Поющие в терновнике

           Iknow,Iknow…Eachofushassomethingwithinuswhichwon’tbedenied,evenifitmakesusscreamaloudtodie.Wearewhatweare,that’sall.LiketheoldCelticlegendofthebirdwiththethorninitsbreast,singingitsheartoutanddying.Becauseithasto,it’sdrivento.Wecanknowwhatwedowrongevenbeforewedoit,butself-knowledgecan’taffectorchangetheoutcome,canit?Everyonesinginghisownlittlesong,convincedit’sthemostwonderfulsongtheworldhaseverheard.Don’tyousee?Wecreateourownthorns,andneverstoptocountthecost.Allwecandoissufferthepain,andtellourselvesitwaswellworthit."

           "That’swhatIdon’tunderstand.Thepain."Heglanceddownatherhand,sogentlyonhisarm,hurtinghimsounbearably."Whythepain,Meggie?"

           "AskGod,Ralph,"saidMeggie."He’stheauthorityonpain,isn’tHe?Hemadeuswhatweare,Hemadethewholeworld.ThereforeHemadethepain,too."

           ***

           Bob,Jack,Hughie,JimsandPatsywereinfordinner,sinceitwasSaturdaynight.TomorrowFatherWattywasdueouttosayMass,butBobcalledhimandsaidnoonewouldbethere.Awhitelie,topreserveCardinalRalph’sanonymity.ThefiveClearyboysweremorelikePaddythanever,older,slowerinspeech,assteadfastandenduringastheland.AndhowtheylovedDane!Theireyesneverseemedtoleavehim,evenfollowedhimfromtheroomwhenhewenttobed.Itwasn’thardtoseetheylivedforthedaywhenhewouldbeoldenoughtojointheminrunningDrogheda.