Поющие в терновнике

           ButIwantahome!IwantJustinetohavebrothersandsisters,Iwanttodustmyownfurniture,Iwanttomakecurtainsformyownwindows,cookonmyownstoveformyownman.Oh,Anne!I’mjustanordinarysortofawoman;I’mnotambitiousorintelligentorwelleducated,youknowthat.AllIwantisahusband,children,myownhome.Andabitoflovefromsomeone!"

           Annegotoutherhandkerchief,wipedhereyesandtriedtolaugh."Whatasoppypairweare!ButIdounderstand,Meggie,reallyIdo.I’vebeenmarriedtoLuddiefortenyears,theonlytrulyhappyonesofmylife.IhadinfantileparalysiswhenIwasfiveyearsold,anditleftmelikethis.Iwasconvincednoonewouldeverlookatme.Nordidthey,Godknows.WhenImetLuddieIwasthirtyyearsold,teachingforaliving.Hewastenyearsyoungerthanme,soIcouldn’ttakehimseriouslywhenhesaidhelovedmeandwantedtomarryme.Howterrible,Meggie,toruinaveryyoungman’slife!ForfiveyearsItreatedhimtotheworstdisplayofdownrightnastinessyoucouldimagine,buthealwayscamebackformore.SoImarriedhim,andI’vebeenhappy.Luddiesaysheis,butI’mnotsure.He’shadtogiveupalot,includingchildren,andhelooksolderthanIdothesedays,poorchap."

           "It’sthelife,Anne,andtheclimate."

           Therainstoppedassuddenlyasithadbegun;thesuncameout,therainbowswaxedtofullgloryinthesteamysky,MountBartleFrereloomedlilacoutofthescuddingclouds.

           Meggiespokeagain."I’llgo