TheThornbirds荆棘鸟英文版

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1、.TheThornBirdsbyCOLLEENMCCULLOUGHTHEREISALEGENDThereisalegendaboutabirdwhichsingsjustonceinitslife,moresweetlythananyothercreatureonthefaceoftheearth.Fromthemomentitleavesthenestitsearchesforathorntree,anddoesnotrestuntilithasfoundone.Then,singingamongthesavagebranches,itimpalesitselfuponthelongest,

2、sharpestspine.And,dying,itrisesaboveitsownagonytooutcarolthelarkandthenightingale.Onesuperlativesong,existencetheprice.Butthewholeworldstillstolisten,andGodinHisheavensmiles.Forthebestisonlyboughtatthecostofgreatpain.Orsosaysthelegend.CONTENTSONE1915-1917MEGGIE12TWO1921-1928Ralph35THREE1929-1932Padd

3、y115FOUR1933-1938LUKE152FIVE1938-1953FEE232Six1954-1965Dane286SEVEN1965-1969Justine357Copyright378.335ONE1915-1917MEGGIE1OnDecember8th,1915,MeggieClearyhadherfourthbirthday.Afterthebreakfastdisheswereputawayhermothersilentlythrustabrownpaperparcelintoherarmsandorderedheroutside.SoMeggiesquatteddownb

4、ehindthegorsebushnexttothefrontgateandtuggedimpatiently.Herfingerswereclumsy,thewrappingheavy;itsmelledfaintlyoftheWahinegeneralstore,whichtoldherthatwhateverlayinsidetheparcelhadmiraculouslybeenbought,nothomemadeordonated.Somethingfineandmistilygoldbegantopokethroughacorner;sheattackedthepaperfaste

5、r,peelingitawayinlong,raggedstrips.Agnes!Oh,Agnes!shesaidlovingly,blinkingatthedolllyingthereinatatterednest.Amiracleindeed.OnlyonceinherlifehadMeggiebeenintoWahine;allthewaybackinMay,becauseshehadbeenaverygoodgirl.Soperchedinthebuggybesidehermother,onherbestbehavior,shehadbeentooexcitedtoseeorremem

6、bermuch.ExceptforAgnes,thebeautifuldollsittingonthestorecounter,dressedinacrinolineofpinksatinwithcreamlacefrillsalloverit.RightthenandthereinhermindshehadchristeneditAgnes,theonlynamesheknewelegantenoughforsuchapeerlesscreature.Yetovertheen-3suingmonthsheryearningafterAgnescontainednothingofhope;Me

7、ggiedidntownadollandhadnoidealittlegirlsanddollsbelongedtogether.Sheplayedhappilywiththewhistlesandslingshotsandbatteredsoldiersherbrothersdiscarded,gotherhandsdirtyandherbootsmuddy.ItneveroccurredtoherthatAgneswastoplaywith.Strokingthebrightpinkfoldsofthedress,granderthananyshehadeverseenonahumanwo

8、man,shepickedAgnesuptenderly.Thedollhadjointedarmsandlegswhichcouldbemovedanywhere;evenherneckandtiny,shapelywaistwerejointed.Hergoldenhairwasexquisitelydressedinahighpompadourstuddedwithpearls,herpalebosompeepedoutofafoamingfichuofcreamlacefastenedwithapearlpin.Thefinelypaintedbonechinafacewasbeaut

9、iful,leftunglazedtogivethedelicatelytintedskinanaturalmattetexture.Astonishinglylifelikeblueeyesshonebetweenlashesofrealhair,theiririsesstreakedandcircledwithadarkerblue;fascinated,MeggiediscoveredthatwhenAgneslaybackfarenough,hereyesclosed.Highononefaintlyflushedcheekshehadablackbeautymark,andherdu

10、skymouthwaspartedslightlytoshowtinywhiteteeth.Meggieputthedollgentlyonherlap,crossedherfeetunderhercomfortably,andsatjustlooking.ShewasstillsittingbehindthegorsebushwhenJackandHughiecamerustlingthroughthegrasswhereitwastooclosetothefencetofeelascythe.HerhairwasthetypicalClearybeacon,alltheClearychil

11、drensaveFrankbeingmartyredbyathatchsomeshadeofred;Jacknudgedhisbrotherandpointedgleefully.Theyseparated,grinningateachother,andpretendedtheyweretroopersafteraMaorirenegade.Meggiewouldnothaveheardthemanyway,soengrossedwassheinAgnes,hummingsoftlytoherself.Whatsthatyouvegot,Meggie?Jackshouted,pouncing.

12、Showus!Yes,showus!Hughiegiggled,outflankingher.Sheclaspedthedollagainstherchestandshookherhead.No,shesmine!Igotherformybirthday!Showus,goon!Wejustwanttohavealook.Prideandjoywonout.Sheheldthedollsoherbrotherscouldsee.Look,isntshebeautiful?HernameisAgnes.Agnes?Agnes?Jackgaggedrealistically.Whatasoppyn

13、ame!WhydontyoucallherMargaretorBetty?BecauseshesAgnes!Hughienoticedthejointinthedollswrist,andwhistled.Hey,Jack,look!Itcanmoveitshand!Where?Letssee.No!Meggiehuggedthedollcloseagain,tearsforming.No,youllbreakher!Oh,Jack,donttakeheraway-youllbreakher!Pooh!Hisdirtybrownhandslockedaboutherwrists,closing

14、tightly.WantaChineseburn?Anddontbesuchacrybaby,orIlltellBob.Hesqueezedherskininoppositedirectionsuntilitstretchedwhitely,asHughiegotholdofthedollsskirtsandpulled.Gimme,orIlldoitreallyhard!No!Dont,Jack,pleasedont!Youllbreakher,Iknowyouwill!Oh,pleaseleaveheralone!Donttakeher,please!Inspiteofthecruelgr

15、iponherwristssheclungtothedoll,sobbingandkicking.GotitHughiewhooped,asthedollslidunderMeggiescrossedforearms.JackandHughiefoundherjustasfascinatingasMeggiehad;offcamethedress,thepetticoatsandlong,frillydrawers.Agneslaynakedwhiletheboyspushedandpulledather,forcingonefootroundthebackofherhead,makinghe

16、rlookdownherspine,everypossiblecontortiontheycouldthinkof.TheytooknonoticeofMeggieasshestoodcrying;itdidnotoccurtohertoseekhelp,forintheClearyfamilythosewhocouldnotfighttheirownbattlesgotscantaidorsympathy,andthatwentforgirls,too.Thedollsgoldenhairtumbleddown,thepearlsflewwinkingintothelonggrassandd

17、isappeared.Adustybootcamedownthoughtlesslyontheabandoneddress,smearinggreasefromthesmithyacrossitssatin.Meggiedroppedtoherknees,scrabblingfranticallytocollecttheminiatureclothesbeforemoredamagewasdonethem,thenshebeganpickingamongthegrassbladeswhereshethoughtthepearlsmighthavefallen.Hertearswereblind

18、ingher,thegriefinherheartnew,foruntilnowshehadneverownedanythingworthgrievingfor.Frankthrewtheshoehissingintocoldwaterandstraightenedhisback;itdidntachethesedays,soperhapshewasusedtosmithying.Notbeforetime,hisfatherwouldhavesaid,aftersixmonthsatit.ButFrankknewverywellhowlongitwassincehisintroduction

19、totheforgeandanvil;hehadmeasuredthetimeinhatredandresentment.Throwingthehammerintoitsbox,hepushedthelankblackhairoffhisbrowwithatremblinghandanddraggedtheoldleatherapronfromaroundhisneck.Hisshirtlayonaheapofstrawinthecorner;heploddedacrosstoitandstoodforamomentstaringatthesplinteringbarnwallasifitdi

20、dnotexist,hisblackeyeswideandfixed.Hewasverysmall,notabovefivefeetthreeinches,andthinstillasstriplingsare,butthebareshouldersandarmshadmusclesalreadyknottedfromworkingwiththehammer,andthepale,flawlessskingleamedwithsweat.Thedarknessofhishairandeyeshadaforeigntang,hisfull-lippedmouthandwide-bridgedno

21、senottheusualfamilyshape,buttherewasMaoribloodonhismotherssideandinhimitshowed.Hewasnearlysixteenyearsold,whereBobwasbarelyeleven,Jackten,Hughienine,StuartfiveandlittleMeggiethree.ThenherememberedthattodayMeggiewasfour;itwasDecember8th.Heputonhisshirtandleftthebarn.Thehouselayontopofasmallhillabouto

22、nehundredfeethigherthanthebarnandstables.LikeallNewZealandhouses,itwaswooden,ramblingovermanysquaresandofonestoryonly,onthetheorythatifanearthquakestruck,someofitmightbeleftstanding.Arounditgorsegreweverywhere,atthemomentsmotheredinrichyellowflowers;thegrasswasgreenandluxuriant,likeallNewZealandgras

23、s.Noteveninthemiddleofwinter,whenthefrostsometimeslayunmeltedalldayintheshade,didthegrassturnbrown,andthelong,mildsummeronlytinteditanevenrichergreen.Therainsfellgentlywithoutbruisingthetendersweetnessofallgrowingthings,therewasnosnow,andthesunhadjustenoughstrengthtocherish,neverenoughtosap.NewZeala

24、ndsscourgesthunderedupoutofthebowelsoftheearthratherthandescendedfromtheskies.Therewasalwaysasuffocatedsenseofwaiting,anintangibleshudderingandthumpingthatactuallytransmitteditselfthroughthefeet.Forbeneaththegroundlayawesomepower,powerofsuchmagnitudethatthirtyyearsbeforeawholetoweringmountainhaddisa

25、ppeared;steamgushedhowlingoutofcracksinthesidesofinnocenthills,volcanoesspurnedsmokeintotheskyandthealpinestreamsranwarm.Hugelakesofmudboiledoilily,theseaslappeduncertainlyatcliffswhichmightnotbetheretogreetthenextincomingtide,andinplacestheearthscrustwasonlyninehundredfeetthick.Yetitwasagentle,grac

26、iousland.BeyondthehousestretchedanundulatingplainasgreenastheemeraldinFionaClearysengagementring,dottedwiththousandsofcreamybundlescloseproximityrevealedassheep.WherethecurvinghillsscallopedtheedgeofthelightblueskyMountEgmontsoaredtenthousandfeet,slopingintotheclouds,itssidesstillwhitewithsnow,itssy

27、mmetrysoperfectthateventhoselikeFrankwhosawiteverydayoftheirlivesneverceasedtomarvel.Itwasquiteapullfromthebarntothehouse,butFrankhurriedbecauseheknewheoughtnottobegoing;hisfathersorderswereexplicit.Thenasheroundedthecornerofthehousehesawthelittlegroupbythegorsebush.FrankhaddrivenhismotherintoWahine

28、tobuyMeggiesdoll,andhewasstillwonderingwhathadpromptedhertodoit.Shewasntgiventoimpracticalbirthdaypresents,therewasntthemoneyforthem,andshehadnevergivenatoytoanyonebefore.Theyallgotclothes;birthdaysandChristmasesreplenishedsparsewardrobes.ButapparentlyMeggiehadseenthedollonheroneandonlytripintotown,

29、andFionahadnotforgotten.WhenFrankquestionedher,shemutteredsomethingaboutagirlneedingadoll,andquicklychangedthesubject.JackandHughiehadthedollbetweenthemonthefrontpath,manipulatingitsjointscallously.AllFrankcouldseeofMeggiewasherback,asshestoodwatchingherbrothersdesecrateAgnes.Herneatwhitesockshadsli

30、ppedincrinkledfoldsaroundherlittleblackboots,andthepinkofherlegswasvisibleforthreeorfourinchesbelowthehemofherbrownvelvetSundaydress.Downherbackcascadedamaneofcarefullycurledhair,sparklinginthesun;notredandnotgold,butsomewhereinbetween.Thewhitetaffetabowwhichheldthefrontcurlsbackfromherfacehungdragg

31、ledandlimp;dustsmearedherdress.Sheheldthedollsclothestightlyinonehand,theotherpushingvainlyatHughie.Youbloodylittlebastards!JackandHughiescrambledtotheirfeetandran,thedollforgotten;whenFranksworeitwaspolitictorun.IfIcatchyouflaminglittletwerpstouchingthatdollagainIllbrandyourshittylittlearses!Franky

32、elledafterthem.HebentdownandtookMeggiesshouldersbetweenhishands,shakinghergently.Here,heretheresnoneedtocry!Comeonnow,theyvegoneandtheyllnevertouchyourdollyagain,Ipromise.Givemeasmileforyourbirthday,eh?Herfacewasswollen,hereyesrunning;shestaredatFrankoutofgreyeyessolargeandfulloftragedythathefelthis

33、throattighten.Pullingadirtyragfromhisbreechespocket,herubbeditclumsilyoverherface,thenpinchedhernosebetweenitsfolds.Blow!Shedidasshewastold,hiccupingnoisilyashertearsdried.Oh,Fruh-Fruh-Frank,theytoo-too-tookAgnesawayfromme!Shesniffled.Herhuh-huh-hairallfaileddownandsheloh-loh-lostalltheprettywiddlep

34、uh-puh-pearlsinit!Theyallfailedinthegruh-gruhgrassandIcantendthem!Thetearswelledupagain,splashingonFrankshand;hestaredathiswetskinforamoment,thenlickedthedropsoff.Well,wellhavetofindthem,wontwe?Butyoucantfindanythingwhileyourecrying,youknow,andwhatsallthisbabytalk?Ihaventheardyousaywiddleinsteadofli

35、ttleforsixmonths!Here,blowyournoseagainandthenpickuppoor.Agnes?Ifyoudontputherclotheson,shellgetsunburned.Hemadehersitontheedgeofthepathandgaveherthedollgently,thenhecrawledaboutsearchingthegrassuntilhegaveatriumphantwhoopandheldupapearl.There!Firstone!Wellfindthemall,youwaitandsee.Meggiewatchedhero

36、ldestbrotheradoringlywhilehepickedamongthegrassblades,holdingupeachpearlashefoundit;thensherememberedhowdelicateAgnessskinmustbe,howeasilyitmustBurn,andbentherattentiononclothingthedoll.Theredidnotseemanyrealinjury.Herhairwastangledandloose,herarmsandlegsdirtywheretheboyshadpushedandpulledatthem,but

37、everythingstillworked.AtortoiseshellcombnestledaboveeachofMeggiesears;shetuggedatoneuntilitcamefree,andbegantocombAgnesshair,whichwasgenuinehumanhair,skillfullyknottedontoabaseofglueandgauze,andbleacheduntilitwasthecolorofgildedstraw.Shewasyankinginexpertlyatalargeknotwhenthedreadfulthinghappened.Of

38、fcamethehair,allofit,danglinginatousledclumpfromtheteethofthecomb.AboveAgnesssmoothbroadbrowtherewasnothing;nohead,nobaldskull.Justanawful,yawninghole.Shiveringinterror,Meggieleanedforwardtopeerinsidethedollscranium.Theinvertedcontoursofcheeksandchinshoweddimly,lightglitteredbetweenthepartedlipswith

39、theirteethablack,animalsilhouette,andaboveallthiswereAgnesseyes,twohorribleclickingballsspearedbyawirerodthatcruellypiercedherhead.Meggiesscreamwashighandthin,unchildlike;sheflungAgnesawayandwentonscreaming,handscoveringherface,shakingandshuddering.ThenshefeltFrankpullatherfingersandtakeherintohisar

40、ms,pushingherfaceintothesideofhisneck.Wrappingherarmsabouthim,shetookcomfortfromhimuntilhisnearnesscalmedherenoughtobecomeawareofhownicehesmelled,allhorsesandsweatandiron.Whenshequietened,Frankmadehertellhimwhatwasthematter;hepickedupthedollandstaredintoitsemptyheadinwonder,tryingtorememberifhisinfa

41、ntuniversehadbeensobesetbystrangeterrors.Buthisunpleasantphantomswereofpeopleandwhispersandcoldglances.Ofhismothersfacepinchedandshrinking,herhandtremblingasitheldhis,thesetofhershoulders.WhathadMeggieseen,tomakehertakeonso?HefanciedshewouldnothavebeennearlysoupsetifpoorAgneshadonlybledwhenshelosthe

42、rhair.Bleedingwasafact;someoneintheClearyfamilybledcopiouslyatleastonceaweek.Hereyes,hereyedMeggiewhispered,refusingtolookatthedoll.Shesabloodymarvel,Meggie,hemurmured,hisfacenuzzlingintoherhair.Howfineitwas,howrichandfullofcolor!IttookhimhalfanhourofcajolingtomakeherlookatAgnes,andhalfanhourmoreela

43、psedbeforehecouldpersuadehertopeerintothescalpedhole.Heshowedherhowtheeyesworked,howverycarefullytheyhadbeenalignedtofitsnuglyyetswingeasilyopenedorclosed.Comeonnow,itstimeyouwentinside,hetoldher,swingingherupintohisarmsandtuckingthedollbetweenhischestandhers.WellgetMumtofixherup,eh?Wellwashandironh

44、erclothes,andglueonherhairagain.Illmakeyousomeproperhairpinsoutofthosepearls,too,sotheycantfalloutandyoucandoherhairinallsortsofways.FionaClearywasinthekitchen,peelingpotatoes.Shewasaveryhandsome,veryfairwomanalittleundermediumheight,butratherhard-facedandstern;shehadanexcellentfigurewithatinywaistw

45、hichhadnotthickened,inspiteofthesixbabiesshehadcarriedbeneathit.Herdresswasgreycalico,itsskirtsbrushingthespotlessfloor,itsfrontprotectedbyanenormousstarchedwhiteapronthatloopedaroundherneckandtiedinthesmallofherspinewithacrisp,perfectbow.Fromwakingtosleepingshelivedinthekitchenandbackgarden,herstou

46、tblackbootsbeatingacircularpathfromstovetolaundrytovegetablepatchtoclotheslinesandthencetothestoveagain.SheputherknifeonthetableandstaredatFrankandMeggie,thecornersofherbeautifulmouthturningdown.Meggie,IletyouputonyourSunday-bestdressthismorningononecondition,thatyoudidntgetitdirty.Andlookatyou!What

47、alittlegrubyouare!Mum,itwasntherfault,Frankprotested.JackandHughietookherdollawaytotryandfindouthowthearmsandlegsworked.Ipromisedwedfixitupasgoodasnew.Wecan,cantwe?Letmesee.Feeheldoutherhandforthedoll.Shewasasilentwoman,notgiventospontaneousconversation.Whatshethought,nooneeverknew,evenherhusband;sh

48、eleftthediscipliningofthechildrentohim,anddidwhateverhecommandedwithoutcommentorcomplaintunlessthecircumstancesweremostunusual.MeggiehadheardtheboyswhisperingthatshestoodinasmuchaweofDaddyastheydid,butifthatwastrueshehiditunderaveneerofimpenetrable,slightlydourcalm.Sheneverlaughed,nordidsheeverloseh

49、ertemper.Finishedherinspection,FeelaidAgnesonthedressernearthestoveandlookedatMeggie.Illwashherclothestomorrowmorning,anddoherhairagain.Frankcangluethehaironafterteatonight,Isuppose,andgiveherabath.Thewordswerematter-of-factratherthancomforting.Meggienodded,smilinguncertainly;sometimesshewantedsobad

50、lytohearhermotherlaugh,buthermotherneverdid.ShesensedthattheysharedaspecialsomethingnotcommontoDaddyandtheboys,buttherewasnoreachingbeyondthatrigidback,thoseneverstillfeet.Mumwouldnodabsentlyandfliphervoluminousskirtsexpertlyfromstovetotableasshecontinuedworking,working,working.Whatnoneofthechildren

51、saveFrankcouldrealizewasthatFeewaspermanently,incurablytired.Therewassomuchtobedone,hardlyanymoneytodoitwith,notenoughtime,andonlyonepairofhands.ShelongedforthedaywhenMeggiewouldbeoldenoughtohelp;alreadythechilddidsimpletasks,butatbarelyfouryearsofageitcouldntpossiblylightentheload.Sixchildren,andon

52、lyoneofthem,theyoungestatthat,agirl.Allheracquaintancesweresimultaneouslysympatheticandenvious,butthatdidntgettheworkdone.Hersewingbaskethadamountainofsocksinitstillundarned,herknittingneedlesheldyetanothersock,andtherewasHughiegrowingoutofhissweatersandJacknotreadytohandhisdown.PadraicClearywastoho

53、metheweekofMeggiesbirthday,purelybychance.Itwastooearlyfortheshearingseason,andhehadworklocally,plowingandplanting.Byprofessionhewasasheererofsheep,aseasonaloccupationwhichlastedfromthemiddleofsummertotheendofwinter,afterwhichcamelambing.Usuallyhemanagedtofindplentyofworktotidehimoverspringandthefir

54、stmonthofsummer;helpingwithlambing,plowing,orspellingalocaldairyfarmerfromhisendlesstwice-a-daymilking.Wheretherewasworkhewent,leavinghisfamilyinthebigoldhousetofendforthemselves;notasharshanactionasitseemed.Unlessonewasluckyenoughtoownland,thatwaswhatonehadtodo.Whenhecameinalittleaftersunsetthelamp

55、swerelit,andshadowsplayedflickeringgamesaroundthehighceiling.Theboyswereclusteredonthebackverandaplayingwithafrog,exceptforFrank;Padraicknewwherehewas,becausehecouldhearthesteadyclockingofanaxefromthedirectionofthewoodheap.HepausedontheverandaonlylongenoughtoplantakickonJacksbacksideandclipBobsear.G

56、oandhelpFrankwiththewood,youlazylittlescamps.AndithadbetterbedonebeforeMumhasteaonthetable,ortherellbeskinandhairflying.HenoddedtoFiona,busyatthestove;hedidnotkissorembraceher,forheregardeddisplaysofaffectionbetweenhusbandandwifeassomethingsuitableonlyforthebedroom.Asheusedthejacktohauloffhismud-cak

57、edboots,Meggiecameskippingwithhisslippers,andhegrinneddownatthelittlegirlwiththecurioussenseofwonderhealwaysknewatsightofher.Shewassopretty,suchbeautifulhair;hepickedupacurlandpulleditoutstraight,thenletitgo,justtoseeitjiggleandbounceasitsettledbackintoplace.Pickingthechildup,hewenttositintheonlycom

58、fortablechairthekitchenpossessed,aWindsorchairwithacushiontiedtoitsseat,drawnclosetothefire.Sighingsoftly,hesatdowninitandpulledouthispipe,carelesslytappingoutthespentdottleoftobaccoinitsbowlontothefloor.Meggiecuddleddownonhislapandwoundherarmsabouthisneck,hercoollittlefaceturneduptohisassheplayedhe

59、rnightlygameofwatchingthelightfilterthroughhisshortstubbleofgoldenbeard.Howareyou,Fee?PadraicClearyaskedhiswife.Allright,Paddy.Didyougetthelowerpaddockdonetoday?Yes,alldone.Icanstartontheupperfirstthinginthemorning.Lord,butImtired!Illbet.DidMacPhersongiveyouthecrotchetyoldmareagain?Tooright.Youdontt

60、hinkhedtaketheanimalhimselftoletmehavetheroan,doyou?Myarmsfeelasiftheyvebeenpulledoutoftheirsockets.IswearthatmarehasthehardestmouthinEnZed.Nevermind.OldRobertsonshorsesareallgood,andyoullbetheresoonenough.Cantbesoonenough.Hepackedhispipewithcoarsetobaccoandpulledataperfromthebigjarthatstoodnearthes

61、tove.Aquickflickinsidethefireboxdooranditcaught;heleanedbackinhischairandsuckedsodeeplythepipemadebubblingnoises.Howsitfeeltobefour,Meggie?heaskedhisdaughter.Prettygood,Daddy.DidMumgiveyouyourpresent?Oh,Daddy,howdidyouandMumguessIwantedAgnes?Agnes?HelookedswiftlytowardFee,smilingandquizzingherwithhi

62、seyebrows.Isthathername,Agnes?Yes.Shesbeautiful,Daddy.Iwanttolookatherallday.Shesluckytohaveanythingtolookat,Feesaidgrimly.JackandHughiegotholdofthedollbeforepoorMeggiehadachancetoseeitproperly.Well,boyswillbeboys.Isthedamagebad?Nothingthatcantbemended.Frankcaughtthembeforeitwenttoofar.Frank?Whatwas

63、hedoingdownhere?Hewassupposedtobeattheforgeallday.Hunterwantshisgates.Hewasattheforgeallday.Hejustcamedownforatoolofsomesort,Feeansweredquickly;PadraicwastoohardonFrank.Oh,Daddy,Frankisthebestbrother!HesavedmyAgnesfrombeingkilled,andhesgoingtoglueherhaironagainformeaftertea.Thatsgood,herfathersaiddr

64、owsily,leaninghisheadbackinthechairandclosinghiseyes.Itwashotinfrontofthestove,buthedidntseemtonotice;beadsofsweatgatheredonhisforehead,glistening.Heputhisarmsbehindhisheadandfellintoadoze.ItwasfromPadraicClearythathischildrengottheirvariousshadesofthick,wavingredhair,thoughnonehadinheritedquitesuch

65、anaggressivelyredheadashis.Hewasasmallman,allsteelandspringsinbuild,legsbowedfromalifetimeamonghorses,armselongatedfromyearsshearingsheep;hischestandarmswerecoveredinamattedgoldenfuzzwhichwouldhavebeenuglyhadhebeendark.Hiseyeswerebrightblue,crinkledupintoapermanentsquintlikeasailorsfromgazingintothefardistance,andhisfacewasapleas