Поющие в терновнике

           Hisshirtlayonaheapofstrawinthecorner;heploddedacrosstoitandstoodforamomentstaringatthesplinteringbarnwallasifitdidnotexist,hisblackeyeswideandfixed.

           Hewasverysmall,notabovefivefeetthreeinches,andthinstillasstriplingsare,butthebareshouldersandarmshadmusclesalreadyknottedfromworkingwiththehammer,andthepale,flawlessskingleamedwithsweat.Thedarknessofhishairandeyeshadaforeigntang,hisfull-lippedmouthandwide-bridgednosenottheusualfamilyshape,buttherewasMaoribloodonhismother’ssideandinhimitshowed.Hewasnearlysixteenyearsold,whereBobwasbarelyeleven,Jackten,Hughienine,StuartfiveandlittleMeggiethree.ThenherememberedthattodayMeggiewasfour;itwasDecember8th.Heputonhisshirtandleftthebarn.

           Thehouselayontopofasmallhillaboutonehundredfeethigherthanthebarnandstables.LikeallNewZealandhouses,itwaswooden,ramblingovermanysquaresandofonestoryonly,onthetheorythatifanearthquakestruck,someofitmightbeleftstanding.Arounditgorsegreweverywhere,atthemomentsmotheredinrichyellowflowers;thegrasswasgreenandluxuriant,likeallNewZealandgrass.Noteveninthemiddleofwinter,whenthefrostsometimeslayunmeltedalldayintheshade,didthegrassturnbrown,andthelong,mildsummeronlytinteditanevenrichergreen.