Поющие в терновнике

           Ithadbeenawetyear;therewerewormseverywhereandthefattest,happiestbirdsanyoneeverremembered.Birdsongsfilledtheairfromdawntothelastofdusk.

           "Isaidwefizzledout,"repeatedMeggie,crowlike."Adampsquib.Allthatpromise!Whoeverwouldhaveguesseditin1921,whenwearrivedonDrogheda?"

           "Howdoyoumean?"

           "Atotalofsixsons,plusme.Andayearlater,twomoresons.Whatwouldyouthink?Dozensofchildren,halfahundredgrandchildren?Solookatusnow.HalandStuaredead,noneoftheonesleftaliveseemtohaveanyintentionofevergettingmarried,andI,theonlyonenotentitledtopassonthename,havebeentheonlyonetogiveDroghedaitsheirs.Andeventhenthegodsweren’thappy,werethey?Asonandadaughter.Severalgrandchildrenatleast,youmightthink.Butwhathappens?Mysonembracesthepriesthoodandmydaughter’sanoldmaidcareerwoman.AnotherdeadendforDrogheda."

           "Idon’tseewhat’ssostrangeaboutit,"saidAnne."Afterall,whatcouldyouexpectfromthemen?Stuckouthereasshyaskangas,nevermeetingthegirlstheymighthavemarried.AndwithJimsandPatsy,thewartoboot.CouldyouseeJimsmarryingwhenheknowsPatsycan’t?They’refartoofondofeachotherforthat.Andbesides,theland’sdemandinginaneuteredway.Ittakesjustaboutallthey’vegottogive,becauseIdon’tthinktheyhaveagreatdeal.Inaphysicalsense,Imean.Hasn’titeverstruckyou,Meggie?Yoursisn’taveryhighlysexedfamily,toputitbluntly.