Поющие в терновнике

           Thedogshadtobegivenaway,thehorsesandthebuggysold,thefurnitureloadedontooldAngusMacWhirter’sdrayandtakenintoWanganuiforauction,Fee’sfewpiecescratedalongwiththechinaandlinenandbooksandkitchengoods.

           Frankfoundhismotherstandingbythebeautifuloldspinet,strokingitsfaintlypink,streakypanelingandlookingvaguelyatthepowderingofgolddustonherfingertips.

           "Didyoualwayshaveit,Mum?"heasked.

           "Yes.Whatwasactuallyminetheycouldn’ttakefrommewhenImarried.Thespinet,thePersiancarpets,theLouisQuinzesofaandchairs,theRegencyescritoire.Notmuch,buttheywererightfullymine."Thegrey,wistfuleyesstaredpasthisshoulderattheoilpaintingonthewallbehindhim,dimmedwithagealittle,butstillshowingclearlythegolden-hairedwomaninherpale-pinklacegown,crinolinedwithahundredandsevenflounces.

           "Whowasshe?"heaskedcuriously,turninghishead."I’vealwayswantedtoknow."

           "Agreatlady."

           "Well,she’sgottoberelatedtoyou;shelookslikeyouabit."

           "Her?Arelationofmine?"Theeyeslefttheircontemplationofthepictureandrestedonherson’sfaceironically."Now,doIlookasifIcouldeverhavehadarelativelikeher?"

           "Yes."

           "You’vecobwebsinyourbrain;brushthemout."

           "Iwishyou’dtellme,Mum."

           Shesighedandshutthespinet,dustingthegoldoffherfingers."There’snothingtotell,nothingatall.Comeon,helpmemovethesethingsintothemiddleoftheroom,soDaddycanpackthem."