Поющие в терновнике

           "Kisshisring,quickly!"

           Theblind-lookingeyesflashedscorn."You’rearealprawnaboutreligion,Dane,"shesaidwithoutbotheringtolowerhervoice."Kissingaringisunhygienic;Iwon’tdoit.Besides,howdoweknowthisisCardinaldeBricassart?Helookslikeanold-fashionedgraziertome.Youknow,likeMr.Gordon."

           "Heis,heis!"insistedDane."Please,Jussy,begood!Begoodforme!"

           "I’llbegood,butonlyforyou.ButIwon’tkisshisring,evenforyou.Disgusting.HowdoIknowwhokisseditlast?Theymighthavehadacold."

           "Youdon’thavetokissmyring,Justine.I’mhereonaholiday;I’mnotbeingacardinalatthemoment."

           "That’sgood,becauseI’lltellyoufrankly,I’manatheist,"saidMeggieCleary’sdaughtercalmly."AfterfouryearsatKincoppalIthinkit’sallaloadofuttercodswallop."

           "That’syourprivilege,"saidCardinalRalph,tryingdesperatelytolookasdignifiedandseriousasshedid."MayIfindyourgrandmother?"

           "Ofcourse.Doyouneedus?"Justineasked.

           "No,thankyou.Iknowmyway."

           "Good."Sheturnedtoherbrother,stillgapingupatthevisitor."Comeon,Dane,helpme.Comeon!"

           ButthoughJustinetuggedpainfullyathisarm,DanestayedtowatchCardinalRalph’stall,straightfiguredisappearbehindtheroses.

           "Youreallyareaprawn,Dane.What’ssospecialabouthim?"

           "He’sacardinal!"saidDane."Imaginethat!AreallivecardinalonDrogheda!"

           "Cardinals,"saidJustine,"arePrincesoftheChurch.