Поющие в терновнике

           HadFeerealizedit,hercharitywasmisguided,forherdaughter’shairwasfarandawaythemostbeautifulintheentireschool.TorubthefactinwithdailycurlsearnedMeggiemuchenvyandloathing.

           Theprocesshurt,butMeggiewastoousedtoittonotice,neverrememberingatimewhenithadnotbeendone.Fee’smusculararmyankedthebrushruthlesslythroughknotsandtanglesuntilMeggie’seyeswateredandshehadtohangontothestoolwithbothhandstokeepfromfallingoff.ItwastheMondayofthelastweekatschool,andherbirthdaywasonlytwodaysaway;sheclungtothestoolanddreamedaboutthewillowpatternteaset,knowingitforadream.TherewasoneintheWahinegeneralstore,andsheknewenoughofpricestorealizethatitscostputitfarbeyondherfather’sslendermeans.

           SuddenlyFeemadeasound,sopeculiaritjerkedMeggieoutofhermusingandmadethemenfolkstillseatedatthebreakfasttableturntheirheadscuriously.

           "HolyJesusChrist!"saidFee.

           Paddyjumpedtohisfeet,hisfacestupefied;hehadneverheardFeetakethenameoftheLordinvainbefore.ShewasstandingwithoneofMeggie’scurlsinherhand,thebrushpoised,herfeaturestwistedintoanexpressionofhorrorandrevulsion.Paddyandtheboyscrowdedround;Meggietriedtoseewhatwasgoingonandearnedabackhandedslapwiththebristlesideofthebrushwhichmadehereyeswater.

           "Look!"Feewhispered,holdingthecurlinarayofsunlightsoPaddycouldsee.