Поющие в терновнике

           Delayingonlytobuyacoupleofhuge,custard-filledcakesintheshop,hewentondowntheAtticcoastandfinallycametoAthensasthesunwassetting,gildingthegreatrockanditspreciouscrownofpillars.

           ButAthenswastenseandvicious,andtheopenadmirationofthewomenmortifiedhim;Romanwomenweremoresophisticated,subtle.Therewasafeelinginthecrowds,pocketsofrioting,grimdeterminationonthepartofthepeopletohavePapandreou.No,Athenswasn’therself;bettertobeelsewhere.HeputtheLagondainagarageandtooktheferrytoCrete.

           Andthereatlast,amidtheolivegroves,thewildthymeandthemountains,hefoundhispeace.Afteralongbusridewithtrussedchickensscreechingandtheall-pervasivereekofgarlicinhisnostrils,hefoundatinywhite-paintedinnwithanarchedcolonnadeandthreeumbrellaedtablesoutsideontheflagstones,gayGreekbagshangingfestoonedlikelanterns.PeppertreesandAustraliangumtrees,plantedfromthenewSouthLandinsoiltooaridforEuropeantrees.Thegutroarofcicadas.Dust,swirlinginredclouds.

           Atnighthesleptinatinycell-likeroomwithshutterswideopen,inthehushofdawnhecelebratedasolitaryMass,duringthedayhewalked.Noonebotheredhim,hebotherednoone.Butashepassedthedarkeyesofthepeasantswouldfollowhiminslowamazement,andeveryfacewouldcreasedeeperinasmile.Itwashot,andsoquiet,andverysleepy.Perfectpeace.Dayfollowedday,likebeadsslippingthroughaleatheryCretanhand.