Поющие в терновнике

           They’llbringhimback."

           "Oh,Mum,Ihopetheyfindhim!Idon’twantFranktogoaway!"

           Feeslappedthecontentsofthebutterchurnontothetableandattackedthewateryyellowmoundwithtwowoodenpats."NoneofuswantFranktogoaway.That’swhyDaddy’sgoingtoseehe’sbroughtback."Hermouthquiveredforamoment;shewhackedthebutterharder."PoorFrank!Poor,poorFrank!"shesighed,nottoMeggiebuttoherself."Idon’tknowwhythechildrenmustpayforoursins.MypoorFrank,sooutofthings…"ThenshenoticedthatMeggiehadstoppedironing,andshutherlips,andsaidnomore.

           ThreedayslaterthepolicebroughtFrankback.Hehadputupaterrificstruggle,theWanganuisergeantonescortdutytoldPaddy.

           "Whatafighteryou’vegot!Whenhesawthearmyladswereawakeuphewasofflikeashot,downthestepsandintothestreetwithtwosoldiersafterhim.Ifhehadn’thadthebadlucktorunintoaconstableonpatrol,Ireckonhe’dagotaway,too.Heputuparealwackofight;tookfiveofthemtogetthemanacleson."

           Sosaying,heremovedFrank’sheavychainsandpushedhimroughlythroughthefrontgate;hestumbledagainstPaddy,andshrankawayasifthecontactstung.

           Thechildrenwereskulkingbythesideofthehousetwentyfeetbeyondtheadults,watchingandwaiting.