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           Meggiesatdownonavacantchairandfoldedherhandsinherlap.Oh,hewashersandhewasdead!LittleHal,whomshehadcaredforandlovedandmothered.Thespaceinhermindhehadoccupiedwasnotyetempty;shecouldstillfeelthewarmweightofhimagainstherchest.Itwasterribletoknowtheweightwouldneverrestthereagain,whereshehadfeltitforfourlongyears.No,notathingtocryover;tearswereforAgnes,forwoundsinthefragilesheathofself-esteem,andthechildhoodshehadleftbehindforever.Thiswasaburdenshewouldhavetocarryuntiltheendofherdays,andcontinueinspiteofit.Thewilltosurviveisverystronginsome,notsostronginothers.InMeggieitwasasrefinedandtensileasasteelhawser.

           JustsodidFatherRalphfindherwhenhecameinwiththedoctor.Shepointedsilentlytothehallwaybutmadenoefforttofollowthem.AnditwasalongtimebeforethepriestcouldfinallydowhathehadwantedtodosinceMaryCarsonphonedthepresbytery;gotoMeggie,bewithher,givethepoorlittlefemaleoutsidersomethingfromhimselfforherveryown.HedoubtedthatanyoneelsefullyappreciatedwhatHalmeanttoher.

           Butitwasalongtime.Therewerethelastritestobeadministered,incasethesoulhadnotyetleftthebody;andFeetosee,Paddytosee,practicaladvicetogive.Thedoctorhadgone,dejectedbutlongusedtothetragedieshisfar-flungpracticemadeinevitable.Fromwhattheysaid,littlehecouldhavedoneanyway,sofarfromhishospitalandhistrainednursingstaff.