Поющие в терновнике

           Youknowthat,don’tyou?"

           "No,Idon’t.ThewayIseeit,theChurchiswrong,expectingtotakethatfromherpriestsaswell."

           "Funny,howwealwaysinfertheChurchisfeminine.Youstoleawoman’sman,Meggie,justasIdid."

           "Ralphhadabsolutelynoallegiancetoanywoman,excepttome.TheChurchisn’tawoman,Mum.It’sathing,aninstitution."

           "Don’tbothertryingtojustifyyourselftome.Iknowalltheanswers.Ithoughtasyoudomyself,atthetime.Divorcewasoutofthequestionforhim.Hewasoneofthefirstpeopleofhisracetoattainpoliticalgreatness;hehadtochoosebetweenmeandhispeople.Whatmancouldresistachancelikethattobenoble?JustasyourRalphchosetheChurch,didn’the?SoIthought,Idon’tcare.I’lltakewhatIcangetofhim,I’llhavehischildtoloveatleast."

           ButsuddenlyMeggiewastoobusyhatinghermothertobeabletopityher,toobusyresentingtheinferencethatsheherselfhadmadejustasbigamessofthings.Soshesaid,"ExceptthatIfaroutdidyouinsubtlety,Mum.Mysonhasanamenoonecantakefromhim,evenincludingLuke."

           Fee’sbreathhissedbetweenherteeth."Nasty!Oh,you’redeceptive,Meggie!Butterwouldn’tmeltinyourmouth,wouldit?Well,myfatherboughtmyhusbandtogiveFrankanameandgetridofme:I’llbetyouneverknewthat!Howdidyouknow?"

           "That’smybusiness."

           "You’regoingtopay,Meggie.Believeme,you’regoingtopay.Youwon’tgetawaywithitanymorethanIdid.