Поющие в терновнике

           "No,no,Ican’tgo!"shemoaned,herhandsclutchingatherhead."Mum,Mum,Ican’tgotoschoollikethis,notwithSisterAgatha!"

           "Oh,yes,youcan,"hermotherreplied,ignoringFrank’simploringlooks."It’llteachyoualesson."

           SoofftoschoolwentMeggie,herfeetdraggingandherheaddoneupinabrownbandanna.SisterAgathaignoredherentirely,butatplaytimetheothergirlscaughtherandtoreherscarfawaytoseewhatshelookedlike.Herfacewasonlymildlydisfigured,butherheadwhenuncoveredwasahorriblesight,oozingandangry.ThemomenthesawwhatwasgoingonBobcameover,andtookhissisterawayintoasecludedcornerofthecricketpitch.

           "Don’tyoutakeanynoticeofthem,Meggie,"hesaidroughly,tyingthescarfaroundherheadawkwardlyandpattingherstiffshoulders."Spitefullittlecats!IwishI’dthoughttocatchsomeofthosethingsoutofyourhead;I’msurethey’dkeep.Theminuteeveryoneforgot,I’dsprinkleafewheadswithanewlot."

           TheotherClearyboysgatheredaround,andtheysatguardingMeggieuntilthebellrang.

           TeresaAnnunziocametoschoolbrieflyatlunchtime,herheadshaven.ShetriedtoattackMeggie,buttheboysheldheroffeasily.Asshebackedawaysheflungherrightarmupintheair,itsfistclenched,andslappedherlefthandonitsbicepsinafascinating,mysteriousgesturenooneunderstood,butwhichtheboysavidlyfiledawayforfutureuse.

           "Ihateyou!"Teresascreamed.