Поющие в терновнике

           SheabandonedNatasha,pickedupthepokerandbeganrathersavagelynudgingthecrumblinglogs,whichhadburnedawaytohollowshells;theycollapsedinwardinabriefflurryofsparks,andtheheatofthefireabruptlydecreased."Itmustbethedemonofdestructivenessinus,theimpulsetopokethegutsoutofafire.Itonlyhastenstheend.Butwhatabeautifulend,isn’tit,Rain?"

           Apparentlyhewasn’tinterestedinwhathappenedtofireswhentheywerepoked,forhemerelyasked,"Bytheendoftheweek,eh?You’renotwastingmuchtime."

           "What’sthepointindelaying?"

           "Andyourcareer?"

           "I’msickofmycareer.Anyway,afterLadyMacbethwhatistherelefttodo?"

           "Oh,growup,Justine!Icouldshakeyouwhenyoucomeoutwithsuchsophomoricrot!Whynotsimplysayyou’renotsurethetheaterhasanychallengeforyouanymore,andthatyou’rehome-sick?"

           "Allright,allright,allright!Haveitanywayyoubloodywellwant!Iwasbeingmyusualflippantself.SorryIoffended!"Shejumpedtoherfeet."Dammit,wherearemyshoes?What’shappenedtomycoat?"

           Fritzappearedwithbotharticlesofclothing,anddroveherhome.Rainexcusedhimselffromaccompanyingher,sayinghehadthingstodo,butasshelefthewassittingbythefreshlybuiltupfire,Natashaonhislap,lookinganythingbutbusy.

           ***

           "Well,"saidMeggietohermother,"Ihopewe’vedonetherightthing."

           Feepeeredather,nodded."Oh,yes,I’msureofit.