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           Asheetofdappledgreyoccupieditsdust,galahspickingforinsectsorgrubs,butastheyheardhercomingtheytooktotheairenmasse.Itwaslikebeinginundatedbyamagenta-pinkwave;breastsandunderwingssoaredaboveherhead,thegreyturnedmagicallytorichpink.IfIhadtoleaveDroghedatomorrow,shethought,neveragaintocomeback,inmydreamsI’dliveDroghedainawashofpinkgalahundersides…Itmustbegettingverydryfartherout;thekangasarecomingin,moreandmoreofthem…

           Agreatmobofkangaroos,maybetwothousandstrong,wasstartledoutofitsplacidgrazingbythegalahsandtookoffintothedistanceinlong,gracefulleapswhichswallowedtheleaguesfasterthananyotheranimalsavetheemu.Horsescouldn’tkeepupwiththem.

           Inbetweenthesedelightfulboutsofnature-studyingshethoughtofRalph,asalways.PrivatelyMeggiehadnevercataloguedwhatshefeltforhimasaschoolgirlcrush,simplycalleditlove,astheydidinbooks.HersymptomsandfeelingswerenodifferentfromthoseofanEthelM.Dellheroine.Nordiditseemfairthatabarrierasartificialashispriesthoodcouldstandbetweenherandwhatshewantedofhim,whichwastohavehimasherhusband.TolivewithhimasDaddydidwithMum,insuchharmonyhewouldadoreherthewayDaddydidMum.IthadneverseemedtoMeggiethathermotherdidverymuchtoearnherfather’sadoration,yetworshipherhedid.