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           ButhewasanIrishman,andtocarrytheblackmourningaccoutermentsofaRequiemwastotemptfate.Paddy’svoiceechoedinthedistance,buthecouldnotfacePaddyatthemoment;heknewMrs.Smithwoulddowhathadtobedone.

           SittingathiswindowlookingoutoverthevistaofDroghedainthedyingsun,theghostgumsgolden,themassofredandpinkandwhiterosesinthegardenallempurpled,hetookMaryCarson’sletterfromhiscaseandhelditbetweenhishands.Butshehadinsistedhereaditbeforeheburiedher,andsomewhereinhismindalittlevoicewaswhisperingthathemustreaditnow,notlatertonightafterhehadseenPaddyandMeggie,butnowbeforehehadseenanyonesaveMaryCarson.

           Itcontainedfoursheetsofpaper;heriffledthemapartandsawimmediatelythatthelowertwowereherwill.Thetoptwowereaddressedtohim,intheformofaletter.

           MydearestRalph,

           Youwillhaveseenthattheseconddocumentinthisenvelopeismywill.IalreadyhaveaperfectlygoodwillsignedandsealedinHarryGough’sofficeinGilly;thewillenclosedhereinisamuchlaterone,andnaturallynullifiestheoneHarryhas.

           AsamatteroffactImadeitonlytheotherday,andhaditwitnessedbyTomandthefencer,sinceIunderstanditisnotpermissibletohaveanybeneficiarywitnessone’swill.Itisquitelegal,inspiteofthefactHarrydidn’tdrawitupforme.Nocourtinthelandwilldenyitsvalidity,Iassureyou.