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           Isupposeyou’reright,itisratherextraordinary.ButIdon’tlikehim."

           WhereelsewouldFeebe,exceptatherdesk?Hesteppedthroughthewindowsintothedrawingroom,butthesedaysthatnecessitatedopeningascreen.Shemusthaveheardhim,butkeptonworking,backbent,thelovelygoldenhairgonetosilver.Withdifficultyherememberedshemustbeallofseventy-twoyearsold.

           "Hello,Fee,"hesaid.

           Whensheraisedherheadhesawachangeinher,ofwhatprecisenaturehecouldn’tbesure;theindifferencewasthere,butsowereseveralotherthings.Asifshehadmellowedandhardenedsimultaneously,becomemorehuman,yethumaninaMaryCarsonmold.God,theseDroghedamatriarchs!WouldithappentoMeggie,too,whenherturncame?

           "Hello,Ralph,"shesaid,asifhesteppedthroughthewindowseveryday."Hownicetoseeyou."

           "Nicetoseeyou,too."

           "Ididn’tknowyouwereinAustralia."

           "Noonedoes.Ihaveafewweeks’holiday."

           "You’restayingwithus,Ihope?"

           "Whereelse?"Hiseyesroamedroundthemagnificentwalls,restedonMaryCarson’sportrait."Youknow,Fee,yourtasteisimpeccable,unerring.ThisroomrivalsanythingintheVatican.Thoseblackeggshapeswiththerosesareastrokeofgenius."

           "Why,thankyou!Wetryourhumblebest.PersonallyIpreferthediningroom;I’vedoneitagainsinceyouwereherelast.Pinkandwhiteandgreen.Soundsawful,butwaituntilyouseeit.ThoughwhyItry,Idon’tknow.