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           Therewasnowayshecouldcometotermswithdeath;shelaynightafternightinaconfusedterror,tryingtoimagineifdeathwasperpetualnight,oranabyssofflamesshehadtojumpovertoreachthegoldenfieldsonthefarside,orasphereliketheinsideofagiganticballoonfullofsoaringchoirsandlightattenuatedthroughlimitlessstained-glasswindows.

           Shegrewveryquiet,butinamannerquitedifferentfromStuart’speaceful,dreamyisolation;herswasthepetrifiedfreezingofananimalcaughtintheserpent’sbasiliskstare.Ifshewasspokentosuddenlyshejumped,ifthelittleonescriedforhershefussedovertheminanagonyofexpiationforherneglect.Andwhenevershehadararemomenttoherselfsheranaway,downtothecemeteryandHal,whowastheonlydeadpersonsheknew.

           Everyonenoticedthechangeinher,butaccepteditasMeggiegrowingupwithoutonceaskingthemselveswhatgrowingupforMeggieentailed;shehidherdistresstoowell.Theoldlessonshadbeenwelllearned;herself-controlwasphenomenalandherprideformidable.Noonemusteverknowwhatwentoninsideher,thefaçademustcontinueflawlesstotheend;fromFeetoFranktoStuarttheexampleswerethere,andshewasofthesameblood,itwasapartofhernatureandherheritage.

           ButasFatherRalphpaidhisfrequentvisitstoDroghedaandthechangeinMeggiedeepenedfromaprettyfemininemetamorphosistoaquenchingofallhervitality,hisconcernforhermushroomedintoworry,andthenintofear.