Поющие в терновнике

           Holdingitoverone’sshoulderdoesn’tflexthebodyforwardenough,thewindcan’tescapesoeasily,andwhenitdoescomeupthere’susuallylotsofmilkaswell.Thiswaythebaby’sbentinthemiddle,whichcorksthemilkinwhileitletsthegasescape."Asiftoprovehispoint,Justinegaveseveralhugeeructationsbutheldhergorge.Helaughed,rubbedagain,andwhennothingfurtherhappenedsettledherinthecrookofhisarmcomfortably."Whatfabulouslyexoticeyes!Magnificent,aren’tthey?TrustMeggietohaveanunusualbaby."

           "Nottochangethesubject,butwhatafatheryou’dhavemade,Father."

           "Ilikebabiesandchildren,Ialwayshave.It’smucheasierformetoenjoythem,sinceIdon’thaveanyoftheunpleasantdutiesfathersdo."

           "No,it’sbecauseyou’relikeLuddie.You’vegotabitofwomaninyou."

           ApparentlyJustine,normallysoisolationist,returnedhisliking;shehadgonetosleep.RalphsettledhermoresnuglyandpulledapacketofCapstansfromhisshortspocket.

           "Here,givethemtome.I’lllightoneforyou."

           "Where’sMeggie?"heasked,takingalitcigarettefromher."Thankyou.I’msorry,pleasetakeoneforyourself."

           "She’snothere.SheneverreallygotoverthebadtimeshehadwhenJustinewasborn,andTheWetseemedtobethelaststraw.SoLuddieandIsentherawayfortwomonths.She’llbebackaroundthefirstofMarch;anothersevenweekstogo."