Поющие в терновнике

           "Whyshouldyougiveupyourlifehereandgoofftoworkforheronthestrengthofapromisegiveninaletter?She’sneverliftedafingertohelpusbefore,andIdon’ttrusther.AllIeverrememberyoursayingaboutherwasthatshehadthetightestclutchonapoundyou’deverseen.Afterall,Paddy,it’snotasifyouknowhersoverywell;therewassuchabiggapbetweenyouinage,andshewenttoAustraliabeforeyouwereoldenoughtostartschool."

           "Idon’tseehowthataltersthingsnow,andifsheistight-fisted,allthemoreforustoinherit.No,Fee,we’regoingtoAustralia,andwe’llpayourownwaythere."

           Feesaidnomore.Itwasimpossibletotellfromherfacewhethersheresentedbeingsosummarilydismissed.

           "Hooray,we’regoingtoAustralia!"Bobshouted,grabbingathisfather’sshoulder.Jack,HughieandStujiggedupanddown,andFrankwassmiling,hiseyesseeingnothingintheroombutsomethingfarbeyondit.OnlyFeeandMeggiewonderedandfeared,hopingpainfullyitwouldallcometonothing,fortheirlivescouldbenoeasierinAustralia,justthesamethingsunderstrangeconditions.

           "Where’sGillanbone?"Stuartasked.

           Outcametheoldatlas;poorthoughtheClearyswere,therewereseveralshelvesofbooksbehindthekitchendiningtable.TheboysporedoveryellowingpagesuntiltheyfoundNewSouthWales.UsedtosmallNewZealanddistances,itdidn’toccurtothemtoconsultthescaleofmilesinthebottomleft-handcorner.