Поющие в терновнике

           Shesettledinacanechair,tookthebabyfromNancyandbegantofeedherfromthebottleofLactogenNancyhadwarmed.Itwasverypleasant,lifewasverypleasant;shehaddoneherbesttomakeLukeseesense,andifshehadfailed,atleastitmeantMeggieandJustinewouldremainatHimmelhochawhilelonger.ShehadnodoubtthateventuallyMeggiewouldrealizetherewasnohopeofsalvagingherrelationshipwithLuke,andwouldthenreturntoDrogheda.ButAnnedreadedtheday.

           AredEnglishsportscarroaredofftheDunnyroadandupthelong,hillydrive;itwasnewandexpensive,itsbonnetstrappeddownwithleather,itssilverexhaustsandscarletpaintworkglittering.Forawhileshedidn’trecognizethemanwhovaultedoverthelowdoor,forheworetheNorthQueenslanduniformofapairofshortsandnothingelse.Myword,whatabeautifulbloke!shethought,watchinghimappreciativelyandwithatwingeofmemoryashetookthestepstwoatatime.IwishLuddiewouldn’teatsomuch;hecoulddowithabitofthischap’scondition.Now,he’snochicken—lookatthosemarveloussilvertemples—butI’veneverseenacanecutterinbetternick.

           Whenthecalm,aloofeyeslookedintohers,sherealizedwhohewas.

           "MyGod!"shesaid,anddroppedthebaby’sbottle.

           Heretrievedit,handedittoherandleanedagainsttheverandarailing,facingher:"It’sallright.Theteatdidn’tstriketheground;youcanfeedherwithit."

           Thebabywasjustbeginningadeprivedquiver.