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           Thentherewerethethingswhichsprangfromherownnature:thatstubborn,stiff-neckedpride,andthenigglingconvictionthatthesituationwasasmuchherfaultasLuke’s.Iftherewasn’tsomethingwrongwithher,Lukemighthavebehavedfardifferently.

           Shehadseenhimsixtimesintheeighteenmonthsofherexile,andoftenthought,quiteunawaresuchathingashomosexualityexisted,thatbyrightsLukeshouldhavemarriedArne,becausehecertainlylivedwithArneandmuchpreferredhiscompany.Theyhadgoneintofullpartnershipanddriftedupanddownthethousand-milecoastfollowingthesugarharvest,living,itseemed,onlytowork.WhenLukedidcometoseeherhedidn’tattemptanykindofintimacy,justsataroundforanhourortwoyarningtoLuddieandAnne,tookhiswifeforawalk,gaveherafriendlykiss,andwasoffagain.

           Thethreeofthem,Luddie,AnneandMeggie,spentalltheirsparetimereading.HimmelhochhadalibraryfarlargerthanDrogheda’sfewshelves,moreeruditeandmoresalaciousbyfar,andMeggielearnedagreatdealwhilesheread.

           OneSundayinJuneof1936LukeandArneturneduptogether,verypleasedwiththemselves.Theyhadcome,theysaid,togiveMeggiearealtreat,fortheyweretakinghertoaceilidh.