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           Hesenseditonly;shehadnotearsthere,herlidsdidn’tdroop,orthecornersofhermouth.Buthewasn’tconcernedwithwhateversorrowsMeggieowned,forhehadnointentionoflettingherbecomesoimportanttohimshecausedhimworryonherbehalf.AdmittedlyshewassomethingofabonustoamanwhohadtriedtomarryDotMacPhersonofBingelly,butherphysicaldesirabilityandtractablenatureonlyincreasedLuke’sguardoverhisownheart.Nowoman,evenoneassweetandbeautifulasMeggieCleary,wasevergoingtogainsufficientpoweroverhimtotellhimwhattodo.

           So,remainingtruetohimself,heplungedstraightintothemainthingonhismind.Thereweretimeswhenguilewasnecessary,butinthismatteritwouldn’tservehimaswellasbluntness.

           "Meghann,I’manold-fashionedman,"hesaid.

           Shestaredathim,puzzled."Areyou?"sheasked,hertoneimplying:Doesitmatter?

           "Yes,"hesaid."Ibelievethatwhenamanandwomanmarry,allthewoman’spropertyshouldbecometheman’s.Thewayadowrydidintheolddays.Iknowyou’vegotabitofmoney,andI’mtellingyounowthatwhenwemarryyou’retosignitovertome.It’sonlyfairyouknowwhat’sinmymindwhileyou’restillsingle,andabletodecidewhetheryouwanttodoit."

           IthadneveroccurredtoMeggiethatshewouldretainhermoney;shehadsimplyassumedwhenshemarrieditwouldbecomeLuke’s,nothers.