Поющие в терновнике

           Scoot,quickly!"

           Thereminderdroveallelsefromherhead;shethrustherfacedownandfishedforthetrailingbackofhergown,pulleditthroughbetweenherlegsandhelditlikeatailinreverseinfrontofherassheran,barefeetspurningthesplintersandsharpchips.

           InthemorningFrankwasgone.WhenFeecametopullMeggiefromherbedshewasgrimandterse;Meggiehoppedoutlikeascaldedcatanddressedherselfwithoutevenaskingforhelpwithallthelittlebuttons.

           Inthekitchentheboysweresittingglumlyaroundthetable,andPaddy’schairwasempty.SowasFrank’s.Meggieslidintoherplaceandsatthere,teethchatteringinfear.AfterbreakfastFeeshooedthemoutsidedourly,andbehindthebarnBobbrokethenewstoMeggie.

           "Frank’srunaway,"hebreathed.

           "Maybehe’sjustgoneintoWahine,"Meggiesuggested.

           "No,silly!He’sgonetojointhearmy.Oh,IwishIwasbigenoughtogowithhim!Theluckycoot!"

           "Well,Iwishhewasstillathome."

           Bobshrugged."You’reonlyagirl,andthat’swhatI’dexpectagirltosay."

           Thenormallyincendiaryremarkwaspermittedtopassunchallenged;Meggietookherselfinsidetohermothertoseewhatshecoulddo.

           "Where’sDaddy?"sheaskedFeeafterhermotherhadsethertoironinghandkerchiefs.

           "GoneintoWahine."

           "WillhebringFrankbackwithhim?"

           Feesnorted."Tryingtokeepasecretinthisfamilyisimpossible.No,hewon’tcatchFrankinWahine,heknowsthat.He’sgonetosendatelegramtothepoliceandthearmyinWanganui.