Поющие в терновнике

           ButIhadDane,soI’mnotsorry.DanewaswortheverythingIwentthroughtogethim."

           "I’msorry,Ihadnorighttoask.IgaveyoutoLukeinthefirstplace,didn’tI?"

           "That’strue,youdid."

           "He’sawonderfulboy.DoeshelooklikeLuke?"

           Shesmiledsecretly,pluckedatthegrass,laidherhandinsidehisshirt,againsthischest."Notreally.NeitherofmychildrenlooksverymuchlikeLuke,orme."

           "Ilovethembecausethey’reyours."

           "You’reassentimentalasever.Agesuitsyou,Ralph.Iknewitwould,IhopedI’dhavethechancetoseeit.ThirtyyearsI’veknownyou!Itseemslikethirtydays."

           "Thirtyyears?Asmanyasthat?"

           "I’mforty-one,mydear,soitmustbe."Shegottoherfeet."Iwasofficiallysenttosummonyouinside.Mrs.Smithislayingonasplendidteainyourhonor,andlateronwhenit’sabitcoolerthere’stoberoastlegofpork,withlotsofcrackling."

           Hebegantowalkwithher,slowly."Yoursonlaughsjustlikeyou,Meggie.HislaughwasthefirsthumannoiseIheardonDrogheda.Ithoughthewasyou;IwenttofindyouandIdiscoveredhiminstead."

           "SohewasthefirstpersonyousawonDrogheda."

           "Why,yes,Isupposehewas."

           "Whatdidyouthinkofhim,Ralph?"sheaskedeagerly.

           "Ilikedhim.HowcouldInot,whenhe’syourson?ButIwasattractedtohimverystrongly,farmoresothantoyourdaughter.Shedoesn’tlikeme,either."

           "Justinemightbemychild,butshe’saprizebitch.