Поющие в терновнике

           Oh,Idon’tmeanpersonalthings,onlyaboutwhatsortoflifesheledbeforeshecametoDunny.Weknowabsolutelynothingofher,LuddieandI,exceptthatsheusedtolivesomewherenearGillanbone.We’dliketoknowmore,becausewe’reveryfondofher.Butshewouldnevertellusathing—pride,Ithink."

           Luddiecarriedinatrayloadedwithteaandfood,andsatdownwhilethepriestgavethemanoutlineofMeggie’slifebeforeshemarriedLuke.

           "Iwouldneverhaveguesseditinamillionyears!TothinkLukeO’Neillhadthetemeritytotakeherfromallthatandputhertoworkasahousemaid!Andhadthehidetostipulatethatherwagesbeputinhisbank-book!Doyouknowthepoorlittlethinghasneverhadapennyinherpursetospendonherselfsinceshe’sbeenhere?IhadLuddiegiveheracashbonuslastChristmas,butbythensheneededsomanythingsitwasallspentinaday,andshe’dnevertakemorefromus."

           "Don’tfeelsorryforMeggie,"saidArchbishopRalphalittleharshly."Idon’tthinkshefeelssorryforherself,certainlynotoverlackofmoney.It’sbroughtlittlejoytoherafterall,hasit?Sheknowswheretogoifshecan’tdowithoutit.I’dsayLuke’sapparentindifferencehashurtherfarmorethanthelackofmoney.MypoorMeggie!"

           BetweenthemAnneandLuddiefilledintheoutlineofMeggie’slife,whileArchbishopdeBricassartsat,hishandsstillsteepled,hisgazeonthelovelysweepingfanofatraveler’spalmoutside.