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"You worry for Master Robbie," she said

Tears sprang into my eyes "Yes"

She returned to my stays "Master Robbie do well," she said "He come home"

I drew a deep breath "Yes," I said "Yes, he will"

At supper, Mr Randall and I were the only two at the table; it was oppressively silent in the dining room He drank both whisky and wine; I could not eat but only sipped a little wine myself After supper he went into the library and closed the door; I went into the drawing roo more wine to me After a little while, my trepidation eased I nibbled at the peanuts from the pan by the fire

Robbie would co from the outlaws

Perhaps even noas back at the Creek village with Eco Finding that he ith his Indian ould be tohi moved above me I held Robbie's face in my mind's eye I loved him He was mine He would co my head hurt froether as Rabbit put uphabit; the rain had moved past and the day was clear and frozen

I took the horse down the lane and onto the road to Gillean I wanted to see my father and Kevin I arrived there in a short time, and took tea with them They comforted me that Robbie would no doubt be ho

I took the trail doard the river The cypress trees were naked; against the clear blue of the sky the branches looked like streaks of ink The river was high and rough, and seeing it made me feel colder I turned and went back to the road, and returned to Brianag

I left the horse with the servant and went into the house The quiet unnerved me

The happy noise of friends and celebration that had continued throughout the fall had not only gone away, but seemed to have taken all the joy out of the house with it As I stood there in the hallway, the void inside rew until I felt as if I had been emptied out completely and become as dry and hollow as a paper lantern