Поющие в терновнике

           "Theroad’snew,Mum?"Heseemeddesperatetofindconversation,makethesituationappearnormal.

           "Yes,theyputitthroughfromGillytoMilparinkajustafterthewarended."

           "Theymighthavesealeditwithabitoftarinsteadofleavingitthesameolddirt."

           "Whatfor?We’reusedtoeatingdustouthere,andthinkoftheexpenseofmakingabedstrongenoughtoresistthemud.Thenewroadisstraight,theykeepitwellgradedanditcutoutthirteenofourtwenty-sevengates.OnlyfourteenleftbetweenGillyandthehomestead,andjustyouwaitandseewhatwe’vedonetothem,Frank.Nomoreopeningandclosinggates."

           TheRollsranuparamptowardasteelgatewhichliftedlazily;themomentthecarpassedunderitandgotafewyardsdownthetrack,thegatelowereditselfclosed.

           "Wondersnevercease!"saidFrank.

           "Wewerethefirststationaroundheretoinstalltheautomaticrampgates—onlybetweentheMilparinkaroadandthehomestead,ofcourse.Thepaddockgatesstillhavetobeopenedandclosedbyhand."

           "Well,Ireckontheblokethatinventedthesegatesmusthaveopenedandclosedalotinhistime,eh?"Frankgrinned;itwasthefirstsignofamusementhehadshown.

           Butthenhefellsilent,sohismotherconcentratedonherdriving,unwillingtopushhimtooquickly.WhentheypassedunderthelastgateandenteredtheHomePaddock,hegasped.

           "I’dforgottenhowlovelyitis,"hesaid.

           "It’shome,"saidFee."We’velookedafterit."