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           WhatdelightedMeggiemostwasthewaytheylovedDane,playedwithhimforhours,tookhimwiththemforrides,laughedwithhim,rolledhimoverandoveronthelawn.Justineseemedtofrightenthem;butthen,theywereawkwardwithanyonefemalewhomtheydidn’tknowaswellastheyknewtheolderwomen.Besideswhich,poorJustinewasfuriouslyjealousofthewaytheymonopolizedDane’scompany,foritmeantshehadnoonetoplaywith.

           "He’sabonzerlittlebloke,Meggie,"saidJimstoMeggiewhenshecameoutontotheverandaoneday;hewassittinginacanechairwatchingPatsyandDaneplayingonthelawn.

           "Yes,heisalittlebeauty,isn’the?"Shesmiled,sittingwhereshecouldseeheryoungestbrother.Hereyesweresoftwithpity;theyhadbeenherbabies,too."What’sthematter,Jims?Can’tyoutellme?"

           Hiseyesliftedtohers,wretchedwithsomedeeppain,butheshookhisheadasifnoteventempted."No,Meggie.Itisn’tanythingIcouldevertellawoman."

           "Whataboutwhenallthisisoverandyoumarry?Won’tyouwanttotellyourwife?"

           "Usmarry?Idon’tthinkso.Wartakesallthatoutofaman.Wewereitchingtogo,butwe’rewisernow.Ifwemarriedwe’dhavesons,andforwhat?Seethemgrowup,getpushedofftodowhatwe’vedone,seewhatwe’veseen?"

           "Don’t,Jims,don’t!"

           Hisgazefollowedhers,toDanechucklingingleebecausePatsywasholdinghimupsidedown.

           "Don’teverlethimleaveDrogheda,Meggie.OnDroghedahecan’tcometoanyharm,"saidJims.