Поющие в терновнике

           Womanlike,shesawonlytheobvious;shejustcouldn’tappreciatethegranddesignatbackofitall.

           Sohesaid,"Oh,Meg!"intonesofbewilderment,despair,resignation."I’veneverill-treatedyou,"headded."No,Idefinitelyhaven’t!There’snoonecouldsayIwascrueltoyou.Noone!You’vehadenoughtoeat,aroofoveryourhead,you’vebeenwarm—"

           "Oh,yes,"sheinterrupted."That’sonethingI’llgrantyou.I’veneverbeenwarmerinmylife."Sheshookherhead,laughed."What’stheuse?It’sliketalkingtoabrickwall."

           "Imightsaythesame!"

           "Byallmeansdo,"saidMeggieicily,gettingoffthebedandslippingonherpanties."I’mnotgoingtodivorceyou,"shesaid."Idon’twanttomarryagain.Ifyouwantadivorce,youknowwheretofindme.Technicallyspeaking,I’mtheoneatfault,aren’tI?I’mdesertingyou—oratleastthat’sthewaythecourtsinthiscountrywillseeit.Youandthejudgecancryoneachother’sshouldersabouttheperfidiesandingratitudeofwomen."

           "Ineverdesertedyou,"hemaintained.

           "Youcankeepmytwentythousandpounds,Luke.Butnotanotherpennydoyouevergetfromme.MyfutureincomeI’mgoingtousetosupportJustine,andperhapsanotherchildifI’mlucky."

           "Sothat’sit!"hesaid.