Поющие в терновнике

           Shepulledtheotherpartofthephoneoffthetableontoherlap,putthereceivertoherearanddialedtheoperator.

           "Switch?Trunks,please,international.Hello?IwanttoplaceanurgentcalltoAustralia,Gillanboneone-two-one-two.Andplease,pleasehurry."

           ***

           Meggieansweredthephoneherself.Itwaslate,Feehadgonetobed.Thesedayssheneverfeltlikeseekingherownbedearly,shepreferredtositlisteningtothecricketsandfrogs,dozeoverabook,remember.

           "Hello?"

           "Londoncalling,Mrs.O’Neill,"saidHazelinGilly.

           "Hello,Justine,"Meggiesaid,notperturbed.Jussycalled,infrequently,toseehoweverythingwas.

           "Mum?Isthatyou,Mum?"

           "Yes,it’sMumhere,"saidMeggiegently,sensingJustine’sdistress.

           "Oh,Mum!Oh,Mum!"Therewaswhatsoundedlikeagasp,orasob."Mum,Dane’sdead.Dane’sdead!"

           Apitopenedatherfeet.Downanddownanddownitwent,andhadnobottom.Meggieslidintoit,feltitslipscloseoverherhead,andunderstoodthatshewouldnevercomeoutagainaslongasshelived.Whatmorecouldthegodsdo?Shehadn’tknownwhensheaskedit.Howcouldshehaveaskedit,howcouldshenothaveknown?Don’ttemptthegods,theyloveit.Innotgoingtoseehiminthismostbeautifulmomentofhislife,shareitwithhim,shehadfinallythoughttomakethepayment.Danewouldbefreeofit,andfreeofher.Innotseeingthefacewhichwasdearertoherthanallotherfaces,shewouldrepay.Thepitclosedin,suffocating.Meggiestoodthere,andrealizeditwastoolate.