Поющие в терновнике

           RalphdeBricassartfellforwardoutofthechairandwept,huddledonthecrimsoncarpetinascarletpoollikenewblood,hisfacehiddeninhisfoldedarms,hishandsclutchingathishair.

           "Yes,cry!"saidMeggie."Cry,nowthatyouknow!It’srightthatoneofhisparentsbeabletoshedtearsforhim.Cry,Ralph!Fortwenty-sixyearsIhadyoursonandyoudidn’tevenknowit,youcouldn’tevenseeit.Couldn’tseethathewasyoualloveragain!Whenmymothertookhimfrommeatbirthsheknew,butyouneverdid.Yourhands,yourfeet,yourface,youreyes,yourbody.Onlythecolorofhishairwashisown;alltherestwasyou.Doyouunderstandnow?WhenIsenthimheretoyou,Isaiditinmyletter.‘WhatIstole,Igiveback.’Remember?Onlywebothstole,Ralph.WestolewhatyouhadvowedtoGod,andwe’vebothhadtopay."

           Shesatinherchair,implacableandunpitying,andwatchedthescarletforminitsagonyonthefloor."Ilovedyou,Ralph,butyouwerenevermine.WhatIhadofyou,Iwasdriventosteal.Danewasmypart,allIcouldgetfromyou.Ivowedyou’dneverknow,Ivowedyou’dneverhavethechancetotakehimawayfromme.Andthenhegavehimselftoyou,ofhisownfreewill.Theimageoftheperfectpriest,hecalledyou.WhatalaughIhadoverthatone!ButnotforanythingwouldIhavegivenyouaweaponlikeknowinghewasyours.Exceptforthis.Exceptforthis!FornothinglesswouldIhavetoldyou.ThoughIdon’tsupposeitmattersnow.Hedoesn’tbelongtoeitherofusanymore.HebelongstoGod."