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           "Allrightthen,Meggie,we’llkeepthemare,butmakesureyouuseboththemareandthegeldingregularly,forIwon’thaveafathorseonDrogheda,doyouhear?"

           Untilthenshehadn’tlikedtouseFatherRalph’sownmount,butafterthatshealternatedtogiveboththeanimalsinthestablesachancetoworkofftheiroats.

           ItwasjustaswellMrs.Smith,MinnieandCatdotedonthetwins,forwithMeggieoutinthepaddocksandFeesittingforhoursatherescritoireinthedrawingroom,thetwolittlefellowshadawonderfultime.Theywereintoeverything,butwithsuchgleeandconstantgoodhumorthatnoonecouldbeangrywiththemforverylong.AtnightinherlittlehouseMrs.Smith,longconvertedtoCatholicism,knelttoherprayerswithsuchdeepthankfulnessinherheartshecouldscarcelycontainit.ChildrenofherownhadnevercometogladdenherwhenRobhadbeenalive,andforyearsthebighousehadbeenchildless,itsoccupantsforbiddentomixwiththeinhabitantsofthestockmen’shousesdownbythecreek.ButwhentheClearyscametheywereMaryCarson’skin,andtherewerechildrenatlast.Especiallynow,withJimsandPatsypermanentresidentsofthebighouse.

           ***

           Ithadbeenadrywinter,andthesummerrainsdidn’tcome.Knee-highandlush,thetawnygrassdriedoutinthestarksununtileventheinnercoreofeachbladewascrisp.