1929-1932Paddy
ThenewyearcameinwithAngusMacQueen’sannualHogmanaypartyonRudnaHunish，andstillthemovetothebighousehadnotbeenaccomplished。Itwasn’tsomethingdoneovernight，betweenpackingoversevenyears’accumulationofeverydayartifacts，andFee’sdeclarationthatthebighousedrawingroomatleastbefinishedfirst。Noonewasintheslightesthurry，thougheveryonewaslookingforwardtoit。Insomerespectsthebighousewouldprovenodifferent:itlackedelectricityandthefliespopulateditjustasthickly。Butinsummeritwasabouttwentydegreescoolerthanoutside，fromthethicknessofitsstonewallsandtheghostgumsshadingitsroof。Also，thebathhousewasatrueluxury，havinghotwaterallwinterfrompipeswhichranupthebackofthevastfuelstoveinthecookhousenextdoor，andeverydropinitspipeswasrainwater。Thoughbathsandshowershadtobetakeninthislargestructurewithitstenseparatecubicles，thebighouseandallthesmallerhouseswereliberallyendowedwithindoorwater-closettoilets，anunheard-ofdegreeofopulenceenviousGillyresidentshadbeencaughtcallingsybaritism。AsidefromtheHotelImperial，twopubs，theCatholicpresbyteryandtheconvent，theGillanbonedistrictsurvivedonout-houses。ExceptDroghedahomestead，thankstoitsenormousnumberoftanksandroofstocatchrainwater。Theruleswerestrict:noundueflushing，andplentyofsheep-dipdisinfectant。Butafterholesintheground，itwasheaven。
FatherRalphhadsentPaddyacheckforfivethousandpoundsatthebeginningoftheprecedingDecember，tobegoingonwith，hislettersaid；PaddyhandedittoFeewithadazedexclamation。\"IdoubtI’vemanagedtoearnthismuchinallmyworkingdays，\"hesaid。\"WhatshallIdowithit？\"Feeasked，staringatitandthenlookingupathim，eyesblazing。\"Money，Paddy！Moneyatlast，doyourealizeit？Oh，Idon’tcareaboutAuntieMary’sthirteenmillionpoundsthere’snothingrealaboutsomuch。Butthisisreal！WhatshallIdowithit？\"\"Spendit，\"saidPaddysimply。\"Afewnewclothesforthechildrenandyourself？Andmaybetherearethingsyou’dliketobuyforthebighouse？Ican’tthinkofanythingelseweneed。\"
\"NorcanI，isn’titsilly？\"UpgotFeefromthebreakfasttable，beckoningMeggieimperiously。\"Comeon，girl，we’rewalkinguptothebighousetolookatit。\"
ThoughatthattimethreeweekshadelapsedsincethefranticweekfollowingMaryCarson’sdeath，noneoftheClearyshadbeennearthebighouse。ButnowFee’svisitmorethanmadeupfortheirpreviousreluctance。FromoneroomtoanothershemarchedwithMeggie，Mrs。Smith，MinnieandCatinattendance，moreanimatedthanabewilderedMeggiehadeverknownher。Shemutteredtoherselfcontinually；thiswasdreadful，thatwasanabsolutehorror，wasMarycolor-blind，didshehavenotasteatall？InthedrawingroomFeepausedlongest，eyeingitexpertly。Onlythereceptionroomexceededitinsize，foritwasfortyfeetlongandthirtywide，andhadafifteen-footceiling。Itwasacuriousmixtureofthebestandtheworstinitsdecoration，paintedauniformcreamwhichhadyellowedanddidnothingtoemphasizethemagnificentmoldingsontheceilingorthecarvedpanelingonthewalls。Theenormousfloor-to-ceilingwindowsthatmarcheduninterruptedlyforfortyfeetalongtheverandasidewereheavilycurtainedinbrownvelvet，castingadeepgloomoverthedingybrownchairs，twostunningmalachitebenchesandtwoequallybeautifulbenchesinFlorentinemarble，andamassivefireplaceofcreammarbleveinedindeeppink。OnthepolishedteakfloorthreeAubussoncarpetshadbeensquaredwithgeometricalprecision，andaWaterfordchandeliersixfeetlongtouchedtheceiling，itschainbunchedroundit。
\"Youaretobecommended，Mrs。Smith，\"Feepronounced。\"It’spositivelyawful，butspotlesslyclean。Ishallgiveyousomethingworthcaringfor。Thosepricelessbencheswithoutanythingtosetthemof-it’sashame！SincethedayIsawthisroom，I’velongedtomakeitintosomethingeverypersonwhowalksintoitwilladmire，andyetcomfortableenoughtomakeeverypersonwhowalksintoitwanttoremain。\"
MaryCarson’sdeskwasaVictorianhideousness；Feewalkedtoitandthephonewhichstooduponit，flickingitsgloomywoodcontemptuously。\"Myescritoirewilldobeautifullyhere，\"shesaid。\"I’mgoingtostartwiththisroom，andwhenit’sfinishedI’llmoveupfromthecreek，notbefore。Thenatleastwe’llhaveoneplacewherewecancongregatewithoutbeingdepressed。\"Shesatdownandpluckedthereceiveroffitshook。Whileherdaughterandherservantsstoodinasmallbewilderedhuddle，sheproceededtosetHarryGoughinmotion。MarkFoyswouldsendfabricsamplesonthenightmail；NockandKirbyswouldsendpaintsamples；GraceBrotherswouldsendwallpapersamples；theseandotherSydneystoreswouldsendcataloguesspeciallycompiledforher，describingtheirlinesoffurnishings。Laughterinhisvoice，HarryguaranteedtoproduceacompetentupholstererandateamofpainterscapableofdoingthemeticulousworkFeedemanded。GoodforMrs。Cleary！ShewasgoingtosweepMaryCarsonrightoutofthehouse。
Thephoningfinished，everyonewasdirectedtoripdownthebrownvelvetcurtainsatonce。OuttheywentontotherubbishheapinanorgyofwastefulnessFeesupervisedpersonally，evenputtingthetorchtothemherself。
\"Wedon’tneedthem，\"shesaid，\"andI’mnotgoingtoinflictthemontheGillanbonepoor。\"
\"Yes，Mum，\"saidMeggie，paralyzed。
\"We’renotgoingtohaveanycurtains，\"saidFee，notatalldisturbedoveraflagrantbreachofthedecoratingcustomsofthetime。\"Theveranda’sfartoodeeptoletthesuncomeindirectly，sowhydoweneedcurtains？Iwantthisroomtobeseen。\"
Thematerialsarrived，sodidthepaintersandtheupholsterer；MeggieandCatweresentupladderstowashandpolishthetopwindowswhileMrs。SmithandMinniecopedwiththebottomonesandFeestrodearoundwatchingeverythingwithaneagleeye。
BythesecondweekinJanuaryitwasalldone，andsomehowofcoursethenewsleakedoutonthepartylines。Mrs。ClearyhadmadetheDroghedadrawingroomintoapalace，andwouldn’titbeonlythecivilthingforMrs。HopetontoaccompanyMrs。KingandMrs。O’Rourkeonawelcome-to-the-big-housevisit？NoonearguedthattheresultofFee’seffortswasabsolutebeauty。ThecreamAubussoncarpetswiththeirfadedbunchesofpinkandredrosesandgreenleaveshadbeenstrewnratherhaphazardlyaroundthemirror-finishedfloor。Freshcreampaintcoveredthewallsandtheceiling，everymoldingandcarvingpainstakinglypickedoutingilt，butthehugeoval-shapedflatspacesinthepanelinghadbeenpaperedwithfadedblacksilkbearingthesamebunchesofrosesasthethreecarpets，likestiltedJapanesepaintingsincreamandgiltsurrounds。TheWaterfordchandelierhadbeenlowereduntilitsbottompendantchimedabaresixandahalffeetfromthefloor，everyprismofitsthousandspolishedtoaflashingrainbow，anditsgreatbrasschaintetheredtothewallinsteadofbeingbunchedup。Onspindlycream-and-gilttablesWaterfordlampsstoodnexttoWaterfordashtraysandWaterfordvasesstuffedwithcreamandpinkroses；allthebigcomfortablechairshadbeenre-coveredincreamwateredsilkandplacedinsmallcozygroupingswithlargeottomansdrawnuptoeachoneinvitingly；inonesunnycornerstoodtheexquisiteoldspinetwithanenormousvaseofcreamandpinkrosesonit。AbovethefireplacehungtheportraitofFee’sgrandmotherinherpalepinkcrinoline，andfacingherattheotherendoftheroomwasanevenlargerportraitofayoungish，red-hairedMaryCarson，faceliketheyoungishQueenVictoria，inastiffblackgownfashionablybustled。\"Allright，\"saidFee，\"nowwecanmoveupfromthecreek。I’lldotheotherroomsatmyleisure。Oh，isn’titlovelytohavemoneyandadecenthometospenditon？\"
Aboutthreedaysbeforetheymoved，soearlyinthemorningthesunhadnotyetrisen，theroostersinthefowlyardwerecock-a-doodlingjoyously。\"Miserablewretches，\"saidFee，wrappingoldnewspapersaroundherchina。\"Idon’tknowwhattheythinkthey’vedonetocrowabout。Notaneggintheplaceforbreakfast，andallthemenathomeuntilwefinishmoving。Meggie，you’llhavetogodowntothechookyardforme；I’mbusy。\"ShescannedayellowedsheetoftheSydneyMorningHerald，snortingoveranadvertisementforwasp-waistedstays。\"Idon’tknowwhyPaddyinsistswegetallthenewspapers；nooneeverhastimetoreadthem。Theyjustpileuptoofasttoburninthestove。Lookatthis！It’solderthanourtenancyofthehouse。Well，atleastthey’rehandyforpacking。\"
Itwasnicetoseehermothersocheerful，Meggiethoughtasshespeddownthebackstepsandacrossthedustyyard。Thougheveryonewasnaturallylookingforwardtolivinginthebighouse，Mumseemedtohungerforitasifshecouldrememberwhatlivinginabighousewaslike。Howclevershewas，whatperfecttasteshehad！Thingsnoonehadeverrealizedbefore，becausetherehadbeenneithertimenormoneytobringthemout。Meggiehuggedherselfwithexcitement；DaddyhadsentintotheGillyjewelerandusedsomeofthefivethousandpoundstobuyMumarealpearldisbbhokerandrealpearlearrings，onlythesehadlittlediamondsinthemaswell。Hewasgoingtogivethemtoherattheirfirstdinnerinthebighouse。Nowthatshehadseenhermother’sfacefreedofitshabitualdourness，shecouldhardlywaitfortheexpressionitwouldwearwhenshereceivedherpearls。FromBobtothetwins，thechildrenwereagogforthatmoment，becauseDaddyhadshownthemthebigflatleathercase，openedittorevealthemilkyopalescentbeadsontheirblackvelvetbed。Theirmother’sblossominghappinesshadaffectedthemdeeply；itwaslikeseeingthestartofagooddrenchingrain。Untilnowtheyhadneverquiteunderstoodhowunhappyshemusthavebeenalltheyearstheyhadknownher。
Thechookyardwashuge，andheldfourroostersandupwardoffortyhens。Atnighttheyinhabitedatumble-downshed，itsrigorouslysweptfloorlinedaroundtheedgeswithstraw-filledorangecratesforlaying，anditsrearcrossedbyperchesofvariousheights。Butduringthedaythechooksstruttedcluckingaroundalarge，wire-nettedrun。WhenMeggieopenedtherungateandsqueezedinside，thebirdsclusteredabouthergreedily，thinkingtheywouldbefed，butsinceMeggiefedthemintheeveningsshelaughedattheirsillyanticsandsteppedthroughthemintotheshed。
\"Honestly，whatahopelesslotofchookiesyouare！\"shelecturedthemseverelyasshepokedinthenests。\"Fortyofyou，andonlyfifteeneggs！Notenoughforbreakfast，letaloneacake。Well，I’mwarningyouhereandnow-ifyoudon’tdosomethingaboutitsoon，thechoppingblockforthelotofyou，andthatappliestothelordsofthecoopaswellaswives，sodon’tspreadyourtailsandruffleupyournecksasifI’mnotincludingyou，gentlemen！\"
Withtheeggsheldcarefullyinherapron，Meggieranbacktothekitchen，singing。
FeewassittinginPaddy’schairstaringatasheetofSmith’sWeekly，herfacewhite，herlipsmoving。InsideMeggiecouldhearthemenmovingabout，andthesoundsofsix-year-oldJimsandPatsylaughingintheircot；theywereneverallowedupuntilafterthemenhadgone。\"What’sthematter，Mum？\"Meggieasked。
Feedidn’tanswer，onlysatstaringinfrontofherwithbeadsofsweatalongherupperlip，eyesstilledtoadesperatelyrationalpain，asifwithinherselfshewasmarshalingeveryresourceshepossessednottoscream。\"Daddy，Daddy！\"Meggiecalledsharply，frightened。Thetoneofhervoicebroughthimoutstillfasteninghisflannelundershirt，withBob，Jack，HughieandStubehindhim。Meggiepointedwordlesslyathermother。
Paddy’sheartseemedtoblockhisthroat。HebentoverFee，hishandpickinguponelimpwrist。\"Whatisit，dear？\"heaskedintonesmoretenderthananyofhischildrenhadeverheardhimuse；yetsomehowtheyknewtheywerethetonesheusedwithherwhentheywerenotaroundtohear。Sheseemedtorecognizethatspecialvoiceenoughtoemergefromhershockedtrance，andthebiggreyeyeslookedupintohisface，sokindandworn，nolongeryoung。
\"Here，\"shesaid，pointingatasmallitemofnewstowardthebottomofthepage。
Stuarthadgonetostandbehindhismother，hishandlightlyonhershoulder；beforehestartedtoreadthearticlePaddyglancedupathisson，intotheeyessolikeFee’s，andhenodded。WhathadrousedhimtojealousyinFrankcouldneverdosoinStuart；asiftheirloveforFeeboundthemtightlytogetherinsteadofseparatingthem。
Paddyreadoutloud，slowly，histonegrowingsadderandsadder。Thelittleheadlinesaid:BOXERRECEIVESLIFESENTENCE。
FrancisArmstrongCleary，aged26，professionalboxer，wasconvictedtodayinGoulburnDistrictCourtofthemurderofRonaldAlbertCumming，aged32，laborer，lastJuly。Thejuryreacheditsverdictafteronlytenminutes’deliberation，recommendingthemostseverepunishmentthecourtcouldmeteout。Itwas，saidMr。JusticeFitzHugh-Cunneally，asimpleopen-and-closedcase。CummingandClearyhadquarreledviolentlyinthepublicbaroftheHarborHotelonJuly23rd。LaterthesamenightSergeantTomBeardsmoreoftheGoulburnpolice，accompaniedbytwoconstables，wascalledtotheHarborHotelbyitsproprietor，Mr。JamesOgilvie。InthelanebehindthehotelthepolicediscoveredClearykickingattheheadoftheinsensibleCumming。HisfistswerebloodstainedandboretuftsofCumming’shair。WhenarrestedClearywasdrunkbutlucid。Hewaschargedwithassaultwithintenttocommitgrievousbodilyharm，butthechargewasamendedtomurderafterCummingdiedofbraininjuriesintheGoulburnDistrictHospitalnextday。Mr。ArthurWhyte，K。C。，enteredapleaofnotguiltybyreasonofinsanity，butfourmedicalwitnessesfortheCrownstatedunequivocallythatundertheprovisionsoftheM’naghtenrulesClearycouldnotbecalledinsane。Inaddressingthejury，
Mr。JusticeFitzHugh-Cunneallytoldthemtherewasnoquestionofguiltorinnocence，theverdictwasclearlyguilty，butherequestedthemtotaketimeconsideringtheirrecommendationforeitherclemencyorseverity，ashewouldbeguidedbytheiropinion。WhensentencingCleary，Mr。JusticeFitzHugh-Cunneallycalledhisact\"subhumansavagery，\"andregrettedthatthedrunkenunpremeditatednatureofthecrimeprecludedhanging，asheregardedCleary’shandsasaweaponquiteasdeadlyasagunorknife。Clearywassentencedtolifeimprisonmentathardlabor，thesentencetobeservedinGoulburnGaol，thisinstitutionbeingonedesignedforviolentlydisposedprisoners。Askedifhehadanythingsosay，Clearyanswered，\"Justdon’ttellmymother。\"
Paddylookedatthetopofthepagetoseethedate:December6，1925。\"Ithappenedoverthreeyearsago，\"hesaidhelplessly。Nooneansweredhimormoved，fornooneknewwhattodo；fromthefrontofthehousecamethegleefullaughterofthetwins，theirhighvoicesraisedinchatter。was\"Just-don’t-tellmymother，\"\"saidFeenumbly。\"Andnoonedid！Oh，God！Mypoor，poorFrank！\"
Paddywipedthetearsfromhisfacewiththebackofhisfreehand，thensquatteddowninfrontofher，pattingherlapgently。\"Feedear，packyourthings。We’llgotohim。\"
Shehalf-rosebeforesinkingback，hereyesinhersmallwhitefacestarredandglisteningasifdead，pupilshugeandgold-filmed。\"Ican’tgo，\"shesaidwithoutahintofagony，yetmakingeveryonefeelthattheagonywasthere。\"Itwouldkillhimtoseeme。Oh，Paddy，itwouldkillhim！Iknowhimsowell-hispride，hisambition，hisdeterminationtobesomeoneimportant。Lethimbeartheshamealone，it’swhathewants。Youreadit。\"Justdon’ttellmymother。\"We’vegottohelphimkeephissecret。Whatgoodwillitdohimorustoseehim？\"
Paddywasstillweeping，butnotforFrank；forthelifewhichhadgonefromFee’sface，forthedyinginhereyes。AJonah，that’swhattheladhadalwaysbeen；thebitterbringerofblight，foreverstandingbetweenFeeandhimself，thecauseofherwithdrawalfromhisheartandtheheartsofhischildren。EverytimeitlookedasiftheremightbehappinessinstoreforFee，Franktookitaway。ButPaddy’sloveforherwasasdeepandimpossibletoeradicateasherswasforFrank；hecouldneverusetheladashiswhippingboyagain，notafterthatnightinthepresbytery。Sohesaid，\"Well，Fee，ifyouthinkit’sbetternottoattempttogetintouchwithhim，wewon’t。YetI’dliketoknowhewasallright，thatwhatevercanbedoneforhimisbeingdone。HowaboutifIwritetoFatherdeBricassartandaskhimtolookoutforFrank？\"
Theeyesdidn’tliven，butafaintpinkstoleintohercheeks。\"Yes，Paddy，dothat。OnlymakesureheknowsnottotellFrankwefoundout。PerhapsitwouldeaseFranktothinkforcertainthatwedon’tknow。\"
WithinafewdaysFeeregainedmostofherenergy，andherinterestinredecoratingthebighousekeptheroccupied。Butherquietnessbecamedouragain，onlylessgrim，encapsulatedbyanexpressionlesscalm。Itseemedshecaredmoreforhowthebighousewouldeventuallylookthanshedidforherfamily’swelfare。Perhapssheassumedtheycouldlookafterthemselvesspiritually，andthatMrs。Smithandthemaidsweretheretolookafterthemphysically。
YetthediscoveryofFrank’splighthadprofoundlyaffectedeveryone。Theolderboysgrieveddeeplyfortheirmother，spentsleeplessnightsrememberingherfaceatthatawfulmoment。Theylovedher，andhercheerfulnessduringthepreviousfewweekshadgiventhemaglimpseofherwhichwasnevertoleavethem，andwastoinspirethemwithapassionatedesiretobringitbackagain。Iftheirfatherhadbeenthepivotuponwhichtheirlivesturneduntilthen，fromthatmomenttheirmotherwasputalongsidehim。Theybegantotreatherwithatender，absorbedcarenoamountofindifferenceonherpartcouldbanish。FromPaddytoStutheClearymalesconspiredtomakeFee’slifewhatevershewanted，andtheydemandedadherencetothisendfromeveryone。Noonemusteverharmherorhurtheragain。AndwhenPaddypresentedherwiththepearlsshetookthemwithabrief，expressionlesswordofthanks，nopleasureorinterestinherperusal；buteveryonewasthinkinghowdifferentherreactionwouldhavebeenwereitnotforFrank。Hadthemovetothebighousenotoccurred，poorMeggiewouldhavesufferedagreatdealmorethanshedid，forwithoutadmittingherintofull，exclusivelymalemembershipoftheprotect-Mumsociety(perhapssensingthatherparticipationwasmoregrudgingthantheirs)，herfatherandolderbrothersexpectedthatMeggieshouldshoulderallthetasksFeeobviouslyfoundrepugnant。Asitturnedout，Mrs。SmithandthemaidssharedtheburdenwithMeggie。ChieflyrepugnanttoFeewasthecareofhertwoyoungestsons，butMrs。SmithassumedfullchargeofJimsandPatsywithsuchardorMeggiecouldn’tfeelsorryforher，insteadinawayshefeltgladthatthesetwocouldatlastbelongentirelytothehousekeeper。Meggiegrievedforhermother，too，butbynomeansaswholeheartedlyasthemen，forherloyaltiesweresorelytried；thebigveinofmotherlinessinherwasdeeplyoffendedbyFee’smountingindifferencetoJimsandPatsy。WhenIhavemychildren，shewouldthinktoherself，I’mnevergoingtoloveoneofthemmorethantherest。
Livinginthebighousewascertainlyverydifferent。Atfirstitwasstrangetohaveabedroomtooneself，andforthewomen，nottohavetoworryaboutanysortofhouseholdduty，insideoroutside。Minnie，CatandMrs。Smithamongthemcopedwitheverythingfromwashingandironingtocookingandcleaning，andwerehorrifiedbyoffersofhelp。Inreturnforplentyoffoodandasmallwage，anendlessprocessionofswaggiesweretemporarilyenteredonthestationbooksasrouseabouts，tochopthewoodforthehomesteadfires，feedthefowlsandpigs，dothemilking，helpoldTomtakecareofthelovelygardens，doalltheheavycleaning。PaddyhadbeencommunicatingwithFatherRalph。\"TheincomefromMary’sestatecomestoroughlyfourmillionpoundsayear，thankstothefactthatMicharLimitedisaprivatelyownedcompanywithmostofitsassetssunkinsteel，shipsandmining，\"wroteFatherRalph。\"SowhatI’veassignedtoyouisameredropintheCarsonbucket，anddoesn’tevenamounttoone-tenthofDroghedastationprofitsinayear。Don’tworryaboutbadyears，either。TheDroghedastationaccountissoheavilyintheblackIcanpayyououtofitsinterestforever，ifnecessary。Sowhatmoneycomestoyouisnomorethanyoudeserve，anddoesn’tdentMicharLimited。It’sstationmoneyyou’regetting，notcompanymoney。Irequirenomoreofyouthantokeepthestationbooksuptodateandhonestlyenteredfortheauditors。\"
ItwasafterhehadthisparticularletterthatPaddyheldaconferenceinthebeautifuldrawingroomonanightwheneveryonewasathome。Hesatwithhissteelrimmedreadinghalf-glassesperchedonhisRomannose，inabigcreamchair，hisfeetcomfortablydisposedonamatchingottoman，hispipeinaWaterfordashtray。
\"Hownicethisis。\"Hesmiled，lookingaroundwithpleasure。\"IthinkweoughttogiveMumavoteofthanksforit，don’tyou，boys？\"Thereweremurmursofassentfromthe\"boys\"；FeeinclinedherheadfromwhereshesatinwhathadbeenMaryCarson’swingchair，re-coverednowincreamwateredsilk。Meggiecurledherfeetaroundtheottomanshehadchoseninsteadofachair，andkepthereyesdoggedlyonthesockshewasmending。
\"Well，FatherdeBricassarthassortedeverythingoutandhasbeenverygenerous，\"Paddycontinued。\"He’sputseventhousandpoundsinthebankinmyname，andopenedasavingsaccountforeveryonewithtwothousandpoundsineach。Iamtobepaidfourthousandpoundsayearasthestationmanager，andBobwillbepaidthreethousandayearastheassistantmanager。Alltheworkingboys-Jack，HughieandStu-wouldbepaidtwothousandayear，andthelittleboysaretogetonethousandayeareachuntilthey’reoldenoughtodecidewhattheywanttodo。
\"Whenthelittleboysaregrownup，theestatewillguaranteeeachofthemayearlyincomeequaltoafullworkingmemberofDrogheda，eveniftheydon’twanttoworkonDrogheda。WhenJimsandPatsyturntwelve，they’llbesenttoRiverviewCollegeinSydneytoboardandbeeducatedattheexpenseoftheestate。
\"Mumistohavetwothousandpoundsayearforherself，andsoisMeggie。Thehouseholdaccountwillbekeptatfivethousandpounds，thoughwhyFatherthinksweneedsomuchtorunahouse，Idon’tknow。Hesaysincasewewanttomakemajoralterations。IhavehisinstructionsastohowmuchMrs。Smith，Minnie，CatandTomaretobepaid，andImustsayhe’sgenerous。OtherwagesIdecideonmyself。Butmyfirstdecisionasmanageristoputonatleastsixmorestockmen，soDroghedacanberunasitshouldbe。It’stoomuchforahandful。\"Thatwasthemostheeversaidabouthissister’smanagement。Noonehadeverheardofhavingsomuchmoney；theysatsilent，tryingtoassimilatetheirgoodfortune。
\"We’llneverspendthehalfofit，Paddy，\"saidFee。\"Hehasn’tleftusanythingtospenditon。\"
Paddylookedathergently。\"Iknow，Mum。Butisn’titnicetothinkwe’llneverhavetoworryaboutmoneyagain？\"Heclearedhisthroat。\"NowitseemstomethatMumandMeggieinparticulararegoingtobeatabitofalooseend，\"hewenton。\"Iwasnevermuchgoodatfigures，butMumcanaddandsubtractanddivideandmultiplylikeanarithmeticteacher。SoMumisgoingtobetheDroghedabookkeeper，insteadofHarryGough’soffice。Ineverrealizedit，butHarryhasemployedonechapjusttodealwithDrogheda’saccounts，andatthemomenthe’samanshort，sohedoesn’tmindpassingitbacktousatall。Infact，hewastheonewhosuggestedMummightmakeagoodbookkeeper。He’sgoingtosendsomeoneoutfromGillytoteachyouproperly，Mum。It’squitecomplicated，apparently。You’vegottobalancetheledgers，thecashbooks，thejournals，recordeverythinginthelogbook，andsoon。Enoughtokeepyouprettybusy，onlyitwon’ttakethestarchoutofyouthewaycookingandwashingdid，willit？\"
ItwasonthetipofMeggie’stonguetoshout:Whataboutme？IdidjustasmuchwashingandcookingasMum！
Feewasactuallysmiling，forthefirsttimesincethenewsaboutFrank。\"I’llenjoythejob，Paddy，reallyIwill。ItwillmakemefeellikeapartofDrogheda。\"
\"BobisgoingtoteachyouhowtodrivethenewRolls，becauseyou’regoingtohavetobetheonetogointoGillytothebankandseeHarry。Besides，itwilldoyougoodtoknowyoucandriveanywhereyouwantwithoutdependingononeofusbeingaround。We’retooisolatedouthere。I’vealwaysmeanttoteachyougirlshowtodrive，butthere’sneverbeenthetimebefore。Allright，Fee？\"
\"Allright，Paddy，\"shesaidhappily。
\"Now，Meggie，we’vegottodealwithyou。\"
Meggielaidhersockandneedledown，lookedupatherfatherinamixtureofinquiryandresentment，suresheknewwhathewasgoingtosay:hermotherwouldbebusywiththebooks，soitwouldbeherjobtosupervisethehouseanditsenvirons。
\"I’dhatetoseeyouturnintoanidle，snobbymisslikesomeofthegraziers’daughtersweknow，\"Paddysaidwithasmilewhichrobbedhiswordsofanycontempt。\"SoI’mgoingtoputyoutoworkatafull-timejob，too，weeMeggie。You’regoingtolookaftertheinsidepaddocksforus-Borehead，Creek，Carson，WinnemurraandNorthTank。You’realsogoingtolookaftertheHomePaddock。You’llberesponsibleforthestockhorses，whichonesareworkingandwhichonesarebeingspelled。Duringmustersandlambingwe’llallpitchintogether，ofcourse，butotherwiseyou’llmanageonyourown，Ireckon。Jackcanteachyoutoworkthedogsanduseastockwhip。You’reaterribletomboystill，soIthoughtyoumightliketoworkinthepaddocksmorethanliearoundthehouse，\"hefinished，smilingmorebroadlythanever。Resentmentanddiscontenthadflownoutthewindowwhilehetalked；hewasoncemoreDaddy，wholovedherandthoughtofher。Whathadbeenthematterwithher，todoubthimso？Shewassoashamedofherselfshefeltlikejabbingthebigdarningneedleintoherleg，butshewastoohappytocontemplateself-inflictionofpainforverylong，andanyway，itwasjustanextravagantwayofexpressingherremorse。
Herfaceshone。\"Oh，Daddy，I’llloveit！\"
\"Whataboutme，Daddy？\"askedStuart。
\"Thegirlsdon’tneedyouaroundthehouseanymore，soyou’llbeoutinthepaddocksagain，Stu。\"
\"Allright，Daddy。\"HelookedatFeelongingly，butsaidnothing。
FeeandMeggielearnedtodrivethenewRollsRoyceMaryCarsonhadtakendeliveryofaweekbeforeshedied，andMeggielearnedtoworkthedogswhileFeelearnedtokeepthebooks。
Ifithadn’tbeenforFatherRalph’scontinuedabsence，Meggieforonewouldhavebeenabsolutelyhappy。Thiswaswhatshehadalwayslongedtodo:beoutthereinthepaddocksastrideahorse，doingstockman’swork。YettheacheforFatherRalphwasalwaysthere，too，thememoryofhiskisssomethingtobedreamedabout，treasured，feltagainathousandtimes。However，memorywasn’tapatchonreality；tryasshewould，theactualsensationcouldn’tbeconjuredup，onlyashadowofit，likeathinsadcloud。WhenhewrotetotellthemaboutFrank，herhopesthathewouldusethisasapretexttovisitthemwereabruptlyshattered。HisdescriptionofthetriptoseeFrankinGoulburnGaolwascarefullyworded，strippedofthepainithadengendered，givingnohintofFrank’ssteadilyworseningpsychosis。HehadtriedvainlytohaveFrankcommittedtoMorissetasylumforthecriminallyinsane，butnoonehadlistened。SohesimplypassedonanidealisticimageofaFrankresignedtopayingforhissinstosociety，andinapassageheavilyunderlinedtoldPaddyFrankhadnoideatheyknewwhathadhappened。Ithadcometohisears，heassuredFrank，throughSydneynewspapers，andhewouldmakesurethefamilyneverknew。Afterbeingtoldthis，Franksettledbetter，hesaid，andleftitatthat。PaddytalkedofsellingFatherRalph’schestnutmare。Meggieusedtherangyblackgeldingshehadriddenforpleasureasastockhorse，foritwaslighter-mouthedandnicerinnaturethanthemoodymaresormeangeldingsintheyards。Stockhorseswereintelligent，andrarelyplacid。Evenatotalabsenceofstallionsdidn’tmakethemveryamiableanimals。\"Oh，please，Daddy，Icanridethechestnut，too！\"Meggiepleaded。\"Thinkhowawfulitwouldbeifafterallhiskindnessestous，Fathershouldcomebacktovisitanddiscoverwehadsoldhishorse！\"Paddystaredatherthoughtfully。\"Meggie，Idon’tthinkFatherwillcomeback。\"
\"Buthemight！Youneverknow！\"
TheeyessolikeFee’sweretoomuchforhim；hecouldn’tbringhimselftohurthermorethanshewasalreadyhurt，poorlittlething。\"Allrightthen，Meggie，we’llkeepthemare，butmakesureyouuseboththemareandthegeldingregularly，forIwon’thaveafathorseonDrogheda，doyouhear？\"Untilthenshehadn’tlikedtouseFatherRalph’sownmount，butafterthatshealternatedtogiveboththeanimalsinthestablesachancetoworkofftheiroats。
ItwasjustaswellMrs。Smith，MinnieandCatdotedonthetwins，forwithMeggieoutinthepaddocksandFeesittingforhoursatherescritoireinthedrawingroom，thetwolittlefellowshadawonderfultime。Theywereintoeverything，butwithsuchgleeandconstantgoodhumorthatnoonecouldbeangrywiththemforverylong。AtnightinherlittlehouseMrs。Smith，longconvertedtoCatholicism，knelttoherprayerswithsuchdeepthankfulnessinherheartshecouldscarcelycontainit。ChildrenofherownhadnevercometogladdenherwhenRobhadbeenalive，andforyearsthebighousehadbeenchildless，itsoccupantsforbiddentomixwiththeinhabitantsofthestockmen’shousesdownbytheeek。RutwhentheClarryscametheywereMaryCarson’skin，andtherewerechildrenatlast。Especiallynow，withJimsandPatsypermanentresidentsofthebighouse。
Ithadbeenadrywinter，andthesummerrainsdidn’tcome。Knee-highandlush，thetawnygrassdriedoutinthestarksununtileventheinnercoreofeachbladewascrisp。Tolookacrossthepaddocksrequiredslittedeyesandahatbrimdrawnfardownontheforehead；thegrasswasmirror-silver，andlittlespiralwhirlwindsspedbusilyamongshimmeringbluemirages，trans-ferringdeadleavesandfracturedgrassbladesfromonerestlessheaptoanother。
Oh，butitwasdry！Eventhetreesweredry，thebarkfallingfromtheminstiff，crunchyribbons。Nodangeryetofthesheepstarving-thegrasswouldlastanotheryearatleast，maybemore-butnoonelikedtoseeeverythingsodry。Therewasalwaysagoodchancetherainwouldnotcomenextyear，ortheyearafter。Inagoodyeartheygottentofifteeninches，inabadyearlessthanfive，perhapsclosetononeatall。
Inspiteoftheheatandtheflies，Meggielovedlifeoutinthepaddocks，walkingthechestnutmarebehindableatingmobofsheepwhilethedogslayflatontheground，tongueslolling，deceptivelyinattentive。Letonesheepboltoutofthetightlypackedclusterandthenearestdogwouldbeaway，astreakofvengeance，sharpteethhungeringtonipintoahaplessheel。Meggierodeaheadofhermob，awelcomereliefafterbreathingtheirdustforseveralmiles，andopenedthepaddockgate。Shewaitedpatientlywhilethedogs，revelinginthischancetoshowherwhattheycoulddo，bitandgoadedthesheepthrough。Itwashardermusteringanddrovingcattle，fortheykickedorcharged，oftenkillinganunwarydog；thatwaswhenthehumanherdsmanhadtobereadytodohisbit，usehiswhip，butthedogslovedthespiceofdangerworkingcattle。However，todrovecattlewasnotrequiredofher；Paddyattendedtothathimself。
Butthedogsneverceasedtofascinateher；theirintelligencewasphenomenal。MostoftheDroghedadogswerekelpies，coatedinrichbrownishtanwithcreamypaws，chestsandeyebrows，buttherewereQueenslandbluestoo，larger，withblue-greycoatsdappledinblack，andallvarietiesofcrossbredsbetweenkelpieandblue。Thebitchescameinheat，werescientificallymated，increasedandwhelped；afterweaningandgrowing，theirpupsweretriedoutinthepaddocks，andifgoodwerekeptorsold，ifnogoodshot。
Whistlingherdogstoheel，Meggieshutthegateonthemobandturnedthechestnutmaretowardhome。Nearbywasabigstandoftrees，stringybarkandironbarkandblackbox，anoccasionalwilgaonitsoutskirts。Sherodeintoitsshadethankfully，andhavingnowtheleisuretolookaround，lethereyesroamindelight。Thegumswerefullofbudgies，skawkingandwhistlingtheirparodiesofsongbirds；fincheswheeledfrombranchtobranch；twosulphur-crestedcockatoossatwiththeirheadstoonesidewatchingherprogresswithtwinklingeyes；willy-wagtailsfossickedinthedirtforants，theirabsurdrumpsbobbing；crowscarkedeternallyandmournfully。Theirswasthemostobnoxiousnoiseinthewholebushsongrepertoire，sodevoidofjoy，desolateandsomehowsoul-chilling，speakingofrottingflesh，ofcarrionandblowflies。Tothinkofacrowsinginglikeabellbirdwasimpossible；cryandfunctionfittedperfectly。Ofcoursetherewereflieseverywhere；Meggieworeaveiloverherhat，butherbarearmswereconstantlyplagued，andthechestnutmare’stailneverstoppedswishing，itsfleshneverstoppedshiveringandcreepingforasecond。ItamazedMeggiethateventhroughthethicknessofhideandhair，ahorsecouldfeelsomethingasdelicateandairyasafly。Theydranksweat，whichwaswhytheytormentedhorsesandhumansso，buthumansneverletthemdowhatsheepdid，sotheyusedthesheepforamoreintimatepurpose，layingtheireggsaroundtherumpwool，orwhereverthewoolwasdampanddirty。Theairwasfullofthenoiseofbees，andalivewithbrilliantquickdragonfliesseekingouttheboredrains，alivewithexquisitelycoloredbutterfliesanddaymoths。Herhorseturnedoverapieceofrottinglogwithahoof；Meggiestaredatitsunderside，herskincrawling。Therewerewitchettygrubs，fatandwhiteandloathsome，woodliceandslugs，hugecentipedesandspiders。Fromburrowsrabbitshoppedandskittled，flashedbackinsidewithwhitepowderpuffsupintheair，thenturnedtopeerout，nosestwitching。Fartheronanechidnabrokeoffitsquestafterants，panickedatherapproach。Burrowingsofastthatitsstrongclawedfeetwerehiddeninseconds，itbegantodisappearunderahugelog。Itsanticsasitdugwereamusing，thecruelspineslyingflatalloveritsbodytostreamlineitsentryintotheground，earthflyinginheaps。Shecameoutofthetimberonthemaintracktothehomestead。Asheetofdappledgreyoccupieditsdust，galahspickingforinsectsorgrubs，butastheyheardhercomingtheytooktotheairenmasse。Itwaslikebeinginundatedbyamagenta-pinkwave；breastsandunderwingssoaredaboveherhead，thegreyturnedmagicallytorichpink。IfIhadtoleaveDroghedato-morrow，shethought，neveragaintocomeback，inmydreamsI’dliveDroghedainawashofpinkgalahundersides……Itmustbegettingverydryfartherout；thekangasarecomingin，moreandmoreofthem……Agreatmobofkangaroos，maybetwothousandstrong，wasstartledoutofitsplacidgrazingbythegalahsandtookoffintothedistanceinlong，gracefulleapswhichswallowedtheleaguesfasterthananyotheranimalsavetheemu。Horsescouldn’tkeepupwiththem。
Inbetweenthesedelightfulboutsofnature-studyingshethoughtofRalph，asalways。PrivatelyMeggiehadnevercataloguedwhatshefeltforhimasaschoolgirlcrush，simplycalleditlove，astheydidinbooks。HersymptomsandfeelingswerenodifferentfromthoseofanEthelM。Dellheroine。Nordiditseemfairthatabarrierasartificialashispriesthoodcouldstandbetweenherandwhatshewantedofhim，whichwastohavehimasherhusband。TolivewithhimasDaddydidwithMum，insuchharmonyhewouldadoreherthewayDaddydidMum。IthadneverseemedtoMeggiethathermotherdidverymuchtoearnherfather’sadoration，yetworshipherhedid。SoRalphwouldsoonseethattolivewithherwasfarbetterthanlivingonhisown；forithadnotdawneduponherthatRalph’spriesthoodwassomethinghecouldnotabandonunderanycircumstances。Yes，sheknewitwasforbiddentohaveapriestashusbandorlover，butshehadgotintothehabitofgettingarounditbystrippingRalphofhisreligiousoffice。HerformaleducationinCatholicismhadneveradvancedtodiscussionsofthenatureofpriestlyvows，andshewasnotherselfinneedofreligion，sodidn’tpursueitvoluntarily。Obtainingnosatisfactionfrompraying，MeggieobeyedthelawsoftheChurchsimplybecausenottodosomeantburninginHellthroughouteternity。Inherpresentdaydreamsherambledthroughtheblissoflivingwithhimandsleepingwithhim，asDaddydidwithMum。Thenthethoughtofhisnearnessexcitedher，madehershiftinthesaddlerestlessly；shetranslateditintoadelugeofkisses，havingnoothercriterion。Ridingthepaddockshadn’tadvancedhersexualeducationatall，forthemeresniffofadoginthefardistancedrovealldesiretomateoutofanyanimal’smind，andasonallstations，indiscriminatematingwasnotallowed。Whentheramsweresentamongtheewesofaparticularpaddock，Meggiewasdispatchedelsewhere，andthesightofonedoghumpinganotherwassimplythesignaltoflickthepairwithherwhip，stoptheir\"playing。\"
Perhapsnohumanbeingisequippedtojudgewhichisworse:inchoatelongingwithitsattendantrestlessnessandirritability，orspecificdesirewithitswillfuldrivetoachievethedesire。PoorMeggielonged，quitewhatforshedidn’tknow，butthebasicpullwasthere，anditdraggedherinexorablyinthedirectionofRalphdeBricassart。Soshedreamedofhim，yearnedforhim，wantedhim；andmourned，thatinspiteofhisdeclaredloveforhershemeantsolittletohimthathenevercametoseeher。IntothemiddleofherthoughtsrodePaddy，headingforthehomesteadonthesamecourseasshewas；smiling，shereinedinthechestnutmareandwaitedforhimtocatchup。
\"Whatanicesurprise，\"saidPaddy，walkinghisoldroanbesidehisdaughter’smiddle-agedmare。
\"Yes，itis，\"shesaid。\"Isitdryfartherout？\"
\"Abitworsethanthis，Ithink。Lord，I’veneverseensomanykangas！ItmustbebonedryoutMilparinkaway。MartinKingwastalkingofabigshoot，butIdon’tseehowanarmyofmachinegunscouldreducethenumberofkangasbyenoughtoseethedifference。\"
Hewassonice，sothoughtfulandforgivingandloving；anditwasrarelythatsheeverhadthechancetobewithhimwithoutatleastoneoftheboysinattendance。Beforeshecouldchangehermind，Meggieaskedthedoubtingquestion，theonewhichgnawedandpreyedinspiteofallherinternalreassurances。
\"Daddy，whydoesn’tFatherdeBricassartevercometoseeus？\"\"He’sbusy，Meggie，\"Paddyanswered，buthisvoicehadbecomewary。\"Butevenpriestshaveholidays，don’tthey？HeusedtoloveDroghedaso，I’msurehe’dwanttospendhisholidayshere。？-\"\"Inonewaypriestshaveholidays，Meggie，butinanotherwaythey’reneveroffduty。Forinstance，everydayoftheirlivestheyhavetosayMass，evenifquitealone。IthinkFatherdeBricassartisaverywiseman，andknowsthatit’sneverpossibletogobacktoawayoflifethat’sgone。Forhim，weeMeggie，Drogheda’sabitofthepast。Ifhecameback，itwouldn’tgivehimthesamesortofpleasureitusedto。\"
\"Youmeanhe’sforgottenus，\"shesaiddully。\"No，notreally。Ifhehad，hewouldn’twritesooften，ordemandnewsabouteachofus。\"Heturnedinhissaddle，hisblueeyespitying。\"Ithinkit’sbestthathedoesn’tevercomeback，soIdon’tencouragehimtothinkofitbyinvitinghim。\"
\"Daddy！\"
Paddyplungedintomuddywatersdoggedly。\"Look，Meggie，it’swrongforyoutodreamaboutapriest，andit’stimeyouunderstoodthat。You’vekeptyoursecretprettywell，Idon’tthinkanyoneelseknowshowyoufeelabouthim，butit’stomeyourquestionscome，isn’tit？Notmany，butenough。Nowtakeitfromme，you’vegottostop，hearit？FatherdeBricassarttookholyvowsIknowhehasabsolutelynointentionofbreaking，andyou’vemistakenhisfondnessforyou。Hewasagrownmanwhenhemetyou，andyouwerealittlegirl。Well，that’showhethinksofyou，Meggie，tothisveryday。\"
Shedidn’tanswer，nordidherfacechange。Yes，hethought，she’sFee’sdaughter，allright。
Afterawhileshesaidtautly，\"Buthecouldstopbeingapriest。It’sjustthatIhaven’thadachancetotalktohimaboutit。\"
TheshockonPaddy’sfacewastoogenuinenottobelieveit，soMeggiefounditmoreconvincingthanhiswords，vehementthoughtheywere。\"Meggie！Oh，goodGod，that’stheworstofthisbushexistence！Yououghttobeinschool，mygirl，andifAuntieMaryhaddiedsoonerIwouldhavepackedyouofftoSydneyintimetogetatleastacoupleofyearsunderyourbelt。Butyou’retooold，aren’tyou？Iwouldn’thavethemlaughatyouatyourage，poorweeMeggie。\"Hecontinuedmoregently，spacinghiswordstogivethemasharp，lucidcruelty，thoughitwasnothisintentiontobecruel，onlytodispelillusionsonceandforall。\"FatherdeBricassartisapriest，Meggie。Hecannever，neverstopbeingapriest，understandthat。Thevowshetookaresacred，toosolemntobreak。Onceamanisapriesttherecanbenoturningaway，andhissupervisorsintheseminarymakeabsolutelysurethatheknowswhathe’sswearingbeforehedoes。Amanwhotakesthosevowsknowsbeyondanydoubtthatoncetakentheycan’tbebroken，ever。FatherdeBricassarttookthem，andhe’llneverbreakthem。\"Hesighed。\"Nowyouknow，Meggie，don’tyou？FromthismomentyouhavenoexcusetodaydreamaboutFatherdeBricassart。\"
Theyhadcomeinfromthefrontofthehomestead，sothestableswerecloserthanthestockyards；withoutaword，Meggieturnedthechestnutmaretowardthestables，andleftherfathertocontinuealone。Forawhilehekeptturningaroundtolookafterher，butwhenshehaddisappearedinsidethefencearoundthestableshedughisroanintheribsandfinishedhisrideatacanter，hatinghimselfandthenecessityofsayingwhathehad。Damntheman-womanthing！Itseemedtohaveasetofrulesatvariancewithallothers。
FatherRalphdeBricassart’svoicewasverycold，yetitwaswarmerthanhiseyes，whichneverveeredfromtheyoungpriest’spallidfaceashespokehisstiff，measuredwords。
\"YouhavenotconductedyourselfasOurLordJesusChristdemandsHispriestsconductthemselves。Ithinkyouknowitbetterthanwewhocensureyoucouldeverknowit，butImuststillcensureyouonbehalfofyourArchbishop，whostandstoyounotonlyasafellowpriestbutasyoursuperior。Youowehimperfectobedience，anditisnotyourplacetoarguewithhissentimentsorhisdecisions。
\"Doyoureallyunderstandthedisgraceyou’vebroughtonyourself，onyourparish，andespeciallyontheChurchyoupurporttolovemorethananyhumanbeing？Yourvowofcha/ywasassolemnandbindingasyourothervows，andtobreakitistosingrievously。Youwillneverseethewomanagain，ofcourse，butitbehoovesustoassistyouinyourstrugglestoovercometemptation。ThereforewehavearrangedthatyouleaveimmediatelyfordutyintheparishofDarwin，intheNorthernTerritory。YouwillproceedtoBrisbanetonightontheexpresstrain，andfromthereyouwillproceed，againbytrain，toLongreach。InLongreachyouwillboardaQANTASplaneforDarwin。Yourbelongingsarebeingpackedatthismomentandwillbeontheexpressbeforeitdeparts，sothereisnoneedforyoutoreturntoyourpresentparish。
\"NowgotothechapelwithFatherJohnandpray。Youwillremaininthechapeluntilitistimetojointhetrain。Foryourcomfortandconsolation，FatherJohnwilltravelwithyoutoDarwin。Youaredismissed。\"Theywerewiseandaware，thepriestsinadministration；theywouldpermitthesinnernoopportunitytohavefurthercontactwiththeyounggirlhehadtakenashismistress。Ithadbecomethescandalofhispresentparish，andveryembarrassing。Asforthegirl——letherwait，andwatch，andwonder。FromnowuntilhearrivedinDarwinhewouldbewatchedbytheexcellentFatherJohn，whohadhisorders，thenafterthateveryletterhesentfromDarwinwouldbeopened，andhewouldnotbeallowedtomakeanylong-distancephonecalls。Shewouldneverknowwherehehadgone，andhewouldneverbeabletotellher。Norwouldhebegivenanychancetotakeupwithanothergirl。Dar-winwasafrontiertown；womenwerealmostnonexistent。Hisvowswereabsolute，hecouldneverbereleasedfromthem；ifhewastooweaktopolicehimself，theChurchmustdoitforhim。
Afterhehadwatchedtheyoungpriestandhisappointedwatchdoggofromtheroom，FatherRalphgotupfromhisdeskandwalkedthroughtoaninnerchamber。ArchbishopClunyDarkwassittinginhiscustomarychair，andatrightanglestohimanothermaninpurplesashandskullcapsatquietly。TheArchbishopwasabigman，withashockofbeautifulwhitehairandintenselyblueeyes；hewasavitalsortoffellow，withakeensenseofhumorandagreatloveofthetable。Hisvisitorwasquitetheantithesis；smallandthin，afewsparsestrandsofblackhairaroundhisskullcapandbeneaththemanangular，asceticface，asallowskinwithaheavybeardshadow，andlargedarkeyes。Inagehemighthavebeenanywherebetweenthirtyandfifty，butinactualfacthewasthirty-nine，threeyearsolderthanFatherRalphdeBricassart。
\"Sitdown，Father，haveacupoftea，\"saidtheArch-bishopheartily。\"Iwasbeginningtothinkwe’dhavetosendforafreshpot。Didyoudismisstheyoungmanwithasuitableadmonitiontomendhisconduct？\"
\"Yes，YourGrace，\"saidFatherRalphbriefly，andseatedhimselfinthethirdchairaroundtheteatable，loadedwithwafer-thincucumbersandwiches，pinkandwhiteicedfairycakes，hotbutteredsconeswithcrystaldishesofjamandwhippedcream，asilverteaserviceandAynsleychinacupswashedwithadelicatecoatingofgoldleaf。
\"Suchincidentsareregrettable，mydearArchbishop，butevenwewhoareordainedthepriestsofOurDearLordareweak，all-too-humancreatures。Ifinditinmyhearttopityhimdeeply，andIshallpraytonightthathefindsmorestrengthinthefuture，\"thevisitorsaid。Hisaccentwasdistinctlyforeign，hisvoicesoft，withahintofsibilanceinitsso’s。BynationalityhewasItalian，bytitlehewasHisGracetheArchbishopPapalLegatetotheAustralianCatholicChurch，andbynamehewasVittorioScarbanzadiContini-Verchese。HiswasthedelicateroleofprovidingalinkbetweentheAustralianhierarchyandtheVaticannervecenter；whichmeanthewasthemostimportantpriestinthissectionoftheworld。
Before。beinggiventhisappointmenthehadofcoursehopedfortheUnitedStatesofAmerica，butonthinkingaboutithedecidedAustraliawoulddoverynicely。Ifinpopulationthoughnotinareaitwasamuchsmallercountry，itwasalsofarmoreCatholic。UnliketherestoftheEnglish-speakingworld，itwasnosocialcomedowninAustraliatobeCatholic，nohandicaptoanaspiringpoliticianorbusinessmanorjudge。Anditwasarichcountry，itsupportedtheChurchwell。NoneedtofearhewouldbeforgottenbyRomewhilehewasinAustralia。TheArchbishopPapalLegatewasalsoaverysubtleman，andhiseyesoverthegoldrimofhisteacupwerefixednotonArchbishopClunyDarkbutonFather
RalphdeBricassart，soontobecomehisownsecretary。ThatArchbishopDarklikedthepriestenormouslywasawell-knownfact，buttheArchbishopPapalLegatewaswonderinghowwellhewasgoingtolikesuchaman。Theywereallsobig，theseIrish-Australianpriests，theytoweredfarabovehim；hewassowearyofforeverhavingtotilthisheaduptoseetheirfaces。FatherdeBricassart’smannertohispresentmasterwasperfect:light，easy，respectfulbutman-to-man，fullofhumor。Howwouldheadjusttoworkingforafardifferentmaster？ItwascustomarytoappointtheLegatalsecretaryfromtheranksoftheItalianChurch，butFatherRalphdeBricassartheldgreatinterestfortheVatican。Notonlydidhehavethecuriousdistinctionofbeingpersonallyrich(contrarytopopularopinion，hissuperiorswerenotempoweredtotakehismoneyfromhim，andhehadnotvolunteeredtohanditover)，buthehadsingle-handedlybroughtagreatfortuneintotheChurch。SotheVaticanhaddecidedthattheArchbishopPapalLegatewastotakeFatherdeBricassartashissecretary，tostudytheyoungmanandfindoutexactlywhathewaslike。
OnedaytheHolyFatherwouldhavetorewardtheAustralianChurchwithacardinal’sbiretta，butitwouldnotbeyet。ThereforeitwasuptohimtostudypriestsinFatherdeBricassart’sagegroup，andoftheseFatherdeBricassartwasclearlytheleadingcandidate。Sobeit。LetFatherdeBricassarttryhismettleagainstanItalianforawhile。Itmightbeinteresting。Butwhycouldn’tthemanhavebeenjustalittlesmaller？AshesippedhisteagratefullyFatherRalphwasunusuallyquiet。TheArchbishopPapalLegatenoticedthatheateasmallsandwichtriangleandeschewedtheotherdelicacies，butdrankfourcupsofteathirstily，addingneithersugarnormilk。Well，thatwaswhathisreportsaid；inhispersonallivinghabitsthepriestwasremarkablyabstemious，hisonlyweaknessbeingagood(andveryfast)car。
\"YournameisFrench，Father，\"saidtheArchbishopPapalLegatesoftly，\"butIunderstandyouareanIrishman。Howcomesthisphenomenon？WasyourfamilyFrench，then？\"
FatherRalphshookhishead，smiling。\"It’saNormanname，YourGrace，veryoldandhonorable。IamadirectdescendantofoneRanulfdeBricassart，whowasabaroninthecourtofWilliamtheConqueror。In1066hecametoinvadeEnglandwithWilliam，andoneofhissonstookEnglishland。ThefamilyprosperedundertheNormankingsofEngland，andlateronsomeofthemcrossedtheIrishSeaduringthetimeofHenrytheFourth，andsettledwithinthePale。WhenHenrytheEighthremovedtheEnglishChurchfromRome’sauthoritywekeptthefaithofWilliam，whichmeantwefeltweowedourfirstallegiancetoRome，nottoLondon。ButwhenCromwellsetuptheCommonwealthwelostourlandsandtitles，andtheywereneverrestoredtous。CharleshadEnglishfavoritestorewardwithIrishland。Itisnotcauseless，youknow，theIrishhatredoftheEnglish。
\"However，wedescendedtorelativeobscurity，stillloyaltotheChurch，andtoRome。MyolderbrotherhasasuccessfulstudfarminCountyMeath，andhopestobreedaDerbyoraGrandNationalwinner。Iamthesecondson，andithasalwaysbeenafamilytraditionthatthesecondsonembracetheChurchifhefeelsthewishforit。I’mveryproudofmynameandmylineage，youknow。ForfifteenhundredyearstherehavebeendeBricassarts。\"Ah，thatwasgood！Anold，aristocraticnameandaperfectrecordofkeepingthefaiththroughemigrationsandpersecutions。\"AndtheRalph？\"
\"AconstrictionofRanulf，YourGrace。\"
\"Isee。\"
\"I’mgoingtomissyougreatly，Father，\"saidArch-
bishopClunyDark，pilingjamandwhippedcreamonhalfasconeandpoppingitwholeintohismouth。
FatherRalphlaughedathim。\"Youplacemeinadilemma，YourGrace！HereIamseatedbetweenmyoldmasterandmynew，andifIanswertopleaseone，Imustdispleasetheother。ButmayIsayIshallmissYourGrace，whilelookingforwardtoservingYourGrace？\"
Itwaswellsaid，adiplomat’sanswer。ArchbishopdiContini-Verchesebegantothinkhemightdowellwithsuchasecretary。Buttoogood-lookingbyfar，withthosefinefeatures，thestrikingcoloring，themagnificentbody。FatherRalphlapsedbackintosilence，staringattheteatablewithoutseeingit。Hewasseeingtheyoungpriesthehadjustdisciplined，thelookinthosealreadytormentedeyesasherealizedtheywerenotevengoingtolethimsaygoodbyetohisgirl。DearGod，whatifithadbeenhim，andthegirlMeggie？Onecouldgetawaywithitforawhileifonewasdiscreet；foreverifonelimitedwomentotheyearlyvacationawayfromtheparish。Butletaseriousdevotiontoonewomanenterthepictureandtheywouldinevitablyfindout。
ThereweretimeswhenonlykneelingonthemarblefloorofthepalacechapeluntilhewasstiffwithphysicalpainpreventedhimfromcatchingthenexttrainbacktoGillyandDrogheda。Hehadtoldhimselfthathewassimplythevictimofloneliness，thathemissedthehumanaffectionhehadknownonDrogheda。HetoldhimselfnothinghadchangedwhenheyieldedtoapassingweaknessandkissedMeggieback；thathisloveforherwasstilllocatedinrealmsoffancyanddelight，thatithadnotpassedintoadifferentworldwhichhadadistracting，disturbingwholenesstoittheearlierdreamshadnot。Forhecouldn’tadmitanythinghadchanged，andhekeptMeggieinhismindasalittlegirl，shuttingoutanyvisionswhichmightcontradictthis。
Hehadbeenwrong。Thepaindidn’tfade。Itseemedtogrowworse，andinacolder，uglierway。Before，hislonelinesshadbeenanimpersonalthing，hehadneverbeenabletosaytohimselfthatthepresenceinhislifeofanyonebeingcouldremedyit。Butnowlonelinesshadaname:Meggie。Meggie，Meggie，Meggie……
HecameoutofhisreverietofindArchbishopdiContini-Verchesestaringathimunwinkingly，andthoselargedarkeyeswerefarmoredangerouslyomniscientthantheroundvividorbsofhispresentmaster。Fartoointelligenttopretendtherewasnothingcausinghisbrownstudy，FatherRalphgavehismaster-to-beaspenetratingalookashewasreceiving，thensmiledfaintlyandshruggedhisshoulders，asiftosay:Everymanhassadnessinhim，anditisnosintorememberagrief。\"Tellme，Father，hasthesuddenslumpineconomicaffairsaffectedyourcharge？\"theItalianprelateaskedsmoothly。
\"Sofarwehavenothingtoworryabout，YourGrace。MicharLimitedisn’teasilyaffectedbyauctuationsinthemarket。IshouldimaginethosewhosefortunesarelesscarefullyinvestedthanMrs。Carson’saretheoneswhostandtolosethemost。OfcoursethestationDroghedawon’tdoaswell；thepriceofwoolisfalling。However，Mrs。Carsonwastooclevertosinkhermoneyintoruralpursuits；shepreferredthesolidityofmetal。Thoughtomymindthisisanexcellenttimetobuyland，notonlystationsinthecountrybuthousesandbuildingsinthemajorcities。Pricesareridiculouslylow，buttheycan’tremainlowforever。Idon’tseehowwecanloseonrealestateinyearstocomeifwebuynow。TheDepressionwillbeoveroneday。\"\"Quite，\"saidtheArchbishopPapalLegate。SonotonlywasFatherdeBricassartsomethingofadiplomat，hewasalsosomethingofabusinessmanaswell！TrulyRomehadbetterkeephereyeuponhim。
Butitwas1930，andDroghedaknewallabouttheDepression。MenwereoutofworkalloverAustralia。Thosewhocouldstoppedpayingrentandtyingthem-selvesdowntothefutilityoflookingforworkwhentherewasnone。Lefttofendalone，wivesandchildrenlivedinhumpiesonmunicipallandandqueuedforthedole；fathersandhusbandshadgonetramping。Amanstowedhisfewessentialsinsidehisblanket，tieditwiththongsandslungitacrosshisbackbeforesettingoutonthetrack，hopingatleastforhandoutsoffoodfromthestationshecrossed，ifnotemployment。HumpingablueythroughtheOutbackbeatsleepingintheSydneyDomain。
Thepriceoffoodwaslow，andPaddystockedtheDroghedapantriesandstorehousestooverflowing。AmancouldalwaysbesureofhavinghistuckerbagfilledwhenhearrivedonDrogheda。Thestrangethingwasthattheparadeofdriftersconstantlychanged；oncefullofagoodhotmealandloadedwithprovisionsforthetrack，theymadenoattempttoremain，butwanderedoninsearchofonlytheyknewwhat。NoteveryplacewasashospitableorgenerousasDroghedabyanymeans，whichonlyaddedtothepuzzleofwhymenonthetrackseemednottowanttostay。Perhapsthewearinessandthepurposelessnessofhavingnohome，noplacetogo，madethemcontinuetodrift。Mostmanagedtolive，somediedandiffoundwereburiedbeforethecrowsandpigspickedtheirbonesclean。TheOutbackwasahugeplace，andlonely。
ButStuartwaspermanentlyinresidenceagain，andtheshotgunwasneverfarfromthecookhousedoor。Goodstockmenwereeasytocomeby，andPaddyhadninesinglemenonhisbooksintheoldjackaroobarracks，soStuartcouldbesparedfromthepaddocks。Feestoppedkeepingcashlyingabout，andhadStuartmakeacamouflagedcupboardforthesafebehindthechapelaltar。Fewoftheswaggieswerebadmen。Badmenpreferredtostayinthecitiesandthebigcountrytowns，forlifeonthetrackwastoopure，toolonelyandscantofpickingsforbadmen。YetnooneblamedPaddyfornotwantingtotakechanceswithhiswomen；Droghedawasaveryfamousname，andmightconceivablyattractwhatfewundesirablestherewereonthetrack。Thatwinterbroughtbadstorms，somedry，somewet，andthefollowingspringandsummerbroughtrainsoheavythatDroghedagrassgrewlusherandlongerthanever。
JimsandPatsywereplowingthroughtheircorrespondencelessonsatMrs。Smith’skitchentable，andchatterednowofwhatitwouldbelikewhenitwastimetogotoRiverview，theirboardingschool。ButMrs。SmithwouldgrowsosharpandsouratsuchtalkthattheylearnednottospeakofleavingDroghedawhenshewaswithinhearingdistance。
Thedryweathercameback；thethigh-highgrassdriedoutcompletelyandbakedtoasilvercrispinarainlesssummer。Inuredbytenyears。oftheblack-soilplainstothehey-ho，upwego，hey-ho，downwegooscillationsofdroughtandflood，themenshruggedandwentabouteachdayasifitweretheonlyonethatcouldevermatter。Thiswastrue；themainbusinesswasessentiallytosurvivebetweenonegoodyearandthenext，wheneveritmightbe。Noonecouldpredicttherain。TherewasamaninBrisbanecalledInigoJoneswhowasn’tbadatlong-rangeweatherpredictions，usinganovelconceptofsunspotactivity，butoutontheblack-soilplainsnooneputmuchcredenceinwhathehadtosay。LetSydneyandMelbournebridespetitionhimforforecasts；theblack-soilplainsmenwouldstickwiththatoldsensationintheirbones。Inthewinterof1932thedrystormscameback，alongwithbittercold，butthelushgrasskeptdusttoaminimumandthefliesweren’tasnumerousasusual。Noconsolationtothefreshlyshornsheep，whichshiveredmiserably。Mrs。DominicO’Rourke，wholivedinawoodenhouseofnoparticulardistinction，adoredtoentertainvisitorsfromSydney；oneofthehighlightsofhertourprogramwaspayingacallatDroghedahomestead，toshowhervisitorsthatevenoutontheblack-soilplainssomepeoplelivedgraciously。Andthesubjectwouldalwaysturntothoseskinny，drowned-ratlookingsheep，lefttofacethewinterminusthefive-andsix-inch-longfleecestheywouldhavegrownbythetimesummerheatarrived。But，asPaddysaidgravelytoonesuchvisitor，itmadeforbetterwool。Thewoolwasthething，notthesheep。NotlongafterhemadethatstatementaletterappearedintheSydneyMorningHerald，demandingpromptparliamentarylegislationtoendwhatitcalled\"graziercruelty。\"PoorMrs。O’Rourkewashorrified，butPaddylaugheduntilhissidesached。
\"Justaswellthesillyblokeneversawashearerripupasheep’sbellyandsewitwithabalingneedle，\"hecomfortedtheembarrassedMrs。O’Rourke。\"It’snotworthgettingupsetabout，Mrs。Dominic。Downinthecitytheydon’tknowhowtheotherhalflives，andtheycanaffordtheluxuryofdotingontheiranimalsasiftheywerechildren。Outhereit’sdifferent。You’llneverseeman，womanorchildinneedofhelpgoignoredouthere，yetinthecitythosesamepeoplewhodoteontheirpetswillcompletelyignoreacryofhelpfromahumanbeing。\"
Feelookedup。\"He’sright，Mrs。Dominic，\"shesaid。\"Weallhavecontemptforwhateverthere’stoomanyof。Outhereit’ssheep，butinthecityit’speople。\"
OnlyPaddywasfarafieldthatdayinAugustwhenthebigstormbroke。Hegotdownfromhishorse，tiedtheanimalsecurelytoatreeandsatbeneathawilgatowaititout。Shiveringinfear，hisfivedogshuddledtogethernearhim，whilethesheephehadbeenintendingtotransfertoanotherpaddockscatteredintojumpylittlegroupstrottingaimlesslyinalldirections。Anditwasaterriblestorm，reservingtheworstofitsfuryuntilthecenterofthemaelstromwasdirectlyoverhead。Paddystuffedhisfingersinhisears，shuthiseyesandprayed。
Notfarfromwherehesatwiththedown-droppingwilgaleavesclashingrestlesslyintherisingwindwasasmallcollectionofdeadstumpsandlogssurroundedbytallgrass。Inthemiddleofthewhite，skeletalheapwasonemassivedeadgum，itsbarebodysoaringfortyfeettowardthenight-blackclouds，spindlingatitstopintoasharp，jaggedpoint。AblossomingbluefiresobrightitsearedhiseyesthroughtheirclosedlidsmadePaddyjumptohisfeet，onlytobethrowndownlikeatoyintheheaveofahugeexplosion。Heliftedhisfacefromtheearthtoseethefinalgloryofthelightningboltplayingshimmeringhalosofglaringblueandpurpleallupanddownthedeadspearofgumtree；then，soquicklyhehardlyhadtimetounderstandwhatwashappening，everythingcaughtfire。Thelastdropofmoisturehadlongsinceevaporatedfromthetissuesofthatdecayedcluster，andthegrasseverywherewaslonganddryaspaper。Likesomedefiantansweroftheearthtothesky，thegianttreeshotapillarofflamefarbeyonditstip，thelogsandstumpsarounditwentupatthesamemoment，andinacirclefromaroundthecentergreatsheetsoffiresweptintheswirlingwind，roundandroundandround。Paddyhadnoteventimetoreachhishorse。
Theparchedwilgacaughtandthegumresinatitstenderheartexplodedoutward。ThereweresolidwallsoffireineverydirectionPaddylooked；thetreeswereburningfiercelyandthegrassbeneathhisfeetwasroaringintoflames。Hecouldhearhishorsescreamingandhisheartwentouttoit；hecouldnotleavethepoorbeasttodietiedupandhelpless。Adoghowled，itshowlchangingtoashriekofagonyalmosthuman。Foramomentitflaredanddanced，alivingtorch，thensubsidedintotheblazinggrass。Morehowlsastheotherdogs，fleeing，wereenvelopedbytheracingfire，fasterinthegalethananythingonfootorwing。Astreamingmeteorscorchedhishairashestoodforamilliseconddebatingwhichwaywasthebesttogettohishorse；helookeddowntoseeagreatcockatooroastingathisfeet。SuddenlyPaddyknewthiswastheend。Therewasnowayoutoftheinfernoforhimselforhishorse。Evenashethoughtit，adesiccatedstringybarkbehindhimshotflamesineverydirection；theguminitexploding。TheskinonPaddy’sarmshriveledandblackened，thehairofhisheaddimmedatlastbysomethingbrighter。Todiesoisindescribable；forfireworksitswayfromoutsidetoin。Thelastthingsthatgo，finallycookedtothepointofnonfunction，arebrainandheart。Hisclothesonfire，Paddycaperedscreamingandscreamingthroughtheholocaust。Andeveryawfulcrywashiswife’sname。
AlltheothermenmadeitbacktoDroghedahomesteadaheadofthestorm，turnedtheirmountsintothestockyardandheadedforeitherthebighouseorthejackaroobarracks。InFee’sbrightlylitdrawingroomwithalogfireroaringinthecream-and-pinkmarblefireplacetheClearyboyssatlisteningtothestorm，nottemptedthesedaystogooutsideandwatchit。Thebeautifulpungentsmellofburningeucalyptuswoodinthegrateandtheheapedcakesandsandwichesontheafternoonteatrolleyweretooalluring。NooneexpectedPaddytomakeitin。
Aboutfouro’clockthecloudsrolledawaytotheeast，andeveryoneunconsciouslybreathedeasier；somehowitwasimpossibletorelaxduringadrystorm，eventhougheverybuildingonDroghedawasequippedwithalightningconductor。JackandBobgotupandwentoutsidetogetalittlefreshair，theysaid，butinrealitytoreleasepentbreath。\"Look！\"saidBob，pointingwestward。
AbovethetreesthatringedtheHomePaddockround，agreatbronzepallofsmokewasgrowing，itsmarginstorntotatteredstreamersinthehighwind。\"GodJesus！\"Jackcried，runninginsidetothetelephone。\"Fire，fire！\"heshoutedintothereceiver，whilethosestillinsidetheroomturnedtogapeathim，thenranoutsidetosee。\"FireonDrogheda，andabigone！\"Thenhehungup；itwasallheneededtosaytotheGillyswitchandtothosealongthelinewhohabituallypickedupwhenthefirsttinklecame。ThoughtherehadnotbeenabigfireintheGillydistrictsincetheClearyshadcometoDrogheda，everyoneknewtheroutine。Theboysscatteredtogethorses，andthestockmenwerepilingoutofthejackaroobarracks，whileMrs。Smithunlockedoneofthestorehousesanddoledouthessianbagsbythedozen。Thesmokewasinthewestandthewindwasblowingfromthatdirection，whichmeantthefirewouldbeheadingforthehomestead。FeetookoffherlongskirtandputonapairofPaddy’spants，thenranwithMeggieforthestables；everypairofhandscapableofholdingabagwouldbeneeded。
InthecookhouseMrs。Smithstokeduptherangefireboxandthemaidsbeganbringingdownhugepotsfromtheirceilinghooks。\"Justaswellwekilledasteeryesterday，\"saidthehousekeeper。\"Minnie，here’sthekeytotheliquorstorehouse。YouandCatfetchallthebeerandrumwe’vegot，thenstartmakingdamperbreadwhileIcarryonwiththestew。Andhurry，hurry！\"
Thehorses，unsettledbythestorm，hadsmelledsmokeandwerehardtosaddle；FeeandMeggiebackedthetwotrampling，restivethoroughbredsoutsidethestableintotheyardtotacklethembetter。AsMeggiewrestledwiththechestnutmaretwoswaggiescamepoundingdownthetrackfromtheGillyroad。
\"Fire，Missus，fire！Gotacoupleofsparehorses？Giveusafewbags。\"\"Downthatwaytothestockyards。DearGod，Ihopenoneofyouarecaughtoutthere！\"saidMeggie，whodidn’tknowwhereherfatherwas。ThetwomengrabbedhessianbagsandwaterbagsfromMrs。Smith；Bobandthemenhadbeengonefiveminutes。Thetwoswaggiesfollowed，andlasttoleave，FeeandMeggierodeatagallopdowntothecreek，acrossitandawaytowardthesmoke。
BehindthemTom，thegardenrouseabout，finishedfillingthebigwatertruckfromthebore-drainpump，thenstartedtheengine。Notthatanyamountofwatershortofadownpourfromtheskywouldhelpputoutafirethisbig，buthewouldbeneededtokeepthebagsdamp，andthepeoplewieldingthem。Asheshovedthetruckdownintobottomgeartogrindupthefarcreekbankhelookedbackforamomentattheemptyheadstockman’shouse，thetwovacanthousesbeyondit；therewasthehomestead’ssoftunderbelly，theonlyplacewhereflammablethingscamecloseenoughtothetreesonthefarsideofthecreektocatch。OldTomlookedwestward，shookhisheadinsuddendecision，andmanagedtogetthetruckbackacrossthecreekandupthenearbankinreverse。They’dneverstopthatfireoutinthepaddocks；they’dreturn。Ontopofthegullyandjustbesidetheheadstockman’shouse，inwhichhehadbeencamping，heattachedthehosetothetankandbegansaturatingthebuilding，thenpassedbeyondittothetwosmallerdwellings，hosedthemdown。Thiswaswherehecouldhelpthemost；keepthosethreehomessowetthey’dnevercatch。
AsMeggierodebesideFeetheominouscloudinthewestgrew，andstrongerandstrongeronthewindcamethesmellofburning。Itwasgrowingdark；creaturesfleeingfromthewestcamethickerandthickeracrossthepaddock，kangaroosandwildpigs，frightenedsheepandcattle，emusandgoannas，rabbitsbythethousands。Bobwasleavingthegatesopen，shenoticedassherodefromBoreheadintoBilla-Billa；everypaddockonDroghedahadaname。Butsheepweresostupidtheywouldblunderintoafenceandstopthreefeetfromanopengate，neverseeit。Thefirehadgonetenmileswhentheyreachedit，anditwasspreadinglaterallyaswell，alongafrontexpandingwitheverysecond。Asthelongdrygrassandthehighwindtookitleapingfromtimberstandtotimberstandtheysattheirfrightened，jobbinghorsesandlookedintothewesthelplessly。Nousetryingtostopithere；anarmycouldn’tstopithere。Theywouldhavetogobacktothehomesteadanddefendthatiftheycould。Alreadythefrontwasfivemileswide；iftheydidn’tpushtheirwearymountstheytoowouldbecaught，andpassed。Toobadforthesheep，toobad。Butitcouldn’tbehelped。
OldTomwasstillhosingthehousesbythecreekwhentheyclatteredthroughthethinblanketofwaterontheford。
\"Goodbloke，Tom！\"Bobshouted。\"Keepitupuntilitgetstoohottostay，thengetoutinplentyoftime，hearme？Norashheroism；you’remoreimportantthansomebitsofwoodandglass。\"
Thehomesteadgroundswerefullofcars，andmoreheadlightswerebouncingandglaringdowntheroadfromGilly；alargegroupofmenstoodwaitingforthemasBobturnedintothehorseyards。
\"Howbigisit，Bob？\"MartinKingasked。
\"Toobigtofight，Ithink，\"saidBobdespairingly。\"Ireckonit’saboutfivemileswideandinthiswindit’stravelingalmostasfastasahorsecangallop。Idon’tknowifwecansavethehomestead，butIthinkHorryoughttogetreadytodefendhisplace。He’sgoingtogetitnext，becauseIdon’tseehowwecaneverstopit。\"Well，we’reoverdueforabigfire。Thelastbigonewasin1919。I’llorganizeapartytogotoBeel-Beel，butthereareplentyofusandmorecoming。Gillycanputoutclosetofivehundredmentofightafire。Someofuswillstayheretohelp。ThankGodI’mwestofDroghedaisallIcansay。\"Bobgrinned。\"You’reabloodycomfort，Martin。\"
Martinlookedaround。\"Where’syourfather，Bob？\"\"Westofthefire，likeBugela。HewasoutinWilgamusteringsomeewesforthelambing，andWilga’satleastfivemileswestofwherethefirestarted，Ireckon。\"
\"Noothermenyou’reworriedabout？\"
\"Nottoday，thankheavens。\"
Inawayitwaslikebeinginawar，Meggiethoughtassheenteredthehouse:acontrolledspeed，aconcernforfoodanddrink，thekeepingupofone’sstrengthandcourage。Andthethreatofimminentdisaster。AsmoremenarrivedtheywenttojointhosealreadyintheHomePaddock，cuttingdownthefewtreesthathadsprungupclosetothecreekbank，andclearingawayanyoverlonggrassontheperimeter。MeggierememberedthinkingwhenshefirstarrivedonDroghedahowmuchprettiertheHomePaddockmighthavebeen，forcomparedtothewealthoftimberallaroundit，itwasbareandbleak。Nowsheunderstoodwhy。TheHomePaddockwasnothinglessthanagiganticcircularfirebreak。
EveryonetalkedofthefiresGillyhadseeninitsseventy-oddyearsofexistence。Curiouslyenough，fireswereneveramajorthreatduringprolongeddrought，becausetherewasn’tsufficientgrassthentokeepafiregoingfar。Itwastimeslikethis，ayearortwoafterheavyrainhadmadethegrassgrowsolongandtinderlush，thatGillysawitsbigfires，theoneswhichsometimesburnedoutofcontrolforhundredsofmiles。MartinKinghadtakenchargeofthethreehundredmenremainingtodefendDrogheda。Hewastheseniorgrazierofthedistrict，andhadfoughtfiresforfiftyyears。\"I’vegot150，000acresonBugela，\"hesaid，\"andin1905Ilosteverysheepandeverytreeontheplace。Ittookmefifteenyearstorecover，andIthoughtforawhileIwouldn’t，becausewoolwasn’tfetchingmuchinthosedays，norwasbeef。\"
Thewindwasstillhowling，thesmellofburningwaseverywhere。Nighthadfallen，butthewesternskywaslittounholybrillianceandloweringsmokewasbeginningtomakethemcough。Notlongafterwardtheysawthefirstflames，vasttonguesleapingandwrithingahundredfeetintothesmoke，andaroaringcametotheirearslikeahugecrowdoverexcitedatafootballgame。ThetreesonthewesternsideofthetimberringingtheHomePaddockcaughtandwentupinasolidsheetoffire；asMeggiewatchedpetrifiedfromthehomesteadverandashecouldseelittlepygmysilhouettesofmenoutlinedagainstthem，jumpingandcavortinglikeanguishedsoulsinHell。\"Meggie，willyougetinhereandstackthoseplatesonthesideboard，girl！We’renotatapicnic，youknow！\"camehermother’svoice。Sheturnedawayreluctantly。
Twohourslaterthefirstrelayofexhaustedmenstaggeredintosnatchfoodanddrink，gatheruptheirwaningstrengthtogobackandfighton。Forthishadthestationwomentoiled，tomakesuretherewasstewanddamperbread，teaandrumandbeeraplenty，evenforthreehundredmen。Inafire，everyonedidwhatheorshewasbestequippedtodo，andthatmeantthewomencookedtokeepupthesuperiorphysicalstrengthofthemen。Caseaftercaseofliquoremptiedandwasreplacedbynewcases；blackfromsootandreelingwithfatigue，themenstoodtodrinkcopiouslyandstuffhugechunksofdamperintotheirmouths，gobbledownaplatefulofstewwhenithadcooled，gulpalasttumblerofrum，thenoutagaintothefire。
InbetweentripstothecookhouseMeggiewatchedthefire，awedandterrified。Initswayithadabeautybeyondthebeautyofanythingearthly，foritwasathingoftheskies，ofsunssofarawaytheirlightcamecoldly，ofGodandtheDevil。Thefronthadgallopedoneastward，theywerecompletelysurroundednow，andMeggiecouldpickoutdetailstheundefinedholocaustofthefrontdidnotpermit。Nowtherewereblackandorangeandredandwhiteandyellow；atalltreeinblacksilhouetterimmedwithanorangecrustthatsimmeredandglowered；redembersfloatingandpirouettinglikefrolicsomephantomsintheairabove；yellowpulsationsfromtheexhaustedheartsofburned-outtrees；ashowerofspinningcrimsonsparksasagumexploded；suddenlicksoforange-and-whiteflamesfromsomethingthathadresisteduntilnow，andfinallyyieldeditsbeingtothefire。Oh，yes，itwasbeautifulinthenight；shewouldcarrythememoryofitallherlife。Asuddenincreaseinthewindvelocitysentallthewomenupthewistariaboughsontothesilverironroofmuffledinbags，forallthemenwereoutintheHomePaddock。Armedwithwetbags，theirhandsandkneesscorchedeventhroughthebagstheywore，theybeatoutembersonthefryingroof，terrifiedtheironmightgivewayunderthecoals，dropflamingpiecesdownintothewoodenstrutsbelow。ButtheworstofthefirewastenmileseastwardonBeel-Beel。
Droghedahomesteadwasonlythreemilesfromtheeasternboundaryoftheproperty，itbeingclosesttoGilly。Beel-Beeladjoinedit，andbeyondthatfarthereastlayNarrengang。Whenthewindpickedupfromfortytosixtymilesanhourthewholedistrictknewnothingbutraincouldpreventthefireburningonforweeks，andlayingwastetohundredsofsquaremilesofprimeland。
Throughtheworstoftheblazethehousesbythecreekhadendured，withTomlikeamanpossessedfillinghistanktruck，hosing，fillingagain，hosingagain。Butthemomentthewindincreasedthehouseswentup，andTomretreatedinthetruck，weeping。
\"You’dbettergetdownonyourkneesandthankGodthewinddidn’tpickupwhilethefrontwastothewestofus，\"saidMartinKing。\"Ifithad，notonlywouldthehomesteadhavegone，butusaswell。GodJesus，Ihopethey’reallrightonBeel-Beel！\"
Feehandedhimabigglassofneatrum；hewasnotayoungman，buthehadfoughtaslongasitwasneeded，anddirectedoperationswithamaster’stouch。
\"It’ssilly，\"shesaidtohim，\"butwhenitlookedasifitallmightgoIkeptthinkingofthemostpeculiarthings。Ididn’tthinkofdying，orofthechildren，orofthisbeautifulhouseinruins。AllIcouldthinkofweremysewingbasket，myhalf-doneknitting，theboxofoddbuttonsI’dbeensavingforyears，myheart-shapedcakepansFrankmademeyearsago。HowcouldIsurvivewithoutthem？Allthelittlethings，youknow，thethingswhichcan’tbereplaced，orboughtinashop。\"
\"That’showmostwomenthink，asamatteroffact。Funny，isn’tit，howthemindreacts？Irememberin1905mywiferunningbackintothehousewhileIyelledafterherlikeamadman，justtogetatambourwithabitoffancyworkonit。\"Hegrinned。\"Butwegotoutintime，thoughwelostthehouse。WhenIbuiltthenewplace，thefirstthingshedidwasfinishthefancywork。Itwasoneofthoseold-fashionedsamplers，youknowthesortImean。Anditsaid\"HomeSweetHome。\"\"Heputdowntheemptyglass，shakinghisheadoverthestrangenessofwomen。\"Imustgo。GarethDaviesisgoingtoneedusonNarrengang，andunlessImissmyguesssowillAngusonRudnaHunish。\"Feewhitened。\"Oh，Martin！Sofaraway？\"
\"Theword’sout，Fee。BoorooandBourkearerallying。
Forthreedaysmorethefirerampagedeastwardonafrontthatkeptwideningandwidening，thencameasuddenheavyfallofrainthatlastedfornearlyfourdays，andquenchedeverylastcoal。Butithadgoneoverahundredmilesandlaidacharred，blackenedpathtwentymileswidefrommidwayoutacrossDroghedatotheboundaryofthelastpropertyintheGillanbonedistricteastward，RudnaHunish。UntilitbegantorainnooneexpectedtohearfromPaddy，fortheythoughthimsafelyonthefarsideof，theburnedzone，cutofffromthembyheatinthegroundandthestill-flaringtrees。Hadthefirenotbroughtthetelephonelinedown，BobthoughttheywouldhavegotacallfromMartinKing，foritwaslogicalthatPaddywouldstrikewestwardforshelteratBugelahomestead。Butwhentherainhadbeenfallingforsixhoursandtherewasstillnosignofhim，theybegantoworry。Foralmostfourdaystheyhadbeenassuringthemselvescontinuallythattherewasnoreasontobeanxious，thatofcoursehewasjustcutoff，andhaddecidedtowaituntilhecouldheadforhisownhomeratherthangotoBugela。
\"Heoughttobeinbynow，\"saidBob，pacingupanddownthedrawingroomwhiletheotherswatched；theironyofitwasthattherainhadbroughtadankchillintotheair，andoncemoreabrightfireburnedinthemarblehearth。
\"Whatdoyouthink，Bob？\"Jackasked。
\"Ithinkit’shightimewewentlookingforhim。Hemightbehurt，orhemightbeonfootandfacingalongwalkhome。Hishorsemighthavepanickedandthrownhim，hemightbelyingsomewhereunabletowalk。Hehadfoodforovernight，butnothinglikeenoughforfourdays，thoughhewon’thavepassedoutfromstarvationyet。Bestnottocreateafussjustnow，soIwon’trecallthemenfromNarrengang。Butifwedon’tfindhimbynightfallI’llridetoDominic’sandwe’llgetthewholedistrictouttomorrow。Lord，IwishthosePMGblokeswouldgetamoveonwiththosephonelines！\"Feewastrembling，hereyesfeverish，almostsavage。
\"I’llputonapairoftrousers，\"shesaid。\"Ican’tbeartositherewaiting。\"
\"Mum，stayhome！\"Bobpleaded。
\"Ifhe’shurtitmightbeanywhere，Bob，andhemightbeinanysortofcondition。YousentthestockmentoNarrengang，andthatleavesusmightyshortforasearchparty。IfIgopairedwithMeggiethetwoofuswillbestrongenoughtogethertocopewithwhateverwefind，butifMeggiegoesonherownshe’llhavetosearchwithoneofyou，andthat’swastingher，nottomentionme。\"
Bobgavein。\"Allright，then。YoucanhaveMeggie’sgelding；yourodeittothefire。Everyonetakearifle，andplentyofshells。\"
Theyrodeoffacrossthecreekandintotheheartofthatblastedlandscape。Notagreenorabrownthingwasleftanywhere，justavastexpanseofsoggyblackcoals，incrediblystillsteamingafterhoursofrain。Everyleafofeverytreewasfrizzledtoacurlinglimpstring，andwherethegrasshadbeentheycouldseelittleblackbundleshereandthere，sheepcaughtinthefire，oranoccasionalbiggermoundwhichhadbeenasteerorapig。Theirtearsmingledwiththerainontheirfaces。BobandMeggieheadedthelittleprocession，JackandHughieinthemiddle，FeeandStuartbringinguptherear。ForFeeandStuartitwasapeacefulprogress；theydrewcomfortfrombeingclosetogether，nottalking，eachcontentinthecompanyoftheother。Sometimesthehorsesdrewcloseorshiedapartatthesightofsomenewhorror，butitseemednottoaffectthelastpairofriders。Themudmadethegoingslowandhard，butthecharred，mattedgrasslaylikeacoir-roperugonthesoiltogivethehorsesafoothold。AndeveryfewyardstheyexpectedtoseePaddyappearoverthefarflathorizon，buttimewentonandheneverdid。
Withsinkingheartstheyrealizedthefirehadbegunfartheroutthanfirstimagined，inWilgapaddock。Thestormcloudsmusthavedisguisedthesmokeuntilthefirehadgone’qalongway。Theborderlandwasastonishing。Onesideofaclearlydrawnlinewasjustblack，glisteningtar，whiletheothersidewasthelandastheyhadalwaysknownit，fawnandblueanddrearintherain，butalive。Bobstoppedanddrewbacktotalktoeveryone。
\"Well，here’swherewestart。I’mgoingduewestfromhere；it’sthemostlikelydirectionandI’mthestrongest。Haseveryonegotplentyofammunition？Good。Ifyoufindanything，threeshotsintheair，andthosewhohearmustanswerwithoneshoteach。Thenwait。Whoeverfiredthethreeshotswillfirethreemorefiveminuteslater，andkeeponfiringthreeshotseveryfiveminutes。Thosewhohear，oneshotinanswer。\"Jack，yougosouthalongthefireline。Hughie，yougosouthwest。I’mgoingwest。MumandMeggie，yougonorthwest。Stu，followthefirelineduenorth。Andgoslowly，everyone，please。Theraindoesn’tmakeitanyeasiertoseefar，andthere’salotoftimberouthereinplaces。Calloften；hemightnotseeyouwherehewouldhearyou。Butremember，noshotsunlessyoufindsomething，becausehedidn’thaveagunwithhimandifheshouldhearashotandbeoutofvoicerangetoanswer，itwouldbedreadfulforhim。\"Goodluck，andGodbless。\"
Likepilgrimsatthefinalcrossroadstheystraggledapartinthesteadygreyrain，gettingfartherandfartherawayfromeachother，smallerandsmaller，untileachdisappearedalongtheappointedpath。Stuarthadgoneabarehalfmilewhenhenoticedthatastandofburnedtimberdrewveryclosetothefire’sdemarcationline。Therewasalittlewilgaasblackandcrinkledasapickaninny’smop，andtheremainsofagreatstumpstandingclosetothecharredboundary。WhathesawwasPaddy’shorse，sprawledandfusedintothetrunkofabiggum，andtwoofPaddy’sdogs，littleblackstiffthingswithallfourlimbspokinguplikesticks。Hegotdownfromhishorse，bootssinkingankledeepinmud，andtookhisriflefromitssaddlescabbard。Hislipsmoved，praying，ashepickedhisslipperywayacrossthestickycoals。Haditnotbeenforthehorseandthedogshemighthavehopedforaswaggieorsomedown-andequalsoutwayfarercaught，trapped。ButPaddywashorsedandhadfivedogswithhim；nooneonthetrackrodeahorseorhadmorethanone。dog。ThiswastoofarinsideDroghedalandtothinkofdrovers，orstockmenfromBugelatothewest。Fartherawaywerethreemoreincinerateddogs；fivealtogether，fivedogs。Heknewhewouldnotfindasixth，nordidhe。
