Поющие в терновнике

           Didtheyespousecelibacyasarefugefromtheconsequences?

           "WhydoyouputupwithGillanbone?"sheasked."Whynotleavethepriesthoodratherthanputupwithit?Youcouldberichandpowerfulinanyoneofanumberoffieldswithyourtalents,andyoucan’ttellmethethoughtofpoweratleastdoesn’tappealtoyou."

           Hislefteyebrowflewup."MydearMrs.Carson,you’reaCatholic.Youknowmyvowsaresacred.UntilmydeathIremainapriest.Icannotdenyit."

           Shesnortedwithlaughter."Oh,comenow!Doyoureallybelievethatifyourenouncedyourvowsthey’dcomeafteryouwitheverythingfromboltsoflightningtobloodhoundsandshotguns?"

           "Ofcoursenot.NordoIbelieveyou’restupidenoughtothinkfearofretributioniswhatkeepsmewithinthepriestlyfold."

           "Oho!Waspish,FatherdeBricassart!Thenwhatdoeskeepyoutied?Whatcompelsyoutosufferthedust,theheatandtheGillyflies?Forallyouknow,itmightbealifesentence."

           Ashadowmomentarilydimmedtheblueeyes,buthesmiled,pityingher."You’reagreatcomfort,aren’tyou?"Hislipsparted,helookedtowardtheceilingandsighed."Iwasbroughtupfrommycradletobeapriest,butit’sfarmorethanthat.HowcanIexplainittoawoman?Iamavessel,Mrs.Carson,andattimesI’mfilledwithGod.IfIwereabetterpriest,therewouldbenoperiodsofemptinessatall.Andthatfilling,thatonenesswithGod,isn’tafunctionofplace.WhetherI’minGillanboneorabishop’spalace,itoccurs.