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           However,therewasoneofthenewgasstoveswhichburnedoffcylinderedgasonorder,andadozenofthenewkerosenerefrigerators;Australianindustrywasn’tyetonapeacetimefooting,buteventuallythenewapplianceswouldcome.

           "Meggie,whydon’tyoudivorceLuke,marryagain?"Feeaskedsuddenly."EnochDavieswouldhaveyouinasecond;he’sneverlookedatanyoneelse."

           Meggie’slovelyeyessurveyedhermotherinwonder."GoodLord,Mum,Idobelieveyou’reactuallytalkingtomeasonewomantoanother!"

           Feedidn’tsmile;Feestillrarelysmiled."Well,ifyouaren’tawomanbynow,you’llneverbeone.I’dsayyouqualified.Imustbegettingold;Ifeelgarrulous."

           Meggielaughed,delightedathermother’soverture,andanxiousnottodestroythisnewmood."It’stherain,Mum.Itmustbe.Oh,isn’titwonderfultoseegrassonDroghedaagain,andgreenlawnsaroundthehomestead?"

           "Yes,itis.Butyou’reside-steppingmyquestion.WhynotdivorceLuke,marryagain?"

           "It’sagainstthelawsoftheChurch."

           "Piffle!"exclaimedFee,butgently."Halfofyouisme,andI’mnotaCatholic.Don’tgivemethat,Meggie.Ifyoureallywantedtomarry,you’ddivorceLuke."

           "Yes,IsupposeIwould.ButIdon’twanttomarryagain.I’mquitehappywithmychildrenandDrogheda."

           Achuckleverylikeherownechoedfromtheinteriorofthebottlebrushshrubberynearby,itsdroopingscarletcylindershidingtheauthorofthechuckle.