Поющие в терновнике

           Oh,theyweresoshy!Whichoneofthemwaswhich?Theoldertheygot,themorealiketheylooked.AndinRometheystuckoutlike—well,likeAustraliangraziersonholidayinRome.Eachonewascladinthecity-goinguniformofaffluentsquatters:tanelasticsidedridingboots,neutraltrousers,tansportsjacketsofveryheavy,fuzzywoolwithsideventsandplentyofleatherpatches,whiteshirts,knittedwoolties,flat-crownedgreyhatswithbroadbrims.NonoveltyonthestreetsofSydneyduringRoyalEasterShowtime,butinalateRomansummer,extraordinary.

           AndIcansaywithdoublesincerity,thankGodforRain!Howgoodheiswiththem.Iwouldn’thavebelievedanyonecouldstimulatePatsyintospeech,buthe’sdoingit,blesshim.They’retalkingawaylikeoldhens,andwheredidhegetAustralianbeerforthem?Helikesthem,andhe’sinterested,Isuppose.EverythingisgristtothemillofaGermanindustrialist-politician,isn’tit?Howcanhesticktohisfaith,beingwhatheis?Anenigma,that’swhatyouare,RainerMoerlingHartheim.Friendofpopesandcardinals,friendofJustineO’Neill.Oh,ifyouweren’tsouglyI’dkissyou,I’msoterriblygrateful.Lord,fancybeingstuckinRomewiththeUnksandnoRain!Youarewellnamed.

           Hewassittingbackinhischair,listeningwhileBobtoldhimaboutshearing,andhavingnothingbettertodobecausehehadsocompletelytakencharge,Justinewatchedhimcuriously.