Поющие в терновнике

           Meggiejumpednervouslywhensheheardhisknock,gotoffthebedandpaddedovertothedoor.

           "Whoisit?"shecalled.

           "Luke,"camehisvoice.

           Sheturnedthekey,openedthedooratinyway,andsteppedbehinditasLukepusheditwider.Themomenthewasinsidesheslammeditshut,andstoodlookingathim.Helookedather;atthebreastswhichwerebigger,rounder,moreenticingthanever,thenipplesnolongerpalepinkbutarichdarkredfromthebaby.Ifhehadbeeninneedofstimulitheyweremorethanadequate;hereachedouttopickherup,andcarriedhertothebed.

           Bydaylightshestillhadn’tspokenaword,thoughhertouchhadwelcomedhimtoapitchoffeveredwanthehadneverbeforeexperienced.Nowshelaymovedawayfromhim,andcuriouslydivorcedfromhim.

           Hestretchedluxuriously,yawned,clearedhisthroat."WhatbringsyoudowntoIngham,Meg?"heasked.

           Herheadturned;sheregardedhimwithwide,contemptuouseyes.

           "Well,whatbringsyouhere?"herepeated,nettled.

           Noreply,onlythesamesteady,stinginggaze,asifshecouldn’tbebotheredanswering.Whichwasridiculous,afterthenight.

           Herlipsopened;shesmiled."IcametotellyouI’mgoinghometoDrogheda,"shesaid.

           Foramomenthedidn’tbelieveher,thenhelookedatherfacemorecloselyandsawshemeantit,allright."Why?"heasked.

           "Itoldyouwhatwouldhappenifyoudidn’ttakemetoSydney,"shesaid.

           Hisastonishmentwasabsolutelygenuine.