Поющие в терновнике

           Thoughtheywereverydissimilarincharacter,theyalsosharedmanytastesandappetites,andthosetheydidn’tsharetheytoleratedineachotherwithinstinctiverespect,asanecessaryspiceofdifference.Theykneweachotherverywellindeed.Hernaturaltendencywastodeplorehumanfailingsinothersandignoretheminherself;hisnaturaltendencywastounderstandandforgivehumanfailingsinothers,andbemercilessupontheminhimself.Shefeltherselfinvinciblystrong;heknewhimselfperilouslyweak.

           Andsomehowitallcametogetherasanearlyperfectfriendship,inthenameofwhichnothingwasimpossible.However,sinceJustinewasbyfarthemoretalkative,Danealwaysgottohearalotmoreaboutherandwhatshewasfeelingthantheotherwayaround.Insomerespectsshewasalittlebitofamoralimbecile,inthatnothingwassacred,andheunderstoodthathisfunctionwastoprovideherwiththescruplesshelackedwithinherself.ThusheacceptedhisroleofpassivelistenerwithatendernessandcompassionwhichwouldhaveirkedJustineenormouslyhadshesuspectedthem.Notthatsheeverdid;shehadbeenbendinghisearaboutabsolutelyanythingandeverythingsincehewasoldenoughtopayattention.

           "GuesswhatIdidlastnight?"sheasked,carefullyadjustingherbigstrawhatsoherfaceandneckwerewellshaded.

           "Actedinyourfirststarringrole,"Danesaid.

           "Prawn!AsifIwouldn’ttellyousoyoucouldbetheretoseeme.Guessagain."

           "FinallycoppedapunchBobbiemeantforBillie."