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           Thegrasswasallgone,thegroundadarkcrackedwastelightenedonlybygreyanddun-browntimberstands.Theyarmedthemselveswithknivesaswellasrifles;whentheysawananimaldownsomeonewouldcutitsthroattospareitalingeringdeath,eyelessfromthecrows.Bobputonmorecattleandhand-fedthemtokeepupDrogheda’swareffort.Therewasnoprofittobehadinitwiththepriceoffeed,fortheagrarianregionscloserinwerejustashardhitbylackofrainasthepastoralregionsfartherout.Cropreturnswereabysmallylow.However,wordhadcomefromRomethattheyweretodowhattheycouldregardlessofthecost.

           WhatMeggiehatedmostofallwasthetimeshehadtoputinworkingthepaddocks.Droghedahadmanagedtoretainonlyoneofitsstockmen,andsofartherewerenoreplacements;Australia’sgreatestshortagehadalwaysbeenmanpower.SounlessBobnoticedherirritabilityandfatigue,andgaveherSundayoff,Meggieworkedthepaddockssevendaysaweek.However,ifBobgavehertimeoffitmeanthehimselfworkedharder,soshetriednottoletherdistressshow.Itneveroccurredtoherthatshecouldsimplyrefusetorideasastockman,pleadherbabiesasanexcuse.Theywerewellcaredfor,andBobneededhersomuchmorethantheydid.Shedidn’thavetheinsighttounderstandherbabiesneededher,too;thinkingofherlongingtobewiththemasselfishnesswhentheyweresowellcaredforbylovingandfamiliarhands.Itwasselfish,shetoldherself.