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           FeehadtakenoverPaddy’staskofcommunicatingwithBishopRalph,andbeingFeefailedtopassonanyinformationsavethoseitemsconcernedwiththerunningofthestation.Meggielongedtosnatchhisletters,readthemgreedily,butFeegavehernochancetodoso,lockingtheminasteelboxthemomentshehaddigestedtheircontents.WithPaddyandStugonetherewasjustnoreachingFee.AsforMeggie,theminuteBishopRalphhadgoneFeeforgotallaboutherpromise.Meggieanswereddanceandpartyinvitationswithpolitenegatives;awareofit,Feeneverremonstratedwithherortoldhersheoughttogo.LiamO’Rourkeseizedanyopportunitytodriveover;EnochDaviesphonedconstantly,sodidConnorCarmichaelandAlastairMacQueen.ButwitheachofthemMeggiewaspre-occupied,curt,tothepointwheretheydespairedofinterestingher.

           Thesummerwasverywet,butnotinspatesprotractedenoughtocauseflooding,onlykeepingthegroundperpetuallymuddyandthethousand-mileBarwon-Darlingflowingdeep,wideandstrong.Whenwintercamesporadicraincontinued;theflyingbrownsheetsweremadeupofwater,notdust.ThustheDepressionmarchoffoot-loosemenalongthetracktaperedoff,foritwashelltrampingthroughtheblack-soilplainsinawetseason,andwithcoldaddedtodamp,pneumoniaragedamongthosenotabletosleepunderwarmshelter.

           Bobwasworried,andbegantotalkoffootrotamongthesheepifitkeptup;merinoscouldn’ttakemuchmoistureinthegroundwithoutdevelopingdiseasedhoofs.