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           Thefootballersdidn’tworryLukeatallwhenheenteredthepubaloneatnineo’clock;bythenmostofthemwereinsensible,andthefewstillontheirfeetweretoofargonetonoticeanythingfartherawaythantheirbeerglasses.

           Luddiehadbeenexactlyright;attheendofhisweek’sstintascookLukewasrested,eagerforachangeandoozinggoodwill.WhenBraun’syoungsonhadbroughtMeggie’smessagedowntothebarrackshewasjustwashingthelastofthesupperdishesandplanningtocycleintoIngham,joinArneandtheblokesontheircustomarySaturday-nightbinge.TheprospectofMeggiewasaveryagreeablealternative;eversincethatholidayontheAthertonhehadfoundhimselfwantingheroccasionallyinspiteofhisphysicalexhaustion.Onlyhishorrorofstartingheroffonthelet’s-settle-down-in-our-own-homecryhadkepthimawayfromHimmelhochwheneverhewasnearDunny.Butnowshehadcometohim,andhewasnotatallaversetoanightinbed.Sohefinishedthedishesinahurry,andwasluckyenoughtobepickedupbyatruckafterhehadpedaledascanthalfmile.ButashewalkedhisbikethethreeblocksfromwherehisridehaddroppedhimtothepubwhereMeggiewasstaying,someofhisanticipationflattened.Allthechemistshopswereclosed,andhedidn’thaveanyFrenchletters.Hestopped,staredinawindowfullofmoth-eaten,heat-stippledchocolatesanddeadblowflies,thenshrugged.Well,he’djusthavetotakehischances.Itwouldonlybetonight,andiftherewasababy,withanyluckitwouldbeaboythistime.