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           Perhapsnohumanbeingisequippedtojudgewhichisworse;inchoatelongingwithitsattendantrestlessnessandirritability,orspecificdesirewithitswillfuldrivetoachievethedesire.PoorMeggielonged,quitewhatforshedidn’tknow,butthebasicpullwasthere,anditdraggedherinexorablyinthedirectionofRalphdeBricassart.Soshedreamedofhim,yearnedforhim,wantedhim;andmourned,thatinspiteofhisdeclaredloveforhershemeantsolittletohimthathenevercametoseeher.

           IntothemiddleofherthoughtsrodePaddy,headingforthehomesteadonthesamecourseasshewas;smiling,shereinedinthechestnutmareandwaitedforhimtocatchup.

           "Whatanicesurprise,"saidPaddy,walkinghisoldroanbesidehisdaughter’smiddle-agedmare.

           "Yes,itis,"shesaid."Isitdryfartherout?"

           "Abitworsethanthis,Ithink.Lord,I’veneverseensomanykangas!ItmustbebonedryoutMilparinkaway.MartinKingwastalkingofabigshoot,butIdon’tseehowanarmyofmachinegunscouldreducethenumberofkangasbyenoughtoseethedifference."

           Hewassonice,sothoughtfulandforgivingandloving;anditwasrarelythatsheeverhadthechancetobewithhimwithoutatleastoneoftheboysinattendance.Beforeshecouldchangehermind,Meggieaskedthedoubtingquestion,theonewhichgnawedandpreyedinspiteofallherinternalreassurances.

           "Daddy,whydoesn’tFatherdeBricassartevercometoseeus?"

           "He’sbusy,Meggie,"Paddyanswered,buthisvoicehadbecomewary.