Поющие в терновнике

           "Don’tyouwanther,Meggie?"

           Herfacehadshrunk,andseemedalleyes;theyweresoftandfilledwithamistylight,nohatebutnoloveeither."IsupposeIwanther.Yes,Idowanther.Ischemedenoughtogether.ButwhileIwascarryingherIcouldn’tfeelanythingforher,exceptthatshedidn’twantme.Idon’tthinkJustinewilleverbemine,orLuke’s,oranyone’s.Ithinkshe’salwaysgoingtobelongtoherself."

           "Imustgo,Meggie,"hesaidgently.

           Nowtheeyesgrewharder,brighter:hermouthtwistedintoanunpleasantshape."Iexpectedthat!Funnyhowthemeninmylifeallscuttleoffintothewoodwork,isn’tit?"

           Hewinced."Don’tbebitter,Meggie.Ican’tbeartoleavethinkingofyoulikethis.Nomatterwhat’shappenedtoyouinthepast,you’vealwaysretainedyoursweetnessandit’sthethingaboutyouIfindmostendearing.Don’tchange,don’tbecomehardbecauseofthis.IknowitmustbeterribletothinkthatLukedidn’tcareenoughtocome,butdon’tchange.Youwouldn’tbemyMeggieanymore."

           Butstillshelookedathimhalfasifshehatedhim."Oh,comeoffit,Ralph!I’mnotyourMeggie,Ineverwas!Youdidn’twantme,yousentmetohim,toLuke.WhatdoyouthinkIam,somesortofsaint,oranun?Well,I’mnot!I’manordinaryhumanbeing,andyou’vespoiledmylife!AlltheyearsI’velovedyou,andwantedtoforgetyou,butthenImarriedamanIthoughtlookedalittlebitlikeyou,andhedoesn’twantmeorneedmeeither.