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           BetterthanstayinginGillytowatchherchangeintoacreaturehedidn’twant,thenhavetomarryheronedaytosomeunknownman.Outofsight,outofmind.

           Thenwhatwashedoingwithhernow,ridingthroughthestandofboxandcoolibahonthefarsideofthecreek?Hecouldn’tseemtothinkwhy,heonlyfeltthepain.Notthepainofbetrayal;therewasn’troomforthat.Onlyforthepainofleavingher.

           "Father,Father!Ican’tkeepupwithyou!Slowdown,Father,please!"

           Itwasthecalltoduty,andreality.Likeamaninslowmotionhewrenchedthemarearound,satituntilithaddancedoutitsexcitement.AndwaitedforMeggietocatchhimup.Thatwasthetrouble.Meggiewascatchinghimup.

           Closebythemwastheroaroftheborehead,agreatsteamingpoolsmellingofsulphur,withapipelikeaship’sventilatorjettingboilingwaterintoitsdepths.Allaroundtheperimeterofthelittleelevatedlakelikespokesfromawheel’shub,theboredrainsdribbledoffacrosstheplainwhiskeredinincongruouslyemeraldgrass.Thebanksofthepoolwereslimygreymud,andthefreshwatercrayfishcalledyabbieslivedinthemud.

           FatherRalphstartedtolaugh."ItsmellslikeHell,Meggie,doesn’tit?Sulphurandbrimstone,righthereonherownproperty,inherownbackyard.Sheoughttorecognizethesmellwhenshegetstheredeckedinroses,oughtn’tshe?Oh,Meggie…"

           Thehorsesweretrainedtostandonadanglingrein;therewerenofencesnearby,andnotreescloserthanhalfamileaway.