Поющие в терновнике

           Thoughshehadneveraskedforabeerbefore,onearlieroccasionsshehadsatsmokingdefiantlywhiletheytalkedwithRain;nowittookmorecouragethanshecouldcommandtoproducehercigarettes,soshecontentedherselfwiththeminorvictoryofthebeer,dyingtogulpitdownthirstilybutmindfuloftheirdubiousregard.Ladylikesips,Justine,evenifyouaredryerthanasecondhandsermon.

           "Rain’sabonzerbloke,"saidHughie,eyestwinkling.

           Startled,Justinesuddenlyrealizedwhyshehadgrownsomuchinimportanceintheirthoughts:shehadcaughtherselfamanthey’dliketohaveinthefamily."Yes,heisrather,"shesaidshortly,andchangedthesubject."Itwasalovelyday,wasn’tit?"

           Alltheheadsbobbedinunison,evenFrank’s,buttheydidn’tseemtowanttodiscussit.Shecouldseehowtiredtheywere,yetshedidn’tregretherimpulsetovisitthem.Ittookalittlewhilefornear-atrophiedsensesandfeelingstolearnwhattheirproperfunctionswere,andtheUnkswereagoodpracticetarget.Thatwasthetroublewithbeinganisland;oneforgottherewasanythinggoingonbeyonditsshores.

           "What’sDesdemona?"Frankaskedfromtheshadowswherehehid.

           Justinelaunchedintoavividdescription,charmedbytheirhorrorwhentheylearnedshewouldbestrangledonceanight,andonlyrememberedhowtiredtheymustbehalfanhourlaterwhenPatsyyawned.

           "Imustgo,"shesaid,puttingdownheremptyglass.Shehadnotbeenofferedasecondbeer;onewasapparentlythelimitforladies.