Поющие в терновнике

           YearsagoFatherRalphhadaskedherwhatshethoughtabout,andshehadanswered:DaddyandMum,Bob,Jack,Hughie,Stu,thelittleboys,Frank,Drogheda,thehouse,work,therainfall.Shehadn’tsaidhim,buthewasatthetopofthelist,always.NowaddtothoseJustine,Luke,LuddieandAnne,thecane,homesickness,therainfall.Andalways,ofcourse,thelifesavingreleaseshefoundinbooks.Butithadallcomeandgoneinsuchtangled,unrelatedclumpsandchains;noopportunity,notrainingtoenablehertositdownquietlyandthinkoutwhoexactlywasMeggieCleary,MeggieO’Neill?Whatdidshewant?Whatdidshethinkshewasputonthisearthfor?Shemournedthelackoftraining,forthatwasanomissionnoamountoftimeonherowncouldeverrectify.However,herewasthetime,thepeace,thelazinessofidlephysicalwell-being;shecouldlieonthesandandtry.

           Well,therewasRalph.Awry,despairinglaugh.Notagoodplacetostart,butinasenseRalphwaslikeGod;everythingbeganandendedwithhim.SincethedayhehadkneltinthesunsetdustoftheGillystationyardtotakeherbetweenhishands,therehadbeenRalph,andthoughsheneversawhimagainaslongasshelived,itseemedlikelythatherlastthoughtthissideofthegravewouldbeofhim.Howfrightening,thatonepersoncouldmeansomuch,somanythings.

           WhathadshesaidtoAnne?Thatherwantsandneedswerequiteordinary—ahusband,children,ahomeofherown.Someonetolove.Itdidn’tseemmuchtoask;afterall,mostwomenhadthelot.