Andnotfarfromthehorse，hiddenasheapproachedbyalog，waswhathadbeenaman。Therecouldbenomistake。Glisteningandshinyintherain，theblackthinglayonitsback，anditsbackwasarchedlikeagreatbowsothatitbentupwardinthemiddleanddidnottouchthegroundexceptatthebuttocksandshoulders。Thearmswereflungapartandcurvedattheelbowsasifbeseechingheaven，thefingerswiththefleshdroppingoffthemtorevealcharredboneswereclawingandgraspingatnothing。Thelegsweresplayedapartalsobutflexedattheknees，andtheblobofaheadlookedupsightless，eyelessatthesky。
ForamomentStuart’sclear，all-seeinggazerestedonhisfather，andsawnottheruinedshellbuttheman，ashehadbeeninlife。Hepointedhisrifleatthesky，firedashot，reloaded，firedasecondshot，reloaded，letoffthethird。Faintlyinthedistanceheheardoneansweringreport，then，fartheroffandveryfaintly，asecondanswer。Itwasthenherememberedtheclosershotwouldhave-comefromhismotherandsister。Theywerenorthwest，hewasnorth。Withoutwaitingthestipulatedfiveminutes，heputanothershellintheriflebreech，pointedthegunduesouth，andfired。Apausetoreload，thesecondshot，reload，thethirdshot。Heputtheweaponbackonthegroundandstoodlookingsouth，hisheadcocked，listening。Thistimethefirstanswerwasfromthewest，Bob’sshot，thesecondfromJackorHughie，andthethirdfromhismother。Hesighedinrelief；hedidn’twantthewomenreachinghimfirst。
Thushedidn’tseethegreatwildpigemergefromthetreestothenorth；hesmelledit。Asbigasacow，itsmassivebulkrolledandquiveredonshort，powerfullegsasitdroveitsheaddown，rakingattheburnedwetground。Theshotshaddisturbedit，anditwasinpain。Thesparseblackhairononesideofitsbodywassingedoffandtheskinwasredlyraw；whatStuartsmelledashestaredintothesouthwasthedelectableodorofbubbledporkskin，justasitisonaroastedjointfreshfromtheovenandcrispallovertheslashedouterhusk。Surprisedoutofthecuriouslypeacefulsorrowhealwaysseemedtohaveknown，hisheadturned，evenashethoughttohimselfthathemusthavebeenherebefore，thatthissoddenblackplacehadbeenetchedintosomepartofhisbrainonthedayofhisbirth。Stooping，hegropedfortherifle，rememberingitwasn’tloaded。Theboarstoodperfectlystill，itslittlereddenedeyesmadwithpain，thegreatyellowtuskssharpandcurvingupwardinahalfcircle。Stuart’shorseneighed，smellingthebeast；thepig’smassiveheadswungtowatchit，thenloweredforthecharge。WhileitsattentionwasonthehorseStuartsawhisonlychance，bentquicklyfortherifleandsnappedthebreechopen，hisotherhandinhisjacketpocketforashell。Allaroundtherainwasdroppingdown，mufflingothersoundsinitsownunchangingpatter。Butthepigheardtheboltslideback，andatthelastmomentchangedthedirectionofitschargefromthehorsetoStuart。Itwasalmostuponhimwhenhegotoneshotoffstraightintothebeast’schest，withoutslowingitdown。Thetusksslewedupandsideways，andcaughthiminthegroin。Hefell，bloodappearinglikeafaucetturnedallthewayonandsaturatinghisclothes，spurtingovertheground。
Turningawkwardlyasitbegantofeelthebullet，thepigcamebacktogorehimagain，faltered，swayed，andtottered。Thewholeofthatfifteen-hundred-poundbulkcamedownacrosshim，andcrushedhisfaceintothetarrymud。Foramomenthishandsclawedatthegroundoneithersideinafrantic，futilestruggletobefree；thisthenwaswhathehadalwaysknown，whyhehadneverhopedordreamedorplanned，onlysatanddrunkofthelivingworldsodeeplytherehadnotbeentimetogrieveforhiswaitingfate。Hethought:Mum，Mum！Ican’tstaywithyou，Mum！，evenashisheartburstwithinhim。
\"IwonderwhyStuhasn’tfiredagain？\"Meggieaskedhermotherastheytrottedtowardthesoundofthosetwofirsttriplevolleys，notabletogoanyfasterinthemud，anddesperatelyanxious。\"Isupposehedecidedwe’dheard，\"Feesaid。ButinthebackofhermindshewasrememberingStuart’sfaceastheypartedindifferentdirectionsonthesearch，thewayhishandhadgoneouttoclasphers，thewayhehadsmiledather。\"Wecan’tbefarawaynow，\"shesaid，andpushedhermountintoaclumsy，slidingcanter。
ButJackhadgottherefirst，sohadBob，andtheyheadedthewomenoffastheycameacrossthelastofthelivinglandtowardtheplacewherethebushfirehadbegun。
\"Don’tgoin，Mum，\"saidBobasshedismounted。JackhadgonetoMeggie，andheldherarms。
Thetwopairsofgreyeyesturned，notsomuchinbewildermentordreadasinknowledge，asiftheydidnotneedtobetoldanything。\"Paddy？\"askedFeeinavoicenotlikeherown。\"Yes。AndStu。\"
Neitherofhersonscouldlookather。
\"Stu？Stu！Whatdoyoumean，Stu？Oh，God，whatisit，what’shappened？Notbothofthem-no！\"
\"Daddygotcaughtinthefire；he’sdead。Stumusthavedisturbedaboar，anditchargedhim。Heshotit，butitfellonhimasitwasdyingandsmotheredhim。He’sdeadtoo，Mum。\"
Meggiescreamedandstruggled，tryingtobreakfreeofJack’shands，butFeestoodbetweenBob’sgrimy，bloodyonesasifturnedtostone，hereyesasglassyasagazing-ball。\"Itistoomuch，\"shesaidatlast，andlookedupatBobwiththerainrunningdownherfaceandherhairinstragglingwispsaroundhernecklikegoldenrunnels。\"Letmegotothem，Bob。Iamthewifeofoneandthemotherofone。Youcan’tkeepmeaway-youhavenorighttokeepmeaway。Letmegotothem。\"
Meggiehadquietened，andstoodwithinJack’sarmswithherheadonhisshoulder。AsFeebegantowalkacrosstheruinswithBob’sarmaroundherwaist，Meggielookedafterthem，butshemadenomovetofollow。Hughieappearedoutofthedimmingrain；JacknoddedtowardhismotherandBob。\"Goafterthem，Hughie，staywiththem。MeggieandIaregoingbacktoDrogheda，tobringthedray。\"HeletMeggiego，andhelpedherontothechestnutmare。\"Comeon，Meggie；it’snearlydark。Wecan’tleavethemoutallnightinthis，andtheywon’tgountilwegetback。\"
Itwasimpossibletoputthedrayoranythingelsewheeleduponthemud；intheendJackandoldTomchainedasheetofcorrugatedironbehindtwodrafthorses，TomleadingtheteamonastockhorsewhileJackrodeaheadwiththebiggestlampDroghedapossessed。
MeggiestayedatthehomesteadandsatinfrontofthedrawingroomfirewhileMrs。Smithtriedtopersuadehertoeat，tearsrunningdownherfacetoseethegirl’sstill，silentshock，thewayshedidnotweep。Atthesoundofthefrontdoorknockersheturnedandwenttoanswerit，wonderingwhoonearthhadmanagedtogetthroughthemud，andasalwaysastonishedatthespeedwithwhichnewstraveledthelonelymilesbetweenthefar-flunghomesteads。
FatherRalphwasstandingontheveranda，wetandmuddy，inridingclothesandoilskins。
\"MayIcomein，Mrs。Smith？\"
\"Oh，Father，Father！\"shecried，andthrewherselfintohisastoundedarms。\"Howdidyouknow？\"
\"Mrs。Clearytelegrammedme，amanager-to-ownercourtesyIappreciatedverymuch。IgotleavetocomefromArchbishopdiContini-Verchese。Whatamouth-ful！WouldyoubelieveIhavetosayitahundredtimesaday？Iflewup。Theplaneboggedasitlandedandpitchedonitsnose，soIknewwhatthegroundwaslikebeforeIsomuchassteppedonit。Dear，beautifulGilly！IleftmysuitcasewithFatherWattyatthepresbyteryandcadgedahorsefromtheImperialpublican，whothoughtIwascrazyandbetmeabottleofJohnnieWalkerBlackLabelI’dnevergetthroughthemud。Oh，Mrs。Smith，don’tcryso！Mydear，theworldhasn’tcometoanendbecauseofafire，nomatterhowbigandnastyitwas！\"hesaid，smilingandpattingherheavingshoulders。\"HereamIdoingmybesttomakelightofit，andyou’rejustnotdoingyourbesttorespond。Don’tcryso，please。\"
\"Thenyoudon’tknow，\"shesobbed。
\"What？Knowwhat？Whatisit-what’shappened？\"\"Mr。ClearyandStuartaredead。\"
Hisfacedrainedofcolor；hishandspushedthehousekeeperaway。\"Where’sMeggie？\"hebarked。
\"Inthedrawingroom。Mrs。Cleary’sstilloutinthepaddockwiththebodies。JackandTomhavegonetobringthemin。Oh，Father，sometimesinspiteofmyfaithIcan’thelpthinkingGodistoocruel！WhydidHehavetotakebothofthem？\"
ButallFatherRalphhadstayedtohearwaswhereMeggiewas；hehadgoneintothedrawingroomsheddinghisoilskinsashewent，trailingmuddywaterbehindhim。
\"Meggie！\"hesaid，comingtoherandkneelingatonesideofherchair，takinghercoldhandsinhiswetonesfirmly。
Sheslippedfromthechairandcrawledintohisarms，pillowedherheadonhisdrippingshirtandclosedhereyes，sohappyinspiteofherpainandgriefthatsheneverwantedthemomenttoend。Hehadcome，itwasavindicationofherpoweroverhim，shehadn’tfailed。
\"I’mwet，darlingMeggie；you’llgetsoaked，\"hewhispered，hischeekonherhair。
\"Itdoesn’tmatter。You’vecome。\"
\"Yes，I’vecome。Iwantedtobesureyouweresafe，IhadafeelingIwasneeded，Ihadtoseeformyself。Oh，Meggie，yourfatherandStu！Howdidithappen？\"
\"Daddywascaughtinthefire，andStufoundhim。Hewaskilledbyaboar；itfellonhimafterheshotit。JackandTomhavegoneouttobringthemin。\"
Hesaidnomore，butheldherandrockedherasifshewereababyuntiltheheatofthefirepartiallydriedhisshirtandhairandhefeltsomeofthestiffnessdrainfromher。Thenheputhishandbeneathherchin，tiltedherheaduntilshelookedupathim，andwithoutthinkingkissedher。Itwasaconfusedimpulsenotrootedindesire，justsomethingheinstinctivelyofferedwhenhesawwhatlayinthegreyeyes。Somethingapart，adifferentkindofsacrament。Herarmsslidupunderhistomeetacrosshisback；hecouldnotstophimselfflinching，suppresstheexclamationofpain。Shedrewbackalittle。\"What’sthematter？\"
\"Imusthavebruisedmyribswhentheplanecamein。WeboggedtothefuselageingoodoldGillymud，soitwasaprettyroughlanding。Iwoundupbalancedonthebackoftheseatinfrontofme。\"
\"Here，letmesee。\"
Fingerssteady，sheunbuttonedthedampshirtandpeeleditoffhisarms，pulleditfreeofhisbreeches。Underthesurfaceofthesmoothbrownskinapurplinguglypatchextendedfromonesideclearacrosstotheotherbelowtheribcage；herbreathcaught。
\"Oh，Ralph！YourodeallthewayfromGillywiththis？Howitmusthavehurt！Doyoufeelallright？Nofaintness？Youmighthaverupturedsomethinginside！\"
\"No，I’mfine，andIdidn’tfeelit，honestly。Iwassoanxioustogethere，。makesureyouwereallright，that
IsupposeIsimplyeliminateditfrommymind。IfIwasbleedinginternallyI’dhaveknownabout。itlongbeforenow，Iexpect。God，Meggie，don’t！\"Herheadhadgonedown，shewasdelicatelytouchingherlipstothebruise，herpalmsslidinguphischesttohisshoulderswithadeliberatesensuousnessthatstaggeredhim。Fascinated，terrified，meaningtofreehimselfatanycost，hepulledherheadaway；butsomehowallhesucceededindoingwashavingherbackinhisarms，asnakecoiledtightlyabouthiswill，stranglingit。Painwasforgotten，Churchwasforgotten，Godwasforgotten。Hefoundhermouth，forceditopenhungrily，wantingmoreandmoreofher，notabletoholdhercloseenoughtoassuagetheghastlydrivegrowinginhim。Shegavehimherneck，baredhershoulderswheretheskinwascool，smootherandglossierthansatin；itwaslikedrowning，sinkingdeeperanddeeper，gaspingandhelpless。Mortalitypresseddownonhim，agreatweightcrushinghissoul，liberatingthebitterdarkwineofhissensesinasuddenflood。Hewantedtoweep；thelastofhisdesiretrickledawayundertheburdenofhismortality，andhewrenchedherarmsfromabouthiswretchedbody，satbackonhisheelswithhisheadsunkenforward，seemingtobecomeutterlyabsorbedinwatchinghishandstrembleonhisknees。Meggie，whathaveyoudonetome，whatmightyoudotomeifIletyou？\"Meggie，Iloveyou，Ialwayswill。ButI’mapriest，Ican’t……Ijustcan’t！\"
Shegottoherfeetquickly，straightenedherblouse，stoodlookingdownathimandsmilingatwistedsmilewhichonlythrewthefailedpaininhereyesintogreateremphasis。
\"It’sallright，Ralph。I’llgoandseeifMrs。Smithcangetyousomethingtoeat，thenI’llbringyouthehorseliniment。It’smarvelousforbringingoutabruise；stopsthesorenessmuchbetterthankissesevercould，Idaresay。\"
\"Isthephoneworking？\"hemanagedtosay。
\"Yes。Theystrungatemporarylineonthetreesandreconnectedusacoupleofhoursago。\"
ButitwassomeminutesaftershelefthimbeforehecouldcomposehimselfsufficientlytoseathimselfatFee’sescritoire。\"Givemetrunks，please，switch。ThisisFatherdeBricassartatDrogheda-Oh，hello，Doreen；stillontheswitch，Isee。Nicetohearyourvoice，too。OneneverknowswhoswitchisinSydney；she’sjustaboredvoice。IwanttoputanurgentcallthroughtoHisGracetheArchbishopPapalLegateinSydney。HisnumberisXX-2324。AndwhileI’mwaitingforSydney，putmethroughtoBugela，Doreen。\"
TherewasbarelytimetotellMartinKingwhathadhappenedbeforeSydneywasontheline，butonewordtoBugelawasenough。Gillywouldknowfromhimandtheeavesdroppersonthepartyline，andthosewhowishedtobravearidethroughGillymudwouldbeatthefunerals。
\"YourGrace？ThisisFatherdeBricassart……Yes，thankyou，Iarrivedsafely，buttheplane’sboggedtoitsfuselageinmudandI’llhavetocomebackbytrain……Mud，YourGrace，m-u-dmud。No，YourGrace，everythingupherebecomesimpassablewhenitrains。IhadtoridefromGillanbonetoDroghedaonhorseback；that’stheonlywayonecaneventryinrain……That’swhyI’mphoning，YourGrace。ItwasaswellIcame。IsupposeImusthavehadsomesortofpremonition……yes，thingsarebad，verybad。PadraicClearyandhissonStuartaredead，oneburnedtodeathinthefire，onesmotheredbyaboar……Ab-o-a-rboar，YourGrace，awildpig……Yes，you’reright，onedoesspeakaslightlybizarreEnglishuphere。\"Alldownthefaintlinehecouldheargaspsfromthelisteners，andgrinnedinspiteofhimself。Onecouldn’tyellintothephonethateverybodymustgetofftheline-itwasthesoleentertainmentofamassnatureGillyhadtoofferitscontact-hungrycitizens-butiftheywouldonlygetoffthelineHisGracemightstandabetterchanceofhearing。\"Withyourpermission，YourGrace，I’llremaintoconductthefuneralsandmakesurethewidowandhersurvivingchildrenareallright……Yes，yourGrace，thankyou。I’llreturntoSydneyassoonasIcan。\"
Switchwaslistening，too；heclickedtheleverandspokeagainimmediately。\"Doreen，putmebacktoBugela，please。\"HetalkedtoMartinKingforafewminutes，anddecidedsinceitwasAugustandwintercoldtodelaythefuneralsuntilthedayafterthiscomingday。Manypeoplewouldwanttoattendinspiteofthemudandbepreparedtoridetogetthere，butitwasslowandarduouswork。
Meggiecamebackwiththehorseliniment，butmadenooffertorubiton，justhandedhimthebottlesilently。SheinformedhimabruptlythatMrs。Smithwaslayinghimahotsupperinthesmalldiningroominanhour，sohewouldhavetimetobathe。HewasuncomfortablyawarethatinsomewayMeggiethoughthehadfailedher，buthedidn’tknowwhysheshouldthinkso，oronwhatbasisshehadjudgedhim。Sheknewwhathewas；whywassheangry？
Ingreydawnlightthelittlecavalcadeescortingthebodiesreachedthecreek，andstopped。Thoughthewaterwasstillcontainedwithinitsbanks，theGillanhadbecomeariverinfullspate，runningfastandthirtyfeetdeep。FatherRalphswamhischestnutmareacrosstomeetthem，stolearoundhisneckandtheinstrumentsofhiscallinginasaddlebag。WhileFee，Bob，Jack，HughieandTomstoodaround，hestrippedthecanvasoffthebodiesandpreparedtoanointthem。AfterMaryCarsonnothingcouldsickenhim；yethefoundnothingrepugnantaboutPaddyandStu。Theywerebothblackaftertheirfashion，PaddyfromthefireandStufromsuffocation，butthepriestkissedthemwithloveandrespect。
Forfifteenmilestheroughsheetofironhadjarredandbouncedoverthegroundbehindtheteamofdrafthorses，scarringthemudwithdeepgougeswhichwouldstillbevisibleyearslater，eveninthegrassofotherseasons。Butitseemedtheycouldgonofarther；theswirlingcreekwouldkeepthemonitsfarside，withDroghedaonlyamileaway。Theystoodstaringatthetopsoftheghostgums，clearlyvisibleevenintherain。
\"Ihaveanidea，\"saidBob，turningtoFatherRalph。\"Father，you’retheonlyoneonafreshhorse；itwillhavetobeyou。Ourswillonlyswimthecreekoncethey’vegotnomoreinthemafterthemudandthecold。Gobackandfindsomeemptyforty-four-gallondrums，andsealtheirlidsshutsotheycan’tpossiblyleakorslipoff。Solderthemifnecessary。We’llneedtwelveofthem，tenifyoucan’tfindmore。Tiethemtogetherandbringthembackacrossthecreek。We’lllashthemundertheironandfloatitacrosslikeabarge。\"
FatherRalphdidashewastoldwithoutquestion；itwasabetterideathananyhehadtooffer。DominicO’RourkeofDibban-Dibbanhadriddeninwithtwoofhissons；hewasaneighborandnotfarawayasdistanceswent。WhenFatherRalphexplainedwhathadtobedonetheysetaboutitquickly，scouringtheshedsforemptydrums，tippingchaffandoatsoutofdrumsemptyofpetrolbutinuseforstorage，searchingforlids，solderingthelidstothedrumsiftheywererustfreeandlookedlikelytowithstandthebatteringtheywouldgetinthewater。Therainwasstillfalling，falling。Itwouldn’tstopforanothertwodays。
\"Dominic，Ihatetoaskitofyou，butwhenthesepeoplecomeinthey’regoingtobehalfdead。We’llhavetoholdthefuneralstomorrow，andeveniftheGillyundertakercouldmakethecoffinsintime，we’dnevergetthemoutthroughthemud。Cananyofyouhaveagoatmakingacoupleofcoffins？Ionlyneedonemantoswimthecreekwithme。\"
TheO’Rourkesonsnodded；theydidn’twanttoseewhatthefirehaddonetoPaddyortheboartoStuart。
\"We’lldoit，Dad，\"saidLiam。
Draggingthedrumsbehindtheirhorses，FatherRalphandDominicO’Rourkerodedowntothecreekandswamit。
\"There’sonething，Father！\"shoutedDominic。\"Wedon’thavetodiggravesinthisbloodymud！IusedtothinkoldMarywasputtingonthedogabittoomuchwhensheputamarblevaultinherbackyardforMichael，butrightatthisminuteifshewashere，I’dkissher！\"
\"Tooright！\"yelledFatherRalph。
Theylashedthedrumsunderthesheetofiron，sixoneitherside，tiedthecanvasshrouddownfirmly，andswamtheexhausteddrafthorsesacrossontheropewhichwouldfinallytowtheraft。DominicandTomsatastridethegreatbeasts，andatthetopoftheDrogheda-sidebankpaused，lookingback，whilethosestillmaroonedhookedupthemakeshiftbarge，pushedittothebankandshoveditin。Thedrafthorsesbeganwalking，TomandDominiccooeeingshrillyastheraftbegantofloat。Itbobbedandwallowedbadly，butitstayedafloatlongenoughtobehauledoutsafely；ratherthanwastetimedismantlingthepontoons，thetwoimpromptupostilionsurgedtheirmountsupthetracktowardthebighouse，thesheetofironslidingalongonitsdrumsbetterthanithadwithoutthem。
Therewasarampuptogreatdoorsatthebalingendoftheshearingshed，sotheyputtheraftanditsburdeninthehugeemptybuildingamidthereeksoftar，sweat，lanolinanddung。Muffledinoilskins，MinnieandCathadcomedownfromthebighousetotakefirstvigil，andkneltoneoneithersideoftheironbier，rosarybeadsclicking，voicesrisingandfallingincadencestoowellknowntoneedtheeffortofmemory。
Thehousewasfillingup。DuncanGordonhadarrivedfromEach-Uisge，GarethDaviesfromNarrengang，HorryHopetonfromBeel-Beel，EdenCarmichaelfromBarcoola。OldAngusMacQueenhadflaggeddownoneoftheamblinglocalgoodstrainsandriddenwiththeenginedrivertoGilly，whereheborrowedahorsefromHarryGoughandrodeoutwithhim。Hehadcoveredovertwohundredmilesofmud，onewayoranother。\"I’mwipedout，Father，\"Horrysaidtothepriestlaterasthesevenofthemsatinthesmalldiningroomeatingsteak-and-kidneypie。\"Thefirewentthroughmefromoneendtotheotherandlefthardlyasheepaliveoratreegreen。LuckythelastfewyearshavebeengoodisallIcansay。Icanaffordtorestock，andifthisrainkeepsupthegrasswillcomebackrealquick。Butheavenhelpusfromanotherdisasterduringthenexttenyears，Father，becauseIwon’thaveanythingputasidetomeetit。\"Well，you’resmallerthanme，Horry，\"GarethDaviessaid，cuttingintoMrs。Smith’smeltinglylightflakypastrywithevidentenjoyment。Nothinginthelineofdisasterscoulddepressablack-soilplainsman’sappetiteforlong；heneededhisfoodtomeetthem。\"IreckonIlostabouthalfofmyacreage，andmaybetwothirdsofmysheep，worseluck。Father，weneedyourprayers。\"
\"Aye，\"saidoldAngus。\"IwasnasaehardhitasweeHorryandGarry，Father，butbadenoughfora\"that。Ilostsixtythoosandofmaacres，andhalfmaweesheep。\"Tistimeslikethis，Father，makemewishIhadnaleftSkyeasayoungladdie。\"
FatherRalphsmiled。\"It’sapassingwish，Angus，youknowthat。YouleftSkyeforthesamereasonIleftClunamara。Itwastoosmallforyou。\"\"Aye，naeBoot。Theheather。doesnamakesicabonnieblazeasthegums，eh，Father？\"
Itwouldbeastrangefuneral，thoughtFatherRalphashelookedaround；theonlywomenwouldbeDroghedawomen，forallthevisitingmournersweremen。HehadtakenahugedoseoflaudanumtoFeeafterMrs。Smithhadstrippedher，driedherandputherintothebigbedshehadsharedwithPaddy，andwhensherefusedtodrinkit，weepinghysterically，hehadheldhernoseandtippeditruthlesslydownherthroat。Funny，hehadn’tthoughtofFeebreakingdown。Ithadworkedquickly，forshehadn’teatenintwenty-fourhours。Knowingshewassoundasleep，herestedeasier。Meggiehekepttabson；shewasoutinthecookhouseatthemomenthelpingMrs。Smithpreparefood。Theboyswereallinbed，soexhaustedtheycouldhardlymanagetopeelofftheirwetthingsbeforecollapsing。WhenMinnieandCatconcludedtheirstintofthevigilcustomdemandedbecausethebodieslayinadeserted，unblessedplace，GarethDaviesandhissonEnochweretakingover；theothersallottedhour-longspansamongthemselvesastheytalkedandate。
Noneoftheyoungmenhadjoinedtheireldersinthediningroom。TheywereallinthecookhouseostensiblyhelpingMrs。Smith，butinrealitysotheycouldlookatMeggie。WhenherealizedthisfactFatherRalphwasbothannoyedandrelieved。Well，itwasoutoftheirranksshemustchooseherhusband，assheinevitablywould。EnochDavieswastwenty-nine，a\"blackWelshman，\"whichmeanthewasblack-hairedandverydark-eyed，ahandsomeman；LiamO’Rourkewastwenty-six，sandy-hairedandblue-eyed，likehistwenty-five-year-oldbrotherRory；ConnorCarmichaelwasthespitofhissister，olderatthirty-two，andverygood-lookingindeed，ifalittlearrogant；thepickofthebunchinFatherRalph’sestimationwasoldAngus’sgrandsonAlastair，theclosesttoMeggieinageattwenty-fourandasweetyoungman，withhisgrandfather’sbeautifulblue。Scotseyesandhairalreadygray，afamilytrait。Letherfallinlovewithoneofthem，marryhim，havethechildrenshewantedsobadly。Oh，God，myGod，ifYouwilldothatforme，I’llgladlybearthepainoflovingher，gladly……
Noflowerssmotheredthesecoffins，andthevasesallaroundthechapelwereempty。Whatblossomshadsurvivedtheterribleheatofthefieryairtwonightsagohadsuccumbedtotherain，andlaidthemselvesdownagainstthemudlikeruinedbutterflies。Notevenastalkofbottlebrush，oranearlyrose。Andeveryonewastired，sotired。ThosewhohadriddenthelongmilesinthemudtoshowtheirlikingforPaddyweretired，thosewhohadbroughtthebodiesinweretired，thosewhohadslavedtocookandcleanweretired，FatherRalphwassotiredhefeltasifhemovedinadream，eyesslidingawayfromFee’spinched，hopelessface，Meggie’sexpressionofmingledsorrowandanger，thecollectivegriefofthatcollectiveclusterBob，JackandHughie……Hegavenoeulogy；MartinKingspokebrieflyandmovinglyonbehalfofthoseassembled，andthepriestwentonintotheRequiemimmediately。Hehadasamatterofcoursebroughthischalice，hissacramentsandastole，fornoprieststirredwithoutthemwhenhewentofferingcomfortoraid，buthehadnovestmentswithhim，andthehousepossessednone。ButoldAngushadcalledinatthepresbyteryinGillyonhisway，andcarriedtheblackmourninggarbofaRequiemMasswrappedinanoilskinacrosshissaddle。Sohestoodproperlyattiredwiththerainhissingagainstthewindows，drummingontheironrooftwostoriesup。
Thenoutintoit，thegrievingrain，acrossthelawnallbrownedandscorchedbyheat，tothelittlewhite-railingedcemetery。Thistimetherewerepallbearerswillingtoshouldertheplainrectangularboxes，slippingandslidinginthemud，tryingtoseewheretheyweregoingthroughtherainbeatingintheireyes。AndthelittlebellsontheChinesecook’sgravetinkleddrably:HeeSing，HeeSing，HeeSing。
Itgotitselfoveranddonewith。Themournersdepartedontheirhorses，backshunchedinsidetheiroilskins，someofthemstaringmiserablyattheprospectofruin；othersthankingGodtheyhadescapeddeathandthefire。AndFatherRalphgothisfewthingstogether，knowinghemustgobeforehecouldn’tgo。
HewenttoseeFee，whereshesatattheescritoirestaringmutelydownatherhands。
\"Fee，willyoubeallright？\"heasked，sittingwherehecouldseeher。Sheturnedtowardhim，sostillandquenchedwithinhersoulthathewasafraid，andclosedhiseyes。
\"Yes，Father，I’llbeallright。Ihavethebookstokeep，andfivesonsleft-sixifyoucountFrank，onlyIdon’tsupposewecancountFrank，canwe？Thankyouforthat，morethanIcaneversay。It’ssuchacomforttomeknowingyourpeoplearewatchingoutforhim，makinghislifealittleeasier。Oh，ifIcouldseehim，justonce！\"
Shewaslikealighthouse，hethought；flashesofgriefeverytimehermindcameroundtothatpitchofemotionwhichwastoogreattobecontained。Ahugeflare，andthenalongperiodofnothing。
\"Fee，Iwantyoutothinkaboutsomething。\"
\"Yes，what？\"Shewasdarkagain。
\"Areyoulisteningtome？\"heaskedsharply，worriedandsuddenlymorefrightenedthanbefore。
Foralongmomenthethoughtshehadretreatedsofarintoherselfeventheharshnessofhisvoicehadn’tpenetrated，butupblazedthebeaconagain，andherlipsparted。\"MypoorPaddy！MypoorStuart！MypoorFrank！\"shemourned，thengotherselfunderthatironcontroloncemore，asifshewasdeterminedtoelongateherperiodsofdarknessuntilthelightshonenomoreinherlifetime。
Hereyesroamedtheroomwithoutseemingtorecognizeit。\"Yes，Father，I’mlistening，\"shesaid。
\"Fee，whataboutyourdaughter？Doyoueverrememberthatyouhaveadaughter？\"
Thegreyeyesliftedtohisface，dwelledonitalmostpityingly。\"Doesanywoman？What’sadaughter？Justareminderofthepain，ayoungerversionofoneselfwhowilldoallthethingsonehasdone，crythesametears。No，Father。ItrytoforgetIhaveadaughter-ifIdothinkofher，itisasoneofmysons。It’shersonsamotherremembers。\"
\"Doyoucrytears，Fee？I’veonlyseenthemonce。\"
\"You’llneverseethemagain，forI’vefinishedwithtearsforever。\"Herwholebodyquivered。\"Doyouknowsomething，Father？TwodaysagoIdiscoveredhowmuchIlovePaddy，butitwaslikeallofmylifetoolate。Toolateforhim，toolateforme。IfyouknewhowIwantedthechancetotakehiminmyarms，tellhimIlovedhim！Oh，God，Ihopenootherhumanbeingeverhastofeelmypain！\"
Heturnedawayfromthatsuddenlyravagedface，togiveittimetodonitscalm，andhimselftimetocopewithunderstandingtheenigmawhowasFee。Hesaid，\"Nooneelsecaneverfeelyourpain。\"
Onecornerofhermouthliftedinasternsmile。\"Yes。That’sacomfort，isn’tit？Itmaynotbeenviable，butmypainismine。\"
\"Willyoupromisemesomething，Fee？\"
\"Ifyoulike。\"
\"LookafterMeggie，don’tforgether。Makehergotothelocaldances，lethermeetafewyoungmen，encouragehertothinkofmarriageandahomeofherown。Isawalltheyoungmeneyeinghertoday。Givehertheopportunitytomeetthemagainunderhappiercircumstancesthanthese。\"
\"Whateveryousay，Father。\"
Sighing，helefthertothecontemplationofherthinwhitehands。Meggiewalkedwithhimtothestables，wheretheImperialpublican’sbaygeldinghadbeenstuffingitselfonhayandbrananddwellinginsomesortofequineheavenfortwodays。Heflungthepublican’sbatteredsaddleonitsbackandbenttostrapthesurcingleandgirthwhileMeggieleanedagainstabaleofstrawandwatchedhim。
\"Father，lookwhatIfound，\"shesaidashefinishedandstraightened。Sheheldoutherhand，initonepale，pinkish-grayrose。\"It’stheonlyone。Ifounditonabushunderthetankstands，attheback。Isupposeitdidn’tgetthesameheatinthefire，anditwasshelteredfromtherain。SoIpickeditforyou。It’ssomethingtoremembermeby。\"
Hetookthehalf-openbloomfromher，hishandnotquitesteady，andstoodlookingdownatit。\"Meggie，Ineednoreminderofyou，notnow，notever。Icarryyouwithinme，youknowthat。There’snowayIcouldhideitfromyou，isthere？\"
\"Butsometimesthere’sarealityaboutakeepsake，\"sheinsisted。\"Youcantakeitoutandlookatit，andrememberwhenyouseeitallthethingsyoumightforgetotherwise。Pleasetakeit，Father。\"
\"MynameisRalph，\"hesaid。Heopenedhislittlesacramentcaseandtookoutthebigmissalwhichwashisownproperty，boundincostlymother-of-pearl。Hisdeadfatherhadgivenittohimathisordination，thirteenlongyearsago。Thepagesfellopenatagreatthickwhiteribbon；heturnedoverseveralmore，laidtherosedown，andshutthebookuponit。\"Doyouwantakeepsakefromme，Meggie，isthatit？\"\"Yes。\"
\"Iwon’tgiveyouone。Iwantyoutoforgetme，Iwantyoutolookaroundyourworldandfindsomegoodkindman，marryhim，havethebabiesyouwantsomuch。You’reabornmother。Youmustn’tclingtome，itisn’tright。IcanneverleavetheChurch，andI’mgoingtobecompletelyhonestwithyou，foryourownsake。Idon’twanttoleavetheChurch，becauseIdon’tloveyouthewayahusbandwill，doyouunderstand？Forgetme，Meggie！\"\"Won’tyoukissmegoodbye？\"
Foranswerhepulledhimselfuponthepublican’sbayandwalkedittothedoorbeforeputtingonthepublican’soldfelthat。Hisblueeyesflashedamoment，thenthehorsemovedoutintotherainandslitheredreluctantlyupthetracktowardGilly。Shedidnotattempttofollowhim，butstayedinthegloomofthedampstable，breathinginthesmellsofhorsedungandhay；itremindedherofthebarninNewZealand，andofFrank。
ThirtyhourslaterFatherRalphwalkedintotheArchbishopPapalLegate’schamber，crossedtheroomtokisshismaster’sring，andflunghimselfwearilyintoachair。Itwasonlyashefeltthoselovely，omniscienteyesonhimthatherealizedhowpeculiarhemustlook，whysomanypeoplehadstaredathimsincehegotoffthetrainatCentral。Withoutrememberingthesuit-caseFatherWattyThomaswaskeepingforhimatthepresbytery，hehadboardedthenightmailwithtwominutestospareandcomesixhundredmilesinacoldtraincladinshirt，breechesandboots，soakingwet，nevernoticingthechill。Sohelookeddownathimselfwitharuefulsmile，thenacrossattheArchbishop。
\"I’msorry，YourGrace。SomuchhashappenedIdidn’tthinkhowoddImustlook。\"
\"Don’tapologize，Ralph。\"Unlikehispredecessor，hepreferredtocallhissecretarybyhisChristianname。\"Ithinkyoulookveryromanticanddashing。Onlyatrifletoosecular，don’tyouagree？\"
\"Verydefinitelyonthesecularbit，anyway。Astotheromanticanddashing，YourGrace，it’sjustthatyou’renotusedtoseeingwhatiscustomarygarbinGillanbone。\"
\"MydearRalph，ifyoutookitintoyourheadtodonsackclothandashes，you’dmanagetomakeyourselfseemromanticanddashing！Theridinghabitsuitsyou，though，itreallydoes。Almostaswellasasoutane，anddon’twasteyourbreathtellingmeyouaren’tverywellawareitbecomesyoumorethanapriest’sblacksuit。Youhaveapeculiarandamostattractivewayofmoving，andyouhavekeptyourfine，figure；Ithinkperhapsyoualwayswill。IalsothinkthatwhenIamrecalledtoRomeIshalltakeyouwithme。Itwillaffordmegreatamusementtowatchyoureffectonourshort，fatItalianprelates。Thebeautifulsleekcatamongtheplumpstartledpigeons。\"
Rome！FatherRalphsatupinhischair。
\"Wasitverybad，myRalph？\"theArchbishopwenton，smoothinghisberingedmilkyhandrhythmicallyacrossthesilkybackofhispurringAbyssiniancat。\"Terrible，YourGrace。\"
\"Thesepeople，youhaveagreatfondnessforthem。\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Anddoyouloveallofthemequally，ordoyoulovesomeofthemmorethanothers？\"
ButFatherRalphwasatleastaswilyashismaster，andhehadbeenwithhimnowlongenoughtoknowhowhismindworked。Soheparriedthesmoothquestionwithdeceptivehonesty，atrickhehaddiscoveredlulledHisGrace’ssuspicionsatonce。Itneveroccurredtothatsubtle，deviousmindthatanoutwarddisplayoffranknessmightbemoremendaciousthananyevasion。\"Idoloveallofthem，butasyousay，somemorethanothers。It’sthegirlMeggieIlovethemost。I’vealwaysfelthermyspecialresponsibility，becausethefamilyissoson-orientedtheyforgetsheexists。\"\"HowoldisthisMeggie？\"
\"I’mnotsureexactly。Oh，somewherearoundtwenty，Iimagine。ButImadehermotherpromisetoliftherheadoutofherledgerslongenoughtomakesurethegirlgottoafewdances，metafewyoungmen。She’sgoingtowasteherlifeawaystuckonDrogheda，whichisashame。\"
Hespokenothingbutthetruth；theArchbishop’sineffablysensitivenosesniffeditoutatonce。Thoughhewasonlythreeyearshissecretary’ssenior，hiscareerwithintheChurchhadn’tsufferedthechecksRalph’shad，andinmanywayshefeltimmeasurablyolderthan
Ralphwouldeverbe；theVaticansappedoneofsomevitalessenceifonewasexposedtoitveryearly，andRalphpossessedthatvitalessenceinabundance。
Relaxinghisvigilancesomewhat，hecontinuedtowatchhissecretaryandresumedhisinterestinggameofworkingoutpreciselywhatmadeFatherRalphdeBricassarttick。Atfirsthehadbeensuretherewouldbeafleshlyweakness，ifnotinonedirection，inanother。Thosestunninggoodlooksandtheaccompanyingbodymusthavemadehimthetargetofmanydesires，toomuchsotopreserveinnocenceorunawareness。Andastimewentonhehadfoundhimselfhalfright；theawarenesswasundoubtedlythere，butwithithebegantobeconvincedwasagenuineinnocence。SowhateverFatherRalphburnedfor，itwasnottheflesh。Hehadthrownthepriesttogetherwithskilledandquiteirresistiblehomosexualsifonewasahomosexual；noresult。Hehadwatchedhimwiththemostbeautifulwomenintheland；noresult。Notaflickerofinterestordesire，evenwhenhewasnotintheslightestawarehewasunderobservation。FortheArchbishopdidnotalwaysdohisownwatching，andwhenheemployedminionsitwasnotthroughsecretarialchannels。HehadbeguntothinkFatherRalph’sweaknesseswereprideinbeingapriest，andambition；bothwerefacetsofpersonalityheunderstood，forhepossessedthemhimself。TheChurchhadplacesforambitiousmen，asdidallgreatandself-perpetuatinginstitutions。RumorhaditthatFatherRalphhadcheatedtheseClearyshepurportedtolovesomuchoutoftheirrightfulinheritance。Ifindeedhehad，hewaswellworthhangingonto。AndhowthosewonderfulblueeyeshadblazedwhenhementionedRome！Perhapsitwastimehetriedanothergambit。Hepokedforwardaconversationalpawnlazily，buthiseyesunderhoodedlidswereverykeen。
\"IhadnewsfromtheVaticanwhileyouwereaway，
Ralph，\"hesaid，shiftingthecatslightly。\"MySheba，youareselfish；youmakemylegsnumb。\"
\"Oh？\"FatherRalphwassinkingdowninhischair，andhiseyeswerehavingahardtimestayingopen。
\"Yes，youmaygotobed，butnotbeforeyouhaveheardmynews。AlittlewhileagoIsentapersonalandprivatecommunicationtotheHolyFather，andananswercamebacktodayfrommyfriendCardinalMonteverdi-IwonderifheisadescendantoftheRenaissancemusician？WhydoIneverremembertoaskhimwhenIseehim？Oh，Sheba，mustyouinsistupondigginginyourclawswhenyouarehappy？\"
\"I’mlistening，YourGrace，Ihaven’tfallenasleepyet，\"saidFatherRalph，smiling。\"Nowonderyoulikecatssomuch。You’reoneyourself，playingwithyourpreyforyourownamusement。\"Hesnappedhisfingers。\"Here，Sheba，leavehimandcometome！Heisunkind。\"
Thecatjumpeddownoffthepurplelapimmediately，crossedthecarpetandleapeddelicatelyontothepriest’sknees，stoodwavingitstailandsniffingthestrangesmellsofhorsesandmud，entranced。FatherRalph’sblueeyessmiledintotheArchbishop’sbrownones，bothhalfclosed，bothabsolutelyalert。
\"Howdoyoudothat？\"demandedtheArchbishop。\"Acatwillnevergotoanyone，butShebagoestoyouasifyougavehercaviarandvalerian。Ingrateanimal。\"
\"I’mwaiting，YourGrace。\"
\"Andyoupunishmeforit，takingmycatfromme。Allright，youhavewon，Iyield。Doyoueverlose？Aninterestingquestion。Youaretobecongratulated，mydearRalph。Infutureyouwillwearthemiterandthecope，andbeaddressedasMyLord，BishopdeBricassart。\"
Thatbroughttheeyeswideopen！henotedwithglee。ForonceFatherRalphdidn’tattempttodissimulate，orconcealhistruefeelings。Hejustbeamed。
FOUR
1933-1938LUKE
Itwasamazinghowquicklythelandmended；withinaweeklittlegreenshootsofgrasswerepokingoutoftheglueymorass，andwithintwomonthstheroastedtreeswerecomingintoleaf。Ifthepeopleweretoughandresilient，itwasbecausethelandgavethemnoopportunitytobeotherwise；thosewhowerefaintinheartorlackingafanaticalstreakofendurancedidnotstaylongintheGreatNorthwest。Butitwouldbeyearsbeforethescarsfaded。Manycoatsofbarkwouldhavetogrowandfalltoeucalyptoidtattersbeforethetreetrunksbecamewhiteorredorgreyagain，andacertainpercentageofthetimberwouldnotregenerateatall，butremaindeadanddark。Andforyearsdisintegratingskeletonswoulddewtheplains，subsidingintothemattingoftime，graduallycoveredbydustandmarchinglittlehoofs。AndstragglingoutacrossDroghedatothewestthesharpdeepchannelscutbythecornersofamakeshiftbierinthemudremained，werepointedoutbywandererswhoknewthestorytomorewandererswhodidnot，untilthetalebecameapartofblack-soilplainslore。
Droghedalostperhapsafifthofitsacreageinthefire，and25，000sheep，amerebagatelletoastationwhosesheeptallyintherecentgoodyearslayintheneighborhoodof125，000。Therewasabsolutelynopointinrailingatthemalignityoffate，orthewrathofGod，howeverthoseconcernedmightchoosetoregardanaturaldisaster。Theonlythingtodowascutthelossesandbeginagain。Innocasewasitthefirsttime，andinnocasedidanyoneassumeitwouldbethelast。ButtoseeDrogheda’shomesteadgardensbareandbrowninspringhurtbadly。AgainstdroughttheycouldsurvivethankstoMichaelCarson’swatertanks，butinafirenothingsurvived。Eventhewistariafailedtobloom；whentheflamescameitstenderclustersofbudswerejustforming，andshriveled。Roseswerecrisped，pansiesweredead，stocksturnedtosepiastraw，fuchsiasinshadyspotswitheredpastrejuvenation，babies’breathsmothered，sweetpeavinesweresereandscentless。Whathadbeenbledfromthewatertanksduringthefirewasreplacedbytheheavyrainthatfollowedhardonit，soeveryoneonDroghedasacrificedanebuloussparetimetohelpingoldTombringthegardensback。
BobdecidedtokeeponwithPaddy’spolicyofmorehandstorunDrogheda，andputonthreemorestockmen；MaryCarson’spolicyhadbeentokeepnopermanentnon-Clearymenonherbooks，preferringtohireextrahandsatmustering，lambingandshearingtime，butPaddyfeltthemenworkedbetterknowingtheyhadpermanentjobs，anditdidn’tmakemuchdifferenceinthelongrun。Moststockmenwerechronicallyafflictedwithitchyfeet，andneverstayedverylonganywhere。
Thenewhousessittingfartherbackfromthecreekwereinhabitedbymarriedmen；oldTomhadaneatnewthree-roomcottageunderapeppertreebehindthehorseyards，andcackledwithproprietarygleeeverytimeheenteredit。Meggiecontinuedtolookaftersomeoftheinnerpaddocks，andhermotherthebooks。
FeehadtakenoverPaddy’staskofcommunicatingwithBishopRalph，andbeingFeefailedtopassonanyinformationsavethoseitemsconcernedwiththerunningofthestation。Meggielongedtosnatchhisletters，readthemgreedily，butFeegavehernochancetodoso，lockingtheminasteelboxthemomentshehaddigestedtheircontents。WithPaddyandStugonetherewasjustnoreachingFee。AsforMeggie，theminuteBishopRalphhadgoneFeeforgotallaboutherpromise。Meggieanswereddanceandpartyinvitationswithpolitenegatives；awareofit，Feeneverremonstratedwithherortoldhersheoughttogo。LiamO’Rourkeseizedanyopportunitytodriveover；EnochDaviesphonedconstantly，sodidConnorCarmichaelandAlastairMacQueen。ButwitheachofthemMeggiewasprooccupied，curt，tothepointwheretheydespairedofinterestingher。
Thesummerwasverywet，butnotinspatesprotractedenoughtocauseflooding，onlykeepingthegroundperpetuallymuddyandthethousand-mileBarwon-Darlingflowingdeep，wideandstrong。Whenwintercamesporadicraincontinued；theflyingbrownsheetsweremadeupofwater，notdust。ThustheDepressionmarchoffoot-loosemenalongthetracktaperedoff，foritwashelltrampingthroughtheblacksoilplainsinawetseason，andwithcoldaddedtodamp，pneumoniaragedamongthosenotabletosleepunderwarmshelter。
Bobwasworried，andbegantotalkoffootrotamongthesheepif。itkeptup；merinoscouldn’ttakemuchmoistureinthegroundwithoutdevelopingdiseasedhoofs。Theshearinghadbeenalmostimpossible，forshearerswouldnottouchsoakedwool，andunlessthemuddriedbeforelambingmanyoffspringwoulddieinthesoddenearthandthecold。
Thephonejangleditstwolongs，oneshortforDrogheda；Feeansweredandturned。
\"Bob，theAMLANDforyou。\"
\"Hullo，Jimmy，Bobhere……Yeah，righto……Oh，good！Referencesallinorder？……Righto，sendhimouttoseeme……Righto，ifhe’sthatgoodyoucantellhimhe’sprobablygotthejob，butIstillwanttoseehimformyself；don’tlikepigsinpokesanddon’ttrustreferences……Righto，thanks。Hooroo。\"
Bobsatdownagain。\"Newstockmancoming，agoodblokeaccordingtoJimmy。BeenworkingoutontheWestQueenslandplainsaroundLongreachandCharlville。Wasadrover，too。Goodreferencesandallaboveboard。Cansitanythingwithfourlegsandatail，usedtobreakhorses。Wasashearerbeforethat，gunshearertoo，Jimmysays，overtwofiftyaday。That’swhatmakesmeabitsuspicious。Whywouldagunshearerwanttoworkforstockman’swages？Nottoooftenagunshearerwillgiveupthebo)iforasaddle。Behandypaddock-crutching，though，eh？\"WiththepassingoftheyearsBob’saccentgrewmoredrawlingandAustralianbuthissentencesshorterincompensation。Hewascreepinguptowardthirty，andmuchtoMeggie’sdisappointmentshowednosignofbeingsmittenwithanyoftheeligiblegirlshemetatthefewfestivitiesdecencyforcedthemtoattend。Foronethinghewaspainfullyshy，andforanotherheseemedutterlywrappedintheland，apparentlypreferringtoloveitwithoutdistraction。JackandHughiegrewmoreandmorelikehim；indeed，theycouldhavepassedfortripletsastheysattogetherononeofthehardmarblebenches，theclosesttocomfortablehouseboundrelaxationtheycouldget。Theyseemedactuallytoprefercampingoutinthepaddocks，andwhensleepingathomestretchedoutonthefloorsoftheirbedrooms，frightenedthatbedsmightsoftenthem。Thesun，thewindandthedrynesshadweatheredtheirfair，freckledskinstoasortofmottledmahogany，inwhichtheirblueeyesshonepaleandtranquil，withthedeepcreasesbesidethemspeakingofgazingintofardistancesandsilver-beigegrass。Itwasalmostimpossibletotellwhatagetheywere，orwhichwastheoldestandwhichtheyoungest。EachhadPaddy’sRomannoseandkindhomelyface，butbetterbodiesthanPaddy’s，whichhadbeenstoopedandarm-elongatedfromsomanyyearsshearing。Theyhaddevelopedthespare，easybeautyofhorsemeninstead。Yetforwomenandcomfortandpleasuretheydidnotpine。
\"Isthenewmanmarried？\"askedFee，drawingneatlineswitharulerandared-inkedpen。
\"Dunno，didn’task。Knowtomorrowwhenhecomes。\"
\"Howishegettinghere？\"
\"Jimmy’sdrivinghimout；gottoseeaboutthoseoldwethersinTankstand。\"\"Well，let’shopehestaysawhile。Ifhe’snotmarriedhe’llbeoffagaininafewweeks，Isuppose。Wretchedpeople，stockmen，\"saidFee。JimsandPatsywereboardingatRiverview，vowingtheywouldn’tstayatschoolaminutelongerthanthefourteenyearsofagewhichwaslegal。TheyburnedforthedaywhentheywouldbeoutinthepaddockswithBob，JackandHughie，whenDroghedacouldrunonfamilyagainandtheoutsiderswouldbewelcometocomeandgoasfrequentlyastheypleased。Sharingthefamilypassionforreadingdidn’tendearRiverviewtothematall；abookcouldbecarriedinasaddlebagorajacketpocketandreadwithfarmorepleasureinthenoondayshadeofawilgathaninaJesuitclassroom。Ithadbeenahardtransitionforthem，boardingschool。Thebig-windowedclassrooms，thespaciousgreenplayingfields，thewealthofgardensandfacilitiesmeantnothingtothem，nordidSydneywithitsmuseums，concerthallsandartgalleries。Theychummedupwiththesonsofothergraziersandspenttheirleisurehourslongingforhome，orboastingaboutthesizeandsplendorofDroghedatoawedbutbelievingears；anyonewestofBurrenJunctionhadheardofmightyDrogheda。
SeveralweekspassedbeforeMeggiesawthenewstockman。Hisnamehadbeendulyenteredinthebooks，LukeO’neill，andhewasalreadytalkedaboutinthebighousefarmorethanstockmenusuallywere。Foronething，hehadrefusedtobunkinthejackaroos\"barracksbuthadtakenupresidenceinthelastemptyhouseuponthecreek。Foranother，hehadintroducedhimselftoMrs。Smith，andwasinthatlady’sgoodbooks，thoughshedidn’tusuallycareforstockmen。Meggiewasquitecuriousabouthimlongbeforeshemethim。
Sinceshekeptthechestnutmareandtheblackgeldinginthestablesratherthanthestockyardsandwasmostlyobligedtostartoutlaterofamorningthanthemen，shewouldoftengolongperiodsoftimewithoutrunningintoanyofthehiredpeople。ButshefinallymetLukeO’neilllateoneafternoonasthesummersunwasflaringredlyoverthetreesandthelongshadowscrepttowardthegentleoblivionofnight。ShewascomingbackfromBoreheadtothefordacrossthecreek，hewascominginfromsoutheastandfartherout，alsoonacoursefortheford。
Thesunwasinhiseyes，soshesawhimbeforehesawher，andhewasridingabigmeanbaywithablackmaneandtailandblackpoints；sheknewtheanimalwellbecauseitwasherjobtorotatetheworkhorses，andshehadwonderedwhythisparticularbeastwasnotsomuchinevidencethesedays。Noneofthemencaredforit，neverrodeitiftheycouldhelp。Apparentlythenewstockmandidn’tminditatall，whichcertainlyindicatedhecouldride，foritwasanotoriousearlymorningbuckerandhadahabitofsnappingatitsrider’sheadthemomenthedismounted。
Itwashardtotellaman’sheightwhenhewasonhorseback，forAustralianstockmenusedsmallEnglishsaddlesminusthehighcantleandhornoftheAmericansaddle，androdewiththeirkneesbent，sittingveryupright。Thenewmanseemedtall，butsometimesheightwasallinthetrunk，thelegsdisproportionatelyshort，soMeggiiereservedjudgment。However，unlikemoststockmenhepreferredawhiteshirtandwhitemoleskinstogreyflannelandgreytwill；somewhatofadandy，shedecided，amused。Goodlucktohim，ifhedidn’tmindthebotherofsomuchwashingandironing。
\"G’day，Missus！\"hecalledastheyconverged，doffinghisbatteredoldgreyfelthatandreplacingitrakishlyonthebackofhishead。LaughingblueeyeslookedatMeggieinundisguisedadmirationasshedrewalongside。
\"Well，you’recertainlynottheMissus，soyou’vegottobethedaughter，\"hesaid。\"I’mLukeO’neill。\"
Meggiemutteredsomethingbutwouldn’tlookathimagain，soconfusedandangryshecouldn’tthinkofanyappropriatelylightconversation。Oh，itwasn’tfair！HowdaresomeoneelsehaveeyesandfacelikeFatherRalph！Notthewayhelookedather:themirthwassomethingofhisownandhehadnoloveburningforherthere；fromthefirstmomentofseeingFatherRalphkneelinginthedustoftheGillystationyardMeggiehadseenloveinhiseyes。Tolookintohiseyesandnotseehim！Itwasacrueljoke，apunishment。
Unawareofthethoughtshiscompanionharbored，LukeO’neillkepthiswickedbaybesideMeggie’sdemuremareastheysplashedthroughthecreek，stillrunningstrongfromsomuchrain。Shewasabeauty，allright！Thathair！WhatwassimplycarrotsonthemaleClearyswassomethingelseagainonthislittlesprig。Ifonlyshewouldlookup，givehimabetterchancetoseethatface！Justthenshedid，withsuchalookonitthathisbrowscametogether，puzzled；notasifshehatedhim，exactly，butasifshewastryingtoseesomethingandcouldn’t，orhadseensomethingandwishedshehadn’t。Orwhatever。Itseemedtoupsether，anyway。Lukewasnotusedtobeingweighedinafemininebalanceandfoundwanting。Caughtnaturallyinadeli-cioustrapofsunset-goldhairandsofteyes，hisinterestonlyfedonherdispleasureanddisappointment。Stillshewaswatchinghim，pinkmouthfallenslightlyopen，asilkydewofsweatonherupperlipandforeheadbecauseitwassohot，herreddish-goldbrowsarchedinseekingwonderment。HegrinnedtorevealFatherRalph’sbigwhiteteeth；yetitwasnotFatherRalph’ssmile。\"Doyouknowyoulookexactlylikeababy，alloh！andah！？\"
Shelookedaway。\"I’msorry，Ididn’tmeantostare。Youremindedmeofsomeone，that’sall。\"
\"Stareallyoulike。It’sbetterthanlookingatthetopofyourhead，prettythoughthatmightbe。WhodoIremindyouof？\"\"Nooneimportant。It’sjuststrange，seeingsomeonefamiliarandyetterriblyunfamiliar。\"
\"What’syourname，littleMissCleary？\"
\"Meggie。\"
\"Meggie……Ithasn’tgotenoughdignity，itdoesn’tsuityouabit。I’dratheryouwerecalledsomethinglikeBelindaorMadeline，butifMeggie’sthebestyou’vegottooffer，I’llgoforit。What’stheMeggiestandfor-Margaret？\"
\"No，Meghann。\"
\"Ah，nowthat’smorelike！I’llcallyouMeghann。\"
\"No，youwon’t！\"shesnapped。\"Idetestit！\"
Butheonlylaughed。\"You’vehadtoomuchofyourownway，littleMissMeghann。IfIwanttocallyouEustaciaSophroniaAugusta，Iwill，youknow。\"Theyhadreachedthestockyards；heslippedoffhisbay，aimingapunchatitssnappingheadwhichrockeditintosubmission，andstood，obviouslywaitingforhertoofferhimherhandssohecouldhelpherdown。Butshetouchedthechestnutmarewithherheelsandwalkedonupthetrack。\"Don’tyouputthedaintyladywiththecommonoldstockmen？\"hecalledafterher。
\"Certainlynot！\"sheansweredwithoutturning。Oh，itwasn’tfair！EvenonhisowntwofeethewaslikeFatherRalph；astall，asbroadintheshouldersandnarrowinthehips，andwithsomethingofthesamegrace，thoughdifferentlyemployed。FatherRalphmovedlikeadancer，LukeO’neilllikeanathlete。Hishairwasasthickandblackandcurling，hiseyesasblue，hisnoseasfineandstraight，hismouthaswellcut。
AndyethewasnomorelikeFatherRalphthan-thanthanaghostgum，sotallandpaleandsplendid，waslikeabluegum，alsotallandpaleandsplendid。
AfterthatchancemeetingMeggiekeptherearsopenforopinionsandgossipaboutLukeO’neill。Bobandtheboyswerepleasedwithhisworkandseemedtogetalongwellwithhim；apparentlyhehadn’talazyboneinhisbody，accordingtoBob。EvenFeebroughthisnameupinconversationoneeveningbyremarkingthathewasaveryhandsomeman。
\"Doesheremindyouofanyone？\"Meggieaskedidly，flatonherstomachonthecarpetreadingabook。
Feeconsideredthequestionforamoment。\"Well，Isupposehe’sabitlikeFatherdeBricassart。Thesamebuild，thesamecoloring。Butitisn’tastrikinglikeness；they’retoodifferentasmen。\"Meggie，Iwishyou’dsitinachairlikealadytoread！Justbecauseyou’reinjodhpursyoudon’thavetoforgetmodestyentirely。\"\"Pooh！\"saidMeggie。\"Asifanyonenotices！\"
Andsoitwent。Therewasalikeness，butthemenbehindthefacesweresounalikeonlyMeggiewasplaguedbyit，forshewasinlovewithoneofthemandresentedfindingtheotherattractive。Inthekitchenshefoundhewasaprimefavorite，andalsodiscoveredhowhecouldaffordtheluxuryofwearingwhiteshirtsandwhitebreechesintothepaddocks；Mrs。Smithwashedandironedthemforhim，succumbingtohisready，beguilingcharm。\"Och，whatafineIrishmanheisandall！\"Minniesighedecstatically。\"He’sanAustralian，\"saidMeggieprovocatively。\"Bornhere，maybe，MissMeggiedarlin’，butwit’anamelikeO’neillnow，he’sasIrishasPaddy’spigs，notmeanin’anydisrespecttoyersaintedfather，MissMeggie，mayherestinpeaceandsingwit’theangels。Mr。LukenotIrish，andhimwit’thatblackhair，thimblueeyes？IntheolddaystheO’neillswasthekingsofIreland。\"\"IthoughttheO’Connorswere，\"saidMeggieslyly。Minnie’sroundlittleeyestwinkled。\"Ah，wellnow，MissMeggie，’twasabigcountryandall。\"
\"Goon！It’saboutthesizeofDrogheda！Andanyway，O’neillisanOrangename；youcan’tfoolme。\"
\"Itisthat。Butit’sagreatIrishnameanditexistedbeforetherewereOrangemeneverthoughtof。ItisanamefromUlsterparts，soit’slogicalthere’dhavetobeafewofthimOrange，isn’titnow？ButtherewastheO’neillofClandeboyandtheO’neillMorbackwhen，MissMeggiedarlin’。\"Meggiegaveupthebattle；MinniehadlongsincelostanymilitantFeniantendenciesshemightoncehavepossessed，andcouldpronouncetheword\"Orange\"withouthavingastroke。
AboutaweeklatersheranintoLukeO’neillagain，downbythecreek。Shesuspectedhehadlaininwaitforher，butshedidn’tknowwhattodoaboutitifhehad。
\"Goodafternoon，Meghann。\"
\"Goodafternoon，\"saidshe，lookingstraightbetweenthechestnutmare’sears。
\"There’sawoolshedballatBraichyPwllnextSaturdaynight。Willyoucomewithme？\"
\"Thankyouforaskingme，butIcan’tdance。Therewouldn’tbeanypoint。\"\"I’llteachyouhowtodanceintwoflicksofadeadlamb’stail，sothat’snoobstacle。SinceI’llbetakingthesquatter’ssister，doyouthinkBobmightletmeborrowtheoldRolls，ifnotthenewone？\"\"IsaidIwouldn’tgo！\"shesaid，teethclenched。\"Yousaidyoucouldn’tdance，IsaidI’dteachyou。Youneversaidyouwouldn’tgowithmeifyoucoulddance，soIassumeditwasthedancingyouobjectedto，notme。Areyougoingtobarkout？\"Exasperated，sheglaredathimfiercely，butheonlylaughedather。
\"You’respoiledrotten，youngMeghann；it’stimeyoudidn’tgetallyourownway。\"
\"I’mnotspoiled！\"
\"Goon，tellmeanother！Theonlygirl，allthosebrotherstorunroundafteryou，allthislandandmoney，aposhhouse，servants？IknowtheCatholicChurchownsit，buttheClearysaren’tshortofapennyeither。\"Thatwasthebigdifferencebetweenthem！shethoughttriumphantly；ithadbeeneludinghersinceshemethim。FatherRalphwouldneverhavefallenforoutwardtrappings，butthismanlackedhissensitivity；hehadnoinbuiltantennaetotellhimwhatlaybeneaththesurface。Herodethroughlifewithoutanideainhisheadaboutitscomplexityoritspain。
Flabbergasted，BobhandedoverthekeystothenewRollswithoutamurmur；hehadstaredatLukeforamomentwithoutspeaking，thengrinned。\"IneverthoughtofMeggiegoingtoadance，buttakeher，Luke，andwelcome！Idaresayshe’dlikeit，thepoorlittlebeggar。Shenevergetsoutmuch。Weoughttothinkoftakingher，butsomehowweneverdo。\"\"Whydon’tyouandJackandHughiecome，too？\"Lukeasked，apparentlynotaversetocompany。
Bobshookhishead，horrified。\"No，thanks。We’renottookeenondances。\"Meggieworeherashes-of-rosesdress，nothavinganythingelsetowear；ithadn’toccurredtohertousesomeofthestockpilingpoundsFatherRalphputinthebankinhernametohavedressesmadeforpartiesandballs。Untilnowshehadmanagedtorefuseinvitations，formenlikeEnochDaviesandAlastairMacQueenwereeasytodiscouragewithafirmno。Theydidn’thaveLukeO’neill’sgall。
ButasshestaredatherselfinthemirrorshethoughtshejustmightgointoGillynextweekwhenMummadeherusualtrip，visitoldGertandhavehermakeupafewnewfrocks。
Forshehatedwearingthisdress；ifshehadownedoneotherevenremotelysuitable，itwouldhavebeenoffinasecond。Othertimes，adifferentblack-hairedman；itwassotiedupwithloveanddreams，tearsandloneli-ness，thattowearitforsuchaoneasLukeO’neillseemedadesecration。Shehadgrownusedtohidingwhatshefelt，toappearingalwayscalmandoutwardlyhappy。Self-controlwasgrowingaroundherthickerthanbarkonatree，andsometimesinthenightshewouldthinkofhermother，andshiver。WouldsheenduplikeMum，cutofffromallfeeling？WasthishowitbeganforMumbackinthedayswhentherewasFrank’sfather？AndwhatonearthwouldMumdo，whatwouldshesayifsheknewMeggiehadlearnedthetruthaboutFrank？Oh，thatsceneinthepresbytery！Itseemedlikeyesterday，DaddyandFrankfacingeachother，andRalphholdinghersohardhehurt。Shoutingthoseawfulthings。Everythinghadfallenintoplace。Meggiethoughtshemustalwayshaveknown，onceshedid。Shehadgrownupenoughtorealizetherewasmoretogettingbabiesthansheusedtothink；somesortofphysicalcontactabsolutelyforbiddenbetweenanybutamarriedcouple。WhatdisgraceandhumiliationpoorMummusthavegonethroughoverFrank。Nowondershewasthewayshewas。Ifithappenedtoher，Meggiethought，shewouldwanttodie。Inbooksonlythelowest，cheapestgirlshadbabiesoutsideofmarriage；yetMumwasn’tcheap，couldneverhavebeencheap。WithallherheartMeggiewishedMumcouldtalktoheraboutit，orthatsheher-selfhadthecouragetobringupthesubject。Perhapsinsomesmallwayshemighthavebeenabletohelp。ButMumwasn’tthesortofpersononecouldapproach，norwouldMumdotheapproaching。Meggiesighedatherselfinthemirror，andhopednothinglikethateverhappenedtoher。Yetshewasyoung；attimeslikethis，staringatherselfintheashes-of-rosesdress，shewantedtofeel，wantedemotiontoblowoverherlikeastronghotwind。Shedidn’twanttoplodlikealittleautomatonfortherestofherlife，shewantedchangeandvitalityandlove。Love，andahusband，andbabies。Whatwastheuseofhungeringafteramanshecouldneverhave？Hedidn’twanther，heneverwouldwanther。Hesaidhelovedher，butnotasahusbandwouldloveher。BecausehewasmarriedtotheChurch。Didallmendothat，lovesomeinanimatethingmorethantheycouldloveawoman？No，surelynotallmen。Thedifficultones，perhaps，thecomplexoneswiththeirseasofdoubtsandobjections，rationalities。Buttherehadtobesimplermen，menwhocouldsurelyloveawomanbeforeallelse。MenlikeLukeO’neill，forinstance。\"Ithinkyou’rethemostbeautifulgirlI’veeverseen，\"saidLukeashestartedtheRolls。
ComplimentswerequiteoutofMeggie’sken；shegavehimastartledsidelongglanceandsaidnothing。
\"Isn’tthisnice？\"Lukeasked，apparentlynotupsetatherlackofenthusiasm。\"Justturnakeyandpressabuttononthedashboardandthecarstarts。Nocrankingahandle，nohopingthedarneddonkcatchesbeforeaman’sexhausted。Thisisthelife，Meghann，nodoubtaboutit。\"\"Youwon’tleavemealone，willyou？\"sheasked。\"GoodLord，no！You’vecomewithme，haven’tyou？Thatmeansyou’remineallnightlong，andIdon’tintendgivinganyoneelseachance。\"\"Howoldareyou，Luke？\"
\"Thirty。Howoldareyou？\"
\"Almosttwenty-three。\"
\"Asmuchasthat，eh？Youlooklikeababy。\"
\"I’mnotababy。\"
\"Oho！Haveyoueverbeeninlove，then？\"
\"Once。\"
\"Isthatall？Attwenty-three？GoodLord！I’dbeeninandoutofloveadozentimesbyyourage。\"
\"IdaresayImighthavebeen，too，butImeetveryfewpeopletofallinlovewithonDrogheda。You’rethefirststockmanIrememberwhosaidmorethanashyhello。\"
\"Well，ifyouwon’tgotodancesbecauseyoucan’tdance，you’reontheoutsidelookinginrightthere，aren’tyou？Nevermind，we’llfixthatupinnotime。Bytheendoftheeveningyou’llbedancing，andinafewweekswe’llhaveyouachampion。\"Heglancedatherquickly。\"Butyoucan’ttellmesomeofthesquattersoffotherstationshaven’ttriedtogetyoutocometotheodddancewiththem。StockmenIcanunderstand，you’reacutabovetheusualstockman’sinclinations，butsomeofthesheepcockiesmusthavegivenyouthegladeye。\"
\"IfI’macutabovestockmen，whydidyouaskme？\"sheparried。\"Oh，I’vegotallthecheekintheworld。\"Hegrinned。\"Comeonnow，don’tchangethesubject。TheremustbeafewblokesaroundGillywho’veasked。\"\"Afew，\"sheadmitted。\"ButI’vereallyneverwantedtogo。Youpushedmeintoit。\"
\"Thentherestofthemaresillierthanpetsnakes，\"hesaid。\"IknowagoodthingwhenIseeit。\"
Shewasn’ttoosurethatshecaredforthewayhetalked，butthetroublewithLukewasthathewasahardmantoputdown。Everyonecametoawoolsheddance，fromsquatters’sonsanddaughterstostockmenandtheirwivesifany，maidservants，governesses，towndwellersofallagesandsexes。Forinstance，thesewereoccasionswhenfemaleschoolteachersgottheopportunitytofraternizewiththestock-and-station-agentapprentices，thebankjohnniesandtherealbushiesoffthestations。
Thegrandmannersreservedformoreformalaffairswerenotinevidenceatall。OldMickeyO’BriencameoutfromGillytoplaythefiddle，andtherewasalwayssomeoneonhandtomanthepianoaccordionorthebuttonaccordion，takingturnstospelleachotherasMickey’saccompanistswhiletheoldviolinistsatonabarrelorawoolbaleforhoursplayingwithoutarest，hispendulouslowerlipdroolingbecausehehadnopatiencewithswallowing；itinterferedwithhistempo，ButitwasnotthesortofdancingMeggiehadseenatMaryCarson’sbirthdayparty。Thiswasenergeticround-dancing:barndances，jigs，polkas，quadrilles，reels，mazurkas，SirRogerdeCoverleys，withnomorethanapassingtouchingofthepartner’shands，orawildswirlinginrougharms。Therewasnosenseofintimacy，nodreaminess。Everyoneseemedtoviewtheproceedingsasasimpledissipationoffrustrations；romanticintrigueswerefurtheredbetteroutside，wellawayfromthenoiseandbustle。Meggiesoondiscoveredshewasmuchenviedherbighandsomeescort。HewasthetargetofalmostasmanyseductiveorlanguishinglooksasFatherRalphusedtobe，andmoreblatantlyso。AsFatherRalphusedtobe。Usedtobe。Howterribletohavetothinkofhimintheveryremotestofallpasttenses。Truetohisword，LukeleftheraloneonlysolongasittookhimtovisittheMen’s。EnochDaviesandLiamO’Rourkewerethere，andeagertofillhisplacealongsideher。Hegavethemnoopportunitywhatsoever，andMeggieherselfseemedtoodazedtounderstandthatshewasquitewithinherrightstoacceptinvitationstodancefrommenotherthanherescort。Thoughshedidn’thearthecomments，Lukedid，secretlylaughing。Whatadamnedcheekthefellowhad，anordinarystockman，stealingherfromundertheirnoses！DisapprovalmeantnothingtoLuke。Theyhadhadtheirchances；iftheyhadn’tmadethemostofthem，hardluck。
Thelastdancewasawaltz。LuketookMeggie’shandandputhisarmaboutherwaist，drewheragainsthim。Hewasanexcellentdancer。Tohersurpriseshefoundshedidn’tneedtodoanythingmorethanfollowwherehepropelledher。Anditwasamostextraordinarysen-sationtobeheldsoagainstaman，tofeelthemusclesofhischestandthighs，toabsorbhisbodywarmth。HerbriefcontactswithFatherRalphhadbeensointenseshehadnothadtimetoperceivediscretethings，andshehadhonestlythoughtthatwhatshefeltinhisarmsshewouldneverfeelinanyoneelse’s。Yetthoughthiswasquitedifferent，itwasexciting；herpulseratehadgoneup，andsheknewhesenseditbythewayheturnedhersuddenly，grippedhermoreclosely，puthischeekonherhair。AstheRollspurredhome，makinglightofthebumpytrackandsometimesnotrackatall，theydidn’tspeakverymuch。BraichyPwllwasseventymilesfromDrogheda，acrosspaddockswithneverahousetobeseenalltheway，nolightsofsomeone’shome，nointrusionofhumanity。TheridgewhichcutacrossDroghedawasnotmorethanahundredfeethigherthantherestoftheland，butoutontheblack-soilplainstoreachthecrestofitwaslikebeingontopofanAlptoaSwiss。Lukestoppedthecar，gotoutandcameroundtoopenMeggie’sdoor。Shesteppeddownbesidehim，tremblingalittle；washegoingtospoileverythingbytryingtokissher？Itwassoquiet，sofarfromanyone！
Therewasadecayingdoglegwoodenfencewanderingofftooneside，andholdingherelbowlightlytomakesureshedidn’tstumbleinherfrivolousshoes，LukehelpedMeggieacrosstheunevenground，therabbitholes。Grippingthefencetightlyandlookingoutovertheplains，shewasspeechless；firstfromterror，then，herpanicdyingashemadenomovetotouchher，fromwonder。
Almostasclearlyasthesuncould，themoon’sstillpalelightpickedoutvastsweepingstretchesofdistance，thegrassshimmeringandripplinglikearestlesssigh，silverandwhiteandgrey。Leavesontreessparkledsuddenlylikepointsoffirewhenthewindturnedtheirglossytopsupward，andgreatyawninggulfsofshadowsspreadundertimberstandsasmysteriouslyasmouthsoftheunderworld。Liftingherhead，shetriedtocountthestarsandcouldnot；asdelicateasdropsofdewonawheelingspider’swebthepinpointsflared，wentout，flared，wentout，inarhythmastimelessasGod。Theyseemedtohangoverherlikeanet，sobeautiful，soverysilent，sowatchfulandsearchingofthesoul，likejeweleyesofinsectsturnedbrilliantinaspotlight，blindastoexpressionandinfiniteastoseeingpower。Theonlysoundswerethewindhotinthegrass，hissingtrees，anoccasionalclankfromthecoolingRolls，andasleepybirdsomewhereclosecomplainingbecausetheyhadbrokenitsrest；thesolesmellthefragrant，indefinablescentofthebush。
Luketurnedhisbackonthenight，pulledouthistobaccopouchandbookletofricepapers，andbegantorollhimselfacigarette。\"Wereyoubornouthere，Meghann？\"heasked，rubbingthestrandsofleafbackandforthinhispalm，lazily。
\"No，IwasborninNewZealand。WecametoDroghedathirteenyearsago。\"Heslippedtheshapedtendrilsintotheirpapersheath，twiddleditexpertlybetweenthumbandforefinger，thenlickeditshut，pokedafewwispsbackinsidethetubewithamatchend，struckthematchandlitup。\"Youenjoyedyourselftonight，didn’tyou？\"
\"Oh，yes！\"
\"I’dliketotakeyoutoallthedances。\"
\"Thankyou。\"
Hefellsilentagain，smokingquietlyandlookingbackacrosstheroofoftheRollsatthestandoftimberwheretheiratebirdstilltwitteredquerulously。Whenonlyasmallremnantofthetubesputteredbetweenhisstainedfingershedroppeditonthegroundandscrewedhisbootheelviciouslydownuponituntilhewassureitwasout。NoonekillsacigaretteasdeadasanAustralianbushman。
Sighing，Meggieturnedfromthemoonvista，andhehelpedhertothecar。Hewasfartoowisetokissheratthisearlystage，becauseheintendedtomarryherifhecould；letherwanttobekissed，first。Buttherewereotherdances，asthesummerworeonandworeitselfdowninbloody，dustyspendor；graduallythehomesteadgotusedtothefactthatMeggiehadfoundherselfaverygood-lookingboyfriend。Herbrothersforboretotease，fortheylovedherandlikedhimwellenough。LukeO’neillwasthehardestworkertheyhadeveremployed；nobetterrecommendationthanthatexisted。Atheartmoreworkingclassthansquatterclass，itneveroccurredtotheClearymentojudgehimbyhislackofpossessions。Fee，whomighthaveweighedhiminamoreselectivebalance，didn’tcaresufficientlytodoso。Anyway，Luke’scalmassumptionthathewasdifferentfromyouraveragestockmanborefruit；becauseofit，hewastreatedmorelikeoneofthemselves。
Itbecamehiscustomtocallupthetrackatthebighousewhenhewasinatnightandnotoutinthepaddocks；afterawhileBobdeclareditwassillyforhimtoeatalonewhentherewasplentyontheClearytable，soheatewiththem。AfterthatitseemedrathersenselesstosendhimamiledownthetracktosleepwhenhewasniceenoughtowanttostaytalkingtoMeggieuntillate，sohewasbiddentomoveintooneofthesmallguesthousesoutbehindthebighouse。
BythistimeMeggiethoughtabouthimagreatdeal，andnotasdisparaginglyasshehadatfirst，alwayscomparinghimtoFatherRalph。Theoldsorewashealing。AfterawhilesheforgotthatFatherRalphhadsmiledsowiththesamemouth，whileLukesmiledthus，thatFatherRalph’svividblueeyeshadhadadistantstillnesstothemwhileLuke’sglitteredwithrestlesspassion。Shewasyoungandshehadneverquitegottosavorlove，ifforamomentortwoshehadtastedit。Shewantedtorollitroundonhertongue，getthebou-quetofitintoherlungs，spinitdizzyingtoherbrain。FatherRalphwasBishopRalph；hewouldnever，nevercomebacktoher。Hehadsoldherforthirteenmillionpiecesofsilver，anditrankled。Ifhehadn’tusedthephrasethatnightbytheboreheadshewouldnothavewondered，buthehadusedit，andcountlesswerethenightssincewhenshehadlainpuzzlingastowhathecouldpossiblyhavemeant。
AndherhandsitchedwiththefeelofLuke’sbackwhenheheldhercloseinadance；shewasstirredbyhim，histouch，hiscrispvitality。Oh，sheneverfeltthatdarkliquidfireinherbonesforhim，sheneverthoughtthatifshedidn’tseehimagainshewouldwitheranddryup，shenevertwitchedandtrembledbecausehelookedather。ButshehadgrowntoknowmenlikeEnochDavies，LiamO’Rourke，AlastairMacQueenbetterasLukesquiredhertomoreandmoreofthedistrictaffairs，andnoneofthemmovedherthewayLukeO’neilldid。Iftheyweretallenoughtoobligehertolookup，theywouldturnoutnottohaveLuke’seyes，oriftheyhadthesamesortofeyes，theywouldn’thavehishair。Somethingwasalwayslackingwhichwasn’tlackinginLuke，thoughjustwhatitwasLukepossessedshedidn’tknow。AsidefromthefactthatheremindedherofFatherRalph，thatis，andsherefusedtoadmitherattractionhadnobetterbasisthanthat。
Theytalkedalot，butalwaysaboutgeneralthings；shearing，theland，thesheep，orwhathewantedoutoflife，orperhapsabouttheplaceshehadseen，orsomepoliticalhappening。Hereadanoccasionalbookbuthewasn’taninveteratereaderlikeMeggie，andtryasshewould，shecouldn’tseemtopersuadehimtoreadthisorthatbooksimplybecauseshehadfounditinteresting。Nordidheleadtheconversationintointellectualdepths；mostinterestingandirritatingofall，heneverevincedanyinterestinherlife，oraskedherwhatshewantedfromit。Sometimesshelongedtotalkaboutmattersfarclosertoherheartthansheeporrain，butifshemadealeadingstatementhewasexpertatdeflectingherintomoreimpersonalchannels。
LukeO’neillwasclever，conceited，extremelyhardworkingandhungrytoenrichhimself。Hehadbeenborninawattle-and-daubshantyexactlyontheTropicofCapricorn，outsidethetownofLongreachinWesternQueensland。HisfatherwastheblacksheepofaprosperousbutunforgivingIrishfamily，hismotherwasthedaughteroftheGermanbutcherinWinton；whensheinsistedonmarryingLukesenior，shealsowasdisowned。Thereweretenchildreninthathumpy，noneofwhompossessedapairofshoes-notthatshoesmatteredmuchintorridLongreach。Lukesenior，whoshoreforalivingwhenhefeltlikeit(butmostlyallhefeltlikedoingwasdrinkingOPrum)，diedinafireattheBlackallpubwhenyoungLukewastwelveyearsold。SoassoonashecouldLuketookhimselfoffontheshearingcircuitasatarboy，slappingmoltentaronjaggedwoundsifashearerslippedandcutfleshaswellaswool。OnethingLukewasneverafraidof，andthatwashardwork；hethrivedonitthewaysomementhrivedonitsopposite，whetherbecausehisfatherhadbeenabarflyandatownjokeorbecausehehadinheritedhisGermanmother’sloveofindustrynoonehadeverbotheredtofindout。Ashegrewolderhegraduatedfromtarboytoshedhand，runningdowntheboardcatchingthegreatheavyfleecesastheyflewofftheboggisinonepiecebillowinguplikekites，andcarryingthemtothewool-rollingtabletobeskirted。Fromthathelearnedtoskirt，pickingthedirt-encrustededgesoffthefleecesandtransferringthemtobinsreadyfortheattentionoftheclasser，whowasshedaristocrat:themanwholikeawinetasteroraperfume-testercannotbetrainedunlesshealsohasinstinctforthejob。AndLukedidn’thaveaclasser’sinstinct；eitherheturnedtopressingortoshearingifhewantedtoearnmoremoney，whichhecertainlydid。Hehadthestrengthtomanthepress，tampdownthegradedfleecesintomassivebales，butagunshearercouldmakemoremoney。
BynowhewaswellknowninWesternQueenslandasagoodworker，sohehadnotroublegettinghimselfalearner’spen。Withgrace，coordination，strengthandendurance，allnecessaryandluckilypresentinLuke，amancouldbecomeagunshearer。SoonLukewasshearinghistwohundred-plusadaysixdaysaweek，aquidahundred；andthiswiththenarrowhandpieceresemblingabo)ilizard，henceitsname。ThebigNewZealandhandpieceswiththeirwide，coarsecombsandcutterswereillegalinAustralia，thoughtheydoubledashearer’stally。
Itwasgruelingwork；bendingfromhisheightwithasheepclampedbetweenhisknees，sweepinghisbo)iinblowsthelengthofthesheep’sbodytofreethewoolinonepieceandleaveasfewsecondcutsaspossible，closeenoughtotheloosekinkyskintopleasetheshedboss，whowouldbedowninasecondonanyshearernotconformingtohisrigorousstandards。Hedidn’tmindtheheatandthesweatandthethirstwhichforcedhimtodrinkupwardofthreegallonsofwateraday，hedidn’tevenmindthetormentinghordesofflies，forhewasborninflycountry。Nordidhemindthesheep，whichweremostlyashearer’snightmare；cobblers，wets，overgrowns，snobs，dags，fly-strikes，theycameinallvarieties，andtheywereallmerinos，whichmeantwoolallthewaydowntotheirhoofsandnoses，andacobbledfragileskinwhichmovedlikeslipperypaper。
No，itwasn’ttheworkitselfLukeminded，fortheharderheworkedthebetterhefelt；whatirkedhimwerethenoise，thebeingshutinside，thestench。Noplaceonearthwasquitethehellashearingshedwas。Sehedecidedhewantedtobethebosscocky，themanwhostrolledupanddownthelinesofstoopingshearerstowatchthefleecesheownedbeingstrippedawaybythatsmooth，flawlessmotion。
Attheendofthefloorinhiscane-bottomedchairSitsthebossoftheboardwithhiseyeseverywhere。
Thatwaswhattheoldshearingsongsaid，andthatwaswhoLukeO’neilldecidedtobe。Thebosscocky，theheadpeanut，thegrazier，thesquatter。Notforhimtheperpetualstoop，theelongatedarmsofalifelongshearer；hewantedthepleasureofworkingoutintheopenairwhilehewatchedthemoneyrollin。OnlytheprospectofbecomingadreadnoughtshearermighthavekeptLukeinsideashed，oneoftherarehandfulofmenwhomanagedtoshearoverthreehundredmerinosheepaday，alltostandard，andusingnarrowboggis。Theymadefortunesonthesidebybetting。Butunfortunatelyhewasjustalittletootall，thoseextrasecondsbendingandduckingmounteduptothedifferencebetweengunanddreadnought。
Hismindturnedwithinitslimitationstoanothermethodofacquiringwhathehungeredfor；ataboutthisstageinhislifehediscoveredhowattractivehewastowomen。HisfirsttryhadbeenintheguiseofastockmanonGnarlunga，asthatstationhadanheirwhowasfemale，fairlyyoungandfairlypretty。IthadbeensheerbadluckthatintheendshepreferredthePommyjackaroowhosemorebizarreexploitswerebecomingbushlegend。FromGnarlungahewenttoBingellyandgotajobbreakinghorses，hiseyeonthehomesteadwheretheagingandunattractiveheiresslivedwithherwidowedfather。PoorDot，hehadsonearlywonher；butintheendshehadfalleninwithherfather’swishesandmarriedthesprysexagenarianwhoownedtheneighboringproperty。
Thesetwoessayscosthimoverthreeyearsofhislife，andhedecidedtwentymonthsperheiresswasfartoolongandboring。Itwouldsuithimbetterforawhiletojourneyfarandwide，continuallyonthemove，untilwithinthismuchlargersweephefoundanotherlikelyprospect。Enjoyinghimselfenormously，hebegantodrovetheWesternQueenslandstockroutes，downtheCooperandtheDiamantina，theBarcooandtheBullooOverflowdwindlingthroughthetopcornerofwesternNewSouthWales。Hewasthirty，anditwasmorethantimehefoundthegoosewhowouldlayatleastpartofhisgoldenegg。EveryonehadheardofDrogheda，butLuke’searsprickedupwhenhediscoveredtherewasanonlydaughter。Nohopeshe’dinherit，butperhapsthey’dwanttodowerherwithamodest100，000acresoutaroundKynunaorWinton。ThiswasnicecountryaroundGilly，buttoocrampedandforestedforhim。LukeyearnedfortheenormityoffarwesternQueensland，wherethegrassstretchedintoinfinityandtreesweremostlysomethingamanrememberedasbeingvaguelyeastward。Justthegrass，onandonandonwithnobeginningandnoend，whereamanwasluckytograzeonesheepforeverytenacresheowned。Becausesometimestherewasnograss，justaflatdesertofcracked，pantingblacksoil。Thegrass，thesun，theheatandtheflies；toeachmanhisownkindofheaven，andthiswasLukeO’neill’s。HehadprisedtherestoftheDroghedastoryoutofJimmyStrong，theAMLANDFstock-and-stationagentwhodrovehimoutthatfirstday，andithadbeenabitterblowtodiscovertheCatholicChurchownedDrogheda。However，hehadlearnedhowfewandfarbetweenfemaleheirstopropertieswere；whenJimmyStrongwentontosaythattheonlydaughterhadanicelittlecashsumofherownandmanydotingbrothers，hedecidedtocarryonasplanned。ButthoughLukehadlongdecidedhislife’sobjectivelayin100，000acresoutaroundKynunaorWinton，andworkedtowarditwithsingle-mindedzeal，thetruthwasthatathearthelovedhardcashfarmorethanwhatitmighteventuallybuyhim；notthepossessionofland，noritsinherentpower，buttheprospectofstockpilingrowsofneatfiguresinhisbankbook，inhisname。Ithadn’tbeenGnarlungaorBingellyhehadwantedsodesperately，buttheirvalueinhardcash。AmanwhogenuinelywantedtobethebosscockywouldneverhavesettledforlandlessMeggieCleary。NorwouldhehavelovedthephysicalactofworkinghardasdidLukeO’neill。
ThedanceattheHolyCrosshallinGillywasthethirteenthdanceLukehadtakenMeggietoinasmanyweeks。HowhediscoveredwheretheywereandhowhewangledsomeoftheinvitationsMeggiewastoonaivetoguess，butregularlyonaSaturdayhewouldaskBobforthekeystotheRolls，andtakehersomewherewithin150miles。
Tonightitwascoldasshestoodbyafencelookingacrossamoonlesslandscape，andunderherfeetshecouldfeelthecrunchoffrost。Winterwascoming。Luke’sarmcamearoundheranddrewherintohisside。\"You’recold，\"hesaid。\"I’dbettergetyouhome。\"
\"No，it’sallrightnow，I’mgettingwarm，\"sheansweredbreathlessly。Shefeltachangeinhim，achangeinthearmheldlooselyandimpersonallyacrossherback。Butitwasnicetoleanagainsthim，tofeelthewarmthradiatingfromhisbody，thedifferentconstructionofhisframe。Eventhroughhercardiganshewasconsciousofhishand，movingnowinsmall，caressingcircles，atentativeandquestioningmassage。Ifatthisstagesheannouncedshewascoldhewouldstop；ifshesaidnothing，hewouldtakeitastacitpermissiontoproceed。Shewasyoung，shewantedsobadlytosavorloveproperly。ThiswastheonlymanoutsideofRalphwhointerestedher，sowhynotseewhathiskisseswerelike？Onlyletthembedifferent！LetthemnotbelikeRalph’skisses！
Takinghersilenceasacquiescence，Lukeputhisotherhandonhershoulder，turnedhertofacehim，andbenthishead。Wasthathowamouthreallyfelt？Why，itwasnomorethanasortofpressure！Whatwasshesupposedtodotoindicateliking？Shemovedherlipsunderhisandatoncewishedshehadnot。Thepushingdownincreased；heopenedhismouthwide，forcedherlipsapartwithhisteethandtongue，andranthetonguearoundtheinsideofhermouth。Revolting。WhyhaditseemedsodifferentwhenRalphkissedher？Shehadn’tbeenawarethenofhowwetandfaintlynauseatingitwas；shehadn’tseemedtothinkatall，onlyopentohimlikeacasketwhenthewell-knownhandtouchesasecretspring。Whatonearthwashedoing？Whydidherbodyjumpso，clingtohimwhenhermindwantedbadlytopullaway？Lukehadfoundthesensitivespotonherside，andkepthisfingersonittomakeherwrithe；sofarshewasn’texactlyenthusiastic。Breakingthekiss，heputhismouthhardagainstthesideofherneck。Sheseemedtolikethatbetter，herhandscameuparoundhimandshegasped，butwhenheslidhislipsdownherthroatatthesametimeashishandattemptedtopushherdressoffhershoulder，shegavehimasharpshoveandsteppedquicklyaway。\"That’senough，Luke！\"
Theepisodehaddisappointedher，half-repelledher。Lukewasveryawareofitashehelpedherintothecarandrolledamuch-neededcigarette。Heratherfanciedhimselfasalover，noneofthegirlssofarhadevercomplained-butthentheyhadn’tbeenladieslikeMeggie。EvenDotMacPherson，theBingellyheiress，richerbyfarthanMeggie，wasasroughasbags，noposhSydneyboardingschoolandallthatcrap。InspiteofhislooksLukewasaboutonaparwiththeaverageruralworkingmanwhenitcametosexualexperience；heknewlittleofthemechanicsbeyondwhathelikedhimself，andheknewnothingofthetheory。Thenumerousgirlshehadmadelovetowerenothingloathtoassurehimtheylikedit，butthatmeanthehadtorelyonacertainamountofpersonalinformation，notalwayshonest，either。AgirlwentintoanyaffairhopingformarriagewhenthemanwasasattractiveandhardworkingasLuke，soagirlwasaslikelyasnottolieherheadofftopleasehim。Andnothingpleasedamanmorethanbeingtoldhewasthebestever。Lukeneverdreamedhowmanymenasidefromhimselfhadbeenfooledwiththatone。StillthinkingaboutoldDot，whohadgiveninanddoneasherfatherwantedafterhelockedherintheshearers’barracksforaweekwithafly-blowncarcass，Lukementallyshruggedhisshoulders。Meggiewasgoingtobeatoughnuttocrackandhecouldn’taffordtofrightenordisgusther。Funandgameswouldhavetowait，thatwasall。He’dwooherthewaysheobviouslywanted，flowersandattentionandnottoomuchslapand-tickle。Forawhileanuncomfortablesilencereigned，thenMeggiesighedandslumpedbackinherseat。
