Поющие в терновнике

           Ifsheputherfingersinhermouththetastewasindescribable,foulanddarklikesheep-dip;indesperationshespatonherhandkerchiefandrubbedherselfrawuntilshegotridoftheworstofit.Paddytookouthisswitch,amuchgentlerinstrumentthanSisterAgatha’scane,andsentherskippingroundthekitchen.Hedidnotbelieveinbeatinghischildrenonthehands,faceorbuttocks,onlyonthelegs.Legshurtasmuchasanywhere,hesaid,andcouldnotbedamaged.However,inspiteofbitteraloes,ridicule,SisterAgathaandPaddy’sswitch,Meggiewentonbitinghernails.

           HerfriendshipwithTeresaAnnunziowasthejoyofherlife,theonlythingthatmadeschoolendurable.ShesatthroughlessonsachingforplaytimetocomesoshecouldsitwithherarmaroundTeresa’swaistandTeresa’sarmaroundhersunderthebigfigtree,talking,talking.ThereweretalesaboutTeresa’sextraordinaryalienfamily,abouthernumerousdolls,andabouthergenuinewillowpatternteaset.

           WhenMeggiesawtheteaset,shewasovercome.Ithad108pieces,tinyminiaturecupsandsaucersandplates,ateapotandasugarbowlandamilkjugandacreamjug,withweeknivesandspoonsandforksjusttherightsizefordollstouse.Teresahadinnumerabletoys;besidesbeingmuchyoungerthanhernearestsister,shebelongedtoanItalianfamily,whichmeantshewaspassionatelyandopenlyloved,andindulgedtothefullextentofherfather’smonetaryresources.