Поющие в терновнике

           Whenthewaterinthehugelaundrycopperwasboiling,Frankgotthedishtubdownfromitshangingandfilledithalfwithhotwaterandhalfwithcold.Thenhewentouttotheshedandfetchedinanunopenedfive-galloncanofkerosene,tookabaroflyesoapfromthelaundryandstartedworkonBob.Eachheadwasbrieflydampedinthetub,severalcupsofrawkerosenepouredoverit,andthewholedraggled,greasymesslatheredwithsoap.Thekeroseneandlyeburned;theboyshowledandrubbedtheireyesraw,scratchingattheirreddened,tinglingscalpsandthreateningghastlyvengeanceonallDagos.

           Feewenttohersewingbasketandtookoutherbigshears.ShecamebacktoMeggie,whohadnotdaredtomovefromthestoolthoughanhourandmorehadelapsed,andstoodwiththeshearsinherhand,staringatthebeautifulfallofhair.Thenshebegantocutit—snip!snip!—untillallthelongcurlswerehuddledinglisteningheapsonthefloorandMeggie’swhiteskinwasbeginningtoshowinirregularpatchesalloverherhead.Doubtinhereyes,sheturnedthentoFrank.

           "OughtItoshaveit?"sheasked,tight-lipped.

           Frankputouthishand,revolted."Oh,Mum,no!Surelynot!Ifshegetsagooddouseofkeroseneitoughttobeenough.Pleasedon’tshaveit!"

           SoMeggiewasmarchedtotheworktableandheldoverthetubwhiletheypouredcupaftercupofkeroseneoverherheadandscrubbedthecorrosivesoapthroughwhatwasleftofherhair.