Поющие в терновнике

           ThetroublewithJustineisthatsheisn’tcapableofmakingadecisionlikethis,sowedon’thaveanychoice.Wemustmakeitforher."

           "I’mnotsureIlikeplayingGod.IthinkIknowwhatshereallywantstodo,butevenifIcouldtaxherwithitfacetoface,she’dprevaricate."

           "TheClearypride,"saidFee,smilingfaintly."Itdoescropupinthemostunexpectedpeople."

           "Goon,it’snotallClearypride!I’vealwaysfanciedtherewasalittledashofArmstronginitaswell."

           ButFeeshookherhead."No.WhyeverIdidwhatIdid,pridehardlyenteredintoit.That’sthepurposeofoldage,Meggie.Togiveusabreathingspacebeforewedie,inwhichtoseewhywedidwhatwedid."

           "Providedsenilitydoesn’trenderusincapablefirst,"saidMeggiedryly."Notthatthere’sanydangerofthatinyou.Norinme,Isuppose."

           "Maybesenility’samercyshowntothosewhocouldn’tfaceretrospection.Anyway,you’renotoldenoughyettosayyou’veavoidedsenility.Giveitanothertwentyyears."

           "Anothertwentyyears!"Meggieechoed,dismayed."Oh,itsoundssolong!"

           "Well,youcouldhavemadethosetwentyyearslesslonely,couldn’tyou?"Feeasked,knittingindustriously.

           "Yes,Icould.Butitwouldn’thavebeenworthit,Mum.Wouldit?"ShetappedJustine’sletterwiththeknobofoneancientknittingneedle,theslightesttraceofdoubtinhertone."I’veditheredlongenough.