimsoffateandthedeterminationofbabies,DocSmithhurriedoutfromDungloeinhisbatteredcarwiththelocalmidwifeinthebackanasmuchequipmentashecouldcarryfromhislittlecottagehospital.Nousetakingherthere;hecoulddoasmuchforheratHimmelhoch.ButCairnswaswheresheoughttobe.

           "Haveyouletthehusbandknow?"heaskedashepoundedupthefrontsteps,hismidwifebehindhim.

           "Isentatelegram.She’sinmyroom;Ithoughtitwouldgiveyoumorespace."

           Hobblingintheirwake,Annewentintoherbedroom.Meggiewaslyingonthebed,wide-eyedandgivingnoindicationofpainexceptforanoccasionalspasmofherhands,adrawing-inofherbody.SheturnedherheadtosmileatAnne,andAnnesawthattheeyeswereveryfrightened.

           "I’mgladInevergottoCairns,"shesaid.