Поющие в терновнике

           Ifhecouldn’tseeitforhimself,whyshouldshetellhim?Whathadheeverdone,toearnthetelling?ThathecouldthinkforamomentshehadgonebacktoLukewillinglywasthelaststraw.Hedidn’tdeservetobetold,ifhecouldthinkthatofher.SometimesshefeltFee’spale,ironiceyesuponher,andshewouldstareback,unperturbed.Feeunderstood,shereallydid.Understoodthehalf-hate,theresentment,thedesiretopaybackthelonelyyears.Offchasingrainbows,thatwasRalphdeBricassart;andwhyshouldshegifthimwiththemostexquisiterainbowofall,hisson?Lethimbedeprived.Lethimsuffer,neverknowinghesuffered.

           ThephonerangitsDroghedacode;Meggielistenedidly,thenrealizinghermothermustbeelsewhere,shegotupreluctantlyandwenttoanswerit.

           "Mrs.FionaCleary,please,"saidaman’svoice.

           WhenMeggiecalledhername,Feereturnedtotakethereceiver."FionaClearyspeaking,"shesaid,andasshestoodlisteningthecolorfadedgraduallyfromherface,makingitlookasithadlookedinthedaysafterPaddyandStudied;tinyandvulnerable."Thankyou,"shesaid,andhungup.

           "Whatisit,Mum?"

           "Frank’sbeenreleased.He’scominguponthenightmailthisafternoon."Shelookedatherwatch."Imustleavesoon;it’saftertwo."

           "Letmecomewithyou,"Meggieoffered,sofilledwithherownhappinessshecouldn’tbeartoseehermotherdisappointed;shesensedthatthismeetingcouldn’tbepurejoyforFee.

           "No,Meggie,I’llbeallright.