Поющие в терновнике

           Thelogpartedwithstunningsuddenness,andatthesamemomentheleapedlithelyintotheair,sensingthatitwasgoingalmostbeforetheaxetookitslastbite.Asthewoodcollapsedinward,helandedofftooneside,smiling;butitwasnotahappysmile.

           Heturnedtopickupanewaxeandsawhissistersittingpatientlyinherprimnightgown,allbuttonedupandbuttoneddown.Itwasstillstrangetoseeherhairclusteringinamassofshortringletsinsteadofdoneupinitscustomaryrags,buthedecidedtheboyishstylesuitedher,andwisheditcouldremainso.Comingovertoher,hesquatteddownwithhisaxeheldacrosshisknees.

           "Howdidyougetout,youlittletwerp?"

           "IclimbedthroughthewindowafterStuwasasleep."

           "Ifyoudon’twatchout,you’llturnintoatomboy."

           "Idon’tmind.Playingwiththeboysisbetterthanplayingallbymyself."

           "Isupposeitis."Hesatdownwithhisbackagainstalogandwearilyturnedhisheadtowardher."What’sthematter,Meggie?"

           "Frank,you’renotreallygoingaway,areyou?"Sheputherhandswiththeirmanglednailsdownonhisthighandstaredupathimanxiously,hermouthopenbecausehernosewasstuffedfullfromfightingtearsandshecouldn’tbreathethroughitverywell.

           "Imightbe,Meggie."Hesaiditgently.

           "Oh,Frank,youcan’t!MumandIneedyou!Honestly,Idon’tknowwhatwe’ddowithoutyou!"

           Hegrinnedinspiteofhispain,atherunconsciousechoingofFee’swayofspeaking.