Поющие в терновнике

           "I’llmeethimmyself.Onmyown.I’mnotinmydotageyet;IcanstilldrivetoGilly."

           "Mum’sright,"saidMeggiefirmly,forestallingachorusofprotestsfromherbrothers."LetMummeethimonherown.She’stheoneoughttoseehimfirst."

           "Well,Ihaveworktodo,"saidFeegruffly,gettingupandmovingtowardherdesk.

           Thefivebrothersroseasoneman."AndIreckonit’sourbed-time,"saidBob,yawningelaborately.HesmiledshylyatCardinalRalph."Itwillbelikeoldtimes,tohaveyousayingMassforusinthemorning."

           Meggiefoldedherknitting,putitaway,gotup."I’llsaygoodnight,too,Ralph."

           "Goodnight,Meggie."Hiseyesfollowedherasshewentoutoftheroom,thenturnedtoFee’shunchedback."Goodnight,Fee."

           "Ibegyourpardon?Didyousaysomething?"

           "Isaidgoodnight."

           "Oh!Goodnight,Ralph."

           Hedidn’twanttogoupstairssosoonafterMeggie."I’mgoingforawalkbeforeIturnin,Ithink.Doyouknowsomething,Fee?"

           "No."Hervoicewasabsent.

           "Youdon’tfoolmeforaminute."

           Shesnortedwithlaughter,aneeriesound."Don’tI?Iwonderaboutthat."

           Late,andthestars.Thesouthernstars,wheelingacrosstheheavens.Hehadlosthisholduponthemforever,thoughtheywerestillthere,toodistanttowarm,tooremotetocomfort.ClosertoGod,Whowasawispbetweenthem.Foralongtimehestoodlookingup,listeningtothewindinthetrees,smiling.