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           I’msendinghimmyson,butnomorethanthat.I’mnotsendinghimhisson."

           "Bewareofthejealousyofthegods,Meggie,"saidAnnesoftly."Theymightnothavedonewithyouyet."

           "Whatmorecantheydotome?"mournedMeggie.

           WhenJustineheardthenewsshewasfurious,thoughforthelastthreeorfouryearsshehadhadasneakingsuspicionitwascoming.OnMeggieitburstlikeaclapofthunder,butonJustineitdescendedlikeanexpectedshoweroficywater.

           Firstofall,becauseJustinehadbeenatschoolinSydneywithhim,andashisconfidantehadlistenedtohimtalkofthethingshedidn’tmentiontohismother.JustineknewhowvitallyimportanthisreligionwastoDane;notonlyGod,butthemysticalsignificanceofCatholicrituals.HadhebeenbornandbroughtupaProtestant,shethought,hewasthetypetohaveeventuallyturnedtoCatholicismtosatisfysomethinginhissoul.NotforDaneanaustere,calvinisticGod.HisGodwaslimnedinstainedglass,wreathedinincense,wrappedinlaceandgoldembroidery,hymnedinmusicalcomplexity,andworshippedinlovelyLatincadences.

           Too,itwasakindofironicperversitythatsomeonesowonderfullyendowedwithbeautyshoulddeemitacripplinghandicap,anddeploreitsexistence.ForDanedid.Heshrankfromanyreferencetohislooks;Justinefanciedhewouldfarratherhavebeenbornugly,totallyunprepossessing.