Поющие в терновнике

           "Mymotherneverwenttohospitaltohavehers,andDaddysaidonceshehadaterribletimewithHal.Butshesurvived,andsowillI.We’rehardtokill,weClearywomen."

           ItwashourslaterwhenthedoctorjoinedAnneontheveranda.

           "It’salong,hardbusinessforthelittlewoman.Firstbabiesarerarelyeasy,butthisone’snotlyingwellandshejustdragsonwithoutgettinganywhere.IfshewasinCairnsshecouldhaveaCaesarean,butthat’soutofthequestionhere.She’lljusthavetopushitoutallbyherself."

           "Issheconscious?"

           "Oh,yes.Gallantlittlesoul,doesn’tscreamorcomplain.Thebestonesusuallyhavetheworsttimeofitinmyopinion.KeepsaskingmeifRalph’shereyet,andIhavetotellhersomelieabouttheJohnstoneinflood.Ithoughtherhusband’snamewasLuke?"

           "Itis."

           "Hmmm!Well,maybethat’swhyshe’saskingforthisRalph,whoeverheis.Luke’snocomfort,ishe?"

           "Luke’sabastard."

           Anneleanedforward,handsontheverandarailing.AtaxiwascomingfromtheDunnyroad,andhadturnedoffuptheinclinetoHimmelhoch.Herexcellenteyesightjustdiscernedablack-hairedmanintheback,andshecrowedwithreliefandjoy.

           "Idon’tbelievewhatIsee,butIthinkLuke’sfinallyrememberedhe’sgotawife!"

           "I’dbestgobacktoherandleaveyoutocopewithhim,Anne.Iwon’tmentionittoher,incaseitisn’thim.Ifitishim,givehimacupofteaandsavethehardstuffforlater.He’sgoingtoneedit."