OneSundayinJuneof1936LukeandArneturneduptogether，verypleasedwiththemselves。Theyhadcome，theysaid，togiveMeggiearealtreat，fortheyweretakinghertoaceilidh。
UnlikethegeneraltendencyofethnicgroupsinAustraliatoscatterandbecomepurelyAustralian，thevariousnationalitiesintheNorthQueenslandpeninsulatendedtopreservetheirtraditionsfiercely:theChinese，theItalians，theGermansandtheScots-Irish，thesefourgroupsmakingupthebulkofthepopulation。AndwhentheScotsthrewaceilidheveryScotformilesattended。
ToMeggie’sastonishment，LukeandArnewerewearingkilts，looking，shethoughtwhenshegotherbreathback，absolutelymagnificent。Nothingismoremasculineonamasculinemanthanakilt，foritswingswithalongcleanstrideinaflurryofpleatsbehindandstaysperfectlystillinfront，thesporranlikealoinguard，andbelowthemid-kneehemstrongfinelegsindiamondcheckeredhose，buckledshoes。Itwasfartoohottoweartheplaidandthejacket；theyhadcontentedthemselveswithwhiteshirtsopenhalfwaydowntheirchests，sleevesrolledupabovetheirelbows。
\"What’saceilidhanyway？\"sheaskedastheysetoff。\"It’sGaelicforagathering，ashindig。\"
\"Whyonearthareyouwearingkilts？\"
\"Wewon’tbeletinunlessweare，andwe’rewellknownatalltheceilidhsbetweenBrisandCairns。\"
\"Areyounow？Iimagineyoumustindeedgotoquiteafew，otherwiseIcan’tseeLukeoutlayingmoneyforakilt。Isn’tthatso，Arne？\"\"Aman’sgottohavesomerelaxation，\"saidLuke，alittledefensively。TheceilidhwasbeingheldinabarnlikeshackfallingtorackandruindowninthemidstofthemangroveswampsfesteringaboutthemouthoftheDungloeRiver。Oh，whatacountrythiswasforsmells！Meggiethoughtindespair，hernosetwitchingtoyetanotherindescribablydisgustingaroma。Molasses，mildew，Bunnies，andnowmangroves。Alltherottingeffluviaoftheseashorerolledintoonesmell。
Sureenough，everymanarrivingattheshedworeakilt；astheywentinandshelookedaround，Meggieunderstoodhowdrabapeahenmustfeelwhendazzledbythevividgorgeousnessofhermate。Thewomenwereovershadowedintonearnonexistence，animpressionwhichthelaterstagesoftheeveningonlysharpened。
Twopipersinthecomplex，light-blue-basedAndersontartanwerestandingonaricketydaisatoneendofthehall，pipingacheerfulreelinperfectsynchrony，sandyhaironend，sweatrunningdownruddyfaces。Afewcouplesweredancing，butmostofthenoisyactivityseemedtobecenteredaroundagroupofmenwhowerepassingoutglassesofwhatwassurelyScotchwhiskey。Meggiefoundherselfthrustintoacornerwithseveralotherwomen，andwascontenttostaytherewatching，fascinated。Notonewomanworeaclantartan，forindeednoScotswomanwearsthekilt，onlytheplaid，anditwastoohottodrapeagreatheavypieceofmaterialaroundtheshoulders。SothewomenworetheirdowdyNorthQueenslandcottondresses，whichstutteredintolimpsilencebesidethemen’skilts。TherewastheblazingredandwhiteofClanMenzies，thecheeryblackandyellowofClanMacLeodofLewis，thewindowpaneblueandredchecksofClanSkene，thevividcomplexityofClanOgilvy，thelovelyred，greyandblackofClanMacPherson。LukeinClanMacationeil，ArneintheSassenach’sJacobeantartan。Beautiful！
LukeandArnewereobviouslywellknownandwellliked。Howoftendidtheycomewithouther，then？Andwhathadpossessedthemtobringhertonight？Shesighed，leanedagainstthewall。Theotherwomenwereeyeinghercuriously，especiallytheringsonherweddingfinger；LukeandArneweretheobjectsofmuchfeminineadmiration，herselftheobjectofmuchfeminineenvy。Iwonderwhatthey’dsayifItoldthemthebigdarkone，whoismyhusband，hasseenmepreciselytwiceinthelasteightmonths，andneverseesmewiththeideaofgettingintoabed？Lookatthepairofthem，theconceitedHighlandfops！AndneitherofthemScottishatall，justplayactingbecausetheyknowtheylooksensationalinkiltsandtheyliketobethecenterofattention。Youmagnificentpairoffrauds！You’retoomuchinlovewithyourselvestowantorneedlovefromanyoneelse。
Atmidnightthewomenwererelegatedtostandingaroundthewalls；thepipersskirledinto\"CaberFeidh\"andtheseriousdancingbegan。Fortherestofherlife，wheneversheheardthesoundofapiperMeggiewasbackinthatshed。Eventheswirlofakiltcoulddoit；therewasthatdreamlikemergingofsoundandsight，oflifeandbrilliantvitality，whichmeansamemorysopiercing，sospellbinding，thatitwillneverbelost。Downwentthecrossedswordsonthefloor；twomeninClanMacDonaldofSleatkiltsraisedtheirarmsabovetheirheads，handsflickedoverlikeballetdancers，andverygravely，asifattheendtheswordswouldbeplungedintotheirbreasts，begantopicktheirdelicatewaythrough，between，amongtheblades。
Ahighshrillscreamrippedabovetheairywaveringofthepipes，thetunebecame\"AlltheBlueBonnetsovertheBorder，\"thesaberswerescoopedup，andeverymanintheroomswungintothedance，armslinkinganddissolving，kiltsflaring。Reels，strathspeys，flings；theydancedthemall，feetontheboardfloorsendingechoesamongtherafters，bucklesonshoesflashing，andeverytimethepatternchangedsomeonewouldthrowbackhishead，emitthatshrill，ululatingwhoop，setofftrainsofcriesfromotherexuberantthroats。Whilethewomenwatched，forgotten。
Itwasclosetofourinthemorningwhentheceilidhbrokeup；outsidewasnottheastringentcrispnessofBlairAthollorSkyebutthetorporofatropicalnight，agreatheavymoondraggingitselfalongthespangledwastesoftheheavens，andoveritallthestinkingmiasmaofmangroves。YetasArnedrovethemoffinthewheezingoldFord，thelastthingMeggieheardwasthedriftingdwindlinglament\"Flowerso\"theForest，\"biddingtherevelershome。Home。Wherewashome？
\"Well，didyouenjoythat？\"askedLuke。
\"IwouldhaveenjoyeditmorehadIdancedmore，\"sheanswered。\"What，ataceilidh？Breakitdown，Meg！Onlythemenaresupposedtodance，sowe’reactuallyprettygoodtoyouwomen，lettingyoudanceatall。\"\"Itseemstomeonlymendoalotofthings，andespeciallyifthey’regoodthings，enjoyablethings。\"
\"Well，excuseme！\"saidLukestiffly。\"HerewasIthinkingyoumightlikeabitofachange，whichwaswhyIbroughtyou。Ididn’thaveto，youknow！Andifyou’renotgratefulIwon’tbringyouagain。\"
\"Youprobablydon’thaveanyintentionofdoingso，anyway，\"saidMeggie。\"Itisn’tgoodtoadmitmeintoyourlife。Ilearnedalotthesepastfewhours，butIdon’tthinkit’swhatyouintendedtoteachme。It’sgettinghardertofoolme，Luke。Infact，I’mfedupwithyou，withthelifeI’mleading，witheverything！\"
\"Ssssh！\"hehissed，scandalized。\"We’renotalone！\"\"Thencomealone！\"shesnapped。\"WhendoIevergetthechancetoseeyoualoneformorethanafewminutes？\"
ArnepulledupatthebottomoftheHimmelhochhill，grinningatLukesympathetically。\"Goon，mate，\"hesaid。\"Walkherup；I’llwaithereforyou。Nohurry。\"
\"Imeanit，Luke！\"MeggiesaidassoonastheywereoutofArne’shearing。\"Theworm’sturning，doyouhearme？IknowIpromisedtoobeyyou，butyoupromisedtoloveandcherishme，sowe’rebothliars！IwanttogohometoDrogheda！\"
Hethoughtofhertwothousandpoundsayearandofitsceasingtobeputinhisname。
\"Oh，Meg！\"hesaidhelplessly。\"Look，sweetheart，itwon’tbeforever，Ipromise！AndthissummerI’mgoingtotakeyoutoSydneywithme，wordofanO’neill！Arne’saunthasaflatcomingvacantinherhouse，andwecanlivethereforthreemonths，haveawonderfultime！Bearwithmeanotheryearorsointhecane，thenwe’llbuyourpropertyandsettledown，eh？\"Themoonlituphisface；helookedsincere，upset，anxious，contrite。AndverylikeRalphdeBricassart。
Meggierelented，becauseshestillwantedhisbabies。\"Allright，\"shesaid。\"Anotheryear。ButI’mholdingyoutothatpromiseofSydney，Luke，soremember！\"
OnceamonthMeggiewroteadutifullettertoFee，Bobandtheboys，fullofdescriptionsofNorthQueensland，carefullyhumorous，neverhintingofanydifferencesbetweenherandLuke。Thatprideagain。AsfarasDroghedaknew，theMuellerswerefriendsofLuke’swithwhomsheboardedbecauseLuketraveledsomuch。Hergenuineaffectionforthecouplecamethroughineverywordshewroteaboutthem，sonooneonDroghedaworried。Exceptthatitgrievedthemshenevercamehome。Yethowcouldshetellthemthatshedidn’thavethemoneytovisitwithoutalsotellingthemhowmiserablehermarriagetoLukeO’neillhadbecome？
OccasionallyshewouldnerveherselftoinsertacasualquestionaboutBishopRalph，andevenlessoftenBobwouldremembertopassonthelittlehelearnedfromFeeabouttheBishop。Thencamealetterfullofhim。\"Hearrivedoutoftheblueoneday，Meggie，\"Bob’slettersaid，\"lookingabitupsetanddowninthemouth。Imustsayhewasfloorednottofindyouhere。Hewasspittingmadbecausewehadn’ttoldhimaboutyouandLuke，butwhenMumsaidyou’dgotabeeinyourbonnetaboutitanddidn’twantustotellhim，heshutupandneversaidanotherword。ButIthoughthemissedyoumorethanhewouldanyoftherestofus，andIsupposethat’squitenaturalbecauseyouspentmoretimewithhimthantherestofus，andIthinkhealwaysthoughtofyouashislittlesister。Hewanderedaroundasifhecouldn’tbelieveyouwouldn’tpopupallofasudden，poorchap。Wedidn’thaveanypicturestoshowhimeither，andIneverthoughtuntilheaskedtoseethemthatitwasfunnyyouneverhadanyweddingpicturestaken。Heaskedifyouhadanykids，andIsaidIdidn’tthinkso。Youdon’t，doyou，Meggie？Howlongisitnowsinceyouweremarried？Gettingonfortwoyears？Mustbe，becausethisisJuly。Timeflies，eh？Ihopeyouhavesomekidssoon，becauseIthinktheBishopwouldbepleasedtohearofit。Iofferedtogivehimyouraddress，buthesaidno。Saiditwouldn’tbeanyusebecausehewasgoingtoAthens，Greece，forawhilewiththearchbishopheworksfor。SomeDagonamefouryardslong，Inevercanrememberit。Canyouimagine，Meggie，they’reflying？\"Struth！Anyway，oncehefoundoutyouweren’tonDroghedatogoroundwithhimhedidn’tstaylong，justtookarideortwo，saidMassforuseveryday，andwentsixdaysafterhegothere。\"
Meggielaidtheletterdown。Heknew，heknew！Atlastheknew。Whathadhethought，howmuchhaditgrievedhim？Andwhyhadhepushedhertodothis？Ithadn’tmadethingsanybetter。Shedidn’tloveLuke，sheneverwouldloveLuke。Hewasnothingmorethanasubstitute，amanwhowouldgiveherchildrensimilarintypetothoseshemighthavehadwithRalphdeBricassart。Oh，God，whatamess！
ArchbishopdiContini-VerchesepreferredtostayinasecularhotelthanavailhimselfoftheofferedquartersinanAthensOrthodoxpalace。Hismissionwasaverydelicateone，ofsomemoment；therewerematterslongoverduefordiscussionwiththechiefprelatesofthe
GreekOrthodoxChurch，theVaticanhavingafondnessforGreekandRussianOrthodoxythatitcouldn’thaveforProtestantism。Afterall，theOrthodoxieswereschisms，notheresies；theirbishops，likeRome’s，extendedbacktoSaintPeterinanunbrokenline。
TheArchbishopknewhisappointmentforthismissionwasadiplomatictesting，asteppingstonetogreaterthingsinRome。Againhisgiftforlanguageshadbeenaboon，foritwashisfluentGreekwhichhadtippedthebalanceinhisfavor。TheyhadsentforhimallthewaytoAustralia，flownhimout。
AnditwasunthinkablethathegowithoutBishopdeBricassart，forhehadgrowntorelyuponthatamazingmanmoreandmorewiththepassingoftheyears。AMazarin，trulyaMazarin；HisGraceadmiredCardinalMazarinfarmorethanhedidCardinalRichelieu，sothecomparisonwashighpraise。RalphwaseverythingtheChurchlikedinherhighofficials。Histheologywasconservative，sowerehisethics；hisbrainwasquickandsubtle，hisfacegaveawaynothingofwhatwentonbehindit；andhehadanexquisiteknackofknowingjusthowtopleasethosehewaswith，whetherhelikedthemorloathedthem，agreedwiththemordifferedfromthem。Asycophanthewasnot，adiplomathewas。IfhewasrepeatedlybroughttotheattentionofthoseintheVaticanhierarchy，hisrisetoprominencewouldbecertain。AndthatwouldpleaseHisGracediContini-Verchese，forhedidn’twanttolosecontactwithHisLordshipdeBricassart。
Itwasveryhot，butBishopRalphdidn’tmindthedryAthensairafterSydney’shumidity。Walkingrapidly，asusualinboots，breechesandsoutane，hestrodeuptherockyramptotheAcropolis，throughthefrowningPropylon，pasttheErechtheum，onuptheinclinewithitsslipperyroughstonestotheParthenon，and。downtothewallbeyond。
There，withthewindrufflinghisdarkcurls，alittlegreyabouttheearsnow，hestoodandlookedacrossthewhitecitytothebrighthillsandtheclear，astonishingaquamarineoftheAegeanSea。RightbelowhimwasthePlakawithitsrooftopcafes，itscoloniesofBohemians，andtoonesideagreattheaterlappeduptherock。InthedistancewereRomancolumns，CrusaderfortsandVenetiancastles，butneverasignoftheTurks。Whatamazingpeople，theseGreeks。Tohatetheracewhohadruledthemforsevenhundredyearssomuchthatoncefreedtheyhadn’tleftamosqueoraminaretstanding。Andsoancient，sofullofrichheritage。HisNormanshadbeenfur-cladbarbarianswhenPericlesclothedthetopoftherockinmarble，andRomehadbeenarudevillage。Onlynow，eleventhousandmilesaway，washeabletothinkofMeggiewithoutwantingtoweep。Evenso，thedistanthillsblurredforamomentbeforehebroughthisemotionsundercontrol。Howcouldhepossiblyblameher，whenhehadtoldhertodoit？Heunderstoodatoncewhyshehadbeendeterminednottotellhim；shedidn’twanthimtomeethernewhusband，orbeapartofhernewlife。OfcourseinhismindhehadassumedshewouldbringwhomevershemarriedtoGillanboneifnottoDroghedaitself，thatshewouldcontinuetolivewhereheknewhertobesafe，freefromcareanddanger。Butoncehethoughtaboutit，hecouldseethiswasthelastthingshewouldwant。No，shehadbeenboundtogoaway，andsolongassheandthisLukeO’neillweretogether，shewouldn’tcomeback。BobsaidtheyweresavingtobuyapropertyinWesternQueensland，andthatnewshadbeenthedeathknell。Meggiemeantnevertocomeback。Asfarashewasconcerned，sheintendedtobedead。
Butareyouhappy，Meggie？Ishegoodtoyou？Doyoulovehim，thisLukeO’neill？Whatkindofmanishe，thatyouturnedfrommetohim？Whatwasitabouthim，anordinarystockman，thatyoulikedbetterthanEnochDaviesorLiamO’RourkeorAlastairMacQueen？Wasitthat1didn’tknowhim，that1couldmakenocomparisons？Didyoudoittotortureme，Meggie，topaymeback？Butwhyaretherenochildren？What’sthematterwiththeman，thatheroamsupanddownthestatelikeavagabondandputsyoutolivewithfriends？Nowonderyouhavenochild；he’snotwithyoulongenough。Meggie，why？WhydidyoumarrythisLukeO’neill？
Turning，hemadehiswaydownfromtheAcropolis，andwalkedthebusystreetsofAthens。Intheopen-airmarketsaroundEvripidouStreethelingered，fascinatedbythepeople，thehugebasketsofkalamariandfishreekinginthesun，thevegetablesandtinselslippershungsidebyside；thewomenamusedhim，theirunashamedandopencooingoverhim，alegacyofaculturebasicallyverydifferentfromhispuritanicalown。Hadtheirunabashedadmirationbeenlustful(hecouldnotthinkofabetterword)itwouldhaveembarrassedhimacutely，butheaccepteditinthespiritintended，asanaccoladeforextraordinaryphysicalbeauty。ThehotelwasonOmoniaSquare，veryluxuriousandexpensive。Archbishopdi
Contini-Verchesewas，sittinginachairbyhisbalconywindows，quietlythinking；asBishopRalphcameinheturnedhishead，smiling。\"Ingoodtime，Ralph。Iwouldliketopray。\"
\"Ithoughteverythingwassettled？Aretheresuddencomplications，YourGrace？\"
\"Notofthatkind。IhadaletterfromCardinalMonteverditoday，expressingthewishesoftheHolyFather。\"
BishopRalphfelthisshoulderstighten，acuriouspricklingoftheskinaroundhisears。\"Tellme。\"
\"Assoonasthetalksareover-andtheyareover-IamtoproceedtoRome。ThereIamtobeblessedwiththebirettaofacardinal，andcontinuemyworkinRomeunderthedirectsupervisionofHisHoliness。\"
\"WhereasI？\"
\"YouwillbecomeArchbishopdeBricassart，andgobacktoAustraliatofillmyshoesasPapalLegate。\"
Thepricklingskinaroundhisearsflushedredhot；hisheadwhirled，rocked。He，anon-Italian，tobehonoredwiththePapalLegation！Itwasunheardof！Oh，dependonit，hewouldbeCardinaldeBricassartyet！\"OfcourseyouwillreceivetrainingandinstructioninRomefirst。Thatwilltakeaboutsixmonths，duringwhichIwillbewithyoutointroduceyoutothosewhoaremyfriends。Iwantthemtoknowyou，becausethetimewillcomewhenIshallsendforyou，Ralph，tohelpmewithmyworkintheVatican。\"
\"YourGrace，Ican’tthankyouenough！It’sduetoyou，thisgreatchance。\"\"GodgrantIamsufficientlyintelligenttoseewhenamanistooabletoleaveinobscurity，Ralph！Nowletuskneelandpray。Godisverygood。\"Hisrosarybeadsandmissalweresittingonatablenearby；handtrembling，BishopRalphreachedforthebeadsandknockedthemissaltothefloor。Itfellopenatthemiddle。TheArchbishop；whowasclosertoit，pickeditupandlookedcuriouslyatthebrown，tissuethinshapewhichhadoncebeenarose。
\"Howextraordinary！Whydoyoukeepthis？Isitamemoryofyourhome，orperhapsofyourmother？\"Theeyeswhichsawthroughguileanddissimulationwerelookingstraightathim，andtherewasnotimetodisguisehisemotion，orhisapprehension。
\"No。\"Hegrimaced。\"Iwantnomemoriesofmymother。\"
\"Butitmusthavegreatmeaningforyou，thatyoustoreitsolovinglywithinthepagesofthebookmostdeartoyou。Ofwhatdoesitspeak？\"\"OfaloveaspureasthatIbearmyGod，Vittorio。Itdoesthebooknothingbuthonor。\"
\"ThatIdeduced，becauseIknowyou。Butthe-love，doesitendangeryourlovefortheChurch？\"
\"No。ItwasfortheChurchIforsookher，thatIalwayswillforsakeher。I’vegonesofarbeyondher，andIcannevergobackagain。\"
\"SoatlastIunderstandthesadness！DearRalph，itisnotasbadasyouthink，trulyitisnot。Youwilllivetodogreatgoodformanypeople，youwillbelovedbymanypeople。Andshe，havingthelovewhichiscontainedinsuchanold，fragrantmemoryasthis，willneverwant。Becauseyoukeptthelovealongsidetherose。\"
\"Idon’tthinksheunderstandsatall。\"
\"Oh，yes。Ifyouhavelovedherthus，thensheiswomanenoughtounderstand。Otherwiseyouwouldhaveforgottenher，andabandonedthisreliclongsince。\"
\"Therehavebeentimeswhenonlyhoursonmykneeshavestoppedmefromleavingmypost，goingtoher。\"
TheArchbishopeasedhimselfoutofhischairandcametokneelbesidehisfriend，thisbeautifulmanwhomhelovedashehadlovedfewthingsotherthanhisGodandhisChurch，whichtohimwereindivisible。\"Youwillnotleave，Ralph，andyouknowitwell。YoubelongtotheChurch，youalwayshaveandyoualwayswill。Thevocationforyouisatrueone。Weshallpraynow，andIshalladdtheRosetomyprayersfortherestofmylife。OurDearLordsendsusmanygriefsandmuchpainduringourprogresstoeternallife。Wemustlearntobearit，Iasmuchasyou。\"
AttheendofAugustMeggiegotaletterfromLuketosayhewasinTownsvilleHospitalwithWeil’sdisease，butthathewasinnodangerandwouldbeoutsoon。
\"Soitlookslikewedon’thavetowaituntiltheendoftheyearforourholiday，Meg。Ican’tgobacktothecaneuntilI’monehundredpercentfit，andthebestwaytomakesureIamistohaveadecentholiday。SoI’llbealonginaweekorsotopickyouup。We’regoingtoLakeEachamontheAthertonTablelandforacoupleofweeks，untilI’mwellenoughtogobacktowork。\"
Meggiecouldhardlybelieveit，anddidn’tknowifshewantedtobewithhimornot，nowthattheopportunitypresenteditself。Thoughthepainofhermindhadtakenalotlongertohealthanthepainofherbody，thememoryofherhoneymoonordealintheDunnypubhadbeenpushedfromthoughtsolongithadlostthepowertoterrifyher，andfromherreadingsheunderstoodbetternowthatmuchofithadbeenduetoignorance，herownandLuke’s。Oh，dearLord，praythisholidaywouldmeanachild！Ifshecouldonlyhaveababytoloveitwouldbesomucheasier。Annewouldn’tmindababyaround，she’dloveit。SowouldLuddie。Theyhadtoldhersoahundredtimes，hopingLukewouldcomeonceforlongenoughtorectifyhiswife’sbarrenlovelessexistence。
Whenshetoldthemwhatthelettersaidtheyweredelighted，butprivatelyskeptical。
\"Sureaseggsiseggsthatwretchwillfindsomeexcusetobeoffwithouther，\"saidAnnetoLuddie。
Lukehadborrowedacarfromsomewhere，andpickedMeggieupearlyinthemorning。Helookedthin，wrinkledandyellow，asifhehadbeenpickled。Shocked，Meggiegavehimhercaseandclimbedinbesidehim。\"WhatisWeil’sdisease，Luke？Yousaidyouweren’tinanydanger，butitlookstomeasifyou’vebeenverysickindeed。\"
\"Oh，it’sjustsomesortofjaundicemostcuttersgetsoonerorlater。Thecaneratscarryit，wepickitupthroughacutorsore。I’mingoodhealth，soIwasn’ttoosickcomparedtosomewhogetit。ThequackssayI’llbefitasafiddleinnotime。\"
Climbingupthroughagreatgorgefilledwithjungle，theroadledinland，ariverinfullspateroaringandtumblingbelow，andatonespotamagnificentwaterfallspillingtojoinitfromsomewhereupabove，rightathwarttheroad。Theydrovebetweenthecliffandtheanglingwaterinawet，glitteringarchwayoffantasticlightandshadow。Andastheyclimbedtheairgrewcool，exquisitelyfresh；Meggiehadforgottenhowgoodcoolairmadeherfeel。Thejungleleanedacrossthem，soimpenetrablenooneeverdaredtoenterit。Thebulkofitwasquiteinvisibleundertheweightofleafyvineslyingsaggingfromtreetoptotreetop，continuousandendless，likeavastsheetofgreenvelvetflungacrosstheforest。UndertheeavesMeggiecaughtglimpsesofwonderfulflowersandbutterflies，cartwheelingwebswithgreatelegantspeckledspidersmotionlessattheirhubs，fabulousfungichewingatmossytrunks，birdswithlongtrailingredorblondtails。LakeEachamlayontopofthetableland，idyllicinitsunspoiledsetting。Beforenightfelltheystrolledoutontotheverandaoftheirboardinghousetolookacrossthestillwater。Meggiewantedtowatchtheenormousfruitbatscalledflyingfoxeswheellikeprecursorsofdoominthousandsdowntowardtheplaceswheretheyfoundtheirfood。Theyweremonstrousandrepulsive，butsingularlytimid，entirelybenign。Toseethemcomeacrossamoltenskyindark，pulsatingsheetswasawesome；MeggienevermissedwatchingforthemfromtheHimmelhochveranda。
Anditwasheaventosinkintoasoftcoolbed，nothavetoliestilluntilonespotwassweat-saturatedandthenmovecarefullytoanewspot，knowingtheoldonewouldn’tdryoutanyway。Luketookaflatbrownpacketoutofhiscase，pickedahandfulofsmallroundobjectsoutofitandlaidtheminarowonthebedsidetable。
Meggiereachedouttotakeone，inspectit。\"Whatonearthisit？\"sheaskedcuriously。
\"AFrenchletter。\"Hehadforgottenhisdecisionoftwoyearsago，nottotellherhepracticedcontraception。\"IputitonmyselfbeforeIgoinsideyou。OtherwiseImightstartababy，andwecan’taffordtodothatuntilwegetourplace。\"Hewassittingnakedonthesideofthebed，andhewasthin，ribsandhipsprotruding。Buthisblueeyesshone，hereachedouttoclaspherhandasitheldtheFrenchletter。\"Nearlythere，
Meg，nearlythere！IreckonanotherfivethousandpoundswillbuyusthebestpropertytobehadwestofChartersTowers。\"
\"Thenyou’vegotit，\"shesaid，hervoicequitecalm。\"IcanwritetoBishopdeBricassartandaskhimforaloanofthemoney。Hewon’tchargeusinterest。\"
\"Youmostcertainlywon’t！\"hesnapped。\"Damnit，Meg，where’syourpride？We’llworkforwhatwehave，notborrow！I’veneverowedanyoneapennyinallmylife，andI’mnotgoingtostartnow。\"
Shescarcelyheardhim，glaringathimthroughahazeofbrilliantred。Inallherlifeshehadneverbeensoangry！Cheat，liar，egotist！Howdaredhedoittoher，trickheroutofababy，trytomakeherbelieveheeverhadanyintentionofbecomingagrazier！He’dfoundhisniche，withArneSwensonandthesugar。
Concealingherragesowellitsurprisedher，sheturnedherattentionbacktothelittlerubberwheelinherhand。\"TellmeabouttheseFrenchletterthings。Howdotheystopmehavingababy？\"
Hecametostandbehindher，andcontactoftheirbodiesmadehershiver；fromexcitementhethought，fromdisgustsheknew。\"Don’tyouknowanything，Meg？\"
\"No，\"shelied。WhichwastrueaboutFrenchletters，atanyrate；shecouldnotremembereverseeingamentionofthem。
Hishandsplayedwithherbreasts，tickling。\"Look，whenIcomeImakethis-Idon’tknow-stuff，andifI’mupinsideyouwithnothingon，itstaysthere。Whenitstaystherelongenoughoroftenenough，itmakesababy。\"Sothatwasit！Heworethething，likeaskinonasausage！Cheat！Turningoffthelight，hedrewherdownontothebed，anditwasn’tlongbeforehewasgropingforhisantibabydevice；sheheardhimmakingthesamesoundshehadmadeintheDunnypubbedroom，knowingnowtheymeanthewaspullingontheFrenchletter。Thecheat！Buthowtogetaroundit？
Tryingnottolethimseehowmuchhehurther，sheenduredhim。Whydidithavetohurtso，ifthiswasanaturalthing？
\"It’snogood，isit，Meg？\"heaskedafterward。\"Youmustbeawfullysmallforittokeeponhurtingsomuchafterthefirsttime。Well，Iwon’tdoitagain。Youdon’tmindifIdoitonyourbreast，doyou？\"\"Oh，whatdoesitmatter？\"sheaskedwearily。\"Ifyoumeanyou’renotgoingtohurtme，allright！\"
\"Youmightbeabitmoreenthusiastic，Meg！\"
\"Whatfor？\"
Buthewasrisingagain；itwastwoyearssincehehadhadtimeorenergyforthis。Oh，itwasnicetobewithawoman，excitingandforbidden。Hedidn’tfeelatallmarriedtoMeg；itwasn’tanydifferentfromgettingabitinthepaddockbehindtheKynunapub，orhavinghigh-and-mightyMissCarmichaelagainsttheshearingshedwall。Meggiehadnicebreasts，firmfromallthatriding，justthewayhelikedthem，andhehonestlypreferredtogethispleasureatherbreast，likingthesensationofunsheathedpenissandwichedbetweentheirbellies。Frenchletterscutaman’ssensitivityalot，butnottodononewhenheputhimselfinsideherwasaskingfortrouble。
Groping，hepulledatherbuttocksandmadeherlieontopofhim，thenseizedonenipplebetweenhisteeth，feelingthehiddenpointswellandhardenonhistongue。Agreatcontemptforhimhadtaken。possessionofMeggie；whatridiculouscreaturesmenwere，gruntingandsuckingandstrainingforwhattheygotoutofit。Hewasbecomingmoreexcited，kneadingherbackandbottom，gulpingawayforalltheworldlikeagreatovergrownkittensneakedbacktoitsmother。Hishipsbegantomoveinarhythmic，jerkyfashion，andsprawledacrosshimawkwardlybecauseshewashatingittoomuchtotryhelpinghim，shefeltthetipofhisunprotectedpenisslidebetweenherlegs。
Sinceshewasnotaparticipantintheact，herthoughtswereherown。Anditwasthentheideacame。Asslowlyandunobtrusivelyasshecould，shemaneuveredhimuntilhewasrightatthemostpainfulpartofher；withagreatindrawnbreathtokeephercourageup，sheforcedthepenisin，teethclenched。Butthoughitdidhurt，itdidn’thurtnearlyasmuch。Minusitsrubbersheath，hismemberwasmoreslippery，easiertointroduceandfareasiertotolerate。
Luke’seyesopened。Hetriedtopushheraway，butoh，God！ItwasunbelievablewithouttheFrenchletter；hehadneverbeeninsideawomanbare，hadneverrealizedwhatadifferenceitmade。Hewassoclose，soexcitedhecouldn’tbringhimselftopushherawayhardenough，andintheendheputhisarmsroundher，unabletokeepuphisbreastactivity。Thoughitwasn’tmanlytocryout，hecouldn’tpreventthenoiseleavinghim，andafterwardkissedhersoftly。
\"Luke？\"
\"What？\"
\"Whycan’twedothateverytime？Thenyouwouldn’thavetoputonaFrenchletter。\"
\"Weshouldn’thavedoneitthattime，Meg，letaloneagain。IwasrightinyouwhenIcame。\"
Sheleanedoverhim，strokinghischest。\"Butdon’tyousee？I’msittingup！Itdoesn’tstaythereatall，itrunsrightoutagain！Oh，Luke，please！It’ssomuchnicer，itdoesn’thurtnearlyasmuch。I’msureit’sallright，becauseIcanfeelitrunningout。Please！\"
Whathumanbeingeverlivedwhocouldresisttherepetitionofperfectpleasurewhenofferedsoplausibly？Adam-like，Lukenodded，foratthisstagehewasfarlessinformedthanMeggie。
\"Isupposethere’struthinwhatyousay，andit’smuchnicerformewhenyou’renotfightingit。Allright，Meg，we’lldoitthatwayfromnowon。\"
Andinthedarknessshesmiled，content。Forithadnotallrunout。Themomentshefelthimshrinkoutofhershehaddrawnupalltheinternalmusclesintoaknot，slidoffhimontoherback，stuckhercrossedkneesintheaircasuallyandhungontowhatshehadwitheveryounceofdeterminationinher。Oho，myfinegentleman，I’llfixyouyet！Youwaitandsee，LukeO’neill！I’llgetmybabyifitkillsme！AwayfromtheheatandhumidityofthecoastalplainLukemendedrapidly。Eatingwell，hebegantoputtheweightheneededbackagain，andhisskinfadedfromthesicklyyellowtoitsusualbrown。Withthelureofaneager，responsiveMeggieinhisbeditwasn’ttoodifficulttopersuadehimtoprolongtheoriginaltwoweeksintothree，andthenintofour。Butattheendofamonthherebelled。
\"There’snoexcuse，Meg。I’maswellasI’veeverbeen。We’resittinguphereontopoftheworldlikeakingandqueen，spendingmoney。Arneneedsme。\"
\"Won’tyoureconsider，Luke？Ifyoureallywantedto，youcouldbuyyourstationnow。\"
\"Let’shangonabitlongerthewayweare，Meg。\"
Hewouldn’tadmitit，ofcourse，butthelureofthesugarwasinhisbones，thestrangefascinationsomemenhaveforutterlydemandinglabor。Aslongashisyoungman’sstrengthheldup，Lukewouldremainfaithfultothesugar。TheonlythingMeggiecouldhopeforwastoforcehimintochanginghismindbygivinghimachild，anheirtothepropertyoutaroundKynuna。
SoshewentbacktoHimmelhochtowaitandhope。Please，please，lettherebeababy！Ababywouldsolveeverything，sopleaselettherebeababy。Andtherewas。WhenshetoldAnneandLuddie，theywereoverjoyed。Luddieespeciallyturnedouttobeatreasure。Hedidthemostexquisitesmockingandembroidery，twocraftsMeggiehadneverhadtimetomaster，sowhilehepushedatinyneedlethroughdelicatefabricwithhishorny，magicalhands，MeggiehelpedAnnegetthenurserytogether。Theonlytroublewasthebabywasn’tsittingwell，whetherbecauseoftheheatorherunhappinessMeggiedidn’tknow。Themorningsicknesswasallday，andpersistedlongafteritshouldhavestopped；inspiteofherveryslightweightgainshebegantosufferbadlyfromtoomuchfluidinthetissuesofherbody，andherbloodpressurewentuptoapointatwhichDocSmithbecameapprehensive。AtfirsthetalkedofhospitalinCairnsfortheremainderofherpregnancy，butafteralongthinkaboutherhusbandless，friendlesssituationhedecidedshewouldbebetteroffwithLuddieandAnne，whodidcareforher。Forthelastthreeweeksofherterm，however，shemustdefinitelygotoCairns。
\"Andtrytogetherhusbandtocomeandseeher！\"heroaredtoLuddie。MeggiehadwrittenrightawaytotellLukeshewaspregnant，fulloftheusualfeminineconvictionthatoncethenot-wantedwasanirrefutablefact，Lukewouldbecomewildlyenthusiastic。Hisansweringletterscotchedanysuchdelusions。Hewasfurious。Asfarashewasconcerned，becomingafathersimplymeanthewouldhavetwononworkingmouthstofeed，insteadofnone。ItwasabitterpillforMeggietoswallow，butswallowitshedid；shehadnochoice。Nowthecomingchildboundhertohimastightlyasherpride。Butshefeltill，helpless，utterlyunloved；eventhebabydidn’tloveher，didn’twanttobeconceivedorborn。Shecouldfeelitinsideher，theweaklytinycreature’sfeebleprotestsagainstgrowingintobeing。Hadshebeenabletotoleratethetwo-thousand-milerailjourneyhome，shewouldhavegone，butDocSmithshookhisleadfirmly。Getonatrainforaweekormore，eveninbrokenstages，andthatwouldbetheendofthebaby。Disappointedandunhappythoughshewas，Meggiewouldn’tconsciouslydoanythingtoharmthebaby。Yetastimewentonherenthusiasmandherlongingtohavesomeoneofherowntolovewitheredinher；theincubuschildhungheavier，moreresentful。
DocSmithtalkedofanearliertransfertoCairns；hewasn’tsureMeggiecouldsurviveabirthinDungloe，whichhadonlyacottageinfirmary。Herbloodpressurewasrecalcitrant，thefluidkeptmounting；hetalkedoftoxemiaandeclampsia，otherlongmedicalwordswhichfrightenedAnneandLuddieintoagreeing，muchastheylongedtoseethebabybornatHimmelhoch。BytheendofMaytherewereonlyfourweekslefttogo，fourweeksuntilMeggiecouldridherselfofthisintolerableburden，thisungratefulchild。Shewaslearningtohateit，theverybeingshehadwantedsomuchbeforediscoveringwhattroubleitwouldcause。WhyhadsheassumedLukewouldlookforwardtothebabyonceitsexistencewasareality？Nothinginhisattitudeorconductsincetheirmarriageindicatedhewould。Timesheadmitteditwasadisaster，abandonedhersillyprideandtriedtosalvagewhatshecouldfromtheruins。Theyhadmarriedforallthewrongreasons:heforhermoney，sheasanescapefromRalphdeBricassartwhiletryingtoretainRalphdeBricassart。Therehadneverbeenanypretenseatlove，andonlylovemighthavehelpedherandLuketoovercometheenormousdifficultiestheirdifferingaimsanddesirescreated。Oddlyenough，sheneverseemedabletohateLuke，whereshefoundherselfhatingRalphdeBricassartmoreandmorefrequently。Yetwhenallwassaidanddone，RalphhadbeenfarkinderandfairertoherthanLuke。Notoncehadheencouragedhertodreamofhiminanyrolessavepriestandfriend，forevenonthetwooccasionswhenhehadkissedher，shehadbegunthemoveherself。
Whybesoangrywithhim，then？WhyhateRalphandnotLuke？Blameherownfearsandinadequacies，thehuge，outragedresentmentshefeltbecausehehadconsistentlyrejectedherwhenshelovedandwantedhimsomuch。AndblamethatstupidimpulsewhichhadledhertomarryLukeO’neill。AbetrayalofherownselfandRalph。Nomatterifshecouldneverhavemarriedhim，sleptwithhim，hadhischild。Nomatterifhedidn’twanther，andhedidn’twanther。Thefactremainedthathewaswhoshewanted，andsheoughtnevertohavesettledforless。
Butknowingthewrongscouldn’talterthem。ItwasstillLukeO’neillshehadmarried，LukeO’neill’schildshewascarrying。HowcouldshebehappyatthethoughtofLukeO’neill’schild，whenevenhedidn’twantit？Poorlittlething。Atleastwhenitwasbornitwouldbeitsownpieceofhumanity，andcouldbelovedasthat。Only……Whatwouldn’tshegive，forRalphdeBricassart’schild？Theimpossible，thenever-to-be。Heservedaninstitutionwhichinsistedonhavingallofhim，eventhatpartofhimshehadnousefor，hismanhood。ThatMotherChurchrequiredfromhimasasacrificetoherpowerasaninstitution，andthuswastedhim，stampedhisbeingoutofbeing，madesurethatwhenhestoppedhewouldbestoppedforever。Onlyonedayshewouldhavetopayforhergreed。Onedaytherewouldn’tbeanymoreRalphdeBricassarts，becausethey’dvaluetheirmanhoodenoughtoseethatherdemandingitofthemwasauselesssacrifice，havingnomeaningwhatsoever……Suddenlyshestoodupandwaddledthroughtothelivingroom，whereAnnewassittingreadinganundergroundcopyofNormanLindsay’sbannednovel，Redheap，veryobviouslyenjoyingeveryforbiddenword。\"Anne，Ithinkyou’regoingtogetyourwish。\"
Annelookedupabsently。\"What，dear？\"
\"PhoneDocSmith。I’mgoingtohavethiswretchedbabyhereandnow。\"\"Oh，myGod！Getintothebedroomandliedown——notyourbedroom，ours！\"Cursingthewhimsoffateandthedeterminationofbabies，DocSmithhurriedoutfromDungloeinhisbatteredcarwiththelocalmidwifeinthebackandasmuchequipmentashecouldcarryfromhislittlecottagehospital。Nousetakingherthere；hecoulddoasmuchforheratHimmelhoch。ButCairnswaswheresheoughttobe。\"Haveyouletthehusbandknow？\"heaskedashepoundedupthefrontsteps，hismidwifebehindhim。
\"Isentatelegram。She’sinmyroom；Ithoughtitwouldgiveyoumorespace。\"
Hobblingintheirwake，Annewentintoherbedroom。Meggiewaslyingonthebed，wide-eyedandgivingnoindicationofpainexceptforanoccasionalspasmofherhands，adrawing-inofherbody。Sheturnedherheadtosmileat
Anne，andAnnesawthattheeyeswereveryfrightened。\"I’mgladInevergottoCairns\"shesaid。\"Mymotherneverwenttohospitaltohavehers，andDaddysaidonceshehadaterribletimewithHat。Butshesurvived，andsowillI。We’rehardtokill，weClearywomen。\"ItwashourslaterwhenthedoctorjoinedAnneontheveranda。\"It’salong，hardbusinessforthelittlewoman。Firstbabiesarerarelyeasy，butthisone’snotlyingwellandshejustdragsonwithoutgettinganywhere。IfshewasinCairnsshecouldhaveaCaesarean，butthat’soutofthequestionhere。She’lljusthavetopushitoutallbyherself。\"\"Issheconscious？\"
\"Oh，yes。Gallantlittlesoul，doesn’tscreamorcomplain。Thebestonesusuallyhavetheworsttimeofitinmyopinion。KeepsaskingmeifRalph’shereyet，andIhavetotellhersomelieabouttheJohnstoneinflood。Ithoughtherhusband’snamewasLuke？\"
\"Itis。\"
\"Hmmm！Well，maybethat’swhyshe’saskingforthisRalph，whoeverheis。Luke’snocomfort，ishe？\"
\"Luke’sabastard。\"
Anneleanedforward，handsontheverandarailing。AtaxiwascomingfromtheDunnyroad，andhadturnedoffuptheinclinetoHimmelhoch。Herexcellenteyesightjustdiscernedablack-hairedmanintheback，andshecrowedwithreliefandjoy。
\"Idon’tbelievewhatIsee，butIthinkLuke’sfinallyrememberedhe’sgotawife！\"
\"I’dbestgobacktoherandleaveyoutocopewithhim，Anne。Iwon’tmentionittoher，incaseitisn’thim。Ifitishim，givehimacupofteaandsavethehardstuffforlater。He’sgoingtoneedit。\"
Thetaxidrewup；toAnne’ssurprisethedrivergotoutandwenttothebackdoortoopenitforhispassenger。JoeCastiglione，whoranDunny’ssoletaxi，wasn’tusuallygiventosuchcourtesies。
\"Himmelhoch，YourGrace，\"hesaid，bowingdeeply。Amaninalong，flowingblacksoutanegotout，apurplegrosgrainsashabouthiswaist。Asheturned，AnnethoughtforadazedmomentthatLukeO’neillwasplayingsomeelaboratetrickonher。Thenshesawthatthiswasafardifferentman，agoodtenyearsolderthanLuke。MyGod！shethoughtasthegracefulfiguremountedherstepstwoatatime。He’sthehandsomestchapI’veeverseen！Anarchbishop，noless！WhatdoesaCatholicarchbishopwantwithapairofoldLutheranslikeLuddieandme？\"Mrs。Mueller？\"heasked，smilingdownatherwithkind，aloofblueeyes。Asifhehadseenmuchhewouldgiveanythingnottohaveseen，andhadmanagedtostopfeelinglongago。
\"Yes，I’mAnneMueller。\"
\"I’mArchbishopRalphdeBricassart，HisHoliness’sLegateinAustralia。IunderstandyouhaveaMrs。LukeO’neillstayingwithyou？\"\"Yes，sir。\"Ralph？Ralph？WasthisRalph？
\"I’maveryoldfriendofhers。IwonderifImightseeher，please？\"\"Well，I’msureshe’dbedelighted，Archbishop\"！——no，thatwasn’tright，onedidn’tsayArchbishop，onesaidYourGrace，likeJoeCastiglione-\"undermorenormalcircumstances，butatthemomentMeggie’sinlabor，andhavingaveryhardtime。\"
Thenshesawthathehadn’tsucceededinstoppingfeelingatall，onlydisciplinedittoadoglikeabjectionatthebackofhisthinkingmind。Hiseyesweresoblueshefeltshedrownedinthem，andwhatshesawinthemnowmadeherwonderwhatMeggiewastohim，andwhathewastoMeggie。\"Iknewsomethingwaswrong！I’vefeltthatsomethingwaswrongforalongtime，butoflatemyworry’sbecomeanobsession。Ihadtocomeandseeformyself。Please，letmeseeher！Ifyouwishforareason，Iamapriest。\"Annehadneverintendedtodenyhim。\"Comealong，YourGrace，throughhere，please。\"Andassheshuffledslowlybetweenhertwosticksshekeptthinking:Isthehousecleanandtidy？HaveIdusted？Didweremembertothrowoutthatsmellyoldlegoflamb，orisitallthroughtheplace？Whatatimeforamanasimportantasthisonetocomecalling！Luddie，willyounevergetyourfatarseoffthattractorandcomein？Theboyshouldhavefoundyouhoursago！HewentpastDocSmithandthemidwifeasiftheydidn’texisttodroponhiskneesbesidethebed，hishandreachingforhers。\"Meggie！\"
Shedraggedherselfoutoftheghastlydreamintowhichshehadsunk，pastcaring，andsawthebelovedfaceclosetohers，thestrongblackhairwithtwowhitewingsinitsdarknessnow，thefinearistocraticfeaturesalittlemorelined，morepatientifpossible，andtheblueeyeslookingintoherswithloveandlonging。HowhadsheeverconfusedLukewithhim？Therewasnoonelikehim，thereneverwouldbeforher，andshehadbetrayedwhatshefeltforhim。Lukewasthedarksideofthemirror；Ralphwasassplendidasthesun，andasremote。Oh，howbeautifultoseehim！
\"Ralph，helpme，\"shesaid。
Hekissedherhandpassionately，thenheldittohischeek。\"Always，myMeggie，youknowthat。\"
\"Prayforme，andthebaby。Ifanyonecansaveus，youcan。You’remuchclosertoGodthanweare。Noonewantsus，noonehaseverwantedus，evenyou。\"
\"Where’sLuke？\"
\"Idon’tknow，andIdon’tcare。\"Sheclosedhereyesandrolledherheaduponthepillow，butthefingersinhisgrippedstrongly，wouldn’tlethimgo。
ThenDocSmithtouchedhimontheshoulder。\"YourGrace，Ithinkyououghttostepoutsidenow。\"
\"Ifherlifeisindanger，you’llcallme？\"
\"Inasecond。\"
Luddiehadfinallycomeinfromthecane，franticbecausetherewasnoonetobeseenandhedidn’tdareenterthebedroom。\"Anne，issheallright？\"heaskedashiswifecameoutwiththeArchbishop。
\"Sofar。Docwon’tcommithimself，butIthinkhe’sgothope。Luddie，wehaveavisitor。ThisisArchbishopRalphdeBricassart，anoldfriendofMeggie’s。\"
Betterversedthanhiswife，Luddiedroppedononekneeandkissedtheringonthehandheldouttohim。\"Sitdown，YourGrace，talktoAnne。I’llgoandputakettleonforsometea。\"
\"Soyou’reRalph，\"Annesaid，proppinghersticksagainstabambootablewhilethepriestsatoppositeherwiththefoldsofhissoutanefallingabouthim，hisglossyblackridingbootsclearlyvisible，forhehadcrossedhisknees。Itwasaneffeminatethingforamantodo，buthewasapriestsoitdidn’tmatter；yettherewassomethingintenselymasculineabouthim，crossedlegsorno。Hewasprobablynotasoldasshehadfirstthought；inhisveryearlyforties，perhaps。Whatawasteofamagnificentman！
\"Yes，I’mRalph。\"
\"EversinceMeggie’slaborstartedshe’sbeenaskingforsomeonecalledRalph。ImustadmitIwaspuzzled。Idon’teverrememberhermentioningaRalphbefore。\"
\"Shewouldn’t。\"
\"HowdoyouknowMeggie，YourGrace？Forhowlong？\"Thepriestsmiledwrylyandclaspedhisthin，verybeautifulhandstogethersotheymadeapointedchurchroof。\"I’veknownMeggiesinceshewastenyearsold，onlydaysofftheboatfromNewZealand。YoumightinalltruthsaythatI’veknownMeggiethroughfloodandfireandemotionalfamine，andthroughdeath，andlife。Allthatwehavetobear。MeggieisthemirrorinwhichI’mforcedtoviewmymortality。\"
\"Youloveher！\"Anne’stonewassurprised。
\"Always。\"
\"It’satragedyforbothofyou。\"
\"Ihadhopedonlyforme。Tellmeabouther，what’shappenedtohersinceshemarried。It’smanyyearssinceI’veseenher，butIhaven’tbeenhappyabouther。\"
\"I’lltellyou，butonlyafteryou’vetoldmeaboutMeggie。Oh，Idon’tmeanpersonalthings，onlyaboutwhatsortoflifesheledbeforeshecameto
Dunny。Weknowabsolutelynothingofher，LuddieandI，exceptthatsheusedtolivesomewherenearGillanbone。We’dliketoknowmore，becausewe’reveryfondofher。Butshewouldnevertellusathing-pride，Ithink。\"Luddiecarriedinatrayloadedwithteaandfood，andsatdownwhilethepriestgavethemanoutlineofMeggie’slifebeforeshemarriedLuke。\"Iwouldneverhaveguesseditinamillionyears！TothinkLukeO’neillhadthetemeritytotakeherfromallthatandputhertoworkasahousemaid！Andhadthehidetostipulatethatherwagesbeputinhisbank-book！Doyouknowthepoorlittlethinghasneverhadapennyinherpursetospendonherselfsinceshe’sbeenhere？IhadLuddiegiveheracashbonuslast
Christmas，butbythensheneededsomanythingsitwasallspentinaday，andshe’dnevertakemorefromus。\"
\"Don’tfeelsorryforMeggie，\"saidArchbishopRalphalittleharshly。\"Idon’tthinkshefeelssorryforherself，certainlynotoverlackofmoney。It’sbroughtlittlejoytoherafterall，hasit？Sheknowswheretogoifshecan’tdowithoutit。I’dsayLuke’sapparentindifferencehashurtherfarmorethanthelackofmoney。MypoorMeggie！\"BetweenthemAnneandLuddiefilledintheoutlineofMeggie’slife，whileArchbishopdeBricassartsat，hishandsstillsteepled，hisgazeonthelovelysweepingfanofatraveler’spalmoutside。Notoncedidamuscleinhisfacemove，orachangecomeintothosedetachedlybeautifuleyes。HehadlearnedmuchsincebeingintheserviceofVittorioScarbanza，CardinaldiContiniVerchese。
Whenthetalewasdonehesighed，andshiftedhisgazetotheiranxiousfaces。\"Well，itseemswemusthelpher，sinceLukewillnot。IfLuketrulydoesn’twanther，she’dbebetteroffbackonDrogheda。Iknowyoudon’twanttoloseher，butforhersaketrytopersuadehertogohome。IshallsendyouacheckfromSydneyforher，soshewon’thavetheembarrassmentofaskingherbrotherformoney。Thenwhenshegetshomeshecantellthemwhatshelikes。\"Heglancedtowardthebedroomdoorandmovedrestlessly。\"DearGod，letthechildbeborn！\"
Butthechildwasn’tbornuntilnearlytwenty-fourhourslater，andMeggiealmostdeadfromexhaustionandpain。DocSmithhadgivenhercopiousdosesoflaudanum，thatstillbeingthebestthing，inhisold-fashionedopinion；sheseemedtodriftwhirlingthroughspiralingnightmaresinwhichthingsfromwithoutandwithinrippedandtore，clawedandspat，howledandwhinedandroared。SometimesRalph’sfacewouldcomeintofocusforasmallmoment，thengoagainonaheavingtideofpain；butthememoryofhimpersisted，andwhilehekeptwatchsheknewneithershenorthebabywoulddie。Pausing，whilethemidwifecopedalone，tosnatchfoodandastifftotofrumandcheckthatnoneofhisotherpatientswereinconsiderateenoughtothinkofdying，DocSmithlistenedtoasmuchofthestoryasAnneandLuddiethoughtwisetotellhim。
\"You’reright，Anne，\"hesaid。\"Allthatridingisprobablyoneofthereasonsforhertroublenow。Whenthesidesaddlewentoutitwasabadthingforwomenwhomustridealot。Astridedevelopsthewrongmuscles。\"\"I’dheardthatwasanoldwives’tale，\"saidtheArchbishopmildly。DocSmithlookedathimmaliciously。Hewasn’tfondofCatholicpriests，deemedthemasanctimoniouslotofdrivelingfools。\"Thinkwhatyoulike，\"hesaid。\"Buttellme，YourGrace，ifitcamedowntoachoicebetweenMeggie’slifeandthebaby’s，whatwouldyourconscienceadvise？\"
\"TheChurchisadamantonthatpoint，Doctor。Nochoicemusteverbemade。Thechildcannotbedonetodeathtosavethemother，northemotherdonetodeathtosavethechild。\"HesmiledbackatDocSmithjustasmaliciously。\"Butifitshouldcometothat，Doctor，Iwon’thesitatetotellyoutosaveMeggie，andthehellwiththebaby。\"
DocSmithgasped，laughed，andclappedhimontheback。\"Goodforyou！Resteasy，Iwon’tbroadcastwhatyousaid。Butsofarthechild’salive，andIcan’tseewhatgoodkillingitisgoingtodo。\"
ButAnnewasthinkingtoherself:Iwonderwhatyouranswerwouldhavebeenifthechildwasyours，Archbishop？
Aboutthreehourslater，astheafternoonsunwasslidingsadlydowntheskytowardMountBartleFrere’smistybulk，DocSmithcameoutofthebedroom。
\"Well，it’sover，\"hesaidwithsomesatisfaction。\"Meggie’sgotalongroadaheadofher，butshe’llbeallright，Godwilling。Andthebabyisaskinny，cranky，five-poundgirlwithawhoppinggreatheadandatempertomatchthemostpoisonousredhairI’veeverseenonanewbornbaby。Youcouldn’tkillthatlittlemitewithanaxe，andIknow，becauseInearlytried。\"
Jubilant，Luddiebrokeoutthebottleofchampagnehehadbeensaving，andthefiveofthemstoodwiththeirglassesbrimming；priest，doctor，midwife，farmerandcrippletoastedthehealthandwell-beingofthemotherandherscreaming，crotchetybaby。ItwasthefirstofJune，thefirstdayoftheAustralianwinter。
Anursehadarrivedtotakeoverfromthemidwife，andwouldstayuntilMeggiewaspronouncedoutofalldanger。Thedoctorandthemidwifeleft，whileAnne，LuddieandtheArchbishopwenttoseeMeggie。ShelookedsotinyandwastedinthedoublebedthatArchbishopRalphwasobligedtostoreawayanother，separatepaininthebackofhismind，tobetakenoutlater，inspectedandendured。Meggie，mytornandbeatenMeggie……Ishallloveyoualways，butIcannotgiveyouwhatLukeO’neilldid，howevergrudgingly。
Thegrizzlingscrapofhumanityresponsibleforallthislayinawickerbassinetbythefarwall，notabitappreciativeoftheirattentionastheystoodaroundherandpeereddown。Sheyelledherresentment，andkeptonyelling。Intheendthenurseliftedher，bassinetandall；andputherintheroomdesignatedashernursery。
\"There’scertainlynothingwrongwithherlungs。\"ArchbishopRalphsmiled，sittingontheedgeofthebedandtakingMeggie’spalehand。\"Idon’tthinkshelikeslifemuch，\"Meggiesaidwithanansweringsmile。Howmucholderhelooked！Asfitandsuppleasever，butimmeasurablyolder。SheturnedherheadtoAnneandLuddie，andheldoutherotherhand。\"Mydeargoodfriends！WhateverwouldIhavedonewithoutyou？HaveweheardfromLuke？\"
\"Igotatelegramsayinghewastoobusytocome，butwishingyougoodluck。\"
\"Bigofhim，\"saidMeggie。
Annebentquicklytokisshercheck。\"We’llleaveyoutotalkwiththeArchbishop，dear。I’msureyou’vegotalotofcatchinguptodo。\"Leaningon
Luddie，shecrookedherfingeratthenurse，whowasgapingatthepriestasifshecouldn’tbelievehereyes。\"Comeon，Nettie，haveacupofteawithus。HisGracewillletyouknowifMeggieneedsyou。\"
\"Whatareyougoingtocallyournoisydaughter？\"heaskedasthedoorclosedandtheywerealone。
\"Justine。\"
\"It’saverygoodname，butwhydidyouchooseit？\"\"Ireaditsomewhere，andIlikedit。\"
\"Don’tyouwanther，Meggie？\"
Herfacehadshrunk，andseemedalleyes；theyweresoftandfilledwithamistylight，nohatebutnoloveeither。\"IsupposeIwanther。Yes，Idowanther。Ischemedenoughtogether。ButwhileIwascarryingherIcouldn’tfeelanythingforher，exceptthatshedidn’twantme。Idon’tthinkJustinewilleverbemine，orLuke’s，oranyone’s。Ithinkshe’salwaysgoingtobelongtoherself。\"
\"Imustgo，Meggie，\"hesaidgently。
Nowtheeyesgrewharder，brighter:hermouthtwistedintoanunpleasantshape。\"Iexpectedthat！Funnyhowthemeninmylifeallscuttleoffintothewoodwork，isn’tit？\"
Hewinced。\"Don’tbebitter，Meggie。Ican’tbeartoleavethinkingofyoulikethis。Nomatterwhat’shappenedtoyouinthepast，you’vealwaysretainedyoursweetnessandit’sthethingaboutyouIfindmostendearing。Don’tchange，don’tbecomehardbecauseofthis。IknowitmustbeterribletothinkthatLukedidn’tcareenoughtocome，butdon’tchange。Youwouldn’tbemyMeggieanymore。\"Butstillshelookedathimhalfasifshehatedhim。\"Oh，comeoffit，Ralph！I’mnotyourMeggie，Ineverwas！Youdidn’twantme，yousentmetohim，toLuke。WhatdoyouthinkIam，somesortofsaint，oranun？Well，I’mnot！I’manordinaryhumanbeing，andyou’vespoiledmylife！AlltheyearsI’velovedyou，andwantedtoforgetyou，butthenImarriedamanIthoughtlookedalittlebitlikeyou，andhedoesn’twantmeorneedmeeither。Isitsomuchtoaskofaman，tobeneededandwantedbyhim？\"Shebegantosob，masteredit；therewerefinelinesofpainonherfacethathehadneverseenbefore，andheknewtheyweren’tthekindthatrestandreturninghealthwouldsmoothaway。
\"Luke’snotabadman，orevenanunlikableone，\"shewenton。\"Justaman。You’reallthesame，greatbighairymothsbashingyourselvestopiecesafterasillyflamebehindaglasssoclearyoureyesdon’tseeit。Andifyoudomanagetoblunderyourwayinsidetheglasstoflyintotheflame，youfalldownburnedanddead。Whileallthetimeoutthereinthecoolnightthere’sfood，andlove，andbabymothstoget。Butdoyouseeit，doyouwantit？No！It’sbackaftertheflameagain，beatingyourselvessenselessuntilyouburnyourselvesdead！\"
Hedidn’tknowwhattosaytoher，forthiswasasideofherhehadneverseen。Haditalwaysbeenthere，orhadshegrownitoutofherterribletroubleandabandonment？Meggie，sayingthingslikethis？Hehardlyheardwhatshesaid，hewassoupsetthatsheshouldsayit，andsodidn’tunderstandthatitcamefromherloneliness，andherguilt。\"DoyouremembertheroseyougavemethenightIleftDrogheda？\"heaskedtenderly。
\"Yes，Iremember。\"Thelifehadgoneoutofhervoice，thehardlightoutofhereyes。Theystaredathimnowlikeasoulwithouthope，asexpressionlessandglassyashermother’s。
\"Ihaveitstill，inmymissal。AndeverytimeIseearosethatcolor，Ithinkofyou。Meggie，Iloveyou。You’remyrose，themostbeautifulhumanimageandthoughtinmylife。\"
Downwentthecornersofhermouthagain，upshonethattense，glitteringfiercenesswiththetangofhateinit。\"Animage，athought！Ahumanimageandthought！Yes，that’sright，that’sallIamtoyou！You’renothingbutaromantic，dreamingfool，RalphdeBricassart！YouhavenomoreideaofwhatlifeisallaboutthanthemothIcalledyou！Nowonderyoubecameapriest！Youcouldn’tlivewiththeordinarinessoflifeifyouwereanordinarymananymorethanordinarymanLukedoes！
\"Yousayyouloveme，butyouhavenoideawhatloveis；you’rejustmouthingwordsyou’vememorizedbecauseyouthinktheysoundgood！Whatfloorsmeiswhyyoumenhaven’tmanagedtodispensewithuswomenaltogether，whichiswhatyou’dliketodo，isn’tit？Youshouldworkoutawayofmarryingeachother；you’dbedivinelyhappy！\"\"Meggie，don’t！Pleasedon’t！\"
\"Oh，goaway！Idon’twanttolookatyou！Andyou’veforgottenonethingaboutyourpreciousroses，Ralph-they’vegotnasty，hookythorns！\"Helefttheroomwithoutlookingback。
Lukeneverbotheredtoanswerthetelegraminforminghimhewastheproudfatherofafive-poundgirlnamedJustine。SlowlyMeggiegotbetter，andthebabybegantothrive。PerhapsifMeggiecouldhavemanagedtofeedhershemighthavedevelopedmorerapportwiththescrawny，bad-temperedlittlething，butshehadabsolutelynomilkintheplenteousbreastsLukehadsolovedtosuck。That’sanironicjustice，shethought。Shedutifullychangedandbottle-fedthered-faced，red-headedmorseljustascustomdictatedsheshould，waitingforthecommencementofsomewonderful，surgingemotion。Butitnevercame；shefeltnodesiretosmotherthetinyfacewithkisses，orbitetheweefingers，ordoanyofthethousandsillythingsmotherslovedtodowithbabies。Itdidn’tfeellikeherbaby，anditdidn’twantorneedheranymorethanshedidit。It，it！Her，her！Shecouldn’tevenremembertocallither。LuddieandAnneneverdreamedMeggiedidnotadoreJustine，thatshefeltlessforJustinethanshehadforanyofhermother’syoungerbabies。WheneverJustinecriedMeggiewasrighttheretopickherup，croontoher，rockher，andneverwasababydrierormorecomfortable。ThestrangethingwasthatJustinedidn’tseemtowanttobepickeduporcroonedover；shequietedmuchfasterifshewasleftalone。
Astimewentonsheimprovedinlooks。Herinfantskinlostitsredness，acquiredthatthinblue-veinedtransparencywhichgoessooftenwithredhair，andherlittlearmsandlegsfilledouttopleasingplumpness。ThehairbegantocurlandthickenandtoassumeforeverthesameviolentshadehergrandfatherPaddyhadowned。Everyonewaitedanxiouslytoseewhatcolorhereyeswouldturnouttobe，Luddiebettingonherfather’sblue，Anneonhermother’sgrey，Meggiewithoutanopinion。ButJustine’seyeswereverydefinitelyherown，andunnervingtosaytheleast。Atsixweekstheybegantochange，andbytheninthweekhadgainedtheirfinalcolorandform。Noonehadevenseenanythinglikethem。Aroundtheouterrimoftheiriswasaverydarkgreyring，buttheirisitselfwassopaleitcouldn’tbecalledeitherblueorgrey；theclosestdescriptionofthecolorwasasortofdarkwhite。Theywereriveting，uncomfortable，inhumaneyes，ratherblind-looking；butastimewentonitwasobviousJustinesawthroughthemverywell。Thoughhedidn’tmentionit，DocSmithhadbeenworriedbythesizeofherheadwhenshewasborn，andkeptaclosewatchonitforthefirstsixmonthsofherlife；hehadwondered，especiallyafterseeingthosestrangeeyes，ifshedidn’tperhapshavewhathestillcalledwateronthebrain，thoughthetextbooksthesedayswerecallingithydrocephalus。ButitappearedJustinewasn’tsufferingfromanykindofcerebraldysfunctionormalformation；shejusthadaverybighead，andasshegrewtherestofhermoreorlesscaughtuptoit。Lukestayedaway。Meggiehadwrittentohimrepeatedly，butheneitheranswerednorcametoseehischild。Inawayshewasglad；shewouldn’thaveknownwhattosaytohim，andshedidn’tthinkhewouldbeatallentrancedwiththeoddlittlecreaturewhowashisdaughter。HadJustinebeenastrappingbigsonhemighthaverelented，butMeggiewasfiercelygladshewasn’t。ShewaslivingproofthegreatLukeO’neillwasn’tperfect，forifhewashewouldsurelyhavesirednothingbutsons。ThebabythrivedbetterthanMeggiedid，recoveredfasterfromthebirthordeal。Bythetimeshewasfourmonthsoldsheceasedtocrysomuchandbegantoamuseherselfasshelayinherbassinet，fiddlingandpinchingattherowsofbrightlycoloredbeadsstrungwithinherreach。Butsheneversmiledatanyone，evenintheguiseofgaspains。TheWetcameearly，inOctober，anditwasaverywetWet。Thehumidityclimbedto100percentandstayedthere；everydayforhourstherainroaredandwhippedaboutHimmelhoch，meltingthescarletsoil，drenchingthecane，fillingthewide，deepDungloeRiverbutnotoverflowingit，foritscoursewassoshortthewatergotawayintotheseaquicklyenough。WhileJustinelayinherbassinetcontemplatingherworldthroughthosestrangeeyes，MeggiesatdullywatchingBartleFreredisappearbehindawallofdenserain，thenreappear。
Thesunwouldcomeout，writhingveilsofsteamissuefromtheground，thewetcaneshimmerandsparklediamondprisms，andtheriverseemlikeagreatgoldsnake。Thenhangingrightacrossthevaultoftheskyadoublerainbowwouldmaterialize，perfectthroughoutitslengthonbothbows，sorichinitscoloringagainstthesullendark-bluecloudsthatallsaveaNorthQueenslandlandscapewouldhavebeenpaledanddiminished。BeingNorthQueensland，nothingwaswashedoutbyitsetherealglow，andMeggiethoughtsheknewwhytheGillanbonecountrysidewassobrownandgrey；NorthQueenslandhadusurpeditsshareofthepaletteaswell。
OnedayatthebeginningofDecember，Annecameoutontotheverandaandsatdownbesideher，watchingher。Oh，shewassothin，solifeless！Eventhelovelygoldyhairhaddulled。
\"Meggie，Idon’tknowwhetherI’vedonethewrongthing，butI’vedoneitanyway，andIwantyouatleasttolistentomebeforeyousayno。\"Meggieturnedfromtherainbows，smiling。\"Yousoundsosolemn，Anne！WhatisitImustlistento？\"
\"LuddieandIareworriedaboutyou。Youhaven’tpickedupproperlysinceJustinewasborn，andnowTheWet’shereyou’relookingevenworse。You’renoteatingandyou’relosingweight。I’veneverthoughttheclimatehereagreedwithyou，butaslongasnothinghappenedtodragyoudownyoumanagedtocopewithit。Nowwethinkyou’resick，andunlesssomething’sdoneyou’regoingtogetreallyill。\"
Shedrewabreath。\"SoacoupleofweeksagoIwrotetoafriendofmineinthetouristbureau，andbookedyouaholiday。Anddon’tstartprotestingabouttheexpense；itwon’tdentLuke’sresourcesorours。TheArchbishopsentusaverybigcheckforyou，andyourbrothersentusanotheroneforyouandthebaby-Ithinkhewashintinggohomeforawhile-fromeveryoneonDrogheda。Andafterwetalkeditover，LuddieandIdecidedthebestthingwecoulddowasspendsomeofitonaholidayforyou。Idon’tthinkgoinghometoDroghedaistherightsortofholiday，though。WhatLuddieandIfeelyouneedmostisathinkingtime。NoJustine，nous，noLuke，noDrogheda。Haveyoueverbeenonyourown，Meggie？It’stimeyouwere。Sowe’vebookedyouacottageonMatlockIslandfortwomonths，fromthebeginningofJanuarytothebeginningofMarch。LuddieandIwilllookafterJustine。Youknowshewon’tcometoanyharm，butifwe’retheslightestbitworriedabouther，youhaveourwordwe’llnotifyyourightaway，andtheisland’sonthephonesoitwouldn’ttakelongtofetchyouback。\"Therainbowshadgone，sohadthesun；itwasgettingreadytorainagain。\"Anne，ifithadn’tbeenforyouandLuddiethesepastthreeyears，Iwouldhavegonemad。Youknowthat。SometimesinthenightIwakeupwonderingwhatwouldhavehappenedtomehadLukeputmewithpeoplelesskind。You’vecaredformemorethanLukehas。\"
\"Twaddle！IfLukehadputyouwithunsympatheticpeopleyouwouldhavegonebacktoDrogheda，andwhoknows？Maybethatmighthavebeenthebestcourse。\"\"No。Ithasn’tbeenpleasant，thisthingwithLuke，butitwasfarbetterformetostayandworkitout。\"
Therainwasbeginningtoinchitswayacrossthedimmingcaneblottingouteverythingbehinditsedge，likeagreycleaver。\"You’reright，I’mnotwell，\"Meggiesaid。\"Ihaven’tbeenwellsinceJustinewasconceived。I’vetriedtopullmyselfup，butIsupposeonereachesapointwherethereisn’ttheenergytodoit。Oh，Anne，I’msotiredanddiscouraged！I’mnotevenagoodmothertoJustine，andIoweherthat。I’mtheonecausedhertobe；shedidn’taskforit。ButmostlyI’mdiscouragedbecauseLuke，won’tevengivemeachancetomakehimhappy。Hewon’tlivewithmeorletmemakeahomeforhim；hedoesn’twantourchildren。Idon’tlovehim-Ineverdidlovehimthewayawomanoughttolovethemanshemarries，andmaybehesenseditfromthewordgo。MaybeifIhadlovedhim，hewouldhaveacteddifferently。SohowcanIblamehim？I’veonlymyselftoblame，Ithink。\"
\"It’stheArchbishopyoulove，isn’tit？\"
\"Oh，eversinceIwasalittlegirl！Iwashardonhimwhenhecame。PoorRalph！IhadnorighttosaywhatIdidtohim，becauseheneverencouragedme，youknow。Ihopehe’shadtimetounderstandthatIwasinpain，wornout，andterriblyunhappy。AllIcouldthinkwasitoughtbyrightstobehischildanditneverwouldbe，nevercouldbe。Itisn’tfair！Protestantclergycanmarry，whycan’tCatholic？Anddon’ttrytotellmeministersdon’tcarefortheirflocksthewaypriestsdo，becauseIwon’tbelieveyou。I’vemetheartlesspriestsandwonderfulministers。ButbecauseofthecelibacyofpriestsI’vehadtogoawayfromRalph，makemyhomeandmylifewithsomeoneelse，havesomeoneelse’sbaby。Anddoyouknowsomething，Anne？That’sasdisgustingasinasRalphbreakinghisvows，ormoreso。IresenttheChurch’simplicationthatmylovingRalphorhislovingmeiswrong！\"\"Goawayforawhile，Meggie。Restandeatandsleepandstopfretting。ThenmaybewhenyoucomebackyoucansomehowpersuadeLuketobuythatstationinsteadoftalkingaboutit。Iknowyoudon’tlovehim，butIthinkifhegaveyouhalfachanceyoumightbehappywithhim。\"
Thegreyeyeswerethesamecolorastherainfallinginsheetsallaroundthehouse；theirvoiceshadrisentoshoutingpitchtobeaudibleabovetheincredibledinontheironroof。
\"Butthat’sjustit，Anne！WhenLukeandIwentuptoAthertonIrealizedatlastthathe’llneverleavethesugarwhilehe’sgotthestrengthtocutit。Helovesthelife，hereallydoes。Helovesbeingwithmenasstrongandindependentasheishimself；helovesroamingfromoneplacetotheother。He’salwaysbeenawanderer，nowIcometothinkofit。Asforneedingawomanforpleasureifnothingelse，he’stooexhaustedbythecane。AndhowcanIputit？Lukeisthekindofmanwhoquitegenuinelydoesn’tcareifheeatshisfoodoffapackingcrateandsleepsonthefloor。Don’tyousee？Onecan’tappealtohimastoonewholikesnicethings，becausehedoesn’t。SometimesIthinkhedespisesnicethings，prettythings。They’resoft，theymightmakehimsoft。Ihaveabsolutelynoenticementspowerfulenoughtoswayhimfromhispresentwayoflife。\"
Sheglancedupimpatientlyattheverandaroof，asiftiredofshouting。\"Idon’tknowifI’mstrongenoughtotakethelonelinessofhavingnohomeforthenexttenorfifteenyears，Anne，orhoweverlongit’sgoingtotakeLuketowearhimselfout。It’slovelyherewithyou；Idon’twantyoutothinkI’mungrateful。ButIwantahome！IwantJustinetohavebrothersandsisters，Iwanttodustmyownfurniture，Iwanttomakecurtainsformyownwindows，cookonmyownstoveformyownman。Oh，Anne！I’mjustanordinarysortofawoman；I’mnotambitiousorintelligentorwelleducated，youknowthat。AllIwantisahusband，children，myownhome。Andabitoflovefromsomeone！\"
Annegotoutherhandkerchief，wipedhereyesandtriedtolaugh。\"Whatasoppypairweare！ButIdounderstand，Meggie，reallyIdo。I’vebeenmarriedtoLuddiefortenyears，theonlytrulyhappyonesofmylife。IhadinfantileparalysiswhenIwasfiveyearsold，anditleftmelikethis。Iwasconvincednoonewouldeverlookatme。Nordidthey，Godknows。WhenImetLuddieIwasthirtyyearsold，teachingforaliving。Hewastenyearsyoungerthanme，soIcouldn’ttakehimseriouslywhenhesaidhelovedmeandwantedtomarryme。Howterrible，Meggie，toruinaveryyoungman’slife！ForfiveyearsItreatedhimtotheworstdisplayofdownrightnastinessyoucouldimagine，buthealwayscamebackformore。SoImarriedhim，andI’vebeenhappy。Luddiesaysheis，butI’mnotsure。He’shadtogiveupalot，includingchildren，andhelooksolderthanIdothesedays，poorchap。\"\"It’sthelife，Anne，andtheclimate。\"
Therainstoppedassuddenlyasithadbegun；thesuncameout，therainbowswaxedtofullgloryinthesteamysky；MountBartleFrereloomedlilacoutofthescuddingclouds。
Meggiespokeagain。\"I’llgo。I’mverygratefultoyouforthinkingofit；it’sprobablywhatIneed。ButareyousureJustinewon’tbetoomuchtrouble？\"
\"Lord，no！Luddie’sgotitallworkedout。AnnaMaria，whousedtoworkformebeforeyoucame，hasayoungersister，Annunziata，whowantstogonursinginTownsville。Butshewon’tbesixteenuntilMarch，andshefinishesschoolinafewdays。Sowhileyou’reawayshe’sgoingtocomehere。She’sanexpertfostermother，too。TherearehordesofbabiesintheTesorieroclan。\"\"MatlockIsland。Whereisit？\"
\"JustnearWhitsundayPassageontheGreatBarrierReef。It’sveryquietandprivate，mostlyahoneymoonresort，Isuppose。Youknowthesortofthing-cottagesinsteadofacentralhotel。Youwon’thavetogotodinnerinacrowdeddiningroom，orbeciviltoawholeheapofpeopleyou’drathernottalktoatall。Andatthistimeofyearit’sjustaboutdeserted，becauseofthedangerofsummercyclones。TheWetisn’taproblem，butnooneeverseemstowanttogototheReefinsummer。ProbablybecausemostofthepeoplewhogototheReefcomefromSydneyorMelbourne，andsummerdownthereislovelywithoutgoingaway。InJuneandJulyandAugustthesouthernershaveitbookedoutforthreeyearsahead。\"
Onthelastdayof1937MeggiecaughtthetraintoTownsville。Thoughherholidayhadscarcelybegun，shealreadyfeltmuchbetter，forshehadleftthemolassesreekofDunnybehindher。ThebiggestsettlementinNorthQueensland，Townsvillewasathrivingtownofseveralthousandslivinginwhitewoodenhousesatopstilts。Atightconnectionbetweentrainandboatleftherwithnotimetoexplore，butinawayMeggiewasn’tsorryshehadtorushtothewharfwithoutachancetothink；afterthatghastlyvoyageacrosstheTasmansixteenyearsagoshewasn’tlookingforwardtothirty-sixhoursinashipmuchsmallerthantheWahine。
Butitwasquitedifferent，awhisperingslideinglassywaters，andshewastwenty-six，notten。Theairwasbetweencyclones，theseawasexhausted；thoughitwasonlymiddayMeggieputherheaddownandsleptdreamlesslyuntilthestewardwokeheratsixthenextmorningwithacupofteaandaplateofplainsweetbiscuits。
UpondeckwasanewAustralia，differentagain。Inahighclearsky，delicatelycolorless，apinkandpearlyglowsuffusedslowlyupwardfromtheeasternrimoftheoceanuntilthesunstoodabovethehorizonandthelightlostitsneonatalredness，becameday。Theshipwasslitheringsoundlesslythroughwaterwhichhadnotaint，sotranslucentoverthesidethatonecouldlookfathomsdowntogrottoesofpurpleandseetheformsofvividfishflashingby。Indistantvistastheseawasagreenish-huedaquamarine，splotchedwithwine-darkstainswhereweedorcoralcoveredthefloor，andonallsidesitseemedislandswithpalmyshoresofbrilliantwhitesandjustgrewoutofitspontaneouslylikecrystalsinsilica-jungle-cladandmountainousislandsorflat，bushyislandsnotmuchhigherthanthewater。\"Theflatonesarethetruecoralislands，\"explainedacrewman。\"Ifthey’rering-shapedandenclosealagoonthey’recalledatolls，butifthey’rejustalumpofreefrisenabovetheseathey’recalledcays。Thehillyislandsarethetopsofmountains，butthey’restillsurroundedbycoralreefs，andtheyhavelagoons。\"
\"Where’sMatlockIsland？\"Meggieasked。
Helookedathercuriously；alonewomangoingonholidaytoahoneymoonislandlikeMatlockwasacontradictioninterms。\"We’resailingdownWhitsundayPassagenow，thenweheadouttothePacificedgeofthereef。Matlock’soceansideispoundedbythebigbreakersthatcomeinforahundredmilesoffthedeepPacificlikeexpresstrains，roaringsoyoucan’thearyourselfthink。Canyouimagineridingthesamewaveforahundredmiles？\"Hesighedwistfully。\"We’llbeatMatlockbeforesundown，madam。\"Andanhourbeforesundownthelittleshipheaveditswaythroughthebackwashofthesurfwhosespumeroselikeatoweringmistywallintotheeasternsky。Ajettyonspindlingpilesdodderedliterallyhalfamileoutacrossthereefexposedbylowtide，behinditahigh，craggycoastlinewhichdidn’tfitinwithMeggie’sexpectationsoftropicalsplendor。Anelderlymanstoodwaiting，helpedherfromshiptojetty，andtookhercasesfromacrewman。
\"Howd’youdo，Mrs。O’neill，\"hegreetedher。\"I’mRobWalter。Hopeyourhusbandgetsthechancetocomeafterall。NottoomuchcompanyonMatlockthistimeofyear；it’sreallyawinterresort。\"
Theywalkedtogetherdowntheuneasyplanking，theexposedcoralmolteninthedyingsunandthefearsomeseaareflected，tumultuousgloryofcrimsonfoam。
\"Tide’sout，oryou’dhavehadaroughertrip。Seethemistintheeast？That’stheedgeoftheGreatBarrierReefitself。HereonMatlockwehangontoitbytheskinofourteeth；you’llfeeltheislandshakingallthetimefromthepoundingoutthere。\"Hehelpedherintoacar。\"ThisisthewindwardsideofMatlock-abitwildandunwelcomelooking，eh？Butyouwaituntilyouseetheleewardside，ah！Somethinglike，itis。\"
TheyhurtledwiththecarelessspeednaturaltotheonlycaronMatlockdownanarrowroadofcrunchycoralbones，throughpalmsandthickundergrowthwithatallhillrearingtooneside，perhapsfourmilesacrosstheisland’sspine。
\"Oh，howbeautiful！\"saidMeggie。
