Поющие в терновнике

           "ItdependsonwhetheryouwishtohearMass,"hesaid,sittingdowninthechairfacinghersandcrossinghislegs,thesoutaneridingupsufficientlytoshowthatunderitheworebreechesandknee-highboots,aconcessiontothelocaleofhisparish."I’vebroughtyouCommunion,butifyou’dliketohearMassIcanbereadytosayitinaveryfewminutes.Idon’tmindcontinuingmyfastalittlelonger."

           "You’retoogoodtome,Father,"shesaidsmugly,knowingperfectlywellthathe,alongwitheverybodyelse,didhomagenottoherbuttohermoney."Pleasehavetea,"shewenton."I’mquitehappywithCommunion."

           Hekepthisresentmentfromshowinginhisface;thisparishhadbeenexcellentforhisself-control.Ifoncehewasofferedthechancetoriseoutoftheobscurityhistemperhadlandedhimin,hewouldnotagainmakethesamemistake.Andifheplayedhiscardswell,thisoldwomanmightbetheanswertohisprayers.

           "Imustconfess,Father,thatthispastyearhasbeenverypleasant,"shesaid."You’reafarmoresatisfactoryshepherdthanoldFatherKellywas,Godrothissoul."Hervoiceonthelastphrasewassuddenlyharsh,vindictive.

           Hiseyesliftedtoherface,twinkling."MydearMrs.Carson!That’snotaveryCatholicsentiment."

           "Butthetruth.Hewasadrunkenoldsot,andI’mquitesureGodwillrothissoulasmuchasthedrinkrottedhisbody."Sheleanedforward.