Поющие в терновнике

           "Oh,Paddy!"Feesighed.

           BabyHalbegantocryfromthebigbassinetbythestove,butbeforeFeecouldmoveMeggiewasup;Frankhadcomebackinsidethedoorandwasstanding,teainhand,watchinghisfathernarrowly.

           "Well,IsupposeI’llhavetogoandseeArchibald,"Paddysaidatlast."It’stoolatenowtolookforanothershedtoreplacehis,butIdothinkheowesmeabetterexplanationthanthis.We’lljusthavetohopewecanfindworkmilkinguntilWilloughby’sshedstartsinJuly."

           Meggiepulledasquareofwhitetowelfromthehugepilesittingbythestovewarmingandspreaditcarefullyontheworktable,thenliftedthecryingchildoutofthewickercrib.TheClearyhairglitteredsparselyonhislittleskullasMeggiechangedhisdiaperswiftly,andasefficientlyashermothercouldhavedone.

           "LittleMotherMeggie,"Franksaid,toteaseher.

           "I’mnot!"sheansweredindignantly."I’mjusthelpingMum."

           "Iknow,"hesaidgently."You’reagoodgirl,weeMeggie."Hetuggedatthewhitetaffetabowonthebackofherheaduntilithunglopsided.

           Upcamethebiggreyeyestohisfaceadoringly;overthenoddingheadofthebabyshemighthavebeenhisownage,orolder.Therewasapaininhischest,thatthisshouldhavefallenuponheratanagewhentheonlybabysheoughttobecaringforwasAgnes,nowrelegatedforgottentothebedroom.Ifitwasn’tforherandtheirmother,hewouldhavebeengonelongsince.