Поющие в терновнике

           Ididn’tknowawomanfeltlikethat,orcouldbethesourceofsuchprofoundjoy.Iwantednevertoleaveher,notonlybecauseofherbody,butbecauseIjustlovedtobewithher—talktoher,nottalktoher,eatthemealsshecooked,smileather,shareherthoughts.IshallmissheraslongasIlive."

           TherewassomethinginthesallowasceticvisagewhichunaccountablyremindedhimofMeggie’sfaceinthatmomentofparting;thesightofaspiritualburdenbeingtakenup,theresolutenessofacharacterwellabletogoforwardinspiteofitsloads,itsgriefs,itspain.Whathadheknown,theredsilkcardinalwhoseonlyhumanaddictionseemedtobehislanguidAbyssiniancat?

           "Ican’trepentofwhatIhadwithherinthatway,"RalphwentonwhenHisEminencedidn’tspeak."Irepentthebreakingofvowsassolemnandbindingasmylife.Icanneveragainapproachmypriestlydutiesinthesamelight,withthesamezeal.Irepentthatbitterly.ButMeggie?"ThelookonhisfacewhenheutteredhernamemadeCardinalVittorioturnawaytodobattlewithhisownthoughts.

           "TorepentofMeggiewouldbetomurderher."Hepassedhishandtiredlyacrosshiseyes."Idon’tknowifthat’sveryclear,orevenifitgetsclosetosayingwhatImean.Ican’tforthelifeofmeeverseemtoexpresswhatIfeelforMeggieadequately."HeleanedforwardinhischairastheCardinalturnedback,andwatchedhistwinimagesgrowalittlelarger.