第7章

Andnotfarfromthehorse，hiddenasheapproachedbyalog，waswhathadbeenaman。Therecouldbenomistake。Glisteningandshinyintherain，theblackthinglayonitsback，anditsbackwasarchedlikeagreatbowsothatitbentupwardinthemiddleanddidnottouchthegroundexceptatthebuttocksandshoulders。Thearmswereflungapartandcurvedattheelbowsasifbeseechingheaven，thefingerswiththefleshdroppingoffthemtorevealcharredboneswereclawingandgraspingatnothing。Thelegsweresplayedapartalsobutflexedattheknees，andtheblobofaheadlookedupsightless，eyelessatthesky。

ForamomentStuart’sclear，all-seeinggazerestedonhisfather，andsawnottheruinedshellbuttheman，ashehadbeeninlife。Hepointedhisrifleatthesky，firedashot，reloaded，firedasecondshot，reloaded，letoffthethird。Faintlyinthedistanceheheardoneansweringreport，then，fartheroffandveryfaintly，asecondanswer。Itwasthenherememberedtheclosershotwouldhave-comefromhismotherandsister。Theywerenorthwest，hewasnorth。Withoutwaitingthestipulatedfiveminutes，heputanothershellintheriflebreech，pointedthegunduesouth，andfired。Apausetoreload，thesecondshot，reload，thethirdshot。Heputtheweaponbackonthegroundandstoodlookingsouth，hisheadcocked，listening。Thistimethefirstanswerwasfromthewest，Bob’sshot，thesecondfromJackorHughie，andthethirdfromhismother。Hesighedinrelief；hedidn’twantthewomenreachinghimfirst。

Thushedidn’tseethegreatwildpigemergefromthetreestothenorth；hesmelledit。Asbigasacow，itsmassivebulkrolledandquiveredonshort，powerfullegsasitdroveitsheaddown，rakingattheburnedwetground。Theshotshaddisturbedit，anditwasinpain。Thesparseblackhairononesideofitsbodywassingedoffandtheskinwasredlyraw；whatStuartsmelledashestaredintothesouthwasthedelectableodorofbubbledporkskin，justasitisonaroastedjointfreshfromtheovenandcrispallovertheslashedouterhusk。Surprisedoutofthecuriouslypeacefulsorrowhealwaysseemedtohaveknown，hisheadturned，evenashethoughttohimselfthathemusthavebeenherebefore，thatthissoddenblackplacehadbeenetchedintosomepartofhisbrainonthedayofhisbirth。Stooping，hegropedfortherifle，rememberingitwasn’tloaded。Theboarstoodperfectlystill，itslittlereddenedeyesmadwithpain，thegreatyellowtuskssharpandcurvingupwardinahalfcircle。Stuart’shorseneighed，smellingthebeast；thepig’smassiveheadswungtowatchit，thenloweredforthecharge。WhileitsattentionwasonthehorseStuartsawhisonlychance，bentquicklyfortherifleandsnappedthebreechopen，hisotherhandinhisjacketpocketforashell。Allaroundtherainwasdroppingdown，mufflingothersoundsinitsownunchangingpatter。Butthepigheardtheboltslideback，andatthelastmomentchangedthedirectionofitschargefromthehorsetoStuart。Itwasalmostuponhimwhenhegotoneshotoffstraightintothebeast’schest，withoutslowingitdown。Thetusksslewedupandsideways，andcaughthiminthegroin。Hefell，bloodappearinglikeafaucetturnedallthewayonandsaturatinghisclothes，spurtingovertheground。

Turningawkwardlyasitbegantofeelthebullet，thepigcamebacktogorehimagain，faltered，swayed，andtottered。Thewholeofthatfifteen-hundred-poundbulkcamedownacrosshim，andcrushedhisfaceintothetarrymud。Foramomenthishandsclawedatthegroundoneithersideinafrantic，futilestruggletobefree；thisthenwaswhathehadalwaysknown，whyhehadneverhopedordreamedorplanned，onlysatanddrunkofthelivingworldsodeeplytherehadnotbeentimetogrieveforhiswaitingfate。Hethought:Mum，Mum！Ican’tstaywithyou，Mum！，evenashisheartburstwithinhim。

"IwonderwhyStuhasn’tfiredagain？"Meggieaskedhermotherastheytrottedtowardthesoundofthosetwofirsttriplevolleys，notabletogoanyfasterinthemud，anddesperatelyanxious。"Isupposehedecidedwe’dheard，"Feesaid。ButinthebackofhermindshewasrememberingStuart’sfaceastheypartedindifferentdirectionsonthesearch，thewayhishandhadgoneouttoclasphers，thewayhehadsmiledather。"Wecan’tbefarawaynow，"shesaid，andpushedhermountintoaclumsy，slidingcanter。

ButJackhadgottherefirst，sohadBob，andtheyheadedthewomenoffastheycameacrossthelastofthelivinglandtowardtheplacewherethebushfirehadbegun。

"Don’tgoin，Mum，"saidBobasshedismounted。JackhadgonetoMeggie，andheldherarms。

Thetwopairsofgreyeyesturned，notsomuchinbewildermentordreadasinknowledge，asiftheydidnotneedtobetoldanything。"Paddy？"askedFeeinavoicenotlikeherown。"Yes。AndStu。"

Neitherofhersonscouldlookather。

"Stu？Stu！Whatdoyoumean，Stu？Oh，God，whatisit，what’shappened？Notbothofthem-no！"

"Daddygotcaughtinthefire；he’sdead。Stumusthavedisturbedaboar，anditchargedhim。Heshotit，butitfellonhimasitwasdyingandsmotheredhim。He’sdeadtoo，Mum。"

Meggiescreamedandstruggled，tryingtobreakfreeofJack’shands，butFeestoodbetweenBob’sgrimy，bloodyonesasifturnedtostone，hereyesasglassyasagazing-ball。"Itistoomuch，"shesaidatlast，andlookedupatBobwiththerainrunningdownherfaceandherhairinstragglingwispsaroundhernecklikegoldenrunnels。"Letmegotothem，Bob。Iamthewifeofoneandthemotherofone。Youcan’tkeepmeaway-youhavenorighttokeepmeaway。Letmegotothem。"

Meggiehadquietened，andstoodwithinJack’sarmswithherheadonhisshoulder。AsFeebegantowalkacrosstheruinswithBob’sarmaroundherwaist，Meggielookedafterthem，butshemadenomovetofollow。Hughieappearedoutofthedimmingrain；JacknoddedtowardhismotherandBob。"Goafterthem，Hughie，staywiththem。MeggieandIaregoingbacktoDrogheda，tobringthedray。"HeletMeggiego，andhelpedherontothechestnutmare。"Comeon，Meggie；it’snearlydark。Wecan’tleavethemoutallnightinthis，andtheywon’tgountilwegetback。"

Itwasimpossibletoputthedrayoranythingelsewheeleduponthemud；intheendJackandoldTomchainedasheetofcorrugatedironbehindtwodrafthorses，TomleadingtheteamonastockhorsewhileJackrodeaheadwiththebiggestlampDroghedapossessed。

MeggiestayedatthehomesteadandsatinfrontofthedrawingroomfirewhileMrs。Smithtriedtopersuadehertoeat，tearsrunningdownherfacetoseethegirl’sstill，silentshock，thewayshedidnotweep。Atthesoundofthefrontdoorknockersheturnedandwenttoanswerit，wonderingwhoonearthhadmanagedtogetthroughthemud，andasalwaysastonishedatthespeedwithwhichnewstraveledthelonelymilesbetweenthefar-flunghomesteads。

FatherRalphwasstandingontheveranda，wetandmuddy，inridingclothesandoilskins。

"MayIcomein，Mrs。Smith？"

"Oh，Father，Father！"shecried，andthrewherselfintohisastoundedarms。"Howdidyouknow？"

"Mrs。Clearytelegrammedme，amanager-to-ownercourtesyIappreciatedverymuch。IgotleavetocomefromArchbishopdiContini-Verchese。Whatamouth-ful！WouldyoubelieveIhavetosayitahundredtimesaday？Iflewup。Theplaneboggedasitlandedandpitchedonitsnose，soIknewwhatthegroundwaslikebeforeIsomuchassteppedonit。Dear，beautifulGilly！IleftmysuitcasewithFatherWattyatthepresbyteryandcadgedahorsefromtheImperialpublican，whothoughtIwascrazyandbetmeabottleofJohnnieWalkerBlackLabelI’dnevergetthroughthemud。Oh，Mrs。Smith，don’tcryso！Mydear，theworldhasn’tcometoanendbecauseofafire，nomatterhowbigandnastyitwas！"hesaid，smilingandpattingherheavingshoulders。"HereamIdoingmybesttomakelightofit，andyou’rejustnotdoingyourbesttorespond。Don’tcryso，please。"

"Thenyoudon’tknow，"shesobbed。

"What？Knowwhat？Whatisit-what’shappened？""Mr。ClearyandStuartaredead。"

Hisfacedrainedofcolor；hishandspushedthehousekeeperaway。"Where’sMeggie？"hebarked。

"Inthedrawingroom。Mrs。Cleary’sstilloutinthepaddockwiththebodies。JackandTomhavegonetobringthemin。Oh，Father，sometimesinspiteofmyfaithIcan’thelpthinkingGodistoocruel！WhydidHehavetotakebothofthem？"

ButallFatherRalphhadstayedtohearwaswhereMeggiewas；hehadgoneintothedrawingroomsheddinghisoilskinsashewent，trailingmuddywaterbehindhim。

"Meggie！"hesaid，comingtoherandkneelingatonesideofherchair，takinghercoldhandsinhiswetonesfirmly。

Sheslippedfromthechairandcrawledintohisarms，pillowedherheadonhisdrippingshirtandclosedhereyes，sohappyinspiteofherpainandgriefthatsheneverwantedthemomenttoend。Hehadcome，itwasavindicationofherpoweroverhim，shehadn’tfailed。

"I’mwet，darlingMeggie；you’llgetsoaked，"hewhispered，hischeekonherhair。

"Itdoesn’tmatter。You’vecome。"

"Yes，I’vecome。Iwantedtobesureyouweresafe，IhadafeelingIwasneeded，Ihadtoseeformyself。Oh，Meggie，yourfatherandStu！Howdidithappen？"

"Daddywascaughtinthefire，andStufoundhim。Hewaskilledbyaboar；itfellonhimafterheshotit。JackandTomhavegoneouttobringthemin。"

Hesaidnomore，butheldherandrockedherasifshewereababyuntiltheheatofthefirepartiallydriedhisshirtandhairandhefeltsomeofthestiffnessdrainfromher。Thenheputhishandbeneathherchin，tiltedherheaduntilshelookedupathim，andwithoutthinkingkissedher。Itwasaconfusedimpulsenotrootedindesire，justsomethingheinstinctivelyofferedwhenhesawwhatlayinthegreyeyes。Somethingapart，adifferentkindofsacrament。Herarmsslidupunderhistomeetacrosshisback；hecouldnotstophimselfflinching，suppresstheexclamationofpain。Shedrewbackalittle。"What’sthematter？"

"Imusthavebruisedmyribswhentheplanecamein。WeboggedtothefuselageingoodoldGillymud，soitwasaprettyroughlanding。Iwoundupbalancedonthebackoftheseatinfrontofme。"

"Here，letmesee。"

Fingerssteady，sheunbuttonedthedampshirtandpeeleditoffhisarms，pulleditfreeofhisbreeches。Underthesurfaceofthesmoothbrownskinapurplinguglypatchextendedfromonesideclearacrosstotheotherbelowtheribcage；herbreathcaught。

"Oh，Ralph！YourodeallthewayfromGillywiththis？Howitmusthavehurt！Doyoufeelallright？Nofaintness？Youmighthaverupturedsomethinginside！"

"No，I’mfine，andIdidn’tfeelit，honestly。Iwassoanxioustogethere，。makesureyouwereallright，that

IsupposeIsimplyeliminateditfrommymind。IfIwasbleedinginternallyI’dhaveknownabout。itlongbeforenow，Iexpect。God，Meggie，don’t！"Herheadhadgonedown，shewasdelicatelytouchingherlipstothebruise，herpalmsslidinguphischesttohisshoulderswithadeliberatesensuousnessthatstaggeredhim。Fascinated，terrified，meaningtofreehimselfatanycost，hepulledherheadaway；butsomehowallhesucceededindoingwashavingherbackinhisarms，asnakecoiledtightlyabouthiswill，stranglingit。Painwasforgotten，Churchwasforgotten，Godwasforgotten。Hefoundhermouth，forceditopenhungrily，wantingmoreandmoreofher，notabletoholdhercloseenoughtoassuagetheghastlydrivegrowinginhim。Shegavehimherneck，baredhershoulderswheretheskinwascool，smootherandglossierthansatin；itwaslikedrowning，sinkingdeeperanddeeper，gaspingandhelpless。Mortalitypresseddownonhim，agreatweightcrushinghissoul，liberatingthebitterdarkwineofhissensesinasuddenflood。Hewantedtoweep；thelastofhisdesiretrickledawayundertheburdenofhismortality，andhewrenchedherarmsfromabouthiswretchedbody，satbackonhisheelswithhisheadsunkenforward，seemingtobecomeutterlyabsorbedinwatchinghishandstrembleonhisknees。Meggie，whathaveyoudonetome，whatmightyoudotomeifIletyou？"Meggie，Iloveyou，Ialwayswill。ButI’mapriest，Ican’t……Ijustcan’t！"

Shegottoherfeetquickly，straightenedherblouse，stoodlookingdownathimandsmilingatwistedsmilewhichonlythrewthefailedpaininhereyesintogreateremphasis。

"It’sallright，Ralph。I’llgoandseeifMrs。Smithcangetyousomethingtoeat，thenI’llbringyouthehorseliniment。It’smarvelousforbringingoutabruise；stopsthesorenessmuchbetterthankissesevercould，Idaresay。"

"Isthephoneworking？"hemanagedtosay。

"Yes。Theystrungatemporarylineonthetreesandreconnectedusacoupleofhoursago。"

ButitwassomeminutesaftershelefthimbeforehecouldcomposehimselfsufficientlytoseathimselfatFee’sescritoire。"Givemetrunks，please，switch。ThisisFatherdeBricassartatDrogheda-Oh，hello，Doreen；stillontheswitch，Isee。Nicetohearyourvoice，too。OneneverknowswhoswitchisinSydney；she’sjustaboredvoice。IwanttoputanurgentcallthroughtoHisGracetheArchbishopPapalLegateinSydney。HisnumberisXX-2324。AndwhileI’mwaitingforSydney，putmethroughtoBugela，Doreen。"

TherewasbarelytimetotellMartinKingwhathadhappenedbeforeSydneywasontheline，butonewordtoBugelawasenough。Gillywouldknowfromhimandtheeavesdroppersonthepartyline，andthosewhowishedtobravearidethroughGillymudwouldbeatthefunerals。

"YourGrace？ThisisFatherdeBricassart……Yes，thankyou，Iarrivedsafely，buttheplane’sboggedtoitsfuselageinmudandI’llhavetocomebackbytrain……Mud，YourGrace，m-u-dmud。No，YourGrace，everythingupherebecomesimpassablewhenitrains。IhadtoridefromGillanbonetoDroghedaonhorseback；that’stheonlywayonecaneventryinrain……That’swhyI’mphoning，YourGrace。ItwasaswellIcame。IsupposeImusthavehadsomesortofpremonition……yes，thingsarebad，verybad。PadraicClearyandhissonStuartaredead，oneburnedtodeathinthefire，onesmotheredbyaboar……Ab-o-a-rboar，YourGrace，awildpig……Yes，you’reright，onedoesspeakaslightlybizarreEnglishuphere。"Alldownthefaintlinehecouldheargaspsfromthelisteners，andgrinnedinspiteofhimself。Onecouldn’tyellintothephonethateverybodymustgetofftheline-itwasthesoleentertainmentofamassnatureGillyhadtoofferitscontact-hungrycitizens-butiftheywouldonlygetoffthelineHisGracemightstandabetterchanceofhearing。"Withyourpermission，YourGrace，I’llremaintoconductthefuneralsandmakesurethewidowandhersurvivingchildrenareallright……Yes，yourGrace，thankyou。I’llreturntoSydneyassoonasIcan。"

Switchwaslistening，too；heclickedtheleverandspokeagainimmediately。"Doreen，putmebacktoBugela，please。"HetalkedtoMartinKingforafewminutes，anddecidedsinceitwasAugustandwintercoldtodelaythefuneralsuntilthedayafterthiscomingday。Manypeoplewouldwanttoattendinspiteofthemudandbepreparedtoridetogetthere，butitwasslowandarduouswork。

Meggiecamebackwiththehorseliniment，butmadenooffertorubiton，justhandedhimthebottlesilently。SheinformedhimabruptlythatMrs。Smithwaslayinghimahotsupperinthesmalldiningroominanhour，sohewouldhavetimetobathe。HewasuncomfortablyawarethatinsomewayMeggiethoughthehadfailedher，buthedidn’tknowwhysheshouldthinkso，oronwhatbasisshehadjudgedhim。Sheknewwhathewas；whywassheangry？

Ingreydawnlightthelittlecavalcadeescortingthebodiesreachedthecreek，andstopped。Thoughthewaterwasstillcontainedwithinitsbanks，theGillanhadbecomeariverinfullspate，runningfastandthirtyfeetdeep。FatherRalphswamhischestnutmareacrosstomeetthem，stolearoundhisneckandtheinstrumentsofhiscallinginasaddlebag。WhileFee，Bob，Jack，HughieandTomstoodaround，hestrippedthecanvasoffthebodiesandpreparedtoanointthem。AfterMaryCarsonnothingcouldsickenhim；yethefoundnothingrepugnantaboutPaddyandStu。Theywerebothblackaftertheirfashion，PaddyfromthefireandStufromsuffocation，butthepriestkissedthemwithloveandrespect。

Forfifteenmilestheroughsheetofironhadjarredandbouncedoverthegroundbehindtheteamofdrafthorses，scarringthemudwithdeepgougeswhichwouldstillbevisibleyearslater，eveninthegrassofotherseasons。Butitseemedtheycouldgonofarther；theswirlingcreekwouldkeepthemonitsfarside，withDroghedaonlyamileaway。Theystoodstaringatthetopsoftheghostgums，clearlyvisibleevenintherain。

"Ihaveanidea，"saidBob，turningtoFatherRalph。"Father，you’retheonlyoneonafreshhorse；itwillhavetobeyou。Ourswillonlyswimthecreekoncethey’vegotnomoreinthemafterthemudandthecold。Gobackandfindsomeemptyforty-four-gallondrums，andsealtheirlidsshutsotheycan’tpossiblyleakorslipoff。Solderthemifnecessary。We’llneedtwelveofthem，tenifyoucan’tfindmore。Tiethemtogetherandbringthembackacrossthecreek。We’lllashthemundertheironandfloatitacrosslikeabarge。"

FatherRalphdidashewastoldwithoutquestion；itwasabetterideathananyhehadtooffer。DominicO’RourkeofDibban-Dibbanhadriddeninwithtwoofhissons；hewasaneighborandnotfarawayasdistanceswent。WhenFatherRalphexplainedwhathadtobedonetheysetaboutitquickly，scouringtheshedsforemptydrums，tippingchaffandoatsoutofdrumsemptyofpetrolbutinuseforstorage，searchingforlids，solderingthelidstothedrumsiftheywererustfreeandlookedlikelytowithstandthebatteringtheywouldgetinthewater。Therainwasstillfalling，falling。Itwouldn’tstopforanothertwodays。

"Dominic，Ihatetoaskitofyou，butwhenthesepeoplecomeinthey’regoingtobehalfdead。We’llhavetoholdthefuneralstomorrow，andeveniftheGillyundertakercouldmakethecoffinsintime，we’dnevergetthemoutthroughthemud。Cananyofyouhaveagoatmakingacoupleofcoffins？Ionlyneedonemantoswimthecreekwithme。"

TheO’Rourkesonsnodded；theydidn’twanttoseewhatthefirehaddonetoPaddyortheboartoStuart。

"We’lldoit，Dad，"saidLiam。

Draggingthedrumsbehindtheirhorses，FatherRalphandDominicO’Rourkerodedowntothecreekandswamit。

"There’sonething，Father！"shoutedDominic。"Wedon’thavetodiggravesinthisbloodymud！IusedtothinkoldMarywasputtingonthedogabittoomuchwhensheputamarblevaultinherbackyardforMichael，butrightatthisminuteifshewashere，I’dkissher！"

"Tooright！"yelledFatherRalph。

Theylashedthedrumsunderthesheetofiron，sixoneitherside，tiedthecanvasshrouddownfirmly，andswamtheexhausteddrafthorsesacrossontheropewhichwouldfinallytowtheraft。DominicandTomsatastridethegreatbeasts，andatthetopoftheDrogheda-sidebankpaused，lookingback，whilethosestillmaroonedhookedupthemakeshiftbarge，pushedittothebankandshoveditin。Thedrafthorsesbeganwalking，TomandDominiccooeeingshrillyastheraftbegantofloat。Itbobbedandwallowedbadly，butitstayedafloatlongenoughtobehauledoutsafely；ratherthanwastetimedismantlingthepontoons，thetwoimpromptupostilionsurgedtheirmountsupthetracktowardthebighouse，thesheetofironslidingalongonitsdrumsbetterthanithadwithoutthem。

Therewasarampuptogreatdoorsatthebalingendoftheshearingshed，sotheyputtheraftanditsburdeninthehugeemptybuildingamidthereeksoftar，sweat，lanolinanddung。Muffledinoilskins，MinnieandCathadcomedownfromthebighousetotakefirstvigil，andkneltoneoneithersideoftheironbier，rosarybeadsclicking，voicesrisingandfallingincadencestoowellknowntoneedtheeffortofmemory。

Thehousewasfillingup。DuncanGordonhadarrivedfromEach-Uisge，GarethDaviesfromNarrengang，HorryHopetonfromBeel-Beel，EdenCarmichaelfromBarcoola。OldAngusMacQueenhadflaggeddownoneoftheamblinglocalgoodstrainsandriddenwiththeenginedrivertoGilly，whereheborrowedahorsefromHarryGoughandrodeoutwithhim。Hehadcoveredovertwohundredmilesofmud，onewayoranother。"I’mwipedout，Father，"Horrysaidtothepriestlaterasthesevenofthemsatinthesmalldiningroomeatingsteak-and-kidneypie。"Thefirewentthroughmefromoneendtotheotherandlefthardlyasheepaliveoratreegreen。LuckythelastfewyearshavebeengoodisallIcansay。Icanaffordtorestock，andifthisrainkeepsupthegrasswillcomebackrealquick。Butheavenhelpusfromanotherdisasterduringthenexttenyears，Father，becauseIwon’thaveanythingputasidetomeetit。"Well，you’resmallerthanme，Horry，"GarethDaviessaid，cuttingintoMrs。Smith’smeltinglylightflakypastrywithevidentenjoyment。Nothinginthelineofdisasterscoulddepressablack-soilplainsman’sappetiteforlong；heneededhisfoodtomeetthem。"IreckonIlostabouthalfofmyacreage，andmaybetwothirdsofmysheep，worseluck。Father，weneedyourprayers。"

"Aye，"saidoldAngus。"IwasnasaehardhitasweeHorryandGarry，Father，butbadenoughfora"that。Ilostsixtythoosandofmaacres，andhalfmaweesheep。"Tistimeslikethis，Father，makemewishIhadnaleftSkyeasayoungladdie。"

FatherRalphsmiled。"It’sapassingwish，Angus，youknowthat。YouleftSkyeforthesamereasonIleftClunamara。Itwastoosmallforyou。""Aye，naeBoot。Theheather。doesnamakesicabonnieblazeasthegums，eh，Father？"

Itwouldbeastrangefuneral，thoughtFatherRalphashelookedaround；theonlywomenwouldbeDroghedawomen，forallthevisitingmournersweremen。HehadtakenahugedoseoflaudanumtoFeeafterMrs。Smithhadstrippedher，driedherandputherintothebigbedshehadsharedwithPaddy，andwhensherefusedtodrinkit，weepinghysterically，hehadheldhernoseandtippeditruthlesslydownherthroat。Funny，hehadn’tthoughtofFeebreakingdown。Ithadworkedquickly，forshehadn’teatenintwenty-fourhours。Knowingshewassoundasleep，herestedeasier。Meggiehekepttabson；shewasoutinthecookhouseatthemomenthelpingMrs。Smithpreparefood。Theboyswereallinbed，soexhaustedtheycouldhardlymanagetopeelofftheirwetthingsbeforecollapsing。WhenMinnieandCatconcludedtheirstintofthevigilcustomdemandedbecausethebodieslayinadeserted，unblessedplace，GarethDaviesandhissonEnochweretakingover；theothersallottedhour-longspansamongthemselvesastheytalkedandate。

Noneoftheyoungmenhadjoinedtheireldersinthediningroom。TheywereallinthecookhouseostensiblyhelpingMrs。Smith，butinrealitysotheycouldlookatMeggie。WhenherealizedthisfactFatherRalphwasbothannoyedandrelieved。Well，itwasoutoftheirranksshemustchooseherhusband，assheinevitablywould。EnochDavieswastwenty-nine，a"blackWelshman，"whichmeanthewasblack-hairedandverydark-eyed，ahandsomeman；LiamO’Rourkewastwenty-six，sandy-hairedandblue-eyed，likehistwenty-five-year-oldbrotherRory；ConnorCarmichaelwasthespitofhissister，olderatthirty-two，andverygood-lookingindeed，ifalittlearrogant；thepickofthebunchinFatherRalph’sestimationwasoldAngus’sgrandsonAlastair，theclosesttoMeggieinageattwenty-fourandasweetyoungman，withhisgrandfather’sbeautifulblue。Scotseyesandhairalreadygray，afamilytrait。Letherfallinlovewithoneofthem，marryhim，havethechildrenshewantedsobadly。Oh，God，myGod，ifYouwilldothatforme，I’llgladlybearthepainoflovingher，gladly……

Noflowerssmotheredthesecoffins，andthevasesallaroundthechapelwereempty。Whatblossomshadsurvivedtheterribleheatofthefieryairtwonightsagohadsuccumbedtotherain，andlaidthemselvesdownagainstthemudlikeruinedbutterflies。Notevenastalkofbottlebrush，oranearlyrose。Andeveryonewastired，sotired。ThosewhohadriddenthelongmilesinthemudtoshowtheirlikingforPaddyweretired，thosewhohadbroughtthebodiesinweretired，thosewhohadslavedtocookandcleanweretired，FatherRalphwassotiredhefeltasifhemovedinadream，eyesslidingawayfromFee’spinched，hopelessface，Meggie’sexpressionofmingledsorrowandanger，thecollectivegriefofthatcollectiveclusterBob，JackandHughie……Hegavenoeulogy；MartinKingspokebrieflyandmovinglyonbehalfofthoseassembled，andthepriestwentonintotheRequiemimmediately。Hehadasamatterofcoursebroughthischalice，hissacramentsandastole，fornoprieststirredwithoutthemwhenhewentofferingcomfortoraid，buthehadnovestmentswithhim，andthehousepossessednone。ButoldAngushadcalledinatthepresbyteryinGillyonhisway，andcarriedtheblackmourninggarbofaRequiemMasswrappedinanoilskinacrosshissaddle。Sohestoodproperlyattiredwiththerainhissingagainstthewindows，drummingontheironrooftwostoriesup。

Thenoutintoit，thegrievingrain，acrossthelawnallbrownedandscorchedbyheat，tothelittlewhite-railingedcemetery。Thistimetherewerepallbearerswillingtoshouldertheplainrectangularboxes，slippingandslidinginthemud，tryingtoseewheretheyweregoingthroughtherainbeatingintheireyes。AndthelittlebellsontheChinesecook’sgravetinkleddrably:HeeSing，HeeSing，HeeSing。

Itgotitselfoveranddonewith。Themournersdepartedontheirhorses，backshunchedinsidetheiroilskins，someofthemstaringmiserablyattheprospectofruin；othersthankingGodtheyhadescapeddeathandthefire。AndFatherRalphgothisfewthingstogether，knowinghemustgobeforehecouldn’tgo。

HewenttoseeFee，whereshesatattheescritoirestaringmutelydownatherhands。

"Fee，willyoubeallright？"heasked，sittingwherehecouldseeher。Sheturnedtowardhim，sostillandquenchedwithinhersoulthathewasafraid，andclosedhiseyes。

"Yes，Father，I’llbeallright。Ihavethebookstokeep，andfivesonsleft-sixifyoucountFrank，onlyIdon’tsupposewecancountFrank，canwe？Thankyouforthat，morethanIcaneversay。It’ssuchacomforttomeknowingyourpeoplearewatchingoutforhim，makinghislifealittleeasier。Oh，ifIcouldseehim，justonce！"

Shewaslikealighthouse，hethought；flashesofgriefeverytimehermindcameroundtothatpitchofemotionwhichwastoogreattobecontained。Ahugeflare，andthenalongperiodofnothing。

"Fee，Iwantyoutothinkaboutsomething。"

"Yes，what？"Shewasdarkagain。

"Areyoulisteningtome？"heaskedsharply，worriedandsuddenlymorefrightenedthanbefore。

Foralongmomenthethoughtshehadretreatedsofarintoherselfeventheharshnessofhisvoicehadn’tpenetrated，butupblazedthebeaconagain，andherlipsparted。"MypoorPaddy！MypoorStuart！MypoorFrank！"shemourned，thengotherselfunderthatironcontroloncemore，asifshewasdeterminedtoelongateherperiodsofdarknessuntilthelightshonenomoreinherlifetime。

Hereyesroamedtheroomwithoutseemingtorecognizeit。"Yes，Father，I’mlistening，"shesaid。

"Fee，whataboutyourdaughter？Doyoueverrememberthatyouhaveadaughter？"

Thegreyeyesliftedtohisface，dwelledonitalmostpityingly。"Doesanywoman？What’sadaughter？Justareminderofthepain，ayoungerversionofoneselfwhowilldoallthethingsonehasdone，crythesametears。No，Father。ItrytoforgetIhaveadaughter-ifIdothinkofher，itisasoneofmysons。It’shersonsamotherremembers。"

"Doyoucrytears，Fee？I’veonlyseenthemonce。"

"You’llneverseethemagain，forI’vefinishedwithtearsforever。"Herwholebodyquivered。"Doyouknowsomething，Father？TwodaysagoIdiscoveredhowmuchIlovePaddy，butitwaslikeallofmylifetoolate。Toolateforhim，toolateforme。IfyouknewhowIwantedthechancetotakehiminmyarms，tellhimIlovedhim！Oh，God，Ihopenootherhumanbeingeverhastofeelmypain！"

Heturnedawayfromthatsuddenlyravagedface，togiveittimetodonitscalm，andhimselftimetocopewithunderstandingtheenigmawhowasFee。Hesaid，"Nooneelsecaneverfeelyourpain。"

Onecornerofhermouthliftedinasternsmile。"Yes。That’sacomfort，isn’tit？Itmaynotbeenviable，butmypainismine。"

"Willyoupromisemesomething，Fee？"

"Ifyoulike。"

"LookafterMeggie，don’tforgether。Makehergotothelocaldances，lethermeetafewyoungmen，encouragehertothinkofmarriageandahomeofherown。Isawalltheyoungmeneyeinghertoday。Givehertheopportunitytomeetthemagainunderhappiercircumstancesthanthese。"

"Whateveryousay，Father。"

Sighing，helefthertothecontemplationofherthinwhitehands。Meggiewalkedwithhimtothestables，wheretheImperialpublican’sbaygeldinghadbeenstuffingitselfonhayandbrananddwellinginsomesortofequineheavenfortwodays。Heflungthepublican’sbatteredsaddleonitsbackandbenttostrapthesurcingleandgirthwhileMeggieleanedagainstabaleofstrawandwatchedhim。

"Father，lookwhatIfound，"shesaidashefinishedandstraightened。Sheheldoutherhand，initonepale，pinkish-grayrose。"It’stheonlyone。Ifounditonabushunderthetankstands，attheback。Isupposeitdidn’tgetthesameheatinthefire，anditwasshelteredfromtherain。SoIpickeditforyou。It’ssomethingtoremembermeby。"

Hetookthehalf-openbloomfromher，hishandnotquitesteady，andstoodlookingdownatit。"Meggie，Ineednoreminderofyou，notnow，notever。Icarryyouwithinme，youknowthat。There’snowayIcouldhideitfromyou，isthere？"

"Butsometimesthere’sarealityaboutakeepsake，"sheinsisted。"Youcantakeitoutandlookatit，andrememberwhenyouseeitallthethingsyoumightforgetotherwise。Pleasetakeit，Father。"

"MynameisRalph，"hesaid。Heopenedhislittlesacramentcaseandtookoutthebigmissalwhichwashisownproperty，boundincostlymother-of-pearl。Hisdeadfatherhadgivenittohimathisordination，thirteenlongyearsago。Thepagesfellopenatagreatthickwhiteribbon；heturnedoverseveralmore，laidtherosedown，andshutthebookuponit。"Doyouwantakeepsakefromme，Meggie，isthatit？""Yes。"

"Iwon’tgiveyouone。Iwantyoutoforgetme，Iwantyoutolookaroundyourworldandfindsomegoodkindman，marryhim，havethebabiesyouwantsomuch。You’reabornmother。Youmustn’tclingtome，itisn’tright。IcanneverleavetheChurch，andI’mgoingtobecompletelyhonestwithyou，foryourownsake。Idon’twanttoleavetheChurch，becauseIdon’tloveyouthewayahusbandwill，doyouunderstand？Forgetme，Meggie！""Won’tyoukissmegoodbye？"

Foranswerhepulledhimselfuponthepublican’sbayandwalkedittothedoorbeforeputtingonthepublican’soldfelthat。Hisblueeyesflashedamoment，thenthehorsemovedoutintotherainandslitheredreluctantlyupthetracktowardGilly。Shedidnotattempttofollowhim，butstayedinthegloomofthedampstable，breathinginthesmellsofhorsedungandhay；itremindedherofthebarninNewZealand，andofFrank。

ThirtyhourslaterFatherRalphwalkedintotheArchbishopPapalLegate’schamber，crossedtheroomtokisshismaster’sring，andflunghimselfwearilyintoachair。Itwasonlyashefeltthoselovely，omniscienteyesonhimthatherealizedhowpeculiarhemustlook，whysomanypeoplehadstaredathimsincehegotoffthetrainatCentral。Withoutrememberingthesuit-caseFatherWattyThomaswaskeepingforhimatthepresbytery，hehadboardedthenightmailwithtwominutestospareandcomesixhundredmilesinacoldtraincladinshirt，breechesandboots，soakingwet，nevernoticingthechill。Sohelookeddownathimselfwitharuefulsmile，thenacrossattheArchbishop。

"I’msorry，YourGrace。SomuchhashappenedIdidn’tthinkhowoddImustlook。"

"Don’tapologize，Ralph。"Unlikehispredecessor，hepreferredtocallhissecretarybyhisChristianname。"Ithinkyoulookveryromanticanddashing。Onlyatrifletoosecular，don’tyouagree？"

"Verydefinitelyonthesecularbit，anyway。Astotheromanticanddashing，YourGrace，it’sjustthatyou’renotusedtoseeingwhatiscustomarygarbinGillanbone。"

"MydearRalph，ifyoutookitintoyourheadtodonsackclothandashes，you’dmanagetomakeyourselfseemromanticanddashing！Theridinghabitsuitsyou，though，itreallydoes。Almostaswellasasoutane，anddon’twasteyourbreathtellingmeyouaren’tverywellawareitbecomesyoumorethanapriest’sblacksuit。Youhaveapeculiarandamostattractivewayofmoving，andyouhavekeptyourfine，figure；Ithinkperhapsyoualwayswill。IalsothinkthatwhenIamrecalledtoRomeIshalltakeyouwithme。Itwillaffordmegreatamusementtowatchyoureffectonourshort，fatItalianprelates。Thebeautifulsleekcatamongtheplumpstartledpigeons。"

Rome！FatherRalphsatupinhischair。

"Wasitverybad，myRalph？"theArchbishopwenton，smoothinghisberingedmilkyhandrhythmicallyacrossthesilkybackofhispurringAbyssiniancat。"Terrible，YourGrace。"

"Thesepeople，youhaveagreatfondnessforthem。"

"Yes。"

"Anddoyouloveallofthemequally，ordoyoulovesomeofthemmorethanothers？"

ButFatherRalphwasatleastaswilyashismaster，andhehadbeenwithhimnowlongenoughtoknowhowhismindworked。Soheparriedthesmoothquestionwithdeceptivehonesty，atrickhehaddiscoveredlulledHisGrace’ssuspicionsatonce。Itneveroccurredtothatsubtle，deviousmindthatanoutwarddisplayoffranknessmightbemoremendaciousthananyevasion。"Idoloveallofthem，butasyousay，somemorethanothers。It’sthegirlMeggieIlovethemost。I’vealwaysfelthermyspecialresponsibility，becausethefamilyissoson-orientedtheyforgetsheexists。""HowoldisthisMeggie？"

"I’mnotsureexactly。Oh，somewherearoundtwenty，Iimagine。ButImadehermotherpromisetoliftherheadoutofherledgerslongenoughtomakesurethegirlgottoafewdances，metafewyoungmen。She’sgoingtowasteherlifeawaystuckonDrogheda，whichisashame。"

Hespokenothingbutthetruth；theArchbishop’sineffablysensitivenosesniffeditoutatonce。Thoughhewasonlythreeyearshissecretary’ssenior，hiscareerwithintheChurchhadn’tsufferedthechecksRalph’shad，andinmanywayshefeltimmeasurablyolderthan

Ralphwouldeverbe；theVaticansappedoneofsomevitalessenceifonewasexposedtoitveryearly，andRalphpossessedthatvitalessenceinabundance。

Relaxinghisvigilancesomewhat，hecontinuedtowatchhissecretaryandresumedhisinterestinggameofworkingoutpreciselywhatmadeFatherRalphdeBricassarttick。Atfirsthehadbeensuretherewouldbeafleshlyweakness，ifnotinonedirection，inanother。Thosestunninggoodlooksandtheaccompanyingbodymusthavemadehimthetargetofmanydesires，toomuchsotopreserveinnocenceorunawareness。Andastimewentonhehadfoundhimselfhalfright；theawarenesswasundoubtedlythere，butwithithebegantobeconvincedwasagenuineinnocence。SowhateverFatherRalphburnedfor，itwasnottheflesh。Hehadthrownthepriesttogetherwithskilledandquiteirresistiblehomosexualsifonewasahomosexual；noresult。Hehadwatchedhimwiththemostbeautifulwomenintheland；noresult。Notaflickerofinterestordesire，evenwhenhewasnotintheslightestawarehewasunderobservation。FortheArchbishopdidnotalwaysdohisownwatching，andwhenheemployedminionsitwasnotthroughsecretarialchannels。HehadbeguntothinkFatherRalph’sweaknesseswereprideinbeingapriest，andambition；bothwerefacetsofpersonalityheunderstood，forhepossessedthemhimself。TheChurchhadplacesforambitiousmen，asdidallgreatandself-perpetuatinginstitutions。RumorhaditthatFatherRalphhadcheatedtheseClearyshepurportedtolovesomuchoutoftheirrightfulinheritance。Ifindeedhehad，hewaswellworthhangingonto。AndhowthosewonderfulblueeyeshadblazedwhenhementionedRome！Perhapsitwastimehetriedanothergambit。Hepokedforwardaconversationalpawnlazily，buthiseyesunderhoodedlidswereverykeen。

"IhadnewsfromtheVaticanwhileyouwereaway，

Ralph，"hesaid，shiftingthecatslightly。"MySheba，youareselfish；youmakemylegsnumb。"

"Oh？"FatherRalphwassinkingdowninhischair，andhiseyeswerehavingahardtimestayingopen。

"Yes，youmaygotobed，butnotbeforeyouhaveheardmynews。AlittlewhileagoIsentapersonalandprivatecommunicationtotheHolyFather，andananswercamebacktodayfrommyfriendCardinalMonteverdi-IwonderifheisadescendantoftheRenaissancemusician？WhydoIneverremembertoaskhimwhenIseehim？Oh，Sheba，mustyouinsistupondigginginyourclawswhenyouarehappy？"

"I’mlistening，YourGrace，Ihaven’tfallenasleepyet，"saidFatherRalph，smiling。"Nowonderyoulikecatssomuch。You’reoneyourself，playingwithyourpreyforyourownamusement。"Hesnappedhisfingers。"Here，Sheba，leavehimandcometome！Heisunkind。"

Thecatjumpeddownoffthepurplelapimmediately，crossedthecarpetandleapeddelicatelyontothepriest’sknees，stoodwavingitstailandsniffingthestrangesmellsofhorsesandmud，entranced。FatherRalph’sblueeyessmiledintotheArchbishop’sbrownones，bothhalfclosed，bothabsolutelyalert。

"Howdoyoudothat？"demandedtheArchbishop。"Acatwillnevergotoanyone，butShebagoestoyouasifyougavehercaviarandvalerian。Ingrateanimal。"

"I’mwaiting，YourGrace。"

"Andyoupunishmeforit，takingmycatfromme。Allright，youhavewon，Iyield。Doyoueverlose？Aninterestingquestion。Youaretobecongratulated，mydearRalph。Infutureyouwillwearthemiterandthecope，andbeaddressedasMyLord，BishopdeBricassart。"

Thatbroughttheeyeswideopen！henotedwithglee。ForonceFatherRalphdidn’tattempttodissimulate，orconcealhistruefeelings。Hejustbeamed。

FOUR

1933-1938LUKE

Itwasamazinghowquicklythelandmended；withinaweeklittlegreenshootsofgrasswerepokingoutoftheglueymorass，andwithintwomonthstheroastedtreeswerecomingintoleaf。Ifthepeopleweretoughandresilient，itwasbecausethelandgavethemnoopportunitytobeotherwise；thosewhowerefaintinheartorlackingafanaticalstreakofendurancedidnotstaylongintheGreatNorthwest。Butitwouldbeyearsbeforethescarsfaded。Manycoatsofbarkwouldhavetogrowandfalltoeucalyptoidtattersbeforethetreetrunksbecamewhiteorredorgreyagain，andacertainpercentageofthetimberwouldnotregenerateatall，butremaindeadanddark。Andforyearsdisintegratingskeletonswoulddewtheplains，subsidingintothemattingoftime，graduallycoveredbydustandmarchinglittlehoofs。AndstragglingoutacrossDroghedatothewestthesharpdeepchannelscutbythecornersofamakeshiftbierinthemudremained，werepointedoutbywandererswhoknewthestorytomorewandererswhodidnot，untilthetalebecameapartofblack-soilplainslore。

Droghedalostperhapsafifthofitsacreageinthefire，and25，000sheep，amerebagatelletoastationwhosesheeptallyintherecentgoodyearslayintheneighborhoodof125，000。Therewasabsolutelynopointinrailingatthemalignityoffate，orthewrathofGod，howeverthoseconcernedmightchoosetoregardanaturaldisaster。Theonlythingtodowascutthelossesandbeginagain。Innocasewasitthefirsttime，andinnocasedidanyoneassumeitwouldbethelast。ButtoseeDrogheda’shomesteadgardensbareandbrowninspringhurtbadly。AgainstdroughttheycouldsurvivethankstoMichaelCarson’swatertanks，butinafirenothingsurvived。Eventhewistariafailedtobloom；whentheflamescameitstenderclustersofbudswerejustforming，andshriveled。Roseswerecrisped，pansiesweredead，stocksturnedtosepiastraw，fuchsiasinshadyspotswitheredpastrejuvenation，babies’breathsmothered，sweetpeavinesweresereandscentless。Whathadbeenbledfromthewatertanksduringthefirewasreplacedbytheheavyrainthatfollowedhardonit，soeveryoneonDroghedasacrificedanebuloussparetimetohelpingoldTombringthegardensback。

BobdecidedtokeeponwithPaddy’spolicyofmorehandstorunDrogheda，andputonthreemorestockmen；MaryCarson’spolicyhadbeentokeepnopermanentnon-Clearymenonherbooks，preferringtohireextrahandsatmustering，lambingandshearingtime，butPaddyfeltthemenworkedbetterknowingtheyhadpermanentjobs，anditdidn’tmakemuchdifferenceinthelongrun。Moststockmenwerechronicallyafflictedwithitchyfeet，andneverstayedverylonganywhere。

Thenewhousessittingfartherbackfromthecreekwereinhabitedbymarriedmen；oldTomhadaneatnewthree-roomcottageunderapeppertreebehindthehorseyards，andcackledwithproprietarygleeeverytimeheenteredit。Meggiecontinuedtolookaftersomeoftheinnerpaddocks，andhermotherthebooks。

FeehadtakenoverPaddy’staskofcommunicatingwithBishopRalph，andbeingFeefailedtopassonanyinformationsavethoseitemsconcernedwiththerunningofthestation。Meggielongedtosnatchhisletters，readthemgreedily，butFeegavehernochancetodoso，lockingtheminasteelboxthemomentshehaddigestedtheircontents。WithPaddyandStugonetherewasjustnoreachingFee。AsforMeggie，theminuteBishopRalphhadgoneFeeforgotallaboutherpromise。Meggieanswereddanceandpartyinvitationswithpolitenegatives；awareofit，Feeneverremonstratedwithherortoldhersheoughttogo。LiamO’Rourkeseizedanyopportunitytodriveover；EnochDaviesphonedconstantly，sodidConnorCarmichaelandAlastairMacQueen。ButwitheachofthemMeggiewasprooccupied，curt，tothepointwheretheydespairedofinterestingher。

Thesummerwasverywet，butnotinspatesprotractedenoughtocauseflooding，onlykeepingthegroundperpetuallymuddyandthethousand-mileBarwon-Darlingflowingdeep，wideandstrong。Whenwintercamesporadicraincontinued；theflyingbrownsheetsweremadeupofwater，notdust。ThustheDepressionmarchoffoot-loosemenalongthetracktaperedoff，foritwashelltrampingthroughtheblacksoilplainsinawetseason，andwithcoldaddedtodamp，pneumoniaragedamongthosenotabletosleepunderwarmshelter。

Bobwasworried，andbegantotalkoffootrotamongthesheepif。itkeptup；merinoscouldn’ttakemuchmoistureinthegroundwithoutdevelopingdiseasedhoofs。Theshearinghadbeenalmostimpossible，forshearerswouldnottouchsoakedwool，andunlessthemuddriedbeforelambingmanyoffspringwoulddieinthesoddenearthandthecold。

Thephonejangleditstwolongs，oneshortforDrogheda；Feeansweredandturned。

"Bob，theAMLANDforyou。"

"Hullo，Jimmy，Bobhere……Yeah，righto……Oh，good！Referencesallinorder？……Righto，sendhimouttoseeme……Righto，ifhe’sthatgoodyoucantellhimhe’sprobablygotthejob，butIstillwanttoseehimformyself；don’tlikepigsinpokesanddon’ttrustreferences……Righto，thanks。Hooroo。"

Bobsatdownagain。"Newstockmancoming，agoodblokeaccordingtoJimmy。BeenworkingoutontheWestQueenslandplainsaroundLongreachandCharlville。Wasadrover，too。Goodreferencesandallaboveboard。Cansitanythingwithfourlegsandatail，usedtobreakhorses。Wasashearerbeforethat，gunshearertoo，Jimmysays，overtwofiftyaday。That’swhatmakesmeabitsuspicious。Whywouldagunshearerwanttoworkforstockman’swages？Nottoooftenagunshearerwillgiveupthebo)iforasaddle。Behandypaddock-crutching，though，eh？"WiththepassingoftheyearsBob’saccentgrewmoredrawlingandAustralianbuthissentencesshorterincompensation。Hewascreepinguptowardthirty，andmuchtoMeggie’sdisappointmentshowednosignofbeingsmittenwithanyoftheeligiblegirlshemetatthefewfestivitiesdecencyforcedthemtoattend。Foronethinghewaspainfullyshy，andforanotherheseemedutterlywrappedintheland，apparentlypreferringtoloveitwithoutdistraction。JackandHughiegrewmoreandmorelikehim；indeed，theycouldhavepassedfortripletsastheysattogetherononeofthehardmarblebenches，theclosesttocomfortablehouseboundrelaxationtheycouldget。Theyseemedactuallytoprefercampingoutinthepaddocks，andwhensleepingathomestretchedoutonthefloorsoftheirbedrooms，frightenedthatbedsmightsoftenthem。Thesun，thewindandthedrynesshadweatheredtheirfair，freckledskinstoasortofmottledmahogany，inwhichtheirblueeyesshonepaleandtranquil，withthedeepcreasesbesidethemspeakingofgazingintofardistancesandsilver-beigegrass。Itwasalmostimpossibletotellwhatagetheywere，orwhichwastheoldestandwhichtheyoungest。EachhadPaddy’sRomannoseandkindhomelyface，butbetterbodiesthanPaddy’s，whichhadbeenstoopedandarm-elongatedfromsomanyyearsshearing。Theyhaddevelopedthespare，easybeautyofhorsemeninstead。Yetforwomenandcomfortandpleasuretheydidnotpine。

"Isthenewmanmarried？"askedFee，drawingneatlineswitharulerandared-inkedpen。

"Dunno，didn’task。Knowtomorrowwhenhecomes。"

"Howishegettinghere？"

"Jimmy’sdrivinghimout；gottoseeaboutthoseoldwethersinTankstand。""Well，let’shopehestaysawhile。Ifhe’snotmarriedhe’llbeoffagaininafewweeks，Isuppose。Wretchedpeople，stockmen，"saidFee。JimsandPatsywereboardingatRiverview，vowingtheywouldn’tstayatschoolaminutelongerthanthefourteenyearsofagewhichwaslegal。TheyburnedforthedaywhentheywouldbeoutinthepaddockswithBob，JackandHughie，whenDroghedacouldrunonfamilyagainandtheoutsiderswouldbewelcometocomeandgoasfrequentlyastheypleased。Sharingthefamilypassionforreadingdidn’tendearRiverviewtothematall；abookcouldbecarriedinasaddlebagorajacketpocketandreadwithfarmorepleasureinthenoondayshadeofawilgathaninaJesuitclassroom。Ithadbeenahardtransitionforthem，boardingschool。Thebig-windowedclassrooms，thespaciousgreenplayingfields，thewealthofgardensandfacilitiesmeantnothingtothem，nordidSydneywithitsmuseums，concerthallsandartgalleries。Theychummedupwiththesonsofothergraziersandspenttheirleisurehourslongingforhome，orboastingaboutthesizeandsplendorofDroghedatoawedbutbelievingears；anyonewestofBurrenJunctionhadheardofmightyDrogheda。

SeveralweekspassedbeforeMeggiesawthenewstockman。Hisnamehadbeendulyenteredinthebooks，LukeO’neill，andhewasalreadytalkedaboutinthebighousefarmorethanstockmenusuallywere。Foronething，hehadrefusedtobunkinthejackaroos"barracksbuthadtakenupresidenceinthelastemptyhouseuponthecreek。Foranother，hehadintroducedhimselftoMrs。Smith，andwasinthatlady’sgoodbooks，thoughshedidn’tusuallycareforstockmen。Meggiewasquitecuriousabouthimlongbeforeshemethim。

Sinceshekeptthechestnutmareandtheblackgeldinginthestablesratherthanthestockyardsandwasmostlyobligedtostartoutlaterofamorningthanthemen，shewouldoftengolongperiodsoftimewithoutrunningintoanyofthehiredpeople。ButshefinallymetLukeO’neilllateoneafternoonasthesummersunwasflaringredlyoverthetreesandthelongshadowscrepttowardthegentleoblivionofnight。ShewascomingbackfromBoreheadtothefordacrossthecreek，hewascominginfromsoutheastandfartherout，alsoonacoursefortheford。

Thesunwasinhiseyes，soshesawhimbeforehesawher，andhewasridingabigmeanbaywithablackmaneandtailandblackpoints；sheknewtheanimalwellbecauseitwasherjobtorotatetheworkhorses，andshehadwonderedwhythisparticularbeastwasnotsomuchinevidencethesedays。Noneofthemencaredforit，neverrodeitiftheycouldhelp。Apparentlythenewstockmandidn’tminditatall，whichcertainlyindicatedhecouldride，foritwasanotoriousearlymorningbuckerandhadahabitofsnappingatitsrider’sheadthemomenthedismounted。

Itwashardtotellaman’sheightwhenhewasonhorseback，forAustralianstockmenusedsmallEnglishsaddlesminusthehighcantleandhornoftheAmericansaddle，androdewiththeirkneesbent，sittingveryupright。Thenewmanseemedtall，butsometimesheightwasallinthetrunk，thelegsdisproportionatelyshort，soMeggiiereservedjudgment。However，unlikemoststockmenhepreferredawhiteshirtandwhitemoleskinstogreyflannelandgreytwill；somewhatofadandy，shedecided，amused。Goodlucktohim，ifhedidn’tmindthebotherofsomuchwashingandironing。

"G’day，Missus！"hecalledastheyconverged，doffinghisbatteredoldgreyfelthatandreplacingitrakishlyonthebackofhishead。LaughingblueeyeslookedatMeggieinundisguisedadmirationasshedrewalongside。

"Well，you’recertainlynottheMissus，soyou’vegottobethedaughter，"hesaid。"I’mLukeO’neill。"

Meggiemutteredsomethingbutwouldn’tlookathimagain，soconfusedandangryshecouldn’tthinkofanyappropriatelylightconversation。Oh，itwasn’tfair！HowdaresomeoneelsehaveeyesandfacelikeFatherRalph！Notthewayhelookedather:themirthwassomethingofhisownandhehadnoloveburningforherthere；fromthefirstmomentofseeingFatherRalphkneelinginthedustoftheGillystationyardMeggiehadseenloveinhiseyes。Tolookintohiseyesandnotseehim！Itwasacrueljoke，apunishment。

Unawareofthethoughtshiscompanionharbored，LukeO’neillkepthiswickedbaybesideMeggie’sdemuremareastheysplashedthroughthecreek，stillrunningstrongfromsomuchrain。Shewasabeauty，allright！Thathair！WhatwassimplycarrotsonthemaleClearyswassomethingelseagainonthislittlesprig。Ifonlyshewouldlookup，givehimabetterchancetoseethatface！Justthenshedid，withsuchalookonitthathisbrowscametogether，puzzled；notasifshehatedhim，exactly，butasifshewastryingtoseesomethingandcouldn’t，orhadseensomethingandwishedshehadn’t。Orwhatever。Itseemedtoupsether，anyway。Lukewasnotusedtobeingweighedinafemininebalanceandfoundwanting。Caughtnaturallyinadeli-cioustrapofsunset-goldhairandsofteyes，hisinterestonlyfedonherdispleasureanddisappointment。Stillshewaswatchinghim，pinkmouthfallenslightlyopen，asilkydewofsweatonherupperlipandforeheadbecauseitwassohot，herreddish-goldbrowsarchedinseekingwonderment。HegrinnedtorevealFatherRalph’sbigwhiteteeth；yetitwasnotFatherRalph’ssmile。"Doyouknowyoulookexactlylikeababy，alloh！andah！？"

Shelookedaway。"I’msorry，Ididn’tmeantostare。Youremindedmeofsomeone，that’sall。"

"Stareallyoulike。It’sbetterthanlookingatthetopofyourhead，prettythoughthatmightbe。WhodoIremindyouof？""Nooneimportant。It’sjuststrange，seeingsomeonefamiliarandyetterriblyunfamiliar。"

"What’syourname，littleMissCleary？"

"Meggie。"

"Meggie……Ithasn’tgotenoughdignity，itdoesn’tsuityouabit。I’dratheryouwerecalledsomethinglikeBelindaorMadeline，butifMeggie’sthebestyou’vegottooffer，I’llgoforit。What’stheMeggiestandfor-Margaret？"

"No，Meghann。"

"Ah，nowthat’smorelike！I’llcallyouMeghann。"

"No，youwon’t！"shesnapped。"Idetestit！"

Butheonlylaughed。"You’vehadtoomuchofyourownway，littleMissMeghann。IfIwanttocallyouEustaciaSophroniaAugusta，Iwill，youknow。"Theyhadreachedthestockyards；heslippedoffhisbay，aimingapunchatitssnappingheadwhichrockeditintosubmission，andstood，obviouslywaitingforhertoofferhimherhandssohecouldhelpherdown。Butshetouchedthechestnutmarewithherheelsandwalkedonupthetrack。"Don’tyouputthedaintyladywiththecommonoldstockmen？"hecalledafterher。

"Certainlynot！"sheansweredwithoutturning。Oh，itwasn’tfair！EvenonhisowntwofeethewaslikeFatherRalph；astall，asbroadintheshouldersandnarrowinthehips，andwithsomethingofthesamegrace，thoughdifferentlyemployed。FatherRalphmovedlikeadancer，LukeO’neilllikeanathlete。Hishairwasasthickandblackandcurling，hiseyesasblue，hisnoseasfineandstraight，hismouthaswellcut。

AndyethewasnomorelikeFatherRalphthan-thanthanaghostgum，sotallandpaleandsplendid，waslikeabluegum，alsotallandpaleandsplendid。

AfterthatchancemeetingMeggiekeptherearsopenforopinionsandgossipaboutLukeO’neill。Bobandtheboyswerepleasedwithhisworkandseemedtogetalongwellwithhim；apparentlyhehadn’talazyboneinhisbody，accordingtoBob。EvenFeebroughthisnameupinconversationoneeveningbyremarkingthathewasaveryhandsomeman。

"Doesheremindyouofanyone？"Meggieaskedidly，flatonherstomachonthecarpetreadingabook。

Feeconsideredthequestionforamoment。"Well，Isupposehe’sabitlikeFatherdeBricassart。Thesamebuild，thesamecoloring。Butitisn’tastrikinglikeness；they’retoodifferentasmen。"Meggie，Iwishyou’dsitinachairlikealadytoread！Justbecauseyou’reinjodhpursyoudon’thavetoforgetmodestyentirely。""Pooh！"saidMeggie。"Asifanyonenotices！"

Andsoitwent。Therewasalikeness，butthemenbehindthefacesweresounalikeonlyMeggiewasplaguedbyit，forshewasinlovewithoneofthemandresentedfindingtheotherattractive。Inthekitchenshefoundhewasaprimefavorite，andalsodiscoveredhowhecouldaffordtheluxuryofwearingwhiteshirtsandwhitebreechesintothepaddocks；Mrs。Smithwashedandironedthemforhim，succumbingtohisready，beguilingcharm。"Och，whatafineIrishmanheisandall！"Minniesighedecstatically。"He’sanAustralian，"saidMeggieprovocatively。"Bornhere，maybe，MissMeggiedarlin’，butwit’anamelikeO’neillnow，he’sasIrishasPaddy’spigs，notmeanin’anydisrespecttoyersaintedfather，MissMeggie，mayherestinpeaceandsingwit’theangels。Mr。LukenotIrish，andhimwit’thatblackhair，thimblueeyes？IntheolddaystheO’neillswasthekingsofIreland。""IthoughttheO’Connorswere，"saidMeggieslyly。Minnie’sroundlittleeyestwinkled。"Ah，wellnow，MissMeggie，’twasabigcountryandall。"

"Goon！It’saboutthesizeofDrogheda！Andanyway，O’neillisanOrangename；youcan’tfoolme。"

"Itisthat。Butit’sagreatIrishnameanditexistedbeforetherewereOrangemeneverthoughtof。ItisanamefromUlsterparts，soit’slogicalthere’dhavetobeafewofthimOrange，isn’titnow？ButtherewastheO’neillofClandeboyandtheO’neillMorbackwhen，MissMeggiedarlin’。"Meggiegaveupthebattle；MinniehadlongsincelostanymilitantFeniantendenciesshemightoncehavepossessed，andcouldpronouncetheword"Orange"withouthavingastroke。

AboutaweeklatersheranintoLukeO’neillagain，downbythecreek。Shesuspectedhehadlaininwaitforher，butshedidn’tknowwhattodoaboutitifhehad。

"Goodafternoon，Meghann。"

"Goodafternoon，"saidshe，lookingstraightbetweenthechestnutmare’sears。

"There’sawoolshedballatBraichyPwllnextSaturdaynight。Willyoucomewithme？"

"Thankyouforaskingme，butIcan’tdance。Therewouldn’tbeanypoint。""I’llteachyouhowtodanceintwoflicksofadeadlamb’stail，sothat’snoobstacle。SinceI’llbetakingthesquatter’ssister，doyouthinkBobmightletmeborrowtheoldRolls，ifnotthenewone？""IsaidIwouldn’tgo！"shesaid，teethclenched。"Yousaidyoucouldn’tdance，IsaidI’dteachyou。Youneversaidyouwouldn’tgowithmeifyoucoulddance，soIassumeditwasthedancingyouobjectedto，notme。Areyougoingtobarkout？"Exasperated，sheglaredathimfiercely，butheonlylaughedather。

"You’respoiledrotten，youngMeghann；it’stimeyoudidn’tgetallyourownway。"

"I’mnotspoiled！"

"Goon，tellmeanother！Theonlygirl，allthosebrotherstorunroundafteryou，allthislandandmoney，aposhhouse，servants？IknowtheCatholicChurchownsit，buttheClearysaren’tshortofapennyeither。"Thatwasthebigdifferencebetweenthem！shethoughttriumphantly；ithadbeeneludinghersinceshemethim。FatherRalphwouldneverhavefallenforoutwardtrappings，butthismanlackedhissensitivity；hehadnoinbuiltantennaetotellhimwhatlaybeneaththesurface。Herodethroughlifewithoutanideainhisheadaboutitscomplexityoritspain。

Flabbergasted，BobhandedoverthekeystothenewRollswithoutamurmur；hehadstaredatLukeforamomentwithoutspeaking，thengrinned。"IneverthoughtofMeggiegoingtoadance，buttakeher，Luke，andwelcome！Idaresayshe’dlikeit，thepoorlittlebeggar。Shenevergetsoutmuch。Weoughttothinkoftakingher，butsomehowweneverdo。""Whydon’tyouandJackandHughiecome，too？"Lukeasked，apparentlynotaversetocompany。

Bobshookhishead，horrified。"No，thanks。We’renottookeenondances。"Meggieworeherashes-of-rosesdress，nothavinganythingelsetowear；ithadn’toccurredtohertousesomeofthestockpilingpoundsFatherRalphputinthebankinhernametohavedressesmadeforpartiesandballs。Untilnowshehadmanagedtorefuseinvitations，formenlikeEnochDaviesandAlastairMacQueenwereeasytodiscouragewithafirmno。Theydidn’thaveLukeO’neill’sgall。

ButasshestaredatherselfinthemirrorshethoughtshejustmightgointoGillynextweekwhenMummadeherusualtrip，visitoldGertandhavehermakeupafewnewfrocks。

Forshehatedwearingthisdress；ifshehadownedoneotherevenremotelysuitable，itwouldhavebeenoffinasecond。Othertimes，adifferentblack-hairedman；itwassotiedupwithloveanddreams，tearsandloneli-ness，thattowearitforsuchaoneasLukeO’neillseemedadesecration。Shehadgrownusedtohidingwhatshefelt，toappearingalwayscalmandoutwardlyhappy。Self-controlwasgrowingaroundherthickerthanbarkonatree，andsometimesinthenightshewouldthinkofhermother，andshiver。WouldsheenduplikeMum，cutofffromallfeeling？WasthishowitbeganforMumbackinthedayswhentherewasFrank’sfather？AndwhatonearthwouldMumdo，whatwouldshesayifsheknewMeggiehadlearnedthetruthaboutFrank？Oh，thatsceneinthepresbytery！Itseemedlikeyesterday，DaddyandFrankfacingeachother，andRalphholdinghersohardhehurt。Shoutingthoseawfulthings。Everythinghadfallenintoplace。Meggiethoughtshemustalwayshaveknown，onceshedid。Shehadgrownupenoughtorealizetherewasmoretogettingbabiesthansheusedtothink；somesortofphysicalcontactabsolutelyforbiddenbetweenanybutamarriedcouple。WhatdisgraceandhumiliationpoorMummusthavegonethroughoverFrank。Nowondershewasthewayshewas。Ifithappenedtoher，Meggiethought，shewouldwanttodie。Inbooksonlythelowest，cheapestgirlshadbabiesoutsideofmarriage；yetMumwasn’tcheap，couldneverhavebeencheap。WithallherheartMeggiewishedMumcouldtalktoheraboutit，orthatsheher-selfhadthecouragetobringupthesubject。Perhapsinsomesmallwayshemighthavebeenabletohelp。ButMumwasn’tthesortofpersononecouldapproach，norwouldMumdotheapproaching。Meggiesighedatherselfinthemirror，andhopednothinglikethateverhappenedtoher。Yetshewasyoung；attimeslikethis，staringatherselfintheashes-of-rosesdress，shewantedtofeel，wantedemotiontoblowoverherlikeastronghotwind。Shedidn’twanttoplodlikealittleautomatonfortherestofherlife，shewantedchangeandvitalityandlove。Love，andahusband，andbabies。Whatwastheuseofhungeringafteramanshecouldneverhave？Hedidn’twanther，heneverwouldwanther。Hesaidhelovedher，butnotasahusbandwouldloveher。BecausehewasmarriedtotheChurch。Didallmendothat，lovesomeinanimatethingmorethantheycouldloveawoman？No，surelynotallmen。Thedifficultones，perhaps，thecomplexoneswiththeirseasofdoubtsandobjections，rationalities。Buttherehadtobesimplermen，menwhocouldsurelyloveawomanbeforeallelse。MenlikeLukeO’neill，forinstance。"Ithinkyou’rethemostbeautifulgirlI’veeverseen，"saidLukeashestartedtheRolls。

ComplimentswerequiteoutofMeggie’sken；shegavehimastartledsidelongglanceandsaidnothing。

"Isn’tthisnice？"Lukeasked，apparentlynotupsetatherlackofenthusiasm。"Justturnakeyandpressabuttononthedashboardandthecarstarts。Nocrankingahandle，nohopingthedarneddonkcatchesbeforeaman’sexhausted。Thisisthelife，Meghann，nodoubtaboutit。""Youwon’tleavemealone，willyou？"sheasked。"GoodLord，no！You’vecomewithme，haven’tyou？Thatmeansyou’remineallnightlong，andIdon’tintendgivinganyoneelseachance。""Howoldareyou，Luke？"

"Thirty。Howoldareyou？"

"Almosttwenty-three。"

"Asmuchasthat，eh？Youlooklikeababy。"

"I’mnotababy。"

"Oho！Haveyoueverbeeninlove，then？"

"Once。"

"Isthatall？Attwenty-three？GoodLord！I’dbeeninandoutofloveadozentimesbyyourage。"

"IdaresayImighthavebeen，too，butImeetveryfewpeopletofallinlovewithonDrogheda。You’rethefirststockmanIrememberwhosaidmorethanashyhello。"

"Well，ifyouwon’tgotodancesbecauseyoucan’tdance，you’reontheoutsidelookinginrightthere，aren’tyou？Nevermind，we’llfixthatupinnotime。Bytheendoftheeveningyou’llbedancing，andinafewweekswe’llhaveyouachampion。"Heglancedatherquickly。"Butyoucan’ttellmesomeofthesquattersoffotherstationshaven’ttriedtogetyoutocometotheodddancewiththem。StockmenIcanunderstand，you’reacutabovetheusualstockman’sinclinations，butsomeofthesheepcockiesmusthavegivenyouthegladeye。"

"IfI’macutabovestockmen，whydidyouaskme？"sheparried。"Oh，I’vegotallthecheekintheworld。"Hegrinned。"Comeonnow，don’tchangethesubject。TheremustbeafewblokesaroundGillywho’veasked。""Afew，"sheadmitted。"ButI’vereallyneverwantedtogo。Youpushedmeintoit。"

"Thentherestofthemaresillierthanpetsnakes，"hesaid。"IknowagoodthingwhenIseeit。"

Shewasn’ttoosurethatshecaredforthewayhetalked，butthetroublewithLukewasthathewasahardmantoputdown。Everyonecametoawoolsheddance，fromsquatters’sonsanddaughterstostockmenandtheirwivesifany，maidservants，governesses，towndwellersofallagesandsexes。Forinstance，thesewereoccasionswhenfemaleschoolteachersgottheopportunitytofraternizewiththestock-and-station-agentapprentices，thebankjohnniesandtherealbushiesoffthestations。

Thegrandmannersreservedformoreformalaffairswerenotinevidenceatall。OldMickeyO’BriencameoutfromGillytoplaythefiddle，andtherewasalwayssomeoneonhandtomanthepianoaccordionorthebuttonaccordion，takingturnstospelleachotherasMickey’saccompanistswhiletheoldviolinistsatonabarrelorawoolbaleforhoursplayingwithoutarest，hispendulouslowerlipdroolingbecausehehadnopatiencewithswallowing；itinterferedwithhistempo，ButitwasnotthesortofdancingMeggiehadseenatMaryCarson’sbirthdayparty。Thiswasenergeticround-dancing:barndances，jigs，polkas，quadrilles，reels，mazurkas，SirRogerdeCoverleys，withnomorethanapassingtouchingofthepartner’shands，orawildswirlinginrougharms。Therewasnosenseofintimacy，nodreaminess。Everyoneseemedtoviewtheproceedingsasasimpledissipationoffrustrations；romanticintrigueswerefurtheredbetteroutside，wellawayfromthenoiseandbustle。Meggiesoondiscoveredshewasmuchenviedherbighandsomeescort。HewasthetargetofalmostasmanyseductiveorlanguishinglooksasFatherRalphusedtobe，andmoreblatantlyso。AsFatherRalphusedtobe。Usedtobe。Howterribletohavetothinkofhimintheveryremotestofallpasttenses。Truetohisword，LukeleftheraloneonlysolongasittookhimtovisittheMen’s。EnochDaviesandLiamO’Rourkewerethere，andeagertofillhisplacealongsideher。Hegavethemnoopportunitywhatsoever，andMeggieherselfseemedtoodazedtounderstandthatshewasquitewithinherrightstoacceptinvitationstodancefrommenotherthanherescort。Thoughshedidn’thearthecomments，Lukedid，secretlylaughing。Whatadamnedcheekthefellowhad，anordinarystockman，stealingherfromundertheirnoses！DisapprovalmeantnothingtoLuke。Theyhadhadtheirchances；iftheyhadn’tmadethemostofthem，hardluck。

Thelastdancewasawaltz。LuketookMeggie’shandandputhisarmaboutherwaist，drewheragainsthim。Hewasanexcellentdancer。Tohersurpriseshefoundshedidn’tneedtodoanythingmorethanfollowwherehepropelledher。Anditwasamostextraordinarysen-sationtobeheldsoagainstaman，tofeelthemusclesofhischestandthighs，toabsorbhisbodywarmth。HerbriefcontactswithFatherRalphhadbeensointenseshehadnothadtimetoperceivediscretethings，andshehadhonestlythoughtthatwhatshefeltinhisarmsshewouldneverfeelinanyoneelse’s。Yetthoughthiswasquitedifferent，itwasexciting；herpulseratehadgoneup，andsheknewhesenseditbythewayheturnedhersuddenly，grippedhermoreclosely，puthischeekonherhair。AstheRollspurredhome，makinglightofthebumpytrackandsometimesnotrackatall，theydidn’tspeakverymuch。BraichyPwllwasseventymilesfromDrogheda，acrosspaddockswithneverahousetobeseenalltheway，nolightsofsomeone’shome，nointrusionofhumanity。TheridgewhichcutacrossDroghedawasnotmorethanahundredfeethigherthantherestoftheland，butoutontheblack-soilplainstoreachthecrestofitwaslikebeingontopofanAlptoaSwiss。Lukestoppedthecar，gotoutandcameroundtoopenMeggie’sdoor。Shesteppeddownbesidehim，tremblingalittle；washegoingtospoileverythingbytryingtokissher？Itwassoquiet，sofarfromanyone！

Therewasadecayingdoglegwoodenfencewanderingofftooneside，andholdingherelbowlightlytomakesureshedidn’tstumbleinherfrivolousshoes，LukehelpedMeggieacrosstheunevenground，therabbitholes。Grippingthefencetightlyandlookingoutovertheplains，shewasspeechless；firstfromterror，then，herpanicdyingashemadenomovetotouchher，fromwonder。

Almostasclearlyasthesuncould，themoon’sstillpalelightpickedoutvastsweepingstretchesofdistance，thegrassshimmeringandripplinglikearestlesssigh，silverandwhiteandgrey。Leavesontreessparkledsuddenlylikepointsoffirewhenthewindturnedtheirglossytopsupward，andgreatyawninggulfsofshadowsspreadundertimberstandsasmysteriouslyasmouthsoftheunderworld。Liftingherhead，shetriedtocountthestarsandcouldnot；asdelicateasdropsofdewonawheelingspider’swebthepinpointsflared，wentout，flared，wentout，inarhythmastimelessasGod。Theyseemedtohangoverherlikeanet，sobeautiful，soverysilent，sowatchfulandsearchingofthesoul，likejeweleyesofinsectsturnedbrilliantinaspotlight，blindastoexpressionandinfiniteastoseeingpower。Theonlysoundswerethewindhotinthegrass，hissingtrees，anoccasionalclankfromthecoolingRolls，andasleepybirdsomewhereclosecomplainingbecausetheyhadbrokenitsrest；thesolesmellthefragrant，indefinablescentofthebush。

Luketurnedhisbackonthenight，pulledouthistobaccopouchandbookletofricepapers，andbegantorollhimselfacigarette。"Wereyoubornouthere，Meghann？"heasked，rubbingthestrandsofleafbackandforthinhispalm，lazily。

"No，IwasborninNewZealand。WecametoDroghedathirteenyearsago。"Heslippedtheshapedtendrilsintotheirpapersheath，twiddleditexpertlybetweenthumbandforefinger，thenlickeditshut，pokedafewwispsbackinsidethetubewithamatchend，struckthematchandlitup。"Youenjoyedyourselftonight，didn’tyou？"

"Oh，yes！"

"I’dliketotakeyoutoallthedances。"

"Thankyou。"

Hefellsilentagain，smokingquietlyandlookingbackacrosstheroofoftheRollsatthestandoftimberwheretheiratebirdstilltwitteredquerulously。Whenonlyasmallremnantofthetubesputteredbetweenhisstainedfingershedroppeditonthegroundandscrewedhisbootheelviciouslydownuponituntilhewassureitwasout。NoonekillsacigaretteasdeadasanAustralianbushman。

Sighing，Meggieturnedfromthemoonvista，andhehelpedhertothecar。Hewasfartoowisetokissheratthisearlystage，becauseheintendedtomarryherifhecould；letherwanttobekissed，first。Buttherewereotherdances，asthesummerworeonandworeitselfdowninbloody，dustyspendor；graduallythehomesteadgotusedtothefactthatMeggiehadfoundherselfaverygood-lookingboyfriend。Herbrothersforboretotease，fortheylovedherandlikedhimwellenough。LukeO’neillwasthehardestworkertheyhadeveremployed；nobetterrecommendationthanthatexisted。Atheartmoreworkingclassthansquatterclass，itneveroccurredtotheClearymentojudgehimbyhislackofpossessions。Fee，whomighthaveweighedhiminamoreselectivebalance，didn’tcaresufficientlytodoso。Anyway，Luke’scalmassumptionthathewasdifferentfromyouraveragestockmanborefruit；becauseofit，hewastreatedmorelikeoneofthemselves。

Itbecamehiscustomtocallupthetrackatthebighousewhenhewasinatnightandnotoutinthepaddocks；afterawhileBobdeclareditwassillyforhimtoeatalonewhentherewasplentyontheClearytable，soheatewiththem。AfterthatitseemedrathersenselesstosendhimamiledownthetracktosleepwhenhewasniceenoughtowanttostaytalkingtoMeggieuntillate，sohewasbiddentomoveintooneofthesmallguesthousesoutbehindthebighouse。

BythistimeMeggiethoughtabouthimagreatdeal，andnotasdisparaginglyasshehadatfirst，alwayscomparinghimtoFatherRalph。Theoldsorewashealing。AfterawhilesheforgotthatFatherRalphhadsmiledsowiththesamemouth，whileLukesmiledthus，thatFatherRalph’svividblueeyeshadhadadistantstillnesstothemwhileLuke’sglitteredwithrestlesspassion。Shewasyoungandshehadneverquitegottosavorlove，ifforamomentortwoshehadtastedit。Shewantedtorollitroundonhertongue，getthebou-quetofitintoherlungs，spinitdizzyingtoherbrain。FatherRalphwasBishopRalph；hewouldnever，nevercomebacktoher。Hehadsoldherforthirteenmillionpiecesofsilver，anditrankled。Ifhehadn’tusedthephrasethatnightbytheboreheadshewouldnothavewondered，buthehadusedit，andcountlesswerethenightssincewhenshehadlainpuzzlingastowhathecouldpossiblyhavemeant。

AndherhandsitchedwiththefeelofLuke’sbackwhenheheldhercloseinadance；shewasstirredbyhim，histouch，hiscrispvitality。Oh，sheneverfeltthatdarkliquidfireinherbonesforhim，sheneverthoughtthatifshedidn’tseehimagainshewouldwitheranddryup，shenevertwitchedandtrembledbecausehelookedather。ButshehadgrowntoknowmenlikeEnochDavies，LiamO’Rourke，AlastairMacQueenbetterasLukesquiredhertomoreandmoreofthedistrictaffairs，andnoneofthemmovedherthewayLukeO’neilldid。Iftheyweretallenoughtoobligehertolookup，theywouldturnoutnottohaveLuke’seyes，oriftheyhadthesamesortofeyes，theywouldn’thavehishair。Somethingwasalwayslackingwhichwasn’tlackinginLuke，thoughjustwhatitwasLukepossessedshedidn’tknow。AsidefromthefactthatheremindedherofFatherRalph，thatis，andsherefusedtoadmitherattractionhadnobetterbasisthanthat。

Theytalkedalot，butalwaysaboutgeneralthings；shearing，theland，thesheep，orwhathewantedoutoflife，orperhapsabouttheplaceshehadseen，orsomepoliticalhappening。Hereadanoccasionalbookbuthewasn’taninveteratereaderlikeMeggie，andtryasshewould，shecouldn’tseemtopersuadehimtoreadthisorthatbooksimplybecauseshehadfounditinteresting。Nordidheleadtheconversationintointellectualdepths；mostinterestingandirritatingofall，heneverevincedanyinterestinherlife，oraskedherwhatshewantedfromit。Sometimesshelongedtotalkaboutmattersfarclosertoherheartthansheeporrain，butifshemadealeadingstatementhewasexpertatdeflectingherintomoreimpersonalchannels。

LukeO’neillwasclever，conceited，extremelyhardworkingandhungrytoenrichhimself。Hehadbeenborninawattle-and-daubshantyexactlyontheTropicofCapricorn，outsidethetownofLongreachinWesternQueensland。HisfatherwastheblacksheepofaprosperousbutunforgivingIrishfamily，hismotherwasthedaughteroftheGermanbutcherinWinton；whensheinsistedonmarryingLukesenior，shealsowasdisowned。Thereweretenchildreninthathumpy，noneofwhompossessedapairofshoes-notthatshoesmatteredmuchintorridLongreach。Lukesenior，whoshoreforalivingwhenhefeltlikeit(butmostlyallhefeltlikedoingwasdrinkingOPrum)，diedinafireattheBlackallpubwhenyoungLukewastwelveyearsold。SoassoonashecouldLuketookhimselfoffontheshearingcircuitasatarboy，slappingmoltentaronjaggedwoundsifashearerslippedandcutfleshaswellaswool。OnethingLukewasneverafraidof，andthatwashardwork；hethrivedonitthewaysomementhrivedonitsopposite，whetherbecausehisfatherhadbeenabarflyandatownjokeorbecausehehadinheritedhisGermanmother’sloveofindustrynoonehadeverbotheredtofindout。Ashegrewolderhegraduatedfromtarboytoshedhand，runningdowntheboardcatchingthegreatheavyfleecesastheyflewofftheboggisinonepiecebillowinguplikekites，andcarryingthemtothewool-rollingtabletobeskirted。Fromthathelearnedtoskirt，pickingthedirt-encrustededgesoffthefleecesandtransferringthemtobinsreadyfortheattentionoftheclasser，whowasshedaristocrat:themanwholikeawinetasteroraperfume-testercannotbetrainedunlesshealsohasinstinctforthejob。AndLukedidn’thaveaclasser’sinstinct；eitherheturnedtopressingortoshearingifhewantedtoearnmoremoney，whichhecertainlydid。Hehadthestrengthtomanthepress，tampdownthegradedfleecesintomassivebales，butagunshearercouldmakemoremoney。

BynowhewaswellknowninWesternQueenslandasagoodworker，sohehadnotroublegettinghimselfalearner’spen。Withgrace，coordination，strengthandendurance，allnecessaryandluckilypresentinLuke，amancouldbecomeagunshearer。SoonLukewasshearinghistwohundred-plusadaysixdaysaweek，aquidahundred；andthiswiththenarrowhandpieceresemblingabo)ilizard，henceitsname。ThebigNewZealandhandpieceswiththeirwide，coarsecombsandcutterswereillegalinAustralia，thoughtheydoubledashearer’stally。

Itwasgruelingwork；bendingfromhisheightwithasheepclampedbetweenhisknees，sweepinghisbo)iinblowsthelengthofthesheep’sbodytofreethewoolinonepieceandleaveasfewsecondcutsaspossible，closeenoughtotheloosekinkyskintopleasetheshedboss，whowouldbedowninasecondonanyshearernotconformingtohisrigorousstandards。Hedidn’tmindtheheatandthesweatandthethirstwhichforcedhimtodrinkupwardofthreegallonsofwateraday，hedidn’tevenmindthetormentinghordesofflies，forhewasborninflycountry。Nordidhemindthesheep，whichweremostlyashearer’snightmare；cobblers，wets，overgrowns，snobs，dags，fly-strikes，theycameinallvarieties，andtheywereallmerinos，whichmeantwoolallthewaydowntotheirhoofsandnoses，andacobbledfragileskinwhichmovedlikeslipperypaper。

No，itwasn’ttheworkitselfLukeminded，fortheharderheworkedthebetterhefelt；whatirkedhimwerethenoise，thebeingshutinside，thestench。Noplaceonearthwasquitethehellashearingshedwas。Sehedecidedhewantedtobethebosscocky，themanwhostrolledupanddownthelinesofstoopingshearerstowatchthefleecesheownedbeingstrippedawaybythatsmooth，flawlessmotion。

Attheendofthefloorinhiscane-bottomedchairSitsthebossoftheboardwithhiseyeseverywhere。

Thatwaswhattheoldshearingsongsaid，andthatwaswhoLukeO’neilldecidedtobe。Thebosscocky，theheadpeanut，thegrazier，thesquatter。Notforhimtheperpetualstoop，theelongatedarmsofalifelongshearer；hewantedthepleasureofworkingoutintheopenairwhilehewatchedthemoneyrollin。OnlytheprospectofbecomingadreadnoughtshearermighthavekeptLukeinsideashed，oneoftherarehandfulofmenwhomanagedtoshearoverthreehundredmerinosheepaday，alltostandard，andusingnarrowboggis。Theymadefortunesonthesidebybetting。Butunfortunatelyhewasjustalittletootall，thoseextrasecondsbendingandduckingmounteduptothedifferencebetweengunanddreadnought。

Hismindturnedwithinitslimitationstoanothermethodofacquiringwhathehungeredfor；ataboutthisstageinhislifehediscoveredhowattractivehewastowomen。HisfirsttryhadbeenintheguiseofastockmanonGnarlunga，asthatstationhadanheirwhowasfemale，fairlyyoungandfairlypretty。IthadbeensheerbadluckthatintheendshepreferredthePommyjackaroowhosemorebizarreexploitswerebecomingbushlegend。FromGnarlungahewenttoBingellyandgotajobbreakinghorses，hiseyeonthehomesteadwheretheagingandunattractiveheiresslivedwithherwidowedfather。PoorDot，hehadsonearlywonher；butintheendshehadfalleninwithherfather’swishesandmarriedthesprysexagenarianwhoownedtheneighboringproperty。

Thesetwoessayscosthimoverthreeyearsofhislife，andhedecidedtwentymonthsperheiresswasfartoolongandboring。Itwouldsuithimbetterforawhiletojourneyfarandwide，continuallyonthemove，untilwithinthismuchlargersweephefoundanotherlikelyprospect。Enjoyinghimselfenormously，hebegantodrovetheWesternQueenslandstockroutes，downtheCooperandtheDiamantina，theBarcooandtheBullooOverflowdwindlingthroughthetopcornerofwesternNewSouthWales。Hewasthirty，anditwasmorethantimehefoundthegoosewhowouldlayatleastpartofhisgoldenegg。EveryonehadheardofDrogheda，butLuke’searsprickedupwhenhediscoveredtherewasanonlydaughter。Nohopeshe’dinherit，butperhapsthey’dwanttodowerherwithamodest100，000acresoutaroundKynunaorWinton。ThiswasnicecountryaroundGilly，buttoocrampedandforestedforhim。LukeyearnedfortheenormityoffarwesternQueensland，wherethegrassstretchedintoinfinityandtreesweremostlysomethingamanrememberedasbeingvaguelyeastward。Justthegrass，onandonandonwithnobeginningandnoend，whereamanwasluckytograzeonesheepforeverytenacresheowned。Becausesometimestherewasnograss，justaflatdesertofcracked，pantingblacksoil。Thegrass，thesun，theheatandtheflies；toeachmanhisownkindofheaven，andthiswasLukeO’neill’s。HehadprisedtherestoftheDroghedastoryoutofJimmyStrong，theAMLANDFstock-and-stationagentwhodrovehimoutthatfirstday，andithadbeenabitterblowtodiscovertheCatholicChurchownedDrogheda。However，hehadlearnedhowfewandfarbetweenfemaleheirstopropertieswere；whenJimmyStrongwentontosaythattheonlydaughterhadanicelittlecashsumofherownandmanydotingbrothers，hedecidedtocarryonasplanned。ButthoughLukehadlongdecidedhislife’sobjectivelayin100，000acresoutaroundKynunaorWinton，andworkedtowarditwithsingle-mindedzeal，thetruthwasthatathearthelovedhardcashfarmorethanwhatitmighteventuallybuyhim；notthepossessionofland，noritsinherentpower，buttheprospectofstockpilingrowsofneatfiguresinhisbankbook，inhisname。Ithadn’tbeenGnarlungaorBingellyhehadwantedsodesperately，buttheirvalueinhardcash。AmanwhogenuinelywantedtobethebosscockywouldneverhavesettledforlandlessMeggieCleary。NorwouldhehavelovedthephysicalactofworkinghardasdidLukeO’neill。

ThedanceattheHolyCrosshallinGillywasthethirteenthdanceLukehadtakenMeggietoinasmanyweeks。HowhediscoveredwheretheywereandhowhewangledsomeoftheinvitationsMeggiewastoonaivetoguess，butregularlyonaSaturdayhewouldaskBobforthekeystotheRolls，andtakehersomewherewithin150miles。

Tonightitwascoldasshestoodbyafencelookingacrossamoonlesslandscape，andunderherfeetshecouldfeelthecrunchoffrost。Winterwascoming。Luke’sarmcamearoundheranddrewherintohisside。"You’recold，"hesaid。"I’dbettergetyouhome。"

"No，it’sallrightnow，I’mgettingwarm，"sheansweredbreathlessly。Shefeltachangeinhim，achangeinthearmheldlooselyandimpersonallyacrossherback。Butitwasnicetoleanagainsthim，tofeelthewarmthradiatingfromhisbody，thedifferentconstructionofhisframe。Eventhroughhercardiganshewasconsciousofhishand，movingnowinsmall，caressingcircles，atentativeandquestioningmassage。Ifatthisstagesheannouncedshewascoldhewouldstop；ifshesaidnothing，hewouldtakeitastacitpermissiontoproceed。Shewasyoung，shewantedsobadlytosavorloveproperly。ThiswastheonlymanoutsideofRalphwhointerestedher，sowhynotseewhathiskisseswerelike？Onlyletthembedifferent！LetthemnotbelikeRalph’skisses！

Takinghersilenceasacquiescence，Lukeputhisotherhandonhershoulder，turnedhertofacehim，andbenthishead。Wasthathowamouthreallyfelt？Why，itwasnomorethanasortofpressure！Whatwasshesupposedtodotoindicateliking？Shemovedherlipsunderhisandatoncewishedshehadnot。Thepushingdownincreased；heopenedhismouthwide，forcedherlipsapartwithhisteethandtongue，andranthetonguearoundtheinsideofhermouth。Revolting。WhyhaditseemedsodifferentwhenRalphkissedher？Shehadn’tbeenawarethenofhowwetandfaintlynauseatingitwas；shehadn’tseemedtothinkatall，onlyopentohimlikeacasketwhenthewell-knownhandtouchesasecretspring。Whatonearthwashedoing？Whydidherbodyjumpso，clingtohimwhenhermindwantedbadlytopullaway？Lukehadfoundthesensitivespotonherside，andkepthisfingersonittomakeherwrithe；sofarshewasn’texactlyenthusiastic。Breakingthekiss，heputhismouthhardagainstthesideofherneck。Sheseemedtolikethatbetter，herhandscameuparoundhimandshegasped，butwhenheslidhislipsdownherthroatatthesametimeashishandattemptedtopushherdressoffhershoulder，shegavehimasharpshoveandsteppedquicklyaway。"That’senough，Luke！"

Theepisodehaddisappointedher，half-repelledher。Lukewasveryawareofitashehelpedherintothecarandrolledamuch-neededcigarette。Heratherfanciedhimselfasalover，noneofthegirlssofarhadevercomplained-butthentheyhadn’tbeenladieslikeMeggie。EvenDotMacPherson，theBingellyheiress，richerbyfarthanMeggie，wasasroughasbags，noposhSydneyboardingschoolandallthatcrap。InspiteofhislooksLukewasaboutonaparwiththeaverageruralworkingmanwhenitcametosexualexperience；heknewlittleofthemechanicsbeyondwhathelikedhimself，andheknewnothingofthetheory。Thenumerousgirlshehadmadelovetowerenothingloathtoassurehimtheylikedit，butthatmeanthehadtorelyonacertainamountofpersonalinformation，notalwayshonest，either。AgirlwentintoanyaffairhopingformarriagewhenthemanwasasattractiveandhardworkingasLuke，soagirlwasaslikelyasnottolieherheadofftopleasehim。Andnothingpleasedamanmorethanbeingtoldhewasthebestever。Lukeneverdreamedhowmanymenasidefromhimselfhadbeenfooledwiththatone。StillthinkingaboutoldDot，whohadgiveninanddoneasherfatherwantedafterhelockedherintheshearers’barracksforaweekwithafly-blowncarcass，Lukementallyshruggedhisshoulders。Meggiewasgoingtobeatoughnuttocrackandhecouldn’taffordtofrightenordisgusther。Funandgameswouldhavetowait，thatwasall。He’dwooherthewaysheobviouslywanted，flowersandattentionandnottoomuchslapand-tickle。Forawhileanuncomfortablesilencereigned，thenMeggiesighedandslumpedbackinherseat。