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Chapter 12
Thegrizzlingscrapofhumanityresponsibleforallthislayinawickerbassinetbythefarwall,notabitappreciativeoftheirattentionastheystoodaroundherandpeereddown.Sheyelledherresentment,andkeptonyelling.Intheendthenurseliftedher,bassinetandall,andputherintheroomdesignatedashernursery.
"There’scertainlynothingwrongwithherlungs."ArchbishopRalphsmiled,sittingontheedgeofthebedandtakingMeggie’spalehand.
"Idon’tthinkshelikeslifemuch,"Meggiesaidwithanansweringsmile.Howmucholderhelooked!Asfitandsuppleasever,butimmeasurablyolder.SheturnedherheadtoAnneandLuddie,andheldoutherotherhand."Mydeargoodfriends!WhateverwouldIhavedonewithoutyou?HaveweheardfromLuke?"
"Igotatelegramsayinghewastoobusytocome,butwishingyougoodluck."
"Bigofhim,"saidMeggie.
Annebentquicklytokisshercheck."We’llleaveyoutotalkwiththeArchbishop,dear.I’msureyou’vegotalotofcatchinguptodo."LeaningonLuddie,shecrookedherfingeratthenurse,whowasgapingatthepriestasifshecouldn’tbelievehereyes."Comeon,Nettie,haveacupofteawithus.HisGracewillletyouknowifMeggieneedsyou."
"Whatareyougoingtocallyournoisydaughter?"heaskedasthedoorclosedandtheywerealone.
"Justine."
"It’saverygoodname,butwhydidyouchooseit?"
"Ireaditsomewhere,andIlikedit."
