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           Buthowmanyofthewomenwhohadthemweretrulycontent?Meggiethoughtshewouldbe,becauseforhertheyweresohardtocomeby.

           Acceptit,MeggieCleary.MeggieO’Neill.ThesomeoneyouwantisRalphdeBricassart,andyoujustcan’thavehim.Yetasamanheseemstohaveruinedyouforanyoneelse.Allright,then.Assumethatamanandthesomeonetolovecan’toccur.Itwillhavetobechildrentolove,andtheloveyoureceivewillhavetocomefromthosechildren.WhichinturnmeansLuke,andLuke’schildren.

           Oh,dearGod,dearGod!No,notdearGod!What’sGodeverdoneforme,exceptdeprivemeofRalph?We’renottoofondofeachother,GodandI.AnddoYouknowsomething,God?Youdon’tfrightenmethewayYouusedto.HowmuchIfearedYou,Yourpunishment!AllmylifeI’vetroddenthestraightandnarrow,fromfearofYou.Andwhat’sitgotme?NotonescrapmorethanifI’dbrokeneveryruleinYourbook.You’reafraud,God,ademonoffear.Youtreatuslikechildren,danglingpunishment.ButYoudon’tfrightenmeanymore.Becauseitisn’tRalphIoughttobehating,it’sYou.It’sallYourfault,notpoorRalph’s.He’sjustlivinginfearofYou,thewayIalwayshave.ThathecouldloveYouissomethingIcan’tunderstand.Idon’tseewhatthereisaboutYoutolove.

           YethowcanIstoplovingamanwholovesGod?NomatterhowhardItry,Ican’tseemtodoit.He’sthemoon,andI’mcryingforit.Well,you’vejustgottostopcryingforit,MeggieO’Neill,that’sallthereistoit.