Поющие в терновнике

           Unsaddlinghisroan,Paddyturneditintoastall,filledthewatercompartmentandthenmixedbranandoatswithalittlewaterforitsfood.Theanimalrumbledaffectionatelyathimwhenheemptiedthefodderintoitsmanger,anditseyesfollowedhimashewalkedtothebigtroughoutsidetheforge,tookoffhisshirt.Hewashedarmsandfaceandtorso,drenchinghisridingbreechesandhishair.Towelinghimselfdryonanoldsack,helookedathissonquizzically.

           "MumtoldmeMeggiewassenthomeindisgrace.Doyouknowwhatexactlyhappened?"

           Frankabandonedhisaxleastheheatinitdied."ThepoorlittlecootwassickalloverSisterAgatha."

           Wipingthegrinoffhisfacehastily,Paddystaredatthefarwallforamomenttocomposehimself,thenturnedtowardMeggie."Allexcitedaboutgoingtoschool,eh?"

           "Idon’tknow.Shewassickbeforetheyleftthismorning,anditheldthemuplongenoughtobelateforthebell.Theyallgotsixers,butMeggiewasterriblyupsetbecauseshethoughtsheoughttohavebeentheonlyonepunished.AfterlunchSisterAgpouncedonheragain,andourMeggiespewedbreadandjamalloverSisterAg’scleanblackhabit."

           "Whathappenedthen?"

           "SisterAgcanedhergoodandproper,andsentherhomeindisgrace."

           "Well,I’dsayshe’shadpunishmentenough.IhavealotofrespectforthenunsandIknowitisn’tourplacetoquestionwhattheydo,butIwishtheywereabitlesseagerwiththecane.