Поющие в терновнике

           Stockyardsandbutteryyellowsandstonebuildings,aliengreenlawnaroundthebighouse,autumnflowersinthegarden,wallflowersandzinnias,astersanddahlias,marigoldsandcalendulas,chrysanthemums,roses,roses.Thegravelofthebackyard,Mrs.Smithstandinggaping,thenlaughing,crying,MinnieandCatrunning,oldstringyarmslikechainsaroundherheart.ForDroghedawashome,andherewasherheart,foralways.

           Feecameouttoseewhatallthefusswasabout.

           "HelloMum.I’vecomehome."

           Thegreyeyesdidn’tchange,butinthenewgrowthofhersoulMeggieunderstood.Mumwasglad;shejustdidn’tknowhowtoshowit.

           "HaveyouleftLuke?"Feeasked,takingitforgrantedthatMrs.Smithandthemaidswereasentitledtoknowasshewasherself.

           "Yes.Ishallnevergobacktohim.Hedidn’twantahome,orhischildren,orme."

           "Children?"

           "Yes.I’mgoingtohaveanotherbaby."

           Oohsandaahsfromtheservants,andFeespeakingherjudgmentinthatmeasuredvoice,gladnessunderneath.

           "Ifhedoesn’twantyou,thenyouwererighttocomehome.Wecanlookafteryouhere."

           Heroldroom,lookingoutacrosstheHomePaddock,thegardens.AndaroomnextdoorforJustine,thenewbabywhenitcame.Oh,itwassogoodtobehome!

           Bobwasgladtoseeher,too.MoreandmorelikePaddy,hewasbecomingalittlebentandsinewyasthesunbakedhisskinandhisbonestodryness.Hehadthesamegentlestrengthofcharacter,butperhapsbecausehehadneverbeentheprogenitorofalargefamily,helackedPaddy’sfatherlymien.