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           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.