Поющие в терновнике

           "Doyouknowwhatitmeans?Tellme,Jussy,goon,Idareyou!"

           Shecouldneverresisthimwhenheteased;herowneyesbegantotwinkle."YoumightbegoingtobeaFatherRhubarb,youprawn,butifyoudon’talreadyknowwhatitmeans,you’dbetternotinvestigate."

           Hegrewserious."Don’tworry,Iwon’t."

           AveryshapelypairoffemalelegsstoppedbesideDane,pivoted.Helookedup,wentred,lookedaway,andsaid,"Oh,hello,Martha,"inacasualvoice.

           "Helloyourself."

           Shewasanextremelybeautifulgirl,alittleshortonactingabilitybutsodecorativeshewasanassettoanyproduction;shealsohappenedtobeexactlyDane’scupoftea,andJustinehadlistenedtohisadmiringcommentsabouthermorethanonce.Tall,whatthemoviemagazinesalwayscalledsexsational,verydarkofhairandeye,fairofskin,withmagnificentbreasts.

           PerchingherselfonthecornerofJustine’stable,sheswungonelegprovocativelyunderDane’snoseandwatchedhimwithanundisguisedappreciationheclearlyfounddisconcerting.Lord,hewasreallysomething!Howhadplainoldcart-horseJuscollectedherselfabrotherwholookedlikethis?Hemightbeonlyeighteenanditmightbecradle-snatching,butwhocared?

           "Howaboutcomingovertomyplaceforcoffeeandwhatever?"sheasked,lookingdownatDane."Thetwoofyou?"sheaddedreluctantly.

           Justineshookherheadpositively,hereyeslightingupatasuddenthought."No,thanks,Ican’t.You’llhavetobecontentwithDane."