Поющие в терновнике

           ShedrovetheRollsdowntothegaragesandthenwalkedwithhimbacktothebighouse,onlythistimehecarriedhiscasehimself.

           "Wouldyouratherhavearoominthebighouse,Frank,oraguesthousealltoyourself?"hismotherasked.

           "I’lltakeaguesthouse,thanks."Theexhaustedeyesrestedonherface."Itwillbenicetobeabletogetawayfrompeople,"heexplained.Thatwastheonlyreferenceheevermadetoconditionsinjail.

           "Ithinkitwillbebetterforyou,"shesaid,leadingthewayintoherdrawingroom."Thebighouseisprettyfullatthemoment,whatwiththeCardinalhere,DaneandJustinehome,andLuddieandAnneMuellerarrivingthedayaftertomorrowforChristmas."Shepulledthebellcordforteaandwentquicklyroundtheroomlightingthekerosenelamps.

           "LuddieandAnneMueller?"heasked.

           Shestoppedintheactofturningupawick,lookedathim."It’sbeenalongtime,Frank.TheMuellersarefriendsofMeggie’s."Thelamptrimmedtohersatisfaction,shesatdowninherwingchair."We’llhavedinnerinanhour,butfirstwe’llhaveacupoftea.Ihavetowashthedustoftheroadoutofmymouth."

           Frankseatedhimselfawkwardlyontheedgeofoneofthecreamsilkottomans,gazingattheroominawe."ItlookssodifferentfromthedaysofAuntieMary."

           Feesmiled."Well,Ithinkso,"shesaid.

           ThenMeggiecamein,anditwashardertoassimilatethefactofMeggiegrownintoamaturewomanthantoseehismotherold.