Поющие в терновнике

           ImustshowHimthatIrealizehowunimportantmylifeasamanis."

           "Youcan’tdoit,Iwon’tletyou!"Meggiecried,herhandreachingforhisarm,clutchingit.Howsmoothitfelt,thehintofgreatpowerundertheskin,justlikeRalph’s.JustlikeRalph’s!Nottohavesomeglossygirlputherhandthere,asaright?

           "I’mgoingtobeapriest,"saidDane."I’mgoingtoenterHisservicecompletely,offereverythingIhaveandamtoHim,asHispriest.Poverty,chastityandobedience.HedemandsnolessthanallfromHischosenservants.Itwon’tbeeasy,butI’mgoingtodoit."

           Thelookinhereyes!Asifhehadkilledher,groundherintothedustbeneathhisfoot.Thatheshouldhavetosufferthishehadn’tknown,dreamingonlyofherprideinhim,herpleasureatgivinghersontoGod.Theysaidshe’dbethrilled,uplifted,completelyinaccord.Insteadshewasstaringathimasiftheprospectofhispriesthoodwasherdeathsentence.

           "It’sallI’veeverwantedtobe,"hesaidindespair,meetingthosedyingeyes."Oh,Mum,can’tyouunderstand?I’venever,neverwantedtobeanythingbutapriest!Ican’tbeanythingbutapriest!"

           Herhandfellfromhisarm;heglanceddownandsawthewhitemarksofherfingers,thelittlearcsinhisskinwherehernailshadbittendeeply.Herheadwentup,shelaughedonandonandon,hugehystericalpealsofbitter,derisivelaughter.