Поющие в терновнике

           Bob,Jack,HughieandPatsywentbacktothepaddocks,beganseeinghowbesttorestock;Feeopenedabrand-newbottleofblackinkandsavagelyscrewedtheliddownonherbottleofredink;Meggiesawanendcomingtoherlifeinthesaddle,foritwouldnotbelongbeforeJimswashomeandmenturneduplookingforjobs.

           Afternineyearstherewereveryfewsheeporcattleleft,onlytheprizebreederswhichwerealwayspennedandhand-fedinanytime,thenucleusofchampionstock,ramsandbulls.BobwenteasttothetopoftheWesternslopestobuyewesofgoodbloodlinefrompropertiesnotsohardhitbythedrought.Jimscamehome.EightstockmenwereaddedtotheDroghedapayroll.Meggiehunguphersaddle.

           ItwasnotlongafterthisthatMeggiegotaletterfromLuke,thesecondsinceshehadlefthim.

           "Notlongnow,Ireckon,"hesaid."Afewmoreyearsinthesugarshouldseemethrough.Theoldback’sabitsorethesedays,butIcanstillcutwiththebestofthem,eightorninetonsaday.ArneandIhavetwelveothergangscuttingforus,allgoodblokes.Money’sgettingveryloose,Europewantssugarasfastaswecanproduceit.I’mmakingoverfivethousandquidayear,savingalmostallofit.Won’tbelongnow,Meg,beforeI’moutaroundKynuna.MaybewhenIgetthingstogetheryoumightwanttocomebacktome.DidIgiveyouthekidyouwanted?Funny,howwomengettheirheartssetonkids.Ireckonthat’swhatreallybrokeusup,eh?Letmeknowhowyou’regettingon,andhowDroghedaweatheredthedrought.Yours,Luke."