Поющие в терновнике

           SmiththerewasMeggietokiss,Minnietokiss,Cattokiss,Mumtohugbashfully,JackandHughietowringbythehandspeechlessly.TheDroghedapeoplewouldneverknowwhatitwasliketobehome,theycouldneverknowhowmuchthismomenthadbeenlongedfor,fearedfor.

           Andhowthetwinsate!Armytuckerwasneverlikethis,theysaid,laughing.Pinkandwhitefairycakes,chocolate-soakedlamingtonsrolledincoconut,steamedspotteddogpudding,pavlovadrippingpassionfruitandcreamfromDroghedacows.Rememberingtheirstomachsfromearlierdays,Mrs.Smithwasconvincedthey’dbeillforaweek,butaslongastherewasunlimitedteatowashitdown,theydidn’tseemtohaveanytroublewiththeirdigestions.

           "AbitdifferentfromWogbread,eh,Patsy?"

           "Yair."

           "What’sWogmean?"askedMrs.Smith.

           "AWog’sanArab,butaWop’sanItalian,right,Patsy?"

           "Yair."

           Itwaspeculiar.Theywouldtalk,oratleastJimswouldtalk,forhoursaboutNorthAfrica:thetowns,thepeople,thefood,themuseuminCairo,lifeonboardatroopship,inrestcamp.Butnoamountofquestioningcouldelicitanythingbutvague,change-the-subjectanswersastowhattheactualfightinghadbeenlike,whatGazala,Benghazi,Tobruk,ElAlameinhadbeenlike.Lateronafterthewarwasoverthewomenweretofindthisconstantly;themenwhohadactuallybeeninthethickofbattleneveropenedtheirmouthsaboutit,refusedtojointheex-soldiers’clubsandleagues,wantednothingtodowithinstitutionsperpetuatingthememoryofwar.