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           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.