Поющие в терновнике

           She’sathrowback,thefunnylittlething,Doesn’tlooktoohappy,doesshe?"

           "Howcouldshelookhappy?"Annesnapped,hangingontohertempergrimly."She’sneverseenherfather,shehasnorealhomeandnotmuchlikelihoodofonebeforeshe’sgrownupifyougoonthewayyouare!"

           "I’msaving,Anne!"heprotested.

           "Rubbish!Iknowhowmuchmoneyyou’vegot.FriendsofmineinChartersTowerssendmethelocalpaperfromtimetotime,soI’veseentheadsforwesternpropertiesalotcloserinthanKynuna,andalotmorefertile.There’saDepressionon,Luke!Youcouldpickupabeautyofaplaceforalotlessbyfarthantheamountyouhaveinthebank,andyouknowit."

           "Nowthat’sjustit!There’saDepressionon,andwestoftherangesabloodyterribledroughtfromJuneetotheIsa.It’sinitssecondyearandthere’snorainatall,notadrop.RightnowI’llbetDrogheda’shurting,sowhatdoyouthinkit’slikeoutaroundWintonandBlackall?No,IreckonIoughttowait."

           "Waituntilthepriceoflandgoesupinagoodwetseason?Comeoffit,Luke!Now’sthetimetobuy!WithMeggie’sassuredtwothousandayear,youcanwaitoutaten-yeardrought!Justdon’tstocktheplace.LiveonMeggie’stwothousandayearuntiltherainscome,thenputyourstockon."

           "I’mnotreadytoleavethesugaryet,"hesaid,stubbornly,stillstaringathisdaughter’sstrangelighteyes.