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           HerpeoplearepracticallyNewZealand’sfirstfamilysocially,andherfatherhadabigwheat-and-sheeppropertyoutsideAshburtonintheSouthIsland.Moneywasnoobject,andFeewashisonlydaughter.AsIunderstandit,he’dplannedherlifeforher—atriptotheoldcountry,adebutatcourt,therighthusband.Shehadneverliftedahandinthehouse,ofcourse.Theyhadmaidsandbutlersandhorsesandbigcarriages;theylivedlikelords.

           "Iwasthedairyhand,andsometimesIusedtoseeFeeinthedistance,walkingwithalittleboyabouteighteenmonthsold.Thenextthing,oldJamesArmstrongcametoseeme.Hisdaughter,hesaid,haddisgracedthefamily;shewasn’tmarriedandshehadachild.Ithadbeenhushedup,ofcourse,butwhentheytriedtogetherawayhergrandmothermadesuchafusstheyhadnochoicebuttokeepherontheplace,inspiteoftheawkwardness.Nowthegrandmotherwasdying,therewasnothingtostopthemgettingridofFeeandherchild.Iwasasingleman,Jamessaid;ifI’dmarryherandguaranteetotakeheroutoftheSouthIsland,they’dpayourtravelingexpensesandanadditionalfivehundredpounds.

           "Well,Father,itwasafortunetome,andIwastiredofthesinglelife.ButIwasalwayssoshyIwasneveranygoodwiththegirls.Itseemedlikeagoodideatome,andIhonestlydidn’tmindthechild.Thegrandmothergotwindofitandsentforme,eventhoughshewasveryill.Shewasatartarinherday,I’llbet,butareallady.