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Daniel opened the door into the hall and the doctor went straight to the chair where he had left his overcoat, his gloves and his tall hat. He stood looking down at them for a moment before turning to Daniel, when he said simply, Ì don't know where she is injured, other than that she was kicked in the back, probably in the kidneys.`

Òh God, no! No!Ònly Daniel himself heard his words, although they were yelling through his brain.

Òh no! no! Poor, dear Maggie

Ann. Oh no!`

Ìf she has care and attention,` the doctor went on, `she could live for some time, although it's not that she'll die from the blow. It's the dropsy that'll take her, and that could be in a week, a month or a year.

Much will depend on how she reacts to the enforced rest she must take. I will prescribe something to relieve the excess water. She should have seen a doctor years ago, before she got into her present condition. I don't know how she's managed to get about. Didn't any of you realise she must have been in pain?`

`She ... she never complained.` The words were sticking in Daniel's throat and he had to swallow before he could add, `She was always so cheerful; in fact, she kept everyone else cheerful. That's the Irish in her, I suppose.`

`Well, her excess water would hardly have made her cheerful, I can tell you. But, as I said, the tablets should help to relieve the pressure, although they won't cure her completely, and it will be a painful process, especially after that kick from the horse. If she was a younger woman and otherwise healthy, I would have

arranged for her to see a specialist, 243 who might have suggested some alternative treatment. But as things are, it would be a waste of time at her age and in her condition. The pain she would suffer would be much worse than anything she has hitherto experienced. Well, good-day to you.Às Daniel opened the door to let him out the doctor sniffed at the air, saying, `We're going to have snow and I hate the damned stuff.`

Daniel watched him mount his trap and drive away before he slowly closed the door, then stood with his back to it, his hand over his eyes.

When, from the far end of the hall, Moira's voice called, `Well?` he started, then moved towards her.

`She was kicked in the kidneys.Ìnstead of coming out with an Irish exclamation, such as Mother of God! or Dear Jesus!, Moira dropped her heavy body on to a hall chair and, crossing her arms, her hands pressed under her oxters, she rocked herself back and forth. Had she let out a wail, the picture would have been complete, but she uttered no sound; nor did Daniel say anything; and when, after a time, the rocking stopped and she rose from the chair, and without

a word turned and made her way back to Maggie Ann's room, Daniel went slowly into the kitchen, there to see six of the children grouped around the hearth, and all silent. It was an odd scene, because there had never seemed a moment when Margaret, or Annie, or Catherine would not be jumping, skipping, or scampering here or there, outside or inside. As for Patrick, he seemed to spend his time looking for trouble and always found it. Sean was the only quiet one among them, yet it was an observing quietness, nothing seeming to escape his notice: he would recall and refer to things that the others had passed over or forgotten weeks before. And there, too, sitting on the mat, was the youngest, Michael.

When no one spoke he addressed Margaret, saying, `Where's Bridget?`

Ùp in her cot. Mama had her in the sewing-room.`

`Well, you'd better go and see to her.`

Margaret didn't move from where she was sitting, but turned to Patrick, and when Patrick did not speak either she said, `What's wrong with Maggie Ann? What did the doctor say? Is she going to die?`

`No.` His voice was loud. 245 `No, she's not going to die. She's ... she's hurt her back.`

`Will she be able to walk again?` This was from Patrick, and Daniel looked at the boy before answering slowly, `Not for some time. And well, now you're all here, this is the best time to have a word with you.

Maggie Ann's going to need nursing. So you'll all have to pig in and do what you're told. You, Patrick and Margaret ... well, in your own ways you'll have to take charge of the others. Patrick, you'll see to the fires, because Maggie Ann won't be able to do it any more, and your mother will be looking after her most of the time. And Margaret, you'll set the table and clear the things away and wash up the crocks, and Annie will help you, and Catherine too.Ìt was Annie who now piped in, saying, Ì've hurt my foot on the slide, Daniel.`

`Well, I noticed it didn't stop you from walking. And the more you use it the sooner it will be better.`

`But who'll make our dinners, Daniel?` This was from Catherine, and the question stumped him for a moment; but then he said, Ì'll go and see if Rosie can manage a few hours a day. But you know that she's also in a bad way, so it will be only the main meal she can do. And anyway, most of you will be able to see to the rest, won't you?` He looked from one to the other but no one answered him; and so he barked, `Won't you?`

`Yes. Yes, Daniel.` The answer came in a jumble of voices which, he noticed, did not include one from Sean. But he let this pass.

Quietly now, he enlarged on his proposals. Ìt'll soon be the Christmas holidays,` he said; `but before then I shall go and see the teacher and ask that you all be excused, at least for the next week or so, until we can arrange a new way of working. So, come on: get started! all of you.Às he made for the door Patrick said, `Father was here and he says he's going to shoot the horse.`

These words only brought Daniel to a temporary halt: he couldn't see his father shooting the only means of transport he had to get him to the village or beyond. However, should he shoot the horse, he, Daniel would shoot him. 247 Yes, begod! he would shoot him.

It did not seem strange to him that he was thinking in the manner of the two women in the house because, after all, they had both in a way, between them, brought him up; they had both been his mother.

Word soon got around that Hector Stewart's horse had kicked his Irish servant up in the air and that she had landed on her back like a burst balloon. Broken it was and, some said, in a number of places.

She wasn't expected to survive, not for all that long, anyway. And the big fellow had threatened to shoot his horse; although somebody must have stopped him, that is if ever he tried, because he was still astride it every day. It was a good job he had a son like Daniel, one so very capable. But then, on the other hand, it was also said that Daniel was near with money, and would give you a snappy answer if you stepped out of place. Oh, they were a funny lot up there on that farm. One thing was sure, it was galloping down hill and it wouldn't be long before it reached the bottom.

Since the difficult meeting Daniel had had with Mr Talbot, he and Frances had not been able to meet on a Sunday; in fact, her father had forbidden her to see him. But it should happen that every Wednesday Mr Talbot journeyed into Newcastle to a wholesaler's there, sometimes taking stock in, sometimes bringing fresh stock back. And it was on these afternoons that Frances, with her mother's knowledge, escaped to the wood and there met Daniel for a long or short period depending on the weather and Luke's warning whistle.

But on this particular Wednesday, when Daniel had not put in an appearance, she walked to the turnpike, dropped down on to the road, then made her way to the house.

She had of course heard about the accident but her visit was not due to concern for the victim but really to find out why Daniel hadn't put in an appearance when, on the previous Wednesday, his love-making had been so ardent he had almost eaten her alive.

Now she knocked at the front door, her excuse ready: her mother had sent her to enquire how Miss McTaggart was faring.

It was Margaret who opened the door and she said, Òh, hello, come in.Ànd with the innocent perceptiveness of a child she added, `Daniel

isn't here; he's down at the farm. Will 249 I tell Mama?`

`Yes, please.`

While waiting in the hall, Frances looked about her. It was a fine hall, one she had always liked. It was a fine house altogether. She wouldn't have minded in the least being the mistress; that is, the sole mistress.

It was a magnificent staircase too, with banisters so wide. Daniel had once told her, laughingly, that they got that way with the children sliding down them.

She turned and looked about her. There was also some good furniture here. That was a beautiful old clock in the corner. And that splendid open fireplace with the stonework leading up to the high ceiling; it would be wonderful with a big wood fire blazing there. But although it was freezing outside there was no sign that a fire had been lit in it for some time, and the hall was deadly cold.

She turned swiftly when she heard Moira's voice, saying, Òh! there, my dear.`

`Hello, Mrs Stewart. My mother asked me to call and find out how your--` she was about to say

`servant`, but changed it to--`Miss

McTaggart is?`

Òh, pretty much the same, I'm afraid. But come in a moment.` Moira led the way into the drawing-room. `Do sit down. The fire's dropped low, I'm afraid; our routine's gone all to pot these days.`

She took a log out of the oak chest standing to the side of the fireplace and pressed it into the dying embers, then lifted up the bellows from the side and blew on the ashes until a flame sprang up. Dusting her hands one against the other she took a seat on the couch opposite Frances and said, Ìt's kind of your mother to enquire. How is she keeping?`

Òh, very well, thank you. What is really wrong with Miss McTaggart?`

Òh,`--Moira let out a long sigh-- às you've already heard, I'm sure, she hurt her back and that has aggravated her original trouble. She has excess water, you know. But it's amazing how cheerful she is, much more cheerful than any of us, I may say. But then she was born that way; some people are, you know.` She now nodded towards Frances. `Would ... would you like to have a word with her?`

Òh no, no; I won't trouble her.`

The last thing she would be able to bear, she 251 knew, would be to look on a woman with excess water, especially that particular one--the size of her!--and to hear the voice that had always grated on her. She didn't like the Irish brogue. This woman's accent was more bearable, for there was a lilt to it and it wasn't as coarse-sounding as her servant's. After all, that's all the woman was, a servant; yet at times Daniel talked of her as if she were a close relative, and one that he particularly cared for, too.

As if she had read her thoughts, Moira said, `Daniel's been very upset this week. He's so fond of Maggie Ann. By the way, I know he wouldn't want you to leave without his seeing you, so I sent one of the children down for him. He should be here at any moment.`

Òh, you shouldn't have done that. That wasn't my intention in coming,` she lied. Ìt was because mother wondered how that poor woman is, and then again wondered how you yourself was faring.Às she finished speaking she looked more closely at the plump woman, who was wearing a slack dress. It had no waistline; indeed it was shaped more like a nightdress with lace-edged collar and cuffs.

As it dawned on her, almost with horror, that this woman was again pregnant, she saw it as another great stumbling block, pushing her marriage to Daniel still further off. Moreover, it was disgusting; she had seven children already. And the last time they met, Daniel had suggested that if the worst came to the worst--and what did he mean by that? she had wondered--she could always come and live here until he got the house at the end put in order. Was he mad? or he must think she was, even to suggest that she might come into the house with this Irish woman over her, together with her squad of children, and another one pending. It was as her father said, there were more fish in the sea. But, oh dear, she did love Daniel. She wanted him as she had wanted nothing in life before and, she thought, in the future. She rose abruptly to her feet, saying, Ì ... I mustn't keep you.`

Àren't you going to wait for Daniel?`

Ì ... I might meet him outside; in fact, I can take a walk to the farm. I know the way quite well.`

Moira's face was unsmiling as she said, `Yes, do that, do that, my dear.` She led the way out of the drawing-room and to the front door, and

as Frances emerged it seemed that she had 253 hardly touched the top step before the door closed behind her.

But there, striding on to the drive from the yard, came Daniel, and she hurried towards him and he to her, and he held out his hand, saying, Ì'm ... I'm sorry I couldn't make it. You've heard about the trouble?`

`Yes. Yes, Mother thought that ... well, I should come and enquire.`

`That was nice of her. Oh`--he looked about him--`shall we go back in the house? It's so cold out here for you.`

`No, no. I said goodbye to your stepmother.`

He now looked towards the end of the house, saying, Ì know where we'll go. Come,ànd he led her almost at a run along the front of the house to where the whole façade suddenly changed, for here the plain stone front was interlaced with cross timbers. Pushing open a battered-looking but still heavy oak door, he closed it behind them; then, standing in the dimness amid the odd mixture of smells, he took her in his arms and kissed her hard before releasing her and saying, almost lightly, `That's better.` Then, turning her around, he

said, `Look! Look at the length of this room. Imagine it all cleared of hams, carcasses, casks, the lot, and a roaring fire in that open fireplace.` He pointed through the dimness. Ànd look at that window at the end; it's really beautiful stained glass. It's broken in one or two parts, but that can easily be seen to. And look, this is where we could have a staircase built.` He pointed to the ladder that led upwards. Ànd through here--` He was again tugging her, but hard now because she was reluctant to follow him, through a door at the end of the room, and there he said, `These were the kitchen and eating quarters all of two hundred years ago.` He pushed aside a bale of hay. Ìt's as dry as a bone, this room; which is why we keep the hay in here. That door leads outside.` He pointed. `Look at the size of the bolts on it; it would keep out a regiment.`