Поющие в терновнике

           Manymenwithabominablewiveshavesucceededverywell,andjustasmanywithquiteperfectwiveshaven’tsucceededatall.Inthelongrunitdoesn’tmatter,becauseit’sthecaliberofthemanwhichisputtothetest.Therearefewmenwhomarryforreasonspurelypolitic."

           Thatoldabilitytoputherinherplacecouldstillshock;shemadehimamocksalaamtohideherface,thensatdownontherug.

           "Oh,dogetup,Justine!"

           Insteadshedefiantlycurledherfeetunderherandleanedagainstthewalltoonesideofthefireplace,strokingNatasha.ShehaddiscoveredonherarrivalthatafterCardinalVittorio’sdeathRainhadtakenhiscat;heseemedveryfondofit,thoughitwasoldandrathercrotchety.

           "DidItellyouIwasgoinghometoDroghedaforgood?"sheaskedsuddenly.

           Hewastakingacigaretteoutofhiscase;thebighandsdidn’tfalterortremble,butproceededsmoothlywiththeirtask."Youknowverywellyoudidn’ttellme,"hesaid.

           "ThenI’mtellingyounow."

           "Whendidyoucometothisdecision?"

           "Fivedaysago.I’mleavingattheendofthisweek,Ihope.Itcan’tcomesoonenough."

           "Isee."

           "Isthatallyou’vegottosayaboutit?"

           "Whatelseistheretosay,exceptthatIwishyouhappinessinwhateveryoudo?"Hespokewithsuchcompletecomposureshewinced.

           "Why,thankyou!"shesaidairily."Aren’tyougladIwon’tbeinyourhairmuchlonger?"

           "You’renotinmyhair,Justine,"heanswered.