Поющие в терновнике

           Agneslaynakedwhiletheboyspushedandpulledather,forcingonefootroundthebackofherhead,makingherlookdownherspine,everypossiblecontortiontheycouldthinkof.TheytooknonoticeofMeggieasshestoodcrying;itdidnotoccurtohertoseekhelp,forintheClearyfamilythosewhocouldnotfighttheirownbattlesgotscantaidorsympathy,andthatwentforgirls,too.

           Thedoll’sgoldenhairtumbleddown,thepearlsflewwinkingintothelonggrassanddisappeared.Adustybootcamedownthoughtlesslyontheabandoneddress,smearinggreasefromthesmithyacrossitssatin.Meggiedroppedtoherknees,scrabblingfranticallytocollecttheminiatureclothesbeforemoredamagewasdonethem,thenshebeganpickingamongthegrassbladeswhereshethoughtthepearlsmighthavefallen.Hertearswereblindingher,thegriefinherheartnew,foruntilnowshehadneverownedanythingworthgrievingfor.

           ***

           Frankthrewtheshoehissingintocoldwaterandstraightenedhisback;itdidn’tachethesedays,soperhapshewasusedtosmithying.Notbeforetime,hisfatherwouldhavesaid,aftersixmonthsatit.ButFrankknewverywellhowlongitwassincehisintroductiontotheforgeandanvil;hehadmeasuredthetimeinhatredandresentment.Throwingthehammerintoitsbox,hepushedthelankblackhairoffhisbrowwithatremblinghandanddraggedtheoldleatherapronfromaroundhisneck.