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           ButthroughthedinandtheloomingdrunkenfacesshemanagedtocallBraun’s,thefarmwhereLuke’sgangwascutting,andaskthatamessageberelayedtohimthathiswifewasinIngham,wantingtoseehim.Seeingherfear,thepublicanwalkedbacktoherroomwithher,andwaiteduntilheheardherturnthekey.

           Meggieleanedagainstthedoor,limpwithrelief;ifitmeantshedidn’teatagainuntilshewasbackinDunny,shewasn’tventuringtothediningroom.Luckilythepublicanhadputherrightnexttothewomen’sbathroom,sosheoughttobeabletomakethatjourneywhennecessary.Themomentshethoughtherlegswouldholdherupshewobbledtothebedandsatonit,herheadbowed,lookingatherquiveringhands.

           Allthewaydownshehadthoughtaboutthebestwayofgoingaboutit,andeverythinginhercried,Quickly,quickly!UntilcomingtoliveatHimmelhochshehadneverreadadescriptionofaseduction,andevennow,armedwithseveralsuchrecountings,shewasn’tconfidentofherabilitytogoaboutoneherself.Butthatwaswhatshehadtodo,forsheknewonceshestartedtotalktoLukeitwouldbeallover.Hertongueitchedtotellhimwhatshereallythoughtofhim.Butmorethanthat,thedesiretobebackonDroghedawithRalph’sbabymadesafeconsumedher.

           Shiveringinthesultrysugaryairshetookoffherclothesandlaydownonthebed,eyesclosed,willingherselfnottothinkbeyondtheexpediencyofmakingRalph’sbabysafe.