Любовник леди Чаттерлей

           AndwithbrillianteyestheywatchedConnie,asshecrouchedbeforethem,andtheygaveshortsharpclucksofangerandalarm,butchieflyoffemaleangeratbeingapproached.

           Conniefoundcorninthecorn-bininthehut.Sheofferedittothehensinherhand.Theywouldnoteatit.Onlyonehenpeckedatherhandwithafiercelittlejab,soConniewasfrightened.Butshewaspiningtogivethemsomething,thebroodingmotherswhoneitherfedthemselvesnordrank.Shebroughtwaterinalittletin,andwasdelightedwhenoneofthehensdrank.

           Nowshecameeverydaytothehens,theyweretheonlythingsintheworldthatwarmedherheart.Clifford’sprotestationsmadehergocoldfromheadtofoot.MrsBolton’svoicemadehergocold,andthesoundofthebusinessmenwhocame.AnoccasionalletterfromMichaelisaffectedherwiththesamesenseofchill.Shefeltshewouldsurelydieifitlastedmuchlonger.

           Yetitwasspring,andthebluebellswerecominginthewood,andtheleaf-budsonthehazelswereopeninglikethespatterofgreenrain.Howterribleitwasthatitshouldbespring,andeverythingcold-hearted,cold-hearted.Onlythehens,fluffedsowonderfullyontheeggs,werewarmwiththeirhot,broodingfemalebodies!Conniefeltherselflivingonthebrinkoffaintingallthetime.

           Then,oneday,alovelysunnydaywithgreattuftsofprimrosesunderthehazels,andmanyvioletsdottingthepaths,shecameintheafternoontothecoopsandtherewasonetiny,tinyperkychickentinilyprancingroundinfrontofacoop,andthemotherhencluckinginterror.