Поющие в терновнике

           Justinebreathedasighofrelief,especiallywhenshesawthatDanehaddrapedhimselfwiththeeaseofhabitonthefloorbesideCardinalRalph’schair,rightinhercentralvision.Whileshecouldseesomeonesheknewandlovedwell,shewouldbeallright.ButtheroomandtheredmenandnowthisdarkmanwerebeginningtoirritatehermorethanDane’spresencecalmed;sheresentedthewaytheyshutherout.Sosheleanedtoonesideandtickledthecatagain,awarethatCardinalVittoriosensedandwasamusedbyherreactions.

           "Isshespayed?"askedJustine.

           "Ofcourse."

           "Ofcourse!ThoughwhyyouneededtobotherIdon’tknow.Justbeingapermanentinhabitantofthisplacewouldbeenoughtoneuteranyone’sovaries."

           "Onthecontrary,mydear,"saidCardinalVittorio,enjoyingherhugely."Itiswemenwhohavepsychologicallyneuteredourselves."

           "Ibegtodiffer,YourEminence."

           "Soourlittleworldantagonizesyou?"

           "Well,let’sjustsayIfeelabitsuperfluous,YourEminence.Aniceplacetovisit,butIwouldn’twanttolivehere."

           "Icannotblameyou.Ialsodoubtthatyouliketovisit.Butyouwillgetusedtous,foryoumustvisitusoften,please."

           Justinegrinned."Ihatebeingonmybestbehavior,"sheconfided."Itbringsouttheabsoluteworstinme—IcanfeelDane’shorrorsfromherewithoutevenlookingathim."

           "Iwaswonderinghowlongitwasgoingtolast,"saidDane,notatallputout."ScratchJustine’ssurfaceandyoufindarebel.