Thegreyeyesdidn’tchange，butinthenewgrowthofhersoulMeggieunderstood。Mumwasglad；shejustdidn’tknowhowtoshowit。\"HaveyouleftLuke？\"Feeasked，takingitforgrantedthatMrs。Smithandthemaidswereasentitledtoknowasshewasherself。\"Yes。Ishallnevergobacktohim。Hedidn’twantahome，orhischildren，orme。\"
\"Children？\"
\"Yes。I’mgoingtohaveanotherbaby。\"
Oohsandaahsfromtheservants，andFeespeakingherjudgmentinthatmeasuredvoice，gladnessunderneath。
\"Ifhedoesn’twantyou，thenyouwererighttocomehome。Wecanlookafteryouhere。\"
Heroldroom，lookingoutacrosstheHomePaddock，thegardens。AndaroomnextdoorforJustine，thenewbabywhenitcame。Oh，itwassogoodtobehome！
Bobwasgladtoseeher，too。MoreandmorelikePaddy，hewasbecomingalittlebentandsinewyasthesunbakedhisskinandhisbonestodryness。Hehadthesamegentlestrengthofcharacter，butperhapsbecausehehadneverbeentheprogenitorofalargefamily，helackedPaddy’sfatherlymien。AndhewaslikeFee，also。Quiet，self-contained，notonetoairhisfeelingsoropinions。Hehadtobeintohismiddlethirties，Meggiethoughtinsuddensurprise，andstillhewasn’tmarried。ThenJackandHughiecamein，twoduplicateBobswithouthisauthority，theirshysmileswelcomingherhome。Thatmustbeit，shereflected；theyaresoshy，itistheland，forthelanddoesn’tneedarticulatenessorsocialgraces。Itneedsonlywhattheybringtoit，voice-lessloveandwholeheartedfealty。
TheClearymenwereallhomethatnight，tounloadatruckofcornJimsandPatsyhadpickedupfromtheAMLANDFinGilly。
\"I’veneverseenitsodry，Meggie，\"Bobsaid。\"Norainintwoyears，notadrop。Andthebunniesareabiggercursethanthekangas；they’reeatingmoregrassthansheepandkangascombined。We’regoingtotrytohand-feed，butyouknowwhatsheepare。\"
OnlytoowelldidMeggieknowwhatsheepwere。Idiots，incapableofunderstandingeventherudimentsofsurvival。Whatlittlebraintheoriginalanimalhadeverpossessedwasentirelybredoutofthesewoollyaristocrats。Sheepwouldn’teatanythingbutgrass，orscrubcutfromtheirnaturalenvironment。Buttherejustweren’tenoughhandstocutscrubtosatisfyoverahundredthousandsheep。
\"Itakeityoucanuseme？\"sheasked。
\"Canwe！You’llfreeupaman’shandsforscrubcutting，Meggie，ifyou’llridetheinsidepaddocksthewayyouusedto。\"
Trueastheirword，thetwinswerehomeforgood。AtfourteentheyquitRiverviewforever，couldn’theadbacktotheblack-oilplainsquicklyenough。AlreadytheylookedlikejuvenileBobs，JacksandHughies，inwhatwasgraduallyreplacingtheold-fashionedgreytwillandflannelastheuniformoftheGreatNorthwestgrazier:whitemoleskinbreeches，whiteshirt，aflat-crownedgreyfelthatwithabroadbrim，andankle-highelastic-sidedridingbootswithflatheels。Onlythehandfulofhalf-casteaborigineswholivedinGilly’sshantysectionapedthecowboysoftheAmericanWest，inhigh-heeledfancybootsandten-gallonStetsons。Toablack-soilplainsmansuchgearwasauselessaffectation，apartofadifferentculture。Amancouldn’twalkthroughthescrubinhigh-heeledboots，andamanoftenhadtowalkthroughthescrub。Andaten-gallonStetsonwasfartoohotandheavy。Thechestnutmareandtheblackgeldingwerebothdead；thestableswereempty。Meggieinsistedshewashappywithastockhorse，butBobwentovertoMartinKing’stobuyhertwoofhispart-thoroughbredhackscomacreamymarewithablackmaneandtail，andaleggychestnutgelding。ForsomereasonthelossoftheoldchestnutmarehitMeggieharderthanheractualpartingfromRalph，adelayedreaction；asifinthisthefactofhisgoingwasmoreclearlystated。Butitwassogoodtobeoutinthepaddocksagain，toridewiththedogs，eatthedustofableatingmobofsheep，watchthebirds，thesky，theland。
Itwasterriblydry。Drogheda’sgrasshadalwaysmanagedtooutlastthedroughtsMeggieremembered，butthiswasdifferent。Thegrasswaspatchynow；inbetweenitstussocksthedarkgroundshowed，crackedintoafinenetworkoffissuresgapinglikeparchedmouths。Forwhichmostlythanktherabbits。Inthefouryearsofherabsencetheyhadsuddenlymultipliedoutofallreason，thoughshesupposedtheyhadbeenbadformanyyearsbeforethat。Itwasjustthatalmostovernighttheirnumbershadreachedfarbeyondsaturationpoint。Theywereeverywhere，andthey，too，atethepreciousgrass。Shelearnedtosetrabbittraps，hatinginawaytoseethesweetlittlethingsmangledinsteelteeth，buttoomuchofalandpersonherselftoflinchfromdoingwhathadtobedone。Tokillinthenameofsurvivalwasn’tcruelty。
\"GodrotthehomesickPommywhoshippedthefirstrabbitsoutfromEngland，\"saidBobbitterly。
TheywerenotnativetoAustralia，andtheirsentimentalimportationhadcompletelyupsettheecologicalbalanceofthecontinentwheresheepandcattlehadnot，thesebeingscientificallygrazedfromthemomentoftheirintroduction。TherewasnonaturalAustralianpredatortocontroltherabbitnumbers，andimportedfoxesdidn’tthrive。Manmustbeanunnaturalpredator，butthereweretoofewmen，toomanyrabbits。
AfterMeggiegrewtoobigtositahorse，shespentherdaysinthehomesteadwithMrs。Smith，MinnieandCat，sewingorknittingforthelittlethingsquirminginsideher。He(shealwaysthoughtofitashe)wasapartofherasJustineneverhadbeen；shesufferednosicknessordepression，andlookedforwardeagerlytobearinghim。PerhapsJustinewasinadvertentlyresponsibleforsomeofthis；nowthatthelittlepale-eyedthingwaschangingfromamindlessbabytoanextremelyintelligentgirlchild，Meggiefoundherselffascinatedwiththeprocessandthechild。ItwasalongtimesinceshehadbeenindifferenttoJustine，andsheyearnedtolavishloveuponherdaughter，hugher，kissher，laughwithher。Tobepolitelyrebuffedwasashock，butthatwaswhatJustinedidateveryaffectionateoverture。WhenJimsandPatsyleftRiverview，Mrs。Smithhadthoughttogetthembackunderherwingagain，thencamethedisappointmentofdiscoveringtheywereawayinthepaddocksmostofthetime。SoMrs。SmithturnedtolittleJustine，andfoundherselfasfirmlyshutoutasMeggiewas。ItseemedthatJustinedidn’twanttobehugged，kissedormadetolaugh。Shewalkedandtalkedearly，atninemonths。Onceuponherfeetandincommandofaveryarticulatetongue，sheproceededtogoherownwayanddopreciselywhatevershewanted。Notthatshewaseithernoisyordefiant；simplythatshewasmadeofveryhardmetalindeed。Meggieknewnothingaboutgenes，butifshehadshemighthaveponderedupontheresultofaninterminglingofCleary，ArmstrongandO’neill。Itcouldn’tfailtobepowerfulhumansoup。
ButthemostdismayingthingwasJustine’sdoggedrefusaltosmileorlaugh。EverysoulonDroghedaturnedinsideoutperforminganticstomakehergerminateagrin，withoutsuccess。Whenitcametoinnatesolemnitysheoutdidhergrandmother。OnthefirstofOctober，whenJustinewasexactlysixteenmonthsold，Meggie’ssonwasbornonDrogheda。Hewasalmostfourweeksearlyandnotexpected；thereweretwoorthreesharpcontractions，thewaterbroke，andhewasdeliveredbyMrs。SmithandFeeafewminutesaftertheyrangforthedoctor。Meggiehadscarcely，hadtimetodilate。Thepainwasminimal，theordealsoquicklyoveritmighthardlyhavebeen；inspiteofthestitchesshehadtohavebecausehisentryintotheworldhadbeensoprecipitate，Meggiefeltwonderful。TotallydryforJustine，herbreastswerefulltooverflowing。NoneedforbottlesortinsofLactogenthistime。Andhewassobeautiful！Longandslender，withaquiffofflaxenhairatophisperfectlittleskull，andvividblueeyeswhichgavenohintofchanginglatertosomeothercolor。Howcouldtheychange？TheywereRalph’seyes，ashehadRalph’shands，Ralph’snoseandmouth，evenRalph’sfeet。MeggiewasunprincipledenoughtobeverythankfulLukehadbeenmuchthesamebuildandcoloringasRalph，muchthesameinfeatures。Butthehands，thewaythebrowsgrewin，thedownywidow’speak，theshapeofthefingersandtoes；theyweresomuchRalph，solittleLuke。Betterhopenoonerememberedwhichmanownedwhat。
\"Haveyoudecided-onhisname？\"askedFee；heseemedtofascinateher。Meggiewatchedherasshestoodholdinghim，andwasgrateful。Mumwasgoingtoloveagain；oh，maybenotthewayshehadlovedFrank，butatleastshewouldfeelsomething。
\"I’mgoingtocallhimDane。\"
\"Whataqueername！Why？IsitanO’neillfamilyname？IthoughtyouwerefinishedwiththeO’neills？\"
\"It’sgotnothingtodowithLuke。Thisishisname，nooneelse’s。Ihatefamilynames；it’slikewishingapieceofsomeonedifferentontoanewperson。IcalledJustineJustinesimplybecauseIlikedthename，andI’mcallingDaneDaneforthesamereason。
\"Well，itdoeshaveaniceringtoit，\"Feeadmitted。Meggiewinced；herbreastsweretoofull。\"Bettergivehimtome，Mum。Oh，Ihopehe’shungry！AndIhopeoldBluerememberstobringthatbreastpump。Otherwiseyou’regoingtohavetodriveintoGillyforit。\"
Hewashungry；hetuggedathersohardhisgummylittlemouthhurt。Lookingdownonhim，theclosedeyeswiththeirdark，gold-tippedlashes，thefeatherybrows，thetinyworkingcheeks，Meggielovedhimsomuchthelovehurthermorethanhissuckingevercould。
Heisenough；hehastobeenough，I’llnotgetanymore。ButbyGod，RalphdeBricassart，bythatGodyoulovemorethanme，you’llneverknowwhatIstolefromyou-andfromHim。I’mnevergoingtotellyouaboutDane。Oh，mybaby！Shiftingonthepillowstosettlehimmorecomfortablyintothecrookofherarm，toseemoreeasilythatperfectlittleface。Mybaby！You’remine，andI’mnevergoingtogiveyouuptoanyoneelse。Leastofalltoyourfather，whoisapriestandcan’tacknowledgeyou。Isn’tthatwonderful？
TheboatdockedinGenoaatthebeginningofApril。ArchbishopRalphlandedinanItalyburstingintofull，Mediterraneanspring，andcaughtatraintoRome。Hadherequestedithecouldhavebeenmet，chauffeuredinaVaticancartoRome，buthedreadedtofeeltheChurchclosearoundhimagain；hewantedtoputthemomentoffaslongashecould。TheEternalCity。Itwastrulythat，hethought，staringoutofthetaxiwindowsatthecampanilesanddomes，andpigeon-strewnplazas，theambitiousfountains，theRomancolumnswiththeirbasesburieddeepinthecenturies。Well，tohimtheywereallsuperfluities。WhatmatteredtohimwasthepartofRomecalledtheVatican，itssumptuouspublicrooms，itsanythingbutsumptuousprivaterooms。
Ablack-and-cream-robedDominicanmonkledhimthroughhighmarblecorridors，amidbronzeandstonefiguresworthyofamuseum，pastgreatpaintingsinthestylesofGiotto，Raphael，Botticelli，FraAngelico。Hewasinthepublicroomsofagreatcardinal，andnodoubtthewealthyContini-Verchesefamilyhadgivenmuchtoenhancetheiraugustscion’ssurroundings。
Inaroomofivoryandgold，richwithcolorfromtapestriesandpictures，Frenchcarpetedandfurnished，everywheretouchesofcrimson，satVittorioScarbanza，CardinaldiContini-Verchese。Thesmallsmoothhand，itsrubyringglowing，wasextendedtohiminwelcome；gladtofixhiseyesdownward，ArchbishopRalphcrossedtheroom，knelt，tookthehandtokissthering。Andlaidhischeekagainstthehand，knowinghecouldn’tlie，thoughhehadmeanttorightupuntilthemomenthislipstouchedthatsymbolofspiritualpower，temporalauthority。
CardinalVittorioputhisotherhandonthebentshoulder，noddingadismissaltothemonk，thenasthedoorclosedsoftlyhishandwentfromshouldertohair，restedinitsdarkthickness，smootheditbacktenderlyfromthehalf-avertedforehead。Ithadchanged；soonitwouldbenolongerblack，butthecolorofiron。Thebentspinestiffened，theshoulderswentback，andArchbishopRalphlookeddirectlyupintohismaster’sface。Ah，therehadbeenachange！Themouthhaddrawnin，knewpainandwasmorevulnerable；theeyes，sobeautifulincolorandshapeandsetting，wereyetcompletelydifferentfromtheeyeshestillrememberedasifbodilytheyhadneverlefthim。CardinalVittoriohadalwayshadafancythattheeyesofJesuswereblue，andlikeRalph’s:calm，removedfromwhatHesawandthereforeabletoencompassall，understandall。Butperhapsithadbeenamistakenfancy。Howcouldonefeelforhumanityandsufferoneselfwithoutitsshowingintheeyes？
\"Come，Ralph，sitdown。\"
\"YourEminence，Iwishtoconfess。\"
\"Later，later！Firstwewilltalk，andinEnglish。Thereareearseverywherethesedays，but，thankourdearJesus，notEnglish-speakingears。Sitdown，Ralph，please。Oh，itissogoodtoseeyou！Ihavemissedyourwisecounsel，yourrationality，yourperfectbrandofcompanionship。TheyhavenotgivenmeanyoneIlikehalfsowellasyou。\"
Hecouldfeelhisbrainclickingintotheformalityalready，feeltheverythoughtsinhismindtakeonmorestiltedphrasing；morethanmostpeople，RalphdeBricassartknewhoweverythingaboutonechangedwithone’scompany，evenone’sspeech。NotfortheseearstheeasyfluencyofcolloquialEnglish。Sohesatdownnotfaraway，anddirectlyoppositetheslightfigureinitsscarletmoiré，thecolorchangingyetnotchanging，ofaqualitywhichmadeitsedgesfusewiththesurroundingsratherthanstandoutfromthem。Thedesperatewearinesshehadknownforweeksseemedtobeeasingalittlefromhisshoulders；hewonderedwhyhehaddreadedthismeetingso，whenhehadsurelyknowninhishearthewouldbeunderstood，forgiven。Butthatwasn’tit，notitatall。Itwashisownguiltathavingfailed，atbeinglessthanhehadaspiredtobe，atdisappointingamanwhohadbeeninterested，tremendouslykind，atruefriend。Hisguiltatwalkingintothispurepresencenolongerpurehimself。
\"Ralph，wearepriests，butwearesomethingelsebeforethat；somethingwewerebeforewebecamepriests，andwhichwecannotescapeinspiteofourexclusiveness。Wearemen，withtheweaknessesandfailingsofmen。ThereisnothingyoucantellmewhichcouldaltertheimpressionsIformedofyouduringouryearstogether，nothingyoucouldtellmewhichwillmakemethinklessofyou，orlikeyouless。FormanyyearsIhaveknownthatyouhadescapedthisrealizationofourintrinsicweakness，ofourhumanity，butIknewyoumustcometoit，forwealldo。EventheHolyFather，whoisthemosthumbleandhumanofusall。\"
\"Ibrokemyvows，YourEminence。Thatisn’teasilyforgiven。It’ssacrilege。\"
\"Povertyyoubrokeyearsago，whenyouacceptedthebequestofMrs。MaryCarson。Whichleavescha/yandobedience，doesitnot？\"\"Thenallthreewerebroken，YourEminence。\"
\"IwishyouwouldcallmeVittorio，asyouusedto！Iamnotshocked，Ralph，nordisappointed。ItisasOurLordJesusChristwills，andIthinkperhapsyouhadagreatlessontolearnwhichcouldnotbelearnedinanywaylessdestructive。Godismysterious，Hisreasonsbeyondourpoorcomprehension。ButIthinkwhatyoudidwasnotdonelightly，yourvowsthrownawayashavingnovalue。Iknowyouverywell。Iknowyoutobeproud，verymuchinlovewiththeideaofbeingapriest，veryconsciousofyourexclusiveness。Itispossiblethatyouneededthisparticularlessontoreducethatpride，makeyouunderstandthatyouarefirstaman，andthereforenotasexclusiveasyouthink。Isitnotso？\"\"Yes。Ilackedhumility，andIbelieveinawayIaspiredtobeGodHimself。I’vesinnedmostgrievouslyandinexcusably。Ican’tforgivemyself，sohowcanIhopefordivineforgiveness？\"
\"Thepride，Ralph，thepride！Itisnotyourplacetoforgive，doyounotunderstandthatyet？OnlyGodcanforgive。OnlyGod！AndHewillforgiveifthesincererepentanceisthere。Hehasforgivengreatersinsfromfargreatersaints，youknow，aswellasfromfargreatervillains。DoyouthinkPrinceLuciferisnotforgiven？Hewasforgivenintheverymomentofhisrebellion。HisfateasrulerofHellishisown，notGod’sdoing。Didhenotsayit？\"BettertoruleinHellthanserveinHeaven！\"Forhecouldnotovercomehispride，hecouldnotbeartosubjugatehiswilltotheWillofSomeoneelse，eventhoughthatSomeonewasGodHimself。Idonotwanttoseeyoumakethesamemistake，mydearestfriend。Humilitywastheonequalityyoulacked，anditistheveryqualitywhichmakesagreatsaint-oragreatman。UntilyoucanleavethematterofforgivenesstoGod，youwillnothaveacquiredtruehumility。\"
Thestrongfacetwisted。\"Yes，Iknowyou’reright。ImustacceptwhatIamwithoutquestion，onlystrivetobebetterwithouthavingprideinwhatIam。Irepent，thereforeIshallconfessandawaitforgiveness。Idorepent，bitterly。\"Hesighed；hiseyesbetrayedtheconflicthismeasuredwordscouldn’t，notinthisroom。
\"Andyet，Vittorio，inawaytherewasnothingelseIcoulddo。EitherIruinedher，orItooktheruinuponmyself。Atthetimetheredidn’tseemtobeachoice，becauseIdoloveher。Itwasn’therfaultthatI’veneverwantedthelovetoextendtoaphysicalplane。Herfatebecamemoreimportantthanmyown，yousee。UntilthatmomentIhadalwaysconsideredmyselffirst，asmoreimportantthanshe，becauseIwasapriest，andshewasalesserbeing。ButIsawthatIwasresponsibleforwhatsheis……Ishouldhavelethergowhenshewasachild，butIdidn’t。Ikeptherinmyheartandsheknewit。IfIhadtrulypluckedheroutshewouldhaveknownthat，too，andshewouldhavebecomesomeoneIcouldn’tinfluence。\"Hesmiled。\"YouseethatIhavemuchtorepent。Itriedalittlecreatingofmyown。\"
\"ItwastheRose？\"
Theheadwentback；ArchbishopRalphlookedattheelaborateceilingwithitsgildedmoldingsandbaroqueMuranochandelier。\"Couldithavebeenanyoneelse？She’smyonlyattemptatcreation。\"
\"Andwillshebeallright，theRose？Didyoudohermoreharmbythisthanindenyingher？\"
\"Idon’tknow，Vittorio。IwishIdid！Atthetimeitjustseemedtheonlythingtodo。I’mnotgiftedwithPrometheanforesight，andemotionalinvolvementmakesoneapoorjudge。Besides，itsimply……happened！ButIthinkperhapssheneededmostwhatIgaveher，therecognitionofheridentityasawoman。Idon’tmeanthatshedidn’tknowshewasawoman。Imean1didn’tknow。IfIhadfirstmetherasawomanitmighthavebeendifferent，butIknewherasachildformanyyears。\"
\"Yousoundratherpriggish，Ralph，andnotyetreadyforforgiveness。Ithurts，doesitnot？Thatyoucouldhavebeenhumanenoughtoyieldtohumanweakness。Wasitreallydoneinsuchaspiritofnobleself-sacrifice？\"Startled，helookedintotheliquiddarkeyes，sawhimselfreflectedinthemastwotinymanikinsofinsignificantproportion。\"No，\"hesaid。\"I’maman，andasamanIfoundapleasureinherIdidn’tdreamexisted。Ididn’tknowawomanfeltlikethat，orcouldbethesourceofsuchprofoundjoy。Iwantednevertoleaveher，notonlybecauseofherbody，butbecauseIjustlovedtobewithher-talktoher，nottalktoher，eatthemealsshecooked，smileather，shareherthoughts。IshallmissheraslongasIlive。\"TherewassomethinginthesallowasceticvisagewhichunaccountablyremindedhimofMeggie’sfaceinthatmomentofparting；thesightofaspiritualburdenbeingtakenup，theresolutenessofacharacterwellabletogoforwardinspiteofitsloads，itsgriefs，itspain。Whathadheknown，theredsilkcardinalwhoseonlyhumanaddictionseemedtobehislanguidAbyssiniancat？
\"Ican’trepentofwhatIhadwithherinthatway，\"RalphwentonwhenHisEminencedidn’tspeak。\"Irepentthebreakingofvowsassolemnandbindingasmylife。Icanneveragainapproachmypriestlydutiesinthesamelight，withthesamezeal。Irepentthatbitterly。ButMeggie？\"ThelookonhisfacewhenheutteredhernamemadeCardinalVittorioturnawaytodobattlewithhisownthoughts。
\"TorepentofMeggiewouldbetomurderher。\"Hepassedhishandtiredlyacrosshiseyes。\"Idon’tknowifthat’sveryclear，orevenifitgetsclosetosayingwhatImean。Ican’tforthelifeofmeeverseemtoexpresswhatIfeelforMeggieadequately。\"HeleanedforwardinhischairastheCardinalturnedback，andwatchedhistwinimagesgrowalittlelarger。Vittorio’seyeswerelikemirrors；theythrewbackwhattheysawanddidn’tpermitoneaglimpseofwhatwentonbehindthem。Meggie’seyeswereexactlytheopposite；theywentdownanddownanddown，allthewaytohersoul。\"Meggieisabenediction，\"hesaid。\"She’saholythingtome，adifferentkindofsacrament。\"
\"Yes，Iunderstand，\"sighedtheCardinal。\"Itiswellyoufeelso。InOurLord’seyesIthinkitwillmitigatethegreatsin。ForyourownsakeyouhadbetterconfesstoFatherGiorgio，nottoFatherGuillermo。FatherGiorgiowillnotmisinterpretyourfeelingsandyourreasoning。Hewillseethetruth。FatherGuillermoislessperceptive，andmightdeemyourtruerepentancedebatable。\"Afaintsmilecrossedhisthinmouthlikeawispyshadow。\"They，too，aremen，myRalph，thosewhoheartheconfessionsofthegreat。Neverforgetitaslongasyoulive。OnlyintheirpriesthooddotheyactasvesselscontainingGod。Inallelsetheyaremen。AndtheforgivenesstheymeteoutcomesfromGod，buttheearswhichlistenandjudgebelongtomen。\"
Therewasadiscreetknockonthedoor；CardinalVittoriosatsilentlyandwatchedtheteatraybeingcarriedtoabuhltable。\"Yousee，Ralph？SincemydaysinAustraliaIhavebecomeaddictedtotheafternoonteahabit。Theymakeitquitewellinmykitchen，thoughtheyusednottoatfirst。\"HehelduphishandasArchbishopRalphstartedtomovetowardtheteapot。\"Ah，no！Ishallpouritmyself。Itamusesmetobe’mother。\"\"
\"IsawagreatmanyblackshirtsinthestreetsofGenoaandRome，\"saidArchbishopRalph，watchingCardinalVittoriopour。\"ThespecialcohortsofIIDuce。Wehaveaverydifficulttimeaheadofus，myRalph。TheHolyFatherisadamantthattherebenofracturebetweentheChurchandtheseculargovernmentofItaly，andheisrightinthisasinailthings。Nomatterwhathappens，wemustremainfreetoministertoallourchildren，evenshouldawarmeanourchildrenwillbedivided，fightingeachotherinthenameofaCatholicGod。Whereverourheartsandouremotionsmightlie，wemustendeavoralwaystokeeptheChurchremovedfrompoliticalideologiesandinternationalsquabbles。IwantedyoutocometomebecauseIcantrustyourfacenottogiveawaywhatyourbrainisthinkingnomatterwhatyoureyesmightbeseeing，andbecauseyouhavethebestdiplomaticturnofmindIhaveeverencountered。\"
ArchbishopRalphsmiledruefully。\"You’llfurthermycareerinspiteofme，won’tyou！IwonderwhatwouldhavehappenedtomeifIhadn’tmetyou？\"\"Oh，youwouldhavebecomeArchbishopofSydney，anicepostandanimportantone，\"saidHisEminencewithagoldensmile。\"Butthewaysofourliveslienotinourhands。Wemetbecauseitwasmeanttobe，justasitismeantthatweworktogethernowfortheHolyFather。\"
\"Ican’tseesuccessattheendoftheroad，\"saidArchbishopRalph。\"Ithinktheresultwillbewhattheresultofimpartialityalwaysis。Noonewilllikeus，andeveryonewillcondemnus。\"
\"Iknowthat，sodoesHisHoliness。Butwecandonothingelse。Andthereisnothingtopreventourprayinginprivateforthespeedydownfallof11DuceandDerFuehrer，isthere？\"
\"Doyoureallythinktherewillbewar？\"
\"Icannotseeanypossibilityofavoidingit。\"
HisEminence’scatstalkedoutofthesunnycornerwhereithadbeensleeping，andjumpeduponthescarletshimmeringlapalittleawkwardly，foritwasold。
\"Ah，Sheba！SayhellotoyouroldfriendRalph，whomyouusedtoprefertome。\"
ThesatanicyelloweyesregardedArchbishopRalphhaughtily，andclosed。Bothmenlaughed。
Droghedahadawirelessset。ProgresshadfinallycometoGillanboneintheshapeofanAustralianBroadcastingCommissionradiostation，andatlonglasttherewassomethingtorivalthepartylineformassentertainment。Thewirelessitselfwasaratheruglyobjectinawalnutcasewhichsatonasmallexquisitecabinetinthedrawingroom，itscar-batterypowersourcehiddeninthecupboardunderneath。
EverymorningMrs。Smith，FeeandMeggieturneditontolistentotheGillanbonedistrictnewsandweather，andeveryeveningFeeandMeggieturneditontolistentotheABCnationalnews。HowstrangeitwastobeinstantaneouslyconnectedwithOutside；tohearoffloods，fires，rainfallineverypartofthenation，anuneasyEurope，Australianpolitics，withoutbenefitofBlueyWilliamsandhisagednewspapers。WhenthenationalnewsonFriday，September1/，announcedthatHitlerhadinvadedPoland，onlyFeeandMeggiewerehometohearit，andneitherofthempaidanyattention。Therehadbeenspeculationformonths；besides，Europewashalfaworldaway。NothingtodowithDrogheda，whichwasthecenteroftheuniverse。ButonSunday，September3rdallthemenwereinfromthepaddockstohearFatherWattyThomassayMass，andthemenwereinterestedinEurope。NeitherFeenorMeggiethoughttotellthemofFriday’snews，andFatherWatty，whomighthave，leftinahurryforNarrengang。
Asusual，thewirelesssetwasswitchedonthateveningforthenationalnews。Butinsteadofthecrisp，absolutelyOxfordtonesoftheannouncer，therecamethegenteel，unmistakablyAustralianvoiceofthePrimeMinister，RobertGordonMenzies。
\"FellowAustralians。ItismymelancholydutytoinformyouofficiallythatinconsequenceofthepersistencebyGermanyinherinvasionofPoland，GreatBritainhasdeclaredwaruponher，andthat，asaresult，Australiaisalsoatwar……
\"ItmaybetakenthatHitler’sambitionisnottounitealltheGermanpeopleunderonerule，buttobringunderthatruleasmanycountriesascanbesubduedbyforce。Ifthisistogoon，therecanbenosecurityinEuropeandnopeaceintheworld……TherecanbenodoubtthatwhereGreatBritainstands，therestandthepeopleoftheentireBritishworld……\"Ourstayingpower，andthatoftheMotherCountry，willbebestassistedbykeepingourproductiongoing，continuingouravocationsandbusiness，maintainingemployment，andwithit，ourstrength。Iknowthatinspiteoftheemotionswearefeeling，Australiaisreadytoseeitthrough。\"MayGod，inHismercyandcompassion，grantthattheworldmaysoonbedeliveredfromthisagony。\"
Therewasalongsilenceinthedrawingroom，brokenbythemegaphonaltonesofashort-waveNevilleChamberlainspeakingtotheBritishpeople；FeeandMeggielookedattheirmen。
\"IfwecountFrank，therearesixofus，\"saidBobintothesilence。\"AllofusexceptFrankareontheland，whichmeanstheywon’twanttoletusserve。Ofourpresentstockmen，Ireckonsixwillwanttogoandtwowillwanttostay。\"
\"Iwanttogo！\"saidJack，eyesshining。
\"Andme，\"saidHughieeagerly。
\"Andus，\"saidJimsonbehalfofhimselfandtheinarticulatePatsy。ButtheyalllookedatBob，whowastheboss。\"We’vegottobesensible，\"hesaid。\"Woolisastapleofwar，andnotonlyforclothes。It’susedaspackinginammunitionandexplosives，forallsortsoffunnythingswedon’thearof，I’msure。Pluswehavebeefcattleforfood，andtheoldwethersandewesgoforhides，glue，tallow，lanolin-allwarstaples。
\"Sowecan’tgooffandleaveDroghedatorunitself，nomatterwhatwemightwanttodo。Withawaronit’sgoingtobemightyhardtoreplacethestockmenwe’reboundtolose。Thedrought’sinitsthirdyear，we’rescrub-cutting，andthebunniesaredrivingussilly。Forthemomentourjob’shereonDrogheda；notveryexcitingcomparedtogettingintoaction，butjustasnecessary。We’llbedoingourbestbithere。\"
Themalefaceshadfallen，thefemaleoneslightened。\"WhatifitgoesonlongerthanoldPigIronBobthinksitwill？\"askedHughie，givingthePrimeMinisterhisnationalnickname。Bobthoughthard，hisweatherbeatenvisagefulloffrowninglines。\"Ifthingsgetworseanditgoesonforalongtime，thenIreckonaslongaswe’vegottwostockmenwecansparetwoClearys，butonlyifMeggie’swillingtogetbackintoproperharnessandworktheinsidepaddocks。Itwouldbeawfullyhardandingoodtimeswewouldn’tstandachance，butinthisdroughtIreckonfivemenandMeggieworkingsevendaysaweekcouldrunDrogheda。Yetthat’saskingalotofMeggie，withtwolittlebabies。\"\"Ifithastobedone，Bob，ithastobedone，\"saidMeggie。\"Mrs。Smithwon’tminddoingherbitbytakingchargeofJustineandDane。WhenyougivethewordthatI’mneededtokeepDroghedauptofullproduction，I’llstartridingtheinsidepaddocks。\"
\"Thenthat’sus，thetwowhocanbespared，\"saidJims，smiling。\"No，it’sHughieandI，\"saidJackquickly。
\"ByrightsitoughttobeJimsandPatsy，\"Bobsaidslowly。\"You’retheyoungestandleastexperiencedasstockmen，whereassoldierswe’dallbeequallyinexperienced。Butyou’reonlysixteennow，chaps。\"
\"Bythetimethingsgetworsewe’llbeseventeen，\"offeredJims。\"We’lllookolderthanweare，sowewon’thaveanytroubleenlistingifwe’vegotaletterfromyouwitnessedbyHarryGough。\"
\"Well，rightatthemomentnooneisgoing。Let’sseeifwecan’tbringDroghedauptohigherproduction，evenwiththedroughtandthebunnies。\"Meggielefttheroomquietly，wentupstairstothenursery。DaneandJustinewereasleep，eachinawhitepaintedcot。Shepassedherdaughterby，andstoodoverherson，lookingdownathimforalongtime。\"ThankGodyou’reonlyababy，\"shesaid。
ItwasalmostayearbeforethewarintrudeduponthelittleDroghedauniverse，ayearduringwhichonebyonethestockmenleft，therabbitscontinuedtomultiply，andBobbattledvaliantlytokeepthestationbookslookingworthyofawartimeeffort。ButatthebeginningofJune1940camethenewsthattheBritishExpeditionaryForcehadbeenevacuatedfromtheEuropeanmainlandatDunkirk；volunteersforthesecondAustralianImperialForcepouredinthousandsintotherecruitingcenters，JimsandPatsyamongthem。
Fouryearsof。ridingthepaddocksinallweathershadpassedthetwins’facesandbodiesbeyondyouth，tothatagelesscalmofcreasesattheoutercornersoftheeyes，linesdownthenosetothemouth。Theypresentedtheirlettersandwereacceptedwithoutcomment。Bushmenwerepopular。Theycouldusuallyshootwell，knewthevalueofobeyinganorder，andtheyweretough。JimsandPatsyhadenlistedinDubbo，butcampwastobeIngleburn，outsideSydney，soeveryonesawthemoffonthenightmail。CormacCarmichael，Eden’syoungestson，wasonthesametrainforthesamereason，goingtothesamecampasitturnedout。Sothetwofamiliespackedtheirboyscomfortablyintoafirst-classcompartmentandstoodaroundawkwardly，achingtoweepandkissandhavesomethingwarmingtoremember，butstifledbytheirpeculiarBritishmistrustofdemonstrativeness。ThebigC-36steamlocomotivehowledmournfully，thestationmasterbeganblowinghiswhistle。
Meggieleanedovertopeckherbrothersontheircheeksself-consciously，thendidthesametoCormac，wholookedjustlikehisoldestbrother，Connor；Bob，JackandHughiewrungthreedifferentyounghands；Mrs。Smith，weeping，wastheonlyonewhodidthekissingandcuddlingeveryonewasdyingtodo。EdenCarmichael，hiswifeandagingbutstillhandsomedaughterwithhim，wentthroughthesameformalities。TheneveryonewasoutsideontheGillyplatform，thetrainwasjerkingagainstitsbuffersandcreepingforward。\"Goodbye，goodbye！\"everyonecalled，andwavedbigwhitehandkerchiefsuntilthetrainwasasmokystreakintheshimmeringsunsetdistance。Togetherastheyhadrequested，JimsandPatsyweregazettedtotheraw，half-trainedNinthAustralianDivisionandshippedtoEgyptatthebeginningof1941，justintimetobecomeapartoftheroutatBenghazi。ThenewlyarrivedGeneralErwinRommelhadputhisformidableweightontheAxisendoftheseesawandbegunthefirstreversalofdirectioninthegreatcyclingrushesbackandforthacrossNorthAfrica。And，whiletherestoftheBritishforcesretreatedignominiouslyaheadofthenewAfrikaKorpsbacktoEgypt，theNinthAustralianDivisionwasdetailedtooccupyandholdTobruk，anoutpostinAxis-heldterritory。TheonlythingwhichmadetheplanfeasiblewasthatitwasstillaccessiblebyseaandcouldbesuppliedaslongasBritishshipscouldmoveintheMediterranean。TheRatsofTobrukholedupforeightmonths，andsawactionafteractionasRommelthreweverythinghehadatthemfromtimeto，time，withoutmanagingtodislodgethem。
\"Doyouseknowwhyyouseishere？\"askedPrivateColStuart，lickingthepaperonhiscigaretteandrollingitshutlazily。SergeantBobMalloyshiftedhisDiggerhatfarenoughupwardtoseehisquestionerfromunderitsbrim。\"Shit，no，\"hesaid，grinning；itwasanoft-askedquery。
\"Well，it’sbetterthanwhitinggaitersinthebloodyglasshouse，\"saidPrivateJimsCleary，pullinghistwinbrother’sshortsdownalittlesohecouldresthisheadcomfortablyonsoftwarmbelly。\"Yair，butintheglasshouseyousedon’tkeepgettingshotat，\"objectedCol，flickinghisdeadmatchatasunbathinglizard。\"Iknowthismuch，mate，\"saidBob，rearranginghishattoshadehiseyes。\"I’drathergetshotatthandieoffuckin’boredom。\"
Theywerecomfortably，disposedinadry，gravellydugoutjustoppositetheminesandbarbedwirewhichcutoffthesouthwestcorneroftheperimeter；ontheothersideRommelhungdoggedlyontohissinglepieceoftheTobrukterritory。Abig。50-caliberBrowningmachinegunsharedtheholewiththem，casesofammunitionneatlybesideit，butnooneseemedveryenergeticorinterestedinthepossibilityofattack。Theirrifleswereproppedagainstonewall，bayonetsglitteringinthebrilliantTobruksun。Fliesbuzzedeverywhere，butallfourwereAustralianbushmen，soTobrukandNorthAfricaheldnosurprisesinthewayofheat，dustorflies。\"Justaswellyouseistwins，Jims，\"saidCol，throwingpebblesatthelizard，whichdidn’tseemdisposedtomove。\"Youselooklikeapairofpoofters，alltieduptogether。\"\"You’rejustjealous。\"Jimsgrinned，strokingPatsy’sbelly。\"Patsy’sthebestpillowinTobruk。\"
\"Yair，allrightforyou，butwhataboutpoorPatsy？Goon，Harpo，saysomething！\"Bobteased。
Patsy’swhiteteethappearedinasmile，butasusualheremainedsilent。Everyonehadtriedtogethimtotalk，butnoonehadeversucceededbeyondanessentialyesorno；inconsequencenearlyeveryonecalledhimHarpo，afterthevoicelessMarxbrother。
\"Hearthenews？\"askedColsuddenly。
\"What？\"
\"TheSeventh’sMatildasgotplasteredbytheeightyeightsatHalfaya。OnlyguninthedesertbigenoughtowipeoutaMatilda。Wentthroughthembigbuggersoftankslikeadoseofsalts。\"
\"Oh，yeah，tellmeanother！\"saidBobskeptically。\"I’masergeantandIneverheardawhisper，you’reaprivateandyouknowallaboutit。Well，mate，there’sjustnothingJerry’sgotcapableofwipingoutabrigadeofMatildas。\"
\"IwasinMorshead’stentonamessagefromtheCOwhenIhearditcomethroughonthewireless，anditistrue，\"Colmaintained。Forawhilenoonespoke；itwasnecessarytoeveryinhabitantofabeleagueredoutpostlikeTobrukthathebelieveimplicitlyhisownsidehadsufficientmilitarythrusttogethimout。Col’snewswasn’tverywelcome，moresobecausenotonesoldierinTobrukheldRommellightly。TheyhadresistedhiseffortstoblowthemoutbecausetheygenuinelybelievedtheAustralianfightingmanhadnopeersaveaGurkha，andiffaithisnine-tenthsofpower，theyhadcertainlyprovedthemselvesformidable。\"BloodyPoms，\"saidJims。\"WhatweneedinNorthAfricaismoreAussies。\"Thechorusofagreementwasinterruptedbyanexplosionontherimofthedugoutwhichblewthelizardintonothingandsentthefoursoldiersdivingforthemachinegunandtheirrifles。\"Fuckin’Dagogrenade，allsplintersandnopunch，\"Bobsaidwithasighofrelief。\"IfthatwasaHitlerspecialwe’dbeplayingourharpsforsure，andwouldn’tyoulikethat，eh，Patsy？\"
AtthebeginningofOperationCrusadertheNinthAustralianDivisionwasevacuatedbyseatoCairo，afteraweary，bloodysiegewhichseemedtohaveaccomplishednothing。However，whiletheNinthhadbeenholedupinsideTobruk，thesteadilyswellingranksofBritishtroopsinNorthAfricahadbecometheBritishEighthArmy，itsnewcommanderGeneralBernardLawMontgomery。
FeeworealittlesilverbroochformedintotherisingsunemblemoftheAIF；suspendedontwochainsbelowitwasasilverbar，onwhichshehadtwogoldstars，oneforeachsonunderarms。Itassuredeveryoneshemetthatshe，too，wasDoingHerBitfortheCountry。Becauseherhusbandwasnotasoldier，norherson，Meggiewasn’tentitledtowearabrooch。AletterhadcomefromLukeinformingherthathewouldkeeponcuttingthesugar；hethoughtshewouldliketoknowincaseshehadbeenworriedhemightjoinup。TherewasnoindicationthatherememberedawordofwhatshehadsaidthatmorningintheInghampub。Laughingwearilyandshakingherhead，shehaddroppedtheletterinFee’swastepaperbasket，wonderingasshedidsoifFeeworriedabouthersonsunderarms。Whatdidshereallythinkofthewar？ButFeeneversaidaword，thoughsheworeherbroocheverysingleday，allday。SometimesaletterwouldcomefromEgypt，fallingintotatterswhenitwasspreadopenbecausethecensor’sscissorshadfilleditwithneatrectangularholes，oncethenamesofplacesorregiments。Readingtheseletterswaslargelyamatterofpiecingtogethermuchoutof-virtuallynothing，buttheyservedonepurposewhichcastallothersintotheshade:whileevertheycame，theboyswerestillalive。Therehadbeennorain。Itwasasifeventhedivineelementsconspiredtoblighthope，for1941wasthefifthyearofadisastrousdrought。Meggie，Bob，Jack，HughieandFeeweredesperate。TheDroghedabankaccountwasrichenoughtobuyallthefeednecessarytokeepthesheepalive，butmostofthesheepwouldn’teat。Eachmobhadanaturalleader，theJudas；onlyiftheycouldpersuadetheJudastoeatdidtheystandahopewiththerest，butsometimeseventhesightofachewingJudascouldn’timpresstherestofthemobintoemulatingit。
SoDrogheda，too，wasseeingitsshareofbloodletting，andhatingit。Thegrasswasallgone，thegroundadarkcrackedwastelightenedonlybygreyanddunbrowntimberstands。Theyarmedthemselveswithknivesaswellasrifles；whentheysawananimaldownsomeonewouldcutitsthroattospareitalingeringdeath，eyelessfromthecrows。Bobputonmorecattleandhand-fedthemtokeepupDrogheda’swareffort。Therewasnoprofittobehadinitwiththepriceoffeed，fortheagrarianregionscloserinwerejustashardhitbylackofrainasthepastoralregionsfartherout。Cropreturnswereabysmallylow。However，wordhadcomefromRomethattheyweretodowhattheycouldregardlessofthecost。
WhatMeggiehatedmostofallwasthetimeshehadtoputinworkingthepaddocks。Droghedahadmanagedtoretainonlyoneofitsstockmen，andsofartherewerenoreplacements；Australia’sgreatestshortagehadalwaysbeenmanpower。SounlessBobnoticedherirritabilityandfatigue，andgaveherSundayoff，Meggieworkedthepaddockssevendaysaweek。However，ifBobgavehertimeoffitmeanthehimselfworkedharder，soshetriednottoletherdistressshow。Itneveroccurredtoherthatshecouldsimplyrefusetorideasastockman，pleadherbabiesasanexcuse。Theywerewellcaredfor，andBobneededhersomuchmorethantheydid。Shedidn’thavetheinsighttounderstandherbabiesneededher，too；thinkingofherlongingtobewiththemasselfishnesswhentheyweresowellcaredforbylovingandfamiliarhands。Itwasselfish，shetoldherself。Nordidshehavethekindofconfidencethatmighthavetoldherthatinherchildren’seyesshewasjustasspecialastheyweretoher。Sosherodethepaddocks，andforweeksonendgottoseeherchildrenonlyaftertheywereinbedforthenight。WheneverMeggielookedatDaneherheartturnedover。Hewasabeautifulchild；evenstrangersonthestreetsofGillyremarkedonitwhenFeetookhimintotown。Hishabitualexpressionwasasmilingone，hisnatureacuriouscombinationofquietnessanddeep，surehappiness；heseemedtohavegrownintohisidentityandacquiredhisself-knowledgewithnoneofthepainchildrenusuallyexperience，forherarelymademistakesaboutpeopleorthings，andnothingeverexasperatedorbewilderedhim。TohismotherhislikenesstoRalphwassometimesveryfrightening，butapparentlynooneelseevernoticed。RalphhadbeengonefromGillyforalongtime，andthoughDanehadthesamefeatures，thesamebuild，hehadonegreatdifference，whichtendedtocloudtheissue。Hishairwasn’tblacklikeRalph’s，itwasapalegold；notthecolorofwheatorsunsetbutthecolorofDroghedagrass，goldwithsilverandbeigeinit。
Fromthemomentsheseteyesonhim，Justineadoredherbabybrother。NothingwastoogoodforDane，nothingtoomuchtroubletofetchorpresentinhishonor。Oncehebegantowalksheneverlefthisside，forwhichMeggiewasverygrateful，worryingthatMrs。Smithandthemaidsweregettingtoooldtokeepasatisfactorilysharpeyeonasmallboy。OnoneofherrareSundaysoffMeggietookherdaughterontoherlapandspoketoherseriouslyaboutlookingafterDane。
\"Ican’tbehereatthehomesteadtolookafterhimmyself，\"shesaid，\"soitalldependsonyou，Justine。，He’syourbabybrotherandyoumustalwayswatchoutforhim，makesurehedoesn’tgetintodangerortrouble。\"Thelighteyeswereveryintelligent，withnoneoftheratherwanderingattentionspantypicalofafour-yearold。Justinenoddedconfidently。\"Don’tworry，Mum，\"shesaidbriskly。\"I’llalwayslookafterhimforyou。\"\"IwishIcouldmyself，\"Meggiesighed。
\"Idon’t，\"saidherdaughtersmugly。\"IlikehavingDanealltomyself。Sodon’tworry。Iwon’tletanythinghappentohim。\"
Meggiedidn’tfindthereassuranceacomfort，thoughitwasreassuring。Thisprecociouslittlescrapwasgoingtostealhersonfromher，andtherewasnowayshecouldavertit。Backtothepaddocks，whileJustinestaunchlyguardedDane。Oustedbyherowndaughter，whowasamonster。Whoonearthdidshetakeafter？NotLuke，notherself，notFee。Atleastthesedaysshewassmilingandlaughing。Shewasfouryearsoldbeforeshesawanythingfunnyinanything，andthatsheeverdidwasprobablyduetoDane，whohadlaughedfrombabyhood。Becausehelaughed，sodidshe。Meggie’schildrenlearnedfromeachotherallthetime。Butitwasgalling，knowingtheycouldgetonwithouttheirmotherverywell。Bythetimethiswretchedconflictisover，Meggiethought，he’llbetoooldtofeelwhatheshouldforme。He’salwaysgoingtobeclosertoJustine。WhyisitthateverytimeIthinkI’vegotmylifeundercontrol，somethinghappens？Ididn’taskforthiswarorthisdrought，butI’vegotthem。
PerhapsitwasaswellDroghedawashavingsuchahardtimeofit。Ifthingshadbeeneasier，JackandHughiewouldhavebeenofftoenlistinasecond。Asitwas，theyhadnochoicebuttobuckledownandsalvagewhattheycouldoutofthedroughtwhichwouldcometobecalledtheGreatDrought。Overamillionsquaremilesofcrop-andstock-bearinglandwasaffected，fromsouthernVictoriatothewaist-highMitchellgrasslandsoftheNorthernTerritory。
Butthewarrivaledthedroughtforattention。WiththetwinsinNorthAfrica，thehomesteadpeoplefollowedthatcampaignwithpainfuleagernessasitpushedandpulledbackandforthacrossLibya。Theirheritagewasworkingclass，sotheywereardentLaborsupportersandloathedthepresentgovernment，Liberalbynamebutconservativebynature。WheninAugustof1941RobertGordonMenziessteppeddown，admittinghecouldn’tgovern，theywerejubilant，andwhenonOctober3rdtheLaborleaderJohnCurtinwasaskedtoformagovernment，itwasthebestnewsDroghedahadheardinyears。Allthrough1940and1941uneaseaboutJapanhadbeengrowing，especiallyafterRooseveltandChurchillcutoffherpetroleumsupplies。EuropewasalongwayawayandHitlerwouldhavetomarchhisarmiestwelvethousandmilesinordertoinvadeAustralia，butJapanwasAsia，partoftheYellowPerilpoisedlikeadescendingpendulumaboveAustralia’srich，empty，underpopulatedpit。SonooneinAustraliawasatallsurprisedwhentheJapaneseattackedPearlHarbor；theyhadsimplybeenwaitingforittocome，somewhere。Suddenlythewarwasveryclose，andmightevenbecometheirownbackyard。TherewerenogreatoceansseparatingAustraliafromJapan，onlybigislandsandlittleseas。
OnChristmasDay1941，HongKongfell；buttheJapswouldneversucceedintakingSingapore，everyonesaid，relieved。ThennewscameofJapaneselandingsinMalayandinthePhilippines；thegreatnavalbaseatthetoeoftheMalayanpeninsulakeptitshuge，flat-trajectoriedgunstrainedonthesea，itsfleetattheready。ButonFebruary8th，1942，theJapanesecrossedthenarrow
StraitofJohore，landedonthenorthsideofSingaporeIslandandcameacrosstothecitybehinditsimpotentguns。Singaporefellwithoutevenastruggle。
Andthengreatnews！AlltheAustraliantroopsinNorthAfricaweretocomehome。PrimeMinisterCurtinrodetheswellsofChurchillianwrathundismayed，insistingthatAustraliahadfirstcallonAustralianmen。TheSixthandSeventhAustralianDivisionsembarkedinAlexandriaquickly；theNinth，stillrecoveringinCairofromitsbatteringatTobruk，wastofollowassoonasmoreshipscouldbeprovided。Feesmiled，Meggiewasdeliriouswithjoy。JimsandPatsywerecominghome。
Onlytheydidn’t。WhiletheNorthwaitedforitstroopshipstheseesawtippedagain；theEighthArmywasinfullretreatbackfromBenghazi。PrimeMinisterChurchillstruckabargainwithPrimeMinisterCurtin。TheNinthAustralianDivisionwouldremaininNorthAfrica，inexchangefortheshipmentofanAmericandivisiontodefendAustralia……Poorsoldiers，shuttledaroundbydecisionsmadeinofficesnotevenbelongingtotheirowncountries。Givealittlehere，takealittlethere。ButitwasahardjoltforAustralia，todiscoverthattheMotherCountrywasbootingallherFarEasternchicksoutofthenest，evenapoultasfatandpromisingasAustralia。
OnthenightofOctober23rd，1942，itwasveryquietinthedesert。Patsyshiftedslightly，foundhisbrotherinthedarkness，andleaned。likeasmallchildrightintothecurveofhisshoulder。Jims’sarmwentaroundhimandtheysattogetherincompanionablesilence。SergeantBobMalloynudgedPrivateColStuart，grinned。
\"Pairofpoofs，\"hesaid。
\"Fuckyou，too，\"saidJims。
\"Comeon，Harpo，saysomething，\"Colmurmured。Patsygavehimanangelicsmileonlyhalfseeninthedarkness，openedhismouthandhootedanexcellentimitationofHarpoMarx’shorn。EveryoneforseveralyardshissedatPatsytoshutup；therewasanall-quietalerton。
\"Christ，thiswaiting’skillingme，\"Bobsighed。Patsyspokeinashout:\"It’sthesilencethat’skillingme！\"\"Youfuckin’side-showfraud，I’lldothekilling！\"Colcroakedhoarsely，reachingforhisbayonet。
\"ForCrissakepipedown！\"camethecaptain’swhisper。\"Who’sthebloodyidiotyelling？\"
\"Patsy，\"chorusedhalfadozenvoices。
Theroaroflaughterfloatedreassuringlyacrosstheminefields，dieddowninastreamoflow-tonedprofanityfromthecaptain。SergeantMalloyglancedathiswatch；thesecondhandwasjustsweepingupto9:40pip-emma。Eighthundredandeighty-twoBritishgunsandhowitzersspoketogether。Theheavensreeled，thegroundlifted，expanded，couldnotsettle，forthebarragewentonandonwithoutasecond’sdiminutioninthemindshatteringvolumeofnoise。Itwasnousepluggingfingersinears；thegargantuanboomingcameupthroughtheearthandtraveledinwardtothebrainviathebones。WhattheeffectmusthavebeenonRommel’sfrontthetroopsoftheNinthintheirtrenchescouldonlyimagine。Usuallyitwaspossibletopickoutthistypeandsizeofartilleryfromthat，buttonighttheirironthroatschorusedinperfectharmony，andthunderedonastheminutespassed。Thedesertfitnotwiththelightofdaybutwiththefireofthesunitself；avastbillowingcloudofdustroselikecoilingsmokethousandsoffeet，glowingwiththeflashesofexplodingshellsandmines，theleapingflamesofmassiveconcentrationsofdetonatingcasings，ignitingpayloads。EverythingMontgomeryhadwasaimedattheminefields-guns，howitzers，mortars。AndeverythingMontgomeryhadwasthrownasfastasthesweatingartillerycrewscouldthrowit，slavesfeedingthemawsoftheirweaponslikesmallfranticbirdsahugecuckoo；guncasingsgrewhot，thetimebetweenrecoilandreloadshorterandshorterastheartillerymengotcarriedawayontheirownimpetus。Madmen，maddened，theydancedastereotypedpatternofattendanceontheirfieldpieces。
Itwasbeautiful，wonderful-thehighpointofanartilleryman’slife，whichhelivedandrelivedinhisdreams，wakingandsleeping，fortherestofhisanticlimacticdays。Andyearnedtohavebackagain，thosefifteenminuteswithMontgomery’sguns。
Silence。Stilled，absolutesilence，breakinglikewavesondistendedeardrums；unbearablesilence。Fiveminutesbeforeten，exactly。TheNinthgotupandmovedforwardoutofitstrenchesintonoman’sland，fixingbayonets，feelingforammunitionclips，releasingsafetycatches，checkingwaterbottles，ironrations，watches，tinhats，whetherbootlaceswerewelltied，thelocationofthosecarryingthemachineguns。Itwaseasytosee，intheunholyglowoffiresandred-hotsandmeltedintoglass；butthedustpallhungbetweentheEnemyandthem，theyweresafe。Forthemoment。Ontheveryedgeoftheminefieldstheyhalted，waited。
Tenpip-emma，onthedot。SergeantMalloyputhiswhistletohislipsandblewashrillblastupanddownthecompanylines；thecaptainshoutedhisforwardcommand。Onatwo-milefronttheNinthsteppedoffintotheminefieldsandthegunsbeganagainbehindthem，bellowing。Theycouldseewheretheyweregoingasifithadbeenday，thehowitzerstrainedonshortestrangeburstingshellsnotyardsinfrontofthem。Everythreeminutestherangeliftedanotherhundredyards；advancethosehundredyardsprayingitwasonlythroughantitankmines，orthattheS-mines，themanmines，hadbeenshelledoutofexistencebyMontgomery’sguns。TherewerestillGermansandItaliansinthefield，outpostsofmachineguns，50-mmsmallartillery，mortars。SometimesamanwouldsteponanUnexplodedS-mine，havetimetoseeitleapupwardoutofthesandbeforeitblewhiminhalf。Notimetothink，notimetodoanythingsavecrabscuttleintimetotheguns，ahundredyardsforwardeverythreeminutes，praying。Noise，light，dust，smoke，gut-wateringterror。Minefieldswhichhadnoend，twoorthreemilesofthemtotheotherside，andnogoingback。Sometimesinthetinypausesbetweenbarragescamethedistant，eerieskirlofabagpipeontheroastinggrittyair；ontheleftoftheNinthAustralian，theFiftyfirstHighlandersweretrekkingthroughtheminefieldswithapipertoleadeverycompanycommander。ToaScotthesoundof。hispiperdrawinghimintobattlewasthesweetestlureintheworld，andtoanAustralianveryfriendly，comforting。ButtoaGermanoranItalianitwashackle-raising。Thebattlewentonfortwelvedays，andtwelvedaysisaverylongbattle。TheNinthwasluckyatfirst；itscasualtieswererelativelylightthroughtheminefieldsandthroughthosefirstdaysofcontinuedadvanceintoRommel’sterritory。
\"Youknow，I’dratherbemeandgetshotatthanbeasapper，\"saidColStuart，leaningonhisshovel。
\"Idunno，mate；Ithinkthey’vegotthebestofit，\"growledhissergeant。\"Waitingbehindthefuckin’linesuntilwe’vedoneallthework，thenouttheytoddlewiththeirbloodyminesweeperstoclearnicelittlepathsforthefuckin’tanks。\"
\"Itisn’tthetanksatfault，Bob；it’sthebrasswhodeploythem，\"Jimssaid，pattingtheearthdownaroundthetopofhissectionoftheirnewtrenchwiththefiatofhisspade。\"Christ，though，Iwishthey’ddecidetokeepusinoneplaceforawhile！I’vedugmoredirtinthelastfivedaysthanabloodyanteater。\"
\"Keepdigging，mate，\"saidBobunsympathetically。
\"Hey，look！\"criedCol，pointingskyward。
EighteenRAFlightbomberscamedownthevalleyinperfectflying-schoolformation，droppingtheirsticksofbombsamongtheGermansandItalianswithdeadlyaccuracy。
\"Bloodybeautiful，\"saidSergeantBobMalloy，hislongnecktiltinghisheadatthesky。
Threedayslaterhewasdead；ahugepieceofshrapneltookoffhisarmandhalfhissideinafreshadvance，butnoonehadtimetostopexcepttopluckhiswhistlefromwhatwasleftofhismouth。Menweregoingdownnowlikeflies，tootiredtomaintaintheinitialpitchofvigilanceandswiftness；butwhatmiserablebarrengroundtheytooktheyheldonto，inthefaceofabitterdefensebythecreamofamagnificentarmy。Ithadbecometothemallnomorethanadumb，stubbornrefusaltobedefeated。TheNinthheldoffGrafvonSponeckandLungerhausenwhilethetanksbrokeouttothesouth，andfinallyRommelwasbeaten。ByNovember8hewastryingtorallybeyondtheEgyptianborder，andMontgomerywasleftincommandoftheentirefield。Averyimportanttacticalvictory，SecondAlamein；Rommelhadbeenforcedtoleavebehindmanyofhistanks，gunsandequipment。OperationTorchcouldcommenceitspusheastwardfromMoroccoandAlgeriawithmoresecurity。TherewasstillplentyoffightintheDesertFox，butalargepartofhisbrushwasonthegroundatElAlamein。ThebiggestandmostdecisivebattleoftheNorthAfricantheaterhadbeenfought，andFieldMarshalViscountMontgomeryofAlameinwasitsvictor。SecondAlameinwastheswansongoftheNinthAustralianDivisioninNorthAfrica。TheywerefinallygoinghometocontendwiththeJapanese，onthemainlandofNewGuinea。SinceMarchof1941theyhadbeenmoreorlesspermanentlyinthefrontline，arrivingpoorlytrainedandequipped，butgoinghomenowwithareputationexceededonlybytheFourthIndian-，
Division。AndwiththeNinthwentJimsandPatsy，safeandwhole。
OfcoursetheyweregrantedleavetogohometoDrogheda。BobdroveintoGillytocollectthemfromtheGoondiwinditrain，fortheNinthwasbasedinBrisbaneandwoulddepartafterjungletrainingforNewGuinea。WhentheRollssweptroundthedriveallthewomenwereoutonthelawnwaiting，JackandHughiehangingbackalittlebutjustaseagertoseetheiryoungbrothers。EverysheepleftaliveonDroghedacoulddropdeadifitsodesired，butthiswasaholiday。
Evenafterthecarstoppedandtheygotout，noonemoved。Theylookedsodifferent。Twoyearsinthedeserthadruinedtheiroriginaluniforms；theyweredressedinanewissueofjunglegreen，andlookedlikestrangers。Foronething，theyseemedtohavegrowninches，whichindeedtheyhad；thelasttwoyearsoftheirdevelopmenthadoccurredfarfromDrogheda，andhadpushedthemwayabovetheirolderbrothers。Notboysanymorebutmen，thoughnotmenintheBobJack-Hughiemold；hardship，battleeuphoriaandviolentdeathhadmadesomethingoutofthemDroghedanevercould。TheNorthAfricansunhaddriedanddarkenedthemtorosymahogany，peeledawayeverylayerofchildhood。Yes，itwaspossibletobelievethesetwomenintheirsimpleuniforms，slouchhatspinnedabovetheirleftearswiththebadgeoftheAIFrisingsun，hadkilledfellowmen。Itwasintheireyes，blueasPaddy’sbutsadder，withouthisgentleness。
\"Myboys，myboys！\"criedMrs。Smith，runningtothem，tearsstreamingdownherface。No，itdidn’tmatterwhattheyhaddone，howmuchtheyhadchanged；theywerestillherlittlebabiesshehadwashed，diapered，fed，whosetearsshehaddried，whosewoundsshehadkissedbetter。Onlythewoundstheyharborednowwerebeyondherpowertoheal。
Theneveryonewasaroundthem，Britishreservebrokendown，laughing，crying，evenpoorFeepattingthemontheirbacks，tryingtosmile。AfterMrs。SmiththerewasMeggietokiss，Minnietokiss，Cattokiss，Mumtohugbashfully，JackandHughietowringbythehandspeechlessly。TheDroghedapeoplewouldneverknowwhatitwasliketobehome，theycouldneverknowhowmuchthismomenthadbeenlongedfor，fearedfor。
Andhowthetwinsate！Armytuckerwasneverlikethis，theysaid，laughing。Pinkandwhitefairycakes，chocolate-soakedlamingtonsrolledincoconut，steamedspotteddogpudding，pavlovadrippingpassionfruitandcreamfromDroghedacows。Rememberingtheirstomachsfromearlierdays，Mrs。Smithwasconvincedthey’dbeillforaweek，butaslongastherewasunlimitedteatowashitdown，theydidn’tseemtohaveanytroublewiththeirdigestions。
\"AbitdifferentfromWogbread，eh，Patsy？\"
\"Yair。\"
\"What’sWogmean？\"askedMrs。Smith。
\"AWog’sanArab，butaWop’sanItalian，right，Patsy？\"\"Pair。\"
Itwaspeculiar。Theywouldtalk，oratleastJimswouldtalk，forhoursaboutNorthAfrica:thetowns，thepeople，thefood，themuseuminCairo，lifeonboardatroopship，inrestcamp。Butnoamountofquestioningcouldelicitanythingbutvague，change-thesubjectanswersastowhattheactualfightinghadbeenlike，whatGazala，Benghazi，Tobruk，ElAlameinhadbeenlike。Lateronafterthewarwasoverthewomenweretofindthisconstantly；themenwhohadactuallybeeninthethickofbattleneveropenedtheirmouthsaboutit，refusedtojointheex-soldiers’clubsandleagues，wantednothingtodowithinstitutionsperpetuatingthememoryofwar。Droghedaheldapartyforthem。AlastairMacQueenwasintheNinthaswellandwashome，soofcourse
RudnaHunishheldaparty。DominicO’Rourke’stwoyoungestsonswereintheSixthinNewGuinea，soeventhoughtheycouldn’tbepresent，Dibban-Dibbanheldaparty。EverypropertyinthedistrictwithasoninuniformwantedtocelebratethesafereturnofthethreeNinthboys。Womenandgirlsflockedaroundthem，buttheClearyreturnedheroestriedtoescapeateveryopportunity，morescaredthantheyhadbeenonanyfieldofwar。Infact，JimsandPatsydidn’tseemtowanttohaveanythingtodowithwomen；itwastoBob，JackandHughietheyclung。Lateintothenightafterthewomenhadgonetobedtheysattalkingtothebrotherswhohadbeenforcedtoremainbehind，openingtheirsore，scarredhearts。AndtheyrodethepaddocksofparchedDrogheda，initsseventhyearofthedrought，gladtobeincivvies。
Evensorackedandtortured，toJimsandPatsythelandwasineffablylovely，thesheepcomforting，thelaterosesinthegardenaperfumeofsomeheaven。Andsomehowtheyhadtodrinkofitallsodeeplythey’dneveragainforget，forthatfirstgoingawayhadbeenacarelessone；theyhadhadnoideawhatitwouldbelike。Whentheyleftthistimeitwouldbewitheverymomenthoardedtorememberandtreasure，andwithDroghedarosespressedintotheirwalletsalongwithafewbladesofscarceDroghedagrass。ToFeetheywerekindandpitying，buttoMeggie，Mrs。Smith，MinnieandCattheywereloving，verytender。Theyhadbeentherealmothers。WhatdelightedMeggiemostwasthewaytheylovedDane，playedwithhumforhours，tookhimwiththemforrides，laughedwithhim，rolledhimoverandoveronthelawn。Justineseemedtofrightenthem；butthen，theywereawkwardwithanyonefemalewhomtheydidn’tknowaswellastheyknewtheolderwomen。Besideswhich，poorJustinewasfuriouslyjealousofthewaytheymonopolizedDane’scompany，foritmeantshehadnoonetoplaywith。
\"He’sabonzerlittlebloke，Meggie，\"saidJimstoMeggiewhenshecameoutontotheverandaoneday；hewassittinginacanechairwatchingPatsyandDaneplayingonthelawn。
\"Yes，heisalittlebeauty，isn’the？\"Shesmiled，sittingwhereshecouldseeheryoungestbrother。Hereyesweresoftwithpity；theyhadbeenherbabies，too。\"What’sthematter，Jims？Can’tyoutellme？\"Hiseyesliftedtohers，wretchedwithsomedeeppain，butheshookhisheadasifnoteventempted\"No，Meggie。Itisn’tanythingIcouldevertellawoman。\"
\"Whataboutwhenallthisisoverandyoumarry？Won’tyouwanttotellyourwife？\"
\"Usmarry？Idon’tthinkso。Wartakesallthatoutofaman。Wewereitchingtogo，butwe’rewisernow。Ifwemarriedwe’dhavesons，andforwhat？Seethemgrowup，getpushedofftodowhatwe’vedone，seewhatwe’veseen？\"
\"Don’t，Jims，don’t！\"
Hisgazefollowedhers，toDanechucklingingleebecausePatsywasholdinghimupsidedown。
\"Don’teverlethimleaveDrogheda，Meggie。OnDroghedahecan’tcometoanyharm，\"saidJims。
ArchbishopdeBricassartrandownthebeautifulhighcorridor，heedlessofthesurprisedfacesturningtowatchhim；heburstintotheCardinal’sroomandstoppedshort。HisEminencewasentertainingMonsieurPapee，thePolishgovernment-in-exile’sambassadortotheHolySee。\"Why，Ralph！Whatisit？\"
\"It’shappened，Vittorio。Mussolinihasbeenoverthrown。\"
\"DearJesus！TheHolyFather，doesheknow？\"
\"ItelephonedCastelGandolfomyself，though
radioshouldhaveitanyminute。AfriendatGermanheadquartersphonedme。\"\"IdohopetheHolyFatherhashisbagspacked，\"saidMonsieurPapeewithafaint，averyfaintrelish。
\"IfwedisguisedhimasaFranciscanmendicanthemightgetout，nototherwise，\"ArchbishopRalphsnapped。\"Kesselringhasthecitysealedtighterthanadrum。\"
\"Hewouldn’tgoanyway，\"saidCardinalVittorio。MonsieurPapeegotup。\"Imustleaveyou，YourEminence。IamtherepresentativeofagovernmentwhichisGermany’senemy。IfHisHolinessisnotsafe，noram1。TherearepapersinmyroomsImustattendto。Primandprecise，diplomattohisfingertips，heleftthetwopriestsalone。
\"Hewasheretointercedeforhispersecutedpeople？\"
\"Yes。Poorman，hecaressomuchforthem。\"
\"Anddon’twe？\"
\"Ofcoursewedo，Ralph！Butthesituationismoredifficultthanheknows。\"
\"Thetruthofthematterishe’snotbelieved。\"
\"Ralph！\"
\"Well，isn’titthetruth？TheHolyFatherspenthisearlyyearsinMunich，hefellinlovewiththeGermansandhestilllovesthem，inspiteofeverything。Ifproofintheformofthosepoorwastedbodieswaslaidoutinfrontofhiseyes，he’dsayitmustbetheRussiansdidit。Nothisso-dearGermans，neverapeopleasculturedandcivilizedastheyare！\"\"Ralph，youarenotamemberoftheSocietyofJesus，butyouarehereonlybecauseyouhavetakenapersonaloathofallegiancetotheHolyFather。YouhavethehotbloodofyourIrishandNormanforebears，butIbegofyou，besensible！SincelastSeptemberwehavebeenonlywaitingfortheaxetofall，praying11DucewouldremaintoshelterusfromGermanreprisal。
AdolfHitlerhasacuriousstreakofcontradictioninhispersonality，fortherearetwothingsheknowstobehisenemiesyetwishesifatallpossibletopreserve:theBritishEmpireandtheHolyCatholicChurchofRome。Butwhenpushedtoit，hehasdonehislevelbesttocrushtheBritishEmpire。Doyouthinkhewouldnotcrushus，too，ifwepushhimtoit？OnewordofdenunciationfromusastowhatishappeninginPolandandhewillcertainlycrushus。Andwhatearthlygooddoyouthinkourdenouncingthatwouldachieve，myfriend？Wehavenoarmies，nosoldiers。Reprisalwouldbeimmediate，andtheHolyFatherwouldbesenttoBerlin，whichiswhathefears。DoyounotrememberthepuppetpopeinAvignonallthosecenturiesago？DoyouwantourPopeapuppetinBerlin？\"
\"I’msorry，Vittorio，Ican’tseeitthatway。IsaywemustdenounceHitler，shouthisbarbarityfromtherooftops！Ifhehasusshotwe’lldiemartyrs，andthatwouldbemoreeffectivestill。\"
\"Youarenotusuallyobtuse，Ralph！Hewouldnothaveusshotatall。Heunderstandstheimpactofmartyrdomjustaswellaswedo。TheHolyFatherwouldbeshippedtoBerlin，andwewouldbeshippedquietlytoPoland。Poland，Ralph，Poland！DoyouwanttodieinPolandoflessusethanyouarenow？\"
ArchbishopRalphsatdown，clenchedhishandsbetweenhisknees，staredrebelliouslyoutthewindowatthedovessoaring，goldeninthesettingsun，towardtheircote。Atforty-ninehewasthinnerthanofyore，andwasagingassplendidlyashedidmostthings。
\"Ralph，wearewhatweare。Men，butonlyasasecondaryconsideration。Firstwearepriests。\"
\"Thatwasn’thowyoulistedourprioritieswhenIcamebackfromAustralia，Vittorio。\"
\"Imeantadifferentthingthen，andyouknowit。Youarebeingdifficult。Imeannowthatwecannotthinkasmen。Wemustthinkaspriests，becausethatisthemostimportantaspectofourlives。Whateverwemaythinkorwanttodoasmen，ourallegianceistotheChurch，andtonotemporalpower！OurloyaltyliesonlywiththeHolyFather！Youvowedobedience，Ralph。Doyouwishtobreakitagain？TheHolyFatherisinfallibleinallmattersaffectingthewelfareofGod’sChurch。\"\"He’swrong！Hisjudgment’sbiased。AllofhisenergiesaredirectedtowardfightingCommunism。HeseesGermanyasitsgreatestenemy，theonlyrealfactorpreventingthewestwardspreadofCommunism。HewantsHitlertoremainfirmlyintheGermansaddle，justashewascontenttoseeMussoliniruleItaly。\"
\"Believeme，Ralph，therearethingsyoudonotknow。HeisthePope，heisinfallible！Ifyoudenythat，youdenyyourveryfaith。\"
Thedooropeneddiscreetly，buthastily。
\"YourEminence，HerrGeneralKesselring。\"
Bothprelatesrose，theirlatedifferencessmoothedfromtheirfaces，smiling。
\"Thisisagreatpleasure，YourExcellency。Won’tyousitdown？Wouldyouliketea？\"
TheconversationwasconductedinGerman，sincemanyoftheseniormembersoftheVaticanspokeit。TheHolyFatherwasfondofspeakingandlisteningtoGerman。
\"Thankyou，YourEminence，Iwould。NowhereelseinRomedoesonegetsuchsuperblyEnglishtea。\"
CardinalVittoriosmiledguilelessly。\"ItisahabitIacquiredwhileIwasthePapalLegateinAustralia，andwhich，forallmyinnateItalianness，Ihavenotbeenabletobreak。\"
\"Andyou，YourGrace？\"
\"I’manIrishman，HerrGeneral。TheIrish，too，arebroughtupontea。\"GeneralAlbertKesselringalwaysrespondedtoArchbishopdeBricassartasonemantoanother；aftertheseslight，oilyItalianprelateshewassorefreshing，amanwithoutsubtletyorcunning，straightforward。
\"Asalways，YourGrace，IamamazedatthepurityofyourGermanaccent，\"hecomplimented。
\"Ihaveanearforlanguages，HerrGeneral，whichmeansit’slikealltalents-notworthpraising。\"
\"WhatmaywedoforYourExcellency？\"askedtheCardinalsweetly。\"IpresumeyouwillhaveheardofthefateofIlDucebynow？\"\"Yes，YourExcellency，wehave。\"
\"ThenyouwillknowinpartwhyIcame。Toassureyouthatalliswell，andtoaskyouifperhapsyouwouldconveythemessagetothosesummeringatCastelGandolfo？I’msobusyatthemomentit’simpossibleformetovisitCastelGandolfomyself。\"
\"Themessagewillbeconveyed。Youaresobusy？\"\"Naturally。YoumustsurelyrealizethisisnowanenemycountryforusGermans？\"
\"This，HerrGeneral？ThisisnotItaliansoil，andnomanisanenemyhereexceptthosewhoareevil。\"
\"Ibegyourpardon，YourEminence。NaturallyIwasreferringtoItaly，nottotheVatican。ButinthematterofItalyImustactasmyFuehrercommands。Italywillbeoccupied，andmytroops，presentuntilnowasallies，willbecomepolicemen。\"
ArchbishopRalph，sittingcomfortablyandlookingasifhehadneverhadanideologicalstruggleinhislife，watchedthevisitorclosely。DidheknowwhathisFuehrerwasdoinginPoland？Howcouldhenotknow？CardinalVittorioarrangedhisfaceintoananxiouslook。\"DearGeneral，notRomeherself，surely？Ah，notRome，withherhistory，herpricelessartifacts？Ifyoubringtroopswithinhersevenhillstherewillbestrife，destruction。Ibegofyou，notthat！\"
GeneralKesselringlookeduncomfortable。\"Ihopeitwon’tcometothat，YourEminence。ButItookanoathalso，Itooamunderorders。ImustdoasmyFuehrerwishes。\"
\"You’lltryforus，HerrGeneral？Please，youmust！
IwasinAthenssomeyearsago，\"saidArchbishopRalphquickly，leaningforward，hiseyescharminglywide，alockofwhite-sprinkledhairfallingacrosshisbrow；hewaswellawareofhiseffectonthegeneral，anduseditwithoutcompunction。\"HaveyoubeeninAthens，sir？\"\"Yes，Ihave，\"saidthegeneraldryly。
\"ThenI’msureyouknowthestory。HowittookmenofrelativelymoderntimestodestroythebuildingsatoptheAcropolis？HerrGeneral，Romestandsasshealwayswas，amonumenttotwothousandyearsofcare，attention，love。Please，Ibegofyou！Don’tendangerRome。\"
Thegeneralstaredathiminstartledadmiration；hisuniformbecamehimverywell，butnobetterthanthesoutanewithitstouchofimperialpurplebecameArchbishopRalph。He，too，hadthelookofasoldier，asoldier’ssparelybeautifulbody，andthefaceofanangel。SomusttheArchangelMichaellook；notasmoothyoungRenaissanceboybutanagingperfectman，whohadlovedLucifer，foughthim，banishedAdamandEve，slaintheserpent，stoodatGod’srighthand。Didheknowhowhelooked？Hewasindeedamantoremember。
\"Ishalldomybest，YourGrace，Ipromiseyou。Toacertainextentthedecisionismine，Iadmitit。Iam，asyouknow，acivilizedman。Butyou’reaskingalot。IfIdeclareRomeanopencity，itmeansIcannotblowupherbridgesorconvertherbuildingsintofortresses，andthatmightwellbetoGermany’seventualdisadvantage。WhatassurancesdoIhavethatRomewon’trepaymewithtreacheryifI’mkindtoher？\"
CardinalVittoriopursedhislipsandmadekissingnoisesathiscat，anelegantSiamesenowadays；hesmiledgently，andlookedattheArchbishop。\"Romewouldneverrepaykindnesswithtreachery，HerrGeneral。IamsurewhenyoudofindthetimetovisitthosesummeringatCastelGandolfothatyouwillreceivethesameassurances。Here，Kheng-see，mysweetheart！Ah，whatalovelygirlyouare！\"Hishandspresseditdownonhisscarletlap，caressedit。\"Anunusualanimal，YourEminence。\"
\"Anaristocrat，HerrGeneral。BoththeArchbishopandmyselfbearoldandvenerablenames，butbesideherlineage，oursareasnothing。Doyoulikehername？ItisChineseforsilkenflower。Apt，isitnot？\"Theteahadarrived，wasbeingarranged；theywereallquietuntilthelaysisterlefttheroom。
\"Youwon’tregretadecisiontodeclareRomeanopencity，YourExcellency，\"saidArchbishopRalphtothenewmasterofItalywithameltingsmile。HeturnedtotheCardinal，charmfallingawaylikeadroppedcloak，notneededwiththisbelovedman。\"YourEminence，doyouintendtobe\"mother，\"orshallIdothehonors？\"was\"Mother\"？\"askedGeneralKesselringblankly。CardinaldiContini-Vercheselaughed。\"Itisourlittlejoke，wecelibatemen。Whoeverpourstheteaiscalled\"mother。\"AnEnglishsaying，HerrGeneral。\"
ThatnightArchbishopRalphwastired，restless，onedge。Heseemedtobedoingnothingtohelpendthiswar，onlydickeraboutthepreservationofantiquities，andhehadgrowntoloatheVaticaninertiapassionately。Thoughhewasconservativebynature，sometimesthesnaillikecautionofthoseoccupyingthehighestChurchpositionsirkedhimintolerably。Asidefromthehumblenunsandpriestswhoactedasservants，itwasweekssincehehadspokentoanordinaryman，someonewithoutapolitical，spiritualormilitaryaxetogrind。Evenprayerseemedtocomelesseasilytohimthesedays，andGodseemedlight-yearsaway，asifHehadwithdrawntoallowHishumancreaturesfullreinindestroyingtheworldHehadmadeforthem。Whatheneeded，hethought，wasastiffdoseofMeggieandFee，orastiffdoseofsomeonewhowasn’tinterestedinthefateoftheVaticanorofRome。
HisGracewalkeddowntheprivatestairsintothegreatbasilicaofSaintPeter’s，whencehisaimlessprogresshadledhim。Itsdoorswerelockedthesedaysthemomentdarknessfell，asignoftheuneasypeacewhichlayoverRomemoretellingthanthecompaniesofgreycladGermansmovingthroughRomanstreets。Afaint，ghostlyglowilluminatedtheyawningemptyapse；hisfootstepsechoedhollowlyonthestonefloorashewalked，stoppedandmergedwiththesilenceashegenuflectedinfrontoftheHighAltar，beganagain。Then，betweenonefoot’snoiseofimpactandthenext，heheardagasp。Theflashlightinhishandsprangintolife；heleveledhisbeaminthedirectionofthesound，notfrightenedsomuchascurious。Thiswashisworld；hecoulddefenditsecurefromfear。
Thebeamplayeduponwhathadbecomeinhiseyesthemostbeautifulpieceofsculptureinallcreation:thePietaofMichelangelo。Belowthestilledstunnedfigureswasanotherface，madenotofmarblebutofflesh，allshadowedhollowsanddeathlike。
\"Ciao，\"saidHisGrace，smiling。
Therewasnoanswer，buthesawthattheclotheswerethoseofaGermaninfantrymanoflowestrank；hisordinaryman！ThathewasaGermandidn’tmatter。
\"Wiegeht’s？\"heasked，stillsmiling。
Amovementcausedsweatonawide，intellectualbrowtoflashsuddenlyoutofthedimness。
\"Dubistkrank？\"heaskedthen，wonderingifthelad，forhewasnomore，wasill。
Camethevoice，atlast:\"Nein。\"
ArchbishopRalphlaidhisflashlightdownonthefloorandwentforward，puthishandunderthesoldier’schinandliftedittolookintothedarkeyes，darkerinthedarkness。
\"What’sthe\"matter？\"heaskedinGerman，andlaughed。\"There！\"hecontinued，stillinGerman。\"Youdon’tknowit，butthat’sbeenmymainfunctioninlifetoaskpeoplewhat’sthematter。And，letmetellyou，it’saquestionwhichhasgotmeintoalotoftroubleinmytime。\"\"Iclimetopray，\"saidtheladinavoicetoodeepforhisage，withaheavyBavarianaccent。
\"Whathappened，didyougetlockedin？\"
\"Yes，butthatisn’twhatthematteris。\"
Hisgracepickeduptheflashlight。\"Well，youcan’tstayhereallnight，andIhaven’tgotakeytothedoors。Comewithme。\"Hebeganwalkingbacktowardtheprivatestairsleadinguptothepapalpalace，talkinginaslow，softvoice。\"Icametopraymyself，asamatteroffact。ThankstoyourHighCommand，it’sbeenarathernastyday。That’sit，uphere……We’llhavetohopethattheHolyFather’sstaffdon’tassumeI’vebeenarrested，butcanseeI’mdoingtheescorting，notyou。\"
Afterthattheywalkedfortenmoreminutesinsilence，throughcorridors，outintoopencourtsandgardens，insidehallways，upsteps；theyoungGermandidnotseemanxioustoleavehisprotector’sside，forhekeptclose。AtlastHisGraceopenedadoorandledhiswaifintoasmallsittingroom，sparselyandhumblyfurnished，switchedonalampandclosedthedoor。Theystoodstaringateachother，abletosee。TheGermansoldiersawaverytallmanwithafinefaceandblue，discerningeyes；ArchbishopRalphsawachildtrickedoutinthegarbwhichallofEuropefoundfearsomeandawe-inspiring。Achild；nomorethansixteenyearsold，certainly。Ofaverageheightandyouthfullythin，hehadaframepromisinglaterbulkandstrength，andverylongarms。Hisf-acehadratheranItalianatecast，darkandpatrician，extremelyattractive；wide，darkbrowneyeswithlongblacklashes，amagnificentheadofwavyblackhair。Therewasnothingusualorordinaryabouthimafterall，evenifhisrolewasanordinaryone；inspiteofthefactthathehadlongedtotalktoanaverage，ordinaryman，HisGracewasinterested。
\"Sitdown，\"hesaidtotheboy，crossingtoachestandunearthingabottleofMarsalawine。Hepouredsomeintotwoglasses，gavetheboyoneandtookhisowntoachairfromwhichhecouldwatchthefascinatingcountenancecomfortably。\"Aretheyreducedtodraftingchildrentodotheirfighting？\"heasked，crossinghislegs。\"Idon’tknow，\"saidtheboy。\"Iwasinachildren’shome，soI’dbetakenearlyanyway。\"
\"What’syourname，lad？\"
\"RainerMoerlingHartheim，\"saidtheboy，rollingitoutwithgreatpride。\"Amagnificentname，\"saidthepriestgravely。\"Itis，isn’tit？Ichoseitmyself。TheycalledmeRainerSchmidtatthehome，butwhenIwentintothearmyIchangedittothenameI’vealwayswanted。\"
\"Youwereanorphan？\"
\"TheSisterscalledmealovechild。\"
ArchbishopRalphtriednottosmile；theboyhadsuchdignityandself-possession，nowhehadlosthisfear。Onlywhathadfrightenedhim？Notbeingfound，orbeinglockedinthebasilica。
\"Whywereyousofrightened，Rainer？\"
Theboysippedhiswinegingerly，lookedupwithapleasedexpression。\"Good，it’ssweet。\"Hemadehimselfmorecomfortable。\"IwantedtoseeSaintPeter’sbecausetheSistersalwaysusedtotalkaboutitandshowuspictures。SowhentheypostedustoRomeIwasglad。Wegotherethismorning。TheminuteIcould，Icame。\"Hefrowned。\"Butitwasn’tasIhadexpected。IthoughtrdfeelclosertoOurLord，beinginHisownChurch。Insteaditwasonlyenormousandcold。Icouldn’tfeelHim。\"
ArchbishopRalphsmiled。\"Iknowwhatyoumean。ButSaintPeter’sisn’treallyachurch，youknow。Notinthesensemostchurchesare。SaintPeter’sistheChurch。Ittookmealongtimetogetusedtoit，Iremember。\"\"Iwantedtoprayfortwothings，\"theboysaid，nod-dinghisheadtoindicatehehadheardbutthatitwasn’twhathewishedtohear。
