Поющие в терновнике

           "Look,sport,you’retheonewhochangedthestatusquo,notme!Ididn’taskyoutocometonightsoIcouldbegforgivenessforhavingwoundedthegreatHartheimego!"

           "Onthedefensive,Justine?"

           Shewriggledimpatiently."Yes,dammit!Howdoyoumanagetodothattome,Rain?Oh,Iwishjustonceyou’dletmeenjoyhavingtheupperhand!"

           "IfIdid,you’dthrowmeoutlikeasmellyoldrag,"hesaid,smiling.

           "Icandothatyet,mate!"

           "Nonsense!Ifyouhaven’tdoneitbynowyouneverwill.You’llgoonseeingmebecauseIkeepyouonthehop—youneverknowwhattoexpectfromme."

           "Isthatwhyyousaidyoulovedme?"sheaskedpainfully."Wasitonlyaploytokeepmeonthehop?"

           "Whatdoyouthink?"

           "Ithinkyou’reaprizebastard!"shesaidthroughherteeth,andmarchedacrosstherugonherkneesuntilshewascloseenoughtogivehimthefullbenefitofheranger."Sayyoulovemeagain,youbigKrautprawn,andwatchmespitinyoureye!"

           Hewasangry,too."No,I’mnotgoingtosayitagain!Thatisn’twhyyouaskedmetocome,isit?Myfeelingsdon’tconcernyouonebit,Justine.Youaskedmetocomesoyoucouldexperimentwithyourownfeelings,anditdidn’tenteryourmindtoconsiderwhetherthatwasbeingfairtome."

           Beforeshecouldmoveawayheleanedforward,grippedherarmsneartheshouldersandclampedherbodybetweenhislegs,holdingherfirmly.Herragevanishedatonce;sheflattenedherpalmsonhisthighsandliftedherface.Buthedidn’tkissher.