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           "Oh,dearJesus!"Hisragequithimlikeahowlingwind,hesaggedandshriveledandhishandspluckedathismouthasiftotearoutthetonguewhichhadutteredtheunutterable."Ididn’tmeanit,Ididn’tmeanit!Ididn’tmeanit!"

           ThemomentthewordswereoutFatherRalphletgoofMeggieandgrabbedFrank.HehadFrank’srightarmtwistedbehindhim,hisownleftarmaroundFrank’sneck,throttlinghim.Andhewasstrong,thegripparalyzing;Frankfoughttobefreeofhim,thensuddenlyhisresistanceflaggedandheshookhisheadinsubmission.Meggiehadfallentothefloorandkneltthere,weeping,hereyesgoingfromherbrothertoherfatherinhelpless,beseechingagony.Shedidn’tunderstandwhathadhappened,butsheknewitmeantshecouldn’tkeepthemboth.

           "Youmeantit,"Frankcroaked."Imustalwayshaveknownit!Imustalwayshaveknownit."HetriedtoturnhisheadtoFatherRalph."Letmego,Father.Iwon’ttouchhim,sohelpmeGodIwon’t."

           "SohelpyouGod?Godrotyoursouls,bothofyou!Ifyou’veruinedthechildI’llkillyou!"thepriestroared,theonlyoneangrynow."DoyourealizeIhadtokeepherheretolistentothis,forfearifItookherawayyou’dkilleachotherwhileIwasgone?Ioughttohaveletyoudoit,youmiserable,self-centeredcretins!"

           "It’sallright,I’mgoing,"Franksaidinastrange,emptyvoice."I’mgoingtojoinJimmySharman’stroupe,andIwon’tbeback."

           "You’vegottocomeback!"Paddywhispered.