Поющие в терновнике

           Oh,butIlovedthatman!Perhapsitwasthecallofourblood,Idon’tknow.Hewashandsome.Abigmanwithamopofblackhairandthemostbrilliant,laughingblackeyes.HewaseverythingPaddywasn’t—cultured,sophisticated,verycharming.Ilovedhimtothepointofmadness.AndIthoughtI’dneverloveanyoneelse;IwallowedinthatdelusionsolongIleftittoolate,toolate!"Hervoicebroke.Sheturnedtolookatthegarden."Ihavealottoanswerfor,Meggie,believeme."

           "Sothat’swhyyoulovedFrankmorethantherestofus,"Meggiesaid.

           "IthoughtIdid,becausehewasPakeha’ssonandtherestbelongedtoPaddy,"Shesatdown,madeaqueer,mournfulnoise."Sohistorydoesrepeatitself.IhadaquietlaughwhenIsawDane,Itellyou."

           "Mum,you’reanextraordinarywoman!"

           "AmI?"Thechaircreaked;sheleanedforward."Letmewhisperyoualittlesecret,Meggie.Extraordinaryormerelyordinary,I’maveryunhappywoman.ForonereasonoranotherI’vebeenunhappysincethedayImetPakeha.Mostlymyownfault.Ilovedhim,butwhathedidtomeshouldn’thappentoanywoman.AndtherewasFrank…IkepthangingontoFrank,andignoringtherestofyou.IgnoringPaddy,whowasthebestthingeverhappenedtome.OnlyIdidn’tseeit.IwastoobusycomparinghimwithPakeha.Oh,Iwasgratefultohim,andIcouldn’thelpbutseewhatafinemanhewas…"Sheshrugged."Well,allthat’spast.WhatIwantedtosaywasthatit’swrong,Meggie.