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           HehadtriedvainlytohaveFrankcommittedtoMorissetasylumforthecriminallyinsane,butnoonehadlistened.SohesimplypassedonanidealisticimageofaFrankresignedtopayingforhissinstosociety,andinapassageheavilyunderlinedtoldPaddyFrankhadnoideatheyknewwhathadhappened.Ithadcometohisears,heassuredFrank,throughSydneynewspapers,andhewouldmakesurethefamilyneverknew.Afterbeingtoldthis,Franksettledbetter,hesaid,andleftitatthat.

           PaddytalkedofsellingFatherRalph’schestnutmare.Meggieusedtherangyblackgeldingshehadriddenforpleasureasastockhorse,foritwaslighter-mouthedandnicerinnaturethanthemoodymaresormeangeldingsintheyards.Stockhorseswereintelligent,andrarelyplacid.Evenatotalabsenceofstallionsdidn’tmakethemveryamiableanimals.

           "Oh,please,Daddy,Icanridethechestnut,too!"Meggiepleaded."Thinkhowawfulitwouldbeifafterallhiskindnessestous,Fathershouldcomebacktovisitanddiscoverwehadsoldhishorse!"

           Paddystaredatherthoughtfully."Meggie,Idon’tthinkFatherwillcomeback."

           "Buthemight!Youneverknow!"

           TheeyessolikeFee’sweretoomuchforhim;hecouldn’tbringhimselftohurthermorethanshewasalreadyhurt,poorlittlething.