Поющие в терновнике

           Poorlittlegirl—forthatwaswhatshewas,alittlegirl.Thetenyearsbetweenthemyawnedlikeahundred.Tosuspectwouldbringherworldtoruins,andshewassovaliantindefenseofit.Probablyshewouldrefusetoseeit,evenifsheweretoldoutright.Howtomakeitseemunimportant?Notlaborthepoint,definitelynot,butnotdropitimmediately,either.

           "Thataccountsforit,then,"hesaidlightly.

           "Accountsforwhat?"

           "ThefactthatDane’slikenesstotheCardinalisingeneralthings—height,coloring,build."

           "Oh!MygrandmothertoldmeourfatherwasratherliketheCardinaltolookat,"saidJustinecomfortably.

           "Haven’tyoueverseenyourfather?"

           "Notevenapictureofhim.HeandMumseparatedforgoodbeforeDanewasborn."Shebeckonedthewaiter."I’dlikeanothercappuccino,please."

           "Justine,you’reasavage!Letmeorderforyou!"

           "No,dammit,Iwon’t!I’mperfectlycapableofthinkingformyself,andIdon’tneedsomebloodymanalwaystotellmewhatIwantandwhenIwantit,doyouhear?"

           "Scratchthesurfaceandonefindsarebel;thatwaswhatDanesaid."

           "He’sright.Oh,ifyouknewhowIhatebeingpettedandcossetedandfussedover!Iliketoactformyself,andIwon’tbetoldwhattodo!Idon’taskforquarter,butIdon’tgiveany,either."

           "Icanseethat,"hesaiddryly."Whatmadeyouso,Herzchen?Doesitruninthefamily?"

           "Doesit?Ihonestlydon’tknow.Therearen’tenoughwomentotell,Isuppose.Onlyonepergeneration.