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           AndthatgoesforDaneandJustine,too.Imean,therearesomepeoplewhocompulsivelyhuntitliketomcats,butnotyourlot.ThoughperhapsJustinewillmarry.There’sthisGermanchapRainer;sheseemsterriblyfondofhim."

           "You’vehitthenailonthehead,"saidMeggie,innomoodtobecomforted."Sheseemsterriblyfondofhim.Justthat.Afterall,she’sknownhimforsevenyears.Ifshewantedtomarryhim,itwouldhavehappenedagesago."

           "Wouldit?IknowJustineprettywell,"answeredAnnetruthfully,forshedid;betterthananyoneelseonDrogheda,includingMeggieandFee."Ithinkshe’sterrifiedofcommittingherselftothekindoflovemarriagewouldentail,andImustsayIadmireRainer.Heseemstounderstandherverywell.Oh,Idon’tsayhe’sinlovewithherforsure,butifheis,atleasthe’sgotthesensetowaituntilshe’sreadytotaketheplunge."Sheleanedforward,herbookfallingforgottentothetiles."Oh,willyoulistentothatbird?I’msureevenanightingalecouldn’tmatchit."Thenshesaidwhatshehadbeenwantingtosayforweeks."Meggie,whywon’tyougotoRometoseeDaneordained?Isn’tthatpeculiar?Dane—ordain."

           "I’mnotgoingtoRome!"saidMeggiebetweenclenchedteeth."IshallneverleaveDroghedaagain."

           "Meggie,don’t!Youcan’tdisappointhimso!Go,please!Ifyoudon’t,Droghedawon’thaveasinglewomanthere,becauseyou’retheonlywomanyoungenoughtotaketheflight.