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           Itwasahidden,unspokenthingbetweenthem,somethingtobuffertheirloneliness.

           Perhapsitwasinevitable,forofallherchildrenStuartwastheonlyonelikeher.AtfourteenhewasasbigamysterytohisfatherandbrothersasFrankhadbeen,butunlikeFrankheengenderednohostility,noirritation.Hedidashewastoldwithoutcomplaint,workedashardasanyoneandcreatedabsolutelynoripplesinthepoolofClearylife.Thoughhishairwasredhewasthedarkestofalltheboys,moremahoganyandhiseyeswereasclearaspalewaterintheshade,asiftheyreachedallthewaybackintimetotheverybeginning,andsaweverythingasitreallywas.HewasalsotheonlyoneofPaddy’ssonswhopromisedadulthandsomeness,thoughprivatelyMeggiethoughtherHalwouldoutshinehimwhenitcamehisturntogrowup.NooneeverknewwhatStuartwasthinking;likeFee,hespokelittleandneverairedanopinion.Andhehadacuriousknackofbeingutterlystill,asstillwithinhimselfashewasinbody,andtoMeggie,closesttohiminage,itseemedhecouldgosomewherenooneelsecouldeverfollow.FatherRalphexpresseditanotherway.

           "Thatladisn’thuman!"hehadexclaimedthedayhedumpedahunger-strikingStuartbackatDroghedaafterhewasleftattheconventminusMeggie."Didhesayhewantedtogohome?DidhesayhemissedMeggie?No!Hejuststoppedeatingandpatientlywaitedforthereasonwhytosinkintoourthickskulls.