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           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,weel,she’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.