Поющие в терновнике

           Evenaslateasthewar,whensomeotherprisonerswerereleasedintoarmedservice,poorFrankwasrefused."

           Feeglancedupfromherhands."It’shistemper,"shesaidwithoutemotion.

           TheCardinalseemedtobehavingsomedifficultyinfindingtherightwords;whilehesoughtforthem,thefamilywatchedhiminmingleddreadandhope,thoughitwasn’tFrank’swelfaretheycaredabout.

           "ItmustbepuzzlingyougreatlywhyIcamebacktoAustraliaafteralltheseyears,"CardinalRalphsaidfinally,notlookingatMeggie."Ihaven’talwaysbeenmindfulofyourlives,andIknowit.FromthedayImetyou,I’vethoughtofmyselffirst,putmyselffirst.AndwhentheHolyFatherrewardedmylaborsonbehalfoftheChurchwithacardinal’smantle,IaskedmyselfiftherewasanyserviceIcoulddotheClearyfamilywhichinsomewaywouldtellthemhowdeeplyIcare."Hedrewabreath,focusedhisgazeonFee,notonMeggie."IcamebacktoAustraliatoseewhatIcoulddoaboutFrank.Doyouremember,Fee,thattimeIspoketoyouafterPaddyandStudied?Twentyyearsago,andI’veneverbeenabletoforgetthelookinyoureyes.Somuchenergyandvitality,crushed."

           "Yes,"saidBobabruptly,hiseyesrivetedonhismother."Yes,that’sit."

           "Frankisbeingparoled,"saidtheCardinal."ItwastheonlythingIcoulddotoshowyouthatIdocare."