第3章

PaddywentintoWanganuitobookthemaneight-berthsteeragecabinontheWahine；strangethattheshipandtheirnearesttownshouldhavethesamename。TheywereduetosailattheendofAugust，sobythebeginningofthatmontheveryonestartedrealizingthebigadventurewasactuallygoingtohappen。Thedogshadtobegivenaway，thehorsesandthebuggysold，thefurnitureloadedontooldAngusMacWhirter’sdrayandtakenintoWanganuiforauction，Fee’sfewpiecescratedalongwiththechinaandlinenandbooksandkitchengoods。

Frankfoundhismotherstandingbythebeautifuloldspinet，strokingitsfaintlypink，streakypanelingandlookingvaguelyatthepowderingofgolddustonherfingertips。

"Didyoualwayshaveit，Mum？"heasked。

"Yes。Whatwasactuallyminetheycouldn’ttakefrommewhenImarried。Thespinet，thePersiancarpets，theLouisQuinzesofaandchairs，theRegencyescritoire。Notmuch，buttheywererightfullymine。"Thegrey，wistfuleyesstaredpasthisshoulderattheoilpaintingonthewallbehindhim，dimmedwithagealittle，butstillshowingclearlythegolden-hairedwomaninherpale-pinklacegown，crinolinedwithahundredandsevenflounces。"Whowasshe？"heaskedcuriously，turninghishead。"I’vealwayswantedtoknow。"

"Agreatlady。"

"Well，she’sgottoberelatedtoyou；shelookslikeyouabit。""Her？Arelationofmine？"Theeyeslefttheircontemplationofthepictureandrestedonherson’sfaceironically。"Now，doIlookasifIcouldeverhavehadarelativelikeher？"

"Yes。"

"You’vecobwebsinyourbrain；brushthemout。"

"Iwishyou’dtellme，Mum。"

Shesighedandshutthespinet，dustingthegoldoffherfingers。"There’snothingtotell，nothingatall。Comeon，helpmemovethesethingsintothemiddleoftheroom，soDaddycanpackthem。"

Thevoyagewasanightmare。BeforetheWahinewasoutofWellingtonharbortheywereallseasick，andtheycontinuedtobeseasickallthewayacrosstwelvehundredmilesofgale-stirred，wintryseas。Paddytooktheboysupondeckandkeptthemthereinspiteofthebitterwindandconstantspray，onlygoingbelowtoseehiswomenandbabywhensomekindsoulvolunteeredtokeepaneyeonhisfourmiserable，retchingboys。Muchthoughheyearnedforfreshair，Frankhadelectedtoremainbelowtoguardthewomen。Thecabinwastiny，stiflingandreekedofoil，foritwasbelowthewaterlineandtowardthebow，wheretheship’smotionwasmostviolent。SomehoursoutofWellingtonFrankandMeggiebecameconvincedtheirmotherwasgoingtodie；thedoctor，summonedfromfirstclassbyaveryworriedsteward，shookhisheadoverherpessimistically。"Justaswellit’sonlyashortvoyage，"hesaid，instructinghisnursetofindmilkforthebaby。

BetweenboutsofretchingFrankandMeggiemanagedtobottle-feedHal，whodidn’ttaketoitkindly。Feehadstoppedtryingtovomitandhadsunkintoakindofcoma，fromwhichtheycouldnotrouseher。ThestewardhelpedFrankputherinthetopbunk，wheretheairwasalittlelessstale，andholdingatoweltohismouthtostemthewaterybilehestillbroughtup，Frankperchedhimselfontheedgebesideher，strokingthemattedyellowhairbackfromherbrow。Hourafterhourhestucktohispostinspiteofhisownsickness；everytimePaddycameinhewaswithhismother，strokingherhair，whileMeggiehuddledonalowerberthwithHal，atoweltohermouth。ThreehoursoutofSydneytheseasdroppedtoaglassycalmandfogstoleinfurtivelyfromthefarAntarctic，wrappingitselfabouttheoldship。Meggie，revivingalittle，imagineditbellowedregularlyinpainnowtheterriblebuffetingwasover。Theyinchedthroughtheglueygreynessasstealthilyasahuntedthinguntilthatdeep，monotonousbawlsoundedagainfromsomewhereonthesuperstructure，alostandlonely，indescribablysadnoise。Thenallaroundthemtheairwasfilledwithmournfulbellowsastheyslippedthroughghostlysmokingwaterintotheharbor。Meggieneverforgotthesoundoffoghorns，herfirstintroductiontoAustralia。

PaddycarriedFeeofftheWahineinhisarms，Frankfollowingwiththebaby，Meggiewithacase，eachoftheboysstumblingwearilyundersomekindofburden。TheyhadcomeintoPyrmont，ameaninglessname，onafoggywintermorningattheendofAugust，1921。Anenormouslineoftaxiswaitedoutsidetheironshedonthewharf；Meggiegapedround-eyed，forshehadneverseensomanycarsinoneplaceatonetime。SomehowPaddypackedthemallintoasinglecab，itsdrivervolunteeringtotakethemtothePeople’sPalace。"That’stheplaceforyouse，mate，"hetoldPaddy。"It’sahotelfortheworkingmanrunbytheSallies。"

Thestreetswerethrongedwithcarsseemingtorushinalldirections；therewereveryfewhorses。Theystaredraptlyoutofthetaxiwindowsatthetallbrickbuildings，thenarrowwindingstreets，therapiditywithwhichcrowdsofpeopleseemedtomergeanddissolveinsomestrangeurbanritual。Wellingtonhadawedthem，butSydneymadeWellingtonlooklikeasmallcountrytown。

WhileFeerestedinoneofthemyriadroomsofthewarrentheSalvationArmyfondlycalledthePeople’sPalace，PaddywentofftoCentralRailwayStationtoseewhentheycouldgetatrainforGillanbone。Quiterecovered，theboysclamoredtogowithhim，fortheyhadbeentolditwasnotveryfar，andthatthewaywas84allshops，includingonewhichsoldsquillcandy。Envyingtheiryouth，Paddyyielded，forhewasn’tsurehowstronghisownlegswereafterthreedaysofseasickness。FrankandMeggiestayedwithFeeandthebaby，longingtogo，too，butmoreconcernedthattheirmotherbebetter。Indeed，sheseemedtogainstrengthrapidlyonceofftheship，andhaddrunkabowlofsoupandnibbledasliceoftoastbroughttoherbyoneoftheworkingman’sbonnetedangels。

"Ifwedon’tgotonight，Fee，it’saweekuntilthenextthroughtrain，"Paddysaidwhenhereturned。"Doyouthinkyoucouldmanagethejourneytonight？"

Feesatup，shivering。"Icanmanage。"

"Ithinkweoughttowait，"Franksaidhardily。"Idon’tthinkMum’swellenoughtotravel。"

"Whatyoudon’tseemtounderstand，Frank，isthatifwemisstonight’strainwehavetowaitawholeweek，andIjustdon’thavethepriceofaweek’sstayinSydneyinmypocket。Thisisabigcountry，andwherewe’regoingisn’tservedbyadailytrain。WecouldgetasfarasDubboonanyoneofthreetrainstomorrow，butthenwe’dhavetowaitforalocalconnection，andtheytoldmewe’dsufferalotmoretravelingthatwaythanifwemaketheefforttocatchtonight’sexpress。"

"I’llmanage，Paddy，"Feerepeated。"I’vegotFrankandMeggie；I’llbeallright。"HereyeswereonFrank，pleadingforhissilence。"ThenI’llsendMaryatelegramnow，tellinghertoexpectustomorrownight。"

CentralStationwasbiggerthananybuildingtheClearyshadeverbeeninside，avastglasscylinderwhichseemedsimultaneouslytoechoandabsorbthedinofthousandsofpeoplewaitingbesidebattered，strappedsuitcasesandfixedlywatchingagiantindicatorboardwhichmenwithlongpolesalteredbyhand。Inthegatheringeveningdarknesstheyfoundthemselvesapartofthethrong，theireyesonthesteelconcertinagatesofplatformfive；thoughshut，theyborealargehand-paintedsignsayingGILLANBONEMAIL。OnplatformoneandplatformtwoaterrificactivityheraldedtheimminentdepartureoftheBrisbaneandMelbournenightexpresses，passengerscrowdingthroughthebarriers。Soonitwastheirturn，asthegatesofplatformfivesquashedthemselvesopenandthepeoplebeganeagerlytomove。

Paddyfoundthemanemptysecond-classcompartment，puttheolderboysbythewindowsandFee，Meggieandthebabybytheslidingdoorswhichledintothelongcorridorconnectingcompartments。Faceswouldpeerinhopefullyinsightofaspareseat，tovanishhorrifiedatthesightofsomanyyoungchildren。Sometimesbeingalargefamilywasanadvantage。Thenightwascoldenoughtowarrantunstrappingofthebigtartantravelingrugsallthesuitcasesboreontheiroutsides；thoughthecarnagewasnotheated，steelboxesfullofhotasheslayalongthefloorradiatingwarmth，andnoonehadexpectedheatinganywaybecausenothinginAustraliaorNewZealandwaseverheated。

"Howfarisit，Daddy？"Meggieaskedasthetraindrewout，clankingandrockinggentlyacrossaneternityofpoints。

"Alongwayfurtherthanitlookedonouratlas，Meggie。Sixhundredandtenmiles。We’llbetherelatetomorrowafternoon。"

Theboysgasped，butforgotitattheblossomingofafairylandoflightsoutside；everyoneclusteredatthewindowsandwatchedwhilethefirstmilesflewbyandstillthehousesdidnotdiminish。Thespeedincreased，thelightsgrewscatteredandfinallywentout，replacedbyaconstantflurryofsparksstreamingpastinahowlingwind。WhenPaddytooktheboysoutsidesoFeecouldfeedHal，Meggiegazedafterthemlongingly。Thesedaysitseemedshewasnottobeincludedasoneoftheboys，notsincethebabyhaddisruptedherlifeandchainedhertothehouseasfirmlyashermother86was。Notthatshereallyminded，shetoldherselfloyally。Hewassuchadearlittlefellow，thechiefdelightofherlife，anditwasnicetohaveMumtreatherasanothergrown-uplady。WhatcausedMumtogrowbabiesshehadnoidea，buttheresultwaslovely。ShegaveHaltoFee；thetrainstoppednotlongafter，creakingandsquealing，andseemedtostandhourspantingforbreath。Shewasdyingtoopenthewindowandlookout，butthecompartmentwasgrowingverycoldinspiteofthehotashesonthefloor。PaddycameinfromthecorridorwithasteamingcupofteaforFee，whoputHalbackontheseat，gluttedandsleepy。

"Whatisit？"sheasked。

"AplacecalledValleyHeights。WetakeonanotherengineherefortheclimbtoLithgow，thegirlintherefreshmentroomsaid。"

"HowlonghaveIgottodrinkthis？"

"Fifteenminutes。Frank’sgettingyousomesandwichesandI’llseetheboysarefed。OurnextrefreshmentstopisaplacedcalledBlayney，muchlaterinthenight。"

Meggiesharedhermother’scupofhot，sugarytea，suddenlyunbearablyexcited，andgobbledhersandwichwhenFrankbroughtit。HesettledheronthelongseatbelowbabyHal，tuckedarugfirmlyaroundher，andthendidthesameforFee，stretchedoutfulllengthontheseatopposite。StuartandHughiewerebeddeddownonthefloorbetweentheseats，butPaddytoldFeethathewastakingBob，FrankandJackseveralcompartmentsdowntotalktosomeshearers，andwouldspendthenightthere。Itwasmuchnicerthantheship，clickingalongtotherhythmichuff-a-huffofthetwoengines，listeningtothewindinthetelegraphwires，theoccasionalflurryoffurioushuffsassteelwheelsslippedonslopingsteelrails，franticallysoughttraction；Meggiewenttosleep。

Inthemorningtheystared，awedanddismayed，atalandscapesoalientheyhadnotdreamedanythinglikeitexistedonthesameplanetasNewZealand。Therollinghillsweretherecertainly，butabsolutelynothingelsereminiscentofhome。Itwasallbrownandgrey，eventhetrees！Thewinterwheatwasalreadyturnedafawnishsilverbytheglaringsun，milesuponmilesofitripplingandbendinginthewind，brokenonlybystandsofthin，spindling，blue-leafedtreesanddustyclumpsoftiredgreybushes。Fee’sstoicaleyessurveyedthescenewithoutchangingexpression，butpoorMeggie’swerefulloftears。Itwashorrible，fencelessandvast，withoutatraceofgreen。

Fromfreezingnightitturnedtoscorchingdayasthesunclimbedtowarditszenithandthetrainracketedonandonandon，stoppingoccasionallyinsometinytownfullofbicyclesandhorse-drawnvehicles；carswerescarceouthere，itseemed。Paddyopenedboththewindowsallthewayinspiteofthesootwhichswirledinandsettledoneverything；itwassohottheyweregasping，theirheavyNewZealandwinterclothingstickinganditching。Itdidnotseempossiblethatanywhereoutsideofhellcouldbesohotinwinter。Gillanbonecamewiththedyingsun，astrangesmallcollectionoframshacklewoodenandcorrugatedironbuildingsalongeithersideofonedustywidestreet，treelessandtired。Themeltingsunhadlickedagoldenpasteovereverything，andgavethetownatransientgildeddignitywhichfadedevenastheystoodontheplatformwatching。ItbecameoncemoreatypicalsettlementontheveryedgeoftheBackofBeyond，alastoutpostinasteadilydiminishingrainfallbelt；notfarawaywestwardbegantwothousandmilesoftheNeverationever，thedesertlandswhereitcouldnotrain。Aresplendentblackcarwasstandinginthestationyard，andstridingunconcernedlytowardthemthroughtheinches-deepdustcameapriest。Hislongsoutanemadehimseemafigureoutofthepast，asifhedidnotmoveonfeetlikeordinarymen，butdrifteddreamlike；88thedustroseandbillowedaroundhim，redinthelastofthesunset。"Hello，I’mFatherdeBricassart，"hesaid，holdingouthishandtoPaddy。"YouhavetobeMary’sbrother；you’rethelivingimageofher。"HeturnedtoFeeandliftedherlimphandtohislips，smilingingenuineastonishment；noonecouldspotagentlewomanquickerthanFatherRalph。"Why，you’rebeautiful！"hesaid，asifitwerethemostnaturalremarkintheworldforapriesttomake，andthenhiseyeswentonwardtotheboys，standingtogetherinahuddle。TheyrestedforamomentwithpuzzledbewildermentonFrank，whohadchargeofthebaby，andtickedoffeachboyastheygotsmallerandsmaller。Behindthem，allbyherself，Meggiestoodgapingupathimwithhermouthopen，asifshewerelookingatGod。Withoutseemingtonoticehowhisfinesergerobewallowedinthedust，hesteppedpasttheboysandsquatteddowntoholdMeggiebetweenhishands，andtheywerefirm，gentle，kind。"Well！Andwhoareyou？"heaskedher，smiling。"Meggie，"shesaid。

"Hername’sMeghann。"Frankscowled，hatingthisbeautifulman，hisstunningheight。

"Myfavoritename，Meghann。"Hestraightened，butheldMeggie’shandinhis。"Itwillbebetterforyoutostayatthepresbyterytonight，"hesaid，leadingMeggietowardthecar。"I’lldriveyououttoDroghedainthemorning；it’stoofarafterthetrainridefromSydney。"

AsidefromtheHotelImperial，theCatholicchurch，school，conventandpresbyteryweretheonlybrickedificesinGillanbone，eventhebigpublicschoolhavingtocontentitselfwithtimberframe。Nowthatdarknesshadfallen，theairhadgrownincrediblychill；butinthepresbyteryloungeahugelogfirewasblazing，andthesmelloffoodcametantalizinglyfromsomewherebeyond。Thehousekeeper，awizenedoldScotswomanwithamazingenergy，bustledaboutshowingthemtheir89rooms，chatteringallthewhileinabroadwesternHighlandsaccent。Usedtothetouch-me-notreserveoftheWahinepriests，theClearysfoundithardtocopewithFatherRalph’seasy，cheerfulbonhomie。OnlyPaddythawed，forhecouldrememberthefriendlinessofthepriestsinhisnativeGalway，theirclosenesstolesserbeings。Therestatetheirsupperincarefulsilenceandescapedupstairsassoonastheycould，Paddyreluctantlyfollowing。Tohim，hisreligionwasawarmthandaconsolation；buttotherestofhisfamilyitwassomethingrootedinfear，ado-it-or-thou-shah-be-damnedcompulsion。

Whentheyhadgone，FatherRalphstretchedoutinhisfavoritechair，staringatthefire，smokingacigaretteandsmiling。Inhismind’seyehewaspassingtheClearysinreview，ashehadfirstseenthemfromthestationyard。ThemansolikeMary，butbowedwithhardworkandveryobviouslynotofhermaliciousdisposition；hisweary，beautifulwife，wholookedasifsheoughttohavedescendedfromalandauletdrawnbymatchedwhitehorses；darkandsurlyFrank，withblackeyes，blackeyes；thesons，mostofthemliketheirfather，buttheyoungestone，Stuart，verylikehismother，he’dbeahandsomemanwhenhegrewup；impossibletotellwhatthebabywouldbecome；andMeggie。Thesweetest，themostadorablelittlegirlhehadeverseen；hairofacolorwhichdefieddescription，notredandnotgold，aperfectfusionofboth。Andlookingupathimwithsilver-greyeyesofsuchalambentpurity，likemeltedjewels。Shrugging，hethrewthecigarettestubintothefireandgottohisfeet。Hewasgettingfancifulinhisoldage；meltedjewels，indeed！Morelikelyhisowneyeswerecomingdownwiththesandyblight。

InthemorninghedrovehisovernightgueststoDrogheda，soinuredbynowtothelandscapethathederivedgreatamusementfromtheircomments。Thelasthilllaytwohundredmilestotheeast；thiswasthelandoftheblacksoilplains，heexplained。Justsweeping，lightlytimberedgrasslandsasflatasaboard。Thedaywasashotasthepreviousone，buttheDaimlerwasagreatdealmorecomfortabletotravelinthanthetrainhadbeen。Andtheyhadstartedoutearly，fasting，FatherRalph’svestmentsandtheBlessedSacramentpackedcarefullyinablackcase。

"Thesheeparedirty！"saidMeggiedolefully，gazingatthemanyhundredsofrusty-redbundleswiththeirquestingnosesdownintothegrass。"Ah，IcanseeIoughttohavechosenNewZealand，"thepriestsaid。"ItmustbelikeIreland，then，andhavenicecreamsheep。"

"Yes，itislikeIrelandinmanyways；ithasthesamebeautifulgreengrass。Butit’swilder，alotlesstamed，"Paddyanswered。HelikedFatherRalphverymuch。

Justthenagroupofemuslurchedtotheirfeetandcommencedtorun，fleetasthewind，theirungainlylegsablur，theirlongnecksstretchedout。Thechildrengaspedandburstoutlaughing，enchantedatseeinggiantbirdswhichraninsteadofflying。

"Whatapleasureitisnottohavetogetoutandopenthese’wretchedgates，"FatherRalphsaidasthelastonewasshutbehindthemandBob，whohaddonegatedutyforhim，scrambledbackintothecar。AftertheshocksAustraliahadadministeredtotheminbewilderingrapidity，Droghedahomesteadseemedlikeatouchofhome，withitsgraciousGeorgianfacadeanditsbuddingwistariavines，itsthousandsofrosebushes。"Arewegoingtolivehere？"Meggiesqueaked。"Notexactly，"thepriestsaidquickly。"Thehouseyou’regoingtoliveinisaboutamilefurtheron，downbythecreek。"

MaryCarsonwaswaitingtoreceivetheminthevastdrawingroomanddidnotrisetogreetherbrother，butforcedhimtocometoherasshesatinherwingchair。

"Well，Paddy，"shesaidpleasantlyenough，lookingpasthimfixedlytowhereFatherRalphstoodwithMeggieinhisarms，andherlittlearmslockedtightlyabouthisneck。MaryCarsongotupponderously，withoutgreetingFeeorthechildren。

"LetushearMassimmediately，"shesaid。"I’msureFatherdeBricassartisanxioustobeonhisway。"

"Notatall，mydearMary。"Helaughed，blueeyesgleaming。"IshallsayMass，we’llallhaveagoodhotbreakfastatyourtable，andthenI’vepromisedMeggieI’llshowherwhereshe’sgoingtolive。"

"Meggie，"saidMaryCarson。

"Yes，thisisMeggie。Whichratherbeginstheintroductionsatthetail，doesn’tit？Letmebeginatthehead，Mary，please。ThisisFiona。"MaryCarsonnoddedcurtly，andpaidscantattentionasFatherRalphranthroughtheboys；shewastoobusywatchingthepriestandMeggie。

Theheadstockman’shousestoodonpilessomethirtyfeetaboveanarrowgulchfringedwithtall，stragglinggumtreesandmanyweepingwillows。AfterthesplendorofDroghedahomesteaditwasratherbareandutilitarian，butinitsappurtenancesitwasnotunlikethehousetheyhadleftbehindinNewZealand。SolidVictorianfurniturefilledtheroomstooverflowing，smotheredinfinereddust。

"You’reluckyhere，youhaveabathroom，"FatherRalphsaidashebroughtthemuptheplankstepstothefrontveranda；itwasquiteaclimb，forthepilesuponwhichthehousewaspoisedwerefifteenfeethigh。"Incasethecreekrunsabanker，"FatherRalphexplained。"You’rerightonithereandI’vehearditcanrisesixtyfeetinanight。"

Theydidindeedhaveabathroom；anoldtinbathandachippedwaterheaterstoodinawalled-offalcoveattheendofthebackveranda。But，asthewomenfoundtotheirdisgust，thelavatorywasnothingmorethanaholeinthegroundsometwohundredyardsawayfromthehouse，anditstank。AfterNewZealand，primitive。

"Whoeverlivedherewasn’tveryclean，"Feesaidassheranherfingerthroughthedustonthesideboard。

FatherRalphlaughed。"You’llfightalosingbattletryingtogetridofthat，"hesaid。"ThisistheOutback，andtherearethreethingsyou’llneverdefeat-theheat，thedustandtheflies。Nomatterwhatyoudo，they’llalwaysbewithyou。"

Feelookedatthepriest。"You’reverygoodtous，Father。"

"Andwhynot？You’retheonlyrelativesofmyverygoodfriend，MaryCarson。"

Sheshrugged，unimpressed。"I’mnotusedtobeingonfriendlytermswithapriest。InNewZealandtheykeptthemselvesverymuchtothemselves。""You’renotaCatholic，areyou？"

"No，Paddy’stheCatholic。NaturallythechildrenhavebeenrearedasCatholics，everylastoneofthem，ifthat’swhat’sworryingyou。""Itneveroccurredtome。Doyouresentit？"

"Ireallydon’tcareonewayortheother。"

"Youdidn’tconvert？"

"I’mnotahypocrite，FatherdeBricassart。Ihadlostfaithinmyownchurch，andIhadnowishtoespouseadifferent，equallymeaninglesscreed。""Isee。"HewatchedMeggieasshestoodonthefrontveranda，peeringupthetracktowardDroghedabighouse。"She’ssopretty，yourdaughter。Ihaveafondnessfortitianhair，youknow。Herswouldhavesenttheartistrunningforhisbrushes。I’veneverseenexactlythatcolorbefore。Issheyouronlydaughter？"

"Yes。BoysruninbothPaddy’sfamilyandmyown；girlsareunusual。""Poorlittlething，"hesaidobscurely。

AfterthecratesarrivedfromSydneyandthehousetookonamorefamiliarlookwithitsbooks，china，ornamentsandtheparlorfilledwithFee’sfurniture，thingsbegantosettledown。PaddyandtheboysolderthanStuwereawaymostofthetimewiththetwostationhandsMaryCarsonhadretainedtoteachthemthemanydifferencesbetweensheepinnorthwestNewSouth

WalesandsheepinNewZealand。Fee，MeggieandStudiscoveredthedifferencesbetweenrunningahouseinNewZealandandlivingintheheadstockman’sresidenceonDrogheda；therewasatacitunderstandingtheywouldneverdisturbMaryCarsonherself，butherhousekeeperandhermaidswerejustaseagertohelpthewomenasherstationhandsweretohelpthemen。Droghedawas，everyonelearned，aworldinitself，socutofffromcivilizationthatafterawhileevenGillanbonebecamenomorethananamewithremotememories。WithintheboundsofthegreatHomePaddocklaystables，asmithy，garages，innumerableshedsstoringeverythingfromfeedtomachinery，dogkennelsandruns，alabyrinthinemazeofstockyards，amammothshearingshedwiththestaggeringnumberoftwenty-sixstandsinit，andyetanotherjigsawpuzzleofyardsbehindit。Therewerefowlruns，pigpens，cowbailsandadairy，quartersforthetwenty-sixshearers，smallshacksfortherouseabouts，twoother，smaller，housesliketheirownforstockmen，ajackaroos’barracks，aslaughteryard，andwoodheaps。Allthissatinjustaboutthemiddleofatreelesscirclewhosediametermeasuredthreemiles:theHomePaddock。Onlyatthepointwheretheheadstockman’shouselaydidtheconglomerationofbuildingsalmosttouchtheforestsbeyond。However，thereweremanytreesaroundthesheds，yardsandanimalruns，toprovidewelcomeandnecessaryshade；mostlypeppertrees，huge，hardy，denseandsleepilylovely。BeyondinthelonggrassoftheHomePaddock，horsesandmilchcowsgrazeddrowsily。Thedeepgullybesidetheheadstockman’shousehadashallow，sluggishstreamofmuddywateratitsbottom。NoonecreditedFatherRalph’staleofitsrisingsixtyfeetovernight；itdidn’tseempossible。Waterfromthiscreekwaspumpedupbyhandtoservicethebathroomandkitchen，andittookthewomenalongtimetogetusedtowashingthemselves，thedishesandtheclothesingreenish-brownwater。Sixmassivecorrugated-irontanksperchedonwoodenderrickliketowerscaughtrainfromtheroofandprovidedthemwithdrinkingwater，buttheylearnedtheymustuseitverysparingly，thatitwasnevertobeusedforwashing。Fortherewasnoguaranteeastowhenthenextrainsmightcometofillthetanksup。

Thesheepandcattledrankartesianwater，nottappedfromaneasilyaccessiblewatertable，buttrueartesianwaterbroughtfromoverthreethousandfeetbelowthesurface。Itgushedatboilingpointfromapipeatwhatwascalledtheborehead，andranthroughtinychannelsfringedwithpoisonouslygreengrasstoeverypaddockontheproperty。Thesechannelsweretheboredrains，andtheheavilysulphurated，mineral-ladenwatertheycontainedwasnotfitforhumanconsumption。

Atfirstthedistancesstaggeredthem；Droghedahadtwohundredandfiftythousandacres。Itslongestboundarystretchedforeightymiles。Thehomesteadwasfortymilesandtwenty-sevengatesawayfromGillanbone，theonlysettlementofanykindcloserthanahundredandsixmiles。ThenarroweasternboundarywasformedbytheBarwonRiver，whichwaswhatthelocalscalledthisnortherncourseoftheDarlingRiver，agreatmuddythousand-milestreamthatfinallyjoinedtheMurrayRiverandsurgedoutintothesouthernoceanfifteenhundredmilesawayinSouthAustralia。GillanCreek，whichraninthegullybesidetheheadstockman’shouse，mergedintotheBarwontwomilesbeyondtheHomePaddock。

Paddyandtheboyslovedit。Sometimestheyspentdaysonendinthesaddle，milesawayfromthehomestead，campingatnightunderaskysovastandfilledwithstarsitseemedtheywereapartofGod。Thegrey-brownlandswarmedwithlife。Kangaroosinflocksofthousandsstreamedleapingthroughthetrees，takingfencesintheirstride，utterlylovelyintheirgraceandfreedomandnumbers；emusbuilttheirnests96inthemiddleofthegrassyplainandstalkedlikegiantsabouttheirterritorialboundaries，takingfrightatanythingstrangeandrunningfleeterthanhorsesawayfromtheirdark-green，football-sizedeggs；termitesbuiltrustytowerslikeminiatureskyscrapers；hugeantswithasavagebitepouredinriversdownmoundedholesintheground。

Thebirdlifewassorichandvariedthereseemednoendtonewkinds，andtheylivednotinonesandtwosbutinthousandsuponthousands:tinygreen-and-yellowparakeetsFeeusedtocalllovebirds，butwhichthelocalscalledbudgerigars；scarlet-and-bluesmallishparrotscalledrosellas；bigpale-greyparrotswithbrilliantpurplish-pinkbreasts，underwingsandheads，calledgalahs；andthegreatpurewhitebirdswithcheekyyellowcombscalledsulphur-crestedcockatoos。Exquisitetinyfincheswhirredandwheeled，sodidsparrowsandstarlings，andthestrongbrownkingfisherscalledkookaburraslaughedandchuckledgleefullyordivedforsnakes，theirfavoritefood。Theywerewellnighhuman，allthesebirds，andcompletelywithoutfear，sittinginhundredsinthetreespeeringaboutwithbrightintelligenteyes，screaming，talking，laughing，imitatinganythingthatproducedasound。Fearsomelizardsfiveorsixfeetlongpoundedoverthegroundandleapedlithelyforhightreebranches，asathomeofftheearthasonit；theyweregoannas。Andthereweremanyotherlizards，smallerbutsomenolessfrightening，adornedwithhornytriceratopeanruffsabouttheirnecks，orwithswollen，bright-bluetongues。Ofsnakesthevarietywasalmostendless，andtheClearyslearnedthatthebiggestandmostdangerouslookingwereoftenthemostbenign，whileastumpylittlecreatureafootlongmightbeadeathadder；carpetsnakes，coppersnakes，treesnakes，red-belliedblacksnakes，brownsnakes，lethaltigersnakes。

Andinsects！Grasshoppers，locusts，crickets，bees，fliesofallsizesandsorts，cicadas，gnats，dragonflies，giantmothsandsomanybutterflies！Thespidersweredreadful，hugehairythingswithalegspanofinches，ordeceptivelysmallanddeadlyblack-thingslurkinginthelavatory；somelivedinvastwheelingwebsslungbetweentrees，somerockedinsidedensegossamercradleshookedamonggrassblades，othersdivedintolittleholesinthegroundcompletewithlidswhichshutafterthem。

Predatorswerethere，too:wildpigsfrightenedofnothing，savageandflesh-eating，blackhairythingsthesizeoffullygrowncows；dingoes，thewildnativedogswhichslunkclosetothegroundandblendedintothegrass；crowsinhundredscarkingdesolatelyfromtheblastedwhiteskeletonsofdeadtrees；hawksandeagles，hoveringmotionlessontheaircurrents。Fromsomeofthesethesheepandcattlehadtobeprotected，especiallywhentheydroppedtheiryoung。Thekangaroosandrabbitsatethepreciousgrass；thepigsanddingoesatelambs，calvesandsickanimals；thecrowspeckedouteyes。TheClearyshadtolearntoshoot，thencarriedriflesastheyrode，sometimestoputasufferingbeastoutofitsmisery，sometimestofellaboaroradingo。

This，thoughttheboysexultantly，waslife。NotoneofthemyearnedforNewZealand；whenthefliesclusteredlikesyrupinthecornersoftheireyes，uptheirnoses，intheirmouthsandears，theylearnedtheAustraliantrickandhungcorksbobbingfromtheendsofstringsallaroundthebrimsoftheirhats。Topreventcrawliesfromgettingupinsidethelegsof(heirbaggytrouserstheytiedstripsofkangaroohidecalledbowyangsbelowtheirknees，gigglingatthesilly-soundingname，butawedbythenecessity。NewZealandwastamecomparedtothis；thiswaslife。Tiedtothehouseanditsimmediateenvirons，thewomenfoundlifemuchlesstotheirliking，fortheyhadnottheleisureortheexcusetoride，nordidtheyhavethestimulationofvaryingactivities。Itwasjusthardertodowhatwomenalwaysdid:cook，clean，wash，iron，。98careforbabies。Theybattledtheheat，thedust，theflies，themanysteps，themuddywater，thenearlyperennialabsenceofmentocarryandchopwood，pumpwater，killfowls。Theheatespeciallywashardtobear，anditwasasyetonlyearlyspring；evenso，thethermometeroutontheshadyverandareachedahundreddegreeseveryday。Insidethekitchenwiththerangegoing，itwasahundredandtwentydegrees。

Theirmanylayersofclothingwereclose-fittinganddesignedforNewZealand，whereinsidethehouseitwasalmostalwayscool。MaryCarson，exercisinggentlybywalkingdowntoseehersister-in-law，lookedatFee’shigh-necked，floor-lengthcalicogownsuperciliously。Sheherselfwascladinthenewfashion，acreamsilkdresscomingonlyhalfwaydownhercalves，withlooseelbowsleeves，nowaistandalowdécolletage。"Really，Fiona，you’rehopelesslyold-fashioned，"shesaid，glancingroundtheparlorwithitsfreshcoatofcreampaint，thePersiancarpetsandthespindlypricelessfurniture。

"Ihavenotimetobeanythingelse，"Feesaid，curtlyforherwhenactingashostess。

"You’llhavemoretimenow，withthemenawaysomuchandfewermealstoget。Raiseyourhemsandstopwearingpetticoatsandstays，oryou’lldiewhensummercomes。Itcangetfifteentotwentydegreeshotterthanthis，youknow。"HereyesdwelledontheportraitofthebeautifulblondwomaninherEmpressEugeniecrinoline。"Who’sthat？"sheasked，pointing。"Mygrandmother。"

"Oh，really？Andthefurniture，thecarpets？""Mine，frommygrandmother。"

"Oh，really？MydearFiona，you’vecomedownintheworld，haven’tyou？"Feeneverlosthertemper，soshedidn’tnow，butherthinlipsgotthinner。"Idon’tthinkso，Mary。Ihaveagoodman；yououghttoknowthat。""Butpenniless。Whatwasyourmaidenname？"

"Armstrong。"

"Oh，really？NottheRoderickArmstrongArmstrongs？""He’smyoldestbrother。Hisnamesakewasmygreat-grandfather。"MaryCarsonrose，flappingherpicturehatattheflies，whichwerenotrespectersofperson。"Well，you’rebetterbornthantheClearysare，evenifIdosaysomyself。DidyoulovePaddyenoughtogiveallthatup？""MyreasonsforwhatIdo，"saidFeelevelly，"aremybusiness，Mary，notyours。Idonotdiscussmyhusband，evenwithhissister。"

ThelinesoneithersideofMaryCarson’snosegotdeeper，hereyesbulgedslightly。"Hoity-toity！"

Shedidnotcomeagain，butMrs。Smith，herhousekeeper，cameoften，andrepeatedMaryCarson’sadviceabouttheirclothes。"Look，"shesaid，"there’sasewingmachineinmyquarterswhichIneveruse。I’llhaveacoupleoftherouseaboutscarryitdown。IfIdoneedtouseit，I’llcomedownhere。"HereyesstrayedtobabyHal，rollingonthefloorgleefully。"Iliketohearthesoundofchildren，Mrs。Cleary。"

Onceeverysixweeksthemailcamebyhorse-drawndrayfromGillanbone；thiswastheonlycontactwiththeoutsideworld。DroghedapossessedaFordtruck，anotherspeciallyconstructedFordtruckwithawatertankonitstray，amodel-TFordcarandaRolls-Roycelimousine，butnooneeverseemedtousethemtogointoGillysaveMaryCarsoninfrequently。Fortymileswasasfarasthemoon。

BlueyWilliamshadthemailcontractforthedistrictandtooksixweekstocoverhisterritory。Hisflattoppeddraywithitsten-footwheelswasdrawnbyamagnificentteamoftwelvedrafthorses，andwasloadedwithallthethingstheoutlyingstationsordered。AswellastheRoyalMail，hecarriedgroceries，gasolineinforty-four-gallondrums，keroseneinsquarefive-galloncans，hay，bagsofcorn，calicobagsofsugarandflour，woodenchestsoftea，bagsofpotatoes，farmmachinery，mail-ordertoysandclothesfromAnthonyHordern’sinSydney，plusanythingelsethathadtobebroughtinfromGillyorOutside。Movingattheclippingrateoftwentymilesaday，hewaswelcomedwhereverhestopped，pliedfornewsandweatherfaraway，handedthescribbledscrapsofpapercarefullywrappedaroundmoneyforgoodshewouldpurchaseinGilly，handedthelaboriouslywrittenletterswhichwentintothecanvassackmarked"RoyalGVRMail。"

WestofGillytherewereonlytwostationsontheroute，Droghedacloserin，Bugelafartherout；beyondBugelalaytheterritorythatgotmailonlyonceeverysixmonths。Bluey’sdrayswunginagreatzigzaggingarcthroughallthestationssouthwest，westandnorthwest，thenreturnedtoGillybeforesettingouteastward，asmallerjourneybecauseBoorootowntookoversixtymileseast。Sometimeshebroughtpeoplesittingbesidehimonhisunshelteredleatherseat，visitorsorhopefulslookingforwork；sometimeshetookpeopleaway，visitorsordiscontentedstockmenormaidsorroustabouts，veryoccasionallyagoverness。Thesquattersownedcarstotransportthemselves，butthosewhoworkedforthesquattersdependeduponBlueyfortransportaswellasgoodsandletters。

AftertheboltsofclothFeehadorderedcameonthemail，shesatdownatthedonatedsewingmachineandbegantomakeloosedressesinlightcottonforherselfandMeggie，lighttrousersandoverallsforthemen，smocksforHal，curtainsforthewindows。Therewasnodoubtitwascoolerminuslayersofunderwearandtightlyfittingouterwear。

LifewaslonelyforMeggie，onlyStuartatthehouseamongtheboys。JackandHughiewereoffwiththeirfatherlearningtobestockmen-jackaroos，theyoungapprenticeswerecalled。Stuartwasn’tcompanythewayJackandHughieusedtobe。Helivedinaworldallhisown，aquietlittleboywhopreferredtositforhourswatchingthebehaviorofathrongofantsthanclimbtrees，whereasMeggieadoredtoclimbtreesandthoughtAustraliangumsweremarvelous，ofinfinitevarietyanddifficulty。Notthattherewasmuchtimefortree-climbing，orant-watchingforthatmatter。MeggieandStuartworkedhard。Theychoppedandcarriedthewood，dugholesforrefuse，tendedthevegetablegardenandlookedafterthefowlsandpigs。Theyalsolearnedhowtokillsnakesandspiders，thoughtheyneverceasedtofearthem。Therainfallhadbeenmediocrelygoodforseveralyears；thecreekwaslowbutthetankswereabouthalffull。Thegrasswasstillfairlygood，butapparentlynothingtoitslushtimes。

"Itwillprobablygetworse，"saidMaryCarsongrimly。Buttheyweretoknowfloodbeforetheyencounteredafull-fledgeddrought。HalfwaythroughJanuarythecountrycaughtthesouthernedgeofthenorthwestmonsoons。Captiousintheextreme，thegreatwindsblewtosuitthemselves。Sometimesonlythefarnortherntipsofthecontinentfelttheirdrenchingsummerrains，sometimestheytraveledfardowntheOutbackandgavetheunhappyurbanitesofSydneyawetsummer。ThatJanuarythecloudsstormeddarkacrossthesky，tornintosoddenshredsbythewind，anditbegantorain；notagentledownpourbutasteady，roaringdelugewhichwentonandon。

Theyhadbeenwarned；BlueyWilliamshadturnedupwithhisdrayloadedhighandtwelvesparehorsesbehindhim，forhewasmovingfasttogetthroughhisroundsbeforetherainsmadefurtherprovisioningofthestationsimpossible。

"Monsoonsarecomin’，"hesaid，rollingacigaretteandindicatingpilesofextragrocerieswithhiswhip。

"TheCooperan’theBarcooan’theDiamantinaarerunnin’realbankersan’theOverflowisoverflowin’。ThewholeQueenslan’Outback’stwofootunderwateran’thempoorbuggersistryin’tofindariseinthegroun’toputthesheepon。"

Suddenlytherewasacontrolledpanic；Paddyandtheboysworkedlikemadmen，movingthesheepoutofthelow-lyingpaddocksandasfarawayfromthecreekandtheBarwonastheycould。FatherRalphturnedup，saddledhishorseandsetoffwithFrankandthebestteamofdogsfortwounclearedpaddocksalongsidetheBarwon，whilePaddyandthetwostockmeneachtookaboyinotherdirections。

FatherRalphwasanexcellentstockmanhimself。HerodeathoroughbredchestnutmareMaryCarsonhadgivenhim，cladinfaultlesslytailoredbuffjodhpurs，shinytankneeboots，andaspotlesswhiteshirtwithitssleevesrolleduphissinewyarmsanditsneckopentoshowhissmoothbrownchest。Inbaggyoldgreytwilltrouserstiedwithbowyangsandagreyflannelunder-shirt，Frankfeltlikeapoorrelation。Whichwaswhathewas，hethoughtwryly，followingthestraightfigureonthedaintymarethroughastandofboxandpinebeyondthecreek。Hehimselfrodeahard-mouthedpiebaldstockhorse，amean-temperedbeastwithawillofitsownandaferocioushatredofotherhorses。Thedogswereyelpingandcavortinginexcitement，fightingandsnarlingamongthemselvesuntilpartedwithaflickfromFatherRalph’sviciouslywieldedstockwhip。Itseemedtherewasnothingthemancouldn’tdo；hewasfamiliarwiththecodedwhistlessettingthedogstowork，andpliedhiswhipmuchbetterthanFrank，stilllearningthisexoticAustralianart。

ThebigQueenslandbluebrutethatledthedogpacktookaslavishfancytothepriestandfollowedhimwithoutquestion，meaningFrankwas-verydefinitelythesecond-stringman。HalfofFrankdidn’tmind；healoneamongPaddy’ssonshadnottakentolifeonDrogheda。HehadwantednothingmorethantoquitNewZealand，butnottocometothis。Hehatedtheceaselesspatrollingofthepaddocks，thehardgroundtosleeponmostnights，thesavagedogswhichcouldnotbetreatedaspetsandwereshotiftheyfailedtodotheirwork。Buttherideintothegatheringcloudshadanelementofadventuretoit；eventhebending，crackingtreesseemedtodancewithanoutlandishjoy。FatherRalphworkedlikeamaninthegripofsomeobsession，soolingthedogsafterunsuspectingbandsofsheep，sendingthesillywoollythingsleapingandbleatinginfrightuntilthelowshapesstreakingthroughthegrassgotthempackedtightandrunning。OnlyhavingthedogsenabledasmallhandfulofmentooperateapropertythesizeofDrogheda；bredtoworksheeporcattle，theywereamazinglyintelligentandneededverylittledirection。BynightfallFatherRalphandthedogs，withFranktryingtodohisinadequatebestbehindthem，hadclearedallthesheepoutofonepaddock，normallyseveraldays’work。Heunsaddledhismarenearaclumpoftreesbythegatetothesecondpaddock，talkingoptimisticallyofbeingabletogetthestockoutofitalsobeforetherainstarted。Thedogsweresprawledflatoutinthegrass，tongueslolling，thebigQueenslandbluefawningandcringingatFatherRalph’sfeet。Frankdugarepulsivecollectionofkangaroomeatoutofhissaddlebagandflungittothedogs，whichfellonitsnappingandbitingateachotherjealously。

"Bloodyawfulbrutes，"hesaid。"Theydon’tbehavelikedogs；they’rejustjackals。"

"IthinktheseareprobablyalotclosertowhatGodintendeddogsshouldbe，"saidFatherRalphmildly。"Alert，intelligent，aggressiveandalmostuntamed。Formyself，Ipreferthemtothehouse-petspecies。"Hesmiled。"Thecats，too。Haven’tyounoticedthemaroundthesheds？Aswildandviciousaspanthers；won’tletahumanbeingnearthem。Buttheyhuntmagnificently，andcallnomanmasterorprovider。"

Heunearthedacoldpieceofmuttonandapacketofbreadandbutterfromhissaddlebag，carvedahunkfromthemuttonandhandedtheresttoFrank。Puttingthebreadandbutteronalogbetweenthem，hesankhiswhiteteethintothemeatwithevidentenjoyment。Thirstwasslakedfromacanvaswaterbag，thencigarettesrolled。

Alonewilgatreestoodnearby；FatherRalphindicateditwithhiscigarette。

"That’sthespottosleep，"hesaid，unstrappinghisblanketandpickinguphissaddle。

Frankfollowedhimtothetree，commonlyheldthemostbeautifulinthispartofAustralia。Itsleavesweredenseandapalelimegreen，itsshapealmostperfectlyrounded。Thefoliagegrewsoclosetothegroundthatsheepcouldreachiteasily，theresultbeingthateverywilgabottomwasmownasstraightasatopiaryhedge。Iftherainbegantheywouldhavemoreshelterunderitthananyothertree，forAustraliantreesweregenerallythinneroffoliagethanthetreesofwetterlands。

"You’renothappy，Frank，areyou？"FatherRalphasked，lyingdownwithasighandrollinganothersmoke。

FromhispositionacoupleoffeetawayFrankturnedtolookathimsuspiciously。"What’shappy？"

"Atthemoment，yourfatherandbrothers。Butnotyou，notyourmother，andnotyoursister。Don’tyoulikeAustralia？"

"Notthisbitofit。IwanttogotoSydney。Imighthaveachancetheretomakesomethingofmyself。"

"Sydney，eh？It’sadenofiniquity。"FatherRalphwassmiling。"Idon’tcare！OuthereI’mstuckthesamewayIwasinNewZealand；Ican’tgetawayfromhim。"

"Him？"

ButFrankhadnotmeanttosayit，andwouldsaynomore。Helaylookingupattheleaves。

"Howoldareyou，Frank？""Twenty-two。""Oh，yes！Haveyoueverbeenawayfromyourpeople？"

No。

"Haveyouevenbeentoadance，hadagirlfriend？""No。"Frankrefusedtogivehimhistitle。

"Thenhe’llnotholdyoumuchlonger。"

"He’llholdmeuntilIdie。"

FatherRalphyawned，andcomposedhimselfforsleep。"Goodnight，"hesaid。Inthemorningthecloudswerelower，buttherainheldoffalldayandtheygotthesecondpaddockcleared。AslightridgeranclearacrossDroghedafromnortheasttosouthwest；itwasinthesepaddocksthestockwereconcentrated，wheretheyhadhighergroundtoseekifthewaterroseabovetheescarpmentsofthecreekandtheBarwon。

Therainbeganalmostonnightfall，asFrankandthepriesthurriedatafasttrottowardthecreekfordbelowtheheadstockman’shouse。"Nouseworryingaboutblowingthemnow！"FatherRalphshouted。"Digyourheelsin，lad，oryou’lldrowninthemud！"

Theyweresoakedwithinseconds，andsowasthehard-bakedground。Thefine，-nonporoussoilbecameaseaofmud，miringthehorsestotheirhocksandsettingthemfloundering。Whilethegrasspersistedtheymanagedtopresson，butnearthecreekwheretheearthhadbeentroddentobarenesstheyhadtodismount。Oncerelievedoftheirburdens，thehorseshadnotrouble，butFrankfounditimpossibletokeephisbalance。Itwasworsethanaskatingrink。Onhandsandkneestheycrawledtothetopofthecreekbank，andsliddownitlikeprojectiles。Thestoneroadway，whichwasnormallycoveredbyafootoflazywater，wasunderfourfeetofracingfoam；Frankheardthepriestlaugh。Urgedonbyshoutsandslapsfromsoddenhats，thehorsesmanagedtoscrambleupthefarbankwithoutmishap，butFrankandFatherRalphcouldnot。Everytimetheytried，theyslidbackagain。ThepriesthadjustsuggestedtheyclimbawillowwhenPaddy，alertedbytheappearanceofriderlesshorses，camewitharopeandhauledthemout。Smilingandshakinghishead，FatherRalphrefusedPaddy’sofferofhospitality。

"I’mexpectedatthebighouse，"hesaid。

MaryCarsonheardhimcallingbeforeanyofherstaffdid，forhehadchosentowalkaroundtothefrontofthehouse，thinkingitwouldbeeasiertoreachhisroom。

"You’renotcominginsidelikethat，"shesaid，standingontheveranda。"Thenbeadear，getmeseveraltowelsandmycase。"

Unembarrassed，shewatchedhimpeeloffhisshirt，bootsandbreeches，leaningagainstthehalf-openwindowintoherdrawingroomashetoweledtheworstofthemudoff。

"You’rethemostbeautifulmanI’veeverseen，RalphdeBricassart，"shesaid。"Whyisitsomanypriestsarebeautiful？TheIrishness？They’reratherahandsomepeople，theIrish。Orisitthatbeautifulmenfindthepriesthoodarefugefromtheconsequencesoftheirlooks？I’llbetthegirlsinGillyjusteattheirheartsoutoveryou。"

"Ilearnedlongagonottotakeanynoticeoflovesickgirls。"Helaughed。"Anypriestunderfiftyisatargetforsomeofthem，andapriestunderthirty-fiveisusuallyatargetforallofthem。Butit’sonlytheProtestantgirlswhoopenlytrytoseduceme。"

"Youneveranswermyquestionsoutright，doyou？"Straightening，shelaidherpalmonhischestandhelditthere。"You’reasybarite，Ralph，youlieinthesun。Areyouasbrownallover？"

Smiling，heleanedhisheadforward，thenlaughedintoherhair，hishandsunbuttoningthecottondrawers；astheyfelltothegroundhekickedthemaway，standinglikeaPraxitelesstatuewhileshetouredallthewayaroundhim，takinghertimeandlooking。Thelasttwodayshadexhilaratedhim，sodidthesuddenawarenessthatshewasperhapsmorevulnerablethanhehadimagined；butheknewher，andhefeltquitesafeinasking，"Doyouwantmetomakelovetoyou，Mary？"Sheeyedhisflaccidpenis，snortingwithlaughter。"Iwouldn’tdreamofputtingyoutosomuchtrouble！Doyouneedwomen，Ralph？"Hisheadrearedbackscornfully。"No！"

"Men？"

"They’reworsethanwomen。No，Idon’tneedthem。"

"Howaboutyourself？"

"Leastofall。"

"Interesting。"Pushingthewindowallthewayup，shesteppedthroughintothedrawingroom。"Ralph，CardinaldeBricassart！"shemocked。Butawayfromthosediscerningeyesofhisshesaggedbackintoherwingchairandclenchedherfists，thegesturewhichrailsagainsttheinconsistenciesoffate。Naked，FatherRalphsteppedofftheverandatostandonthebarberedlawnwithhisarmsraisedabovehishead，eyesclosed；helettherainpouroverhiminwarm，probing，spearingrunnels，anexquisitesensationonbareskin。Itwasverydark。Buthewasstillflaccid。

ThecreekbrokeitsbanksandthewatercrepthigherupthepilesofPaddy’shouse，fartheroutacrosstheHomePaddocktowardthehomesteaditself。

"Itwillgodowntomorrow，"saidMaryCarsonwhenPaddywenttoreport，worried。

Asusual，shewasright；overthenextweekthewaterebbedandfinallyreturnedtoitsnormalchannels。Thesuncameout，thetemperaturezoomedtoahundredandfifteenintheshade，andthegrassseemedtotakewingforthesky，thigh-highandclean，bleachedbrilliantasgilt，hurtingtheeyes。Washedanddusted，thetreesglittered，andthehordesofparrotscamebackfromwherevertheyhadgonewhiletherainfelltoflashtheirrainbowbodiesamidthetimber，moreloquaciousthanever。FatherRalphhadreturnedtosuccorhisneglectedparishioners，sereneintheknowledgehisknuckleswouldnotberapped；underthepristinewhiteshirtnexttohisheartresidedacheckforonethousandpounds。Thebishopwouldbeecstatic。

ThesheepweremovedbacktotheirnormalpastureandtheClearyswereforcedtolearntheOutbackhabitofsiesta。Theyroseatfive，goteverythingdonebeforemidday，thencollapsedintwitching，sweatingheapsuntilfiveintheafternoon。Thisappliedbothtothewomenatthehouseandthemeninthepaddocks。Choreswhichcouldnotbedoneearlyweredoneafterfive，andtheeveningmealeatenafterthesunhadgonedownatatableoutsideontheveranda。Allthebedshadbeenmovedoutsideaswellfortheheatpersistedthroughthenight。Itseemedasifthemercuryhadnotgonebelowacenturyinweeks，dayornight。Beefwasaforgottenmemory，onlyasheepsmallenoughtolastwithouttaintinguntilitwasalleaten。Theirpalateslongedforachangefromtheeternalroundofbakedmuttonchops，muttonstew，shepherd’spiemadeofmincedmutton，curriedmutton，roastlegofmutton，boiledpickledmutton，muttoncasserole。ButatthebeginningofFebruarylifechangedabruptlyforMeggieandStuart。TheyweresenttotheconventinGillanbonetoboard，fortherewasnoschoolcloser。Hal，saidPaddy，couldlearnbycorrespondencefromBlackfriarsSchoolinSydneywhenhewasoldenough，butinthemeantime，sinceMeggieandStuartwereusedtoteachers，MaryCarsonhadgenerouslyofferedtopayfortheirboardandtuitionattheHolyCrossconvent。Besides，FeewastoobusywithHaltosupervisecorrespondencelessonsaswell。IthadbeentacitlyunderstoodfromthebeginningthatJackandHughiewouldgonofurtherwiththeireducations；Droghedaneededthemontheland，andthelandwaswhattheywanted。

MeggieandStuartfounditastrange，peacefulexistenceatHolyCrossaftertheirlifeonDrogheda，butespeciallyaftertheSacredHeartinWahine。FatherRalphhadsubtlyindicatedtothenunsthatthispairofchildrenwerehisprotégés，theiraunttherichestwomaninNewSouthWales。SoMeggie’sshynesswastransformedfromaviceintoavirtue，andStuart’soddisolation，hishabitofstaringforhoursintoillimitabledistances，earnedhimtheepithet"saintly。"

Itwasverypeacefulindeed，fortherewereveryfewboarders；peopleofthedistrictwealthyenoughtosendtheiroffspringtoboardingschoolinvariablypreferredSydney。Theconventsmelledofpolishandflowers，itsdarkhighcorridorsawashwithquietnessandatangibleholiness。Voicesweremuted，lifewentonbehindablackthinveil。Noonecanedthem，nooneshoutedatthem，andtherewasalwaysFatherRalph。Hecametoseethemoften，andhadthemtostayatthepresbyterysoregularlyhedecidedtopaintthebedroomMeggieusedadelicateapplegreen，buynewcurtainsforthewindowsandanewquiltforthebed。Stuartcontinuedtosleepinaroomwhichhadbeencreamandbrownthroughtworedecorations；itsimplyneveroccurredtoFatherRalphtowonderifStuartwashappy。Hewastheafterthoughtwhotoavoidoffensemustalsobeinvited。JustwhyhewassofondofMeggieFatherRalphdidn’tknow，norforthatmatterdidhespendmuchtimewonderingaboutit。Ithadbegunwithpitythatdayinthedustystationyardwhenhehadnoticedherlaggingbehind；setapartfromtherestofherfamilybyvirtueofhersex，hehadshrewdlyguessed。AstowhyFrankalsomovedonanouterperimeter，thisdidnotintriguehimatall，nordidhefeelmovedtopityFrank。TherewassomethinginFrankwhichkilledtenderemotions:adarkheart，aspiritlackinginnerlight。ButMeggie？Shehadmovedhimunbearably，andhedidn’treallyknowwhy。Therewasthecolorofherhair，whichpleasedhim；thecolorandformofhereyes，likehermother’sandthereforebeautiful，butsomuchsweeter，moreexpressive；andhercharacter，whichhesawastheperfectfemalecharacter，passiveyetenormouslystrong。Norebel，Meggie；onthecontrary。Allherlifeshewouldobey，movewithintheboundariesofherfemalefate。

Yetnoneofitaddeduptothefulltotal。Perhaps，hadhelookedmoredeeplyintohimself，hemighthaveseenthatwhathefeltforherwasthecuriousresultoftime，andplace，andperson。Noonethoughtofherasimportant，whichmeanttherewasaspaceinherlifeintowhichhecouldfithimselfandbesureofherlove；shewasachild，andthereforenodangertohiswayoflifeorhispriestlyreputation；shewasbeautiful，andheenjoyedbeauty；and，leastacknowledgedofall，shefilledanemptyspaceinhislifewhichhisGodcouldnot，forshehadwarmthandahumansolidity。Becausehecouldnotembarrassherfamilybygivinghergifts，hegaveherasmuchofhiscompanyashecould，andspenttimeandthoughtonredecoratingherroomatthepresbytery；notsomuchtoseeherpleasureastocreateafittingsettingforhisjewel。NopinchbeckforMeggie。AtthebeginningofMaytheshearersarrivedonDrogheda。MaryCarsonwasextraordinarilyawareofhoweverythingonDroghedawasdone，fromdeployingthesheeptocrackingastockwhip；shesummonedPaddytothebighousesomedaysbeforetheshearerscame，andwithoutmovingfromherwingchairshetoldhimpreciselywhattododowntothelastlittledetail。UsedtoNewZealandshearing，Paddyhadbeenstaggeredbythesizeoftheshed，itstwenty-sixstands；now，aftertheinterviewwithhissister，factsandfigureswarredinsidehishead。NotonlywouldDroghedasheepbeshornonDrogheda，butBugelaandDibban-DibbanandBeel-Beelsheepaswell。Itmeantagruelingamountofworkforeverysoulontheplace，maleandfemale。CommunalshearingwasthecustomandthestationssharingDrogheda’sshearingfacilitieswouldnaturallypitchintohelp，butthebruntoftheincidentalworkinevitablyfellontheshouldersofthoseonDrogheda。Theshearerswouldbringtheirowncookwiththemandbuytheirfoodfromthestationstore，butthosevastamountsoffoodhadtobefound；theramshacklebarrackswithkitchenandprimitivebathroomattachedhadtobescoured，cleanedandequippedwithmattressesandblankets。NotallstationswereasgenerousasDroghedawastoitsshearers，butDroghedaprideditselfonitshospitality，anditsreputationasa"bloodygoodshed。"ForthiswastheoneactivityinwhichMaryCarsonparticipated，soshedidn’tstintherpurse。NotonlywasitoneofthebiggestshedsinNewSouthWales，butitrequiredtheverybestmentobehad，menoftheJackieHowecaliber；overthreehundredthousandsheepwouldbeshorntherebeforetheshearersloadedtheirswagsintothecontractor’soldFordtruckanddisappeareddownthetracktotheirnextshed。

Frankhadnotbeenhomefortwoweeks。WitholdBeerbarrelPetethestockman，ateamofdogs，twostockhorsesandalightsulkyattachedtoanunwillingnagtoholdtheirmodestneeds，theyhadsetoutforthefarwesternpaddockstobringthesheepin，workingthemcloserandcloser，cullingandsorting。Itwasslow，tediouswork，nottobecomparedwiththatwildmusterbeforethefloods。Eachpaddockhaditsownstockyards，inwhichsomeofthegradingandmarkingwouldbedoneandthemobshelduntilitwastheirturntocomein。Theshearingshedyardsaccommodatedonlytenthousandsheepatatime，solifewouldn’tbeeasywhiletheshearerswerethere；itwouldbeaconstantflurryofexchangingmobs，unshornforshorn。

WhenFranksteppedintohismother’skitchenshewasstandingbesidethesinkatanever-endingjob，peelingpotatoes。

"Mum，I’mhome！"hesaid，joyinhisvoice。

Assheswungaroundherbellyshowed，andhistwoweeksawaylenthiseyesaddedperception。

"Oh，God！"hesaid。

Hereyeslosttheirpleasureinseeinghim，herfacefloodedwithscarletshame；shespreadherhandsoverherballooningapronasiftheycouldhidewhatherclothescouldnot。

Frankwasshaking。"Thedirtyoldgoat！"

"Frank，Ican’tletyousaythingslikethat。You’reamannow，yououghttounderstand。Thisisnodifferentfromthewayyoucameintotheworldyourself，anditdeservesthesamerespect。Itisn’tdirty。WhenyouinsultDaddy，youinsultme。"

"Hehadnoright！Heshouldhaveleftyoualone！"Frankhissed，wipingafleckoffoamfromthecornerofhistremblingmouth。"Itisn’tdirty，"sherepeatedwearily，andlookedathimfromhercleartiredeyesasifshehadsuddenlydecidedtoputshamebehindherforever。"It’snotdirty，Frank，andnoristheactwhichcreatedit。"

Thistimehisfacereddened。Hecouldnotcontinuetomeethergaze，soheturnedandwentthroughintotheroomhesharedwithBob，JackandHughie。Itsbarewallsandlittlesinglebedsmockedhim，mockedhim，thesterileandfeaturelesslooktoit，thelackofapresencetowarmit，apurposetohallowit。Andherface，herbeautifultiredfacewithitsprimhaloofgoldenhair，allalightbecauseofwhatsheandthathairyoldgoathaddoneintheterribleheatofsummer。

Hecouldnotgetawayfromit，hecouldnotgetawayfromher，fromthethoughtsatthebackofhismind，fromthehungersnaturaltohisageandmanhood。Mostlyhemanagedtopushitallbelowconsciousness，butwhensheflauntedtangibleevidenceofherlustbeforehiseyes，threwhermysteriousactivitywiththatlecherousoldbeastinhisveryteeth……Howcouldhethinkofit，howcouldheconsenttoit，howcouldhebearit？Hewantedtobeabletothinkofherastotallyholy，pureanduntaintedastheBlessedMother，abeingwhowasabovesuchthingsthoughallhersistersthroughouttheworldbeguiltyofit。Toseeherprovinghisconceptofherwrongwastheroadtomadness。Ithadbecomenecessarytohissanitytoimaginethatshelaywiththatuglyoldmaninperfectcha/y，tohaveaplacetosleep，butthatinthenighttheyneverturnedtowardeachother，ortouched。Oh，God！

Ascrapingclangmadehimlookdown，tofindhehadtwistedthebrassrailofthebed’sfootintoanS。

"Whyaren’tyouDaddy？"heaskedit。

"Frank，"saidhismotherfromthedoorway。

Helookedup，hisblackeyesglitteringandwetlikerained-uponcoal。"I’llendupkillinghim，"hesaid。

"Ifyoudothat，you’llkillme，"saidFee，comingtosituponthebed。"No，I’dfreeyou！"hecounteredwildly，hopefully。"Frank，Icanneverbefree，andIdon’twanttobefree。IwishIknewwhereyourblindnesscomesfrom，butIdon’t。Itisn’tmine，norisityourfather’s。Iknowyou’renothappy，butmustyoutakeitoutonme，andonDaddy？Whydoyouinsistuponmakingeverythingsohard？Why？"Shelookeddownatherhands，lookedupathim。"Idon’twanttosaythis，butIthinkIhaveto。It’stimeyoufoundyourselfagirl，Frank，gotmarriedandhadafamilyofyourown。There’sroomonDrogheda。I’veneverbeenworriedabouttheotherboysinthatrespect；theydon’tseemtohaveyournatureatall。Butyouneedawife，Frank。Ifyouhadone，youwouldn’thavetimetothinkaboutme。"

Hehadturnedhisbackuponher，andwouldn’tturnaround。Forperhapsfiveminutesshesatonthebedhopinghewouldsaysomething，thenshesighed，gotupandleft。

Aftertheshearershadgoneandthedistricthadsettledintothesemi-inertiaofwintercametheannualGillanboneShowandPicnicRaces。Itwasthemostimportanteventinthesocialcalendar，andwentonfortwodays。Feedidn’tfeelwellenoughtogo，soPaddydroveMaryCarsonintotowninherRolls-RoycewithouthiswifetosupporthimorkeepMary’stongueinitssilentposition。HehadnoticedthatforsomemysteriousreasonFee’sverypresencequelledhissister，putheratadisadvantage。Everyoneelsewasgoing。Underthreatofdeathtobehavethemselves，theboysrodeinwithBeerbarrelPete，Jim，Tom，Mrs。Smithandthemaidsinthetruck，butFrankleftearlyonhisowninthemodel-TFord。Theadultsofthepartywereallstayingoverforthesecondday’sracemeeting；forreasonsknownbesttoherself，MaryCarsondeclinedFatherRalph’sofferofaccommodationatthepresbytery，buturgedPaddytoacceptitforhimselfandFrank。WherethetwostockmenandTom，thegardenroustabout，stayednooneknew，butMrs。Smith，MinnieandCathadfriendsinGillywhoputthemup。ItwasteninthemorningwhenPaddydepositedhissisterinthebestroomtheHotelImperialhadtooffer；hemadehiswaydowntothebarandfoundFrankstandingatit，aschoonerofbeerinhishand。

"Letmebuythenextone，oldman，"Paddysaidgeniallytohisson。"I’vegottotakeAuntieMarytothePicnicRacesluncheon，andIneedmoralsustenanceifI’mgoingtogetthroughtheordealwithoutMum。"Habitandawearehardertoovercomethanpeoplerealizeuntiltheyactuallytrytocircumventtheconductofyears；Frankfoundhecouldnotdowhathelongedtodo，hecouldnotthrowthecontentsofhisglassinhisfather’sface，notinfrontofabarcrowd。Sohedownedwhatwasleftofhisbeeratagulp，smiledalittlesicklyandsaid，"Sorry，Daddy，I’vepromisedtomeetsomeblokesdownattheshowground。"

"Well，offyougo，then。Buthere，takethisandspenditonyourself。Haveagoodtime，andifyougetdrunkdon’tletyourmotherfindout。"Frankstaredatthecrispbluefive-poundnoteinhishand，longingtotearitintoshredsandflingtheminPaddy’sface，butcustomwonagain；hefoldedit，putitinhisfobpocketandthankedhisfather。Hecouldn’tgetoutofthebarquicklyenough。

Inhisbestbluesuit，waistcoatbuttoned，goldwatchsecuredbyagoldchainandaweightmadefromanuggetofftheLawrencegoldfields，Paddytuggedathiscelluloidcollarandlookeddownthebarforafacehemightrecognize。HehadnotbeenintoGillyveryoftenduringtheninemonthssincehearrivedonDrogheda，buthispositionasMaryCarson’sbrotherandheirapparentmeantthathehadbeentreatedveryhospitablywheneverhehadbeenintown，andthathisfacewaswellremembered。Severalmenbeamedathim，voicesofferedtoshouthimabeer，andhewassooninthemiddleofacomfortablelittlecrowd；Frankwasforgotten。

Meggie’shairwasbraidedthesedays，nonunbeingwilling(inspiteofMaryCarson’smoney)toattendtoitscurling，anditlayintwothickcablesoverhershoulders，tiedwithnavy-blueribbons。Cladinthesobernavy-blueuniformofaHolyCrossstudent，shewasescortedacrossthelawnfromtheconventtothepresbyterybyanunandhandedovertoFatherRalph’shousekeeper，whoadoredher。

"Och，it’stheweebairn’sbonnieHielan’hair，"sheexplainedtothepriestoncewhenhequestionedher，amused；Anniewasn’tgiventolikinglittlegirls，andhaddeploredthepresbytery’sproximitytotheschool。"Comenow，Annie！Hair’sinanimate；youcan’tlikesomeonejustbecauseofthecolorofherhair，"hesaid，toteaseher。

"Ah，weekshe’sapuirweelassie-skeggy，yeken。"

Hedidn’tkenatall，buthedidn’taskherwhat"skeggy"meant，either，orpassanyremarksaboutthefactthatitrhymedwithMeggie。SometimesitwasbetternottoknowwhatAnniemeant，orencourageherbypayingmuchattentiontowhatshesaid；shewas，inherownparlance，fey，andifshepitiedthechildhedidn’twanttobetolditwasbecauseofherfutureratherthanherpast。

Frankarrived，stilltremblingfromhisencounterwithhisfatherinthebar，andatalooseend。

"Comeon，Meggie，I’lltakeyoutothefair，"hesaid，holdingouthishand。

"Whydon’tItakeyouboth？"FatherRalphasked，holdingouthis。Sandwichedbetweenthetwomensheworshipped，andhangingontotheirhandsfordearlife，Meggiewasinseventhheaven。TheGillanboneshowgroundlayonthebanksoftheBarwonRiver，nextdoortotheracecourse。Thoughthefloodsweresixmonthsgone，themudhadnotcompletelydried，andtheeagerfeetofearlycomershadalreadypulpedittoamire。Beyondthestallsofsheepandcattle，pigsandgoats，theprimeandperfectlivestockcompetingforprizes，laytentsfullofhandicraftsandcooking。Theygazedatstock，cakes，crochetedshawls，knittedbabyclothes，embroideredtablecloths，catsanddogsandcanaries。

Onthefarsideofallthiswastheridingring，whereyoungequestriansandequestriennescanteredtheirbobtailedhacksbeforejudgeswholooked，itseemedtoagigglingMeggie，ratherlikehorsesthemselves。Ladyridersinmagnificentsergehabitsperchedsidesaddleontallhorses，theirtophatsswathedwithtantalizingwispsofveiling。HowanyonesoprecariouslymountedandhattedcouldstayunruffleduponahorseatanythingfasterthananamblewasbeyondMeggie’simagination，untilshesawonesplendidcreaturetakeherprancinganimaloveraseriesofdifficultjumpsandfinishasimpeccableasbeforeshestarted。Thentheladyprickedhermountwithanimpatientspurandcanteredacrossthesoggyground，reiningtoahaltinfrontofMeggie，FrankandFatherRalphtobartheirprogress。Theleginitspolishedblackboothookedroundthesaddlewasunhooked，andtheladysattrulyonthesideofhersaddle，herglovedhandsextendedimperiously。"Father！Besokindastohelpmedismount！"

Hereacheduptoputhishandsaroundherwaist，herhandsonhisshoulders，andswungherlightlydown；themomentherheelstouchedthegroundhereleasedher，tookhermount’sreinsinhishandandwalkedon，theladybesidehim，matchinghisstrideeffortlessly。"WillyouwintheHunting，MissCarmichael？"heaskedintonesofutterindifference。

Shepouted；shewasyoungandverybeautiful，andthatcuriousimpersonalqualityofhispiquedher。"Ihopetowin，butIcan’tbesure。MissHopetonandMrs。AnthonyKingbothcompete。However，IshallwintheDressage，soifIdon’twintheHuntingIshan’trepine。"

Shespokewithbeautifullyroundedvowels，andwiththeoddlystiltedphraseologyofayoungladysocarefullyrearedandeducatedtherewasnotatraceof

warmthoridiomlefttocolorhervoice。AshespoketoherFatherRalph’sownspeechbecamemorepearshaped，andquitelostitsbeguilinghintofIrishness；asifshebroughtbacktohimatimewhenhe，too，hadbeenlikethis。Meggiefrowned，puzzledandaffectedbytheirlightbutguardedwords，notknowingwhatthechangeinFatherRalphwas，onlyknowingtherewasachange，andnotonetoherliking。SheletgoFrank’shand，andindeedithadbecomedifficultforthemtocontinuewalkingabreast。BythetimetheycametoawidepuddleFrankhadfallenbehindthem。FatherRalph’seyesdancedashesurveyedthewater，almostashallowpond；heturnedtothechildwhosehandhehadkeptinhisfirmly，andbentdowntoherwithaspecialtendernesstheladycouldnotmistake，forithadbeenentirelylackinginhiscivilexchangeswithher。"Iwearnocloak，darlingMeggie，soIcan’tbeyourSirWalterRaleigh。I’msureyou’llexcuseme，mydearMissCarmichael"-thereinswerepassedtothelady。Ican’tpermitmyfavoritegirltomuddyhershoes，nowcanI？"HepickedMeggieupandtuckedhereasilyagainsthiship，leavingMissCarmichaeltocollectherheavytrailingskirtsinonehand，thereinsinherother，andsplashherwayacrossunaided。ThesoundofFrank’shootoflaugherjustbehindthemdidn’timprovehertemper；onthefarsideofthepuddlesheleftthemabruptly。

"Idobelieveshe’dkillyouifshecould，"FranksaidasFatherRalphputMeggiedown。HewasfascinatedbythisencounterandbyFatherRalph’sdeliberatecruelty。ShehadseemedtoFranksobeautifulandsohaughtythatnomancouldgainsayher，evenapriest，yetFatherRalphhadwantonlysetouttoshatterherfaithinherself，inthatheadyfemininityshewieldedlikeaweapon。Asifthepriesthatedherandwhatshestoodfor，Frankthought，theworldofwomen，anexquisitemystery，hehadneverhadtheopportunitytoplumb。Smartingfromhismother’swords，hehadwantedMissCarmichaeltonoticehim，theoldestsonofMaryCarson’sheir，butshehadnotsomuchasdeignedtoadmitheexisted。Allherattentionhadbeenfocusedonthepriest，abeingsexlessandemasculated。Evenifhewastall，darkandhandsome。"Don’tworry，she’llbebackformoreofthesame，"saidFatherRalphcynically。"She’srich，sonextSundayshe’llveryostentatiouslyputaten-poundnoteintheplate。"HelaughedatFrank’sexpression。"I’mnotsomucholderthanyou，myson，butinspiteofmycallingI’maveryworldlyfellow。Don’tholditagainstme；justputitdowntoexperience。"Theyhadlefttheridingringbehindandenteredtheamusementpartofthegrounds。ToMeggieandFrankalikeitwasenchantment。FatherRalphhadgivenMeggiefivewholeshillings，andFrankhadhisfivepounds；toownthepriceofadmissiontoallthoseenticingboothswaswonderful。Crowdsthrongedthearea，childrenrunningeverywhere，gazingwide-eyedattheluridlyandsomewhatinexpertlypaintedlegendsfrontingtatteredtents:TheFattestLadyintheWorld；PrincessHouritheSnakeDancer(seeHerFantheFlamesofaCobra’sRage！)；TheIndiaRubberMan；GoliaththeWorld’sStrongestMan；ThetistheMermaid。Ateachtheypaidtheirpenniesandwatchedraptly，notnoticingThetis’ssadlytarnishedscalesorthetoothlesssmileonthecobra。Atthefarend，sobigitrequiredawholesideforitself，wasagiantmarqueewithahighboardwalkalongitsfront，acurtainlikefriezeofpaintedfiguresstretchingbehindtheentirelengthoftheboardbridge，menacingthecrowd。Amanwithamegaphoneinhishandwasshoutingtothegatheringpeople。

"Hereitis，gents，JimmySharman’sfamousboxingtroupe！Eightoftheworld’sgreatestprizefighters，andapursetobewonbyanychapgametohaveago！"

Womenandgirlsweretricklingoutoftheaudienceasfastasmenandboyscamefromeverydirectiontoswellit，clusteringthicklybeneaththeboardwalk。AssolemnlyasgladiatorsparadingattheCircusMaximus，eightmenfiledontothebridgeandstood，bandagedhandsonhips，legsapart，swaggeringattheadmiringoohsofthecrowd。Meggiethoughttheywerewearingunderclothes，fortheywerecladinlongblacktightsandvestswithcloselyfittinggreytrunksfromwaiststomidthighs。Ontheirchests，bigwhiteRomancapitalssaidJIMMYSHARMAN’STROUPE。NOtwowerethesamesize，somebig，somesmall，someinbetween，buttheywereallofparticularlyfinephysique。Chattingandlaughingtoeachotherinanoffhandmannerthatsuggestedthiswasaneverydayoccurrence，theyflexedtheirmusclesandtriedtopretendtheyweren’tenjoyingstrutting。

"Comeon，chaps，who’lltakeaglove？"thespruikerwasbraying。"Whowantstohaveago？Takeaglove，winafiver！"hekeptyellingbetweentheboomsofabassdrum。

"Iwill！"Frankshouted。"Iwill，Iwill！"

HeshookoffFatherRalph’srestraininghandasthosearoundtheminthethrongwhocouldseeFrank’sdiminutivesizebegantolaughandgood-naturedlypushhimtothefront。

ButthespruikerwasveryseriousasoneofthetroupeextendedafriendlyhandandpulledFrankuptheladdertostandatonesideoftheeightalreadyonthebridge。"Don’tlaugh，gents。He’snotverybigbutheisthefirsttovolunteer！Itisn’tthesizeofthedoginthefight，youknow，it’sthesizeofthefightinthedog！Comeonnow，here’sthislittleblokegametotry-whataboutsomeofyoubigblokes，eh？Putonagloveandwinafiver，gothedistancewithoneofJimmySharman’stroupe！"

Graduallytheranksofthevolunteersincreased，theyoungmenself-consciouslyclutchingtheirhatsandeyeingtheprofessionalswhostood，abandofelitebeings，alongsidethem。Dyingtostayandseewhathappened，FatherRalphreluctantlydecideditwasmorethantimeheremovedMeggiefromthevicinity，sohepickedherupandturnedonhisheeltoleave。Meggiebegantoscream，andthefartherawayhegot，theloudershescreamed；peoplewerebeginningtolookatthem，andhewassowellknownitwasveryembarrassing，nottomentionundignified。"Nowlook，Meggie，Ican’ttakeyouinthere！Yourfatherwouldflaymealive，andrightly！"

"IwanttostaywithFrank，IwanttostaywithFrank！"shehowledatthetopofhervoice，kickingandtryingtobite。

"Oh，shit！"saidFatherRalph。

Yieldingtotheinevitable，hedugintohispocketfortherequiredcoinsandapproachedtheopenflapofthemarquee，oneeyecockedforanyoftheClearyboys；buttheywerenowheretobeseen，sohepresumedtheyweresafelytryingtheirluckwiththehorseshoesorgorgingthemselvesonmeatpiesandicecream。

"Youcan’ttakeherinthere，Father！"theforemansaid，shocked。FatherRalphliftedhiseyesheavenward。"Ifyou’llonlytellmehowwecangetherawayfromherewithouttheentireGillypoliceforcearrestingusformolestingachild，I’llgladlygo！Butherbrothervolunteeredandshe’snotabouttoleaveherbrotherwithoutafightthatwillmakeyourchapslooklikeamateurs！"

Theforemanshrugged。"Well，Father，Ican’targuewithyou，canI？Inyougo，butkeepheroutoftheway，for-ah-pity’ssake。No，no，Father，putyourmoneybackinyourpocket；Jimmywouldn’tlikeit。"

Thetentseemedfullofmenandboys，millingaroundacentralring；FatherRalphfoundaplaceatthebackofthecrowdagainstthecanvaswall，hangingontoMeggiefordearlife。Theairwasfoggyfromtobaccosmokeandredolentwithsawdusttheyhadthrowndowntoabsorbthemud。Frank，glovesalreadyonhishands，wasthefirstchallengeroftheday。

Thoughitwasunusual，itwasnotunknownforamanoutofthecrowdtolastthedistanceagainstoneoftheprofessionalboxers。Admittedlytheyweren’tthebestintheworld，buttheydidincludesomeofthebestinAustralia。Putupagainstaflyweightbecauseofhissize，Frankknockedhimoutwiththethirdpunchhethrew，andofferedtofightsomeoneelse。Bythetime，hewasonhisthirdprofessionalthewordhadgotaround，andthetentwassojammedtheycouldnotfitanothereagerspectatorinside。Hehadhardlybeentouchedbyaglove，thefewblowshehadtakenonlyprovokinghisever-smolderingrage。Hewaswild-eyed，almostspittinginpassion，eachofhisopponentswearingPaddy’sface，theyellsandcheersofthecrowdthrobbinginhisheadlikeavastsinglevoicechantingGo！Go！Go！Oh，howhehadachedforthechancetofight，deniedhimsincecomingtoDrogheda！Fortofightwastheonlywayheknewofriddinghimselfofangerandpain，andashelandedthefellingpunchhethoughtthegreatdullvoiceinhisearschangeditssong，toKill！Kill！Kill！Thentheyputhimwithoneoftherealchampions，alightweightunderorderstokeepFrankatadistanceandfindoutifhecouldboxaswellashecouldpunch。JimmySharman’seyeswereshining。Hewasalwaysonthelookoutforchampions，andtheselittlecountryshowshadyieldedseveral。Thelightweightdidashewastold，hard-pressedinspiteofhissuperiorreach，whileFrank，sopossessedbyhishungertokillthatdancing，elusivefigurehesawnothingelse，wentafterhim。Helearnedwitheveryclinchandflurryofblows，oneofthosestrangepeoplewhoeveninthemidstoftitanicrakestillcanthink。Andhelastedthedistance，inspiteofthepunishmentthoseexpertfistshadmetedout；hiseyewasswelling，hisbrowandlipcut。Buthehadwontwentypounds，andtherespectofeverymanpresent。MeggiewriggledfromFatherRalph’sslackenedclaspandboltedfromthetentbeforehecouldcatchholdofher。Whenhefoundheroutsideshehadbeensick，andwastryingtocleanhersplatteredshoeswithatinyhandkerchief。Silentlyhegaveherhisown，strokingherbright，sobbinghead。Theatmosphereinsidehadnotagreedwithhisgorgeeither，andhewishedthedignityofhiscallingpermittedhimthereliefofreleasingitinpublic。

"DoyouwanttowaitforFrank，orwouldyouratherwewentnow？""I’llwaitforFrank，"shewhispered，leaningagainsthisside，sogratefulforhiscalmnessandsympathy。

"Iwonderwhyyoutugsoatmynonexistentheart？"hemused，deeminghertoosickandmiserabletolistenbutneedingtovoicehisthoughtsaloud，asdosomanypeoplewholeadasolitarylife。"Youdon’tremindmeofmymotherandIneverhadasister，andIwishIknewwhatitwasaboutyouandyourwretchedfamily……Haveyouhada。hardlife，mylittleMeggie？"Frankcameoutofthetent，apieceofstickingplasteroverhiseye，dabbingathistornlip。ForthefirsttimesinceFatherRalphhadmethim，helookedhappy；thewaymostmendidafterwhatoneknewwasagoodnightinbedwithawoman，thoughtthepriest。

"What’sMeggiedoinghere？"hesnarled，notquitedownfromtheexaltationofthering。

"Shortofbindingherhandandfoot，nottomentiongaggingher，therewasnowayIcouldkeepherout，"saidFatherRalphtartly，notpleasedathavingtojustifyhimself，butnotsureFrankwouldn’thaveagoathim，too。Hewasn’tintheleastafraidofFrank，buthewasafraidofcreatingasceneinpublic。"Shewasfrightenedforyou，Frank；shewantedtobenearenoughtoyoutoseeforherselfthatyouwereallright。Don’tbeangrywithher；she’supsetenoughalready。"

"Don’tyoudareletDaddyknowyouwerewithinamileofthisplace，"FranksaidtoMeggie。

"Doyoumindifwecuttherestofourtourshort？"thepriestasked。"Ithinkwecouldalldowitharestandacupofteaatthepresbytery。"HepinchedthetipofMeggie’snose。"Andyou，younglady，coulddowithagoodwash。"

Paddyhadhadatormentingdaywithhissister，atherbeckandcallinawayFeeneverdemanded，helpingherpickherfastidious，cross-patchwaythroughtheGillymudinimportedguipurelaceshoes，smilingandchattingwiththepeopleshegreetedroyally，standingbyhersideasshepresentedtheemeraldbracelettothewinneroftheprincipalrace，theGillanboneTrophy。Whytheyhadtospendalltheprizemoneyonawoman’strinketinsteadofhandingoveragold-platedcupandanicebundleofcashwasbeyondhim，forhedidnotunderstandthekeenlyamateurnatureoftheracemeeting，theinferencethatthepeoplewhoenteredhorsesdidn’tneedvulgarmoney，insteadcouldcarelesslytossthewinningstothelittlewoman。HorryHopeton，whosebaygeldingKingEdwardhadwontheemeraldbracelet，alreadypossessedaruby，adiamondandasapphirebraceletfromotheryears；hehadawifeandfivedaughtersandsaidhecouldn’tstopuntilhehadwonsixbracelets。

Paddy’sstarchedshirtandcelluloidcollarchafed，thebluesuitwastoohot，andtheexoticSydneyseafoodtheyhadservedwithchampagneatluncheonhadnotagreedwithhismutton-inureddigestion。Andhehadfeltafool，thoughthelookedafool。Bestthoughitwas，hissuitsmackedofcheaptailoringandbucolicunfashionableness。Theywerenothiskindofpeople，theblufftweedygraziers，theloftymatrons，thetoothy，horsyyoungwomen，thecreamofwhattheBulletincalled"thesquattocracy。"Fortheyweredoingtheirbesttoforgetthedaysinthelastcenturywhentheyhadsquattedonthelandandtakenvasttractsofitfortheirown，hadittacitlyacknowledgedastheirownwithfederationandthearrivalofhomerule。Theyhadbecomethemostenviedgroupofpeopleonthecontinent，rantheirownpoliticalparty，senttheirchildrentoexclusiveSydneyschools，hobnobbedwiththevisitingPrinceofWales。He，plainPaddyCleary，wasaworkingman。Hehadabsolutelynothingincommonwiththesecolonialaristocrats，whoremindedhimofhiswife’sfamilytoomuchforcomfort。SowhenhecameintothepresbyteryloungetofindFrank，MeggieandFatherRalphrelaxedaroundthefireandlookingasiftheyhadspentawonderful，carefreeday，itirritatedhim。HehadmissedFee’sgenteelsupportunbearablyandhestilldislikedhissisterasmuchashehadbackinhisearlychildhoodinIreland。ThenhenoticedthestickingplasteroverFrank’seye，theswollenface；itwasaheaven-sentexcuse。"Andhowdoyouthinkyou’regoingtofaceyourmotherlookinglikethat？"heyelled。"Notadayoutofmysightandyou’rebackatitagain，pickingfightswithanyonewholooksatyousideways！"

Startled，FatherRalphjumpedtohisfeetwithasoothingnoisehalf-uttered；butFrankwasquicker。

"Iearnedmyselfmoneywiththis！"hesaidverysoftly，pointingtotheplaster。"Twentypoundsforafewminutes’work，betterwagesthanAuntieMarypaysyouandmecombinedinamonth！IknockedoutthreegoodboxersandlastedthedistancewithalightweightchampioninJimmySharman’stentthisafternoon。AndIearnedmyselftwentypounds。ItmaynotfitinwithyourideasofwhatIoughttodo，butthisafternoonIearnedtherespectofeverymanpresent！"

"Afewtired，punch-drunkoldhas-beensatacountryshow，andyou’refullofit？Growup，Frank！Iknowyoucan’tgrowanymoreinbody，butyoumightmakeaneffortforyourmother’ssaketogrowinmind！"ThewhitenessofFrank’sface！Likebleachedbones。

Itwasthemostterribleinsultamancouldofferhim，andthiswashisfather；hecouldn’tstrikeback。Hisbreathingstartedcomingfromthebottomofhischestwiththeeffortofkeepinghishandsbyhissides。"Nohas-beens，Daddy。YouknowwhoJimmySharmanisaswellasIdo。AndJimmySharmanhimselfsaidIhadaterrificfutureasaboxer；hewantstotakemeintohistroupeandtrainme。Andhewantstopayme！Imaynotgrowanybigger，butI’mbigenoughtolickanymaneverborn-andthatgoesforyou，too，youstinkingoldhe-goat！"