Поющие в терновнике

           CardinalRalphhadalsodiscoveredthereasonforJustine’senmity.Danehadtakenafancytohim,hungonhiswords,lingerednearhim;shewasplainjealous.

           Afterthechildrenhadgoneupstairs,helookedatthosewhowereleft:thebrothers,Meggie,Fee.

           "Fee,leaveyourdeskforamoment,"hesaid."Comeandsitherewithus.Iwanttotalktoallofyou."

           Shestillcarriedherselfwellandhadn’tlostherfigure,onlyslackenedinthebreasts,thickenedveryslightlyinthewaist;moreashapingduetooldagethantoanactualweightgain.SilentlysheseatedherselfinoneofthebigcreamchairsoppositetheCardinal,withMeggietooneside,andthebrothersonstonebenchescloseby.

           "It’saboutFrank,"hesaid.

           Thenamehungbetweenthem,resoundingdistantly.

           "WhataboutFrank?"askedFeecomposedly.

           Meggielaidherknittingdown,lookedathermother,thenatCardinalRalph."Tellus,Ralph,"shesaidquickly,unabletobearhermother’scomposureamomentlonger.

           "Frankhasservedalmostthirtyyearsinjail,doyourealizethat?"askedtheCardinal."Iknowmypeoplekeptyouinformedaswearranged,butIhadaskedthemnottodistressyouunduly.Ihonestlycouldn’tseewhatgooditcoulddoFrankoryourselvestoheartheharrowingdetailsofhislonelinessanddespair,becausetherewasnothinganyofusmighthavedone.IthinkFrankwouldhavebeenreleasedsomeyearsagohadhenotgainedareputationforviolenceandinstabilityduringhisearlyyearsinGoulburnGaol.