Chapter 12

           OnceamonthMeggiewroteadutifullettertoFee,Bobandtheboys,fullofdescriptionsofNorthQueensland,carefullyhumorous,neverhintingofanydifferencesbetweenherandLuke.Thatprideagain.AsfarasDroghedaknew,theMuellerswerefriendsofLuke’swithwhomsheboardedbecauseLuketraveledsomuch.Hergenuineaffectionforthecouplecamethroughineverywordshewroteaboutthem,sonooneonDroghedaworried.Exceptthatitgrievedthemshenevercamehome.Yethowcouldshetellthemthatshedidn’thavethemoneytovisitwithoutalsotellingthemhowmiserablehermarriagetoLukeO’Neillhadbecome?

           OccasionallyshewouldnerveherselftoinsertacasualquestionaboutBishopRalph,andevenlessoftenBobwouldremembertopassonthelittlehelearnedfromFeeabouttheBishop.Thencamealetterfullofhim.

           "Hearrivedoutoftheblueoneday,Meggie,"Bob’slettersaid,"lookingabitupsetanddowninthemouth.Imustsayhewasfloorednottofindyouhere.Hewasspittingmadbecausewehadn’ttoldhimaboutyouandLuke,butwhenMumsaidyou’dgotabeeinyourbonnetaboutitanddidn’twantustotellhim,heshutupandneversaidanotherword.ButIthoughthemissedyoumorethanhewouldanyoftherestofus,andIsupposethat’squitenaturalbecauseyouspentmoretimewithhimthantherestofus,andIthinkhealwaysthoughtofyouashislittlesister.Hewanderedaroundasifhecouldn’tbelieveyouwouldn’tpopupallofasudden,poorchap.