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           Andby1860theArmstrongswerecolonialaristocrats,senttheirmaleoffspringtoexclusiveschoolsbackinEngland,andamplyprovedbytheircunningandacquisitivenessthattheywereindeedtruedescendantsofaremarkable,formidableman.Roderick’sgrandsonJameshadfatheredFionain1880,theonlydaughteramongatotaloffifteenchildren.

           IfFeemissedthemoreaustereProtestantritesofherchildhood,sheneversaidso.ShetoleratedPaddy’sreligiousconvictionsandattendedMasswithhim,sawtoitthatherchildrenworshippedanexclusivelyCatholicGod.Butbecauseshehadneverconverted,thelittletouchesweremissing,likegracebeforemealsandprayersbeforebed,aneverydayholiness.

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           AsidefromthatonetripintoWahineeighteenmonthsbefore,Meggiehadneverbeenfartherfromhomethanthebarnandsmithyinthehollow.Onthemorningofherfirstdayatschoolshewassoexcitedshevomitedherbreakfast,andhadtobebundledbackintoherbedroomtobewashedandchanged.Offcamethelovelynewcostumeofnavybluewithabigwhitesailorcollar,onwentherhorridbrownwinceywhichbuttonedhigharoundherlittleneckandalwaysfeltasifitwerechokingher.

           "Andforheaven’ssake,Meggie,nexttimeyoufeelsick,tellme!Don’tjustsitthereuntilit’stoolateandI’vegotamesstocleanupaswellaseverythingelse!Nowyou’regoingtohavetohurry,becauseifyou’relateforthebellSisterAgathaissuretocaneyou.Behaveyourself,andmindyourbrothers."