Поющие в терновнике

           Smith’splumpfacewaswreathedinsmiles,MeggierelinquishedDanetoCardinalRalphwithoutcomment,andFeeseemedmuchhappier,lessgluedtoherdesk.Themenseizeduponanyexcusetomakeitbackineachnight,forafteralatedinnerthedrawingroombuzzedwithconversation,andMrs.Smithhadtakentopreparingabedtimesuppersnackofmeltedcheeseontoast,hotbutteredcrumpetsandraisinscones.CardinalRalphprotestedthatsomuchgoodfoodwouldmakehimfat,butafterthreedaysofDroghedaair,DroghedapeopleandDroghedafood,heseemedtobesheddingtherathergaunt,haggardlookhehadwornwhenhearrived.

           Thefourthdaycameinveryhot.CardinalRalphhadgonewithDanetobringinamobofsheep,Justinesulkedaloneinthepeppertree,andMeggieloungedonacushionedcanesetteeontheveranda.Herbonesfeltlimp,glutted,andshewasveryhappy.Awomancanlivewithoutitquitewellforyearsatastretch,butitwasnice,whenitwastheoneman.WhenshewaswithRalpheverypartofhercamealiveexceptthatpartwhichbelongedtoDane;thetroublewas,whenshewaswithDaneeverypartofhercamealiveexceptthatwhichbelongedtoRalph.Onlywhenbothofthemwerepresentinherworldsimultaneously,asnow,didshefeelutterlycomplete.Well,itstoodtoreason.Danewasherson,butRalphwasherman.

           Yetonethingmarredherhappiness;Ralphhadn’tseen.Sohermouthremainedcloseduponhersecret.