Поющие в терновнике

           Shesawthroughhisploysimmediately,angeredafreshtoseetheClearyclannishnessasmuchinevidencewiththegirlasithadalwaysbeenamongtheboys.HadanyonequestionedherastoexactlywhyshehadsuchadownontheClearys,shewouldnothavebeenabletoanswer.ButforanoldnunasembitteredbythecourseherlifehadtakenasSisterAgatha,aproudandtouchyfamilyliketheClearyswasnoteasytoswallow.

           Meggie’sworstsinwasbeingleft-handed.Whenshegingerlypickedupherslatepenciltoembarkonherfirstwritinglesson,SisterAgathadescendedonherlikeCaesarontheGauls.

           "MeghannCleary,putthatpencildown!"shethundered.

           Thusbeganabattleroyal.Meggiewasincurablyandhopelesslyleft-handed.WhenSisterAgathaforciblybentthefingersofMeggie’srighthandcorrectlyaroundthepencilandpoiseditabovetheslate,MeggiesattherewithherheadreelingandnoideaintheworldhowtomaketheafflictedlimbdowhatSisterAgathainsisteditcould.Shebecamementallydeaf,dumbandblind;thatuselessappendageherrighthandwasnomorelinkedtoherthoughtprocessesthanhertoes.Shedribbledalinecleanofftheedgeoftheslatebecauseshecouldnotmakeitbend;shedroppedherpencilasifparalyzed;nothingSisterAgathacoulddowouldmakeMeggie’srighthandformanA.ThensurreptitiouslyMeggiewouldtransferherpenciltoherlefthand,andwithherarmcurledawkwardlyaroundthreesidesoftheslateshewouldmakearowofbeautifulcopper-plateA’s.

           SisterAgathawonthebattle.