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           ChieflyrepugnanttoFeewasthecareofhertwoyoungestsons,butMrs.SmithassumedfullchargeofJimsandPatsywithsuchardorMeggiecouldn’tfeelsorryforher,insteadinawayshefeltgladthatthesetwocouldatlastbelongentirelytothehousekeeper.Meggiegrievedforhermother,too,butbynomeansaswholeheartedlyasthemen,forherloyaltiesweresorelytried;thebigveinofmotherlinessinherwasdeeplyoffendedbyFee’smountingindifferencetoJimsandPatsy.WhenIhavemychildren,shewouldthinktoherself,I’mnevergoingtoloveoneofthemmorethantherest.

           Livinginthebighousewascertainlyverydifferent.Atfirstitwasstrangetohaveabedroomtooneself,andforthewomen,nottohavetoworryaboutanysortofhouseholdduty,insideoroutside.Minnie,CatandMrs.Smithamongthemcopedwitheverythingfromwashingandironingtocookingandcleaning,andwerehorrifiedbyoffersofhelp.Inreturnforplentyoffoodandasmallwage,anendlessprocessionofswaggiesweretemporarilyenteredonthestationbooksasrouseabouts,tochopthewoodforthehomesteadfires,feedthefowlsandpigs,dothemilking,helpoldTomtakecareofthelovelygardens,doalltheheavycleaning.

           PaddyhadbeencommunicatingwithFatherRalph.

           "TheincomefromMary’sestatecomestoroughlyfourmillionpoundsayear,thankstothefactthatMicharLimitedisaprivatelyownedcompanywithmostofitsassetssunkinsteel,shipsandmining,"wroteFatherRalph.