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           IknowtheyhavetobeatthethreeR’sintoourthickIrishheads,butafterall,itwasweeMeggie’sfirstdayatschool."

           Frankwasstaringathisfather,amazed.NotuntilthismomenthadPaddyevercommunicatedman-to-manwithhisoldestson.Shockedoutofperpetualresentment,Frankrealizedthatforallhisproudboasting,PaddylovedMeggiemorethanhedidhissons.Hefoundhimselfalmostlikinghisfather,sohesmiledwithoutthemistrust.

           "She’sabonzerlittlething,isn’tshe?"heasked.

           Paddynoddedabsently,engrossedinwatchingher.Thehorseblewitslipsinandout,flapping;Meggiestirred,rolledoverandopenedhereyes.WhenshesawherfatherstandingbesideFrankshesatboltupright,frightpalingherskin.

           "Well,Meggiegirl,you’vehadquiteaday,haven’tyou?"Paddywentoverandliftedheroutofthehay,gaspingashecaughtawhiffofher.Thenheshruggedhisshouldersandheldheragainsthimhard.

           "Igotcaned,Daddy,"sheconfessed.

           "Well,knowingSisterAgatha,itwon’tbethelasttime,"helaughed,perchingheronhisshoulder."We’dbetterseeifMum’sgotanyhotwaterinthecoppertogiveyouabath.YousmellworsethanJarman’sdairy."

           Frankwenttothedoorwayandwatchedthetwofieryheadsbobbingupthepath,thenturnedtofindthebaymare’sgentleeyesfixedonhim.

           "Comeon,youbigoldbitch.I’llrideyouhome,"hetoldit,scoopingupahalter.

           ***

           Meggie’svomitingturnedouttobeablessingindisguise.