HetoldherbackstageattheCulloden，afteraperformance。IthadbeensettledwithRomethatday；hewasdyingtotellherandyetheknewshewasn’tgoingtolikeit。Hisreligiousambitionsweresomethinghehadneverdiscussedwithherasmuchashewantedto，forshebecameangry。Butwhenhecamebackstagethatnightitwastoodifficulttocontainhisjoyanylonger。\"You’reaprawn，\"shesaidindisgust。
\"It’swhatIwant。\"
\"Idiot。\"
\"Callingmenameswon’tchangeathing，Jus。\"
\"DoyouthinkIdon’tknowthat？Itaffordsmealittlemuch-neededemotionalrelease，that’sall。\"
\"Ishouldthinkyou’dgetenoughonthestage，playingElectra。You’rereallygood，Jus。\"
\"AfterthisnewsI’llbebetter，\"shesaidgrimly。\"AreyougoingtoSaintPat’s？\"
\"No。I’mgoingtoRome，toCardinaldeBricassart。Mumarrangedit。\"\"Dane，no！It’ssofaraway！\"
\"Well，whydon’tyoucome，too，atleasttoEngland？Withyourbackgroundandabilityyououghttobeabletogetaplacesomewherewithouttoomuchtrouble。\"
ShewassittingatamirrorwipingoffElectra’spaint，stillinElectra’srobes；ringedwithheavyblackarabesques，herstrangeeyesseemedevenstranger。Shenoddedslowly。\"Yes，Icould，couldn’tI？\"sheaskedthoughtfully。\"It’smorethantimeIdid……Australia’sgettingabittoosmall……Right，mate！You’reon！Englanditis！\"
\"Super！Justthink！Igetholidays，youknow，onealwaysdoesintheseminary，asifitwasauniversity。Wecanplantotakethemtogether，triparoundEuropeabit，comehometoDrogheda。Oh，Jus，I’vethoughtitallout！Havingyounotfarawaymakesitperfect。\"
Shebeamed。\"Itdoes，doesn’tit？Lifewouldn’tbethesameifIcouldn’ttalktoyou。\"
\"That’swhatIwasafraidyouweregoingtosay。\"Hegrinned。\"Butseriously，Jus，youworryme。I’dratherhaveyouwhereIcanseeyoufromtimetotime。Otherwisewho’sgoingtobethevoiceofyourconscience？\"Hesliddownbetweenahoplite’shelmetandanawesomemaskofthePythonesstoapositiononthefloorwherehecouldseeher，coilinghimselfintoaneconomicalball，outofthewayofallthefeet。Therewereonlytwostars\"dressingroomsattheCullodenandJustinedidn’trateeitherofthemyet。Shewasinthegeneraldressingroom，amongtheceaselesstraffic。\"BloodyoldCardinaldeBricassart！\"shespat。\"IhatedhimthemomentIlaideyesonhim！\"
Danechuckled。\"Youdidn’t，youknow。\"
\"Idid！Idid！\"
\"No，youdidn’t。AuntAnnetoldmeoneChristmashol，andI’llbetyoudon’tknow。\"
\"Whatdon’tIknow？\"sheaskedwarily。
\"Thatwhenyouwereababyhefedyouabottleandburpedyou，rockedyoutosleep。AuntAnnesaidyouwereahorriblecrankybabyandhatedbeingheld，butwhenheheldyou，youreallylikedit。\"
\"It’saflaminglie！\"
\"No，it’snot。\"Hegrinned。\"Anyway，whydoyouhatehimsomuchnow？\"\"Ijustdo。He’slikeaskinnyoldvulture，andhegivesmethedryheaves。\"
\"Ilikehim。Ialwaysdid。Theperfectpriest，that’swhatFatherWattycallshim。Ithinkheis，too。\"
\"Well，fuckhim，Isay！\"
\"Justine！\"
\"Shockedyouthattime，didn’tI？I’llbetyounevereventhoughtIknewthatword。\"
Hiseyesdanced。\"Doyouknowwhatitmeans？Tellme，Jussy，goon，Idareyou！\"
Shecouldneverresisthimwhenheteased；herowneyesbegantotwinkle。\"YoumightbegoingtobeaFatherRhubarb，youprawn，butifyoudon’talreadyknowwhatitmeans，you’dbetternotinvestigate。\"
Hegrewserious。\"Don’tworry，Iwon’t。\"
AveryshapelypairoffemalelegsstoppedbesideDane，pivoted。Helookedup，wentred，lookedaway，andsaid，\"Oh，hello，Martha，\"inacasualvoice。\"Helloyourself。\"
Shewasanextremelybeautifulgirl，alittleshortonactingabilitybutsodecorativeshewasanassettoanyproduction；shealsohappenedtobeexactlyDane’scupoftea，andJustinehadlistenedtohisadmiringcommentsabouthermorethanonce。Tall，whatthemoviemagazinesalwayscalledsexsational，verydarkofhairandeye，fairofskin，withmagnificentbreasts。
PerchingherselfonthecornerofJustine’stable，sheswungonelegprovocativelyunderDane’snoseandwatchedhimwithanundisguisedappreciationheclearlyfounddisconcerting。Lord，hewasreallysomething！Howhadplainoldcart-horseJuscollectedherselfabrotherwholookedlikethis？Hemightbeonlyeighteenanditmightbecradle-snatching，butwhocared？
\"Howaboutcomingovertomyplaceforcoffeeandwhatever？\"sheasked，lookingdownatDane。\"Thetwoofyou？\"sheaddedreluctantly。Justineshookherheadpositively，hereyeslightingupatasuddenthought。\"No，thanks，Ican’t。You’llhavetobecontentwithDane。\"Heshookhisheadjustaspositively，butratherregretfully，asifhewastrulytempted。\"Thanksanyway，Martha，butIcan’t。\"Heglancedathiswatchasatasavior。\"Lord，I’veonlygotaminuteleftonmymeter！Howmuchlongerareyougoingtobe，Jus？\"
\"Abouttenminutes。\"
\"I’llwaitforyououtside，allright？\"
\"Chicken！\"shemocked。
Martha’sduskyeyesfollowedhim。\"Heisabsolutelygorgeous。Whywon’thelookatme？\"
Justinegrinnedsourly，scrubbedherfacecleanatlast。Thefreckleswerecomingback。MaybeLondonwouldhelp；nosun。\"Oh，don’tworry，helooks。He’dlike，too。Butwillhe？NotDane。\"
\"Why？What’sthematterwithhim？Nevertellmehe’sapoof！Shit，whyisiteverygorgeousmanImeetisapoof？IneverthoughtDanewas，though；hedoesn’tstrikemethatwayatall。\"
\"Watchyourlanguage，youdumbwart！Hemostcertainlyisn’tapoof。Infact，thedayhelooksatSweetWilliam，ourscreamingjuvenile，I’llcuthisthroatandSweetWilliam’s，too。\"
\"Well，ifheisn’tapansyandhelikes，whydoesn’thetake？Doesn’thegetmymessage？DoeshethinkI’mtoooldforhim？\"\"Sweetie，atahundredyouwon’tbetoooldfortheaverageman，don’tworryaboutit。No，Dane’sswornoffsexforlife，thefool。He’sgoingtobeapriest。\"
Martha’slushmouthdroppedopen，sheswungbackhermaneofinkyhair。\"Goon！\"
\"True，true。\"
\"Youmeantosayallthat’sgoingtobewasted？\"\"Afraidso。He’sofferingittoGod。\"
\"ThenGod’sabiggerpoofterthanSweetWillie。\"
\"Youmightberight，\"saidJustine。\"Hecertainlyisn’ttoofondofwomen，anyway。Second-class，that’sus，waybackintheUpperCircle。FrontStallsandtheMezzanine，strictlymale。\"
\"Oh。\"
JustinewriggledoutofElectra’srobe，flungathincottondressoverherhead，remembereditwaschillyoutside，addedacardigan，andpattedMarthakindlyonthehead。\"Don’tworryaboutit，sweetie。Godwasverygoodtoyou；hedidn’tgiveyouanybrains。Believeme，it’sfarmorecomfortablethatway。You’llneveroffertheLordsofCreationanycompetition。\"
\"Idon’tknow，Iwouldn’tmindcompetingwithGodforyourbrother。\"\"Forgetit。You’refightingtheEstablishment，anditjustcan’tbedone。You’dseduceSweetWilliefarquicker，takemywordforit。\"
AVaticancarmetDaneattheairport，whiskedhimthroughsunnyfadedstreetsfullofhandsome，smilingpeople；hegluedhisnosetothewindowanddrankitallin，unbearablyexcitedatseeingforhimselfthethingshehadseenonlyinpictures-theRomancolumns，therococopalaces，theRenaissancegloryofSaintPeter’s。
Andwaitingforhim，cladthistimeinscarletfromheadtofoot，wasRalphRaoul，CardinaldeBricassart。Thehandwasoutstretched，itsringglowing；Danesankonbothkneestokissit。
\"Standup，Dane，letmelookatyou。\"
Hestood，smilingatthetallmanwhowasalmostexactlyhisownheight；theycouldlookeachotherhitheeye。ToDanetheCardinalhadanimmenseauraofspiritualpowerwhichmadehimthinkofapoperatherthanasaint，yetthoseintenselysadeyeswerenottheeyesofapope。Howmuchhemusthavesufferedtoappearso，buthownoblyhemusthaverisenabovehissufferingtobecomethismostperfectofpriests。AndCardinalRalphgazedatthesonhedidnotknowwashisson，lovinghim，hethought，becausehewasdearMeggie’sboy。Justsowouldhehavewantedtoseeasonofhisownbody；astall，asstrikinglygoodlooking，asgraceful。Inallhislifehehadneverseenamanmovesowell。Butfarmoresatisfyingthananyphysicalbeautywasthesimplebeautyofhissoul。Hehadthestrengthoftheangels，andsomethingoftheirunearthliness。Hadhebeensohimself，ateighteen？Hetriedtoremember，spanthecrowdedeventsofthreefifthsofalifetime；no，hehadneverbeenso。Wasitbecausethisonecametrulyofhisownchoice？Forhehimselfhadnot，thoughhehadhadthevocation，ofthatmuchhestillwassure。
\"Sitdown，Dane。DidyoudoasIasked，starttolearnItalian？\"\"AtthisstageIspeakitfluentlybutwithoutidiom，andIreaditverywell。Probablythefactthatit’smyfourthlanguagemakesiteasier。Iseemtohaveatalentforlanguages。AcoupleofweekshereandIoughttopickupthevernacular。\"
\"Yes，youwill。I，too，haveatalentforlanguages。\"
\"Well，they’rehandy，\"saidDanelamely。Theawesomescarletfigurewasalittledaunting；itwassuddenlyhardtorememberthemanonthechestnutgeldingatDrogheda。
CardinalRalphleanedforward，watchinghim。
\"Ipasstheresponsibilityforhimtoyou，Ralph，\"Meggie’sletterhadsaid。\"Ichargeyouwithhiswellbeing，hishappiness。WhatIstole，Igiveback。Itisdemandedofme。Onlypromisemetwothings，andI’llrestintheknowledgeyou’veactedinhisbestinterests。First，promisemeyou’llmakesurebeforeyouaccepthimthatthisiswhathetruly，absolutelywants。Secondly，thatifthisiswhathewants，you’llkeepyoureyeonhim，makesureitremainswhathewants。Ifheshouldloseheartforit，Iwanthimback。Forhebelongedtomefirst。ItisIwhogiveshimtoyou。\"\"Dane，areyousure？\"askedtheCardinal。
\"Absolutely。\"
\"Why？\"
Hiseyeswerecuriouslyaloof，uncomfortablyfamiliar，butfamiliarinawaywhichwasofthepast。
\"BecauseoftheloveIbearOurLord。IwanttoserveHimasHispriestallofmydays。\"
\"DoyouunderstandwhatHisserviceentails，Dane？\"\"Yes。\"
\"ThatnootherlovemustevercomebetweenyouandHim？ThatyouareHisexclusively，forsakingallothers？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"ThatHisWillbedoneinallthings，thatinHisserviceyoumustburyyourpersonality，yourindividuality，yourconceptofyourselfasuniquelyimportant？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Thatifnecessaryyoumustfacedeath，imprisonment，starvationinHisName？Thatyoumustownnothing，valuenothingwhichmighttendtolessenyourloveforHim？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Areyoustrong，Dane？\"
\"Iamaman，YourEminence。Iamfirstaman。Itwillb[*thorn]hard，Iknow。ButIpraythatwithHishelpIshallfindthestrength。\"
\"Mustitbethis，Dane？Willnothinglessthanthiscontentyou？\"\"Nothing。\"
\"Andiflateronyoushouldchangeyourmind，whatwouldyoudo？\"\"Why，Ishouldasktoleave，\"saidDane，surprised。\"IfIchangedmyminditwouldbebecauseIhadgenuinelymistakenmyvocation，fornootherreason。ThereforeIshouldasktoleave。Iwouldn’tbelovingHimanyless，butI’dknowthisisn’tthewayHemeansmetoserveHim。\"
\"Butonceyourfinalvowsaretakenandyouareordained，yourealizetherecanbenogoingback，nodispensation，absolutelynorelease？\"\"Iunderstandthat，\"saidDanepatiently。\"Butifthereisadecisiontobemade，Iwillhavecometoitbeforethen。\"CardinalRalphleanedbackinhischair，sighed。Hadheeverbeenthatsure？Hadheeverbeenthatstrong？\"Whytome，Dane？WhydidyouwanttocometoRome？WhynothaveremainedinAustralia？\"\"MumsuggestedRome，butithadbeeninmymindasadreamforalongtime。Ineverthoughttherewasenoughmoney。\"
\"Yourmotherisverywise。Didn’tshetellyou？\"\"Tellmewhat，YourEminence？\"
\"Thatyouhaveanincomeoffivethousandpoundsayearandmanythousandsofpoundsalreadyinthebankinyourownname？\"Danestiffened。\"No。Shenevertoldme。\"
\"Verywise。Butit’sthere，andRomeisyoursifyouwant。DoyouwantRome？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Whydoyouwantme，Dane？\"
\"Becauseyou’remyconceptionoftheperfectpriest，YourEminence。\"CardinalRalph’sfacetwisted。\"No，Dane，youcan’tlookuptomeasthat。I’mfarfromaperfectpriest。Ihavebrokenallmyvows，doyouunderstand？Ihadtolearnwhatyoualreadyseemtoknowinthemostpainfulwayapriestcan，throughthebreakingofmyvows。ForIrefusedtoadmitthatIwasfirstamortalman，andonlyafterthatapriest。\"
\"YourEminence，itdoesn’tmatter，\"saidDanesoftly。\"Whatyousaydoesn’tmakeyouanylessmyconceptionoftheperfectpriest。Ithinkyoudon’tunderstandwhatImean，that’sall。Idon’tmeananinhumanautomaton，abovetheweaknessesoftheflesh。Imeanthatyou’vesuffered，andgrown。DoIsoundpresumptuous？Idon’tintendto，truly。IfI’veoffendedyou，Ibegyourpardon。It’sisn’tthatit’ssohardtoexpressmythoughts！WhatImeanisthatbecomingaperfectpriestmusttakeyears，terriblepain，andallthetimekeepingbeforeyouanideal，andOurLord。\"
Thetelephonerang；CardinalRalphpickeditupinaslightlyunsteadyhand，spokeinItalian。
\"Yes，thankyou，we’llcomeatonce。\"Hegottohisfeet。\"It’stimeforafternoontea，andwe’retohaveitwithanold，oldfriendofmine。NexttotheHolyFatherhe’sprobablythemostimportantpriestintheChurch。Itoldhimyouwerecoming，andheexpressedawishtomeetyou。\"
\"Thankyou，YourEminence。\"
Theywalkedthroughcorridors，thenthroughpleasantgardensquiteunlikeDrogheda’s，withtallcypressesandpoplars，neatrectanglesofgrasssurroundedbypillaredwalkways，mossyflagstones；pastGothicarches，underRenaissancebridges。Danedrankitin，lovingit。SuchadifferentworldfromAustralia，soold，perpetual。
Ittookthemfifteenminutesatabriskpacetoreachthepalace；theyentered，andpassedupagreatmarblestaircasehungwithpricelesstapestries。
VittorioScarbanza，CardinaldiContini-Verchesewassixty-sixnow，hisbodypartiallycrippledbyarheumaticcomplaint，buthismindasintelligentandalertasithadalwaysbeen。Hispresentcat，aRussianbluenamedNatasha，wascurledpurringinhislap。Sincehecouldn’trisetogreethisvisitorshecontentedhimselfwithawidesmile，andbeckonedthem。HiseyespassedfromRalph’sbelovedfacetoDaneO’neillandwidened，narrowed，fixedonhimstilly。Withinhischesthefelthisheartfalter，putthewelcominghandtoitinaninstinctivegestureofprotection，andsatstaringstupidlyupattheyoungereditionofRalphdeBricassart。\"Vittorio，areyouallright？\"CardinalRalphaskedanxiously，takingthefrailwristbetweenhisfingers，feelingforapulse。\"Alittlepassingpain，nomore。Sitdown，sitdown！\"
\"First，I’dlikeyoutomeetDaneO’neill，whoisasItoldyouthesonofaverydearfriendofmine。Dane，thisisHisEminenceCardinaldiContini-Verchese。\"
Daneknelt，pressedhislipstothering；overhisbenttawnyheadCardinalVittorio’sgazesoughtRalph’sface，scanneditmorecloselythaninmanyyears。Veryslightlyherelaxed；shehadnevertoldhim，then。Andhewouldn’tsuspect，ofcourse，whateveryonewhosawthemtogetherwouldinstantlysurmise。Notfather-son，ofcourse，butacloserelationshipoftheblood。PoorRalph！Hehadneverseenhimselfwalk，neverwatchedtheexpressionsonhisownface，nevercaughttheupwardflightofhisownlefteyebrow。TrulyGodwasgood，tomakemensoblind。\"Sitdown。Theteaiscoming。So，youngman！Youwishtobeapriest，andhavesoughttheassistanceofCardinaldeBricassart？\"\"Yes，YourEminence。\"
\"Youhavechosenwisely。Underhiscareyouwillcometonoharm。Butyoulookalittlenervous，myson。Isitthestrangeness？\"DanesmiledRalph’ssmile，perhapsminusconsciouscharm，butsomuchRalph’ssmileitcaughtatanold，tiredheartlikeapassingflickfrombarbedwire。\"I’moverwhelmed，YourEminence。Ihadn’trealizedquitehowimportantcardinalsare。IneverdreamedI’dbemetattheairport，orbehavingteawithyou。\"
\"Yes，itisunusual……Perhapsasourceoftrouble，Iseethat。Ah，hereisourtea！\"Pleased，hewatcheditlaidout，liftedanadmonishingfinger。\"Ah，no！Ishallbe\"mother。\"Howdoyoutakeyourtea，Dane？\"\"ThesameasRalph，\"heanswered，blusheddeeply。\"I’msorry，YourEminence，Ididn’tmeantosaythat！\"
\"It’sallright，Dane，CardinaldiContini-Vercheseunderstands。WemetfirstasDaneandRalph，andwekneweachotherfarbetterthatway，didn’twe？Formalityisnewtoourrelationship。I’dpreferitremainDaneandRalphinprivate。HisEminencewon’tmind，willyou，Vittorio？\"\"No。IamfondofChristiannames。ButreturningtowhatIwassayingabouthavingfriendsinhighplaces，myson。Itcouldbeatrifleuncomfortableforyouwhenyouenterwhicheverseminaryisdecidedupon，thislongfriendshipwithourRalph。Tohavetokeepgoingintoinvolvedexplanationseverytimetheconnectionbetweenyouisremarkeduponwouldbeverytedious。SometimesOurLordpermitsofalittlewhitelie\"-hesmiled，thegoldinhisteethflashing-\"andforeveryone’scomfortIwouldpreferthatweresorttoonesuchtinyfib。Foritisdifficulttoexplainsatisfactorilythetenuousconnectionsoffriendship，butveryeasytoexplainthecrimsoncordofblood。SowewillsaytoallandsundrythatCardinaldeBricassartisyouruncle，myDane，andleaveitatthat，\"endedCardinalVittoriosuavely。Danelookedshocked，CardinalRalphresigned。\"Donotbedisappointedinthegreat，myson，\"saidCardinalVittoriogently。\"They，too，havefeetofclay，andresorttocomfortvialittlewhitelies。Itisaveryusefullessonyouhavejustlearned，butlookingatyou，Idoubtyouwilltakeadvantageofit。However，youmustunderstandthatwescarletgentlemenarediplomatstoourfingertips。TrulyIthinkonlyofyou，myson。Jealousyandresentmentarenotstrangerstoseminariesanymorethantheyaretosecularinstitutions。YouwillsufferalittlebecausetheythinkRalphisyouruncle，yourmother’sbrother，butyouwouldsufferfarmoreiftheythoughtnobloodbondlinkedyoutogether。Wearefirstmen，anditiswithmenyouwilldealinthisworldasinothers。\"
Danebowedhishead，thenleanedforwardtostrokethecat，pausingwithhishandextended。\"MayI？Ilovecats，YourEminence。\"
Noquickerpathwaytothatoldbutconstantheartcouldhehavefound。\"Youmay。Iconfessshegrowstooheavyforme。Sheisaglutton，areyounot，Natasha？GotoDane；heisthenewgeneration。\"
TherewasnopossibilityofJustinetransferringherselfandherbelongingsfromthesoutherntothenorthernhemisphereasquicklyasDanehad；bythetimesheworkedouttheseasonattheCullodenandbadeanotunregretfulfarewelltoBothwellGardens，herbrotherhadbeeninRometwomonths。\"HowonearthdidImanagetoaccumulatesomuchjunk？\"sheasked，surroundedbyclothes，papers，boxes。
Meggielookedupfromwhereshewascrouched，aboxofsteelwoolsoappadsinherhand。
\"Whatwerethesedoingunderyourbed？\"
Alookofprofoundreliefsweptacrossherdaughter’sflushedface。\"Oh，thankGod！Isthatwheretheywere？IthoughtMrs。D’spreciouspoodleatethem；he’sbeenoffcolorforaweekandIwasn’tgametomentionmymissingsoappads。ButIknewthewretchedanimalatethem；he’lleatanythingthatdoesn’teathimfirst。Not，\"continuedJustinethoughtfully，\"thatIwouldn’tbegladtoseethelastofhim。\"
Meggiesatbackonherheels，laughing。\"Oh，Jus！Doyouknowhowfunnyyouare？\"Shethrewtheboxontothebedamongamountainofthingsalreadythere。\"You’renocredittoDrogheda，areyou？Afterallthecarewetookpushingneatnessandtidinessintoyourhead，too。\"
\"Icouldhavetoldyouitwasalostcause。DoyouwanttotakethesoappadsbacktoDrogheda？IknowI’msailingandmyluggageisunlimited，butIdaresaytherearetonsofsoappadsinLondon。\"
MeggietransferredtheboxintoalargecartonmarkedMRS。D。\"Ithinkwe’dbetterdonatethemtoMrs。Devine；shehastorenderthisflathabitableforthenexttenant。\"Anunsteadytowerofunwasheddishesstoodontheendofthetable，sproutinggruesomewhiskersofmold。\"Doyoueverwashyourdishes？\"
Justinechuckledunrepentantly。\"DanesaysIdon’twashthematall，Ishavetheminstead。\"
\"You’dhavetogivethislotahaircutfirst。Whydon’tyouwashthemasyouusethem？\"
\"Becauseitwouldmeantrekkingdowntothekitchenagain，andsinceIusuallyeataftermidnight，nooneappreciatesthepatterofmylittlefeet。\"\"Givemeoneoftheemptyboxes。I’lltakethemdownanddisposeofthemnow，\"saidhermother，resigned；shehadknownbeforevolunteeringtocomewhatwasboundtobeinstoreforher，andhadbeenratherlookingforwardtoit。Itwasn’tveryoftenanyonehadthechancetohelpJustinedoanything；wheneverMeggiehadtriedtohelphershehadendedfeelinganutterfool。Butindomesticmattersthesituationwasreversedforonce；shecouldhelptoherheart’scontentwithoutfeelingafool。
Somehowitgotdone，andJustineandMeggiesetoutinthestationwagonMeggiehaddrivendownfromGilly，boundfortheHotelAustralia，whereMeggiehadasuite。
\"IwishyouDroghedapeoplewouldbuyahouseatPalmBeachorAvalon，\"Justinesaid，depositinghercaseinthesuite’ssecondbedroom。\"Thisisterrible，rightaboveMartinPlace。Justimaginebeingahop，skipandjumpfromthesurf！Wouldn’tthatinduceyoutohustleyourselvesonaplanefromGillymoreoften？\"
\"WhyshouldIcometoSydney？I’vebeendowntwiceinthelastsevenyears-toseeDaneoff，andnowtoseeyouoff。Ifwehadahouseitwouldneverbeused。\"
\"Codswallop。\"
\"Why？11
\"Why？Becausethere’smoretotheworldthanbloodyDrogheda，dammit！Thatplace，itdrivesmebatty！\"
Meggiesighed。\"Believeme，Justine，there’llcomeatimewhenyou’llyearntocomehometoDrogheda。\"
\"DoesthatgoforDane，too？\"
Silence。Withoutlookingatherdaughter，Meggietookherbagfromthetable。\"We’llbelate。MadameRochersaidtwoo’clock。Ifyouwantyourdressesbeforeyousail，we’dbetterhurry。\"
\"Iamputinmyplace，\"Justinesaid，andgrinned。\"Whyisit，Justine，thatyoudidn’tintroducemetoanyofyourfriends？Ididn’tseeasignofanyoneatBothwellGardensexceptMrs。Devine，\"MeggiesaidastheysatinGermaineRocher’ssalonwatchingthelanguidmannequinspreenandsimper。
\"Oh，they’reabitshy……Ilikethatorangething，don’tyou？\"\"Notwithyourhair。Settleforthegrey。\"
\"Pooh！Ithinkorangegoesperfectlywithmyhair。IngreyIlooklikesomethingthecatdraggedin，sortofmuddyandhalfrotten。Movewiththetimes，Mum。Redheadsdon’thavetobeseeninwhite，grey，black，emeraldgreenorthathorriblecolor-you’resoaddictedto-whatisit，ashesofroses？Victorian！\"
\"Youhavethenameofthecolorright，\"Meggiesaid。Sheturnedtolookatherdaughter。\"You’reamonster，\"shesaidwryly，butwithaffection。Justinedidn’tpayanyattention；itwasnotthefirsttimeshehadheardit。\"I’lltaketheorange，thescarlet，thepurpleprint，themossgreen，theburgundysuit……\"
Meggiesattornbetweenlaughterandrage。WhatcouldonedowithadaughterlikeJustine？
TheHimalayasailedfromDarlingHarborthreedayslater。Shewasalovelyoldship，flat-hulledandveryseaworthy，builtinthedayswhennoonewasinatearinghurryandeveryoneacceptedthefactEnglandwasfourweeksawayviaSuezorfiveweeksawayviatheCapeofGoodHope。Nowadayseventheoceanlinerswerestreamlined，hullsshapedlikedestroyerstogettherefaster。Butwhattheydidtoasensitivestomachmadeseasonedsailorsquail。\"Whatfun！\"Justinelaughed。\"We’vegotawholelovelyfootieteaminfirstclass，soitwon’tbeasdullasIthought。Someofthemaregorgeous。\"
\"Nowaren’tyougladIinsistedonfirstclass？\"\"Isupposeso。\"
\"Justine，youbringouttheworstinme，youalwayshave，\"Meggiesnapped，losinghertemperatwhatshetookforingratitude。Justthisoncecouldn’tthelittlewretchatleastpretendshewassorrytobegoing？\"Stubborn，pig-headed，self-willed！Youexasperateme。\"
ForamomentJustinedidn’tanswer，butturnedherheadawayasifshewasmoreinterestedinthefactthattheall-ashoregongwasringingthaninwhathermotherwassaying。Shebitthetremorfromherlips，putabrightsmileonthem。\"IknowIexasperateyou，\"shesaidcheerfullyasshefacedhermother。\"Nevermind，wearewhatweare。Asyoualwayssay，Itakeaftermydad。\"
Theyembracedself-consciouslybeforeMeggieslippedthankfullyintothecrowdsconvergingongangwaysandwaslosttosight。Justinemadeherwayuptothesundeckandstoodbytherailwithrollsofcoloredstreamersinherhands。Farbelowonthewharfshesawthefigureinthepinkish-greydressandhatwalktotheappointedspot，standshadinghereyes。Funny，atthisdistanceonecouldseeMumwasgettinguptowardfifty。Somewaytogoyet，butitwasthereinherstance。Theywavedinthesamemoment，thenJustinethrewthefirstofherstreamersandMeggiecaughtitsenddeftly。Ared，ablue，ayellow，apink，agreen，anorange；spiralingroundandround，tugginginthebreeze。
Apipebandhadcometobidthefootballteamfarewellandstoodwithpennonsflying，plaidsbillowing，skirlingaquaintversionof\"NowIstheHour。\"Theship’srailswerethickwithpeoplehangingover，holdingdesperatelytotheirendsofthethinpaperstreamers；onthewharfhundredsofpeoplecranedtheirnecksupward，lingeringhungrilyonthefacesgoingsofaraway，youngfacesmostly，offtoseewhatthehubofcivilizationontheothersideoftheworldwasreallylike。Theywouldlivethere，workthere，perhapscomebackintwoyears，perhapsnotcomebackatall。Andeveryoneknewit，wondered。
Theblueskywasplumpedwithsilver-whitecloudsandtherewasatearingSydneywind。Sunwarmedtheupturnedheadsandtheshoulderbladesofthoseleaningdown；agreatmulticoloredswathofvibratingribbonsjoinedshipandshore。Thensuddenlyagapappearedbetweentheoldboat’ssideandthewoodenstrutsofthewharf；theairfilledwithcriesandsobs；andonebyoneintheirthousandsthestreamersbroke，flutteredwildly，saggedlimplyandcrisscrossedthesurfaceofthewaterlikeamangledloom，joinedtheorangepeelsandthejellyfishtofloataway。
Justinekeptdoggedlytoherplaceattherailuntilthewharfwasafewhardlinesandlittlepinkpinheadsinthedistance；theHimalaya’stugsturnedher，towedherhelplesslyundertheboomingdecksoftheSydneyHarborBridge，outintothemainstreamofthatexquisitestretchofsunnywater。Itwasn’tlikegoingtoManlyontheferryatall，thoughtheyfollowedthesamepathpastNeutralBayandRoseBayandCremorneandVaucluse；no。ForthistimeitwasoutthroughtheHeads，beyondthecruelcliffsandthehighlacefansoffoam，intotheocean。Twelvethousandmilesofit，totheothersideoftheworld。Andwhethertheycamehomeagainornot，theywouldbelongneitherherenorthere，fortheywouldhavelivedontwocontinentsandsampledtwodifferentwaysoflife。
Money，Justinediscovered，madeLondonamostalluringplace。NotforherapennilessexistenceclingingtothefringesofEarl’sCourt-\"KangarooValley\"theycalleditbecausesomanyAustraliansmadeittheirheadquarters。NotforherthetypicalfateofAustraliansinEngland，youth-hostelingonashoestring，workingforapittanceinsomeofficeorschoolorhospital，shiveringthin-bloodedoveratinyradiatorinacold，damproom。Instead，forJustineamewsflatinKensingtonclosetoKnightsbridge，centrallyheated；andaplaceinthecompanyofClydeDaltinham-Roberts，TheElizabethanGroup。WhenthesummercameshecaughtatraintoRome。Inafteryearsshewouldsmile，rememberinghowlittleshesawofthatlongjourneyacrossFrance，downItaly；herwholemindwasoccupiedwiththethingsshehadtotellDane，memorizingthoseshesimplymustn’tforget。Thereweresomanyshewasboundtoleavesomeout。
WasthatDane？Thetall，fairmanontheplatform，wasthatDane？Hedidn’tlookanydifferent，andyethewasastranger。Notofherworldanymore。Thecryshewasgoingtogivetoattracthisattentiondiedunuttered；shedrewbackalittleinherseattowatchhim，forthetrainhadhaltedonlyafewfeetbeyondwherehestood，blueeyesscanningthewindowswithoutanxiety。Itwasgoingtobeaprettyone-sidedconversationwhenshetoldhimaboutlifesincehehadgoneaway，forsheknewnowtherewasnothirstinhimtosharewhatheexperiencedwithher。Damnhim！Hewasn’therbabybrotheranymore；thelifehewaslivinghadaslittletodowithherasitdidwithDrogheda。Oh，Dane！What’sitliketolivesomethingtwenty-fourhoursofeveryday？
\"Hah！ThoughtI’ddraggedyoudownhereonawild-goosechase，didn’tyou？\"shesaid，creepingupbehindhimunseen。
Heturned，squeezedherhandsandstareddownather，smiling。\"Prawn，\"hesaidlovingly，takingherbiggersuitcaseandtuckingherfreearminhis。\"It’sgoodtoseeyou，\"headdedashehandedherintotheredLagondahedroveeverywhere；Danehadalwaysbeenasportscarfanatic，andhadownedonesincehewasoldenoughtoholdalicense。
\"Goodtoseeyou，too。Ihopeyoufoundmeanicepub，becauseImeantwhatIwrote。IrefusetobestuckinaVaticancellamongaheapofcelibates。\"Shelaughed。
\"Theywouldn’thaveyou，notwiththeDevil’shair。I’vebookedyouintoalittlepensionnotfarfromme，buttheyspeakEnglishsoyouneedn’tworryifI’mnotwithyou。AndinRomeit’snoproblemgettingaroundonEnglish；there’susuallysomeonewhocanspeakit。\"
\"TimeslikethisIwishIhadyourgiftforforeignlanguages。ButI’llmanage；I’mverygoodatmimesandcharades。\"
\"Ihavetwomonths，Jussy，isn’titsuper？SowecantakealookatFranceandSpainandstillhaveamonthonDrogheda。Imisstheoldplace。\"\"Doyou？\"Sheturnedtolookathim，atthebeautifulhandsguidingthecarexpertlythroughthecrazyRomantraffic。\"Idon’tmissitatall；London’stoointeresting。\"
\"Youdon’tfoolme，\"hesaid。\"IknowwhatDroghedaandMummeantoyou。\"Justineclenchedherhandsinherlapbutdidn’tanswerhim。\"Doyoumindhavingteawithsomefriendsofminethisafternoon？\"heaskedwhentheyhadarrived。\"Iratheranticipatedthingsbyacceptingforyoualready。They’resoanxioustomeetyou，andasI’mnotafreemanuntiltomorrow，Ididn’tliketosayno。\"
\"Prawn！WhyshouldImind？IfthiswasLondonI’dbeinundatingyouwithmyfriends，sowhyshouldn’tyou？I’mgladyou’regivingmealook-seeattheblokesintheseminary，thoughit’sabitunfairtome，isn’tit？Handsoffthelotofthem。\"
Shewalkedtothewindow，lookeddownatashabbylittlesquarewithtwotiredplanetreesinitspavedquadrangle，threetablesstrewnwiththem，andtoonesideachurchofnoparticulararchitecturalgraceorbeauty，coveredinpeelingstucco。
\"Dane……\"
\"Yes？\"
\"Idounderstand，reallyIdo。\"
\"Yes，Iknow。\"Hisfacelostitssmile。\"IwishMumdid，Jus。\"\"Mum’sdifferent。Shefeelsyoudesertedher；shedoesn’trealizeyouhaven’t。Nevermindabouther。She’llcomeroundintime。\"
\"Ihopeso。\"Helaughed。\"Bytheway，itisn’ttheblokesfromtheseminaryyou’regoingtomeettoday。Iwouldn’tsubjectthemoryoutosuchtemptation。It’sCardinaldeBricassart。Iknowyoudon’tlikehim，butpromiseyou’llbegood。\"
Hereyeslitwithpeculiarwitchery。\"Ipromise！I’llevenkisseveryringthat’sofferedtome。\"
\"Oh，youremember！Iwassomadatyouthatday，shamingmeinfrontofhim。\"
\"Well，sincethenI’vekissedalotofthingslesshygienicthanaring。There’sonehorriblepimplyyouthinactingclasswithhalitosisanddecayedtonsilsandarottenstomachIhadtokissatotaloftwenty-ninetimes，andIcanassureyou，mate，thatafterhimnothing’simpossible。\"Shepattedherhair，turnedfromthemirror。\"HaveIgottimetochange？\"\"Oh，don’tworryaboutthat。Youlookfine。\"
\"Whoelseisgoingtobethere？\"
Thesunwastoolowtowarmtheancientsquare，andtheleprouspatchesontheplanetreetrunkslookedworn，sick。Justineshivered。\"CardinaldiContini-Verchesewillbethere。\"
Shehadheardthatname，andopenedhereyeswider。\"Phew！Youmoveinprettyexaltedcircles，don’tyou？\"
\"Yes。Itrytodeserveit。\"
\"Doesitmeansomepeoplemakeithardonyouinotherareasofyourlifehere，Dane？\"sheasked，shrewdly。
\"No，notreally。Whooneknowsisn’timportant。Ineverthinkofit，sonordoesanyoneelse。\"
Theroom，theredmen！NeverinallherlifehadJustinebeensoconsciousoftheredundancyofwomeninthelivesofsomemenasatthatmoment，walkingintoaworldwherewomensimplyhadnoplaceexceptashumblenunservants。Shewasstillintheolive-greenlinensuitshehadputonoutsideTurin，rathercrumpledfromthetrain，andsheadvancedacrossthesoftcrimsoncarpetcursingDane’seagernesstobethere，wishingshehadinsistedondonningsomethinglesstravel-marked。
CardinaldeBricassartwasonhisfeet，smiling；whatahandsomeoldmanhewas。
\"MydearJustine，\"hesaid，extendinghisringwithawickedlookwhichindicatedhewellrememberedthelasttime，andsearchingherfaceforsomethingshedidn’tunderstand。\"Youdon’tlookatalllikeyourmother。\"Downononeknee，kissthering，smilehumbly，getup，smilelesshumbly。\"No，Idon’t，doI？Icouldhavedonewithherbeautyinmychosenprofession，butonastageImanage。Becauseithasnothingtodowithwhatthefaceactuallyis，youknow。It’swhatyouandyourartcanconvincepeoplethefaceis。\"
Adrychucklecamefromachair；oncemoreshetrodtosalutearingonanagingwormyhand，butthistimeshelookedupintodarkeyes，andstrangelyinthemsawlove。Loveforher，forsomeonehehadneverseen，couldscarcelyhaveheardmentioned。Butitwasthere。Shedidn’tlikeCardinaldeBricassartanymorenowthanshehadatfifteen，butshewarmedtothisoldman。
\"Sitdown，mydear，\"saidCardinalVittorio，hishandindicatingthechairnexttohim。
\"Hello，pusskins，\"saidJustine，ticklingtheblue-greycatinhisscarletlap。\"She’snice，isn’tshe？\"
\"Indeedsheis。\"
\"What’shername？\"
\"Natasha。\"
Thedooropened，butnottoadmittheteatrolley。Aman，mercifullycladasalayman；onemoreredsoutane，thoughtJustine，andI’llbellowlikeabull。
Buthewasnoordinaryman，evenifhewasalayman。TheyprobablyhadalittlehouseruleintheVatican，continuedJustine’sunrulymind，whichspecificallybarredordinarymen。Notexactlyshort，hewassopowerfullybuiltheseemedmorestockythanhewas，withmassiveshouldersandahugechest，abigleoninehead，longarmslikeashearer。Ape-mannish，exceptthatheexudedintelligenceandmovedwiththegaitofsomeonewhowouldgraspwhateverhewantedtooquicklyforthemindtofollow。Graspitandmaybecrushit，butneveraimlessly，thoughtlessly；withexquisitedeliberation。Hewasdark，buthisthickmaneofhairwasexactlythecolorofsteelwoolandofmuchthesameconsistency，couldsteelwoolhavebeencrimpedintotiny，regularwaves。
\"Rainer，youcomeingoodtime，\"saidCardinalVittorio，indicatingthechaironhisotherside，stillspeakinginEnglish。\"Mydear，\"hesaid，turningtoJustineasthemanfinishedkissinghisringandrose，\"Iwouldlikeyoutomeetaverygoodfriend。HerrRainerMoerlingHartheim。Rainer，thisisDane’ssister，Jus-72tine。
Hebowed，clickinghisheelspunctiliously，gaveherabriefsmilewithoutwarmthandsatdown，justtoofarofftoonesidetosee。Justinebreathedasighofrelief，especiallywhenshesawthatDanehaddrapedhimselfwiththeeaseofhabitonthefloorbesideCardinalRalph’schair，rightinhercentralvision。Whileshecouldseesomeonesheknewandlovedwell，shewouldbeallright。ButtheroomandtheredmenandnowthisdarkmanwerebeginningtoirritatehermorethanDane’spresencecalmed；sheresentedthewaytheyshutherout。Sosheleanedtoonesideandtickledthecatagain，awarethatCardinalVittoriosensedandwasamusedbyherreactions。
\"Isshespayed？\"askedJustine。
\"Ofcourse。\"
\"Ofcourse！ThoughwhyyouneededtobotherIdon’tknow。Justbeingapermanentinhabitantofthisplacewouldbeenoughtoneuteranyone’sovaries。\"
\"Onthecontrary，mydear，\"saidCardinalVittorio，enjoyingherhugely。\"Itiswemenwhohavepsychologicallyneuteredourselves。\"
\"Ibegtodiffer，YourEminence。\"
\"Soourlittleworldantagonizesyou？\"
\"Well，let’sjustsayIfeelabitsuperfluous，YourEminence。Aniceplacetovisit，butIwouldn’twanttolivehere。\"
\"Icannotblameyou。Ialsodoubtthatyouliketovisit。Butyouwillgetusedtous，foryoumustvisitusoften，please。\"
Justinegrinned。\"Ihatebeingonmybestbehavior，\"sheconfided。\"Itbringsouttheabsoluteworstinme。IcanfeelDane’shorrorsfromherewithoutevenlookingathim。\"
\"Iwaswonderinghowlongitwasgoingtolast，\"saidDane，notatallputout。\"ScratchJustine’ssurfaceandyoufindarebel。That’swhyshe’ssuchanicesisterformetohave。I’mnotarebel，butIdoadmirethem。\"HerrHartheimshiftedhischairsothathecouldcontinuetokeepherinhislineofvisionevenwhenshestraightened，stoppedplayingwiththecat。Atthatmomentthebeautifulanimalgrewtiredofthehandwithanalienfemalescent，andwithoutgettingtoitsfeetcrawleddelicatelyfromredlaptogrey，curlingitselfunderHerrHartheim’sstrongsquarestrokinghands，purringsoloudlythateveryonelaughed。
\"Excusemeforliving，\"saidJustine，notproofagainstagoodjokeevenwhenshewasitsvictim。
\"Hermotorisasgoodasever，\"saidHerrHartheim，theamusementworkingfascinatingchangesinhisface。
HisEnglishwassogoodhehardlyhadanaccent，butithadanAmericaninflection；herolledhisrather’s。
Theteacamebeforeeveryonesettleddownagain，andoddlyenoughitwasHerrHartheimwhopoured，handingJustinehercupwithamuchfriendlierlookthanhehadgivenheratintroduction。
\"InaBritishcommunity，\"hesaidtoher，\"afternoonteaisthemostimportantrefreshmentoftheday。Thingshappenoverteacups，don’tthey？Isupposebecausebyitsverynatureitcanbedemandedandtakenatalmostanytimebetweentwoandfive-thirty，andtalkingisthirstywork。\"Thenexthalfhourseemedtoprovehispoint，thoughJustinetooknopartinthecongress。TalkveeredfromtheHolyFather’sprecarioushealthtothecoldwarandthentheeconomicrecession，allfourmenspeakingandlisteningwithanalertnessJustinefoundabsorbing，beginningtogropeforthequalitiestheyshared，evenDane，whowassostrange，somuchanunknown。Hecontributedactively；anditwasn’tlostuponherthatthethreeoldermenlistenedtohimwithacurioushumility，almostasifheawedthem。Hiscommentswereneitheruninformednornaive，buttheyweredifferent，original，holy。Wasitforhisholinesstheypaidsuchseriousattentiontohim？Thathepossessedit，andtheydidn’t？Wasittrulyavirtuetheyadmired，yearnedforthemselves？Wasitsorare？Threemensovastlydifferentonefromtheother，yetfarcloserboundtogetherthananyofthemweretoDane。HowdifficultitwastotakeDaneasseriouslyastheydid！Notthatinmanywayshehadn’tactedasanolderbrotherratherthanayounger；notthatshewasn’tawareofhiswisdom，hisintellectorhisholiness。Butuntilnowhehadbeenapartofherworld。Shehadtogetusedtothefactthathewasn’tanymore。
\"Ifyouwishtogostraighttoyourdevotions，Dane，I’llseeyoursisterbacktoherhotel，\"commandedHerr
RainerMoerlingHartheimwithoutconsultinganyone’swishesonthesubject。Andsoshefoundherselfwalkingtongue-tieddownthemarblestairsinthecompanyofthatsquat，powerfulman。OutsideintheyellowsheenofaRomansunsethetookherelbowandguidedherintoablackMercedeslimousine，itschauffeurstandingtoattention。
\"Come，youdon’twanttospendyourfirsteveninginRomealone，andDaneisotherwiseoccupied，\"hesaid，followingherintothecar。\"You’retiredandbewildered，soit’sbetteryouhavecompany。\"
\"Youdon’tseemtobeleavingmeanychoice，HerrHartheim。\"\"IwouldratheryoucalledmeRainer。\"
\"Youmustbeimportant，havingaposhcarandyourownchauffeur。\"\"I’llbemoreimportantstillwhenI’mchancellorofWestGermany。\"Justinesnorted。\"I’msurprisedyou’renotalready。\"
\"Impudent！I’mtooyoung。\"
\"Areyou？\"Sheturnedsidewaystolookathimmoreclosely，discoveringthathisdarkskinwasunlined，youthful，thatthedeeplyseteyesweren’tembeddedinthefleshysurroundsofage。
\"I’mheavyandI’mgrey，butI’vebeengreysinceIwassixteenandheavysinceI’vehadenoughtoeat。AtthepresentmomentI’mamerethirty-one。\"\"I’lltakeyourwordforit，\"shesaid，kickinghershoesoff。\"That’sstilloldtome-I’msweettwenty-one。\"
\"You’reamonster，\"hesaid，smiling。
\"IsupposeImustbe。Mymothersaysthesamething。OnlyI’mnotsurewhateitherofyoumeansbymonster，soyoucangivemeyourversion，please。\"\"Haveyoualreadygotyourmother’sversion？\"\"I’dembarrassthehelloutofherifIasked。\"
\"Don’tyouthinkyouembarrassme？\"
\"Istronglysuspect，HerrHartheim，thatyou’reamonster，too，soIdoubtifanythingembarrassesyou。\"
\"Amonster，\"hesaidagainunderhisbreath。\"Allrightthen，MissO’neill，I’lltrytodefinethetermforyou。Someonewhoterrifiesothers；rollsoverthetopofpeople；feelssostrongonlyGodcandefeat；hasnoscruplesandfewmorals。\"
Shechuckled。\"Itsoundslikeyou，tome。AndIhavesotoogotmoralsandscruples。I’mDane’ssister。\"
\"Youdon’tlookabitlikehim。\"
\"More’sthepity。\"
\"Hisfacewouldn’tsuityourpersonality。\"
\"You’reundoubtedlyright，butwithhisfaceImighthavedevelopedadifferentpersonality。\"
\"Dependingonwhichcomesfirst，eh，thechickenortheegg？Putyourshoeson；we’regoingtowalk。\"
Itwaswarm，andgrowingdark；butthelightswerebrilliant，therewerecrowdsitseemednomatterwheretheywalked，andtheroadswerejammedwithshriekingmotorscooters，tinyaggressiveFiats，Goggomobilslookinglikehordesofpanickedfrogs。Finallyhehaltedinasmallsquare，itscobblesworntosmoothnessbythefeetofmanycenturies，andguidedJustineintoarestaurant。
\"Unlessyou’dpreferalfresco？\"heasked。
\"Providedyoufeedme，Idon’tmuchcarewhetherit’sinside，outside，orhalfwaybetween。\"
\"MayIorderforyou？\"
Thepaleeyesblinkedalittlewearilyperhaps，buttherewasstillfightinJustine。\"Idon’tknowthatIgoforallthathigh-handedmasterful-malebusiness，\"shesaid。\"Afterall，howdoyouknowwhatIfancy？\"\"SisterAnnacarriesherbanner，\"hemurmured。\"Tellmewhatsortoffoodyoulike，then，andI’llguaranteetopleaseyou。Fish？Veal？\"\"Acompromise？Allright，I’llmeetyouhalfway，whynot？I’llhavepate，somescampiandahugeplateofsaltimbocca，andafterthatI’llhaveacassataandacappuccinocoffee。Fiddlearoundwiththatifyoucan。\"
\"Ioughttoslapyou，\"hesaid，hisgoodhumorquiteunruffled。Hegaveherordertothewaiterexactlyasshehadstipulatedit，butinrapidItalian。\"YousaidIdon’tlookabitlikeDane。Aren’tIlikehiminanywayatall？\"sheaskedalittlepatheticallyovercoffee，toohungrytohavewastedtimetalkingwhiletherewasfoodonthetable。Helithercigarette，thenhisown，andleanedintotheshadowstowatchherquietly，thinkingbacktohisfirstmeetingwiththeboymonthsago。CardinaldeBricassartminusfortyyearsoflife；hehadseenitimmediately，andthenhadlearnedtheywereuncleandnephew，thatthemotheroftheboyandthegirlwasRalphdeBricassart’ssister。
\"Thereisalikeness，yes，\"hesaid。\"Sometimesevenoftheface。Expressionsfarmorethanfeatures。Aroundtheeyesandthemouth，inthewayyouholdyoureyesopenandyourmouthsclosed。Oddlyenough，notlikenessesyousharewithyouruncletheCardinal。\"
\"UncletheCardinal？\"sherepeatedblankly。
\"CardinaldeBricassart。Isn’theyouruncle？Now，I’msureIwastoldhewas。\"
\"Thatoldvulture？He’snorelationofours，thankheavens。Heusedtobeourparishpriestyearsago，alongtimebeforeIwasborn。\"
Shewasveryintelligent；butshewasalsoverytired。Poorlittlegirl-forthatwaswhatshewas，alittlegirl。Thetenyearsbetweenthemyawnedlikeahundred。Tosuspectwouldbringherworldtoruins，andshewassovaliantindefenseofit。Probablyshewouldrefusetoseeit，evenifsheweretoldoutright。Howtomakeitseemunimportant？Notlaborthepoint，definitelynot，butnotdropitimmediately，either。
\"Thataccountsforit，then，\"hesaidlightly。\"Accountsforwhat？\"
\"ThefactthatDane’slikenesstotheCardinalisingeneralthings-height，coloring，build。\"
\"Oh！MygrandmothertoldmeourfatherwasratherliketheCardinaltolookat，\"saidJustinecomfortably。
\"Haven’tyoueverseenyourfather？\"
\"Notevenapictureofhim。HeandMumseparatedforgoodbeforeDanewasborn。\"Shebeckonedthewaiter。\"I’dlikeanothercappuccino，please。\"\"Justine，you’reasavage！Letmeorderforyou！\"\"No，dammit，Iwon’t！I’mperfectlycapableofthinkingformyself，andIdon’tneedsomebloodymanalwaystotellmewhatIwantandwhenIwantit，doyouhear？\"
\"Scratchthesurfaceandonefindsarebel；thatwaswhatDanesaid。\"\"He’sright。Oh，ifyouknewhowIhatebeingpettedandcossetedandfussedover！Iliketoactformyself，andIwon’tbetoldwhattodo！Idon’taskforquarter，butIdon’tgiveany，either。\"
\"Icanseethat，\"hesaiddryly。\"Whatmadeyouso，Herzchen？Doesitruninthefamily？\"
\"Doesit？Ihonestlydon’tknow。Therearen’tenoughwomentotell，Isuppose。Onlyonepergeneration。Nanna，andMum，andme。Heapsofmen，though。\"
\"Exceptinyourgenerationtherearenotheapsofmen。OnlyDane。\"\"DuetothefactMumleftmyfather，Iexpect。Sheneverseemedtogetinterestedinanyoneelse。Pity，Ithink。Mum’sarealhomebody；shewouldhavelikedahusbandtofussover。\"
\"Isshelikeyou？\"
\"Idon’tthinkso。\"
\"Moreimportantly，doyoulikeeachother？\"
\"MumandI？\"Shesmiledwithoutrancor，muchashermotherwouldhavedonehadsomeoneaskedherwhethershelikedherdaughter。\"I’mnotsureifwelikeeachother，butthereissomethingthere。Maybeit’sasimplebiologicalbond；Idon’tknow。\"Hereyeskindled。\"I’vealwayswantedhertotalktomethewayshedoestoDane，andwantedtogetalongwithherthewayDanedoes。Buteitherthere’ssomethinglackinginher，orsomethinglackinginme。Me，I’dreckon。She’samuchfinerpersonthanIam。\"
\"Ihaven’tmether，soIcan’tagreeordisagreewithyourjudgment。Ifit’sofanyconceivablecomforttoyou，Herzchen，Ilikeyouexactlythewayyouare。No，Iwouldn’tchangeathingaboutyou，evenyourridiculouspugnacity。\"
\"Isn’tthatniceofyou？AndafterIinsultedyou，too。I’mnotreallylikeDane，amI？\"
\"Daneisn’tlikeanyoneelseintheworld。\"
\"Youmeanbecausehe’ssonotofthisworld？\"\"Isupposeso。\"Heleanedforward，outoftheshadowsintotheweaklightofthelittlecandleinitsChiantibottle。\"IamaCatholic，andmyreligionhasbeentheonethinginmylifewhichhasneverfailedme，thoughIhavefaileditmanytimes。IdislikespeakingofDane，becausemyhearttellsmesomethingsarebetterleftundiscussed。Certainlyyouaren’tlikehiminyourattitudetolife，orGod。Let’sleaveit，allright？\"Shelookedathimcuriously。\"Allright，Rainer，ifyouwant。I’llmakeapactwithyou-nomatterwhatwediscuss，itwon’tbethenatureofDane，orreligion。\"
MuchhadhappenedtoRainerMoerlingHartheimsincethatmeetingwithRalphdeBricassartinJuly1943。AweekafterwardhisregimenthadbeendispatchedtotheEasternFront，wherehespenttheremainderofthewar。Tornandrudderless，tooyoungtohavebeenindoctrinatedintotheHitlerYouthinitsleisurelyprewardays，hehadfacedtheconsequencesofHitlerinfeetofsnow，withoutammunition，thefrontlinestretchedsothintherewasonlyonesoldierforeveryhundredyardsofit。Andoutofthewarhecarriedtwomemories:thatbittercampaigninbittercold，andthefaceofRalphdeBricassart。Horrorandbeauty，theDevilandGod。Halfcrazed，halffrozen，waitingdefenselessforKhrushchev’sguerrillastodropfromlow-flyingplanesparachutelessintothesnowdrifts，hebeathisbreastandmutteredprayers。Buthedidn’tknowwhatheprayedfor:bulletsforhisgun，escapefromtheRussians，hisimmortalsoul，themaninthebasilica，Germany，alesseningofgrief。Inthespringof1945hehadretreatedbackacrossPolandbeforetheRussians，likehisfellowsoldierswithonlyoneobjective-tomakeitintoBritish-orAmerican-occupiedGermany。ForiftheRussianscaughthim，hewouldbeshot。Hetorehispapersintoshredsandburnedthem，buriedhistwoIronCrosses，stolesomeclothesandpresentedhimselftotheBritishauthoritiesontheDanishborder。TheyshippedhimtoacampfordisplacedpersonsinBelgium。Thereforayearhelivedonthebreadandgruel，whichwasalltheexhaustedBritishcouldaffordtofeedthethousandsuponthousandsofpeopleintheircharge，waitinguntiltheBritishrealizedtheironlycoursewasrelease。
Twiceofficialsofthecamphadsummonedhimtopresenthimwithanultimatum。TherewasaboatwaitinginOstendharborloadingimmigrantsforAustralia。Hewouldbegivennewpapersandshippedtohisnewlandfreeofcharge，inreturnforwhichhewouldworkfortheAustraliangovernmentfortwoyearsinwhatevercapacitytheychose，afterwhichhislifewouldbecomeentirelyhisown。Notslavelabor；hewouldbepaidthestandardwage，ofcourse。Butonbothoccasionshemanagedtotalkhimselfoutofsummaryemigration。HehadhatedHitler，notGermany，andhewasnotashamedofbeingaGerman。HomemeantGermany；ithadoccupiedhisdreamsforoverthreeyears。Theverythoughtofyetagainbeingstrandedinacountrywherenoonespokehislanguagenorhetheirswasanathema。Soatthebeginningof1947hefoundhimselfpennilessonthestreetsofAachen，readytopickupthepiecesofanexistenceheknewhewantedverybadly。Heandhissoulhadsurvived，butnottogobacktopovertyandobscurity。ForRainerwasmorethanaveryambitiousman；hewasalsosomethingofagenius。HewenttoworkforGrundig，andstudiedthefieldwhichhadfascinatedhimsincehefirstgotacquaintedwithradar:electronics。Ideasteemedinhisbrain，butherefusedtosellthemtoGrundigforamillionthpartoftheirvalue。Insteadhegaugedthemarketcarefully，thenmarriedthewidowofamanwhohadmanagedtokeepacoupleofsmallradiofactories，andwentintobusinessforhimself。Thathewasbarelyintohistwentiesdidn’tmatter。Hismindwascharacteristicofafarolderman，andthechaosofpostwarGermanycreatedopportunitiesforyoungmen。Sincehisweddinghadbeenacivilone，theChurchpermittedhimtodivorcehiswife；in1951hepaidAnneliseHartheimexactlytwicethecurrentvalueofherfirsthusband’stwofactories，anddidjustthat，divorcedher。However，hedidn’tremarry。
WhathadhappenedtotheboyinthefrozenterrorofRussiadidnotproduceasoullesscaricatureofaman；ratheritarrestedthegrowthofsoftnessandsweetnessinhim，andthrewintohighreliefotherqualitieshepossessed-intelligence，ruthlessness，determination。Amanwhohasnothingtolosehaseverythingtogain，andamanwithoutfeelingscannotbehurt。Orsohetoldhimself。Inactualfact，hewascuriouslysimilartothemanhehadmetinRomein1943；likeRalphdeBricassartheunderstoodhedidwrongevenashedidit。Notthathisawarenessoftheevilinhimstoppedhimforasecond；onlythathepaidforhismaterialadvancementinpainandself-torment。Tomanypeopleitmightnothaveseemedworththepricehepaid，buttohimitwasworthtwicethesuffering。OnedayhewasgoingtorunGermanyandmakeitwhathehaddreamed，hewasgoingtoscotchthe
AryanLutheranethic，shapeabroaderone。Becausehecouldn’tpromisetoceasesinninghehadbeenrefusedabsolutionintheconfessionalseveraltimes，butsomehowheandhisreligionmuddledthroughinonepiece，untilaccumulatedmoneyandpowerremovedhimsomanylayersbeyondguilthecouldpresenthimselfrepentant，andbeshriven。
In1955，oneoftherichestandmostpowerfulmeninthenewWestGermanyandafreshfaceinitsBonnparliament，hewentbacktoRome。ToseekoutCardinaldeBricassart，andshowhimtheendresultofhisprayers。Whathehadimaginedthatmeetingmightbehecouldnotafterwardremember，forfrombeginningtoendofithewasconsciousofonlyonething:thatRalphdeBricassartwasdisappointedinhim。Hehadknownwhy，hehadn’tneededtoask。Buthehadn’texpectedtheCardinal’spartingremark:\"IhadprayedyouwoulddobetterthanI，foryouweresoyoung。Noendisworthanymeans。ButIsupposetheseedsofourruinaresownbeforeourbirths。\"
Backinhishotelroomhehadwept，butcalmedafterawhileandthought:What’spastisdonewith；forthefutureIwillbeashehoped。Andsometimeshesucceeded，sometimeshefailed。Buthetried。HisfriendshipwiththemenintheVaticanbecamethemostpreciousearthlythinginhislife，andRomebecametheplacetowhichhefledwhenonlytheircomfortseemedtostandbetweenhimselfanddespair。Comfort。Theirswasastrangekind。Notthelayingonofhands，orsoftwords。Ratherabalmfromthesoul，asiftheyunderstoodhispain。
Andhethought，ashewalkedthewarmRomannightafterdepositingJustineinherpension，thathewouldneverceasetobegratefultoher。Forashehadwatchedhercopewiththeordealofthatafternooninterview，hehadfeltastirringoftenderness。Bloodybutunbowed，thelittlemonster。Shecouldmatchthemeveryinchoftheway；didtheyrealizeit？Hefelt，hedecided，whathemighthavefeltonbehalfofadaughterhewasproudof，onlyhehadnodaughter。SohehadstolenherfromDane，carriedherofftowatchheraftermathreactiontothatoverpoweringecclesiasticism，andtotheDaneshehadneverseenbefore；theDanewhowasnotandcouldnoteverbeafull-heartedpartofherlife。
ThenicestthingabouthispersonalGod，hewenton，wasthatHecouldforgiveanything；HecouldforgiveJustineherinnategodlessnessandhimselftheshuttingdownofhisemotionalpowerhouseuntilsuchtimeasitwasconvenienttoreopenit。Onlyforawhilehehadpanicked，thinkinghehadlostthekeyforever。Hesmiled，threwawayhercigarette。Thekey……Well，sometimeskeyshadstrangeshapes。Perhapsitneededeverykinkineverycurlofthatredheadtotripthetumblers；perhapsinaroomofscarlethisGodhadhandedhimascarletkey。
Afleetingday，overinasecond。Butonlookingathiswatchhesawitwasstillearly，andknewthemanwhohadsomuchpowernowthatHisHolinesslayneardeathwouldstillbewakeful，sharingthenocturnalhabitsofhiscat。ThosedreadfulhiccupsfillingthesmallroomatCastelGandolfo，twistingthethin，pale，asceticfacewhichhadwatchedbeneaththewhitecrownforsomanyyears；hewasdying，andhewasagreatPope。Nomatterwhattheysaid，hewasagreatPope。IfhehadlovedhisGermans，ifhestilllikedtohearGermanspokenaroundhim，diditalteranything？NotforRainertojudgethat。
ButforwhatRainerneededtoknowatthemoment，CastelGandolfowasnotthesource。Upthemarblestairstothescarlet-and-crimsonroom，totalktoVittorioScarbanza，CardinaldiContini-Verchese。WhomightbethenextPope，ormightnot。Foralmostthreeyearsnowhehadwatchedthosewise，lovingdarkeyesrestwheretheymostlikedtorest；yes，bettertoseektheanswersfromhimthanfromCardinaldeBricassart。
\"IneverthoughtI’dhearmyselfsayit，butthankGodwe’releavingforDrogheda，\"saidJustine，refusingtothrowacoinintheTreviFountain。\"WeweresupposedtotakealookatFranceandSpain；insteadwe’restillinRomeandI’masunnecessaryasanavel。Brothers！\"
\"Hmmm，soyoudeemnavelsunnecessary？Socrateswasofthesameopinion，Iremember，\"saidRainer。
\"Socrateswas？Idon’trecollectthat！Funny，IthoughtI’dreadmostofPlato，too。\"Shetwistedtostareathim，thinkingthecasualclothesofaholidaymakerinRomesuitedhimfarbetterthanthesoberattireheworeforVaticanaudiences。
\"Hewasabsolutelyconvincednavelswereunnecessary，asamatteroffact。Somuchsothattoprovehispointheunscrewedhisownnavelandthrewitaway。\"
Herlipstwitched。\"Andwhathappened？\"
\"Histogafelloff。\"
\"Hook！Hook！\"Shegiggled。\"Anyway，theydidn’tweartogasinAthensthen。ButIhaveahorriblefeelingthere’samoralinyourstory。\"Herfacesobered。\"Whydoyoubotherwithme，Rain？\"
\"Stubborn！I’vetoldyoubefore，mynameispronouncedRyner，notRayner。\"\"Ah，butyoudon’tunderstand，\"shesaid，lookingthoughtfullyatthetwinklingstreamsofwater，thedirtypoolloadedwithdirtycoins。\"HaveyoueverbeentoAustralia？\"
Hisshouldersshook，buthemadenosound。\"TwiceIalmostwent，Herzchen，butImanagedtoavoidit。\"
\"Well，ifyouhadgoneyou’dunderstand。YouhaveamagicalnametoanAustralian，whenit’spronouncedmyway。Rainer。Rain。Lifeinthedesert。\"Startled，hedroppedhiscigarette。\"Justine，youaren’tfallinginlovewithme，areyou？\"
\"Whategotistsmenare！Ihatetodisappointyou，butno。\"Then，asiftosoftenanyunkindnessinherwords，sheslippedherhandintohis，squeezed。\"It’ssomethingmuchnicer。\"\"Whatcouldbenicerthanfallinginlove？\"
\"Almostanything，Ithink。Idon’twanttoneedanyonelikethat，ever。\"\"Perhapsyou’reright。It’scertainlyacripplinghandicap，takenontooearly。Sowhatismuchnicer？\"
\"Findingafriend。\"Herhandrubbedhis。\"Youaremyfriend，aren’tyou？\"\"Yes。\"Smiling，hethrewacoininthefountain。\"There！ImusthavegivenitathousandD-marksovertheyears，justforreassurancethatIwouldcontinuetofeelthewarmthofthesouth。SometimesinmynightmaresI’mcoldagain。\"
\"Yououghttofeelthewarmthoftherealsouth，\"saidJustine。\"Ahundredandfifteenintheshade，ifyoucanfindany。\"
\"Nowonderyoudon’tfeeltheheat。\"Helaughedthesoundlesslaugh，asalways；ahangoverfromtheolddays，whentolaughaloudmighthavetemptedfate。\"Andtheheatwouldaccountforthefactthatyou’rehard-boiled。\"\"YourEnglishiscolloquial，butAmerican。Iwouldhavethoughtyou’dhavelearnedEnglishinsomeposhBritishuniversity。\"
\"No。IbegantolearnitfromCockneyorScottishorMidlandstommiesinaBelgiancamp，anddidn’tunderstandawordofitexceptwhenIspoketothemanwhohadtaughtittome。Onesaid\"abaht，\"onesaid\"aboot，\"onesaid\"about，\"buttheyallmeant\"about。\"SowhenIgotbacktoGermanyIsaweverymotionpictureIcould，andboughttheonlyrecordsavailableinEnglish，recordsmadebyAmericancomedians。ButIplayedthemoverandoveragainathome，untilIspokeenoughEnglishtolearnmore。\"
Hershoeswereoff，asusual；awed，hehadwatchedherwalkbarefootedonpavementshotenoughtofryanegg，andoverstonyplaces。
\"Urchin！Putyourshoeson。\"
\"I’manAussie；ourfeetaretoobroadtobecomfortableinshoes。Comesofnoreallycoldweather；wegobarefootwheneverwecan。Icanwalkacrossapaddockofbindy-eyeburnsandpickthemoutofmyfeetwithoutfeelingthem，\"shesaidproudly。\"Icouldprobablywalkonhotcoals。\"Thenabruptlyshechangedthesubject。\"Didyouloveyourwife，Rain？\"\"No。\"
\"Didsheloveyou？\"
\"Yes。Shehadnootherreasontomarryme。\"
\"Poorthing！Youusedher，andyoudroppedher。\"
\"Doesitdisappointyou？\"
\"No，Idon’tthinkso。Iratheradmireyouforit，actually。ButIdofeelverysorryforher，anditmakesmemoredeterminedthanevernottolandinthesamesoupshedid。\"
\"Admireme？\"Histonewasblank，astonished。
\"Whynot？I’mnotlookingforthethingsinyousheundoubtedlydid，nowamI？Ilikeyou，you’remyfriend。Shelovedyou，youwereherhusband。\"\"Ithink，Herzchen，\"hesaidalittlesadly，\"thatambitiousmenarenotverykindtotheirwomen。\"
\"That’sbecausetheyusuallyfallforutterdoormatsofwomen，the\"Yes，dear，no，dear，threebagsfull，dear，andwherewouldyoulikeitput？\"’sort。Hardcheeseallround，Isay。IfI’dbeenyourwife，I’dhavetoldyoutogopeeuparope，butI’llbetsheneverdid，didshe？\"Hislipsquivered。\"No，poorAnnelise。Shewasthemartyredkind，soherweaponswerenotnearlysodirectorsodeliciouslyexpressed。IwishtheymadeAustralianfilms，soIknewyourvernacular。The\"Yes，dear’bitIgot，butIhavenoideawhathardcheeseis。\"
\"Toughluck，sortof，butit’smoreunsympathetic。\"Herbroadtoesclunglikestrongfingerstotheinsideofthefountainwall，sheteeteredprecariouslybackwardandrightedherselfeasily。\"Well，youwerekindtoherintheend。Yougotridofher。She’sfarbetteroffwithoutyou，thoughsheprobablydoesn’tthinkso。WhereasIcankeepyou，becauseI’llneverletyougetundermyskin。\"
\"Hard-boiled。Youreallyare，Justine。Andhowdidyoufindoutthesethingsaboutme？\"
\"IaskedDane。Naturally，beingDanehejustgavemethebarefacts，butIdeducedtherest。\"
\"Fromyourenormousstoreofpastexperience，nodoubt。Whatafraudyouare！Theysayyou’reaverygoodactress，butIfindthatincredible。Howdoyoumanagetocounterfeitemotionsyoucanneverhaveexperienced？Asapersonyou’remoreemotionallybackwardthanmostfifteen-year-olds。\"Shejumpeddown，satonthewallandleanedtoputhershoeson，wrigglinghertoesruefully。\"Myfeetareswollen，dammit。\"Therewasnoindicationbyareactionofrageorindignationthatshehadevenheardthelastpartofwhathesaid。Asifwhenaspersionsorcriticismswereleveledathershesimplyswitchedoffaninternalhearingaid。Howmanytheremusthavebeen。Themiraclewasthatshedidn’thateDane。
\"That’sahardquestiontoanswer，\"shesaid。\"ImustbeabletodoitorIwouldn’tbesogood，isn’tthatright？Butit’slike……awaiting。Mylifeoffthestage，Imean。Iconservemyself，Ican’tspenditoffstage。Weonlyhavesomuchtogive，don’twe？AndupthereI’mnotmyself，orperhapsmorecorrectlyI’masuccessionofselves。Wemustallbeaprofoundmixtureofselves，don’tyouthink？Tome，actingisfirstandforemostintellect，andonlyafterthat，emotion。Theoneliberatestheother，andpolishesit。There’ssomuchmoretoitthansimplycryingorscreamingorproducingaconvincinglaugh。It’swonderful，youknow。Thinkingmyselfintoanotherself，someoneImighthavebeen，hadthecircumstancesbeenthere。That’sthesecret。Notbecomingsomeoneelse，butincorporatingtheroleintomeasifshewasmyself。Andsoshebecomesme。\"Asthoughherexcitementwastoogreattobearinstillness，shejumpedtoherfeet。\"Imagine，Rain！Intwentyyears’timeI’llbeabletosaytomyself，I’vecommittedmurders，I’vesuicided，I’vegonemad，I’vesavedmenorruinedthem。Oh！Thepossibilitiesareendless！\"\"Andtheywillallbeyou。\"Herose，tookherhandagain。\"Yes，you’requiteright，Justine。Youcan’tspenditoffstage。Inanyoneelse，I’dsayyouwouldinspiteofthat，butbeingyou，I’mnotsosure。\"
Iftheyappliedthemselvestoit，theDroghedapeoplecouldimaginethatRomeandLondonwerenofartherawaythanSydney，andthatthegrown-upDaneandJustinewerestillchildrengoingtoboardingschool。Admittedlytheycouldn’tcomehomeforalltheshortervacationsofotherdays，butonceayeartheyturnedupforamonthatleast。UsuallyinAugustorSeptember，andlookingmuchasalways。Veryyoung。Diditmatterwhethertheywerefifteenandsixteenortwentytwoandtwenty-three？AndiftheDroghedapeoplelivedforthatmonthinearlyspring，theymostdefinitelyneverwentroundsayingthingslike，Well，onlyafewweekstogo！or，Dearheaven，it’snotamonthsincetheyleft！ButaroundJulyeveryone’sstepbecamebrisker，andpermanentsmilessettledoneveryface。Fromthecookhousetothepaddockstothedrawingroom，treatsandgiftswereplanned。Inthemeantimetherewereletters。Mostlythesereflectedthepersonalitiesoftheirauthors，butsometimestheycontradicted。Onewouldhavethought，forinstance，thatDanewouldbeameticulouslyregularcorrespondentandJustineascrappyone。ThatFeewouldneverwriteatall。ThattheClearymenwouldwritetwiceayear。ThatMeggiewouldenrichthepostalservicewithletterseveryday，atleasttoDane。ThatMrs。Smith，MinnieandCatwouldsendbirthdayandChristmascards。ThatAnneMuellerwouldwriteoftentoJustine，nevertoDane。
Dane’sintentionsweregood，andhedidindeedwriteregularly。Theonlytroublewasheforgottoposthisefforts，withtheresultthattwoorthreemonthswouldgobywithoutaword，andthenDroghedawouldreceivedozensonthesamemailrun。TheloquaciousJustinewrotelengthymissiveswhichwerepurestreamof-consciousness，rudeenoughtoevokeblushesandclucksofalarm，andentirelyfascinating。Meggiewroteonceeverytwoweeksonly，tobothherchildren。ThoughJustineneverreceivedlettersfromhergrand-mother，Danedidquiteoften。Healsogotwordregularlyfromallhisuncles，aboutthelandandthesheepandthehealthoftheDroghedawomen，fortheyseemedtothinkitwastheirdutytoassurehimallwastrulywellathome。However，theydidn’textendthistoJustine，whowouldhavebeenflabbergastedbyitanyway。Fortherest，Mrs。Smith，Minnie，CatandAnneMueller，correspondencewentasmightbeexpected。Itwaslovelyreadingletters，andaburdenwritingthem。Thatis，forallsaveJustine，whoexperiencedtwingesofexasperationbecausenooneeversentherthekindshedesired-fat，wordyandfrank。ItwasfromJustinetheDroghedapeoplegotmostoftheirinformationaboutDane，forhislettersneverplungedhisreadersrightintothemiddleofascene。WhereasJustine’sdid。
