Поющие в терновнике

           OnoneofherrareSundaysoffMeggietookherdaughterontoherlapandspoketoherseriouslyaboutlookingafterDane.

           "Ican’tbehereatthehomesteadtolookafterhimmyself,"shesaid,"soitalldependsonyou,Justine.He’syourbabybrotherandyoumustalwayswatchoutforhim,makesurehedoesn’tgetintodangerortrouble."

           Thelighteyeswereveryintelligent,withnoneoftheratherwanderingattentionspantypicalofafour-year-old.Justinenoddedconfidently."Don’tworry,Mum,"shesaidbriskly."I’llalwayslookafterhimforyou."

           "IwishIcouldmyself,"Meggiesighed.

           "Idon’t,"saidherdaughtersmugly."IlikehavingDanealltomyself.Sodon’tworry.Iwon’tletanythinghappentohim."

           Meggiedidn’tfindthereassuranceacomfort,thoughitwasreassuring.Thisprecociouslittlescrapwasgoingtostealhersonfromher,andtherewasnowayshecouldavertit.Backtothepaddocks,whileJustinestaunchlyguardedDane.Oustedbyherowndaughter,whowasamonster.Whoonearthdidshetakeafter?NotLuke,notherself,notFee.

           Atleastthesedaysshewassmilingandlaughing.Shewasfouryearsoldbeforeshesawanythingfunnyinanything,andthatsheeverdidwasprobablyduetoDane,whohadlaughedfrombabyhood.Becausehelaughed,sodidshe.Meggie’schildrenlearnedfromeachotherallthetime.Butitwasgalling,knowingtheycouldgetonwithouttheirmotherverywell.Bythetimethiswretchedconflictisover,Meggiethought,he’llbetoooldtofeelwhatheshouldforme.