@@@@@ With infinite patience Colum unravelled
@@@@@ With infinite patience Colum
unravelled the tangle of Scarlett's storyIt was well after midnight
when he knocked the dottle out of his long-cold pipe and put it in his
pocket"You did just what you should have, my dear," he said
"Because we wear our collars backwards some people think that
priests
are not menI can understand your husband
I can even feel great compassion for hisproblemIt's deeper and more
hurtful than yours, ScarlettHe's fighting himself, and for a strong
man that's a mighty battleHe'll come after you, and you must be
generous to him when he does, for he will be battlesore
"But when, Colum?"
"That I cannot tell you
It's he that must do the seeking, you can't do it for himHe has to
fight himself alone, until he faces his need for you and admits it is
good 421 "You're sure he'll come?"
"That I'm sure of Scarlett
nestled into her pillow and tried to fight the heaviness of her
eyelidsShe wanted to stretch this moment, to enjoy the satisfaction
that Colum's certainty had given herRhett would be here -maybe not
as soon as she wanted, but she could waitwas none too pleased
when
Kathleen woke her up the next morningAfter sitting up so late
talking to Colum, she'd much rather have slept longer"I've brought
your tea," said Kathleen softly"And Maureen asks will you be
wanting
to go to the Market with her this morning?" Scarlett turned her head
away and closed her eyes again"No, I think I'll go back to sleep
She could feel Kathleen hoveringWhy didn't the silly girl just go
away and let her sleep? "What do you want, Kathleen?"
"Begging your pardon, Scarlett, I wondered if you'd be getting
dressed?
Maureen wants me to go in your place if you're not going, and I don't
know when we'll be back
"Mary Kate can help me
Scarlett mumbled into her pi