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           Isitsomuchtoaskofaman,tobeneededandwantedbyhim?"

           Shebegantosob,masteredit;therewerefinelinesofpainonherfacethathehadneverseenbefore,andheknewtheyweren’tthekindthatrestandreturninghealthwouldsmoothaway.

           "Luke’snotabadman,orevenanunlikableone,"shewenton."Justaman.You’reallthesame,greatbighairymothsbashingyourselvestopiecesafterasillyflamebehindaglasssoclearyoureyesdon’tseeit.Andifyoudomanagetoblunderyourwayinsidetheglasstoflyintotheflame,youfalldownburnedanddead.Whileallthetimeoutthereinthecoolnightthere’sfood,andlove,andbabymothstoget.Butdoyouseeit,doyouwantit?No!It’sbackaftertheflameagain,beatingyourselvessenselessuntilyouburnyourselvesdead!"

           Hedidn’tknowwhattosaytoher,forthiswasasideofherhehadneverseen.Haditalwaysbeenthere,orhadshegrownitoutofherterribletroubleandabandonment?Meggie,sayingthingslikethis?Hehardlyheardwhatshesaid,hewassoupsetthatsheshouldsayit,andsodidn’tunderstandthatitcamefromherloneliness,andherguilt.

           "DoyouremembertheroseyougavemethenightIleftDrogheda?"heaskedtenderly.

           "Yes,Iremember."Thelifehadgoneoutofhervoice,thehardlightoutofhereyes.Theystaredathimnowlikeasoulwithouthope,asexpressionlessandglassyashermother’s.

           "Ihaveitstill,inmymissal.AndeverytimeIseearosethatcolor,Ithinkofyou.Meggie,Iloveyou.