\"Forthethingswhichfrightenyou？\"
\"Yes。IthoughtbeinginSaintPeter’smighthelp。\"
\"Whatarethethingswhichfrightenyou，Rainer？\"\"Thatthey’lldecideI’maJew，andthatmyregimentwillbesenttoRussiaafterall。\"
\"Isee。Nowonderyou’refrightened。Isthereindeedapossibilitythey’lldecideyou’reaJew？\"
\"Well，lookatme！\"saidtheboysimply。\"Whentheywerewritingdownmyparticularstheysaidthey’dhavetocheck。Idon’tknowiftheycanornot，butIsupposetheSistersmightknowmorethantheyevertoldme。\"\"Iftheydo，they’llnotpassiton，\"saidHisGracecomfortingly。\"They’llknowwhythey’rebeingasked。\"
\"Doyoureallythinkso？Oh，Ihopeso！\"
\"DoesthethoughtofhavingJewishblooddisturbyou？\"\"Whatmybloodisdoesn’tmatter，\"saidRainer。\"IwasbornaGerman，that’stheonlyimportantthing。\"
\"Onlytheydon’tlookatitlikethat，dothey？\"\"No。\"
\"AndRussia？There’snoneedtoworryaboutRussianow，surely。You’reinRome，theoppositedirection。\"
\"ThismorningIheardourcommandersayingwemightbesenttoRussiaafterall。Itisn’tgoingwellthere。\"
\"You’reachild，\"saidArchbishopRalphabruptly。\"Yououghttobeinschool。\"
\"Iwouldn’tbenowanyway。\"Theboysmiled。\"I’msixteen，soI’dbeworking。\"Hesighed。\"Iwouldhavelikedtokeepgoingtoschool。Learningisimportant。\"
ArchbishopRalphstartedtolaugh，thengotupandrefilledtheglasses。\"Don’ttakeanynoticeofme，Rainer。I’mnotmakinganysense。Justthoughts，oneaftertheother。It’smyhourforthem，thoughts。I’mnotaverygoodhost，amI？\"
\"You’reallright，\"saidtheboy。
\"So，\"saidHisGrace，sittingdownagain。\"Defineyourself，RainerMoerlingHartheim。\"
Acuriouspridesettledontheyoungface。\"I’maGerman，andaCatholic。IwanttomakeGermanyaplacewhereraceandreligionwon’tmeanpersecution，andI’mgoingtodevotemylifetothatend，ifIlive。\"\"Ishallprayforyou-thatyoulive，andsucceed。\"
\"Wouldyou？\"askedtheboyshyly。\"Wouldyoureallyprayformepersonally，byname？\"
\"Ofcourse。Infact，you’vetaughtmesomething。Thatinmybusinessthereisonlyoneweaponatmydisposal-prayer。Ihavenootherfunction。\"\"Whoareyou？\"askedRainer，thewinebeginningtomakehimblinkdrowsily。\"I’mArchbishopRalphdeBricassart。\"
\"Oh！Ithoughtyouwereanordinarypriest！\"
\"Iamanordinarypriest。Nothingmore。\"
\"I’llstrikeabargainwithyou！\"saidtheboy，hiseyessparkling。\"Youprayforme，Father，andifIlivelongenoughtogetwhatIwant，I’llcomebacktoRometoletyouseewhatyourprayershavedone。\"
Theblueeyessmiledtenderly。\"Allright，it’sabargain。Andwhenyoucome，I’lltellyouwhat1thinkhappenedtomyprayers。\"Hegotup。\"Staythere，littlepolitician。I’llfindyousomethingtoeat。\"
Theytalkeduntildawnglowedroundthedomesandcampaniles，andthewingsofpigeonswhirredoutsidethewindow。ThentheArchbishopconductedhisguestthroughthepublicroomsofthepalace，watchinghisawewithdelight，andlethimoutintothecool，freshair。Thoughhedidn’tknowit，theboywiththesplendidnamewasindeedtogotoRussia，carryingwithhimamemoryoddlysweetandreassuring:thatinRome，inOurLord’sownChurch，amanwasprayingforhimeveryday，byname。
BythetimetheNinthwasreadytobeshippedtoNewGuinea，itwasalloverbarthemoppingup。Disgruntled，themostelitedivisioninAustralianmilitaryhistorycouldonlyhopetheremightbefurtherglorytoamasssomewhereelse，chasingtheJapanesebackupthroughIndonesia。GuadalcanalhaddefeatedallJapanesehopesinthedriveforAustralia。Andyet，liketheGermans，theyyieldedbitterly，grudgingly。Thoughtheirresourceswerepitifullystretched，theirarmiesfounderingfromlackofsuppliesandreinforcements，theymadetheAmericansandtheAustralianspayforeveryinchtheygainedback。Inretreat，theJapaneseabandonedBuna，Gona，Salamaua，andslippedbackupthenorthcoast，toLaeandFinschafen。
OnthefifthofSeptember1943theNinthDivisionwaslandedfromtheseajusteastofLae。Itwashot，thehumiditywas100percent，anditrainedeveryafternoonthoughTheWetwasn’tdueforanothertwofullmonths。ThethreatofmalariameanteveryonewastakingAtabrine，andthelittleyellowtabletsmadeeveryonefeelassickasiftheyhadtheactualmalaria。Alreadytheconstantmoisturemeantpermanentlydampbootsandsocks；feetwerebecomingspongy，thefleshbetweenthetoesrawandbloody。Mockaandmosquitobitesturnedangry，ulcerated。
InPortMoresbytheyhadseenthewretchedstateoftheNewGuineanatives，andiftheycouldn’tstandtheclimatewithoutdevelopingyaws，beriberi，malaria，pneumonia，chronicskindiseases，enlargedliversandspleens，therewasn’tmuchhopeforthewhiteman。ThereweresurvivorsofKokodainPortMoresbyaswell，victimsnotsomuchoftheJapanesebutofNewGuinea，emaciated，massesofsores，deliriouswithfever。TentimesasmanyhaddiedfrompneumonianinethousandfeetupinfreezingcoldwearingthintropicalkitasdiedfromtheJapanese。Greasydankmud，unearthlyforestswhichglowedwithcoldpalespectrallightafterdarkfromphosphorescentfungi，precipitousclimbsoveragnarledtangleofexposedrootswhichmeantamancouldn’tlookupforasecondandwasasittingduckforasniper。ItwasaboutasdifferentfromNorthAfricaasanyplacecouldget，andtheNinthwasn’tabitsorryithadstayedtofightthetwoAlameinsinsteadofKokodaTrail。Laewasacoastaltownamidheavilyforestedgrasslands，farfromtheeleven-thousand-footelevationsofthedeepinterior，andfarmoresalubriousasabattlegroundthanKokoda。JustafewEuropeanhouses，apetrolpump，andacollectionofnativehuts。TheJapanesewereasevergame，butfewinnumberandimpoverished，aswornoutfromNewGuineaastheAustralianstheyhadbeenfighting，asdiseaseridden。AfterthemassiveordnanceandextrememechanizationofNorthAfricaitwasstrangenevertoseeamortarorafieldpiece；justOwengunsandrifles，withbayonetsinplaceallthetime。JimsandPatsylikedhand-to-handfighting，theylikedtogoinclosetogether，guardeachother。ItwasaterriblecomedownaftertheAfrikaKorps，though，therewasnodoubtaboutit。Pint-sizeyellowmenwhoallseemedtowearglassesandhavebuckteeth。Theyhadabsolutelynomartialpanache。
TwoweeksaftertheNinthlandedatLae，therewerenomoreJapanese。Itwas，forspringinNewGuinea，averybeautifulday。Thehumidityhaddroppedtwentypoints，thesunshoneoutofaskysuddenlyblueinsteadofsteamilywhite，thewatershedrearedgreen，purpleandlilacbeyondthetown。Disciplinehadrelaxed，everyoneseemedtobetakingthedayofftoplaycricket，walkaround，teasethenativestomakethemlaughanddisplaytheirblood-red，toothlessgums，theresultofchewingbetelnut。JimsandPatsywerestrollingthroughthetallgrassbeyondthetown，foritremindedthemofDrogheda；itwasthesamebleached，tawnycolor，andlongthewayDroghedagrasswasafteraseasonofheavyrain。
\"Won’tbelongnowuntilwe’reback，Patsy，\"saidJims。\"We’vegottheNipsontherun，andJerry，too。Home，Patsy，hometoDrogheda！Icanhardlywait。\"
\"Yair，\"saidPatsy。
Theywalkedshouldertoshoulder，muchcloserthanwaspermissiblebetweenordinarymen；theywouldtoucheachothersometimes，notconsciouslybutasamantoucheshisownbody，torelieveamilditchorabsentlyassurehimselfitisstillallthere。HowniceitwastofeelgenuinelysunnysunontheirfacesinsteadofamoltenballinaTurkishbath！Everysooftentheywouldlifttheirmuzzlestothesky，flaretheirnostrilstotakeinthescentofhotlightonDrogheda-likegrass，dreamalittlethattheywerebackthere，walkingtowardawilgainthedazeofnoontoliedownthroughtheworstofit，readabook，drowse。Rollover，feelthefriendly，beautifulearththroughtheirskins，senseamightyheartbeatingawaydownundersomewhere，likeamother’shearttoasleepybaby。
\"Jims！Look！AdinkumDroghedabudgie！\"saidPatsy，shockedintospeaking。PerhapsbudgerigarswerenativesoftheLaecountry，too，butthemoodofthedayandthisquiteunexpectedreminderofhomesuddenlytriggeredawildelationinPatsy。Laughing，feelingthegrassticklinghisbarelegs，hetookoffafterit，snatchinghisbatteredslouchhatfromhisheadandholdingitoutasifhetrulybelievedhecouldsnarethevanishingbird。Smiling，Jimsstoodwatchinghim。
Hewasperhapstwentyyardsawaywhenthemachinegunrippedthegrasstoflyingshredsaroundhim；Jimssawhisarmsgoup，hisbodyspinroundsothatthearmsseemedstretchedoutinsupplication。Fromwaisttokneeshewasbrilliantblood，life’sblood。
\"Patsy，Patsy！\"Jimsscreamed；ineverycellofhisownbodyhefelt。thebullets，felthimselfebbing，dying。
Hislegsopenedinahugestride，hegainedmomentumtorun，thenhismilitarycautionasserteditselfandhedivedheadlongintothegrassjustasthemachinegunopenedupagain。
\"Patsy，Patsy，areyouallright？\"hecriedstupidly，havingseenthatblood。
Yetincredibly，\"Yair，\"cameafaintanswer。
InchbyinchJimsdraggedhimselfforwardthroughthefragrantgrass，listeningtothewind，therustlingsofhisownprogress。Whenhereachedhisbrotherheputhisheadagainstthenakedshoulder，andwept。
\"Breakitdown，\"saidPatsy。\"I’mnotdeadyet。\"
\"Howbadisit？\"Jimsasked，pullingdownthebloodsoakedshortstoseeblood-soakedflesh，shivering。
\"Doesn’tfeelasifI’mgoingtodie，anyway。\"
Menhadappearedallaroundthem，thecricketersstillwearingtheirlegpadsandgloves；someonewentbackforastretcherwhiletherestproceededtosilencethegunatthefarsideoftheclearing。Thedeedwasdonewithmorethanusualruthlessness，foreveryonewasfondofHarpo。Ifanythinghappenedtohim，Jimswouldneverbethesame。
Abeautifulday；thebudgerigarhadlonggone，butotherbirdstrilledandtwitteredfearlessly，silencedonlyduringtheactualbattle。\"Patsy’sbloodylucky，\"saidthemedictoJimssometimelater。\"Theremustbeadozenbulletsinhim，butmostofthemhitthethighs。Thetwoorthreehigherupseemtohaveembeddedthemselvesinpelvicboneormuscle。AsfarasIcanjudge，hisgut’sinonepiece，soishisbladder。Theonlythingis……\"
\"Well，what？\"Jimspromptedimpatiently；hewasstillshaking，andbluearoundthemouth。
\"Difficulttosayanythingforcertainatthisstage，ofcourse，andI’mnotageniussurgeonlikesomeoftheblokesinMoresby。They’llbeabletotellyoualotmore。Buttheurethrahasbeendamaged，sohavemanyofthetinylittlenervesintheperineum。I’mprettysurehecanbepatchedupasgoodasnew，exceptmaybeforthenerves。Nervesdon’tpatchuptoowell，unfortunately。\"Heclearedhisthroat。\"WhatI’mtryingtosayisL%-\"caretmightneverhavemuchsensationinthegenitalregion。\"Jimsuroppedhishead，lookedatthegroundthroughacrystalwalloftears。\"Atleasthe’salive，\"hesaid。
HewasgrantedleavetoflytoPortMoresbywithhisbrother，andtostayuntilPatsywaspronouncedoutofdanger。Theinjurieswerelittleshortofmiraculous。Bulletshadscatteredallaroundthelowerabdomenwithoutpenetratingit。ButtheNinthmedichadbeenright；lowerpelvicsensationwasbadlyimpaired。Howmuchhemightregainlateronnoonewaspreparedtosay。
\"Itdoesn’tmuchmatter，\"saidPatsyfromthestretcheronwhichhewastobeflowntoSydney。\"Iwasnevertookeenonmarrying，anyway。Now，youlookafteryourself，Jims，doyouhear？Ihateleavingyou。\"
\"I’lllookaftermyself，Patsy。Christ！\"Jimsgrinned，holdinghardontohisbrother’shand。\"Fancyhavingtospendthis。restofthewarwithoutmybestmate。I’llwritean。Itellyouwhatit’slike。SayhellotoMrs。SmithandMeggieandMumandthebrothersforme，eh？Halfyourluck，goinghometoDrogheda。\"
Feean。Mrs。SmithflewdowntoSydneytomeettheAmericasplane。whichbroughtPatsyfromTownsville；Feeremainedonlyafewdays，butMrs。SmithstayedoninaRandwickhotelclosetothePrinceofWalesmilitaryhospital。Patsyremainedthereforthreemonths。Hispartinthewarwasover。ManytearshadMrs。Smithshed；buttherewasmuchtobethankfulfor，too。Inonewayhewouldneverbeabletoleadafulllife，buthecoulddoeverythingelse:ride，walk，run。Matingdidn’tseemtobeintheClearyline，anyway。WhenhewasdischargedfromhospitalMeggiedrovedownfromGillyintheRolls，andthetwowomentuckedhimuponthebackseatamidblanketsandmagazines，prayingforonemoreboon:thatJimswouldcomehome，too。
NotuntiltheEmperorHirohito’sdelegatesignedJapan’sofficialsurrenderdidGillanbonebelievethewarwasfinallyover。ThenewscameonSunday，September2，1945，whichwasexactlysixyearsafterthestart。Sixagonizingyears。Somanyplacesempty，nevertobefilledagain:DominicO’Rourke’ssonRory，HorryHopeton’ssonJohn，EdenCarmichael’ssonCormac。RossMacQueen’syoungestson，Angus，wouldneverwalkagain，AnthonyKing’ssonDavidwouldwalkbutneverseewherehewasgoing，PaddyCleary’ssonPatsywouldneverhavechildren。Andtherewerethosewhosewoundsweren’tvisible，butwhosescarswentjustasdeep；whohadgoneoffgaily，eagerandlaughing，butcamehomequietly，saidlittle，andlaughedonlyrarely。Whocouldhavedreamedwhenitbeganthatitwouldgoonsolong，ortakesuchatoll？Gillanbonewasnotaparticularlysuperstitiouscommunity，buteventhemostcynicalresidentshiveredthatSunday，September2nd。Foronthesamedaythatthewarended，sodidthelongestdroughtinthehistoryofAustralia。Fornearlytenyearsnousefulrainhadfallen，butthatdaythecloudsfilledtheskythousandsoffeetdeep，blackly，crackedthemselvesopenandpouredtwelveinchesofrainonthethirstyearth。Aninchofrainmaynotmeanthebreakingofadrought，itmightnotbefollowedbyanythingmore，buttwelveinchesofrainmeansgrass。Meggie，Fee，Bob，Jack，HughieandPatsystoodontheverandawatchingitthroughthedarkness，sniffingtheunbearablysweetperfumeofrainonparchedandcrumblingsoil。Horses，sheep，cattleandpigsspraddledtheirlegsagainsttheshiftingofthemeltinggroundandletthewaterpourovertheirtwitchingbodies；mostofthemhadbeenbornsincerainlikethishadlastpassedacrosstheirworld。Inthecemeterytherainwashedthedustaway，whitenedeverything，washedthedustofftheoutstretchedwingsoftheblandBotticelliangel。Thecreekproducedatidalwave，itsroaringfloodminglingwiththedrummingofthesoakingrain。Rain，rain！Rain。Likeabenedictionfromsomevastinscrutablehand，longwithheld，finallygiven。Theblessed，wonderfulrain。Forrainmeantgrass，andgrasswaslife。Apale-greenfuzzappeared，pokeditslittlebladesskyward，ramified，burgeoned，grewadarkergreenasitlengthened，thenfadedandwaxedfat，becamethesilver-beige，knee-highgrassofDrogheda。TheHomePaddocklookedlikeafieldofwheat，ripplingwitheverymischievouspuffofwind，andthehomesteadgardensexplodedintocolor，greatbudsunfurling，theghostgumssuddenlywhiteandlime-greenagainafternineyearsofgrimingdust。ForthoughMichaelCarson’sinsaneproliferationofwatertanksstillheldenoughtokeepthehomesteadgardensalive，dusthadlongsettledoneveryleafandpetal，dimmedanddrabbed。Andanoldlegendhadbeenprovenfact:Droghedadidindeedhavesufficientwatertosurvivetenyearsofdrought，butonlyforthehomestead。
Bob，Jack，HughieandPatsywentbacktothepaddocks，beganseeinghowbesttorestock；Feeopenedabrand-newbottleofblackinkandsavagelyscrewedtheliddownonherbottleofredink；Meggiesawanendcomingtoherlifeinthesaddle，foritwouldnotbelongbeforeJimswashomeandmenturneduplookingforjobs。Afternineyearstherewereveryfewsheeporcattleleft，onlytheprizebreederswhichwerealwayspennedandhand-fedinanytime，thenucleusofchampionstock，ramsandbulls。BobwenteasttothetopoftheWesternslopestobuyewesofgoodbloodlinefrompropertiesnotsohardhitbythedrought。Jimscamehome。EightstockmenwereaddedtotheDroghedapayroll。Meggiehunguphersaddle。
ItwasnotlongafterthisthatMeggiegotaletterfromLuke，thesecondsinceshehadlefthim。
\"Notlongnow，Ireckon，\"hesaid。\"Afewmoreyearsinthesugarshouldseemethrough。Theoldback’sabitsorethesedays，butIcanstillcutwiththebestofthem，eightorninetonsaday。ArneandIhavetwelveothergangscuttingforus，allgoodblokes。Money’sgettingveryloose，Europewantssugarasfastaswecanproduceit。I’mmakingoverfivethousandquidayear，savingalmostallofit。Won’tbelongnow，Meg，beforeI’moutaroundKynuna。MaybewhenIgetthingstogetheryoumightwanttocomebacktome。DidIgiveyouthekidyouwanted？Funny，howwomengettheirheartssetonkids。Ireckonthat’swhatreallybrokeusup，eh？Letmeknowhowyou’regettingon，andhowDroghedaweatheredthedrought。Yours，Luke。\"Feecameoutontotheveranda，whereMeggiesatwiththeletterinherhand，staringabsentlyoutacrossthebrilliantgreenofthehomesteadlawns。\"How’sLuke？\"
\"Thesameasever，Mum。Notabitchanged。Stillonaboutalittlewhilelongerinthedamnedsugar，theplacehe’sgoingtohaveonedayoutaroundKynuna。\"
\"Doyouthinkhe’lleveractuallydoit？\"
\"Isupposeso，oneday。\"
\"Wouldyougotojoinhim，Meggie？\"
\"Notinamillionyears。\"
Feesatdowninacanechairbesideherdaughter，pullingitroundsoshecouldseeMeggieproperly。Inthedistancemenwereshouting，hammerspounded；atlonglasttheverandasandtheupper-storywindowsofthehomesteadwerebeingenclosedbyfinewiremeshtoscreenouttheflies。ForyearsFeehadheldout，obdurate。Nomatterhowmanyfliestherewere，thelinesofthehousewouldneverbespoiledbyuglynetting。Butthelongerthedroughtdraggedontheworsethefliesbecame，untiltwoweeksbeforeitendedFeehadgiveninandhiredacontractortoencloseeverybuildingonthestation，notonlythehomesteaditselfbutallthestaffhousesandbarracksaswell。
Butelectrifyshewouldnot，thoughsince1915therehadbeena\"donk，\"astheshearerscalledit，tosupplypowertotheshearingshed。Droghedawithoutthegentlediffusionoflamps？Itwasn’ttobethoughtof。However，therewasoneofthenewgasstoveswhichburnedoffcylinderedgasonorder，andadozenofthenewkerosenerefrigerators；Australianindustrywasn’tyetonapeacetimefooting，buteventuallythenewapplianceswouldcome。\"Meggie，whydon’tyoudivorceLuke，marryagain？\"Feeaskedsuddenly。\"EnochDavieswouldhaveyouinasecond；he’sneverlookedatanyoneelse。\"Meggie’slovelyeyessurveyedhermotherinwonder。\"GoodLord，Mum，Idobelieveyou’reactuallytalkingtomeasonewomantoanother！\"Feedidn’tsmile；Feestillrarelysmiled。\"Well，ifyouaren’tawomanbynow，you’llneverbeone。I’dsayyouqualified。Imustbegettingold；Ifeelgarrulous。\"
Meggielaughed，delightedathermother’soverture，andanxiousnottodestroythisnewmood。\"It’stherain，Mum。Itmustbe。Oh，isn’titwonderfultoseegrassonDroghedaagain，andgreenlawnsaroundthehomestead？\"
\"Yes，itis。Butyou’reside-steppingmyquestion。WhynotdivorceLuke，marryagain？\"
\"It’sagainstthelawsoftheChurch。\"
\"Piffle！\"exclaimedFee，butgently。\"Halfofyouisme，andI’mnotaCatholic。Don’tgivemethat，Meggie。Ifyoureallywantedtomarry，you’ddivorceLuke。\"
\"Yes，IsupposeIwould。ButIdon’twanttomarryagain。I’mquitehappywithmychildrenandDrogheda。\"
Achuckleverylikeherownechoedfromtheinteriorofthebottle-brushshrubberynearby，itsdroopingscarletcylindershidingtheauthorofthechuckle。
\"Listen！Thereheis，that’sDane！DoyouknowathisagehecansitahorseaswellasIcan？\"Sheleanedforward。\"Dane！Whatareyouupto？Comeoutoftherethisinstant！\"
Hecrawledoutfromundertheclosestbottlebrush，hishandsfullofblackearth，suspiciousblacksmearsallaroundhismouth。\"Mum！Didyouknowsoiltastesgood？Itreallydoes，Mum，honestly！\"Hecametostandinfrontofher；atsevenhewastall，slender，gracefullystrong，andhadafaceofdelicateporcelainbeauty。Justineappeared，cametostandbesidehim。Shetoowastall，butskinnyratherthanslender，andatrociouslyfreckled。Itwashardtoseewhatherfeatureswerelikebeneaththebrownspots，butthoseunnervingeyeswereaspaleastheyhadbeenininfancy，andthesandybrowsandlashesweretoo-fairtoemergefromthefreckles。Paddy’sfiercelyredtressesriotedinamassofcurlsaroundherratherpixyishface。Noonecouldhavecalledheraprettychild，butnooneeverforgother，notmerelyonaccountoftheeyesbutalsobecauseshehadremarkablestrengthofcharacter。Astringent，forth-rightanduncompromisinglyintelligent，Justineateightcaredaslittlewhatanyonethoughtofherasshehadwhenababy。Onlyonepersonwasveryclosetoher:Dane。Shestilladoredhim，andstillregardedhimasherownproperty。
Whichhadledtomanyatussleofwillsbetweenherandhermother。IthadbeenarudeshocktoJustinewhenMeggiehunguphersaddleandgotbacktobeingamother。Foronething，Justinedidn’tseemtoneedamother，sinceshewasconvincedshewasrightabouteverything。Norwasshethesortoflittlegirlwhorequiredaconfidante，orwarmapproval。Asfarasshewasconcerned，MeggiewasmostlysomeonewhointerferedwithherpleasureinDane。Shegotonalotbetterwithhergrandmother，whowasjustthesortofpersonJustineheartilyapprovedof；shekeptherdistanceandassumedonehadalittlesense。
\"Itoldhimnottoeatdirt，\"Justinesaid。
\"Well，itwon’tkillhim，Justine，butitisn’tgoodforhim，either。\"Meggieturnedtoherson。\"Dane，why？\"
Heconsideredthequestiongravely。\"Itwasthere，soIateit。Ifitwasbadforme，wouldn’tittastebad，too？Ittastesgood。\"
\"Notnecessarily，\"Justineinterruptedloftily。\"Igiveuponyou，Dane，Ireallydo。Someofthebest-tastingthingsarethemostpoisonous。\"\"Nameone！\"hechallenged。
\"Treacle！\"shesaidtriumphantly。
DanehadbeenveryillafterfindingatinoftreacleinMrs。Smith’spantryandeatingthelot。Headmittedthethrust，butcountered。\"I’mstillhere，soitcan’tbeallthatpoisonous。\"
\"That’sonlybecauseyouvomited。Ifyouhadn’tvomited，you’dbedead。\"Thiswasinarguable。Heandhissisterweremuchofaheight，sohetuckedhisarmcompanionablythroughhersandtheysaunteredawayacrossthelawntowardtheircubbyhouse，whichtheiruncleshaderectedasinstructedamidthedown-droopingbranchesofapeppertree。Dangerfrombeeshadledtomuchadultoppositiontothissite，butthechildrenwereprovenright。Thebeesdwelledwiththemamicably。For，saidthechildren，peppertreeswerethenicestofalltrees，veryprivate。Theyhadsuchadry，fragrantsmell，andthegrapelikeclustersoftinypinkglobulestheyborecrumbledintocrisp，pungentpinkflakeswhencrushedinthehand。
\"They’resodifferentfromeachother，DaneandJustine，yettheygetalongsowelltogether，\"saidMeggie。\"Itneverceasestoamazeme。Idon’tthinkI’veeverseenthemquarrel，thoughhowDaneavoidsquarrelingwithsomeoneasdeterminedandstubbornasJustine，Idon’tunderstand。\"
ButFeehadsomethingelseonhermind。\"Lord，he’sthelivingimageofhisfather，\"shesaid，watchingDaneduckunderthelowestfrondsofthepeppertreeanddisappearfromsight。
Meggiefeltherselfgocold，areflexresponsewhichyearsofhearingpeoplesaythishadnotscotched。Itwasjustherownguilt，ofcourse。PeoplealwaysmeantLuke。Whynot？TherewerebasicsimilaritiesbetweenLukeO’neillandRalphdeBricassart。Buttryasshewould，shecouldneverbequitenaturalwhenDane’slikenesstohisfatherwascommentedupon。Shedrewacarefullycasualbreath。\"Doyouthinkso，Mum？\"sheasked，nonchalantlyswingingherfoot。\"Icanneverseeitmyself。DaneisnothinglikeLukeinnatureorattitudetolife。\"
Feelaughed。Itcameoutasasnort，butitwasagenuinelaugh。Grownpallidwithageandencroachingcataracts，hereyesrestedonMeggie’sstartledface，grimandironic。\"Doyoutakemeforafool，Meggie？Idon’tmeanLukeO’neill。ImeanDaneisthelivingimageofRalphdeBricassart。\"Lead。Herfootwasmadeoflead。ItdroppedtotheSpanishtiles，herleadenbodysagged，theleadheartwithinherbreaststruggledagainstitsvastweighttobeat。Beat，damnyou，beat！You’vegottogoonbeatingformyson！
\"Why，Mum！\"Hervoicewasleaden，too。\"Why，Mum，whatanextraordinarythingtosay！FatherRalphdeBricassart？\"
\"Howmanypeopleofthatnamedoyouknow？LukeO’neillneverbredthatboy；he’sRalphdeBricassart’sson。IknewittheminuteItookhimoutofyouathisbirth。\"
\"Then-whyhaven’tyousaidsomething？Whywaituntilhe’ssevenyearsoldtomakesuchaninsaneandunfoundedaccusation？\"Feestretchedherlegsout，crossedthemdaintilyattheankles。\"I’mgettingoldatlast，Meggie。Andthingsdon’thurtasmuchanymore。Whatablessingoldagecanbe！It’ssogoodtoseeDroghedacomingback，Ifeelbetterwithinmyselfbecauseofit。ForthefirsttimeinyearsIfeelliketalking。\"
\"Well，Imustsaywhenyoudecidetotalkyoureallyknowhowtopickyoursubject！Mum，youhaveabsolutelynorighttosaysuchathing:Itisn’ttrue！\"saidMeggiedesperately，notsureifhermotherwasbentontortureorcommiseration。
SuddenlyFee’shandcameout，restedonMeggie’sknee，andshewassmiling-notbitterlyorcontemptuously，butwithacurioussympathy。\"Don’tlietome，Meggie。Lietoanyoneelseunderthesun，butdon’tlietome。NothingwilleverconvincemeLukeO’neillfatheredthatboy。I’mnotafool，Ihaveeyes。There’snoLukeinhim，thereneverwasbecausetherecouldn’tbe。He’stheimageofthepriest。Lookathishands，thewayhishairgrowsinawidow’speak，theshapeofhisface，theeyebrows，themouth。Evenhowhemoves。RalphdeBricassart，Meggie，RalphdeBricassart。\"
Meggiegavein，theenormityofherreliefshowinginthewayshesat，looselynow，relaxed。\"Thedistanceinhiseyes。That’swhatInoticemyselfmostofall。Isitsoobvious？Doeseveryoneknow，Mum？\"\"Ofcoursenot，\"saidFeepositively。\"Peopledon’tlookanyfurtherthanthecoloroftheeyes，theshapeofthenose，thegeneralbuild。LikeenoughtoLuke’s。IknewbecauseI’dbeenwatchingyouandRalphdeBricassartforyears。Allhehadtodowascrookhislittlefingerandyou’dhavegonerunning，soafigforyour\"it’sagainstthelawsoftheChurch\"whenitcomestodivorce。YouwerepantingtobreakafarmoreseriouslawoftheChurchthantheoneaboutdivorce。Shameless，Meggie，that’swhatyouwere。Shameless！\"Ahintofhardnesscreptintohervoice。\"Buthewasastubbornman。Hisheartwassetonbeingaperfectpriest；youcameaverybadsecond。Oh，idiocy！Itdidn’tdohimanygood，didit？Itwasonlyamatteroftimebeforesomethinghappened。\"Aroundthecorneroftheverandasomeonedroppedahammer，andletflywithastringofcurses；Feewinced，shuddered。\"Dearheaven，I’llbegladwhenthey’redonewiththescreening！\"Shegotbacktothesubject。\"Didyouthinkyoufooledmewhenyouwouldn’thaveRalphdeBricassarttomarryyoutoLuke？1knew。Youwantedhimasthebridegroom，notastheofficiatingcleric。ThenwhenhecametoDroghedabeforeheleftforAthensandyouweren’there，Iknewsoonerorlaterhe’dhavetogoandfindyou。HewanderedaroundtheplaceaslostasalittleboyattheSydneyRoyalEasterShow。MarryingLukewasthesmartestmoveyoumade，Meggie。AslongasheknewyouwerepiningforhimRalphdidn’twantyou，buttheminuteyoubecamesomebodyelse’sheexhibitedalltheclassicalsignsofthedoginthemanger。Ofcoursehe’dconvincedhimselfthathisattachmenttoyouwasaspureasthedrivensnow，butthefactremainedthatheneededyou。Youwerenecessarytohiminawaynootherwomaneverhadbeen，orIsuspecteverwillbe。Strange，\"saidFeewithrealpuzzlement。\"Ialwayswonderedwhatonearthhesawinyou，butIsupposemothersarealwaysalittleblindabouttheirdaughtersuntilthey’retoooldtobejealousofyouth。YouareaboutJustine，thesameasIwasaboutyou。\"
Sheleanedbackinherchair，rockingslightly，hereyeshalfclosed，butshewatchedMeggielikeascientisthisspecimen。
\"Whateveritwashesawinyou，\"shewenton，\"hesawitthefirsttimehemetyou，anditneverleftoffenchantinghim。Thehardestthinghehadtofacewasyourgrowingup，buthefaceditthattimehecametofindyougone，married。PoorRalph！Hehadnochoicebuttolookforyou。Andhedidfindyou，didn’the？Iknewitwhenyoucamehome，beforeDanewasborn。OnceyouhadRalphdeBricassartitwasn’tnecessarytostayanylongerwithLuke。\"\"Yes，\"sighedMeggie，\"Ralphfoundme。Butitdidn’tsolveanythingforus，didit？IknewhewouldneverbewillingtogiveuphisGod。ItwasforthatreasonIwasdeterminedtohavetheonlypartofhimIevercould。Hischild。Dane。\"
\"It’slikelisteningtoanecho，\"Feesaid，laughingherrustylaugh。\"Youmightbeme，sayingthat。\"
\"Frank？\"
Thechairscraped；Feegotup，pacedthetiles，camebackandstaredhardatherdaughter。\"Well，well！Titfortat，eh，Meggie？Howlonghaveyouknown？\"
\"SinceIwasalittlegirl。SincethetimeFrankranaway。\"
\"Hisfatherwasmarriedalready。Hewasalotolderthanme，animportantpolitician。IfItoldyouhisname，you’drecognizeit。TherearestreetsnamedforhimalloverNewZealand，atownortwoprobably。Butforthepurpose，I’llcallhimPakeha。It’sMaorifor\"whiteman，\"butit’lldo。He’sdeadnow，ofcourse。IhaveatraceofMaoribloodinme，butFrank’sfatherwashalfMaori。ItshowedinFrankbecausehegotitfrombothofus。Oh，butIlovedthatman！Perhapsitwasthecallofourblood，Idon’tknow。Hewashandsome。Abigmanwithamopofblackhairandthemostbrilliant，laughingblackeyes。HewaseverythingPaddywasn’tcultured，sophisticated，verycharming。Ilovedhimtothepointofmadness。AndIthoughtI’dneverloveanyoneelse；IwallowedinthatdelusionsolongIleftittoolate，toolate！\"Hervoicebroke。Sheturnedtolookatthegarden。\"Ihavealottoanswerfor，Meggie，believeme。\"\"Sothat’swhyyoulovedFrankmorethantherestofus，\"Meggiesaid。\"IthoughtIdid，becausehewasPakeha’ssonandtherestbelongedtoPaddy，\"Shesatdown，madeaqueer，mournfulnoise。\"Sohistorydoesrepeatitself。IhadaquietlaughwhenIsawDane，Itellyou。\"
\"Mum，you’reanextraordinarywoman！\"
\"AmI？\"Thechaircreaked；sheleanedforward。\"Letmewhisperyoualittlesecret，Meggie。Extraordinaryormerelyordinary，I’maveryunhappywoman。ForonereasonoranotherI’vebeenunhappysincethedayImetPakeha。Mostlymyownfault。Ilovedhim，butwhathedidtomeshouldn’thappentoanywoman。AndtherewasFrank……IkepthangingontoFrank，andignoringtherestofyou。IgnoringPaddy，whowasthebestthingeverhappenedtome。OnlyIdidn’tseeit。IwastoobusycomparinghimwithPakeha。Oh，Iwasgratefultohim，andIcouldn’thelpbutseewhatafinemanhewas……\"Sheshrugged。\"Well，allthat’spast。WhatIwantedtosaywasthatit’swrong，Meggie。Youknowthat，don’tyou？\"
\"No，Idon’t。ThewayIseeit，theChurchiswrong，expectingtotakethatfromherpriestsaswell。\"
\"Funny，howwealwaysinfertheChurchisfeminine。Youstoleawoman’sman，Meggie，justasIdid。\"
\"Ralphhadabsolutelynoallegiancetoanywoman，excepttome。TheChurchisn’tawoman，Mum。It’sathing，aninstitution。\"
\"Don’tbothertryingtojustifyyourselftome。Iknowalltheanswers。Ithoughtasyoudomyself，atthetime。Divorcewasoutofthequestionforhim。Hewasoneofthefirstpeopleofhisracetoattainpoliticalgreatness；hehadtochoosebetweenmeandhispeople。Whatmancouldresistachancelikethattobenoble？JustasyourRalphchosetheChurch，didn’the？SoIthought，
Idon’tcare。I’lltakewhatIcangetofhim，I’llhavehischildtoloveatleast。\"
ButsuddenlyMeggiewastoobusyhatinghermothertobeabletopityher，toobusyresentingtheinferencethatsheherselfhadmadejustasbigamessofthings。Soshesaid，\"ExceptthatIfaroutdidyouinsubtlety，Mum。Mysonhasanamenoonecantakefromhim，evenincludingLuke。\"Fee’sbreathhissedbetweenherteeth。\"Nasty！Oh，you’redeceptive，Meggie！Butterwouldn’tmeltinyourmouth，wouldit？Well，myfatherboughtmyhusbandtogiveFrankanameandgetridofme:I’llbetyouneverknewthat！Howdidyouknow？\"
\"That’smybusiness。\"
\"You’regoingtopay，Meggie。Believeme，you’regoingtopay。Youwon’tgetawaywithitanymorethanIdid。IlostFrankintheworstwayamothercould；Ican’tevenseehimandIlongto……Youwait！You’llloseDane，too。\"
\"NotifIcanhelpit。YoulostFrankbecausehecouldn’tpullintandemwithDaddy。ImadesureDanehadnodaddytoharnesshim。I’llharnesshiminstead，toDrogheda。WhydoyouthinkI’mmakingastockmanoutofhimalready？He’llbesafeonDrogheda。\"
\"WasDaddy？WasStuart？Nowhereissafe。Andyouwon’tkeepDanehereifhewantstogo。Daddydidn’tharnessFrank。Thatwasit。Frankcouldn’tbeharnessed。Andifyouthinkyou，awoman，canharnessRalphdeBricassart’sson，you’vegotanotherthinkcoming。Itstandstoreason，doesn’tit？Ifneitherofuscouldholdthefather，howcanwehopetoholdtheson？\"\"TheonlywayIcanloseDaneisifyouopenyourmouth，Mum。AndI’mwarningyou，I’dkillyoufirst。\"
\"Don’tbother，I’mnotworthswingingfor。Yoursecret’ssafewithme；I’mjustaninterestedonlooker。Yesindeed，that’sallIam。Anonlooker。\"\"Oh，Mum！Whatcouldpossiblyhavemadeyoulikethis？Whylikethis，sounwillingtogive？\"
Feesighed。\"Eventswhichtookplaceyearsbeforeyouwereevenborn，\"shesaidpathetically。
ButMeggieshookherfistvehemently。\"Oh，no，youdon’t！Afterwhatyou’vejusttoldme？You’renotgoingtogetawaywithfloggingthatdeadhorsetomeeveragain！Rubbish，rubbish，rubbish！Doyouhearme，Mum？You’vewallowedinitformostofyourlife，likeaflyinsyrup！\"Feesmiledbroadly，genuinelypleased。\"Iusedtothinkhavingadaughterwasn’tnearlyasimportantashavingsons，butIwaswrong。Ienjoyyou，Meggie，inawayIcanneverenjoymysons。Adaughter’sanequal。Sonsaren’t，youknow。They’rejustdefenselessdollswesetuptoknockdownatourleisure。\"
Meggiestared。\"You’reremorseless。Tellme，then，wheredowegowrong？\"\"Inbeingborn，\"saidFee。
Menwerereturninghomeinthousandsuponthousands，sheddingtheirkhakiuniformsandslouchhatsforcivvies。AndtheLaborgovernment，stillinoffice，tookalong，hardlookatthegreatpropertiesofthewesternplains，someofthebiggerstationscloserin。Itwasn’trightthatsomuchlandshouldbelongtoonefamily，whenmenwhohaddonetheirbitforAustralianeededroomfortheirbelongingsandthecountryneededmoreintensiveworkingofitsland。SixmillionpeopletofillanareaasbigastheUnitedStatesofAmerica，butamerehandfulofthosesixmillionholdingvasttractsinahandfulofnames。Thebiggestpropertieswouldhavetobesubdivided，yieldupsomeoftheiracreagestothewarveterans。Bugelawentfrom150，000acresto70，000；tworeturnedsoldiersgot40，000acreseachoffMartinKing。RudnaHunishhad120，000acres，thereforeRossMacQueenlost60，000acresandtwomorereturnedsoldierswereendowed。Soitwent。Ofcoursethegovernmentcompensatedthegraziers，thoughatlowerfiguresthantheopenmarketwouldhavegiven。Andithurt。Oh，ithurt。NoamountofargumentprevailedwithCanberra；propertiesaslargeasBugelaandRudnaHunishwouldbepartitioned。Itwasself-evidentnomanneededsomuch，sincetheGillydistricthadmanythrivingstationsoflessthan50，000acres。Whathurtthemostwastheknowledgethatthistimeitseemedthereturnedsoldierswouldpersevere。AftertheFirstWorldWarmostofthebigstationshadgonethroughthesamepartialresumption，butithadbeenpoorlydone，thefledglinggrazierswithouttrainingorexperience；graduallythesquattersboughttheirfilchedacresbackatrock-bottompricesfromdiscouragedveterans。Thistimethegovernmentwaspreparedtotrainandeducatethenewsettlersatitsownexpense。
AlmostallthesquatterswereavidmembersoftheCountryParty，andonprincipleloathedaLaborgovernment，identifyingitwithblue-collarworkersinindustrialcities，tradeunionsandfecklessMarxistintellectuals。TheunkindestcutofallwastofindthattheClearys，whowereknownLaborvoters，werenottoseeasingleacreparedfromtheformidablebulkofDrogheda。SincetheCatholicChurchownedit，naturallyitwassubdivision-exempt。ThehowlwasheardinCanberra，butignored。Itcameveryhardtothesquatters，whoalwaysthoughtofthemselvesasthemostpowerfullobbygroupinthenation，tofindthathewhowieldstheCanberrawhipdoesprettymuchashelikes。Australiawasheavilyfederal，itsstategovernmentsvirtuallypowerless。
Thus，likeagiantinaLilliputianworld，Droghedacarriedon，allquarterofamillionacresofit。
Theraincameandwent，sometimesadequate，sometimestoomuch，sometimestoolittle，butnot，thankGod，everanotherdroughtlikethegreatone。Graduallythenumberofsheepbuiltupandthequalityofthewoolimprovedoverpre-droughttimes，nomeanfeat。
Breedingwasthe\"in\"thing。PeopletalkedofHaddonRignearWarren，startedactivelycompetingwithitsowner，MaxFalkiner，forthetopramandeweprizesattheRoyalEasterShowinSydney。Andthepriceofwoolbegantocreepup，thenskyrocketed。Europe，theUnitedStatesandJapanwerehungryforeverybitoffinewoolAustralia。couldproduce。Othercountriesyieldedcoarserwoolsforheavyfabrics，carpets，felts；butonlythelong，silkyfibersfromAustralianmerinoscouldmakeawoolentextilesofineitslippedthroughthefingerslikesoftestlawn。Andthatsortofwoolreacheditspeakoutontheblack-soilplainsofnorthwestNewSouthWalesandsouthwestQueensland。
Itwasasifafteralltheyearsoftribulation，ajustrewardhadarrived。Drogheda’sprofitssoaredoutofallimagination。Millionsofpoundseveryyear。Feesatatherdeskradiatingcontentment，Bobputanothertwostockmenonthebooks。Ifithadn’tbeenfortherabbits，pastoralconditionswouldhavebeenideal，buttherabbitswereasmuchofablightasever。Onthehomesteadlifewassuddenlyverypleasant。ThewirescreeninghadexcludedfliesfromallDroghedainteriors；nowthatitwasupandeveryonehadgrownusedtoitsappearance，theywonderedhowtheyhadeversurvivedwithoutit。Forthereweremultiplecompensationsforthelookofit，likebeingabletoeatalfrescoontheverandawhenitwasveryhot，underthetappingleavesofthewistariavine。
Thefrogslovedthescreening，too。Littlefellowstheywere，greenwithadelicateoverlayofglossygold。Onsuckeredfeettheycreptuptheoutsideofthemeshtostaremotionlessatthediners，verysolemnanddignified。Suddenlyonewouldleap，grabatamothalmostbiggerthanitself，andsettlebackintoinertiawithtwo-thirdsofthemothflappingmadlyoutofitsoverladenmouth。ItamusedDaneandJustinetotimehowlongittookafrogtoswallowabigmothcompletely，staringgravelythroughthewireandeverytenminutesgettingalittlemoremothdown。Theinsectlastedalongtime，andwouldoftenstillbekickingwhenthefinalpieceofwingtipwasengulfed。\"Erckle！Whatafate！\"chuckledDane。\"Fancyhalfofyoustillbeingalivewhiletheotherhalfofyouisbusybeingdigested。\"
Avidreading-thatDroghedapassion-hadgiventhetwoO’neillchildrenexcellentvocabulariesatanearlyage。Theywereintelligent，alertandinterestedineverything。Lifewasparticularlypleasantforthem。Theyhadtheirthoroughbredponies，increasinginsizeastheydid；theyenduredtheircorrespondencelessonsatMrs。Smith’sgreenkitchentable；theyplayedinthepeppertreecubbyhouse；theyhadpetcats，petdogs，evenapetgoanna，whichwalkedbeautifullyonaleashandansweredtoitsname。Theirfavoritepetwasaminiaturepinkpig，asintelligentasanydog，calledIggle-Piggle。Sofarfromurbancongestion，theycaughtfewdiseasesandneverhadcoldsorinfluenza。Meggiewasterrifiedofinfantileparalysis，diphtheria，anythingwhichmightswoopoutofnowheretocarrythemoff，sowhatevervaccinesbecameavailabletheyreceived。Itwasanidealexistence，fullofphysicalactivityandmentalstimulation。
WhenDanewastenandJustineeleventheyweresenttoboardingschoolinSydney，DanetoRiverviewastraditiondemanded，andJustinetoKincoppal。Whensheputthemontheplanethefirsttime，Meggiewatchedastheirwhite，valiantlycomposedlittlefacesstaredoutofawindow，handkerchiefswaving；theyhadneverbeenawayfromhomebefore。Shehadwantedbadlytogowiththem，seethemsettledinforherself，butopinionwassostronglyagainsthersheyielded。FromFeedowntoJimsandPatsy，everyonefelttheywoulddoagreatdealbetterontheirown。
\"Don’tmollycoddlethem，\"saidFeesternly。
Butindeedshefeltliketwodifferentpeopleasthe
DC-3tookoffinacloudofdustandstaggeredintotheshimmeringair。HerheartwasbreakingatlosingDane，andlightatthethoughtoflosingJustine。TherewasnoambivalenceinherfeelingsaboutDane；hisgay，even-temperednaturegaveandacceptedloveasnaturallyasbreathing。ButJustinewasalovable，horriblemonster。Onehadtoloveher，becausetherewasmuchtolove:herstrength，herintegrity，herself-reliance——lotsofthings。Thetroublewasthatshedidn’tpermitlovethewayDanedid，nordidsheevergiveMeggiethewonderfulfeelingofbeingneeded。Shewasn’tmateyorfullofpranks，andshehadadisastroushabitofputtingpeopledown，chiefly，itseemed，hermother。MeggiefoundmuchinherthathadbeenexasperatinginLuke，butatleastJustinewasn’tamiser。Forthatmuchbethankful。
Athrivingairlinemeantthatallthechildren’svacations，eventheshortestones，couldbespentonDrogheda。However，afteraninitialperiodofadjustmentbothchildrenenjoyedtheirschooling。DanewasalwayshomesickafteravisittoDrogheda，butJustinetooktoSydneyasifshehadalwayslivedthere，andspentherDroghedatimelongingtobebackinthecity。TheRiverviewJesuitsweredelighted；Danewasamarvelousstudent，intheclassroomandontheplayingfield。
TheKincoppalnuns，ontheotherhand，weredefinitelynotdelighted；noonewitheyesandatongueassharpasJustine’scouldhopetobepopular。AclassaheadofDane，shewasperhapsthebetterstudentofthetwo，butonlyintheclassroom。
TheSydneyMorningHeraldofAugust4th，1952，wasveryinteresting。Itsbigfrontpagerarelyboremorethanonephotograph，usuallymiddleandhighup，theintereststoryoftheday。AndthatdaythepicturewasahandsomeportraitofRalphdeBricassart。
HisGraceArchbishopRalphdeBricassart，atthepresenttimeaidetotheSecretaryofStateoftheHolySeeofRome，wastodaycreatedCardinaldeBricassartbyHisHolinessPopePiusXII。RalphRaoul，CardinaldeBricassarthashadalongandillustriousassociationwiththeRomanCatholicChurchinAustralia，extendingfromhisarrivalasanewlyordainedpriestinJuly1919tohisdeparturefortheVaticaninMarch1938。
BornonSeptember23，1893，intheRepublicofIreland，CardinaldeBricassartwasthesecondsonofafamilywhichcantraceitsdescentfromBaronRanulfdeBricassart，whocametoEnglandinthetrainofWilliamtheConqueror。Bytradition，CardinaldeBricassartespousedtheChurch。Heenteredtheseminaryattheageofseventeen，anduponhisordinationwassenttoAustralia。HisfirstmonthswerespentintheserviceofthelateBishopMichaelClabby，intheDioceseofWinnemurra。
InJune1920hewastransferredtoserveaspastorofGillanbone，innorthwesternNewSouthWales。HewasmadeMonsignor，andcontinuedatGillanboneuntilDecember1928。FromtherehebecameprivatesecretarytoHisGraceArchbishopClunyDark，andfinallyprivatesecretarytothethenArchbishopPapalLegate，HisEminenceCardinaldiContini-Verchese。DuringthistimehewascreatedBishop。WhenCardinaldiContini-VerchesewastransferredtoRometocommencehisremarkablecareerattheVatican，BishopdeBricassartwascreatedArchbishop，andreturnedtoAustraliafromAthensasthePapalLegatehimself。HeheldthisimportantVaticanappointmentuntilhistransfertoRomein1938；sincethattimehisrisewithinthecentralhierarchyoftheRomanCatholicChurchhasbeenspectacular。Now58yearsofage，heisrumoredtobeoneofthefewmenactivelyconcernedinthedeterminationofpapalpolicy。
ASydneyMorningHeraldrepresentativetalkedtosomeofCardinaldeBricassart’sex-parishionersintheGillanboneareayesterday。Heiswellremembered，andwithmuchaffection。ThisrichsheepdistrictispredominantlyRomanCatholicinitsreligiousadherence。\"FatherdeBricassartfoundedtheHolyCrossBushBibliophilicSociety，\"saidMr。HarryGough，MayorofGillanbone。\"Itwas-forthetimeespecially-aremarkableservice，splendidlyendowedfirstbythelateMrs。MaryCarson，andafterherdeathbytheCardinalhimself，whohasneverforgottenusorourneeds。\"
\"FatherdeBricassartwasthefinest-lookingmanI’veeverseen，\"saidMrs。FionaCleary，presentdoyenneofDrogheda，oneofthelargestandmostprosperousstationsinNewSouthWales。\"DuringhistimeinGillyhewasagreatspiritualsupporttohisparishioners，andparticularlytothoseofusonDrogheda，whichasyouknownowbelongstotheCatholicChurch。Duringfloodshehelpedusmoveourstock，duringfireshecametoouraid，evenifitwasonlytoburyourdead。Hewas，infact，anextraordinarymanineveryway，andhehadmorecharmthananymanI’veevermet。Onecouldseehewasmeantforgreatthings。Indeedwerememberhim，thoughit’sovertwentyyearssinceheleftus。Yes，Ithinkit’squitetruthfultosaythattherearesomearoundGillywhostillmisshimverymuch。\"
DuringthewarthethenArchbishopdeBricassartservedHisHolinessloyallyandunswervingly，andiscreditedwithhavinginfluencedFieldMarshalAlbertKesselringindecidingtomaintainRomeasanopencityafterItalybecameaGermanenemy。Florence，whichhadaskedinvainforthesameprivilege，lostmanyofitstreasures，onlyrestoredlaterbecauseGermanylostthewar。Intheimmediatepostwarperiod，CardinaldeBricassarthelpedthousandsofdisplacedpersonsseekasyluminnewcountries，andwasespeciallyvigorousinaidingtheAustralianimmigrationprogram。
ThoughbybirthheisanIrishman，andthoughitseemshewillnotexerthisinfluenceasCardinaldeBricassartinAustralia，westillfeelthattoalargeextentAustraliamayrightlyclaimthisremarkablemanasherown。
MeggiehandedthepaperbacktoFee，andsmiledathermotherruefully。\"Onemustcongratulatehim，asIsaidtotheHeraldreporter。Theydidn’tprintthat，didthey？Thoughtheyprintedyourlittleeulogyalmostverbatim，Isee。Whatabarbedtongueyou’vegot！AtleastIknowwhereJustinegetsitfrom。Iwonderhowmanypeoplewillbesmartenoughtoreadbetweenthelinesofwhatyousaid？\"
\"Hewill，anyway，ifheeverseesit。\"
\"Iwonderdoesherememberus？\"Meggiesighed。\"Undoubtedly。Afterall，hestillfindstimetoadministerDroghedahimself。Ofcourseheremembersus，Meggie。Howcouldheforget？\"\"True，IhadforgottenDrogheda。We’rerightupthereontopoftheearnings，aren’twe？Hemustbeverypleased。Withourwoolatapoundperpoundintheauctions，theDroghedawoolcheckthisyearmusthavemadeeventhegoldmineslooksick。TalkaboutGoldenFleece。Overfourmillionpounds，justfromshavingourbaa-lambs。\"
\"Don’tbecynical，Meggie，itdoesn’tsuityou，\"saidFee；hermannertowardMeggiethesedays，thoughoftenmildlywithering，wastemperedwithrespectandaffection。\"We’vedonewellenough，haven’twe？Don’tforgetwegetourmoneyeveryyear，goodorbad。Didn’thepayBobahundredthousandasabonus，therestofusfiftythousandeach？IfhethrewusoffDroghedatomorrowwecouldaffordtobuyBugela，evenattoday’sinflatedlandprices。Andhowmuchhashegivenyourchildren？Thousandsuponthousands。Befairtohim。\"
\"Butmychildrendon’tknowit，andthey’renotgoingtofindout。DaneandJustinewillgrowuptothinktheymustmaketheirownwaysintheworld，withoutbenefitofdearRalphRaoul，CardinaldeBricassart。FancyhissecondnamebeingRaoul！VeryNorman，isn’tit？\"
Feegotup，walkedovertothefireandthrewthefrontpageoftheHeraldontotheflames。RalphRaoul，CardinaldeBricassartshuddered，winkedather，andthenshriveledup。
\"Whatwillyoudoifhecomesback，Meggie？\"
Meggiesniffed。\"Fatchance！\"
\"Hemight，\"saidFeeenigmatically。
Hedid，inDecember。Veryquietly，withoutanyoneknowing，drivinganAstonMartinsportscarallthewayfromSydneyhimself。NotawordabouthispresenceinAustraliahadreachedthepress，sonooneonDroghedahadtheremotestsuspicionhewascoming。Whenthecarpulledintothegravellyareaatonesideofthehousetherewasnooneabout，andapparentlynoonehadheardhimarrive，fornoonecameoutontotheveranda。HehadfeltthemilesfromGillyineverycellofhisbody，inhaledtheodorsofthebush，thesheep，thedrygrasssparklingrestlesslyinthesun。Kangaroosandemus，galahsandgoannas，millionsofinsectsbuzzingandflipping，antsmarchingacrosstheroadintreaclycolumns，fatpudgysheepeverywhere。Heloveditso，forinonecuriousaspectitconformedtowhathelovedinallthings；thepassingyearsscarcelyseemedtobrushit。Onlytheflyscreeningwasdifferent，buthenotedwithamusementthatFeehadn’tpermittedthebighouseverandafacingtheGillyroadtobeenclosedliketherest，onlythewindowsopeningontoit。Shewasright，ofcourse；agreatexpanseofmeshwouldhaverainedthelinesofthatlovelyGeorgianfacade。Howlongdidghostgumslive？ThesemusthavebeentransplantedfromtheDeadHeartinterioreightyyearsago。Thebougainvilleaintheirhighbrancheswasoneslidingmassofcopperandpurple。
Itwasalreadysummer，twoweeksleftbeforeChristmas，andtheDroghedaroseswereattheirheight。Therewereroseseverywhere，pinkandwhiteandyellow，crimsonlikeheart’sblood，scarletlikeacardinal’ssoutane。Inamongthewistaria，greennow，ramblingrosesdrowsedpinkandwhite，fellofftheverandaroof，downthewiremesh，clunglovinglytotheblackshuttersofthesecondstory，stretchedtendrilspastthemtothe。sky。Thetankstandswerequitesmotheredfromsightnow，sowerethetanksthemselves。Andonecolorwaseverywhereamongtheroses，apalepinkish-grey。Ashesofroses？Yes，thatwasthenameofthecolor。Meggiemusthaveplantedthem，ithadtobeMeggie。
HeheardMeggie’slaugh，andstoodmotionless，quiteterrified，thenmadehisfeetgointhedirectionofthesound，gonedowntodeliciousgigglingtrills。Justthewaysheusedtolaughwhenshewasalittlegirl。Thereitwas！Overthere，behindagreatclumpofpinkishgreyrosesnearapeppertree。Hepushedtheclustersofblossomsasidewithhishand，hismindreelingfromtheirperfume，andthatlaugh。
ButMeggiewasn’tthere，onlyaboysquattinginthelushlawn，teasingalittlepinkpigwhichraninidioticrushesuptohim，gallopedoff，sidledback。Unconsciousofhisaudience，theboythrewhisgleamingheadbackandlaughed。Meggie’slaugh，fromthatunfamiliarthroat。Withoutmeaningto，CardinalRalphlettherosesfallintoplaceandsteppedthroughthem，heedlessofthethorns。Theboy，abouttwelveorfourteenyearsofage，justprepubescent，lookedup，startled；thepigsquealed，curledupitstailtightlyandranoff。
Cladinanoldpairofkhakishortsandnothingelse，bare-footed，hewasgoldenbrownandsilky-skinned，hisslender，boyishbodyalreadyhintingatlaterpowerinthebreadthoftheyoungsquareshoulders，thewell-developedcalfandthighmuscles，theflatbellyandnarrowhips。Hishairwasalittlelongandlooselycurly，justthebleachedcolorofDroghedagrass，hiseyesthroughabsurdlythickblacklashesintenselyblue。Helookedlikeaveryyouthfulescapedangel。
\"Hello，\"saidtheboy，smiling。
\"Hello，\"saidCardinalRalph，findingitimpossibletoresistthecharmofthatsmile。\"Whoareyou？\"
\"I’mDaneO’neill，\"answeredtheboy。\"Whoareyou？\"\"MynameisRalphdeBricassart。\"
DaneO’neill。HewasMeggie’sboy，then。ShehadnotleftLukeO’neillafterall，shehadgonebacktohim，bornethisbeautifulladwhomighthavebeenhis，hadhenotmarriedtheChurchfirst。HowoldhadhebeenwhenhemarriedtheChurch？Notmucholderthanthis，notverymuchmoremature。Hadhewaited，theboymightwellhavebeenhis。Whatnonsense，CardinaldeBricassart！Ifyouhadn’tmarriedtheChurchyouwouldhaveremainedinIrelandtobreedhorsesandneverknownyourfateatall，neverknownDroghedaorMeggieCleary。
\"MayIhelpyou？\"askedtheboypolitely，gettingtohisfeetwithasupplegraceCardinalRalphrecognized，andthoughtofasMeggie’s。\"Isyourfatherhere，Dane？\"
\"Myfather？\"Thedark，finelyetchedbrowsknitted。\"No，he’snothere。He’sneverbeenhere。\"
\"Oh，Isee。Isyourmotherhere，then？\"
\"She’sinGilly，butshe’llbebacksoon。MyNannaisinthehouse，though。Wouldyouliketoseeher？Icantakeyou。\"Eyesasblueascornflowersstaredathim，widened，narrowed。\"RalphdeBricassart。I’veheardofyou。Oh！CardinaldeBricassart！YourEminence，I’msorry！Ididn’tmeantoberude。\"
Thoughhehadabandonedhisclericalregaliainfavorofboots，breechesandawhiteshirt，therubyringwasstillonhisfinger，mustneverbewithdrawnaslongashelived。DaneO’neillknelt，tookCardinalRalph’sslenderhandinhisownslenderones，andkissedtheringreverently。\"It’sallright，Dane。I’mnothereasCardinaldeBricassart。I’mhereasafriendofyourmother’sandyourgrandmother’s。\"
\"I’msorry，YourEminence，IoughttohaverecognizedyournametheminuteIheardit。Wesayitoftenenoughroundhere。Onlyyoupronounceitabitdifferently，andyourChristiannamethrewmeoff。Mymotherwillbeverygladtoseeyou，Iknow。\"
\"Dane，Dane，whereareyou？\"calledanimpatientvoice，verydeepandentrancinglyhusky。
Thehangingfrondsofthepeppertreepartedandagirlofaboutfifteenduckedout，straightened。Heknewwhoshewasimmediately，fromthoseastonishingeyes。Meggie’sdaughter。Coveredinfreckles，sharp-faced，small-featured，disappointinglyunlikeMeggie。
\"Oh，hello。I’msorry，Ididn’trealizewehadavisitor。I’mJustineO’neill。\"
\"Jussy，thisisCardinaldeBricassart！\"Danesaidinaloudwhisper。\"Kisshisring，quickly！\"
Theblind-lookingeyesflashedscorn。\"\"You’rearealprawnaboutreligion，Dane，\"shesaidwithoutbotheringtolowerhervoice。\"Kissingaringisunhygienic；Iwon’tdoit。Besides，howdoweknowthisisCardinaldeBricassart？Helookslikeanold-fashionedgraziertome。Youknow，likeMr。Gordon。\"
\"Heis，heis！\"insistedDane。\"Please，Jussy，begood！Begoodforme！\"\"I’llbegood，butonlyforyou。ButIwon’tkisshisring，evenforyou。Disgusting。HowdoIknowwhokisseditlast？Theymighthavehadacold。\"\"Youdon’thavetokissmyring，Justine。I’mhereonaholiday；I’mnotbeingacardinalatthemoment。\"
\"That’sgood，becauseI’lltellyoufrankly，I’manatheist，\"saidMeggieCleary’sdaughtercalmly。\"AfterfouryearsatKincoppalIthinkit’sallaloadofuttercodswallop。\"
\"That’syourprivilege，\"saidCardinalRalph，tryingdesperatelytolookasdignifiedandseriousasshedid。\"MayIfindyourgrandmother？\"\"Ofcourse。Doyouneedus？\"Justineasked。
\"No，thankyou。Iknowmyway。\"
\"Good。\"Sheturnedtoherbrother，stillgapingupatthevisitor。\"Comeon，Dane，helpme。Comeon！\"
ButthoughJustinetuggedpainfullyathisarm，DanestayedtowatchCardinalRalph’stall，straightfiguredisappearbehindtheroses。\"Youreallyareaprawn，Dane。What’ssospecialabouthim？\"\"He’sacardinal！\"saidDane。\"Imaginethat！AreallivecardinalonDrogheda！\"
\"Cardinals，\"saidJustine，\"arePrincesoftheChurch。Isupposeyou’reright，itisratherextraordinary。ButIdon’tlikehim。\"
WhereelsewouldFeebe，exceptatherdesk？Hesteppedthroughthewindowsintothedrawingroom，butthesedaysthatnecessitatedopeningascreen。Shemusthaveheardhim，butkeptonworking，backbent，thelovelygoldenhairgonetosilver。Withdifficultyherememberedshemustbeallofseventy-twoyearsold。
\"Hello，Fee，\"hesaid。
Whensheraisedherheadhesawachangeinher，ofwhatprecisenaturehecouldn’tbesure；theindifferencewasthere，butsowereseveralotherthings。Asifshehadmellowedandhardenedsimultaneously，becomemorehuman，yethumaninaMaryCarsonmold。God，theseDroghedamatriarchs！WouldithappentoMeggie，too，whenherturncame？
\"Hello，Ralph，\"shesaid，asifhesteppedthroughthewindowseveryday。\"Hownicetoseeyou。\"
\"Nicetoseeyou，too。\"
\"Ididn’tknowyouwereinAustralia。\"
\"Noonedoes。Ihaveafewweeks\"holiday。\"
\"You’restayingwithus，Ihope？\"
\"Whereelse？\"Hiseyesroamedroundthemagnificentwalls，restedonMaryCarson’sportrait。\"Youknow，Fee，yourtasteisimpeccable，unerring。ThisroomrivalsanythingintheVatican。Thoseblackeggshapeswiththerosesare4strokeofgenius。\"
\"Why，thankyou！Wetryourhumblebest。PersonallyIpreferthediningroom；I’vedoneitagainsinceyouwereherelast。Pinkandwhiteandgreen。Soundsawful，butwaituntilyouseeit。ThoughwhyItry，Idon’tknow。It’syourhouse，isn’tit？\"
\"Notwhilethere’saClearyalive，Fee，\"hesaidquietly。\"Howcomforting。Well，you’vecertainlycomeupintheworldsinceyourGillydays，haven’tyou？DidyouseetheHeraldarticleaboutyourpromotion？\"
Hewinced。\"Idid。Yourtongue’ssharpened，Fee。\"
\"Yes，andwhat’smore，I’menjoyingit。AllthoseyearsIshutupandneversaidathing！Ididn’tknowwhatIwasmissing。\"Shesmiled。\"Meggie’sinGilly，butshe’llbebacksoon。\"
DaneandJustinecamethroughthewindows。
\"Nanna，mayweridedowntotheborehead？\"
\"Youknowtherules。Noridingunlessyourmothergivesherpermissionpersonally。I’msorry，butthey’reyourmother’sorders。Whereareyourmanners？Comeandbeintroducedtoourvisitor。\"
\"I’vealreadymetthem。\"
\"Oh。\"
\"I’dhavethoughtyou’dbeawayatboardingschool，\"hesaidtoDane，smiling。
\"NotinDecember，YourEminence。We’reofffortwomonths-thesummerholidays。\"
Toomanyyearsaway；hehadforgottenthatsouthernhemispherechildrenwouldenjoytheirlongvacationduringDecemberandJanuary。
\"Areyougoingtobestayingherelong，YourEminence？\"Danequeried，stillfascinated。
\"HisEminencewillbewithusforaslongashecanmanage，Dane，\"saidhisgrandmother，\"butIthinkhe’sgoingtofinditalittlewearingtobeaddressedasYourEminenceallthetime。Whatshallitbe？UncleRalph？\"\"Uncle！\"exclaimedJustine。\"Youknow\"uncle’isagainstthefamilyrules，Nanna！OurunclesarejustBob，Jack，Hughie，JimsandPatsy。Sothatmeanshe’sRalph。\"
\"Don’tbesorude，Justine！Whatonearth’sthematterwithyourmanners？\"demandedFee。
\"No，Fee，it’sallright。I’dpreferthateveryonecallmeplainRalph，really，\"theCardinalsaidquickly。Whydidshedislikehimso，theoddmite？\"Icouldn’t！\"gaspedDane。\"Icouldn’tcallyoujustRalph！\"
CardinalRalphcrossedtheroom，tookthebareshouldersbetweenhishandsandsmileddown，hisblueeyesverykind，andvividintheroom’sshadows。\"Ofcourseyoucan，Dane。Itisn’tasin。\"
\"Comeon，Dane，let’sgetbacktothecubbyhouse，\"Justineordered。CardinalRalphandhissonturnedtowardFee，lookedathertogether。\"Heavenhelpus！\"saidFee。\"Goon，Dane，gooutsideandplay，willyou？\"Sheclappedherhands。\"Buzz！\"
Theboyranforhislife，andFeeedgedtowardherbooks。CardinalRalphtookpityonherandannouncedthathewouldgotothecookhouse。Howlittletheplacehadchanged！Stilllamplit，obviously。Stillredolentofbeeswaxandgreatvasesofroses。
HestayedtalkingtoMrs。Smithandthemaidsforalongtime。Theyhadgrownmucholderintheyearssincehehadleft，butsomehowagesuitedthemmorethanitdidFee。Happy。That’swhattheywere。Genuinelyalmostperfectlyhappy。PoorFee，whowasn’thappy。ItmadehimhungrytoseeMeggie，seeifshewashappy。ButwhenheleftthecookhouseMeggiewasn’tback，sotofillintimehestrolledthroughthegroundstowardthecreek。Howpeacefulthecemeterywas；thereweresixbronzeplaquesonthemausoleumwall，justastherehadbeenlasttime。Hemustseethathehimselfwasburiedhere；hemustremembertoinstructthem，whenhereturnedtoRome。Nearthemausoleumhenoticedtwonewgraves，oldTom，thegardenrouseabout，andthewifeofoneofthestockmen，whohadbeenonthepayrollsince1946。Mustbesomesortofrecord。Mrs。Smiththoughthewasstillwiththembecausehiswifelayhere。TheChinesecook’sancestralumbrellawasquitefadedfromalltheyearsoffiercesun，haddwindledfromitsoriginalimperialredthroughthevariousshadesherememberedtoitspresentwhitishpink，almostashesofroses。Meggie，Meggie。Youwentbacktohimafterme，youborehimason。Itwasveryhot；alittlewindcame，stirredtheweepingwillowsalongthecreek，madethebellsontheChinesecook’sumbrellachimetheirmournfultinnytune:HeeSing，HeeSing，HeeSing。TANKSTANDCHARLIEHEWASAGOODBLOKE。Thathadfaded，too，waspracticallyindecipherable。Well，itwasfitting。GraveyardsoughttosinkbackintothebosomofMotherEarth，losetheirhumancargounderawashoftime，untilitallwasgoneandonlytheairremembered，sighing。Hedidn’twanttobeburiedinaVaticancrypt，amongmenlikehimself。Here，amongpeoplewhohadreallylived。Turning，hiseyescaughttheglaucousglanceofthemarbleangel。Heraisedhishand，salutedit，lookedacrossthegrasstowardthebighouse。Andshewascoming，Meggie。Slim，golden，inapairofbreechesandawhiteman’sshirtexactlylikehisown，aman’sgreyfelthatonthebackofherhead，tanbootsonherfeet。Likeaboy，likeherson，whoshouldhavebeenhisson。
Hewasaman，butwhenhetoolayheretherewouldbenothingleftlivingtomarkthefact。
Shecameon，steppedoverthewhitefence，camesocloseallhecouldseewerehereyes，thosegrey，light-filledeyeswhichhadn’tlosttheirbeautyortheirholdoverhisheart。Herarmswerearoundhisneck，hisfateagainwithinhistouch，itwasasifhehadneverbeenawayfromher，thatmouthaliveunderhis，notadream；solongwanted，solong。Adifferentkindofsacrament，darkliketheearth，havingnothingtodowiththesky。\"Meggie，Meggie，\"hesaid，hisfaceinherhair，herhatonthegrass，hisarmsaroundher。
\"Itdoesn’tseemtomatter，doesit？Nothingeverchanges，\"shesaid，eyesclosed……
\"No，nothingchanges，\"hesaid，believingit。\"ThisisDrogheda，Ralph。Iwarnedyou，onDroghedayou’remine，notGod’s。\"
\"Iknow。Iadmitit。ButIcame。\"Hedrewherdownontothegrass。\"Why，Meggie？\"
\"Whywhat？\"Herhandwasstrokinghishair，whiterthanFee’snow，stillthick，stillbeautiful。
\"WhydidyougobacktoLuke？Havehisson？\"heaskedjealously。Hersoullookedoutfrombehinditslucentgreywindowsandveileditsthoughtsfromhim。\"Heforcedmeto，\"shesaidblandly。\"Itwasonlyonce。ButIhadDane，soI’mnotsorry。DanewaswortheverythingIwentthroughtogethim。\"
\"I’msorry，Ihadnorighttoask。IgaveyoutoLukeinthefirstplace，didn’tI？\"
\"That’strue，youdid。\"
\"He’sawonderfulboy。DoeshelooklikeLuke？\"Shesmiledsecretly，pluckedatthegrass，laidherhandinsidehisshirt，againsthischest。\"Notreally。NeitherofmychildrenlooksverymuchlikeLuke，orme。\"
\"Ilovethembecausethey’reyours。\"
\"You’reassentimentalasever。Agesuitsyou，Ralph。
Iknewitwould，IhopedI’dhavethechancetoseeit。ThirtyyearsI’veknownyou！Itseemslikethirtydays。\"
\"Thirtyyears？Asmanyasthat？\"
\"I’mforty-one，mydear，soitmustbe。\"Shegottoherfeet。\"Iwasofficiallysenttosummonyouinside。Mrs。Smithislayingonasplendidteainyourhonor，andlateronwhenit’sabitcoolerthere’stoberoastlegofpork，withlotsofcrackling。\"
Hebegantowalkwithher，slowly。\"Yoursonlaughsjustlikeyou，Meggie。HislaughwasthefirsthumannoiseIheardonDrogheda。Ithoughthewasyou；IwenttofindyouandIdiscoveredhiminstead。\"
\"SohewasthefirstpersonyousawonDrogheda。\"
\"Why，yes，Isupposehewas。\"
\"Whatdidyouthinkofhim，Ralph？\"sheaskedeagerly。\"Ilikedhim。HowcouldInot，whenhe’syourson？ButIwasattractedtohimverystrongly，farmoresothantoyourdaughter。Shedoesn’tlikeme，either。\"
\"Justinemightbemychild，butshe’saprizebitch。I’velearnedtoswearinmyoldage，mostlythankstoJustine。Andyou，alittle。AndLuke，alittle。Andthewar，alittle。Funnyhowtheyallmountup。\"
\"You’vechangedalot，Meggie。\"
\"HaveI？\"Thesoft，fullmouthcurvedintoasmile。\"Idon’tthinkso，really。It’sjusttheGreatNorthwest，wearingmedown，strippingoffthelayerslikeSalome’ssevenveils。Orlikeanonion，whichishowJustinewouldratherputit。Nopoetry，thatchild。I’mthesameoldMeggie，Ralph，onlymorenaked。\"
\"Perhapsso。\"
\"Ali，butyou’vechanged，Ralph。\"
\"Inwhatway，myMeggie？\"
\"Asifthepedestalrockswitheverypassingbreeze，andasiftheviewfromupthereisadisappointment。\"
\"Itis。\"Helaughedsoundlessly。\"AndtothinkIoncehadthetemeritytosayyouweren’tanythingoutoftheordinary！Itakeitback。You’retheonewoman，Meggie。Theone！\"\"Whathappened？\"
\"Idon’tknow。DidIdiscoverevenChurchidolshavefeetofclay？DidIsellmyselfforamessofpottage？AmIgraspingatnothing？\"Hisbrowsdrewtogether，asifinpain。\"Andthat’sit，perhaps，inanutshell。I’mamassofclichés。It’sanold，sour，petrifiedworld，theVaticanworld。\"\"Iwasmorereal，butyoucouldneverseeit。\"
\"TherewasnothingelseIcoulddo，truly！IknewwhereIshouldhavegone，butIcouldn’t。WithyouImighthavebeenabetterman，iflessaugust。ButIjustcouldn’t，Meggie。Oh，IwishIcouldmakeyouseethat！\"Herhandstolealonghisbarearm，tenderly。\"DearRalph，Idoseeit。Iknow，Iknow……Eachofushassomethingwithinuswhichwon’tbedenied，evenifitmakesusscreamaloudtodie。Wearewhatweare，that’sall。LiketheoldCelticlegendofthebirdwiththethorninitsbreast，singingitsheartoutanddying。Becauseithasto，it’sdrivento。Wecanknowwhatwedowrongevenbeforewedoit，butself-knowledgecan’taffectorchangetheoutcome，canit？Everyonesinginghisownlittlesong，convincedit’sthemostwonderfulsongtheworldhaseverheard。Don’tyousee？Wecreateourownthorns，andneverstoptocountthecost。Allwecandoissufferthepain，andtellourselvesitwaswellworthit。\"
\"That’swhatIdon’tunderstand。Thepain。\"Heglanceddownatherhand，sogentlyonhisarm，hurtinghimsounbearably。\"Whythepain，Meggie？\"\"AskGod，Ralph，\"saidMeggie。\"He’stheauthorityonpain，isn’tHe？Hemadeuswhatweare，Hemadethewholeworld。ThereforeHemadethepain，too。\"
Bob，Jack，Hughie，JimsandPatsywereinfordinner，sinceitwasSaturdaynight。TomorrowFather
WattywasdueouttosayMass，butBobcalledhimandsaidnoonewouldbethere。Awhitelie，topreserveCardinalRalph’sanonymity。ThefiveClearyboysweremorelikePaddythanever，older，slowerinspeech，assteadfastandenduringastheland。AndhowtheylovedDane！Theireyesneverseemedtoleavehim，evenfollowedhimfromtheroomwhenhewenttobed。Itwasn’thardtoseetheylivedforthedaywhenhewouldbeoldenoughtojointheminrunningDrogheda。
CardinalRalphhadalsodiscoveredthereasonforJustine’senmity。Danehadtakenafancytohim，hungonhiswords，lingerednearhim；shewasplainjealous。
Afterthechildrenhadgoneupstairs，helookedatthosewhowereleft:thebrothers，Meggie，Fee。
\"Fee，leaveyourdeskforamoment，\"hesaid。\"Comeandsitherewithus。Iwanttotalktoallofyou。\"
Shestillcarriedherselfwellandhadn’tlostherfigure，onlyslackenedinthebreasts，thickenedveryslightlyinthewaist；moreashapingduetooldagethantoanactualweightgain。SilentlysheseatedherselfinoneofthebigcreamchairsoppositetheCardinal，withMeggietooneside，andthebrothersonstonebenchescloseby。
\"It’saboutFrank，\"hesaid。
Thenamehungbetweenthem，resoundingdistantly。\"WhataboutFrank？\"askedFeecomposedly。
Meggielaidherknittingdown，lookedathermother，thenatCardinalRalph。\"Tellus，Ralph，\"shesaidquickly，unabletobearhermother’scomposureamomentlonger。
\"Frankhasservedalmostthirtyyearsinjail，doyourealizethat？\"askedtheCardinal。\"Iknowmypeoplekeptyouinformedaswearranged，butIhadaskedthemnottodistressyouunduly。Ihonestlycouldn’tseewhatgooditcoulddoFrankoryourselvestoheartheharrowingdetailsofhislonelinessanddespair，becausetherewasnothinganyofusmighthavedone。IthinkFrankwouldhavebeenreleasedsomeyearsagohadhenotgainedareputationforviolenceandinstabilityduringhisearlyyearsinGoulburnGaol。Evenaslateasthewar，whensomeotherprisonerswerereleasedintoarmedservice，poorFrankwasrefused。\"
Feeglancedupfromherhands。\"It’shistemper，\"shesaidwithoutemotion。TheCardinalseemedtobehavingsomedifficultyinfindingtherightwords；whilehesoughtforthem，thefamilywatchedhiminmingleddreadandhope，thoughitwasn’tFrank’swelfaretheycaredabout。\"ItmustbepuzzlingyougreatlywhyIcamebacktoAustraliaafteralltheseyears，\"CardinalRalphsaidfinally，notlookingatMeggie。\"Ihaven’talwaysbeenmindfulofyourlives，andIknowit。FromthedayImetyou，I’vethoughtofmyselffirst，putmyselffirst。AndwhentheHolyFatherrewardedmylaborsonbehalfoftheChurchwithacardinal’smantle，IaskedmyselfiftherewasanyserviceIcoulddotheClearyfamilywhichinsomewaywouldtellthemhowdeeplyIcare。\"Hedrewabreath，focusedhisgazeonFee，notonMeggie。\"IcamebacktoAustraliatoseewhatIcoulddoaboutFrank。Doyouremember，Fee，thattimeIspoketoyouafterPaddyandStudied？Twentyyearsago，andI’veneverbeenabletoforgetthelookinyoureyes。Somuchenergyandvitality，crushed。\"
\"Yes，\"saidBobabruptly，hiseyesrivetedonhismother。\"Yes，that’sit。\"\"Frankisbeingparoled，\"saidtheCardinal。\"ItwastheonlythingIcoulddotoshowyouthatIdocare。\"
Ifhehadexpectedasudden，dazzlingblazeoflightfromoutofFee’slongdarkness，hewouldhavebeenverydisappointed；atfirstitwasnomorethanasmallflicker，andperhapsthetollofagewouldneverreallypermitittoshineatfullbrightness。ButintheeyesofFee’ssonshesawitstruemagnitude，andknewasenseofhisownpurposehehadn’tfeltsincethattimeduringthewarwhenhehadtalkedtotheyoungGermansoldierwiththeimposingname。
\"Thankyou，\"saidFee。
\"WillyouwelcomehimbacktoDrogheda？\"heaskedtheClearymen。\"Thisishishome，it’swhereheoughttobe，\"Bobansweredelliptically。EveryonenoddedagreementsaveFee，whoseemedintentonsomeprivatevision。
\"Heisn’tthesameFrank，\"CardinalRalphwentongently。\"IvisitedhiminGoulburnGaoltotellhimthenewsbeforeIcamehere，andIhadtolethimknoweveryoneonDroghedahadalwaysbeenawarewhathadhappenedtohim。IfItellyouthathedidn’ttakeithard，itmightgiveyousomeideaofthechangeinhim。Hewassimply……grateful。Andsolookingforwardtoseeinghisfamilyagain，especiallyyou，Fee。\"
\"When’shebeingreleased？\"Bobasked，clearinghisthroat，pleasureforhismotherclearlywarringwithfearofwhatwouldhappenwhenFrankreturned。
\"Inaweekortwo。He’llcomeuponthenightmail。Iwantedhimtofly，buthesaidhepreferredthetrain。\"
\"PatsyandIwillmeethim，\"Jimsofferedeagerly，thenhisfacefell。\"Oh！Wedon’tknowwhathelookslike！\"
\"No，\"saidFee。\"I’llmeethimmyself。Onmyown。I’mnotinmydotageyet；IcanstilldrivetoGilly。\"
\"Mum’sright，\"saidMeggiefirmly，forestallingachorusofprotestsfromherbrothers。\"LetMummeethimonherown。She’stheoneoughttoseehimfirst。\"
\"Well，Ihaveworktodo，\"saidFeegruffly，gettingupandmovingtowardherdesk。
Thefivebrothersroseasoneman。\"AndIreckonit’sourbedtime，\"saidBob，yawningelaborately。HesmiledshylyatCardinalRalph。\"Itwillbelikeoldtimes，tohaveyousayingMassforusinthemorning。\"
Meggiefoldedherknitting，putitaway，gotup。\"I’llsaygoodnight，too，Ralph。\"
\"Goodnight，Meggie。\"Hiseyesfollowedherasshewentoutoftheroom，thenturnedtoFee’shunchedback。\"Goodnight，Fee。\"\"Ibegyourpardon？Didyousaysomething？\"
\"Isaidgoodnight。\"
\"Oh！Goodnight，Ralph。\"
Hedidn’twanttogoupstairssosoonafterMeggie。\"I’mgoingforawalkbeforeIturnin，Ithink。Doyouknowsomething，Fee？\"\"No。\"Hervoicewasabsent。
\"Youdon’tfoolmeforaminute。\"
Shesnortedwithlaughter，aneeriesound。\"Don’tI？Iwonderaboutthat。\"Late，andthestars。Thesouthernstars，wheelingacrosstheheavens。Hehadlosthisholduponthemforever，thoughtheywerestillthere，toodistanttowarm，tooremotetocomfort。ClosertoGod，Whowasawispbetweenthem。Foralongtimehestoodlookingup，listeningtothewindinthetrees，smiling。
ReluctanttobenearFee，heusedtheflightofstairsatthefarendofthehouse；thelampoverherdeskstillburnedandhecouldseeherbentsilhouettethere，working。PoorFee。Howmuchshemustdreadgoingtobed，though-perhapswhenFrankcamehomeitwouldbeeasier。Perhaps。Atthetopofthestairssilencemethimthickly；acrystallamponanarrowhalltableshedadimpooloflightforthecomfortofnocturnalwanderers，flickeringasthenightbreezebillowedthecurtainsinwardaroundthewindownexttoit。Hepasseditby，hisfeetontheheavycarpetingmakingnosound。
