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Chapter 7
"Ithinkthisisgoodbye,Meggie.Wecan’tbealoneagain."
"Ifyouhadn’tbeenapriest,Father,wouldyouhavemarriedme?"
Thetitlejarred."Don’tcallmethatallthetime!MynameisRalph."Whichdidn’tanswerherquestion.
Thoughheheldher,hedidnothaveanyintentionofkissingher.Thefaceraisedtohiswasnearlyinvisible,forthemoonhadsetanditwasverydark.Hecouldfeelhersmall,pointedbreastslowdownonhischest;acurioussensation,disturbing.Evenmoresowasthefactthatasnaturallyasifshecameintoaman’sarmseverydayofherlife,herarmshadgoneuparoundhisneck,andlinkedtightly.
Hehadneverkissedanyoneasalover,didnotwanttonow;nor,hethought,didMeggie.Awarmsaluteonthecheek,aquickhug,asshewoulddemandofherfatherwerehetogoaway.Shewassensitiveandproud;hemusthavehurtherdeeplywhenheheldupherpreciousdreamstodispassionateinspection.Undoubtedlyshewasaseagertobedonewiththefarewellashewas.Woulditcomforthertoknowhispainwasfarworsethanhers?Ashebenthisheadtocomeathercheeksheraisedherselfontiptoe,andmorebyluckthangoodmanagementtouchedhislipswithherown.Hejerkedbackasifhetastedthespider’spoison,thenhetippedhisheadforwardbeforehecouldloseher,triedtosaysomethingagainstthesweetshutmouth,andintryingtoanswershepartedit.
