Поющие в терновнике

           Howcouldit?Iwasn’thelpingyou,Herzchen."Hetuggedatherhairtobringherfaceuptohis,kissedhereyelids,herwetcheeks,thecornersofhermouth."It’smyfault,Herzchen,notyours.Iwaspayingyouback;Iwantedtoseehowfaryoucouldgowithoutencouragement.ButIthinkIhavemistakenyourmotives,nichtwahr?"Hisvoicehadgrownthicker,moreGerman."AndIsay,ifthisiswhatyouwantyoushallhaveit,butitshallbetogether."

           "Please,Rain,let’scallitoff!Ihaven’tgotwhatittakes.I’llonlydisappointyou!"

           "Oh,you’vegotit,Herzchen,I’veseenitonthestage.Howcanyoudoubtyourselfwhenyou’rewithme?"

           Whichwassorighthertearsdried.

           "KissmethewayyoudidinRome,"shewhispered.Onlyitwasn’tlikethekissinRomeatall.Thathadbeensomethingraw,startled,explosive;thiswasverylanguorousanddeep,anopportunitytotasteandsmellandfeel,settlebylayersintovoluptuousease.Herfingersreturnedtothebuttons,hiswenttothezipperofherdress,thenhecoveredherhandwithhisandthrustitinsidehisshirt,acrossskinmattedwithfinesofthair.Thesuddenhardeningofhismouthagainstherthroatbroughtahelplessresponsesoacuteshefeltfaint,thoughtshewasfallingandfoundshehad,flatonthesilkyrugwithRainloomingaboveher.Hisshirthadcomeoff,perhapsmore,shecouldn’tsee,onlythefireglancingoffhisshouldersspreadoverher,andthebeautifulsternmouth.