Поющие в терновнике

           Whynot,Ithought,writetohimandaskhimtobringhimselfandhissonshere?WhenIdiehe’llinheritDroghedaandMicharLimited,ashe’smyonlylivingrelativecloserthansomeunknowncousinsbackinIreland."

           Shesmiled."Itseemssillytowait,doesn’tit?Hemightaswellcomenowaslater,getusedtorunningsheepontheblacksoilplains,whichI’msureisquitedifferentfromsheepinNewZealand.ThenwhenI’mgonehecanstepintomyshoeswithoutfeelingthepinch."Headlowered,shewatchedFatherRalphclosely.

           "Iwonderyoudidn’tthinkofitearlier,"hesaid.

           "Oh,Idid.ButuntilrecentlyIthoughtthelastthingIwantedwasalotofvultureswaitinganxiouslyformetobreathemylast.Onlylatelythedayofmydemiseseemsalotcloserthanisusedto,andIfeel…oh,Idon’tknow.Asifitmightbenicetobesurroundedbypeopleofmyownfleshandblood."

           "What’sthematter,doyouthinkyou’reill?"heaskedquickly,arealconcerninhiseyes.

           Sheshrugged."I’mperfectlyallright.Yetthere’ssomethingominousaboutturningsixty-five.Suddenlyoldageisnotaphenomenonwhichwilloccur;ithasoccurred."

           "Iseewhatyoumean,andyou’reright.Itwillbeverypleasantforyou,hearingyoungvoicesinthehouse."

           "Oh,theywon’tlivehere,"shesaid."Theycanliveintheheadstockman’shousedownbythecreek,wellawayfromme.I’mnotfondofchildrenortheirvoices."