Поющие в терновнике

           I’mpregnant.Therearesomethingsonejustknows."

           "Anicepickleifyouare,"Annemuttered.

           "Oh,Anne,don’tbeblind!Don’tyouseewhatthismeans?IcanneverhaveRalph,I’vealwaysknownIcouldneverhaveRalph.ButIhave,Ihave!"Shelaughed,grippingJustinesohardAnnewasfrightenedthebabywouldscream,butstrangelyshedidnot."I’vegotthepartofRalphtheChurchcanneverhave,thepartofhimwhichcarriesonfromgenerationtogeneration.Throughmehe’llcontinuetolive,becauseIknowit’sgoingtobeason!Andthatsonwillhavesons,andthey’llhavesons—I’llbeatGodyet.I’velovedRalphsinceIwastenyearsold,andIsupposeI’llstillbelovinghimifIlivetobeahundred.Butheisn’tmine,wherehischildwillbe.Mine,Anne,mine!"

           "Oh,Meggie!"Annesaidhelplessly.

           Thepassiondied,theexhilaration;shebecameoncemorefamiliarMeggie,quietandsweetbutwiththefaintthreadofiron,thecapacitytobearmuch.OnlynowAnnetrodcarefully,wonderingjustwhatshehaddoneinsendingRalphdeBricassarttoMatlockIsland.Wasitpossibleforanyonetochangethismuch?Annedidn’tthinkso.Itmusthavebeenthereallthetime,sowellhiddenitspresencewasrarelysuspected.TherewasfarmorethanafaintthreadofironinMeggie;shewassolidsteel.

           "Meggie,ifyoulovemeatall,pleaseremembersomethingforme?"

           Thegreyeyescrinkledatthecorners."I’lltry!"

           "I’vepickedupmostofLuddie’stomesovertheyears,whenI’verunoutofmyownbooks.