["v\u1ec1 c\u00e1i t\u1ed9i h\u00e0nh hung tr\u1ebb con, th\u00ec t\u00f4i s\u1eb5n s\u00e0ng \u0111\u01b0a n\u00f3 \u0111i nga\u1ef5 Anh c\u00f4 \u1ea5y ch\u1ea5p nh\u1eadn l\u00ean \u0111\u00e0i so g\u0103ng, c\u00f4 \u1ea5y kh\u00f4ng mu\u1ed1n b\u1ecf r\u01a1i anh m\u00ecnh. Ng\u01b0\u1eddi b\u00e1n v\u00e9 nh\u00fan vai. - Th\u00f4i th\u00ec t\u00f4i kh\u00f4ng tranh lu\u1eadn v\u1edbi cha l\u00e0m g\u00ec. Xin m\u1eddi v\u00e0o nh\u01b0ng c\u1ed1 l\u00e0m sao cho n\u00f3 \u0111\u1ee9ng y\u00ean. Kh\u00f4ng, kh\u00f4ng, cha h\u00e3y gi\u1eef ti\u1ec1n l\u1ea1i, Jimmy Sharman kh\u00f4ng nh\u1eadn ti\u1ec1n c\u1ee7a cha \u0111\u00e2u. \u0110\u1ea7u ti\u00ean Frank so g\u0103ng v\u1edbi m\u1ed9t v\u00f5 s\u0129 h\u1ea1ng l\u00f4ng, anh h\u1ea1 \u0111o v\u00e1n v\u00f5 s\u0129 n\u00e0y. \u1ede ti\u1ebfng c\u1ed3ng th\u1ee9 ba Frank \u0111\u1ec1 ngh\u1ecb so g\u0103ng v\u1edbi m\u1ed9t \u0111\u1ea5u th\u1ee7 kh\u00e1c. Khi anh thi \u0111\u1ea5u \u0111\u1ebfn tr\u1eadn th\u1ee9 ba th\u00ec ti\u1ebfng \u0111\u1ed3n \u0111\u00e3 lan ra nhanh nh\u01b0 thu\u1ed1c s\u00fang, trong l\u1ec1u ch\u1eadt n\u00edch ng\u01b0\u1eddi xem, kh\u00f4ng c\u00f2n m\u1ed9t ch\u1ed7 tr\u1ed1ng. \u0110\u00e1nh \u0111\u1ea5m l\u00e0 c\u00e1ch duy nh\u1ea5t m\u00e0 Frank bi\u1ebft \u0111\u1ec3 tr\u00fat h\u1eadn th\u00f9 v\u00e0 s\u1ef1 phi\u1ec1n mu\u1ed9n. Ngay l\u00fac anh tung ra c\u00fa \u0111\u00e1nh h\u1ea1 \u0111\u1ed1i th\u1ee7, h\u00ecnh nh\u01b0 anh nghe m\u1ed9t ti\u1ebfng n\u00f3i xa x\u0103m d\u1ed9i v\u00e0o tai anh: H\u00e3y gi\u1ebft \u00f4ng ta! H\u00e3y gi\u1ebft \u00f4ng ta! Sau \u0111\u00f3 ng\u01b0\u1eddi ta \u0111\u01b0a ra \u0111\u1ed1i \u0111\u1ea7u v\u1edbi Frank m\u1ed9t v\u00f5 s\u0129 v\u00f4 \u0111\u1ecbch \u0111\u00edch th\u1ef1c, m\u1ed9t v\u00f5 s\u0129 h\u1ea1ng nh\u1eb9 \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c ch\u1ec9 th\u1ecb gi\u1eef m\u1ed9t c\u1ef1 ly c\u00e1ch xa Frank \u0111\u1ec3 d\u00f2 xem Frank c\u00f3 bi\u1ebft \u0111\u1ea5u quy\u1ec1n Anh kh\u00f4ng hay ch\u1ec9 l\u00e0 li\u1ec1u l\u0129nh. \u0110\u00f4i m\u1eaft Jimmy Sharman s\u00e1ng l\u00ean. \u00f4ng ta lu\u00f4n \u0111i t\u00ecm nh\u1eefng nh\u00e0 v\u00f4 \u0111\u1ecbch, v\u00e0o c\u00e1c ng\u00e0y h\u1ed9i \u1edf v\u00f9ng qu\u00ea th\u01b0\u1eddng gi\u00fap cho \u00f4ng ph\u00e1t hi\u1ec7n v\u00e0i ng\u01b0\u1eddi. Ng\u01b0\u1eddi v\u00f5 s\u0129 h\u1ea1ng nh\u1eb9 theo \u0111\u00fang ch\u1ec9 \u0111\u1ea1o c\u1ee7a \u00f4ng, trong khi \u0111\u00f3 Frank, \u0111i\u00ean l\u00ean mu\u1ed1n gi\u1ebft \u0111\u1ed1i th\u1ee7, lao th\u1eb3ng v\u00e0o c\u00e1i b\u00f3ng lu\u00f4n nh\u1ea3y qua nh\u1ea3y l\u1ea1i kh\u00f4ng ng\u1edbt n\u00e9 tr\u00e1nh. Anh r\u00fat ra b\u00e0i h\u1ecdc, c\u1ee9 m\u1ed7i l\u1ea7n \u0111\u00e1nh \u00e1p s\u00e1t, l\u00e0 b\u1ecb m\u1ed9t tr\u1eadn m\u01b0a \u0111\u00f2n, v\u00ec r\u1eb1ng Frank thu\u1ed9c v\u00e0o lo\u1ea1i ng\u01b0\u1eddi k\u1ef3 l\u1ea1 c\u00f3 th\u1ec3 suy ngh\u0129 ngay gi\u1eefa l\u00fac hung t\u1ee3n \u0111i\u00ean cu\u1ed3ng. V\u00e0 Frank \u0111\u00e3 \u0111\u1ee9ng v\u1eefng \u0111\u1ebfn ph\u00fat cu\u1ed1i c\u00f9ng, tr\u01b0\u1edbc nh\u1eefng c\u00fa \u0111\u1ea5m d\u1ea1n d\u00e0y kinh nghi\u1ec7m c\u1ee7a \u0111\u1ed1i ph\u01b0\u01a1ng. M\u1ed9t con m\u1eaft c\u1ee7a Frank s\u01b0ng v\u00f9 l\u00ean, m\u1ed9t \u0111\u01b0\u1eddng t\u00e9t \u1edf ch\u00e2n m\u00e0y v\u00e0 m\u1ed9t \u0111\u01b0\u1eddng kh\u00e1c \u1edf m\u00f4i. Nh\u01b0ng anh l\u00e3nh \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c hai m\u01b0\u01a1i b\u1ea3ng v\u00e0 \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c nh\u1eefng ng\u01b0\u1eddi c\u00f3 m\u1eb7t th\u00e1n ph\u1ee5c. - Con mu\u1ed1n ch\u00fang ta ch\u1edd Frank hay ch\u00fang ta \u0111i ngay? C\u00f4 b\u00e9 d\u1ef1a v\u00e0o cha Ralph, \u0111\u1ea7y l\u00f2ng c\u1ea3m \u01a1n \u0111\u1ed1i v\u1edbi s\u1ef1 y\u00ean l\u1eb7ng v\u00e0 th\u00f4ng c\u1ea3m m\u00e0 linh m\u1ee5c \u0111\u00e3 d\u00e0nh cho. - Cha \u0111\u00e3 ph\u1ea3i t\u1ef1 h\u1ecfi t\u1ea1i sao con l\u1ea1i khi\u1ebfn tr\u00e1i tim v\u00f4 ngh\u0129a c\u1ee7a cha ch\u1ecbu m\u1ed9t th\u1eed th\u00e1ch gay go nh\u01b0 th\u1ebf - linh m\u1ee5c n\u00f3i th\u1ea7m (\u00f4ng ngh\u0129 r\u1eb1ng c\u00f4 b\u00e9 s\u1ebd r\u1ea5t bu\u1ed3n v\u00e0 kh\u1ed5 m\u00e0 nghe \u00f4ng n\u00f3i nh\u01b0ng \u00f4ng c\u00f3 nhu c\u1ea7u ph\u1ea3i b\u00e0y t\u1ecf c\u00e1c suy ngh\u0129 c\u1ee7a m\u00ecnh th\u00e0nh ti\u1ebfng, \u0111\u1ea5y l\u00e0 tr\u01b0\u1eddng h\u1ee3p th\u01b0\u1eddng x\u1ea3y ra \u1edf nh\u1eefng k\u1ebb s\u1ed1ng \u0111\u1ed9c th\u00e2n). Con kh\u00f4ng l\u00e0m cho cha nh\u1edb \u0111\u1ebfn m\u1eb9 v\u00e0 cha c\u0169ng kh\u00f4ng c\u00f3 em, cha mu\u1ed1n bi\u1ebft y\u00eau thu\u1eadt n\u00e0o \u1ea9n n\u00fap trong con v\u00e0 trong gia \u0111\u00ecnh t\u1ed9i nghi\u1ec7p c\u1ee7a con c\u0169ng th\u1ebf... M\u1ecdi vi\u1ec7c c\u00f3 qu\u00e1 kh\u00f3 kh\u0103n cho con kh\u00f4ng, h\u1ee1i c\u00f4 b\u00e9 Meggie c\u1ee7a cha? Frank b\u01b0\u1edbc ra kh\u1ecfi l\u1ec1u, m\u1ed9t mi\u1ebfng b\u0103ng d\u00ednh tr\u00ean ch\u00e2n m\u00e0y, tay ch\u1eadm l\u00ean m\u00f4i. L\u1ea7n \u0111\u1ea7u ti\u00ean t\u1eeb khi cha Ralph bi\u1ebft Frank, \u00f4ng th\u1ea5y anh ta c\u00f3 v\u1ebb vui l\u00ean. T\u01b0\u1edfng nh\u01b0 Frank v\u1eeba tr\u1ea3i qua m\u1ed9t \u0111\u00eam y\u00eau \u0111\u01b0\u01a1ng v\u1edbi m\u1ed9t ng\u01b0\u1eddi ph\u1ee5 n\u1eef - cha Ralph ngh\u0129 th\u1ea7m nh\u01b0 th\u1ebf. Khi Pa\u0111y b\u01b0\u1edbc v\u00e0o ph\u00f2ng kh\u00e1ch c\u1ee7a nh\u00e0 x\u1ee9 \u0111\u1ec3 t\u00ecm Frank th\u00ec Meggie v\u00e0 cha Ralph \u0111ang \u0111\u1ee9ng quanh","ng\u1ecdn l\u1eeda, tho\u1ea3i m\u00e1i nh\u01b0 tr\u1ea3i qua m\u1ed9t ng\u00e0y vui, tuy\u1ec7t v\u1eddi. \u0110i\u1ec1u \u0111\u00f3 khi\u1ebfn cho Pa\u0111y b\u1ef1c b\u1ed9i. Kh\u00f4ng c\u00f3 v\u1ee3 b\u00ean c\u1ea1nh, Pa\u0111y c\u1ea3m th\u1ea5y thi\u1ebfu v\u00f4 c\u00f9ng. \u0110\u1ed1i v\u1edbi ch\u1ecb Mary Carson, Pa\u0111y v\u1eabn gi\u1eef s\u1ef1 \u00e1c c\u1ea3m kh\u00f4ng kh\u00e1c g\u00ec th\u1eddi \u00f4ng c\u00f2n l\u00e0 m\u1ed9t c\u1eadu b\u00e9 \u1edf \u00c1i Nh\u0129 Lan. \u0110\u00fang l\u00fac \u0111\u00f3 \u00f4ng ch\u00fa \u00fd \u0111\u1ebfn c\u00e1i b\u0103ng d\u00ednh tr\u00ean ch\u00e2n m\u00e0y c\u1ee7a Frank v\u00e0 g\u01b0\u01a1ng m\u1eb7t s\u01b0ng ph\u00f9; m\u1ed9t c\u00e1i c\u1edb t\u1eeb tr\u00ean m\u00f4i r\u01a1i xu\u1ed1ng \u0111\u1ec3 cho \u00f4ng tr\u00fat ra bao nhi\u00eau th\u1ee9 b\u1ef1c b\u1ed9i. - V\u1edbi c\u00e1i m\u1eb7t th\u1ebf n\u00e0y th\u00ec l\u00e0m sao m\u00e0y d\u00e1m v\u1ec1 nh\u00ecn m\u1eb7t m\u1eb9 m\u1ea7y! - \u00d4ng r\u1ea7y to. Ch\u1ec9 c\u1ea7n tao bu\u00f4ng l\u01a1i m\u1ed9t ch\u00fat l\u00e0 m\u1ea7y l\u1ea1i s\u1eb5n s\u00e0ng v\u1ed3 l\u1ea5y th\u1eb1ng n\u00e0o \u0111\u1ea7u ti\u00ean l\u01b0\u1eddm m\u00e0y. S\u1eedng s\u1ed1t, cha Ralph b\u1eadt ng\u1ed3i d\u1eady v\u00e0 n\u00f3i v\u00e0i ti\u1ebfng \u0111\u1ec3 xoa d\u1ecbu Pa\u0111y, nh\u01b0ng Frank \u0111\u00e3 ph\u1ea3n \u1ee9ng tr\u01b0\u1edbc. - Con \u0111\u00e3 ki\u1ebfm ti\u1ec1n b\u1eb1ng c\u00e1ch n\u00e0y \u0111\u00e2y - Frank n\u00f3i r\u1ea5t kh\u1ebd, tay ch\u1ec9 c\u00e1i b\u0103ng d\u00ednh - Hai m\u01b0\u01a1i b\u1ea3ng trong v\u00e0i ph\u00fat lao \u0111\u1ed9ng, h\u01a1n c\u1ea3 s\u1ed1 ti\u1ec1n c\u00f4 Mary tr\u1ea3 cho ch\u00fang ta, ba v\u00e0 con, trong m\u1ed9t th\u00e1ng! Con \u0111\u00e3 \u0111\u00e1nh ng\u00e3 ba v\u00f5 s\u0129 gi\u1ecfi v\u00e0 \u0111\u1ee9ng v\u1eefng tr\u01b0\u1edbc m\u1ed9t nh\u00e0 v\u00f4 \u0111\u1ecbch h\u1ea1ng nh\u1eb9 trong l\u1ec1u c\u1ee7a Jimmy Sharman tr\u01b0a n\u00e0y. Con \u0111\u00e3 l\u00e3nh 20 b\u1ea3ng! \u0110i\u1ec1u n\u00e0y n\u00f3 kh\u00f4ng d\u00ednh d\u1ea5p \u0111\u1ebfn nh\u1eefng g\u00ec ba th\u01b0\u1eddng ngh\u0129 v\u1ec1 con. T\u1ea5t c\u1ea3 m\u1ecdi ng\u01b0\u1eddi ch\u1ee9ng ki\u1ebfn tr\u1eadn \u0111\u1ea5u \u0111\u1ec1u n\u1ec3 nang con. - Th\u1eafng v\u00e0i th\u1eb1ng kh\u1ed1n kh\u1ed5 m\u1ec7t m\u1ecfi v\u00e0 b\u1ea7m d\u1eadp v\u00ec b\u1ecb \u0111\u1ea5m, ch\u1ec9 xu\u1ea5t hi\u1ec7n \u0111\u1ec3 l\u00f2e thi\u00ean h\u1ea1 trong c\u00e1c ng\u00e0y h\u1ed9i \u1edf nh\u00e0 qu\u00ea th\u1ebf m\u00e0 m\u00e0y l\u1ea1i ph\u00e1ch l\u1ed1i. Ph\u1ea3i bi\u1ebft c\u01b0 x\u1eed nh\u01b0 m\u1ed9t ng\u01b0\u1eddi \u0111\u00e3 tr\u01b0\u1edfng th\u00e0nh, Frank. Tao bi\u1ebft c\u00f3 th\u1ec3 m\u00e0y \u0111\u00e3 kh\u00f4ng th\u1ec3 cao h\u01a1n nh\u01b0ng h\u00e3y v\u00ec m\u1eb9 m\u00e0y, \u0111\u1ec3 c\u00e1i \u0111\u1ea7u c\u1ee7a m\u00e0y l\u1edbn ra! M\u1eb7t Frank t\u00e1i nh\u1ee3t \u0111i! Nh\u01b0 nh\u1eefng mi\u1ebfng x\u01b0\u01a1ng tr\u1eafng ph\u1ebfu d\u01b0\u1edbi m\u1eb7t tr\u1eddi. V\u1edbi anh, \u0111\u00e2y l\u00e0 s\u1ef1 s\u1ec9 nh\u1ee5c kinh kh\u1ee7ng nh\u1ea5t t\u1eeb tr\u01b0\u1edbc t\u1edbi nay. H\u01a1i th\u1edf c\u1ee7a Frank nghe r\u00edt l\u00ean nh\u01b0ng v\u1eabn c\u1ed1 gi\u1eef hai tay \u1edf y\u00ean hai b\u00ean s\u01b0\u1eddn h\u00f4ng. - H\u1ecd kh\u00f4ng ph\u1ea3i l\u00e0 nh\u1eefng t\u00ean kh\u1ed1n kh\u1ed5 b\u1ecb b\u1ea7m d\u1eadp b\u1edfi nh\u1eefng c\u00fa \u0111\u1ea5m, th\u01b0a ba. Ba \u0111\u00e3 nghe danh Jimmy Sharman nhi\u1ec1u kh\u00f4ng thua con v\u00e0 ch\u00ednh h\u1eafn ta n\u00f3i v\u1edbi con r\u1eb1ng con sinh ra l\u00e0 m\u1ed9t v\u00f5 s\u0129 v\u00e0 tr\u01b0\u1edbc m\u1eb7t con l\u00e0 m\u1ed9t t\u01b0\u01a1ng lai s\u00e1ng. H\u1eafn mu\u1ed1n m\u01b0\u1edbn con v\u00e0o \u0111o\u00e0n v\u00e0 r\u00e8n luy\u1ec7n, v\u00e0 s\u1ebd tr\u1ea3 l\u01b0\u01a1ng cho con! C\u00f3 th\u1ec3 con kh\u00f4ng c\u00f2n l\u1edbn n\u1eefa nh\u01b0ng con \u0111\u00e3 \u0111\u1ee7 l\u1edbn \u0111\u1ec3 d\u1ea1y cho b\u1ea5t c\u1ee9 ai m\u1ed9t b\u00e0i h\u1ecdc... L\u1eddi n\u00f3i \u1ea5y c\u00f3 gi\u00e1 tr\u1ecb cho c\u1ea3 ba n\u1eefa, con d\u00ea gi\u00e0 th\u1ed1i tha! Nh\u1eefng ti\u1ebfng cu\u1ed1i c\u00f9ng h\u1ea1 th\u1ea5p gi\u1ecdng v\u1eabn l\u1ecdt v\u00e0o tai c\u1ee7a Pa\u0111y. M\u1eb7t \u00f4ng t\u00e1i nh\u1ee3t kh\u00f4ng thua m\u1eb7t con khi \u00f4ng bi\u1ebft Frank \u00e1m ch\u1ec9 m\u00ecnh. - Sao m\u00e0y d\u00e1m n\u00f3i th\u1ebf? - Ba kh\u00f4ng l\u00e0 c\u00e1i g\u00ec kh\u00e1c h\u01a1n. Ba \u0111\u00e1ng gh\u00ea t\u1edfm. C\u00f2n t\u1ed3i t\u1ec7 h\u01a1n c\u1eebu \u0111\u1ef1c \u0111\u1ed9ng \u0111\u1ef1c! T\u1ea1i sao ba kh\u00f4ng \u0111\u1ec3 m\u1eb9 con y\u00ean? Ba kh\u00f4ng th\u1ec3 t\u1ef1 k\u00ecm ch\u1ebf vi\u1ec7c d\u00f9ng m\u1eb9 con \u0111\u1ec3 t\u00ecm kho\u00e1i l\u1ea1c h\u1ea3? - \u0110\u1eebng, \u0111\u1eebng, \u0111\u1eebng! Meggie h\u00e9t to l\u00ean. M\u1ea5y ng\u00f3n tay c\u1ee7a cha Ralph c\u1eafm m\u1ea1nh v\u00e0o hai vai Meggie nh\u01b0 m\u00f3ng chim m\u1ed3i \u0111\u1ec3 c\u1ed1 gi\u1eef c\u00f4 b\u00e9 s\u00e1t v\u00e0o m\u00ecnh. N\u01b0\u1edbc m\u1eaft r\u00e0n r\u1ee5a tr\u00ean m\u1eb7t, Meggie c\u1ed1 v\u00f9ng v\u1eaby h\u1ebft s\u1ee9c m\u00ecnh nh\u01b0ng v\u1eabn kh\u00f4ng th\u1ec3 tho\u00e1t ra. ... - \u0110\u1eebng ba, \u0111\u1eebng! Frank \u01a1i, em van anh! Em van anh! C\u00f4 b\u00e9 la l\u00ean gi\u1ecdng h\u1ed1t ho\u1ea3ng. Nh\u01b0ng ch\u1ec9 c\u00f3 cha Ralph l\u00e0 nghe c\u00f4 b\u00e9. Frank v\u00e0 Pa\u0111y x\u00e1p l\u1ea1i \u0111\u1ed1i di\u1ec7n nhau. L\u00f2ng c\u0103m h\u1eddn v\u00e0 s\u1ef1 e s\u1ee3","\u0111\u1ec1u b\u1ecb l\u1ed9t tr\u1ea7n. Con \u0111\u00ea tr\u01b0\u1edbc kia ng\u0103n ch\u1eb7n hai ng\u01b0\u1eddi - t\u00ecnh y\u00eau c\u1ea3 hai d\u00e0nh cho Fiona - \u0111\u00e3 b\u1ecb v\u1ee1, gi\u1edd \u0111\u00e2y s\u1ef1 \u0111\u1ed1i \u0111\u1ea7u ng\u1ea5m ng\u1ea7m \u0111\u00e3 b\u1ed9c l\u1ed9 c\u00f4ng khai. - Tao l\u00e0 ch\u1ed3ng. V\u00e0 Ch\u00faa \u0111\u00e3 gi\u00e1ng ph\u00fac cho cu\u1ed9c k\u1ebft h\u1ee3p gi\u1eefa hai v\u1ee3 ch\u1ed3ng tao b\u1eb1ng c\u00e1ch mang l\u1ea1i cho hai v\u1ee3 ch\u1ed3ng tao nhi\u1ec1u con c\u00e1i, Pa\u0111y n\u00f3i v\u1edbi gi\u1ecdng b\u00ecnh t\u0129nh h\u01a1n, c\u1ed1 g\u1eafng t\u1ef1 ch\u1ee7. - Ba kh\u00f4ng x\u1ee9ng \u0111\u00e1ng h\u01a1n m\u1ed9t con ch\u00f3 gi\u00e0 d\u01a1 d\u00e1y ch\u1ea1y theo sau b\u1ea5t c\u1ee9 con ch\u00f3 c\u00e1i n\u00e0o \u0111\u1ec3 t\u00ecm c\u00e1ch nh\u1ea3y \u0111\u1ef1c! - C\u00f2n m\u00e0y, m\u00e0y kh\u00f4ng h\u01a1n g\u00ec con ch\u00f3 gi\u00e0 d\u01a1 d\u00e1y \u0111\u00e3 \u0111\u1ebb ra m\u00e0y m\u00e0 tao kh\u00f4ng h\u1ec1 bi\u1ebft \u0111\u00f3 l\u00e0 con ch\u00f3 n\u00e0o! Pady h\u00e9t l\u00ean. R\u1ea5t may, nh\u1edd \u01a1n Ch\u00faa, tao kh\u00f4ng c\u00f3 d\u00ednh d\u1ea5p g\u00ec v\u00e0o chuy\u1ec7n \u1ea5y. Tr\u1eddi \u01a1i, t\u1ea1i sao t\u00f4i \u0111\u00e3 n\u00f3i nh\u01b0 th\u1ebf... Pa\u0111y ch\u1ee3t im b\u1eb7t; s\u1ef1 \u0111i\u00ean ti\u1ebft c\u1ee7a \u00f4ng tan bi\u1ebfn nhanh nh\u01b0 gi\u00f3. \u00d4ng ta mu\u1ed1n ng\u00e3 qu\u1ef5 xu\u1ed1ng, co r\u00fam l\u1ea1i, hai tay \u0111\u01b0a l\u00ean b\u1ee5m mi\u1ec7ng, t\u01b0\u1edfng nh\u01b0 \u00f4ng mu\u1ed1n r\u1ee9t c\u00e1i l\u01b0\u1ee1i \u0111\u00e3 th\u1ed1t ra \u0111i\u1ec1u kh\u00f4ng bao gi\u1edd c\u00f3 quy\u1ec1n th\u1ed1t ra. - T\u00f4i kh\u00f4ng mu\u1ed1n n\u00f3i \u0111i\u1ec1u \u0111\u00f3, Pa\u0111y than kh\u00f3c - T\u00f4i kh\u00f4ng mu\u1ed1n n\u00f3i \u0111i\u1ec1u \u0111\u00f3! Ngay l\u00fac nh\u1eefng l\u1eddi \u1ea5y tho\u00e1t kh\u1ecfi mi\u1ec7ng Pa\u0111y, cha Ralph bu\u00f4ng Meggie ra v\u00e0 ch\u1ea1y ngay t\u1edbi Frank. \u00d4ng b\u1ebb v\u1eb7n c\u00e1nh tay Frank ra sau l\u01b0ng, c\u00e1nh tay c\u00f2n l\u1ea1i \u00f4ng k\u1eb9p c\u1ed5 anh t\u1ea1 \u00f4ng r\u1ea5t to kh\u1ecfe v\u00e0 c\u00e1i kh\u00f3a \u1ea5y gi\u1eef ch\u1eb7t Frank; Frank v\u00f9ng v\u1eaby \u0111\u1ec3 tho\u00e1t ra nh\u01b0ng r\u1ed3i \u0111\u1ed9t ng\u1ed9t s\u1ef1 ch\u1ed1ng tr\u1ea3 c\u1ee7a anh tan bi\u1ebfn v\u00e0 anh l\u1eafc \u0111\u1ea7u ra d\u1ea5u khu\u1ea5t ph\u1ee5c - Meggie qu\u1ef5 xu\u1ed1ng s\u00e0n nh\u00e0, qu\u1ef3 g\u1ed1i v\u00e0 kh\u00f3c, m\u1eaft h\u1ebft nh\u00ecn anh r\u1ed3i nh\u00ecn cha v\u1edbi s\u1ef1 van xin b\u1ea5t l\u1ef1c. C\u00f4 b\u00e9 kh\u00f4ng hi\u1ec3u chuy\u1ec7n g\u00ec \u0111\u00e3 x\u1ea3y ra, nh\u01b0ng bi\u1ebft r\u1eb1ng sau chuy\u1ec7n n\u00e0y th\u00ec m\u00ecnh s\u1ebd kh\u00f4ng c\u00f2n gi\u1eef \u0111\u1ee7 c\u1ea3 hai. - \u0110\u1eebng ch\u1ed1i, th\u1eadt s\u1ef1 \u00f4ng mu\u1ed1n n\u00f3i ra \u0111i\u1ec1u \u1ea5y. \u0110\u00e1ng l\u00fd t\u00f4i \u0111\u00e3 bi\u1ebft \u0111i\u1ec1u \u0111\u00f3. Cha h\u00e3y bu\u00f4ng t\u00f4i ra. T\u00f4i kh\u00f4ng \u0111\u1ee5ng t\u1edbi \u00f4ng ta \u0111\u00e2u. C\u1ea7u xin Ch\u00faa gi\u00fap \u0111\u1ee1 t\u00f4i. - C\u1ea7u xin Ch\u00faa gi\u00fap \u0111\u1ee1 c\u00e1c ng\u01b0\u1eddi? C\u1ea7u Ch\u00faa khi\u1ebfn c\u1ea3 hai m\u1ee5c x\u01b0\u01a1ng d\u01b0\u1edbi \u0111\u1ecba ng\u1ee5c! N\u1ebfu c\u00e1c ng\u01b0\u1eddi l\u00e0m ch\u1ea5n th\u01b0\u01a1ng t\u00e2m th\u1ea7n con b\u00e9 n\u00e0y, t\u00f4i s\u1ebd gi\u1ebft c\u00e1c ng\u01b0\u1eddi. - Cha Ralph l\u1edbn ti\u1ebfng, ng\u01b0\u1eddi duy nh\u1ea5t b\u00e2y gi\u1edd n\u1ed5i gi\u1eadn - C\u00e1c ng\u01b0\u1eddi c\u00f3 bi\u1ebft r\u1eb1ng t\u00f4i \u0111\u00e3 gi\u1eef con b\u00e9 \u1edf l\u1ea1i \u0111\u00e2y l\u00e0 \u0111\u1ec3 ng\u0103n c\u1ea3n c\u1ea3 hai c\u1ea5u x\u00e9 nhau ch\u1edb \u0111\u00e2u ph\u1ea3i \u0111\u1ec3 nghe nh\u1eefng \u0111i\u1ec1u t\u1ed3i t\u1ec7 \u1ea5y. \u0110\u00e1ng l\u00fd t\u00f4i c\u1ee9 \u0111\u1ec3 hai ng\u01b0\u1eddi tha h\u1ed3 gi\u1ebft nhau, \u0111\u1ed3 \u00edch k\u1ef7, ngu \u0111\u1ea7n v\u00e0 kh\u1ed1n n\u1ea1n. - Th\u00f4i \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c r\u1ed3i, t\u00f4i \u0111i \u0111\u00e2y - Frank n\u00f3i b\u1eb1ng m\u1ed9t gi\u1ecdng xa l\u1ea1, tr\u1ed1ng r\u1ed7ng. - T\u00f4i s\u1ebd sung v\u00e0o \u0111o\u00e0n c\u1ee7a Jimmy Sharman v\u00e0 v\u0129nh vi\u1ec5n t\u00f4i s\u1ebd kh\u00f4ng tr\u1edf l\u1ea1i \u0111\u00e2y. - Con ph\u1ea3i tr\u1edf l\u1ea1i \u0111\u00e2y! Pa\u0111y n\u00f3i l\u1edbn - Ba s\u1ebd \u0103n n\u00f3i sao \u0111\u00e2y v\u1edbi m\u1eb9 con? M\u1eb9 con y\u00eau con h\u01a1n t\u1ea5t c\u1ea3 nh\u1eefng ng\u01b0\u1eddi kh\u00e1c c\u1ed9ng l\u1ea1i. B\u00e0 \u1ea5y s\u1ebd kh\u00f4ng bao gi\u1edd tha th\u1ee9 cho ba. - \u00d4ng c\u1ee9 n\u00f3i l\u00e0 t\u00f4i \u0111\u00e3 sung v\u00e0o \u0111\u1ed9i Jimmy Sharman v\u00ec t\u00f4i mu\u1ed1n tr\u1edf th\u00e0nh m\u1ed9t ng\u01b0\u1eddi c\u00f3 t\u00ean tu\u1ed5i. \u0110\u00f3 l\u00e0 s\u1ef1 th\u1eadt. - \u0110i\u1ec1u m\u00e0 ba \u0111\u00e3 n\u00f3i... kh\u00f4ng \u0111\u00fang s\u1ef1 th\u1eadt \u0111\u00e2u Frank. \u0110\u00f4i m\u1eaft \u0111en, \u0111\u00f4i m\u1eaft xa l\u1ea1 c\u1ee7a Frank n\u00e9m m\u1ed9t tia nh\u00ecn khinh mi\u1ec7t. Ch\u00ednh \u0111\u00f3 l\u00e0 \u0111\u00f4i m\u1eaft g\u00e2y ng\u1ea1c nhi\u00ean","cho cha Ralph \u1edf l\u1ea7n \u0111\u1ea7u \u00f4ng g\u1eb7p ch\u00e0ng thanh ni\u00ean. T\u1ea1i sao Fiona th\u00ec m\u1eaft n\u00e2u c\u00f2n Pa\u0111y m\u1eaft xanh l\u1ea1i \u0111\u1ebb ra \u0111\u1ee9a con trai m\u1eaft \u0111en? Cha Ralph bi\u1ebft \u0111\u1ecbnh lu\u1eadt di truy\u1ec1n Medel, do \u0111\u00f3 b\u1ea3n th\u00e2n \u00f4ng \u0111\u00e3 r\u00fat ra k\u1ebft lu\u1eadn. Frank l\u1ea5y \u00e1o m\u0103ng t\u00f4 v\u00e0 n\u00f3n. - Tr\u1eddi \u01a1i, \u0111\u00fang nh\u01b0 th\u1ebf! T\u00f4i v\u1eabn nghi ng\u1edd \u0111i\u1ec1u \u1ea5y. T\u00f4i v\u1eabn nh\u1edb h\u00ecnh \u1ea3nh m\u1eb9 t\u00f4i ng\u1ed3i ch\u01a1i \u0111\u00e0n Claxeven trong m\u1ed9t ph\u00f2ng m\u00e0 \u00f4ng kh\u00f4ng l\u00e0m sao c\u00f3 \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c! T\u00f4i v\u1eabn linh c\u1ea3m l\u00e0 \u00f4ng kh\u00f4ng h\u1ec1 c\u00f3 m\u1eb7t \u1edf \u0111\u00f3, \u00f4ng \u0111\u00e3 \u0111\u1ebfn v\u1edbi m\u1eb9 t\u00f4i sau t\u00f4i. V\u00e0 khi nh\u1edb l\u1ea1i su\u1ed1t bao n\u0103m th\u00e1ng t\u00f4i th\u00f9 gh\u00e9t \u00f4ng v\u00ec \u00f4ng h\u00e0nh h\u1ea1 m\u1eb9 t\u00f4i. Ch\u00ednh t\u1ea1i t\u00f4i! - Kh\u00f4ng t\u1ea1i ai h\u1ebft, Frank \u1ea1, kh\u00f4ng do ai h\u1ebft. - Cha Ralph c\u1ed1 xoa d\u1ecbu Frank - Con kh\u00f4ng hi\u1ec3u h\u1ebft nh\u1eefng con \u0111\u01b0\u1eddng b\u00ed \u1ea9n c\u1ee7a ch\u00faa, con ph\u1ea3i nh\u00ecn c\u00e1c s\u1ef1 vi\u1ec7c theo c\u00e1ch \u0111\u00f3. Frank r\u00fat tay ra kh\u1ecfi b\u00e0n tay cha Ralph \u0111ang n\u1eafm ch\u1eb7t anh, r\u1ed3i \u0111i ra c\u1eeda b\u1eb1ng nh\u1eefng b\u01b0\u1edbc nh\u1eb9 nh\u00e0ng, \u00eam \u1ea3 - Kh\u00f4ng th\u1ebf ch\u1ed1i c\u00e3i anh ta sinh ra \u0111\u00e3 l\u00e0 v\u00f5 s\u0129 - Cha Ralph ngh\u0129 th\u1ea7m. - Nh\u1eefng con \u0111\u01b0\u1eddng b\u00ed \u1ea9n c\u1ee7a Ch\u00faa! Ch\u00e0ng thanh ni\u00ean m\u1ec9a mai, gi\u1ecdng n\u00f3i vang l\u1ea1i t\u1eeb ngo\u00e0i c\u1eeda - Cha ch\u1ec9 l\u00e0 m\u1ed9t sinh v\u1eadt khi cha \u0111\u00f3ng vai linh m\u1ee5c, th\u01b0a cha De Bricassart! Ri\u00eang t\u00f4i, t\u00f4i n\u00f3i Ch\u00faa \u0111\u00e3 \u0111\u1ebfn c\u1ee9u gi\u00fap cha, c\u1ee9u gi\u00fap ri\u00eang cha ma th\u00f4i, v\u00ec r\u1eb1ng cha l\u00e0 ng\u01b0\u1eddi duy nh\u1ea5t \u1edf \u0111\u00e2y kh\u00f4ng m\u1ea3y may bi\u1ebft m\u1ed9t ch\u00fat n\u00e0o v\u1ec1 con ng\u01b0\u1eddi th\u1eadt \u1ea5y. Pa\u0111y ng\u1ed3i s\u1ee5p xu\u1ed1ng tr\u00ean chi\u1ebfc gh\u1ebf b\u00e0nh, m\u1eb7t x\u00e1m x\u1ecbt, nh\u1edbn nh\u00e1c, m\u1eaft nh\u00ecn Meggie tr\u00e2n tr\u00e2n, trong khi \u0111\u00f3 Meggie ng\u1ed3i tr\u01b0\u1edbc l\u00f2 s\u01b0\u1edfi kh\u00f3c s\u01b0\u1edbt m\u01b0\u1edbt. Pa\u0111y \u0111\u1ecbnh \u0111\u1ee9ng d\u1eady \u00f4m con g\u00e1i m\u00ecnh nh\u01b0ng cha Ralph ch\u0103n l\u1ea1i. - H\u00e3y \u0111\u1ec3 con b\u00e9 y\u00ean. \u00f4ng g\u00e2y cho n\u00f3 bao nhi\u00eau \u0111\u1edbn \u0111au nh\u01b0 th\u1ebf \u0111\u1ee7 r\u1ed3i. \u00f4ng c\u00f3 th\u1ec3 t\u00ecm r\u01b0\u1ee3u whisky trong t\u1ee7 v\u00e0 u\u1ed1ng v\u00e0i h\u1edbp \u0111i. T\u00f4i \u0111\u01b0a con b\u00e9 v\u00e0o ph\u00f2ng cho n\u00f3 ngh\u1ec9, nh\u01b0ng t\u00f4i s\u1ebd tr\u1edf l\u1ea1i n\u00f3i chuy\u1ec7n v\u1edbi \u00f4ng. V\u1eady \u00f4ng \u0111\u1eebng r\u1eddi kh\u1ecfi \u0111\u00e2y. \u00f4ng nghe t\u00f4i n\u00f3i ch\u1ee9? - T\u00f4i ch\u1edd cha, th\u01b0a cha. Cha \u0111\u1eb7t Meggie l\u00ean gi\u01b0\u1eddng d\u00f9m t\u00f4i. Tr\u00ean g\u00e1c, trong c\u0103n ph\u00f2ng s\u01a1n m\u00e0u xanh nh\u1ea1t xinh x\u1eafn, linh m\u1ee5c c\u1edfi chi\u1ebfc \u00e1o ngo\u00e0i v\u00e0 b\u1ed9 \u0111\u1ed3 b\u00f3 s\u00e1t b\u00ean trong c\u1ee7a Meggie v\u00e0 \u0111\u1eb7t c\u00f4 b\u00e9 ng\u1ed3i tr\u00ean gi\u01b0\u1eddng, \u0111\u1ec3 c\u1edfi gi\u00e0y v\u1edb. Chi\u1ebfc \u00e1o ng\u1ee7 \u0111\u00e3 \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c b\u00e0 qu\u1ea3n gia Annie \u0111\u1ec3 s\u1eb5n tr\u00ean g\u1ed1i! Linh m\u1ee5c tr\u00f2ng \u00e1o qua c\u1ed5 v\u00e0 k\u00e9o ph\u1ee7 xu\u1ed1ng th\u00e2n ng\u01b0\u1eddi Meggi\u1eb9 Sau \u0111\u00f3, m\u1edbi c\u1edf qu\u1ea7n l\u00f3t cho Meggi\u1eb9 Trong th\u1eddi gian n\u00e0y, cha Ralph k\u1ec3 \u0111\u1ee7 th\u1ee9 chuy\u1ec7n \u0111\u00e2u \u0111\u00e2u cho c\u00f4 b\u00e9 nghe, n\u00e0o l\u00e0 chuy\u1ec7n t\u1ea7m ph\u00e0o v\u1ec1 nh\u1eefng c\u00e1i n\u00fat kh\u00f3 c\u1edfi, nh\u1eefng s\u1ee3i d\u00e2y gi\u00e0y kh\u00f3 b\u1ea3o, nh\u1eefng d\u1ea3i rub\u0103ng th\u00e1o m\u00e3i kh\u00f4ng ra. \u0110\u00f4i m\u1eaft c\u00f4 b\u00e9 c\u00f2n \u0111\u1ea7y n\u00e9t kinh ho\u00e0ng th\u01a1 ng\u00e2y kh\u00f4ng gi\u1ea3i th\u00edch \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c, t\u1ea5t c\u1ea3 r\u1ed1i ren v\u00e0 \u0111au \u0111\u1edbn v\u01b0\u1ee3t s\u1ee9c ch\u1ecbu \u0111\u1ef1ng c\u1ee7a tu\u1ed5i c\u00f4 b\u00e9. Meggie nh\u01b0 r\u01a1i v\u00e0o kho\u1ea3ng kh\u00f4ng - B\u00e2y gi\u1edd h\u00e3y n\u1eb1m d\u00e0i ra, con y\u00eau qu\u00ed c\u1ee7a cha v\u00e0 r\u00e1ng nh\u1eafm m\u1eaft ng\u1ee7. Cha s\u1ebd tr\u1edf l\u1ea1i ngay \u0111\u1ec3 th\u0103m con. \u0110\u1eebng lo s\u1ee3 g\u00ec. Ch\u00fang ta s\u1ebd tr\u1edf l\u1ea1i t\u1ea5t c\u1ea3 nh\u1eefng chuy\u1ec7n n\u00e0y v\u00e0o ng\u00e0y mai. Pa\u0111y h\u1ecfi cha Ralph khi linh m\u1ee5c tr\u1edf l\u1ea1i ph\u00f2ng kh\u00e1ch: - Con b\u00e9 \u0111\u00e3 b\u00ecnh y\u00ean ch\u01b0a?","Linh m\u1ee5c \u0111\u01b0a tay l\u1ea5y chai r\u01b0\u1ee3u whisky tr\u00ean t\u1ee7 v\u00e0 r\u00f3t n\u1eeda ly. - Th\u00e0nh th\u1eadt m\u00e0 n\u00f3i, t\u00f4i ch\u01b0a bi\u1ebft ra sao. C\u00f3 Ch\u00faa ch\u1ee9ng gi\u00e1m, t\u00f4i mu\u1ed1n hi\u1ec3u s\u1ef1 b\u1ea5t h\u1ea1nh t\u1ec7 h\u1ea1i nh\u1ea5t c\u1ee7a ng\u01b0\u1eddi Ailen l\u00e0 t\u1eeb \u0111\u00e2u: r\u01b0\u1ee3u hay c\u00e1i t\u00ednh hay n\u1ed5i gi\u1eadn b\u1ea5t th\u01b0\u1eddng... C\u00e1i g\u00ec \u0111\u00e3 x\u00fai gi\u1ee5c \u00f4ng n\u00f3i l\u00ean \u0111i\u1ec1u \u1ea5y? Th\u00f4i, gi\u1ea3i th\u00edch c\u0169ng b\u1eb1ng th\u1eeba. C\u00e1i t\u00ednh kh\u00ed b\u1ea5t th\u01b0\u1eddng! T\u1ea5t nhi\u00ean l\u00e0 th\u1ebf. T\u00f4i \u0111\u00e3 bi\u1ebft ngay Frank kh\u00f4ng ph\u1ea3i l\u00e0 con c\u1ee7a \u00f4ng khi l\u1ea7n \u0111\u1ea7u t\u00f4i g\u1eb7p n\u00f3. - Kh\u00f4ng c\u00f3 g\u00ec tho\u00e1t kh\u1ecfi c\u1eb7p m\u1eaft c\u1ee7a ch\u1ea1 - Kh\u00f4ng ph\u1ea3i th\u1ebf. Nh\u01b0ng ch\u1ec9 c\u1ea7n c\u00f3 ch\u00fat \u00f3c quan s\u00e1t trung b\u00ecnh th\u00f4i c\u0169ng \u0111\u1ee7 ph\u00e1t hi\u1ec7n nh\u1eefng chuy\u1ec7n bu\u1ed3n phi\u1ec1n hay \u0111au kh\u1ed5 m\u00e0 m\u1ed9t s\u1ed1 con chi\u00ean c\u1ee7a Ch\u00faa ph\u1ea3i g\u00e1nh ch\u1ecbu. - Ph\u1ea3i ch\u0103ng cha c\u00f3 \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c nhi\u1ec1u ng\u01b0\u1eddi \u1edf Gilly y\u00eau m\u1ebfn? - C\u00f3 l\u1ebd t\u00f4i \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c nh\u01b0 th\u1ebf nh\u1edd \u1edf g\u01b0\u01a1ng m\u1eb7t v\u00e0 v\u00f3c d\u00e1ng - linh m\u1ee5c Ralph tr\u1ea3 l\u1eddi m\u1ed9t c\u00e1ch chua ch\u00e1t kh\u00f4ng th\u1ec3 gi\u1eef gi\u1ecdng m\u00ecnh t\u1ef1 nhi\u00ean nh\u01b0 \u00fd mu\u1ed1n. - Cha ngh\u0129 nh\u01b0 th\u1ebf \u00e0? \u00fd ki\u1ebfn con l\u1ea1i kh\u00e1c, th\u01b0a cha. Ch\u00fang con y\u00eau m\u1ebfn cha v\u00ec cha l\u00e0 m\u1ed9t \u0111\u1ea5ng ch\u0103n chi\u00ean t\u1ed1t. D\u00f9 sao th\u00ec t\u00f4i d\u00ednh l\u00edu qu\u00e1 s\u00e2u v\u00e0o nh\u1eefng r\u1eafc r\u1ed1i c\u1ee7a gia \u0111\u00ecnh \u00f4ng - Cha Ralph n\u00f3i h\u01a1i l\u00fang t\u00fang - \u00f4ng n\u00ean r\u00fat ra h\u1ebft \u0111i nh\u1eefng g\u00ec \u0111\u00e8 n\u1eb7ng trong l\u00f2ng, \u00f4ng b\u1ea1n \u1ea1. Pa\u0111y v\u1eabn nh\u00ecn ch\u0103m ch\u0103m ng\u1ecdn l\u1eeda \u0111ang ch\u00e1y r\u1ef1c. L\u00fac n\u00e3y khi cha Ralph b\u1ebf Meggie l\u00ean l\u1ea7u v\u00e0 \u0111\u1eb7t c\u00f4 b\u00e9 l\u00ean gi\u01b0\u1eddng \u00f4ng \u0111\u00e3 n\u00e9m v\u00e0o l\u00f2 s\u01b0\u1edfi th\u00eam nhi\u1ec1u kh\u00fac c\u1ee7i, l\u00f2ng b\u1ecb gi\u00e0y x\u00e9o b\u1edfi s\u1ef1 \u0103n n\u0103n v\u00e0 m\u1ed9t \u0111\u00f2i h\u1ecfi d\u1eef d\u1ed9i mu\u1ed1n l\u00e0m m\u1ed9t \u0111i\u1ec1u g\u00ec \u0111\u00f3. C\u00e1i ly r\u01b0\u1ee3u nh\u01b0 nh\u1ea3y m\u00faa tr\u00ean tay \u00f4ng, b\u1edfi \u00f4ng ch\u01b0a qua c\u01a1n x\u00fac \u0111\u1ed9ng v\u00e0 run b\u1eadt l\u00ean t\u1eebng ch\u1eb7p. Cha Ralph \u0111\u1ee9ng l\u00ean, l\u1ea5y chai r\u01b0\u1ee3u v\u00e0 r\u00f3t \u0111\u1ea7y v\u00e0o ly c\u1ee7a Pa\u0111y. Sau khi n\u1ed1c m\u1ed9t h\u01a1i, Pa\u0111y th\u1edf d\u00e0i v\u00e0 lau nh\u1eefng gi\u1ecdt n\u01b0\u1edbc m\u1eaft tr\u00ean m\u00e1 l\u00fac n\u00e0o \u00f4ng kh\u00f4ng hay. - Con kh\u00f4ng h\u1ec1 bi\u1ebft cha c\u1ee7a Frank l\u00e0 ai. Chuy\u1ec7n x\u1ea3y ra tr\u01b0\u1edbc khi con g\u1eb7p Fiona. Gia \u0111\u00ecnh c\u1ee7a v\u1ee3 con l\u00e0 m\u1ed9t gia \u0111\u00ecnh danh gi\u00e1 \u1edf T\u00e2y T\u00e2y Lan. Cha c\u1ee7a Fiona c\u00f3 m\u1ed9t \u0111i\u1ec1n trang r\u1ed9ng l\u1edbn tr\u1ed3ng l\u00faa m\u00ec v\u00e0 nu\u00f4i c\u1eebu, \u1edf g\u1ea7n Ashburton tr\u00ean Nam \u0110\u1ea3o. Ti\u1ec1n nhi\u1ec1u kh\u00f4ng k\u1ec3 xi\u1ebft. Fiona l\u00e0 con g\u00e1i duy nh\u1ea5t c\u1ee7a \u00f4ng \u1ea5y. Theo nh\u01b0 con bi\u1ebft, \u00f4ng \u1ea5y \u0111\u00e3 lo tr\u01b0\u1edbc cho Fiona \u0111\u1ee7 c\u1ea3, n\u00e0o l\u00e0 sang Anh, ra m\u1eaft \u1edf tri\u1ec1u \u0111\u00ecnh, v\u00e0 l\u1ea5y m\u1ed9t ng\u01b0\u1eddi ch\u1ed3ng x\u1ee9ng \u0111\u00e1ng. D\u0129 nhi\u00ean Fiona kh\u00f4ng \u0111\u1ed9ng m\u1ed9t m\u00f3ng tay v\u00e0o c\u00e1c c\u00f4ng vi\u1ec7c trong nh\u00e0. C\u00f4 ta c\u00f3 nhi\u1ec1u ng\u01b0\u1eddi ph\u1ee5c v\u1ee5... Gia \u0111\u00ecnh s\u1ed1ng nh\u01b0 vua ch\u00faa. Con l\u00e0m c\u00f4ng \u1edf m\u1ed9t h\u00e3ng s\u1eefa, \u0111\u00f4i khi c\u0169ng th\u1ea5y Fiona t\u1eeb xa. C\u00f4 \u1ea5y \u0111i d\u1ea1o v\u1edbi m\u1ed9t th\u1eb1ng b\u00e9 kho\u1ea3ng 18 th\u00e1ng. R\u1ed3i m\u1ed9t h\u00f4m, l\u00e3o James Armstrong t\u00ecm con. \u00d4ng cho con bi\u1ebft l\u00e0 con g\u00e1i c\u1ee7a \u00f4ng \u0111\u00e3 l\u00e0m nh\u1ee5c gia \u0111\u00ecnh, \u0111\u1ecbnh \u0111\u01b0a c\u00f4 \u1ea5y \u0111i \u0111\u1ebfn m\u1ed9t n\u01a1i xa th\u00ec b\u00e0 ngo\u1ea1i c\u1ee7a Fiona ch\u1ed1ng l\u1ea1i m\u1ed9t c\u00e1ch \u1ed3n \u00e0o \u0111\u1ebfn m\u1ee9c gia \u0111\u00ecnh bu\u1ed9c l\u00f2ng v\u1eabn \u0111\u1ec3 Fiona \u1edf \u0111\u00f3 m\u1eb7c d\u00f9 c\u00f3 v\u1ebb b\u1ea5t ti\u1ec7n. Nh\u01b0ng sau n\u00e0y b\u00e0 ngo\u1ea1i s\u1eafp qua \u0111\u1eddi, kh\u00f4ng c\u00f2n ai ng\u0103n c\u1ea3n vi\u1ec7c \u0111u\u1ed5i Fiona v\u00e0 \u0111\u1ee9a con trai ra kh\u1ecfi nh\u00e0. Con c\u00f2n \u0111\u1ed9c th\u00e2n v\u00e0 James b\u1ea3o con n\u1ebfu ch\u1ecbu l\u1ea5y con g\u00e1i c\u1ee7a \u00f4ng l\u00e0m v\u1ee3 v\u00e0 cam \u0111oan ch\u1eafc ch\u1eafn v\u1edbi \u00f4ng ta l\u00e0 s\u1ebd \u0111\u01b0a con g\u00e1i \u0111i kh\u1ecfi Nam \u0110\u1ea3o th\u00ec \u00f4ng s\u1ebd ch\u1ecbu m\u1ecdi t\u1ed5n ph\u00ed v\u00e0 bi\u1ebfu th\u00eam m\u1ed9t s\u1ed1 ti\u1ec1n l\u00e0 500 b\u1ea3ng. Th\u01b0a cha, \u0111\u00f3 l\u00e0 c\u1ea3 m\u1ed9t t\u00e0i s\u1ea3n \u0111\u1ed1i v\u1edbi con, h\u01a1n n\u1eefa con \u0111\u00e3 ch\u00e1n c\u00e1i c\u1ea3nh \u0111\u1ed9c th\u00e2n. Bao gi\u1edd con c\u0169ng","nh\u00fat nh\u00e1t, kh\u00f4ng l\u00e0m \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c chuy\u1ec7n g\u00ec n\u00ean th\u00e2n trong quan h\u1ec7 v\u1edbi ph\u00e1i n\u1eef. \u00fd ki\u1ebfn \u1ea5y r\u1ea5t t\u1ed1t \u0111\u1ed1i v\u1edbi con v\u00e0 th\u1eb3ng th\u1eafng m\u00e0 n\u00f3i, \u0111\u1ee9a b\u00e9 kh\u00f4ng g\u00e2y kh\u00f3 ch\u00fat n\u00e0o cho con. B\u00e0 ngo\u1ea1i c\u1ee7a Fiona cu\u1ed1i c\u00f9ng \u0111o\u00e1n ra \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c vi\u1ec7c n\u00e0y v\u00e0 cho ng\u01b0\u1eddi \u0111i t\u00ecm con. L\u00fac b\u1ea5y gi\u1edd b\u00e0 \u0111\u00e3 b\u1ec7nh n\u1eb7ng. B\u00e0 l\u00e0 m\u1ed9t ng\u01b0\u1eddi c\u00f3 uy quy\u1ec1n, t\u00ednh t\u00ecnh r\u1ea5t kh\u00f3 ch\u1ecbu, nh\u01b0ng con qu\u1ea3 quy\u1ebft v\u1edbi cha, \u0111\u00f3 l\u00e0 m\u1ed9t ng\u01b0\u1eddi ph\u1ee5 n\u1eef r\u1ea5t \u0111\u00e1ng k\u00ednh tr\u1ecdng. B\u00e0 k\u1ec3 cho con nghe m\u1ed9t ch\u00fat v\u1ec1 Fiona, nh\u01b0ng v\u1eabn kh\u00f4ng n\u00f3i ai l\u00e0 cha c\u1ee7a th\u1eb1ng b\u00e9. Ph\u1ea7n con c\u0169ng th\u1ea5y kh\u00f4ng c\u1ea7n thi\u1ebft t\u00ecm hi\u1ec3u xa h\u01a1n. B\u00e0 bu\u1ed9c con h\u1ee9a v\u1edbi b\u00e0 \u1ea5y s\u1ebd \u0111\u1ed1i x\u1eed t\u1ed1i v\u1edbi ch\u00e1u g\u00e1i c\u1ee7a b\u00e0... B\u00e0 bi\u1ebft r\u1eb1ng Fiona s\u1ebd r\u1eddi kh\u1ecfi nh\u00e0 ngay khi b\u00e0 nh\u1eafm m\u1eaft. V\u00e0 ch\u00ednh b\u00e0 \u0111\u00e3 \u0111\u01b0a ra \u00fd ki\u1ebfn v\u1edbi James n\u00ean t\u00ecm cho Fiona m\u1ed9t ng\u01b0\u1eddi ch\u1ed3ng. Con r\u1ea5t t\u1ed9i nghi\u1ec7p cho b\u00e0 c\u1ee5; b\u00e0 r\u1ea5t y\u00eau th\u01b0\u01a1ng ch\u00e1u g\u00e1i c\u1ee7a b\u00e0. Cha c\u00f3 tin hay kh\u00f4ng n\u1ebfu con k\u1ec3 cho cha bi\u1ebft r\u1eb1ng l\u1ea7n \u0111\u1ea7u ti\u00ean con \u0111\u1ebfn g\u1ea7n Fiona, \u1edf kho\u1ea3ng c\u00e1ch nghe \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c ti\u1ebfng n\u00f3i c\u1ee7a c\u00f4 \u1ea5y, th\u00ec \u0111\u00f3 l\u00e0 ng\u00e0y c\u01b0\u1edbi? - T\u00f4i tin \u00f4ng - cha Ralph n\u00f3i kh\u1ebd - Pa\u0111y, th\u1ebf l\u00e0 \u00f4ng \u0111\u00e3 c\u01b0\u1edbi m\u1ed9t ng\u01b0\u1eddi v\u1ee3 c\u00f3 \u0111i\u1ec1u ki\u1ec7n tr\u00ean \u00f4ng r\u1ea5t nhi\u1ec1u. - V\u00e2ng. L\u00fac \u1ea5y con r\u1ea5t s\u1ee3 c\u00f4 \u1ea5y, s\u1ee3 \u0111\u1ebfn ch\u1ebft \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c. C\u00f4 ta \u0111\u1eb9p qu\u00e1, th\u01b0a cha... V\u00e0 c\u0169ng r\u1ea5t... xa x\u00f4i, ch\u1eafc cha hi\u1ec3u con mu\u1ed1n n\u00f3i g\u00ec. T\u01b0\u1edfng nh\u01b0 c\u00f4 ta kh\u00f4ng hi\u1ec7n di\u1ec7n trong nh\u00e0 m\u00e0 l\u00e0 m\u1ed9t ng\u01b0\u1eddi n\u00e0o kh\u00e1c ng\u1ed3i \u0111\u00f3. - B\u00e2y gi\u1edd b\u00e0 \u1ea5y v\u1eabn c\u00f2n \u0111\u1eb9p, \u00f4ng Pa\u0111y \u1ea1. - Cha Ralph d\u1ecbu d\u00e0ng n\u00f3i. - T\u00f4i c\u00f3 th\u1ec3 nh\u00ecn th\u1ea5y \u1edf Meggie h\u00ecnh \u1ea3nh c\u1ee7a Fiona tr\u01b0\u1edbc kia. - Cu\u1ed9c s\u1ed1ng d\u00e0nh cho Fiona kh\u00f4ng ph\u1ea3i d\u1ec5 d\u00e0ng th\u01b0a cha, nh\u01b0 cha bi\u1ebft \u0111\u1ea5y, kh\u00f4ng th\u1ec3 n\u00e0o kh\u00e1c h\u01a1n \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c. V\u1edbi con, \u00edt nh\u1ea5t c\u00f4 \u1ea5y \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c an to\u00e0n, kh\u00f4ng s\u1ee3 b\u1ecb \u0111\u1ed1i x\u1eed t\u1ec7. Ph\u1ea3i ch\u1edd \u0111\u1ebfn hai n\u0103m sau con m\u1edbi d\u00e1m... n\u00f3i th\u1eb3ng ra, m\u1edbi d\u00e1m tr\u1edf th\u00e0nh ch\u1ed3ng th\u1eadt s\u1ef1 c\u1ee7a c\u00f4 \u1ea5y. Con bu\u1ed9c ph\u1ea3i t\u1eadp c\u00f4 \u1ea5y l\u00e0m b\u1ebfp, qu\u00e9t nh\u00e0, gi\u1eb7t v\u00e0 \u1ee7i qu\u1ea7n \u00e1o. Tr\u01b0\u1edbc kia c\u00f4 \u1ea5y kh\u00f4ng bi\u1ebft l\u00e0m g\u00ec h\u1ebft. Qua su\u1ed1t bao n\u0103m th\u00e1ng d\u00e0i m\u00e0 ch\u00fang con \u1edf v\u1edbi nhau, ch\u01b0a bao gi\u1edd c\u00f4 \u1ea5y h\u00e9 m\u00f4i m\u1ed9t l\u1ea7n th\u1edf than nh\u01b0ng \u0111\u1ed3ng th\u1eddi c\u00f4 \u1ea5y c\u0169ng kh\u00f4ng bao gi\u1edd c\u01b0\u1eddi ho\u1eb7c kh\u00f3c. Ch\u1ec9 trong nh\u1eefng l\u00fac h\u1ebft s\u1ee9c ri\u00eang t\u01b0, trong t\u00ecnh v\u1ee3 ch\u1ed3ng, c\u00f4 \u1ea5y m\u1edbi \u0111\u1ec3 l\u1ed9 ra nh\u1eefng x\u00fac \u0111\u1ed9ng c\u1ee7a m\u00ecnh, nh\u01b0ng ngay l\u00fac \u0111\u00f3 c\u00f4 \u1ea5y c\u0169ng kh\u00f4ng n\u00f3i l\u1eddi n\u00e0o. Con r\u1ea5t mu\u1ed1n nghe c\u00f4 \u1ea5y t\u00e2m t\u00ecnh v\u00e0 \u0111\u1ed3ng th\u1eddi l\u1ea1i r\u1ea5t s\u1ee3 v\u00ec con v\u1eabn c\u1ea3m gi\u00e1c r\u1eb1ng n\u1ebfu c\u00f4 \u1ea5y t\u00e2m t\u00ecnh th\u00ec kh\u00f4ng th\u1ec3 tr\u00e1nh nh\u1eafc t\u1edbi ng\u01b0\u1eddi \u1ea5y. Kh\u00f4ng! Con kh\u00f4ng ngh\u0129 r\u1eb1ng c\u00f4 \u1ea5y \u0111\u1ed1i x\u1eed kh\u00f4ng t\u1ed1t v\u1edbi con v\u00e0 m\u1ea5y \u0111\u1ee9a nh\u1ecf. Con \u0111\u00e3 d\u00e0nh cho c\u00f4 \u1ea5y t\u1ea5t c\u1ea3 s\u1ef1 tr\u00ecu m\u1ebfn nh\u01b0ng h\u00ecnh nh\u01b0 t\u00ecnh y\u00eau \u0111\u00e3 t\u1eaft trong l\u00f2ng c\u00f4 \u1ea5y t\u1ef1 bao gi\u1edd. Ngo\u1ea1i tr\u1eeb \u0111\u1ed1i v\u1edbi Frank. Con \u0111o\u00e1n ch\u1eafc r\u1eb1ng c\u00f4 \u1ea5y y\u00eau th\u01b0\u01a1ng Frank h\u01a1n t\u1ea5t c\u1ea3 ch\u00fang con c\u1ed9ng l\u1ea1i. C\u00f3 l\u1ebd x\u01b0a kia c\u00f4 \u1ea5y r\u1ea5t y\u00eau cha c\u1ee7a Frank. Nh\u01b0ng con kh\u00f4ng bi\u1ebft g\u00ec v\u1ec1 con ng\u01b0\u1eddi \u1ea5y, h\u1eafn ta l\u00e0 ai m\u00e0 t\u1ea1i sao h\u1eafn kh\u00f4ng th\u1ec3 c\u01b0\u1edbi Fiona. Cha nh\u00ecn hai b\u00e0n tay m\u00ecnh, r\u1ed3i nheo m\u1eaft. - \u1ed2, Pa\u0111y, cu\u1ed9c \u0111\u1eddi qu\u1ea3 l\u00e0 kh\u1ed5 c\u1ef1c l\u00e0m sao! Nh\u1edd \u01a1n Ch\u00faa m\u00e0 t\u00f4i \u0111\u00e3 kh\u00f4ng d\u00e1m \u0111i g\u1ea7n h\u01a1n c\u00e1i r\u00eca c\u1ee7a cu\u1ed9c s\u1ed1ng. T\u00f4i kh\u00f4ng c\u00f3 can \u0111\u1ea3m \u00f4m l\u1ea5y cu\u1ed9c s\u1ed1ng th\u1eadt s\u1ef1 trong v\u00f2ng tay m\u00ecnh. Pa\u0111y \u0111\u1ee9ng l\u00ean lo\u1ea1ng cho\u1ea1ng, hai ch\u00e2n kh\u00f4ng v\u1eefng.","- Th\u1ebf \u0111\u00f3, l\u1ea7n n\u00e0y th\u00ec con \u0111\u00e3 l\u00e0m m\u1ed9t \u0111i\u1ec1u d\u1ea1i d\u1ed9t. Con \u0111\u00e3 \u00e9p bu\u1ed9c Frank \u0111i kh\u1ecfi nh\u00e0. Fiona s\u1ebd kh\u00f4ng bao gi\u1edd tha th\u1ee9 con. - \u00d4ng kh\u00f4ng n\u00ean n\u00f3i v\u1edbi b\u00e0 \u1ea5y, Pa\u0111y \u00e0. Kh\u00f4ng, kh\u00f4ng n\u00ean n\u00f3i. C\u1ee9 gi\u1ea3i th\u00edch \u0111\u01a1n gi\u1ea3n v\u1edbi b\u00e0 r\u1eb1ng Frank \u0111\u00e3 \u0111i theo \u0111o\u00e0n v\u00f5 s\u0129, th\u1ebf th\u00f4i. B\u00e0 \u1ea5y d\u01b0 bi\u1ebft r\u1eb1ng t\u1eeb l\u00e2u t\u00ednh t\u00ecnh Frank \u0111\u00e3 nh\u01b0 th\u1ebf v\u00e0 b\u00e0 \u1ea5y s\u1ebd tin \u00f4ng. - Con kh\u00f4ng th\u1ec3 n\u00f3i d\u1ed1i nh\u01b0 th\u1ebf, th\u01b0a cha! Pa\u0111y k\u00eau l\u00ean, s\u1eefng s\u1edd. - C\u1ea7n n\u00f3i nh\u01b0 th\u1ebf, Pa\u0111y. B\u00e0 \u1ea5y \u0111\u00e3 \u0111au kh\u1ed5 v\u00e0 b\u1ecb d\u1eb1n v\u1eb7t nh\u01b0 th\u1ebf ch\u01b0a \u0111\u1ee7 sao? \u0110\u1eebng g\u00e2y th\u00eam b\u1ea5t h\u1ea1nh cho b\u00e0 \u1ea5y n\u1eefa. Trong l\u00f2ng m\u00ecnh, cha Ralph ngh\u0129: Bi\u1ebft \u0111\u00e2u? - R\u1ea5t c\u00f3 th\u1ec3 cu\u1ed1i c\u00f9ng b\u00e0 \u1ea5y s\u1ebd d\u1ed3n t\u00ecnh y\u00eau d\u00e0nh cho Frank sang \u00f4ng v\u00e0 cho con ng\u01b0\u1eddi b\u00e9 nh\u1ecf \u0111ang n\u1eb1m tr\u00ean l\u1ea7u... - Cha tin nh\u01b0 th\u1ebf? - R\u1ea5t c\u00f3 th\u1ec3. Nh\u01b0ng chuy\u1ec7n x\u1ea3y ra t\u1ed1i nay ph\u1ea3i \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c gi\u1eef b\u00ed m\u1eadt gi\u1eefa hai ch\u00fang t\u1ea1 - Nh\u01b0ng c\u00f2n... Meggie? Con b\u00e9 \u0111\u00e3 nghe h\u1ebft. - \u00d4ng \u0111\u1eebng lo v\u1ec1 ph\u1ea7n Meggie. T\u00f4i s\u1ebd li\u1ec7u. T\u00f4i kh\u00f4ng ngh\u0129 r\u1eb1ng Meggie hi\u1ec3u \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c c\u00e2u chuy\u1ec7n x\u1ea3y ra. N\u00f3 s\u1ebd ngh\u0129 ch\u1ec9 l\u00e0 m\u1ed9t cu\u1ed9c c\u00e3i v\u00e3 gi\u1eefa \u00f4ng v\u00e0 Frank. T\u00f4i s\u1ebd t\u00ecm c\u00e1ch l\u00e0m cho Meggie hi\u1ec3u r\u1eb1ng k\u1ec3 l\u1ea1i cho m\u1eb9 n\u00f3 nghe chuy\u1ec7n c\u00e3i v\u00e3 gi\u1eefa cha v\u00e0 anh ch\u1ec9 l\u00e0m cho m\u1eb9 \u0111au kh\u1ed5 th\u00eam. H\u01a1n n\u1eefa theo t\u00f4i nh\u1eadn x\u00e9t, Meggie c\u0169ng \u00edt khi n\u00f3i chuy\u1ec7n v\u1edbi m\u1eb9 n\u00f3 (\u00f4ng \u0111\u1ee9ng l\u00ean). \u00d4ng h\u00e3y \u0111i ng\u1ee7 \u0111i Pa\u0111y. Nh\u1edb \u0111\u1eebng qu\u00ean gi\u1eef cho s\u1eafc m\u1eb7t c\u1ee7a m\u00ecnh th\u1eadt b\u00ecnh th\u01b0\u1eddng v\u00e0o s\u00e1ng mai khi \u00f4ng tr\u1edf l\u1ea1i l\u00e0m vi\u1ec7c v\u1edbi n\u1eef ho\u00e0ng Mary. Meggie v\u1eabn kh\u00f4ng ng\u1ee7, n\u1eb1m d\u00e0i, hai m\u1eaft m\u1edf to d\u01b0\u1edbi \u00e1nh s\u00e1ng c\u1ee7a ng\u1ecdn \u0111\u00e8n \u0111\u1eb7t \u1edf \u0111\u1ea7u gi\u01b0\u1eddng. Linh m\u1ee5c ng\u1ed3i \u1edf m\u00e9p gi\u01b0\u1eddng v\u00e0 nh\u1eadn ra r\u1eb1ng t\u00f3c c\u1ee7a c\u00f4 b\u00e9 v\u1eabn c\u00f2n th\u1eaft b\u00edm. M\u1ed9t c\u00e1ch th\u1eadn tr\u1ecdng, \u00f4ng th\u00e1o chi\u1ebfc rub\u0103ng m\u00e0u xanh n\u01b0\u1edbc bi\u1ec3n v\u00e0 nh\u1eb9 nh\u00e0ng g\u1ee1 t\u1eebng l\u1ecdn t\u00f3c cho \u0111\u1ebfn khi c\u1ea3 m\u00e1i t\u00f3c d\u1ee3n s\u00f3ng, v\u00e0ng \u00f3ng \u1ea3 n\u1eb1m tr\u1ea3i ra g\u1ed1i. - Anh Frank \u0111\u00e3 \u0111i r\u1ed3i, Meggie - \u00f4ng n\u00f3i. - Con bi\u1ebft, th\u01b0a cha. - Con c\u00f3 bi\u1ebft t\u1ea1i sao kh\u00f4ng, con th\u00e2n y\u00eau? - C\u00f3 chuy\u1ec7n \u1ea9u \u0111\u1ea3 v\u1edbi ba. - Con t\u00ednh sao? - Con s\u1ebd \u0111i theo Frank. Anh \u1ea5y c\u1ea7n con. - Kh\u00f4ng th\u1ec3 \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c, Meggie b\u00e9 nh\u1ecf c\u1ee7a cha. - \u0110\u01b0\u1ee3c ch\u1ee9 th\u01b0a cha. Con mu\u1ed1n \u0111i t\u00ecm anh \u1ea5y \u0111\u00eam nay, nh\u01b0ng \u0111\u00f4i ch\u00e2n c\u1ee7a con r\u00e3 r\u1eddi v\u00e0 con r\u1ea5t s\u1ee3 b\u00f3ng \u0111\u00eam. Nh\u01b0ng s\u00e1ng mai, con s\u1ebd \u0111i t\u00ecm anh \u1ea5y. - Kh\u00f4ng n\u00ean Meggie \u1ea1. Con ph\u1ea3i bi\u1ebft, Frank c\u00f3 cu\u1ed9c s\u1ed1ng c\u1ee7a anh \u1ea5y, v\u00e0 \u0111\u00e3 \u0111\u1ebfn l\u00fac anh \u1ea5y ph\u1ea3i ra \u0111i. Cha bi\u1ebft l\u00e0 con kh\u00f4ng mu\u1ed1n cho anh \u1ea5y \u0111i, nh\u01b0ng \u0111\u00e3 t\u1eeb l\u00e2u, anh \u1ea5y mu\u1ed1n th\u1ebf. Con kh\u00f4ng n\u00ean \u00edch k\u1ef7. Ph\u1ea3i \u0111\u1ec3 cho anh \u1ea5y ch\u1ecdn cu\u1ed9c s\u1ed1ng theo \u00fd th\u00edch. Khi ch\u00fang ta l\u1edbn l\u00ean, \u00fd mu\u1ed1n \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c s\u1ed1ng \u1edf ngo\u00e0i c\u00e1i","gia \u0111\u00ecnh ma ta \u0111\u00e3 \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c nu\u00f4i n\u1ea5ng l\u00e0 chuy\u1ec7n b\u00ecnh th\u01b0\u1eddng v\u00e0 \u0111\u00fang \u0111\u1eafn. Frank \u0111\u00e3 tr\u01b0\u1edfng th\u00e0nh, con c\u00f3 hi\u1ec3u nh\u1eefng l\u1eddi cha n\u00f3i kh\u00f4ng Meggie? \u0110\u00f4i m\u1eaft c\u00f4 b\u00e9 nh\u00ecn th\u1eb3ng v\u00e0o m\u1eb7t linh m\u1ee5c. M\u1ed9t \u0111\u00f4i m\u1eaft m\u1ecfi m\u1ec7t, \u0111au \u0111\u1edbn v\u00e0 kh\u00f4ng c\u00f2n ch\u00fat n\u00e0o l\u00e0 tr\u1ebb con. - Con bi\u1ebft, c\u00f4 b\u00e9 th\u00ec th\u1ea7m. Frank \u0111\u00e3 mu\u1ed1n \u0111i t\u1eeb l\u00e2u khi con c\u00f2n nh\u1ecf x\u00edu. Nh\u01b0ng r\u1ed3i anh \u1ea5y kh\u00f4ng \u0111i \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c. Ba \u0111\u00e3 b\u1eaft anh \u0111em tr\u1edf v\u1ec1 nh\u00e0 v\u00e0 bu\u1ed9c anh \u1ea5y ti\u1ebfp t\u1ee5c s\u1ed1ng v\u1edbi t\u1ee5i con. - Nh\u01b0ng l\u1ea7n n\u00e0y th\u00ec ba con kh\u00f4ng th\u1ec3 \u0111em anh \u1ea5y v\u1ec1 n\u1eefa, Frank \u0111\u00e3 \u0111i th\u1eadt s\u1ef1 r\u1ed3i Meggie. Anh \u1ea5y s\u1ebd kh\u00f4ng tr\u1edf v\u1ec1. - Con s\u1ebd kh\u00f4ng bao gi\u1edd g\u1eb7p l\u1ea1i anh \u1ea5y n\u1eefa sao? - Cha kh\u00f4ng bi\u1ebft \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c - cha Ralph tr\u1ea3 l\u1eddi th\u00e0nh th\u1eadt - Cha v\u1eabn mu\u1ed1n n\u00f3i v\u1edbi con \u0111\u1ec3 con y\u00ean l\u00f2ng l\u00e0 anh \u1ea5y s\u1ebd tr\u1edf v\u1ec1, nh\u01b0ng kh\u00f4ng ai c\u00f3 th\u1ec3 \u0111o\u00e1n \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c t\u01b0\u01a1ng lai, Meggie, k\u1ec3 c\u1ea3 c\u00e1c linh m\u1ee5c. Con kh\u00f4ng n\u00ean n\u00f3i cho m\u1eb9 con bi\u1ebft chuy\u1ec7n c\u00e3i v\u00e3 gi\u1eefa ba v\u00e0 anh Frank, nghe kh\u00f4ng Meggie? \u0110i\u1ec1u \u0111\u00f3 s\u1ebd l\u00e0m cho m\u1eb9 th\u00eam \u0111au bu\u1ed3n; m\u1eb9 con hi\u1ec7n kh\u00f4ng \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c kh\u1ecfe. - B\u1edfi v\u00ec m\u1eb9 s\u1eafp c\u00f3 em b\u00e9? - Sao con bi\u1ebft. - M\u1eb9 r\u1ea5t th\u00edch l\u00e0m n\u1edf ra c\u00e1c em b\u00e9. V\u00e0 m\u1eb9 \u0111\u00e3 cho n\u1edf nhi\u1ec1u em b\u00e9 r\u1ea5t d\u1ec5 th\u01b0\u01a1ng, th\u01b0a cha. Ngay c\u1ea3 khi m\u1eb9 kh\u00f4ng \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c kh\u1ecfe. Con s\u1ebd cho n\u1edf ra m\u1ed9t em b\u00e9 nh\u01b0 Hal. Nh\u01b0 th\u1ebf con s\u1ebd th\u1ea5y b\u1edbt nh\u1edb Frank h\u01a1n. - S\u1ef1 sinh s\u1ea3n - cha Ralph n\u00f3i m\u1ed9t m\u00ecnh. Ch\u00fac con may m\u1eafn, Meggie. Nh\u01b0ng chuy\u1ec7n g\u00ec x\u1ea3y ra n\u1ebfu con kh\u00f4ng l\u00e0m n\u1edf ra \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c m\u1ed9t em b\u00e9? - Con v\u1eabn c\u00f3 Hal, gi\u1ecdng n\u00f3i c\u1ee7a Meggie \u0111\u1ea7y v\u1ebb bu\u1ed3n ng\u1ee7, \u0111\u1ea7u n\u00e9p v\u00e0o g\u1ed1i, cha \u01a1i, c\u00f2n cha s\u1ebd kh\u00f4ng \u0111i ch\u1ee9? - M\u1ed9t ng\u00e0y n\u00e0o \u0111\u00f3, r\u1ea5t c\u00f3 th\u1ec3; nh\u01b0ng b\u00e2y gi\u1edd th\u00ec ch\u01b0a, Meggie \u1ea1, con \u0111\u1eebng lo ngh\u0129. Cha c\u00f3 c\u1ea3m gi\u00e1c l\u00e0 cha s\u1ebd \u1edf Gilly l\u00e2u, r\u1ea5t l\u00e2u - Cha Ralph tr\u1ea3 l\u1eddi, hai m\u1eaft v\u01b0\u01a1ng bu\u1ed3n.","CH\u01af\u01a0NG 9 K h\u00f4ng th\u1ec3 kh\u00e1c h\u01a1n, Meggie ph\u1ea3i tr\u1edf v\u1ec1 nh\u00e0. Fiona c\u1ea7n s\u1ef1 gi\u00fap \u0111\u1ee1 c\u1ee7a c\u00f4 b\u00e9. Stuart c\u00f2n l\u1ea1i m\u1ed9t m\u00ecnh \u1edf tu vi\u1ec7n Gilly, b\u1eaft \u0111\u1ea7u m\u1ed9t cu\u1ed9c tuy\u1ec7t th\u1ef1c, cu\u1ed1i c\u00f9ng c\u0169ng \u0111\u00e3 tr\u1edf v\u1ec1 nh\u00e0. Khi g\u1eb7p l\u1ea1i m\u1eb9, c\u00f4 b\u00e9 t\u01b0\u1edfng nh\u01b0 b\u1ecb m\u1ed9t s\u1ee9c n\u1eb7ng kh\u1ee7ng khi\u1ebfp \u0111\u00e8 n\u1eb7ng ng\u01b0\u1eddi m\u00ecnh; c\u00f4 c\u00f3 bi\u1ebft \u0111\u00e2u \u0111\u00f3 l\u00e0 d\u1ea5u hi\u1ec7u c\u1ee7a s\u1ef1 r\u1eddi b\u1ecf tu\u1ed5i th\u01a1 v\u00e0 l\u00e0 s\u1ef1 c\u1ea3m nh\u1eadn r\u1ea5t s\u1edbm th\u00e2n ph\u1eadn ng\u01b0\u1eddi ph\u1ee5 n\u1eef. B\u1ec1 ngo\u00e0i, Fiona kh\u00f4ng thay \u0111\u1ed5i, ngo\u1ea1i tr\u1eeb c\u00e1i b\u1ee5ng, nh\u01b0ng b\u00ean trong, t\u1ea5t c\u1ea3 \u0111\u1ec1u ch\u1eadm l\u1ea1i nh\u01b0 m\u1ed9t chi\u1ebfc \u0111\u1ed3ng h\u1ed3 treo t\u01b0\u1eddng c\u0169 k\u1ef9 v\u1edbi c\u00e1i qu\u1ea3 l\u1eafc m\u1ed7i l\u00fac m\u1ed9t m\u1ecfi m\u1ec7t cho \u0111\u1ebfn khi ng\u1eebng h\u1eb3n. Ch\u00fa b\u00e9 con t\u00f3c m\u00e0u hung ch\u1ea1y l\u0103ng x\u0103ng kh\u1eafp nh\u00e0 \u0111\u1ee5ng v\u00e0o b\u00e0n gh\u1ebf, nh\u01b0ng Fiona kh\u00f4ng \u00e9p n\u00f3 v\u00e0o m\u1ed9t khu\u00f4n kh\u1ed5 k\u1ef7 lu\u1eadt n\u00e0o. B\u00e0 v\u1eabn ti\u1ebfp t\u1ee5c c\u00f4ng vi\u1ec7c nh\u01b0 l\u00e2u nay - \u0111i l\u1ea1i gi\u1eefa nh\u00e0 b\u1ebfp, n\u01a1i gi\u1eb7t qu\u1ea7n \u00e1o v\u00e0 b\u1ed3n r\u1eeda ch\u00e9n - nh\u01b0 tr\u00ean \u0111\u1eddi kh\u00f4ng c\u00f2n g\u00ec kh\u00e1c h\u01a1n \u0111\u1ec3 l\u00e0m. Kh\u00f4ng ai nh\u1eafc t\u1edbi t\u00ean c\u1ee7a Frank nh\u01b0ng c\u1ee9 s\u00e1u tu\u1ea7n m\u1ed9t l\u1ea7n, Fiona ng\u01b0\u1edbc nh\u00ecn l\u00ean khi nghe ti\u1ebfng k\u00e8n \u0111\u1ed3ng b\u00e1o hi\u1ec7u chi\u1ebfc xe ph\u00e1t th\u01b0 \u0111\u1ebfn. B\u00e0 vui l\u00ean m\u1ed9t l\u00fac. Nh\u01b0ng khi b\u00e0 Smith \u0111\u00e3 trao th\u01b0 t\u1eeb cho Fiona v\u00e0 kh\u00f4ng th\u1ea5y c\u00f3 th\u01b0 n\u00e0o c\u1ee7a Frank th\u00ec n\u1ed7i x\u00f3t xa l\u1ea1i x\u00e2m chi\u1ebfm l\u1ea5y b\u00e0 v\u00e0 t\u1eaft l\u1ecbm \u0111i. C\u00f3 th\u00eam hai ng\u01b0\u1eddi m\u1edbi trong nh\u00e0. Fiona cho ra \u0111\u1eddi m\u1ed9t l\u00fac hai \u0111\u1ee9a con trai t\u00f3c hung. James v\u00e0 Patrick m\u00e0 trong nh\u00e0 g\u1ecdi m\u1ed9t c\u00e1ch th\u00e2n y\u00eau l\u00e0 Jimes v\u00e0 Patsy. B\u00e9 Hal th\u00ec ch\u1ec9 bi\u1ebft c\u00f3 Meggie, n\u00f3 kh\u00f4ng mu\u1ed1n ai kh\u00e1c.","CH\u01af\u01a0NG 10 C ha Ralph quan s\u00e1t Meggie m\u1ed9t c\u00e1ch tr\u00ecu m\u1ebfn. C\u00f4 b\u00e9 \u0111ang ch\u1ea3i m\u00e1i t\u00f3c m\u00e0u hung v\u00e0 u\u1ed1n l\u1ecdn cho Patsy \u0111\u1ee9ng kh\u00f4ng v\u1eefng tr\u00ean hai ch\u00e2n b\u00e9 nh\u1ecf, trong khi Jimes \u0111\u1ee9ng k\u1ebf b\u00ean ch\u1edd \u0111\u1ebfn phi\u00ean m\u00ecnh. C\u1ea3 hai nh\u00ecn ch\u1ecb b\u1eb1ng c\u00e1i nh\u00ecn \u0111\u1ea7y th\u01b0\u01a1ng y\u00eau. \u0110\u00fang l\u00e0 m\u1ed9t b\u00e0 m\u1eb9 t\u00ed hon. T\u1ea5m l\u00f2ng \u1ea5y ph\u1ea3i l\u00e0 m\u1ed9t \u0111\u1ee9c t\u00ednh b\u1ea9m sinh \u1edf Meggie - cha Ralph ngh\u0129 th\u1ea7m. Trong m\u1ed9t l\u00fac cha Ralph b\u1ecb thu h\u00fat b\u1edfi c\u1ea3nh th\u00e2n m\u1eadt d\u1ec5 th\u01b0\u01a1ng n\u00e0y. \u00d4ng th\u1ea3 l\u1ecfng chi\u1ebfc roi da xu\u1ed1n \u0111\u00f4i gi\u00e0y b\u1ed1t \u0111\u1ea7y b\u1ee5i, r\u1ed3i \u0111\u01b0a m\u1eaft u bu\u1ed3n nh\u00ecn qua hi\u00ean, h\u01b0\u1edbng v\u1ec1 t\u00f2a nh\u00e0 l\u1edbn khu\u1ea5t sau nh\u1eefng c\u00e2y b\u1ea1ch \u0111\u00e0n v\u00e0 c\u00e1c th\u1ee9 c\u00e2y leo kh\u00e1c, bi\u1ec7t l\u1eadp v\u1edbi c\u0103n nh\u00e0 c\u1ee7a ng\u01b0\u1eddi qu\u1ea3n l\u00fd v\u00e0 cu\u1ed9c s\u1ed1ng c\u00f2n l\u1ea1i c\u1ee7a \u0111i\u1ec1n trang. Gi\u1eefa c\u00e1i m\u1ea1ng l\u01b0\u1edbi nh\u1ec7n r\u1ed9ng bao la \u1ea5y, con nh\u1ec7n gi\u00e0 \u0111ang toan t\u00ednh gi\u0103ng ra m\u1ed9t k\u1ebf n\u00e0o n\u1eefa? - Cha \u01a1i, cha kh\u00f4ng nh\u00ecn \u0111\u00e2y! Meggie k\u00eau l\u00ean tr\u00e1ch m\u00f3c. - Cha xin l\u1ed7i con! Cha \u0111ang suy ngh\u0129. \u00d4ng quay l\u1ea1i nh\u00ecn Meggie \u0111\u00fang l\u00fac c\u00f4 b\u00e9 v\u1eeba ch\u1ea3i xong cho Jimes. C\u1ea3 ba \u0111ang theo d\u00f5i \u00f4ng, ch\u1edd c\u00e1i l\u00fac \u00f4ng nghi\u00eang m\u00ecnh xu\u1ed1ng \u0111\u1ec3 b\u1ebf hai ch\u00fa b\u00e9 con sinh \u0111\u00f4i, m\u1ed7i \u0111\u1ee9a m\u1ed9t b\u00ean h\u00f4ng. - Ch\u00fang ta h\u00e3y c\u00f9ng nhau th\u0103m b\u00e0 Mary. \u00d4ng n\u00f3i. Meggie \u0111i theo sau cha Ralph tr\u00ean con \u0111\u01b0\u1eddng d\u1eabn \u0111\u1ebfn ng\u00f4i nh\u00e0 l\u1edbn, m\u1ed9t tay c\u1ea7m c\u00e2y roi da c\u1ee7a linh m\u1ee5c v\u00e0 m\u1ed9t tay d\u1eaft c\u01b0\u01a1ng con ng\u1ef1a c\u00e1i l\u00f4ng hai m\u00e0u. C\u00f2n linh m\u1ee5c b\u1ebf hai \u0111\u1ee9a b\u00e9 kh\u00f4ng c\u00f3 v\u1ebb g\u00ec m\u1ec7t nh\u1ecdc m\u1eb7c d\u00f9 t\u1eeb \u0111\u00f3 \u0111\u1ebfn t\u00f2a nh\u00e0 l\u1edbn xa h\u01a1n m\u1ed9t c\u00e2y s\u1ed1 r\u01b0\u1ee1i. V\u00e0o ph\u00eda sau nh\u00e0 b\u1ebfp, cha Ralph l\u1ea7n l\u01b0\u1ee3t trao hai \u0111\u1ee9a b\u00e9 cho b\u00e0 Smith \u0111\u00f3n nh\u1eadn ch\u00fang m\u1ed9t c\u00e1ch sung s\u01b0\u1edbng. Cha \u0111i th\u1eb3ng ra nh\u00e0 tr\u01b0\u1edbc, Meggie theo b\u00ean c\u1ea1nh. Mary Carson \u0111ang ng\u1ed3i tr\u00ean chi\u1ebfc gh\u1ebf b\u00e0nh \u0111\u1eb7c bi\u1ec7t cho m\u00ecnh. L\u00fac n\u00e0y, b\u00e0 \u00edt khi r\u1eddi kh\u1ecfi gh\u1ebf, h\u01a1n n\u1eefa, s\u1ef1 c\u00f3 m\u1eb7t c\u1ee7a b\u00e0 c\u0169ng kh\u00f4ng c\u00f2n c\u1ea7n thi\u1ebft v\u00ec Pa\u0111y lo li\u1ec7u t\u1ea5t c\u1ea3 m\u1ed9t c\u00e1ch gi\u1ecfi giang. Khi cha Ralph b\u01b0\u1edbc v\u00e0o, c\u1ea7m tay Meggie, th\u00ec c\u00e1i nh\u00ecn \u0111\u1ea7y \u00e1c c\u1ea3m c\u1ee7a b\u00e0 gi\u00e0 bu\u1ed9c ngay c\u00f4 b\u00e9 ph\u1ea3i nh\u00ecn xu\u1ed1ng \u0111\u1ea5t; cha Ralph nghe \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c ti\u1ebfng tim \u0111\u1eadp nhanh c\u1ee7a Meggie, c\u00e0ng n\u1eafm ch\u1eb7t c\u1ed5 tay c\u1ee7a c\u00f4 b\u00e9 truy\u1ec1n sang n\u00f3 ni\u1ec1m an \u1ee7i v\u00e0 s\u1ef1 \u00e2u y\u1ebfm. C\u00f4 b\u00e9 nghi\u00eang ng\u01b0\u1eddi xu\u1ed1ng ch\u00e0o m\u1ed9t c\u00e1ch v\u1ee5ng v\u1ec1, mi\u1ec7ng \u1ea5p \u00fang m\u1ea5y c\u00e2u th\u01b0a g\u1eedi. - C\u00f4 b\u00e9 \u0111i ngay ra ph\u00eda sau nh\u00e0 b\u1ebfp ch\u01a1i. Ch\u00e1u u\u1ed1ng tr\u00e0 v\u1edbi b\u00e0 Smith - Mary Carson ra l\u1ec7nh m\u1ed9t c\u00e1ch l\u1ea1nh l\u00f9ng. - T\u1ea1i sao b\u00e0 kh\u00f4ng th\u01b0\u01a1ng n\u00f3? Cha Ralph v\u1eeba h\u1ecfi v\u1eeba bu\u00f4ng m\u00ecnh xu\u1ed1ng chi\u1ebfc gh\u1ebf m\u00e0 \u00f4ng hi\u1ec3u r\u1eb1ng Mary Carson d\u00e0nh cho \u00f4ng. - B\u1edfi v\u00ec cha th\u01b0\u01a1ng n\u00f3 - b\u00e0 tr\u1ea3 l\u1eddi. - Th\u00f4i \u0111i! Cha Ralph ph\u1ea3n \u0111\u1ed1i, l\u1ea7n th\u1ee9 nh\u1ea5t th\u1ea5y m\u00ecnh \u1edf v\u00e0o th\u1ebf y\u1ebfu - Con b\u00e9 ch\u1ec9 l\u00e0 \u0111\u1ee9a tr\u1ebb c\u00f4 \u0111\u1ed9c, b\u00e0 Mary \u1ea1.","- Nh\u01b0ng cha \u0111\u00e3 kh\u00f4ng nh\u00ecn n\u00f3 d\u01b0\u1edbc g\u00f3c c\u1ea1nh \u0111\u00f3, ch\u00ednh cha c\u0169ng bi\u1ebft \u0111i\u1ec1u \u1ea5y C\u1eb7p m\u1eaft xanh \u0111\u1eb9p nh\u00ecn b\u00e0 m\u1ed9t c\u00e1ch m\u1ec9a mai; \u00f4ng c\u1ea3m th\u1ea5y tho\u1ea3i m\u00e1i h\u01a1n. - B\u00e0 ngh\u0129 r\u1eb1ng t\u00f4i c\u00f3 nh\u1eefng quan h\u1ec7 t\u1ed9i l\u1ed7i v\u1edbi tr\u1ebb con? D\u00f9 sao t\u00f4i c\u0169ng l\u00e0 linh m\u1ee5c. - Tr\u01b0\u1edbc h\u1ebft cha l\u00e0 m\u1ed9t ng\u01b0\u1eddi \u0111\u00e0n \u00f4ng, Ralph de Bricassart! L\u00e0m linh m\u1ee5c - \u0111i\u1ec1u \u0111\u00f3 ch\u1ec9 mang \u0111\u1ebfn cho cha m\u1ed9t c\u1ea3m gi\u00e1c an to\u00e0n, c\u00f3 th\u1ebf th\u00f4i. B\u1ea5t ng\u1edd v\u00e0 b\u1ed1i r\u1ed1i, cha Ralph c\u01b0\u1eddi. Kh\u00f4ng hi\u1ec3u v\u00ec sao, \u00f4ng c\u1ea3m th\u1ea5y th\u1ea5y m\u00ecnh b\u1ea5t l\u1ef1c, kh\u00f4ng c\u00f3 kh\u1ea3 n\u0103ng so g\u01b0\u01a1m v\u1edbi b\u00e0 ngay h\u00f4m \u0111\u00f3; h\u00ecnh nh\u01b0 b\u00e0 \u0111\u00e3 kh\u00e1m ph\u00e1 ra ch\u1ed7 nh\u01b0\u1ee3c c\u1ee7a chi\u1ebfc \u00e1o gi\u00e1p v\u00e0 b\u00e0 \u0111\u00e3 khoan v\u00e0o \u0111\u1ea5y b\u1eb1ng n\u1ecdc \u0111\u1ed9c c\u1ee7a con nh\u1ec7n. C\u00f3 l\u1ebd \u00f4ng \u0111\u00e3 thay \u0111\u1ed5i nhi\u1ec1u, \u0111\u00e3 gi\u00e0 \u0111i, ch\u1ea5p nh\u1eadn th\u00edch nghi v\u1edbi cu\u1ed9c s\u1ed1ng lu m\u1edd \u1edf Gillabone. Ng\u1ecdn l\u1eeda t\u1eaft d\u1ea7n trong l\u00f2ng \u00f4ng hay l\u00e0 n\u00f3 d\u00e3 ch\u00e1y l\u00ean v\u1edbi m\u1ed9t ni\u1ec1m say m\u00ea kh\u00e1c? - T\u00f4i kh\u00f4ng ph\u1ea3i l\u00e0 m\u1ed9t ng\u01b0\u1eddi \u0111\u00e0n \u00f4ng - \u00f4ng v\u1eb7n l\u1ea1i - T\u00f4i l\u00e0 linh m\u1ee5c... - \u1ed2, Ralph, cha \u0111\u00e3 thay \u0111\u1ed5i nhi\u1ec1u qu\u00e1 - b\u00e0 ch\u1ebf gi\u1ec5u - Ph\u1ea3i ch\u0103ng t\u00f4i \u0111ang nghe ch\u00ednh \u0111\u1ee9c H\u1ed3ng Y De Bricassart n\u00f3i? - Kh\u00f4ng h\u1ec1 c\u00f3 chuy\u1ec7n \u0111\u00f3, \u00f4ng n\u00f3i, c\u00e1i nh\u00ecn c\u00f3 m\u1ed9t tho\u00e1ng tuy\u1ec7t v\u1ecdng che khu\u1ea5t. T\u00f4i kh\u00f4ng ngh\u0129 r\u1eb1ng t\u00f4i c\u00f2n mu\u1ed1n ti\u1ebfn l\u00ean tr\u00ean nh\u1eefng t\u1ea7ng cao \u1ea5y. B\u00e0 Mary c\u01b0\u1eddi l\u1edbn, ng\u01b0\u1eddi nghi\u00eang ra tr\u01b0\u1edbc r\u1ed3i ng\u1ea3 ra sau tr\u00ean chi\u1ebfc gh\u1ebf b\u00e0nh, nh\u01b0ng kh\u00f4ng m\u1ed9t gi\u00e2y l\u01a1i quan s\u00e1t cha Ralph. - C\u00f3 th\u1eadt th\u1ebf kh\u00f4ng Ralph? Cha kh\u00f4ng c\u00f2n mu\u1ed1n n\u1eefa? Th\u1ebf th\u00ec, t\u00f4i s\u1ebd \u0111\u1ec3 cho cha m\u1ed1c meo \u1edf \u0111\u00e2y th\u00eam m\u1ed9t th\u1eddi gian, nh\u01b0ng r\u1ed3i c\u00e1i ng\u00e0y \u0111\u1ec1n t\u1ed9i c\u1ee7a cha s\u1ebd \u0111\u1ebfn, kh\u00f4ng th\u1ec3 nghi ng\u1edd. T\u00f4i l\u00e0 hi\u1ec7n th\u00e2n Qu\u1ef7 Xa t\u0103ng \u0111\u1ed1i v\u1edbi cha v\u00e0 t\u00f4i s\u1ebd hi\u1ebfn d\u00e2ng cho cha... Th\u00f4i, t\u00f4i \u0111\u00e3 n\u00f3i \u0111\u1ee7 r\u1ed3i! Nh\u01b0ng \u0111\u1eebng c\u00f3 nghi ng\u1edd, t\u00f4i s\u1ebd b\u1eaft cha ch\u1ecbu s\u1ef1 nh\u1ee5c h\u00ecnh. Cha l\u00e0 ng\u01b0\u1eddi \u0111\u00e0n \u00f4ng h\u1ea5p d\u1eabn nh\u1ea5t m\u00e0 t\u00f4i g\u1eb7p. Cha n\u00e9m c\u00e1i \u0111\u1eb9p c\u1ee7a cha l\u00ean \u0111\u1ea7u ch\u00fang t\u00f4i, \u0111\u1ed3ng th\u1eddi l\u1ea1i khinh mi\u1ec7t nh\u1eefng s\u1ef1 y\u1ebfu \u0111u\u1ed1i c\u1ee7a ch\u00fang t\u00f4i. Nh\u01b0ng t\u00f4i nh\u1ea5t \u0111\u1ecbnh s\u1ebd ghim cha l\u00ean t\u01b0\u1eddng v\u00e0 b\u1eb1ng c\u00e1ch khai th\u00e1c ch\u00ednh nh\u1eefng ch\u1ed7 y\u1ebfu c\u1ee7a cha, t\u00f4i s\u1ebd bu\u1ed9c cha t\u1ef1 b\u00e1n m\u00ecnh nh\u01b0 m\u1ed9t con \u0111i\u1ebfm son ph\u1ea5n l\u00f2e lo\u1eb9t. Cha c\u00f3 tin nh\u01b0 th\u1ebf kh\u00f4ng? \u00d4ng b\u1eadt ng\u1eeda ra sau, c\u01b0\u1eddi. - T\u00f4i kh\u00f4ng nghi ng\u1edd l\u00e0 b\u00e0 s\u1ebd th\u1eed l\u00e0m vi\u1ec7c \u1ea5y nh\u01b0ng t\u00f4i kh\u00f4ng tin b\u00e0 hi\u1ec3u t\u00f4i nh\u01b0 b\u00e0 t\u01b0\u1edfng. - Kh\u00f4ng h\u1eb3n. Th\u1eddi gian s\u1ebd tr\u1ea3 l\u1eddi cha, Ralph, ch\u1ec9 c\u00f3 th\u1eddi gian th\u00f4i. T\u00f4i \u0111\u00e3 gi\u00e0, v\u1edbi t\u00f4i kh\u00f4ng c\u00f2n g\u00ec kh\u00e1c h\u01a1n l\u00e0 s\u1ef1 ch\u1edd \u0111\u1ee3i. - Th\u1ebf th\u00ec b\u00e0 ngh\u0129 t\u00f4i c\u00f3 c\u00e1i g\u00ec kh\u00e1c h\u01a1n \u00e0? - \u00f4ng h\u1ecfi l\u1ea1i. C\u0169ng l\u00e0 th\u1eddi gian m\u00e0 th\u00f4i, b\u00e0 Mary, ch\u1ec9 c\u00f3 th\u1eddi gian. Th\u1eddi gian, c\u00e1t b\u1ee5i v\u00e0 mu\u1ed7i m\u00f2ng. M\u1ed9t h\u00f4m, b\u00e9 Hal ho; h\u01a1i th\u1edf kh\u00f3, m\u1ec7t nh\u1ecdc t\u1eebng l\u00fac v\u00e0 s\u1ee9c kh\u1ecfe xu\u1ed1ng r\u1ea5t nhanh. Pa\u0111y l\u00ean nh\u00e0 l\u1edbn g\u1ecdi \u0111i\u1ec7n tho\u1ea1i nh\u01b0ng b\u00e1c s\u0129 l\u1ea1i \u1edf c\u00e1ch \u0111\u00e2y h\u01a1n 60 c\u00e2y s\u1ed1 v\u00e0 \u00f4ng ta \u0111ang \u0111i th\u0103m m\u1ed9t b\u1ec7nh nh\u00e2n kh\u00e1c. Meggie kh\u00f4ng tin Hal s\u1ebd ch\u1ebft, ngay c\u1ea3 khi Fiona v\u00e0 Pa\u0111y qu\u1ef3 b\u00ean gi\u01b0\u1eddng, tuy\u1ec7t v\u1ecdng, \u0111\u1ecdc kinh c\u1ea7u nguy\u1ec7n cho Hal. N\u1eeda \u0111\u00eam, Pa\u0111y g\u1ee1 hai tay c\u1ee7a Meggie \u0111ang \u00f4m Hal r\u1ed3i b\u1ebf th\u00e2n x\u00e1c nh\u1ecf b\u00e9 c\u1ee9ng \u0111\u01a1","c\u1ee7a Hal \u0111\u1eb7t nh\u1eb9 nh\u00e0ng l\u00ean gi\u01b0\u1eddng. B\u1ea5y gi\u1edd, Meggie cho\u00e0ng m\u1edf m\u1eaft. C\u00f4 b\u00e9 \u0111\u00e3 thi\u1ebfp \u0111i l\u00fac Hal kh\u00f4ng c\u00f2n gi\u00e3y gi\u1ee5a n\u1eefa. - Ba \u01a1i, Hal c\u00f3 \u0111\u1ee1 kh\u00f4ng ba? Pa\u0111y l\u1eafc \u0111\u1ea7u. - Kh\u00f4ng, Meggie \u1ea1. Hal kh\u00f4ng \u0111\u1ee1 ch\u00fat n\u00e0o nh\u01b0 con mong, em \u0111\u00e3 y\u00ean ngh\u1ec9 r\u1ed3i. Hal \u0111\u00e3 tr\u1edf v\u1ec1 v\u1edbi Ch\u00faa, th\u1ebf l\u00e0 kh\u00f4ng c\u00f2n \u0111au kh\u1ed5 n\u1eefa. - Kh\u00f4ng, ba \u01a1i, em kh\u00f4ng ch\u1ebft. Kh\u00f4ng th\u1ec3 th\u1ebf \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c. ... Meggie ng\u1ed3i tr\u00ean gh\u1ebf hai tay \u0111\u1eb7t l\u00ean \u0111\u1ea7u g\u1ed1i. Hal thu\u1ed9c v\u1ec1 c\u00f4 b\u00e9 nh\u01b0ng Hal \u0111\u00e3 ch\u1ebft. Ch\u00fa Hal m\u00e0 Meggie \u0111\u00e3 th\u01b0\u01a1ng y\u00eau, s\u0103n s\u00f3c, d\u1ed7 ng\u1ee7 nay \u0111\u00e3 kh\u00f4ng c\u00f2n. Cha Ralph \u0111\u00e3 b\u1eaft g\u1eb7p Meggie nh\u01b0 th\u1ebf khi b\u01b0\u1edbc v\u00e0o nh\u00e0 c\u00f9ng v\u1edbi m\u1ed9t b\u00e1c s\u0129 \u0111i theo. Sau \u0111\u00f3 kh\u00f4ng l\u00e2u th\u00ec b\u00e1c s\u0129 \u0111i ra. \u00d4ng kh\u00f4ng th\u1ec3 l\u00e0m g\u00ec kh\u00e1c h\u01a1n v\u00ec \u1edf c\u00e1ch qu\u00e1 xa b\u1ec7nh vi\u1ec7n, ph\u01b0\u01a1ng ti\u1ec7n y t\u1ebf l\u1ea1i thi\u1ebfu. Sau \u0111\u00f3, nhi\u1ec7m v\u1ee5 c\u1ee7a cha Ralph c\u0169ng xong. Pa\u0111y t\u00ecm Fiona, c\u00f2n Bob v\u00e0 c\u00e1c anh trai c\u1ee7a Meggie th\u00ec xu\u1ed1ng x\u01b0\u1edfng m\u1ed9c \u0111\u1ec3 \u0111\u00f3ng c\u00e1i h\u00f2m. Qu\u00ean r\u1eb1ng m\u00ecnh \u0111ang cho\u00e0ng chi\u1ebfc kh\u0103n l\u1ec5 m\u00e0u t\u00eda tr\u00ean c\u1ed5, cha Ralph c\u00fai xu\u1ed1ng th\u1ed5i b\u1ebfp b\u00f9ng l\u00ean. \u00d4ng v\u1eb7n th\u1ea5p ng\u1ecdn \u0111\u00e8n \u0111\u1eb7t tr\u00ean b\u00e0n ph\u00eda sau r\u1ed3i ng\u1ed3i tr\u00ean chi\u1ebfc gh\u1ebf d\u00e0i \u0111\u1eb7t tr\u01b0\u1edbc m\u1eb7t Meggie \u0111\u1ec3 c\u00f3 th\u1ec3 quan s\u00e1t c\u00f4 b\u00e9 r\u00f5 h\u01a1n. Meggie \u0111\u00e3 l\u1edbn; c\u00f4 b\u00e9 \u0111\u00e3 mang hia b\u1ea3y d\u1eb7m, c\u00f3 kh\u1ea3 n\u0103ng b\u1ecf l\u1ea1i cha Ralph \u0111\u1eb1ng sau. \u00d4ng c\u1ea3m th\u1ea5y m\u00ecnh ng\u00e0y c\u00e0ng r\u1ed1i lo\u1ea1n l\u00ean d\u1eef d\u1ed9i khi nh\u00ecn l\u1ea1i c\u1ea3 chi\u1ec1u d\u00e0i c\u1ee7a m\u1ed9t cu\u1ed9c \u0111\u1eddi \u0111\u1ea7y r\u1eaby nh\u1eefng ho\u00e0i nghi v\u00e0 \u00e1m \u1ea3nh. Nh\u01b0ng \u00f4ng s\u1ee3 c\u00e1i g\u00ec? C\u00e1i g\u00ec \u0111\u00e3 l\u00e0m cho \u00f4ng ngh\u0129 r\u1eb1ng n\u1ebfu n\u00f3 xu\u1ea5t hi\u1ec7n th\u00ec \u00f4ng kh\u00f4ng th\u1ec3 \u0111\u1ed1i \u0111\u1ea7u? \u00d4ng c\u00f3 th\u1ec3 v\u1eefng v\u00e0ng v\u1edbi nh\u1eefng ng\u01b0\u1eddi kh\u00e1c; \u00f4ng kh\u00f4ng s\u1ee3; nh\u01b0ng n\u01a1i \u00f4ng, s\u1ef1 ch\u1edd \u0111\u1ee3i c\u00e1i \u0111i\u1ec1u kh\u00f4ng th\u1ec3 gi\u1ea3i th\u00edch \u1ea5y \u0111ang len v\u00e0o trong \u00fd th\u1ee9c c\u1ee7a \u00f4ng, gi\u1eefa l\u00fac m\u00e0 \u00f4ng \u00edt ch\u1edd \u0111\u1ee3i nh\u1ea5t th\u00ec \u00f4ng bi\u1ebft s\u1ee3. Trong khi \u1ea5y Meggie, sinh ra sau \u00f4ng 18 n\u0103m, \u0111ang l\u1edbn l\u00ean, b\u01b0\u1edbc tr\u01b0\u1edbc \u00f4ng r\u1ea5t xa. Meggie kh\u00f4ng ph\u1ea3i l\u00e0 m\u1ed9t n\u1eef th\u00e1nh, c\u00e0ng kh\u00f4ng ph\u1ea3i l\u00e0 m\u1ed9t c\u00f4 b\u00e9 g\u00e1i nh\u01b0 m\u1ecdi c\u00f4 b\u00e9 g\u00e1i kh\u00e1c. Meggie kh\u00f4ng bao gi\u1edd than v\u00e3n, l\u1ea1i c\u00f3 c\u00e1i \u0111\u1ee9c t\u00ednh b\u1ea9m sinh - hay \u0111\u00f3 l\u00e0 m\u1ed9t b\u1ea5t h\u1ea1nh - l\u00e0 s\u1ef1 ch\u1ecbu \u0111\u1ef1ng. Tr\u01b0\u1edbc b\u1ea5t c\u1ee9 chuy\u1ec7n g\u00ec ho\u1eb7c x\u1eafp x\u1ea3y ra c\u00f4 b\u00e9 \u0111\u1ec1u \u0111\u1ed1i \u0111\u1ea7u v\u00e0 ch\u1ea5p nh\u1eadn h\u1ebft \u0111\u1ec3 \u0111\u1ed1t ch\u00e1y th\u00eam ng\u1ecdn l\u1eeda trong l\u00f2ng. Hay l\u00e0 \u00fd t\u01b0\u1edfng m\u00e0 \u00f4ng \u0111\u00e3 c\u00f3 v\u1ec1 Meggie ch\u1ec9 l\u00e0 t\u1ea5m g\u01b0\u01a1ng ph\u1ea3n chi\u1ebfu nh\u1eefng \u1ea3o t\u01b0\u1edfng c\u1ee7a ch\u00ednh \u00f4ng. - \u1ed2, Meggie - \u00f4ng th\u00ec th\u1ea7m v\u1edbi m\u1ed9t ti\u1ebfng th\u1edf d\u00e0i b\u1ea5t l\u1ef1c. Meggie quay l\u1ea1i nh\u00ecn cha Ralph \u0111\u1ed9t ng\u1ed9t v\u00e0 t\u1eeb ni\u1ec1m \u0111au kh\u1ed5 t\u1ed9t c\u00f9ng c\u00f4 b\u00e9 m\u1ec9m c\u01b0\u1eddi nh\u01b0 g\u1eedi \u0111\u1ebfn cha Ralph m\u1ed9t n\u1ee5 h\u00f4n y\u00eau th\u01b0\u01a1ng tuy\u1ec7t \u0111\u1ed1i, tr\u00e0n tr\u1ec1, kh\u00f4ng \u1ea9n gi\u1ea5u b\u1ea5t c\u1ee9 \u0111i\u1ec1u g\u00ec; nh\u1eefng \u0111i\u1ec1u c\u1ea5m k\u1ef5 v\u00e0 \u1ee9c ch\u1ebf c\u1ee7a m\u1ed9t ng\u01b0\u1eddi ph\u1ee5 n\u1eef ch\u01b0a c\u00f3 th\u1ebf gi\u1edbi ri\u00eang t\u01b0, c\u00f2n ng\u00e2y th\u01a1 c\u1ee7a Meggie. \u0110\u01b0\u1ee3c y\u00eau nh\u01b0 th\u1ebf l\u00e0m cho cha Ralph b\u00e0ng ho\u00e0ng, nh\u01b0 b\u1ecb thi\u00eau \u0111\u1ed1t; \u00f4ng \u0111\u00e3 ph\u1ea3i xin Th\u01b0\u1ee3ng \u0111\u1ebf - d\u00f9 cho tr\u01b0\u1edbc \u0111\u00e2y l\u1eafm l\u00fac \u00f4ng \u0111\u00e3 nghi ng\u1edd s\u1ef1 hi\u1ec7n h\u1eefu - h\u00e3y bi\u1ebfn \u00f4ng th\u00e0nh b\u1ea5t c\u1ee9 m\u1ed9t con ng\u01b0\u1eddi \u00e8ao kh\u00e1c trong cu\u1ed9c \u0111\u1eddi n\u00e0y, mi\u1ec5n l\u00e0 kh\u00f4ng ph\u1ea3i Ralph de Bricassart. C\u00f3 ph\u1ea3i ch\u0103ng ch\u00ednh \u0111\u00f3 la \u0111i\u1ec1u","kh\u00f4ng th\u1ec3 gi\u1ea3i th\u00edch trong \u00f4ng? Th\u01b0\u1ee3ng \u0111\u1ebf \u01a1i, t\u1ea1i sao t\u00f4i l\u1ea1i y\u00eau th\u01b0\u01a1ng c\u00f4 b\u00e9 \u0111\u1ebfn th\u1ebf? Nh\u01b0ng c\u0169ng nh\u01b0 m\u1ecdi khi, kh\u00f4ng c\u00f3 ai tr\u1ea3 l\u1eddi cho \u00f4ng. Ng\u1ed3i im tr\u01b0\u1edbc m\u1eb7t, Meggie v\u1eabn ti\u1ebfp t\u1ee5c m\u1ec9m c\u01b0\u1eddi v\u1edbi \u00f4ng... Cu\u1ed9c s\u1ed1ng ti\u1ebfp di\u1ec5n theo c\u00e1i v\u00f2ng tu\u1ea7n ho\u00e0n v\u0129nh c\u1eedu, \u0111\u1ec1u \u0111\u1eb7n c\u1ee7a tr\u00e1i \u0111\u1ea5t, m\u00f9a h\u00e8 k\u1ebf ti\u1ebfp mang nh\u1eefng c\u01a1n m\u01b0a \u0111\u1ebfn l\u00e0m \u0111\u1ea7y con su\u1ed1i v\u00e0 c\u00e1c b\u1ed3n ch\u1ee9a, t\u01b0\u1edbi m\u00e1t nh\u1eefng r\u1ec5 c\u00e2y kh\u00e1t n\u01b0\u1edbc, gi\u1eef ch\u1eb7t tr\u00ean m\u1eb7t \u0111\u1ea5t nh\u1eefng c\u01a1n b\u1ee5i \u0111i\u00ean cu\u1ed3ng. B\u1ecdn \u0111\u00e0n \u00f4ng m\u1eebng r\u1ee1 mu\u1ed1n kh\u00f3c khi l\u00e0m nh\u1eefng c\u00f4ng vi\u1ec7c m\u00f9a v\u1ee5, y\u00ean t\u00e2m kh\u00f4ng ph\u1ea3i m\u1ea5t c\u00f4ng ch\u1edf c\u1ecf kh\u00f4 \u0111\u1ec3 nu\u00f4i c\u1eebu. Drogheda bi\u1ec7t l\u1eadp v\u1edbi th\u1ebf gi\u1edbi c\u00f2n l\u1ea1i, ch\u1ec9 c\u00f3 \u0111\u1ecdc s\u00e1ch l\u00e0 c\u00e1ch ti\u1ebfp x\u00fac duy nh\u1ea5t v\u1edbi b\u00ean ngo\u00e0i. Nh\u01b0ng kh\u00f4ng nh\u01b0 Wahine c\u00f3 th\u01b0 vi\u1ec7n l\u01b0u \u0111\u1ed9ng, \u1edf \u0111\u00e2y ch\u1ec9 tr\u00f4ng c\u1eady v\u00e0o Ralph. \u00f4ng cung c\u1ea5p cho c\u00e1c gia \u0111\u00ecnh ham \u0111\u1ecdc \u1edf Drogheda nh\u1eefng quy\u1ec3n s\u00e1ch l\u1ea5y t\u1eeb t\u1ee7 s\u00e1ch c\u1ee7a ch\u00ednh \u00f4ng v\u00e0 c\u1ee7a tu vi\u1ec7n. V\u00e0o th\u1eddi \u0111\u00f3, cu\u1ed1n s\u00e1ch \u01b0\u1edbt \u00e1t nh\u1ea5t c\u0169ng ch\u1ec9 d\u00e1m t\u1ea3 m\u1ed9t n\u1ee5 h\u00f4n trong s\u00e1ng, ch\u1ee9 kh\u00f4ng \u0111i xa h\u01a1n. Trong s\u1ef1 bi\u1ec7t l\u1eadp \u1ea5y, Meggie ho\u00e0n to\u00e0n kh\u00f4ng hi\u1ec3u \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c c\u1ea3 c\u00e1i \u00fd ngh\u0129a c\u1ee7a kh\u00e1i ni\u1ec7m nh\u1eefng th\u1ef1c t\u1ebf c\u1ee7a cu\u1ed9c s\u1ed1ng v\u00ec r\u1eb1ng \u0111i\u1ec1u ki\u1ec7n th\u1ef1c t\u1ebf \u0111\u00e3 ng\u0103n ch\u1eb7n m\u1ecdi ng\u1ea3 \u0111\u01b0\u1eddng kh\u00e1m ph\u00e1. Cha c\u1ee7a c\u00f4 d\u1ef1ng l\u00ean m\u1ed9t r\u00e0o ch\u1eafn ki\u00ean c\u1ed1 gi\u1eefa \u0111\u00e0n \u00f4ng ph\u1ee5 n\u1eef trong gia \u0111\u00ecnh; c\u00e1c \u0111\u1ec1 t\u00e0i nh\u01b0 g\u00e2y gi\u1ed1ng hay giao ph\u1ed1i c\u1ee7a s\u00fac v\u1eadt kh\u00f4ng bao gi\u1edd \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c \u0111\u1ec1 c\u1eadp tr\u01b0\u1edbc m\u1eb7t Meggie v\u00e0 \u0111\u00e0n \u00f4ng kh\u00f4ng bao gi\u1edd xu\u1ea5t hi\u1ec7n tr\u01b0\u1edbc m\u1eb7t c\u00f4 b\u00e9 m\u00e0 kh\u00f4ng \u0103n m\u1eb7c \u0111\u00e0ng ho\u00e0ng. Lo\u1ea1i s\u00e1ch c\u00f3 kh\u1ea3 n\u0103ng soi s\u00e1ng m\u1ed9t ch\u00fat g\u00ec \u0111\u00f3 c\u0169ng kh\u00f4ng t\u1edbi Drogheda. Meggie kh\u00f4ng c\u00f3 b\u1ea1n g\u00e1i c\u00f9ng l\u1ee9a tu\u1ed5i \u0111\u1ec3 t\u0103ng th\u00eam s\u1ef1 hi\u1ec3u bi\u1ebft. Cu\u1ed9c s\u1ed1ng c\u1ee7a c\u00f4 b\u00e9 ch\u1ec9 quanh qu\u1ea9n v\u00e0o nh\u1eefng c\u00f4ng vi\u1ec7c trong nh\u00e0 v\u00e0 nh\u1eefng v\u00f9ng l\u00e2n c\u1eadn, ho\u00e0n to\u00e0n kh\u00f4ng c\u00f3 m\u1ed9t ho\u1ea1t \u0111\u1ed9ng n\u00e0o d\u00ednh d\u1ea5p \u0111\u1ebfn gi\u1edbi t\u00ednh. C\u00e1c sinh v\u1eadt \u1edf v\u00f9ng \u0111\u1ea5t n\u00e0y \u0111\u1ec1u kh\u00f4ng sinh \u0111\u1ebb. Mary Carson kh\u00f4ng g\u00e2y gi\u1ed1ng ng\u1ef1a; b\u00e0 mua ng\u1ef1a c\u1ee7a Martin Jang \u1edf Bugela. \u1ede trang tr\u1ea1i c\u00f3 m\u1ed9t con b\u00f2 r\u1eebng, con v\u1eadt hung d\u1eef kh\u00f4ng cho m\u1ecdi ng\u01b0\u1eddi l\u00e9o h\u00e1nh t\u1edbi. M\u1ea5y con ch\u00f3 th\u00ec b\u1ecb c\u1ed9t trong chu\u1ed3ng; l\u1ea5y gi\u1ed1ng \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c coi nh\u01b0 m\u1ed9t c\u00f4ng vi\u1ec7c khoa h\u1ecdc v\u00e0 di\u1ec5n ra d\u01b0\u1edbi m\u1eaft l\u00e0nh ngh\u1ec1 c\u1ee7a Pa\u0111y v\u00e0 Bob. Th\u1eddi gi\u1edd kh\u00f4ng ph\u1ea3i \u0111\u1ec3 ch\u0103m s\u00f3c m\u1ea5y con heo, v\u1ea3 l\u1ea1i Meggie c\u0169ng r\u1ea5t gh\u00ea t\u1edfm ch\u00fang d\u00f9 ph\u1ea3i nu\u00f4i. N\u00f3i cho \u0111\u00fang l\u00e0 Meggie kh\u00f4ng c\u00f3 th\u1eddi gi\u1edd c\u1ea7n thi\u1ebft \u0111\u1ec3 ngh\u0129 \u0111\u1ebfn b\u1ea5t c\u1ee9 chuy\u1ec7n g\u00ec ngo\u00e0i hai \u0111\u1ee9a em trai. S\u1ef1 d\u1ed1t n\u00e1t n\u00e0y k\u00e9o theo s\u1ef1 d\u1ed1t n\u00e1t kh\u00e1c; m\u1ed9t c\u01a1 th\u1ec3 v\u00e0 m\u1ed9t b\u1ed9 \u00f3c kh\u00f4ng \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c k\u00e9o ra kh\u1ecfi c\u01a1n ng\u1ee7 th\u00ec c\u1ee9 ti\u1ebfp t\u1ee5c ng\u1ee7, m\u1eb7c c\u00e1c s\u1ef1 ki\u1ec7n m\u00e0 con ng\u01b0\u1eddi v\u1eeba m\u1edf m\u1eaft \u0111\u00e3 ghi nh\u1eadn \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c t\u1ea5t c\u1ea3. V\u00e0i h\u00f4m tr\u01b0\u1edbc sinh nh\u1eadt l\u1ea7n th\u1ee9 15 c\u1ee7a Meggie, gi\u1eefa c\u00e1i n\u00f3ng oi b\u1ee9c c\u1ee7a m\u00f9a h\u00e8 l\u00ean \u0111\u1ebfn g\u1ea7n c\u1ef1c \u0111i\u1ec3m, Meggie b\u1ed7ng ch\u00fa \u00fd th\u1ea5y nh\u1eefng v\u1ebft n\u00e2u n\u00e2u t\u1eebng v\u1ec7t d\u00ednh trong qu\u1ea7n l\u00f3t . Sau \u0111\u00f3 m\u1ed9t hai h\u00f4m kh\u00f4ng th\u1ea5y g\u00ec n\u1eefa nh\u01b0ng s\u00e1u tu\u1ea7n sau, c\u00e1c v\u1ebft \u1ea5y l\u1ea1i xu\u1ea5t hi\u1ec7n tr\u1edf l\u1ea1i. S\u1ef1 m\u1eafc c\u1ee1 \u1edf Meggie bi\u1ebfn th\u00e0nh s\u1ee3 h\u00e3i. L\u1ea7n \u0111\u1ea7u, c\u00f4 ngh\u0129 l\u00e0 do m\u00ecnh gi\u1eb7t qu\u1ea7n \u00e1o kh\u00f4ng s\u1ea1ch, th\u1eadt l\u00e0 nh\u1ee5c; nh\u01b0ng qua l\u1ea7n xu\u1ea5t hi\u1ec7n th\u1ee9 nh\u00ec, s\u1ef1 ho\u00e0i nghi kh\u00f4ng cho ph\u00e9p n\u1eefa, ch\u1eafc ch\u1eafn kh\u00f4ng th\u1ec3 ch\u1ed1i c\u00e3i \u0111\u00e2y l\u00e0 m\u00e1u . Meggie kh\u00f4ng c\u00f3 m\u1ed9t ch\u00fat kh\u00e1i ni\u1ec7m g\u00ec v\u1ec1 nguy\u00ean nh\u00e2n s\u1ef1 ch\u1ea3y m\u00e1u \u1ea5y nh\u01b0ng c\u00f4 t\u01b0\u1edfng t\u01b0\u1ee3ng l\u00e0 n\u00f3 ch\u1ea3y ra \u1edf ph\u00eda sau. S\u1ef1 ch\u1ea3y m\u00e1u r\u1ec9 r\u1ea3 \u1ea5y bi\u1ebfn \u0111i sau ba ng\u00e0y v\u00e0 kh\u00f4ng tr\u1edf l\u1ea1i tr\u01b0\u1edbc hai th\u00e1ng sau; Meggie l\u00e9n l\u00fat gi\u1eb7t qu\u1ea7n l\u00f3t, kh\u00f4ng ai hay bi\u1ebft v\u00ec ng\u00e0y th\u01b0\u1eddng c\u0169ng ch\u00ednh Meggie \u0111\u1ea3m tr\u00e1ch ph\u1ea7n gi\u1eb7t gi\u0169 qu\u1ea7n \u00e1o cho m\u1ecdi ng\u01b0\u1eddi trong nh\u00e0.","Hi\u1ec7n t\u01b0\u1ee3ng ch\u1ea3y m\u00e1u l\u1ea7n k\u1ebf ti\u1ebfp k\u00e8m theo s\u1ef1 \u0111au \u0111\u1edbn, s\u1ef1 \u0111au \u0111\u1edbn nhi\u1ec1u nh\u1ea5t t\u1eeb tr\u01b0\u1edbc t\u1edbi n\u00e0y, h\u01a1n c\u1ea3 nh\u1eefng c\u01a1n \u0111au d\u1ea1 d\u00e0y. V\u00e0 l\u1ea7n n\u00e0y, m\u00e1u ch\u1ea3y c\u0169ng nhi\u1ec1u, th\u1eadt nhi\u1ec1u. C\u00f4 \u0103n c\u1eafp v\u00e0i mi\u1ebfng t\u00e3 l\u00f3t c\u0169 c\u1ee7a hai em trai sinh \u0111\u00f4i v\u00e0 \u0111\u1eb7t \u1edf trong qu\u1ea7n l\u00f3t, v\u1edbi n\u1ed7i lo s\u1ee3 kinh kh\u1ee7ng m\u00e1u c\u00f3 th\u1ec3 ch\u1ea3y ra t\u1edbi b\u00ean ngo\u00e0i. C\u00e1i ch\u1ebft \u0111\u00e3 mang Hal \u0111i \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c Meggie hi\u1ec3u nh\u01b0 s\u1ef1 xu\u1ea5t hi\u1ec7n c\u1ee7a m\u1ed9t hi\u1ec7n t\u01b0\u1ee3ng si\u00eau t\u1ef1 nhi\u00ean, nh\u01b0ng c\u00f2n c\u00e1i g\u00ec \u0111\u00f3 \u0111ang ch\u1ea3y \u00e2m \u1ec9 t\u1eeb trong ng\u01b0\u1eddi c\u1ee7a Meggie th\u00ec l\u1ea1i g\u00e2y cho c\u00f4 m\u1ed9t n\u1ed7i kinh ho\u00e0ng. B\u1eb1ng m\u1ecdi c\u00e1ch Meggie ph\u1ea3i \u0111i t\u00ecm m\u1eb9 ho\u1eb7c cha \u0111\u1ec3 th\u00f4ng b\u00e1o r\u1eb1ng m\u00ecnh s\u1eafp s\u1eeda ch\u1ebft do m\u1ed9t b\u1ec7nh t\u1eadt nh\u1ee5c nh\u00e3, kh\u00f3 n\u00f3i cho ai bi\u1ebft. Ch\u1ec9 duy nh\u1ea5t v\u1edbi Frank, c\u00f4 m\u1edbi c\u00f3 th\u1ec3 th\u1ed5 l\u1ed9 n\u1ed7i lo \u00e2u c\u1ee7a m\u00ecnh, nh\u01b0ng gi\u1edd \u0111\u00e2y anh \u1ea5y \u0111ang \u1edf qu\u00e1 xa v\u00e0 kh\u00f4ng bi\u1ebft c\u00e1ch n\u00e0o m\u00e0 t\u00ecm. Meggie c\u00f3 nghe nh\u1eefng ng\u01b0\u1eddi ph\u1ee5 n\u1eef l\u1edbn tu\u1ed5i gi\u1eefa l\u00fac u\u1ed1ng tr\u00e0 \u0111\u00e3 n\u00f3i v\u1edbi nhau v\u1ec1 nh\u1eefng kh\u1ed1i u v\u00e0 ung th\u01b0, v\u1ec1 nh\u1eefng c\u00e1i ch\u1ebft kh\u1ee7ng khi\u1ebfp c\u1ee7a nh\u1eefng ng\u01b0\u1eddi b\u1ea1n v\u00e0 nh\u1eefng ng\u01b0\u1eddi b\u00e0 con sau nh\u1eefng th\u00e1ng d\u00e0i \u0111au \u0111\u1edbn. V\u00e0 Meggie tin r\u1eb1ng m\u1ed9t hi\u1ec7n t\u01b0\u1ee3ng t\u01b0\u01a1ng t\u1ef1 c\u0169ng \u0111ang ng\u1ed1n b\u00ean trong c\u01a1 th\u1ec3 \u00e2m \u1ec9, ti\u1ebfn s\u00e2u v\u00e0o tr\u00e1i tim ho\u1ea3ng h\u1ed1t c\u1ee7a Meggie. \u00d4i, c\u00f4 b\u00e9 kh\u00f4ng mu\u1ed1n ch\u1ebft ch\u00fat n\u00e0o! Nh\u1eefng hi\u1ec3u bi\u1ebft t\u01b0\u01a1ng \u0111\u1ed1i v\u1ec1 c\u00e1i ch\u1ebft l\u1ea1i r\u1ea5t m\u01a1 h\u1ed3 \u0111\u1ed1i v\u1edbi Meggie nh\u01b0ng c\u00f4 r\u1ea5t s\u1ee3 h\u00e3i v\u00e0 kh\u00f4ng bao gi\u1edd mu\u1ed1n ch\u1ebft. Meggie kh\u00f4ng th\u1ec3 t\u01b0\u1edfng t\u01b0\u1ee3ng \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c m\u00ecnh s\u1ebd ra sao trong c\u00e1i th\u1ebf gi\u1edbi b\u00ean kia. V\u1edbi Meggie, t\u00f4n gi\u00e1o ch\u1eb3ng kh\u00e1c g\u00ec m\u1ed9t lo\u1ea1t lu\u1eadt l\u1ec7 h\u01a1n l\u00e0 cu\u1ed9c s\u1ed1ng tinh th\u1ea7n, do \u0111\u00f3 t\u00f4n gi\u00e1o kh\u00f4ng gi\u00fap g\u00ec \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c cho c\u00f4 c\u1ea3. S\u1ef1 l\u1eb7ng l\u1ebd x\u00e2m chi\u1ebfm Meggie, s\u1ef1 y\u00ean t\u0129nh \u1ea5y kh\u00f4ng th\u1ec3 so s\u00e1nh v\u1edbi n\u1ed7i c\u00f4 \u0111\u1ed9c \u00eam \u0111\u1ec1m v\u00e0 m\u01a1 m\u1ed9ng c\u1ee7a Stuart. \u1ede Meggie s\u1ef1 l\u1eb7ng l\u1ebd \u0111\u00f3 c\u00f3 c\u1ea3 ch\u00fat s\u1ee3 h\u00e3i s\u1eedng s\u1ed1t c\u1ee7a m\u1ed9t con th\u00fa b\u1ecb r\u1eafn th\u00f4i mi\u00ean. Khi c\u00f3 ai h\u1ecfi \u0111\u1ed9t ng\u1ed9t, Meggie gi\u1eadt n\u1ea9y ng\u01b0\u1eddi, n\u1ebfu c\u00e1c \u0111\u1ee9a em trai g\u1ecdi Meggie b\u1eb1ng c\u00e1ch h\u00e9t to l\u00ean, Meggie s\u1ebd ch\u1ea1y h\u1ed1t ho\u1ea3ng v\u00e0 t\u1ef1 tr\u00e1ch m\u00ecnh sao s\u01a1 s\u00f3t. V\u00e0 c\u1ee9 m\u1ed7i khi l\u1ee3i d\u1ee5ng \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c gi\u00e2y ph\u00fat hi\u1ebfm hoi ng\u01a1i ngh\u1ec9, Meggie li\u1ec1n ch\u1ea1y nhanh ra ngh\u0129a trang \u0111\u1ec3 t\u00ecm l\u1ea1i Hal, c\u00e1i ch\u1ebft duy nh\u1ea5t m\u00e0 c\u00f4 \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c bi\u1ebft. M\u1ecdi ng\u01b0\u1eddi \u0111\u1ec1u nh\u1eadn ra s\u1ef1 thay \u0111\u1ed5i \u1edf Meggie nh\u01b0ng \u0111\u1ec1u coi \u0111\u00f3 l\u00e0 m\u1ed9t hi\u1ec7n t\u01b0\u1ee3ng ph\u00e1t tri\u1ec3n b\u00ecnh th\u01b0\u1eddng c\u1ee7a l\u1ee9a tu\u1ed5i. C\u00f4 b\u00e9 gi\u1ea5u k\u00edn m\u1ed9t c\u00e1ch t\u00e0i t\u00ecnh n\u1ed7i c\u00f4 \u0111\u01a1n tuy\u1ec7t v\u1ecdng. Kh\u00f4ng ai c\u00f3 th\u1ec3 hi\u1ec3u nh\u1eefng g\u00ec x\u1ea3y ra b\u00ean trong Meggie. Kh\u00f4ng c\u00f3 m\u1ed9t bi\u1ec3u l\u1ed9 n\u00e0o, v\u00e0 s\u1ef1 k\u00edn \u0111\u00e1o \u0111\u00f3 \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c gi\u1eef cho t\u1edbi c\u00f9ng. T\u1eeb Fiona \u0111\u1ebfn Stuart, qua Frank, kh\u00f4ng bi\u1ebft bao nhi\u00eau \u0111i\u1ec1u \u0111\u00e3 x\u1ea3y ra. Th\u1ebf m\u00e0, trong nh\u1eefng chuy\u1ebfn th\u0103m Drogheda th\u01b0\u1eddng xuy\u00ean, cha Ralph \u0111\u00e3 nh\u1eadn ra s\u1ef1 thay \u0111\u1ed5i \u1edf Meggie; s\u1ef1 thay \u0111\u1ed5i \u1ea5y tr\u00f9ng h\u1ee3p v\u1edbi di\u1ec5n bi\u1ebfn r\u1ea5t d\u1ec5 th\u01b0\u01a1ng \u1edf ng\u01b0\u1eddi ph\u1ee5 n\u1eef; n\u00f3 l\u00e0m gi\u1ea3m \u0111i c\u00e1c ho\u1ea1t \u0111\u1ed9ng v\u00ec lo l\u1eafng r\u1ed3i \u00e2u s\u1ea7u. M\u1ed9t s\u1ef1 sa s\u00fat v\u1ec1 th\u1ec3 x\u00e1c l\u1eabn tinh th\u1ea7n \u0111\u1eadp v\u00e0o m\u1eaft cha Ralph. Meggie l\u1ea9n tr\u00e1nh m\u1ecdi ng\u01b0\u1eddi. Cha Ralph kh\u00f4ng mu\u1ed1n th\u1ea5y Meggie bi\u1ebfn th\u00e0nh m\u1ed9t Fiona th\u1ee9 hai. G\u01b0\u01a1ng m\u1eb7t nh\u1ecf b\u00e9 thu l\u1ea1i ch\u1ec9 c\u00f2n th\u1ea5y r\u00f5 \u0111\u00f4i m\u1eaft, \u0111\u00f4i m\u1eaft m\u1edf to nh\u01b0 h\u01b0\u1edbng v\u1ec1 m\u1ed9t vi\u1ec5n \u1ea3nh kh\u1ee7ng khi\u1ebfp n\u00e0o. Da m\u00e0u s\u1eefa, tr\u01b0\u1edbc \u0111\u00e2y \u0111\u1ea7y \u0111\u1eb7n, kh\u00f4ng h\u1ec1 b\u1ecb r\u00e1m n\u1eafng, c\u0169ng kh\u00f4ng c\u00f3 v\u1ebft t\u00e0n nhang, \u0111ang c\u00e0ng l\u00fac c\u00e0ng t\u0103ng l\u00ean. N\u1ebfu c\u00e1i \u0111\u00e0 n\u00e0y c\u1ee9 ti\u1ebfp t\u1ee5c, cha Ralph ngh\u0129 th\u1ea7m, m\u1ed9t ng\u00e0y n\u00e0o \u0111\u00f3 Meggie s\u1ebd t\u1ef1 \u0111\u00e2m m\u00ecnh, v\u1ea5t v\u01b0\u1edfng trong tia s\u00e1ng hiu h\u1eaft m\u00e0u n\u00e2u, l\u1edd \u0111\u1edd, r\u1ea5t kh\u00f3 nh\u1eadn ra b\u1eb1ng m\u1eaft, gi\u1eefa nh\u1eefng chi\u1ebfc b\u00f3ng \u0111an l\u00ean nhau v\u00e0 nh\u1eefng v\u1ec7t \u0111en \u0111ang lan d\u1ea7n l\u00ean b\u1ee9c t\u01b0\u1eddng tr\u1eafng.","Th\u1ebf l\u00e0 cha Ralph quy\u1ebft kh\u00e1m ph\u00e1 \u0111i\u1ec1u \u1ea5y \u1edf Meggie, d\u00f9 ph\u1ea3i d\u00f9ng bi\u1ec7n ph\u00e1p m\u1ea1nh. V\u00e0o l\u00fac \u0111\u00f3, Mary Carson t\u1ecf ra kh\u00f3 ch\u1ecbu v\u00e0 ghen tu\u00f4ng t\u1eebng l\u00fac m\u1ed7i khi cha Ralph \u1edf l\u1ea1i t\u1ea1i nh\u00e0 Pa\u0111y. M\u1ed9t h\u00f4m, \u00f4ng tho\u00e1t ra \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c s\u1ef1 k\u1ec1m k\u1eb9p c\u1ee7a Mary Carson v\u00e0 s\u0103n t\u00ecm cho \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c Meggie, cu\u1ed1i c\u00f9ng g\u1eb7p c\u00f4 trong ngh\u0129a trang nh\u1ecf, n\u00fap n\u1eafng d\u01b0\u1edbi m\u1ed9t b\u1ee9c t\u01b0\u1ee3ng th\u00e1nh - Meggie \u0111ang nh\u00ecn n\u00e9t m\u1eb7t nh\u1ee3t nh\u1ea1t c\u1ee7a b\u1ee9c t\u01b0\u1ee3ng, trong khi \u0111\u00f3 ch\u00ednh g\u01b0\u01a1ng m\u1eb7t c\u1ee7a c\u00f4 bi\u1ec3u l\u1ed9 n\u00e9t s\u1ee3 h\u00e3i, m\u1ed9t s\u1ef1 t\u01b0\u01a1ng ph\u1ea3n gi\u1eefa x\u00fac c\u1ea3m v\u00e0 v\u00f4 c\u1ea3m tr\u01a1 tr\u01a1 - cha Ralph ngh\u0129 th\u1ea7m nh\u01b0 th\u1ebf. Nh\u01b0ng m\u00ecnh \u1edf \u0111\u00e2y l\u00e0m g\u00ec, ch\u1ea1y theo \u0111u\u00f4i c\u00f4 ta nh\u01b0 m\u1ed9t con g\u00e0 m\u1eb9 gi\u00e0 nua, trong khi Fiona ho\u1eb7c Pa\u0111y c\u00f3 tr\u00e1ch nhi\u1ec7m t\u00ecm hi\u1ec3u nh\u1eefng nguy\u00ean nh\u00e2n \u00e2u lo c\u1ee7a con g\u00e1i. Nh\u01b0ng cha m\u1eb9 c\u1ee7a Meggie \u0111\u00e3 kh\u00f4ng nh\u1eadn th\u1ea5y g\u00ec b\u1edfi h\u1ecd \u00edt quan t\u00e2m \u0111\u1ebfn con g\u00e1i, trong khi cha Ralph l\u1ea1i d\u00e0nh cho Meggie th\u1eadt nhi\u1ec1u th\u1ee9. H\u01a1n th\u1ebf, v\u1edbi c\u01b0\u01a1ng v\u1ecb m\u1ed9t linh m\u1ee5c, cha Ralph c\u00f2n c\u00f3 tr\u00e1ch nhi\u1ec7m an \u1ee7i nh\u1eefng t\u00e2m h\u1ed3n \u0111au kh\u1ed5 c\u00f4 \u0111\u01a1n v\u00e0 tuy\u1ec7t v\u1ecdng. \u00d4ng kh\u00f4ng th\u1ec3 ch\u1ecbu \u0111\u1ef1ng n\u1ed5i khi th\u1ea5y Meggie \u0111au kh\u1ed5, nh\u01b0ng tai h\u1ea1i l\u00e0 \u00f4ng \u0111\u00e3 ng\u00e0y c\u00e0ng g\u1eafn b\u00f3 v\u1edbi Meggie qua m\u1ed9t lo\u1ea1t s\u1ef1 ki\u1ec7n r\u1eafc r\u1ed1i ch\u1ed3ng l\u00ean nhau. V\u1edbi Meggie, \u00f4ng \u0111\u00e3 h\u1eb1n s\u00e2u bi\u1ebft bao s\u1ef1 vi\u1ec7c v\u00e0 k\u1ef7 ni\u1ec7m, do \u0111\u00f3 \u00f4ng c\u1ea3m th\u1ea5y s\u1ee3. T\u00ecnh th\u01b0\u01a1ng c\u1ee7a \u00f4ng d\u00e0nh cho Meggie v\u00e0 b\u1ea3n ch\u1ea5t linh m\u1ee5c c\u1ee7a \u00f4ng, th\u00fac \u0111\u1ea9y \u00f4ng ph\u1ea3i s\u1eb5n s\u00e0ng mang l\u1ea1i m\u1ecdi s\u1ef1 gi\u00fap \u0111\u1ee1 v\u1ec1 m\u1eb7t tinh th\u1ea7n m\u00e0 \u0111\u00fang ra m\u1ecdi ng\u01b0\u1eddi \u0111\u1ec1u c\u00f3 quy\u1ec1n ch\u1edd \u0111\u1ee3i \u1edf \u00f4ng. \u00d4ng ph\u1ea3i t\u1ef1 chi\u1ebfn \u0111\u1ea5u \u0111\u1ec3 th\u1ea5y r\u00f5 h\u01a1n l\u00e0 m\u00ecnh c\u00f3 tr\u00e1ch nhi\u1ec7m v\u1edbi Meggie c\u0169ng nh\u01b0 v\u1edbi b\u1ea5t c\u1ee9 ai kh\u00e1c. Nghe ti\u1ebfng ch\u00e2n \u0111i tr\u00ean c\u1ecf, Meggie quay l\u1ea1i, hai tay \u0111\u1eb7t ch\u00e9o tr\u00ean \u0111\u00f9i, m\u1eaft nh\u00ecn xu\u1ed1ng. Cha Ralph \u0111\u1ebfn ng\u1ed3i b\u00ean c\u1ea1nh c\u00f4, tay b\u00f3 g\u1ed1i. Chi\u1ebfc \u00e1o cho\u00e0ng kh\u00f4ng \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c k\u00edn \u0111\u00e1o l\u00e0m t\u0103ng v\u1ebb \u0111\u1eb9p c\u00e1i th\u00e2n th\u1ec3 b\u00ean trong c\u1ee7a cha. Th\u1ed1i tho\u00e1t v\u00f4 \u00edch, \u00f4ng ngh\u0129 th\u1ea7m. N\u1ebfu mu\u1ed1n, Meggie c\u00f3 th\u1ec3 tr\u00e1nh n\u00e9 \u00f4ng. - C\u00f3 chuy\u1ec7n g\u00ec x\u1ea3y ra h\u1edf Meggie? - Kh\u00f4ng c\u00f3 chi th\u01b0a cha. - Cha kh\u00f4ng tin l\u1eddi con. - Con xin van cha, con xin van cha ma! Con kh\u00f4ng th\u1ec3 n\u00f3i v\u1edbi cha chuy\u1ec7n n\u00e0y \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c. - \u1ed2, Meggie th\u01b0\u01a1ng y\u00eau! C\u00f4 g\u00e1i thi\u1ebfu \u0111\u1ee9c tin! Con c\u00f3 th\u1ec3 n\u00f3i v\u1edbi cha t\u1ea5t c\u1ea3. Ch\u00ednh v\u00ec th\u1ebf m\u00e0 cha c\u00f3 m\u1eb7t t\u1ea1i \u0111\u00e2y. Ch\u00ednh v\u00ec th\u1ebf m\u00e0 cha l\u00e0 linh m\u1ee5c. Cha l\u00e0 ng\u01b0\u1eddi \u0111\u1ea1i di\u1ec7n \u0111\u00e3 \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c Ch\u00faa l\u1ef1a ch\u1ecdn tr\u00ean tr\u1ea7n gian. Cha nh\u00e2n danh Ch\u00faa m\u00e0 nghe con n\u00f3i, nh\u00e2n danh Ng\u01b0\u1eddi ta c\u00f3 quy\u1ec1n tha th\u1ee9 cho con. Nghe \u0111\u00e2y Meggie b\u00e9 nh\u1ecf c\u1ee7a ta, kh\u00f4ng c\u00f3 \u0111i\u1ec1u g\u00ec \u1edf tr\u00ean tr\u1ea7n th\u1ebf n\u00e0y m\u00e0 Ch\u00faa v\u00e0 ta kh\u00f4ng th\u1ec3 tha th\u1ee9. Con ph\u1ea3i n\u00f3i cho ta bi\u1ebft \u0111i\u1ec1u g\u00ec l\u00e0m con b\u0103n kho\u0103n, con th\u01b0\u01a1ng y\u00eau. Ng\u00e0y n\u00e0o ta c\u00f2n tr\u00ean \u0111\u1eddi n\u00e0y, ta s\u1ebd lu\u00f4n t\u00ecm c\u00e1ch gi\u00fap \u0111\u1ee1 con, che ch\u1edf con. N\u1ebfu con mu\u1ed1n th\u00ec cha s\u1ebd nh\u01b0 m\u1ed9t thi\u00ean th\u1ea7n h\u1ed9 m\u1ec7nh, ch\u1eafc ch\u1eafn \u0111\u00e1ng tin c\u1eady h\u01a1n so v\u1edbi b\u1ee9c t\u01b0\u1ee3ng \u0111\u00e1 c\u1ea9m th\u1ea1ch m\u00e0 con nh\u00ecn th\u1ea5y. N\u1ebfu con th\u01b0\u01a1ng y\u00eau ta, h\u00e3y n\u00f3i cho ta bi\u1ebft l\u00e0m g\u00ec l\u00e0m con lo l\u1eafng. - Th\u01b0a cha, con s\u1eafp ch\u1ebft, c\u00f4 g\u00e1i v\u1eeba n\u00f3i v\u1eeba v\u1eb7n hai tay - con b\u1ecb ung th\u01b0. Su\u00fdt n\u1eefa \u00f4ng c\u01b0\u1eddi to l\u00ean v\u00ec g\u00e1nh n\u1eb7ng trong l\u00f2ng b\u1ed7ng ch\u1ed1c tr\u00fat b\u1ecf h\u1ebft; nh\u01b0ng li\u1ec1n \u0111\u00f3 nh\u00ecn k\u1ef9 l\u00e0n da m\u1ecbn, h\u01a1i xanh, hai c\u00e1nh tay nh\u1ecf g\u1ea7y c\u1ee7a Meggie, trong l\u00f2ng \u00f4ng n\u1ed5i l\u00ean m\u1ed9t th\u00e8m mu\u1ed1n gh\u00ea g\u1edbm \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c","kh\u00f3c v\u00e0 h\u00e9t to l\u00ean, o\u00e1n gi\u1eadn c\u1ea3 tr\u1eddi \u0111\u1ea5t tr\u01b0\u1edbc m\u1ed9t b\u1ea5t c\u00f4ng nh\u01b0 th\u1ebf. Kh\u00f4ng, Meggie kh\u00f4ng t\u1ef1 m\u00ecnh t\u01b0\u1edfng t\u01b0\u1ee3ng ra chuy\u1ec7n kh\u1ee7ng khi\u1ebfp \u1ea5y m\u00e0 kh\u00f4ng d\u1ef1a v\u00e0o m\u1ed9t nguy\u00ean nh\u00e2n n\u00e0o \u0111\u00f3, c\u00f3 th\u1ec3 c\u00f3 m\u1ed9t l\u00fd do. - \u0110i\u1ec1u g\u00ec khi\u1ebfn cho con tin nh\u01b0 th\u1ebf, qu\u1ea3 tim b\u00e9 nh\u1ecf c\u1ee7a cha? Ph\u1ea3i m\u1ed9t l\u00fac kh\u00e1 l\u00e2u, c\u00f4 m\u1edbi k\u1ec3 l\u1ea1i v\u00e0 khi \u1ea5y, cha Ralph ph\u1ea3i nghi\u00eang \u0111\u1ea7u v\u1ec1 ph\u00eda g\u1ea7n m\u00f4i Meggi\u1eb9 \u00f4ng l\u1eb7p l\u1ea1i m\u1ed9t c\u00e1ch m\u00e1y m\u00f3c t\u01b0 th\u1ebf c\u1ee7a m\u1ed9t linh m\u1ee5c tr\u01b0\u1edbc m\u1ed9t con chi\u00ean \u0111ang x\u01b0ng t\u1ed9i: l\u1ea5y tay che m\u1eb7t \u0111\u1ec3 m\u1eaft c\u00f4 g\u00e1i kh\u00f4ng tr\u00f4ng th\u1ea5y m\u00ecnh, c\u00f2n tai s\u1eb5n s\u00e0ng nghe nh\u1eefng l\u1eddi x\u01b0ng t\u1ed9i. - C\u00e1ch \u0111\u00e2y s\u00e1u th\u00e1ng th\u01b0a cha, chuy\u1ec7n \u1ea5y b\u1eaft \u0111\u1ea7u x\u1ea3y ra. Con b\u1ecb \u0111au b\u1ee5ng d\u1eef d\u1ed9i, nh\u01b0ng kh\u00f4ng ph\u1ea3i \u0111au b\u1ee5ng nh\u01b0 khi \u0103n kh\u00f4ng ti\u00eau \u0111\u00e2u... R\u1ed3i... Cha \u01a1i... r\u1ea5t nhi\u1ec1u m\u00e1u ch\u1ea3y ra. Cha Ralph ng\u1eeda \u0111\u1ea7u ra sau, c\u1eed ch\u1ec9 m\u00e0 kh\u00f4ng bao gi\u1edd c\u00f3 trong nh\u1eefng l\u00fac nghe x\u01b0ng t\u1ed9i; \u00f4ng nh\u00ecn \u0111\u1ea7u Meggie c\u00fai xu\u1ed1ng v\u00ec x\u1ea5u h\u1ed5. Bi\u1ebft bao x\u00fac \u0111\u1ed9ng d\u1ea5y l\u00ean khi\u1ebfn cho \u00f4ng kh\u00f4ng th\u1ec3 l\u1ea5y l\u1ea1i s\u1ef1 b\u00ecnh t\u0129nh. V\u00f4 l\u00fd th\u1eadt. S\u1ef1 nh\u1eb9 nh\u00f5m h\u1ebft s\u1ee9c d\u1ec5 ch\u1ecbu r\u1ed3i sau \u0111\u00f3 \u00f4ng l\u1ea1i gi\u1eadn Fiona, m\u1eb9 c\u1ee7a Meggie, \u00f4ng th\u00e1n ph\u1ee5c v\u1edbi s\u1ef1 kinh ng\u1ea1c khi ngh\u0129 \u0111\u1ebfn c\u00f4 g\u00e1i b\u00e9 b\u1ecfng \u1ea5y sao l\u1ea1i c\u00f3 th\u1ec3 ch\u1ecbu \u0111\u1ef1ng m\u1ed9t c\u1ef1c h\u00ecnh dai d\u1eb3ng, m\u1ed9t s\u1ef1 kh\u00f3 ch\u1ecbu nh\u01b0 th\u1ebf m\u00e0 kh\u00f4ng h\u00ecnh dung \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c l\u00e0 c\u00e1i g\u00ec. \u00d4ng \u0111\u00e3 t\u1eebng nghe nh\u1eefng chuy\u1ec7n t\u01b0\u01a1ng t\u1ef1 nh\u01b0 chuy\u1ec7n Meggie k\u1ec3 trong su\u1ed9c cu\u1ed9c \u0111\u1eddi linh m\u1ee5c. M\u1ed7i th\u00e0nh ph\u1ed1 cha t\u1eebng \u1edf l\u1ea1i t\u1eeb Dublin \u0111\u1ebfn Gillabone, \u0111\u1ec1u c\u00f3 nh\u1eefng c\u00f4 g\u00e1i h\u01b0 h\u1ecfng len v\u00e0o ph\u00f2ng x\u01b0ng t\u1ed9i k\u1ec3 l\u1ec3 nh\u1eefng chuy\u1ec7n b\u1ecba \u0111\u1eb7t c\u1ee9 nh\u01b0 l\u00e0 th\u1eadt v\u1edbi m\u1ee5c \u0111\u00edch duy nh\u1ea5t l\u00e0 kh\u01a1i d\u1eady c\u00e1i \u0111i\u1ec1u m\u00e0 h\u1ecd t\u00f2 m\u00f2 nh\u1ea5t \u1edf m\u1ed9t linh m\u1ee5c: \u0111\u00f3 l\u00e0 t\u00ednh sung m\u00e3n c\u1ee7a ng\u01b0\u1eddi \u0111\u00e0n \u00f4ng. T\u1ea5t c\u1ea3 \u0111\u00e1m con g\u00e1i \u0111\u00f3 kh\u00f4ng ch\u1ecbu nh\u00ecn nh\u1eadn r\u1eb1ng h\u1ecd ho\u00e0n to\u00e0n th\u1ea5t b\u1ea1i trong toan t\u00ednh n\u00e0y. H\u1ecd th\u00ec th\u1ea7m k\u1ec3 l\u1ea1i n\u00e0o l\u00e0 h\u1ecd \u0111\u00e3 b\u1ecb h\u00e3m hi\u1ebfp nh\u01b0 th\u1ebf n\u00e0o, g\u1ee3i l\u00ean nh\u1eefng tr\u00f2 c\u1ea5m k\u1ef5 gi\u1eefa h\u1ecd v\u1edbi nh\u1eefng \u0111\u1ee9a con g\u00e1i kh\u00e1c, nh\u1eefng chuy\u1ec7n d\u00e2m \u0111\u00e3ng v\u00e0 ngo\u1ea1i t\u00ecnh; m\u1ed9t v\u00e0i c\u00f4 trong b\u1ecdn, \u00f3c t\u01b0\u1edfng t\u01b0\u1ee3ng phong ph\u00fa h\u01a1n, \u0111\u1ebfn m\u1ee9c k\u1ec3 t\u1ec9 m\u1ec9 nh\u1eefng chi ti\u1ebft l\u00e0m t\u00ecnh v\u1edbi m\u1ed9t linh m\u1ee5c. Th\u1ebf m\u00e0 cha Ralph v\u1eabn nghe, ho\u00e0n to\u00e0n kh\u00f4ng xao xuy\u1ebfn m\u00e0 ch\u1ec9 th\u1ea5y kinh t\u1edfm v\u00e0 x\u00f3t xa cho h\u1ecd. Cha \u0111\u00e3 tr\u1ea3i qua cu\u1ed9c s\u1ed1ng kh\u1eafc kh\u1ed5 \u1edf tu vi\u1ec7n. H\u01a1n th\u1ebf n\u1eefa v\u1edbi m\u1ed9t con ng\u01b0\u1eddi thu\u1ed9c t\u1ea7m c\u1ee1 \u00f4ng, b\u00e0i h\u1ecdc \u1ea5y \u00f4ng ti\u00eau h\u00f3a kh\u00f4ng kh\u00f3 kh\u0103n l\u1eafm. Nh\u01b0ng trong t\u1ea5t c\u1ea3 c\u00e1c tr\u01b0\u1eddng h\u1ee3p \u0111\u00e3 qua, ch\u01b0a bao gi\u1edd c\u00e1c c\u00f4 g\u00e1i l\u1ea1i n\u00f3i v\u1ec1 nh\u1eefng ch\u1ed7 y\u1ebfu c\u1ee7a th\u00e2n x\u00e1c, l\u00e0m h\u1ea1 ph\u1ea9m gi\u00e1 c\u1ee7a h\u1ecd. D\u00f9 h\u1ebft s\u1ee9c c\u1ed1 g\u1eafng nh\u01b0ng cha Ralph kh\u00f4ng th\u1ec3 ng\u0103n ch\u1eb7n m\u00e1u trong ng\u01b0\u1eddi n\u00f3ng l\u00ean. M\u1eb7t \u1eedng \u0111\u1ecf; cha Ralph quay \u0111\u1ea7u \u0111i v\u00e0 \u00fap m\u1eb7t trong tay, ch\u1ed1ng ch\u1ecfi l\u1ea1i s\u1ef1 h\u1ed5 th\u1eb9n l\u1ea7n \u0111\u1ea7u l\u00e0m \u0111\u1ecf m\u1eb7t \u00f4ng. Nh\u01b0ng t\u1ea5t c\u1ea3 nh\u1eefng chuy\u1ec7n \u1ea5y kh\u00f4ng gi\u00fap g\u00ec cho c\u00f4 g\u00e1i b\u00e9 Meggie. Khi bi\u1ebft ch\u1eafc r\u1eb1ng s\u1eafc m\u1eb7t c\u1ee7a m\u00ecnh \u0111\u00e3 tr\u1edf l\u1ea1i b\u00ecnh th\u01b0\u1eddng, cha Ralph \u0111\u1ee9ng d\u1eady, n\u00e2ng Meggie l\u00ean v\u00e0 \u0111\u1eb7t c\u00f4 g\u00e1i ng\u1ed3i tr\u00ean b\u1ec7 \u0111\u00e1 c\u1ea9m th\u1ea1ch \u0111\u1ec3 cho m\u1eb7t c\u1ee7a Meggie cao ngang v\u1edbi \u00f4ng. - Meggie h\u00e3y nh\u00ecn cha. \u0110\u1eebng l\u00e0m th\u1ebf, h\u00e3y nh\u00ecn th\u1eb3ng cha. Meggie ng\u01b0\u1edbc l\u00ean v\u1edbi \u0111\u00f4i m\u1eaft c\u1ee7a con th\u00fa b\u1ecb s\u0103n \u0111u\u1ed5i v\u00e0 th\u1ea5y linh m\u1ee5c m\u1ec9m c\u01b0\u1eddi; t\u00e2m h\u1ed3n c\u00f4 c\u1ea3m th\u1ea5y nh\u1eb9 nh\u00e0ng m\u1ed9t ni\u1ec1m an \u1ee7i v\u00f4 h\u1ea1n. Cha s\u1ebd kh\u00f4ng m\u1ec9m c\u01b0\u1eddi nh\u01b0 th\u1ebf n\u1ebfu c\u00f4 s\u1eafp ch\u1ebft. Meggie bi\u1ebft r\u1ea5t r\u00f5 cha Ralph ch\u1eb3ng bao gi\u1edd gi\u1ea5u di\u1ebfm t\u00ecnh c\u1ea3m c\u1ee7a \u00f4ng.","- Meggie, con kh\u00f4ng bi\u1ebft \u0111\u00e2u v\u00e0 con c\u0169ng kh\u00f4ng b\u1ecb ung th\u01b0. \u0110\u00fang ra \u1edf c\u01b0\u01a1ng v\u1ecb n\u00e0y cha kh\u00f4ng th\u1ec3 gi\u1ea3i th\u00edch chuy\u1ec7n g\u00ec \u0111\u00e3 x\u1ea3y ra nh\u01b0ng cha ngh\u0129 r\u1eb1ng cha ph\u1ea3i l\u00e0m th\u00f4i. \u0110\u00e1ng l\u00fd m\u1eb9 con h\u1ea3i n\u00f3i cho con bi\u1ebft t\u1eeb l\u00e2u, chu\u1ea9n b\u1ecb cho con s\u1eb5n s\u00e0ng \u0111\u00f3n nh\u1eadn hi\u1ec7n t\u01b0\u1ee3ng \u1ea5y. Cha kh\u00f4ng th\u1ec3 n\u00e0o hi\u1ec3u \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c t\u1ea1i sao m\u1eb9 con kh\u00f4ng l\u00e0m nh\u01b0 v\u1eady. Cha Ralph li\u1ebfc nh\u00ecn b\u1ee9c t\u01b0\u1ee3ng th\u00e1nh b\u1eb1ng c\u1ea9m th\u1ea1ch \u0111\u1ee9ng s\u1eefng tr\u00ean cao, r\u1ed3i c\u01b0\u1eddi nh\u01b0 t\u1eaft ngh\u1eb9n. - L\u1ea1y Ch\u00faa! Ch\u00faa giao cho con m\u1ed9t nhi\u1ec7m v\u1ee5 kh\u00f4ng d\u1ec5 d\u00e0ng. N\u00e0y Meggie th\u00e2n y\u00eau, v\u1edbi n\u0103m th\u00e1ng, khi con l\u1edbn l\u00ean, r\u1ed3i gi\u00e0 \u0111i v\u00e0 khi con bi\u1ebft \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c nhi\u1ec1u h\u01a1n v\u1ec1 nh\u1eefng th\u1ef1c t\u1ebf c\u1ee7a cu\u1ed9c s\u1ed1ng, con s\u1ebd nh\u1edb l\u1ea1i c\u00e1i ng\u00e0y n\u00e0y m\u00e0 kh\u00f4ng kh\u1ecfi kh\u00f3 ch\u1ecbu, h\u1ed5 th\u1eb9n n\u1eefa l\u00e0 kh\u00e1c. Nh\u01b0ng \u0111\u1eebng gi\u1eef k\u1ef7 ni\u1ec7m n\u00e0y l\u00e0m g\u00ec, Meggie \u1ea1. T\u1ea5t c\u1ea3 chuy\u1ec7n n\u00e0y ch\u1eb3ng c\u00f3 g\u00ec l\u1ea1 x\u1ea5u h\u1ed5 v\u00e0 ch\u1eb3ng c\u00f3 g\u00ec ng\u01b0\u1ee3ng ng\u1eadp c\u1ea3. L\u00fac n\u00e0y, c\u0169ng nh\u01b0 m\u1ecdi khi, cha ch\u1ec9 l\u00e0 c\u00f4ng c\u1ee5 \u1edf tr\u1ea7n th\u1ebf, cha kh\u00f4ng c\u00f3 quy\u1ec1n ngh\u0129 \u0111\u1ebfn nhi\u1ec7m v\u1ee5 n\u00e0o kh\u00e1c. Con \u0111\u00e3 qu\u00e1 s\u1ee3 h\u00e3i, con c\u1ea7n s\u1ef1 gi\u00fap \u0111\u1ee1, v\u00e0 \u0110\u1ee9c Ch\u00faa Tr\u1eddi \u0111\u00e3 ban cho con s\u1ef1 gi\u00fap \u0111\u00f3 qua \u0111\u1ea1i di\u1ec7n c\u1ee7a Ng\u01b0\u1eddi l\u00e0 ta. Con n\u00ean nh\u1edb \u0111i\u1ec1u \u1ea5y, Meggie \u1ea1. Cha l\u00e0 t\u00f4i t\u1edb c\u1ee7a Ch\u00faa v\u00e0 nh\u1eefng g\u00ec cha n\u00f3i \u0111\u1ec1u nh\u00e2n danh Ch\u00faa. Chuy\u1ec7n x\u1ea3y ra v\u1edbi con l\u00e0 chuy\u1ec7n \u0111\u00e3 x\u1ea3y ra v\u1edbi t\u1ea5t c\u1ea3 m\u1ecdi ph\u1ee5 n\u1eef, Meggie, m\u1ed7i th\u00e1ng m\u1ed9t l\u1ea7n v\u00e0 k\u00e9o d\u00e0i trong nhi\u1ec1u ng\u00e0y, con s\u1ebd th\u1ea5y ra m\u00e1u. Th\u01b0\u1eddng chuy\u1ec7n \u0111\u00f3 xu\u1ea5t hi\u1ec7n \u1edf tu\u1ed5i 12, 13... Con \u0111\u00e3 m\u1ea5y tu\u1ed5i? - Th\u01b0a con m\u01b0\u1eddi l\u0103m! - M\u01b0\u1eddi l\u0103m \u00e0? Con \u0111\u00e3 m\u01b0\u1eddi l\u0103m? - Cha Ralph l\u1eafc \u0111\u1ea7u kh\u00f4ng tin - Nh\u01b0ng th\u00f4i, con \u0111\u00e3 n\u00f3i v\u1edbi cha th\u00ec cha kh\u00f4ng nghi ng\u1edd g\u00ec. V\u1edbi c\u00e1i tu\u1ed5i m\u01b0\u1eddi l\u0103m chuy\u1ec7n \u1ea5y x\u1ea3y ra nh\u01b0 th\u1ebf l\u00e0 tr\u1ec5. Hi\u1ec7n t\u01b0\u1ee3ng n\u00e0y s\u1ebd di\u1ec5n ra m\u1ed7i th\u00e1ng cho \u0111\u1ebfn khi con tr\u00ean 50 tu\u1ed5i. V\u1edbi m\u1ed9t s\u1ed1 ng\u01b0\u1eddi n\u00f3 xu\u1ea5t hi\u1ec7n \u0111\u1ec1u \u0111\u1eb7n theo chu k\u1ef3 tu\u1ea7n tr\u0103ng, v\u1edbi m\u1ed9t s\u1ed1 kh\u00e1c c\u00f3 th\u1ec3 kh\u00f4ng \u0111\u1ec1u \u0111\u1eb7n. V\u1edbi ng\u01b0\u1eddi n\u00e0y kh\u00f4ng b\u1ecb \u0111au \u0111\u1edbn, v\u1edbi ng\u01b0\u1eddi kh\u00e1c th\u00ec ng\u01b0\u1ee3c l\u1ea1i. Ng\u01b0\u1eddi ta kh\u00f4ng bi\u1ebft \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c t\u1ea1i sao s\u1ef1 kh\u00e1c nhau \u1ea5y. Nh\u01b0ng \u0111\u00f3 l\u00e0 d\u1ea5u hi\u1ec7u tr\u01b0\u1edfng th\u00e0nh c\u1ee7a con. Con c\u00f3 hi\u1ec3u tr\u01b0\u1edfng th\u00e0nh l\u00e0 g\u00ec kh\u00f4ng? - Con bi\u1ebft ch\u1ee9, th\u01b0a cha. Con \u0111\u1ecdc s\u00e1ch! Tr\u01b0\u1edfng th\u00e0nh c\u00f3 ngh\u0129a l\u00e0 con \u0111\u00e3 l\u1edbn. - T\u1ed1t. Gi\u1ea3i th\u00edch nh\u01b0 th\u1ebf c\u0169ng kh\u00e1 \u0111\u1ee7. Khi n\u00e0o con ra m\u00e1u l\u00e0 ng\u01b0\u1eddi ph\u1ee5 n\u1eef c\u00f2n c\u00f3 th\u1ec3 c\u00f3 con. \u0110\u00f3 l\u00e0 s\u1ef1 k\u1ebf t\u1ee5c n\u00f2i gi\u1ed1ng. V\u00e0o th\u1eddi k\u1ef3 tr\u01b0\u1edbc khi x\u1ea3y ra t\u1ed9i t\u1ed5 t\u00f4ng, h\u00ecnh nh\u01b0 Eva kh\u00f4ng c\u00f3 kinh nguy\u1ec7t. Kinh nguy\u1ec7t l\u00e0 t\u00ean g\u1ecdi hi\u1ec7n t\u01b0\u1ee3ng \u0111\u00e3 x\u1ea3y \u0111\u1ebfn v\u1edbi con, Meggie. Nh\u01b0ng khi Adam v\u00e0 Eva ph\u1ea1m t\u1ed9i, Ch\u00faa Tr\u1eddi \u0111\u00e3 tr\u1eebng ph\u1ea1t ng\u01b0\u1eddi ph\u1ee5 n\u1eef n\u1eb7ng h\u01a1n v\u00ec r\u1eb1ng trong s\u1ef1 sa ng\u00e3 \u1ea5y, ng\u01b0\u1eddi ph\u1ee5 n\u1eef c\u00f3 t\u1ed9i nhi\u1ec1u h\u01a1n, ch\u00ednh h\u1ecd \u0111\u00e3 c\u00e1m d\u1ed7 ng\u01b0\u1eddi \u0111\u00e0n \u00f4ng. Con c\u00f3 nh\u1edb nh\u1eefng l\u1eddi gi\u1ea3ng trong kinh th\u00e1nh kh\u00f4ng? Ng\u01b0\u1eddi s\u1ebd sinh \u0111\u1ebb trong \u0111au \u0111\u1edbn, c\u00f3 ngh\u0129a l\u00e0 Ch\u00faa mu\u1ed1n r\u1eb1ng \u0111\u1ed1i v\u1edbi ng\u01b0\u1eddi ph\u1ee5 n\u1eef, t\u1ea5t c\u1ea3 nh\u1eefng g\u00ec li\u00ean quan \u0111\u1ebfn vi\u1ec7c sinh \u0111\u1ebb \u0111\u1ec1u l\u00e0 ngu\u1ed3n g\u1ed1c c\u1ee7a m\u1ecdi t\u1ed9i l\u1ed7i. \u0110\u00f3 l\u00e0 nh\u1eefng ni\u1ec1m vui s\u01b0\u1edbng th\u1eadt l\u1edbn lao nh\u01b0ng \u0111\u1ed3ng th\u1eddi c\u0169ng l\u00e0 nh\u1eefng \u0111au \u0111\u1edbn t\u1eadn c\u00f9ng. \u0110\u00f3 l\u00e0 ph\u1ea7n s\u1ed1 c\u1ee7a con ng\u01b0\u1eddi, Meggie \u1ea1, con ph\u1ea3i cam ch\u1ecbu nh\u01b0 v\u1eady. Meggie kh\u00f4ng bi\u1ebft r\u1eb1ng cha Ralph c\u0169ng s\u1eb5n s\u00e0ng mang l\u1ea1i s\u1ef1 an \u1ee7i v\u00e0 gi\u00fap \u0111\u1ee1 y nh\u01b0 th\u1ebf v\u1edbi b\u1ea5t c\u1ee9 m\u1ed9t n\u1eef gi\u00e1o d\u00e2n n\u00e0o, m\u1eb7c d\u00f9 c\u00f3 khi cha kh\u00f4ng thi\u1ebft tha \u0111\u1ebfn s\u1ed1 ph\u1eadn c\u1ee7a h\u1ecd nh\u01b0 \u0111\u1ed1i v\u1edbi s\u1ed1 ph\u1eadn c\u1ee7a","Meggie. Cha l\u00e0 hi\u1ec7n th\u00e2n c\u1ee7a l\u00f2ng t\u1ed1t, nh\u01b0ng kh\u00f4ng bao gi\u1edd cha l\u1ea1i \u0111\u1ec3 b\u1ecb l\u00f4i cu\u1ed1n v\u00e0o nh\u1eefng n\u1ed7i lo \u00e2u. S\u1ef1 an \u1ee7i v\u00e0 gi\u00fap \u0111\u1ee1 ri\u00eang c\u00e0ng c\u00f3 \u00edch g\u1ea5p b\u1ed9i \u0111\u1ed1i v\u1edbi ng\u01b0\u1eddi \u0111\u00f3n nh\u1eadn. Cha Ralph v\u01b0\u1ee3t l\u00ean tr\u00ean nh\u1eefng \u0111i\u1ec1u t\u1ea7m th\u01b0\u1eddng. B\u1ea5t c\u1ee9 ai c\u1ea7n s\u1ef1 gi\u00fap \u0111\u1ee1 c\u1ee7a cha \u0111\u1ec1u kh\u00f4ng c\u1ea3m th\u1ea5y b\u1ecb gh\u00e9t b\u1ecf hay ch\u00ea tr\u00e1ch. Nhi\u1ec1u linh m\u1ee5c \u0111\u00e3 khi\u1ebfn cho con chi\u00ean mang m\u1eb7c c\u1ea3m t\u1ed9i l\u1ed7i, x\u1ea5u xa, \u0111\u00ea ti\u1ec7n khi ra v\u1ec1. C\u00f2n cha Ralph th\u00ec kh\u00f4ng. Cha Ralph l\u00e0m cho h\u1ecd hi\u1ec3u r\u1eb1ng, ch\u00ednh b\u1ea3n th\u00e2n \u00f4ng, c\u0169ng c\u00f3 nh\u1eefng ni\u1ec1m \u0111au v\u00e0 nh\u1eefng cu\u1ed9c \u0111\u1ea5u tranh. Ni\u1ec1m \u0111au th\u00ec xa l\u1ea1 c\u00f2n cu\u1ed9c \u0111\u1ea5u tranh c\u00f3 th\u1ec3 kh\u00f4ng th\u1ea5y r\u00f5 h\u1ebft nh\u01b0ng kh\u00f4ng v\u00ec hi\u1ec3u \u0111i\u1ec1u n\u00e0y, r\u1eb1ng ph\u1ea7n l\u1edbn s\u1ee9c quy\u1ebfn r\u0169 v\u00e0 s\u1ee9c h\u1ea5p d\u1eabn c\u1ee7a \u00f4ng kh\u00f4ng do con ng\u01b0\u1eddi x\u00e1c th\u1ecbt c\u1ee7a \u00f4ng t\u1ea1o n\u00ean, m\u00e0 do ch\u00ednh s\u1ef1 xa c\u00e1ch g\u1ea7n nh\u01b0 th\u1ea7n th\u00e1nh, do m\u1ed9t ph\u1ea7n nh\u1ecf r\u1ea5t con ng\u01b0\u1eddi th\u1ea5m s\u00e2u v\u00e0o t\u00e2m h\u1ed3n \u00f4ng. V\u1edbi Meggie, \u00f4ng n\u00f3i chuy\u1ec7n nh\u01b0 Frank \u0111\u00e3 n\u00f3i chuy\u1ec7n v\u1edbi em g\u00e1i, ngang h\u00e0ng nhau. Nh\u01b0ng \u00f4ng l\u1edbn tu\u1ed5i h\u01a1n, s\u00e1ng su\u1ed1t h\u01a1n v\u00e0 hi\u1ec3u bi\u1ebft h\u01a1n Frank nhi\u1ec1u, do \u0111\u00f3 \u00f4ng l\u00e0 ng\u01b0\u1eddi m\u00e0 Meggie c\u00f3 th\u1ec3 t\u00e2m t\u00ecnh tho\u1ea3i m\u00e1i h\u01a1n. Gi\u1ecdng n\u00f3i c\u1ee7a cha Ralph thanh tho\u00e1t mang \u00e2m \u0111i\u1ec7u nh\u1eb9 nh\u00e0ng c\u1ee7a ng\u01b0\u1eddi Ailen, c\u00f3 kh\u1ea3 n\u0103ng l\u00e0m l\u1eafng xu\u1ed1ng m\u1ecdi s\u1ee3 h\u00e3i v\u00e0 \u00e2u lo. Meggie c\u00f2n tr\u1ebb, l\u00fac n\u00e0o c\u0169ng t\u00f2 m\u00f2, khao kh\u00e1t \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c hi\u1ec3u t\u1ea5t c\u1ea3 nh\u1eefng g\u00ec c\u1ea7n thi\u1ebft; \u0111\u1ea7u \u00f3c ch\u01b0a bao gi\u1edd b\u1ecb r\u1ed1i lo\u1ea1n b\u1edfi nh\u1eefng tri\u1ebft l\u00fd v\u1ed1n th\u01b0\u1eddng g\u00e2y hoang mang. Cha Ralph l\u00e0 ng\u01b0\u1eddi b\u1ea1n c\u1ee7a c\u00f4, l\u00e0 th\u1ea7n t\u01b0\u1ee3ng y\u00eau th\u01b0\u01a1ng c\u1ee7a l\u00f2ng c\u00f4, m\u1ed9t m\u1eb7t tr\u1eddi m\u1edbi trong b\u1ea7u tr\u1eddi ri\u00eang c\u1ee7a c\u00f4. - Meggie, b\u00e2y gi\u1edd con ph\u1ea3i tr\u1edf v\u1ec1 nh\u00e0 v\u00e0 n\u00f3i cho m\u1eb9 con bi\u1ebft l\u00e0 con b\u1ecb ra m\u00e1u. M\u1eb9 con s\u1ebd ch\u1ec9 c\u00e1ch l\u00e0m th\u1ebf n\u00e0o \u0111\u1ec3 gi\u1eef cho con \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c s\u1ea1ch. - M\u1eb9 con c\u0169ng b\u1ecb nh\u01b0 th\u1ebf ch\u1ee9? - T\u1ea5t c\u1ea3 ph\u1ee5 n\u1eef kh\u1ecfe m\u1ea1nh \u0111\u1ec1u b\u1ecb nh\u01b0 th\u1ebf. Nh\u01b0ng khi mang thai, s\u1ebd ng\u01b0ng l\u1ea1i cho \u0111\u1ebfn ng\u00e0y sinh em b\u00e9. Ch\u00ednh khi t\u1eaft kinh, ng\u01b0\u1eddi ph\u1ee5 n\u1eef bi\u1ebft r\u1eb1ng m\u00ecnh \u0111ang mang trong ng\u01b0\u1eddi m\u1ed9t m\u1ea7m s\u1ed1ng m\u1edbi. - T\u1ea1i sao m\u00e1u ng\u01b0ng ch\u1ea3y ra khi ng\u01b0\u1eddi ph\u1ee5 n\u1eef ch\u1edd \u0111\u1ee3i sinh con? - Cha kh\u00f4ng bi\u1ebft, th\u1eadt s\u1ef1 kh\u00f4ng bi\u1ebft. Xin l\u1ed7i con, Meggie. - T\u1ea1i sao m\u00e1u l\u1ea1i ch\u1ea3y \u1edf ph\u00eda sau? Cha Ralph h\u01b0\u1edbng m\u1eaft gi\u1eadn d\u1eef v\u1ec1 ph\u00eda t\u01b0\u1ee3ng th\u00e1nh \u0111ang b\u00ecnh th\u1ea3n ng\u1eafm nh\u00ecn \u00f4ng, b\u1ea5t \u0111\u1ed9ng tr\u01b0\u1edbc nh\u1eefng bu\u1ed3n phi\u1ec1n m\u00e0 nh\u1eefng ng\u01b0\u1eddi ph\u1ee5 n\u1eef g\u1eb7p ph\u1ea3i. M\u1ecdi vi\u1ec7c tr\u1edf n\u00ean qu\u00e1 h\u00f3c b\u00faa \u0111\u1ed1i v\u1edbi cha Ralph. \u00d4ng kh\u00f4ng ng\u1edd Meggie l\u1ea1i \u0111\u1eb7t c\u00e1c c\u00e2u h\u1ecfi xa v\u1eddi m\u00e0 b\u00ecnh th\u01b0\u1eddng c\u00f4 hay b\u1ecf l\u1eedng n\u1eeda ch\u1eebng, \u0111i\u1ec1u \u1ea5y khi\u1ebfn cho cha kinh ng\u1ea1c! Nh\u01b0ng \u00f4ng \u00fd th\u1ee9c r\u1eb1ng t\u1eeb nay \u00f4ng s\u1ebd l\u00e0 ngu\u1ed3n cung c\u1ea5p hi\u1ec3u bi\u1ebft cho Meggie, \u00f4ng c\u1ed1 tr\u00e1nh b\u1eb1ng m\u1ecdi gi\u00e1 kh\u00f4ng \u0111\u1ec3 c\u00f4 ph\u00e1t hi\u1ec7n s\u1ef1 b\u1ed1i r\u1ed1i v\u00e0 kh\u00f3 ch\u1ecbu c\u1ee7a m\u00ecnh. R\u1ea5t c\u00f3 kh\u1ea3 n\u0103ng, c\u00f4 s\u1ebd thu m\u00ecnh l\u1ea1i v\u00e0 kh\u00f4ng th\u00e8m \u0111\u1eb7t c\u00e2u h\u1ecfi v\u1edbi \u00f4ng n\u1eefa. - M\u00e1u kh\u00f4ng ch\u1ea3y ra t\u1eeb ph\u00eda sau c\u1ee7a con, Meggie - \u00f4ng tr\u1ea3 l\u1eddi, v\u1edbi t\u1ea5t c\u1ea3 s\u1ef1 ki\u00ean nh\u1eabn. N\u00f3 ch\u1ea3y ra t\u1eeb m\u1ed9t n\u01a1i \u1ea9n gi\u1ea5u, ph\u00eda tr\u01b0\u1edbc th\u00e2n th\u1ec3 con, c\u00e1i n\u01a1i d\u00ednh d\u00e1ng m\u1eadt thi\u1ebft v\u1edbi chuy\u1ec7n c\u00f3 con. - \u1ed2, c\u00f3 ph\u1ea3i \u00fd cha mu\u1ed1n n\u00f3i m\u00e1u ch\u1ea3y ra t\u1eeb ch\u1ed7 \u1ea5y? Meggie reo l\u00ean. Nhi\u1ec1u l\u1ea7n con \u0111\u00e3 t\u1ef1 h\u1ecfi c\u00e1c em b\u00e9 ra \u0111\u1eddi nh\u01b0 th\u1ebf n\u00e0o? \u00f4ng m\u1ec9m c\u01b0\u1eddi, nh\u1ea5c b\u1ed5ng Meggie l\u00ean kh\u1ecfi b\u1ec7 \u0111\u00e1.","- B\u00e2y gi\u1edd th\u00ec Meggie \u0111\u00e3 bi\u1ebft t\u1ea5t c\u1ea3 r\u1ed3i. Con c\u00f3 bi\u1ebft ai t\u1ea1o ra nh\u1eefng \u0111\u1ee9a con kh\u00f4ng, Meggie? - \u1ed2, bi\u1ebft ch\u1ee9! - Meggie \u01b0\u1ee1n ng\u1ef1c ra, vui s\u01b0\u1edbng v\u00ec \u0111\u00e3 hi\u1ec3u bi\u1ebft ch\u00fat \u00edt - Ng\u01b0\u1eddi ta l\u00e0m cho c\u00e1c em b\u00e9 m\u1ecdc ra. - V\u00e0 con c\u00f3 bi\u1ebft ch\u00fang b\u1eaft \u0111\u1ea7u m\u1ecdc ra nh\u01b0 th\u1ebf n\u00e0o kh\u00f4ng? - Khi ng\u01b0\u1eddi ta mu\u1ed1n c\u00f3 c\u00e1c em b\u00e9 m\u1ed9t c\u00e1ch m\u00e3nh li\u1ec7t. - Ai n\u00f3i cho con nghe \u0111i\u1ec1u \u1ea5y? - Kh\u00f4ng ai c\u1ea3. Con t\u1ef1 hi\u1ec3u nh\u01b0 th\u1ebf. Cha Ralph nh\u1eafm m\u1eaft l\u1ea1i v\u00e0 th\u1ea7m ngh\u0129 kh\u00f4ng ai c\u00f3 th\u1ec3 k\u1ebft t\u1ed9i \u00f4ng h\u00e8n nh\u00e1t v\u00ec \u0111\u00e3 b\u1ecf l\u1eedng chuy\u1ec7n \u1ea5y \u1edf \u0111\u00f3. D\u00f9 cho \u00f4ng c\u00f3 th\u01b0\u01a1ng h\u1ea1i c\u00f4 g\u00e1i b\u00e9 nh\u1ecf, \u00f4ng v\u1eabn kh\u00f4ng th\u1ec3 gi\u00fap \u0111\u1ee1 c\u00f4 ta xa h\u01a1n. Th\u1eed th\u00e1ch m\u00e0 \u00f4ng tr\u1ea3i qua nh\u01b0 th\u1ebf qu\u00e1 \u0111\u1ee7 r\u1ed3i.","C\u200b H\u01af\u01a0NG 11 Mary Carson s\u1eafp 72 tu\u1ed5i, b\u00e0 chu\u1ea9n b\u1ecb chu \u0111\u00e1o cho bu\u1ed5i ti\u1ebfp t\u00e2n l\u1edbn, ch\u01b0a t\u1eebng c\u00f3 \u1edf Drogheda trong 50 n\u0103m qua. Ng\u00e0y k\u1ef7 ni\u1ec7m sinh nh\u1eadt c\u1ee7a b\u00e0 \u0111\u00fang v\u00e0o th\u01b0\u1ee3ng tu\u1ea7n th\u00e1ng 11, b\u1ea5y gi\u1edd tr\u1eddi v\u1eabn c\u00f2n n\u00f3ng d\u1eef d\u1ed9i, nh\u1ea5t l\u00e0 \u0111\u1ed1i v\u1edbi ng\u01b0\u1eddi d\u00e2n \u1edf Gilly. - B\u00e0 Smith h\u00e3y nh\u1edb nh\u00e9 \u0111i\u1ec1u t\u00f4i \u0111\u00e3 n\u00f3i v\u1edbi b\u00e0. Minnie th\u00ec th\u1ea7m. \u0110\u1eebng qu\u00ean nh\u00e9! B\u00e0 ta sinh ng\u00e0y 3 th\u00e1ng 11 - Nh\u01b0ng m\u00e0y mu\u1ed1n n\u00f3i g\u00ec n\u1eefa, Minnie? B\u00e0 qu\u1ea3n gia h\u1ecfi. Th\u00e1i \u0111\u1ed9 b\u00ed hi\u1ec3m theo ki\u1ec3u ng\u01b0\u1eddi Scotland c\u1ee7a Minnie g\u00e2y b\u1ef1c b\u1ed9i cho b\u00e0 gi\u00e0 ng\u01b0\u1eddi Anh. - Sao, b\u00e0 kh\u00f4ng hi\u1ec3u \u00e0? \u0110i\u1ec1u \u0111\u00f3 ch\u1ee9ng t\u1ecf ng\u00e0y sinh c\u1ee7a b\u00e0 ta l\u00e0 con b\u1ecd c\u1ea1p. M\u1ed9t con b\u1ecd c\u1ea1p... B\u00e0 c\u00f3 th\u1ea5y \u0111\u00fang th\u1ebf kh\u00f4ng? Tr\u00ean chi\u1ebfc gh\u1ebf b\u00e0nh, con nh\u1ec7n c\u00e1i gi\u00e0 \u1edf trung t\u00e2m m\u1ea1ng l\u01b0\u1edbi, ph\u00e1t ra m\u1ed9t lo\u1ea1t m\u1ec7nh l\u1ec7nh; ph\u1ea3i l\u00e0m th\u1ebf n\u00e0y, ph\u1ea3i l\u00e0m th\u1ebf kia, \u0111em c\u00e1i n\u00e0y ra, d\u1eddi c\u00e1i kia \u0111i ch\u1ed7 kh\u00e1c. Hai c\u00f4 g\u00e1i h\u1ea7u ph\u00f2ng \u0111ang \u0111\u00e1nh b\u00f3ng nh\u1eefng \u0111\u1ed3 b\u1eb1ng b\u1ea1c v\u00e0 r\u1eeda b\u1ed9 ch\u00e9n \u0111\u0129a b\u1eb1ng s\u1ee9 Haviland, bi\u1ebfn nh\u00e0 nguy\u1ec7n nh\u1ecf trong nh\u00e0 th\u00e0nh n\u01a1i chi\u00eau \u0111\u00e3i v\u00e0 x\u1ebfp nh\u1eefng b\u00e0n d\u00e0i \u0111\u1ea7y b\u00e1nh r\u01b0\u1ee3u \u1edf m\u1ea5y ph\u00f2ng b\u00ean c\u1ea1nh. D\u00e0n nh\u1ea1c Clarence O'' Toole s\u1ebd t\u1eeb Sydney \u0111\u1ebfn c\u00f9ng m\u1ed9t l\u00fac v\u1edbi c\u00e1c m\u00f3n h\u1ea3i s\u1ea3n qu\u00ed. C\u1ea3 m\u1ed9t v\u00f9ng r\u1ed9ng l\u1edbn, t\u1eeb Rudna Hunish \u0111\u1ebfn Inishmurray v\u00e0 Bugela \u0111\u1ebfn Narrengang r\u1ed9n r\u00e0ng chu\u1ea9n b\u1ecb tham d\u1ef1 bu\u1ed5i l\u1ec5 n\u00e0y. Gi\u1eefa l\u00fac n\u1ec1n \u0111\u00e1 c\u1ea9m th\u1ea1ch c\u1ee7a \u0111\u1ea1i s\u1ea3nh vang l\u00ean nh\u1eefng ti\u1ebfng b\u00e0n gh\u1ebf x\u00ea d\u1ecbch, nh\u1eefng ti\u1ebfng g\u1ecdi nhau \u01a1i \u1edbi c\u1ee7a nh\u1eefng ng\u01b0\u1eddi khu\u00e2n v\u00e1c \u0111ang b\u00e0y vi\u1ec7n ph\u00f2ng ti\u1ebfp t\u00e2n th\u00ec Mary Carson r\u1eddi kh\u1ecfi chi\u1ebfc gh\u1ebf b\u00e0nh, \u0111\u1ebfn ng\u1ed3i sau b\u00e0n vi\u1ebft. B\u00e0 l\u1ea5y ra m\u1ed9t t\u1edd gi\u1ea5y m\u1ecbn, ch\u1ea5m b\u00fat v\u00e0o b\u00ecnh m\u1ef1c r\u1ed3i b\u1eaft \u0111\u1ea7u. B\u00e0 vi\u1ebft li\u00ean t\u1ee5c kh\u00f4ng do d\u1ef1, ngay c\u1ea3 khi ch\u1ea5m ph\u1ea9y. N\u0103m n\u0103m g\u1ea7n \u0111\u00e2y, b\u00e0 \u0111\u00e3 suy ngh\u0129 m\u1ed9t c\u00e1ch chi li n\u1ed9i dung t\u1eebng c\u00e2u ph\u1ee9c t\u1ea1p, s\u1eafp x\u1ebfp th\u1eadt ch\u1ec9nh \u0111\u1ec3 t\u1eebng ch\u1eef \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c s\u1eed d\u1ee5ng \u0111\u00fang, ch\u00ednh x\u00e1c. Vi\u1ebft th\u00ec ch\u1eb3ng m\u1ea5t bao nhi\u00eau. B\u00e0 Carson vi\u1ebft \u0111\u1ea7y hai t\u1edd gi\u1ea5y, trong \u0111\u00f3 m\u1ed9t t\u1edd ch\u1ec9 hai ph\u1ea7n ba. Khi vi\u1ebft xong d\u00f2ng cu\u1ed1i c\u00f9ng, b\u00e0 ng\u1ed3i y\u00ean m\u1ed9t l\u00fac. B\u00e0n vi\u1ebft \u0111\u1eb7t b\u00ean c\u1ea1nh c\u1eeda s\u1ed5 l\u1edbn, ch\u1ec9 c\u1ea7n quay \u0111\u1ea7u l\u00e0 \u0111\u00e3 nh\u00ecn th\u1ea5y th\u1ea3m c\u1ecf tr\u01b0\u1edbc nh\u00e0. Ti\u1ebfng c\u01b0\u1eddi t\u1eeb ngo\u00e0i v\u1ecdng v\u00e0o l\u00e0m b\u00e0 ch\u00fa \u00fd, l\u00fac \u0111\u1ea7u b\u00e0 ch\u1eb3ng ngh\u0129 g\u00ec nh\u01b0ng sau \u0111\u00f3 l\u1ea1i kh\u01a1i d\u1eady trong b\u00e0 s\u1ef1 b\u1ef1c b\u1ed9i t\u1ee9c t\u1ed1i ng\u1ea5m ng\u1ea7m. C\u1ea7u Ch\u00faa h\u00e3y \u0111\u1ea7y h\u1eafn xu\u1ed1ng \u0111\u1ecba ng\u1ee5c, h\u1eafn v\u00e0 con ng\u01b0\u1eddi \u00e1m \u1ea3nh h\u1eafn. Cha Ralph b\u1ed7ng n\u1ea9y \u00fd ki\u1ebfn t\u1eadp Meggie c\u1ee1i ng\u1ef1a; d\u00f9 l\u00e0 m\u1ed9t c\u00f4 g\u00e1i \u1edf \u0111\u1ed3ng qu\u00ea, ch\u01b0a bao gi\u1edd Meggie c\u00f3 d\u1ecbp ng\u1ed3i tr\u00ean y\u00ean ng\u1ef1a. Th\u1ef1c t\u1ebf l\u1ea1 l\u00f9ng l\u00e0 c\u00e1c c\u00f4 g\u00e1i xu\u1ea5t th\u00e2n t\u1eeb nh\u1eefng gia \u0111\u00ecnh ngh\u00e8o r\u1ea5t \u00edt khi \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c c\u1ee1i ng\u1ef1a. \u0110\u00e2y l\u00e0 m\u1ed9t tr\u00f2 ti\u00eau khi\u1ec3n d\u00e0nh cho c\u00e1c ph\u1ee5 n\u1eef tr\u1ebb gi\u00e0u c\u00f3 - \u1ede n\u00f4ng th\u00f4n hay th\u00e0nh th\u1ecb c\u0169ng th\u1ebf. M\u1ed9t h\u00f4m cha Ralph mang t\u1eeb Gilly \u0111\u1ebfn m\u1ed9t \u0111\u00f4i \u1ee7ng ng\u1eafn, b\u1ed9 qu\u1ea7n \u00e1o c\u1ee1i ng\u1ef1a v\u00e0 n\u00e9m c\u00e1c th\u1ee9 \u1ea5y l\u00ean chi\u1ebfc b\u00e0n \u1edf nh\u00e0 b\u1ebfp gia d\u00ecnh Cleary. Pa\u0111y \u0111ang \u0111\u1ecdc s\u00e1ch sau bu\u1ed5i \u0103n tr\u01b0a gi\u1eadt m\u00ecnh, nh\u00ecn l\u00ean ng\u1ea1c","nhi\u00ean. - \u1ee6a, chuy\u1ec7n g\u00ec \u0111\u00f3, th\u01b0a cha? - \u00f4ng ta h\u1ecfi. - B\u1ed9 \u0111\u1ed3 \u0111i ng\u1ef1a cho Meggie. - Sao? Pa\u0111y kinh ng\u1ea1c. - \u0110\u1ed3 \u0111i ng\u1ef1a cho Meggie. Pa\u0111y \u00e0, \u00f4ng kh\u00f4ng th\u1ec3 n\u00e0o v\u1ee9t b\u1ecf c\u00e1i l\u1edbp nh\u00e0 qu\u00ea c\u1ee7a \u00f4ng hay sao? \u00d4ng l\u00e0 ng\u01b0\u1eddi th\u1eeba k\u1ebf c\u1ee7a m\u1ed9t \u0111i\u1ec1n trang r\u1ed9ng v\u00e0 gi\u00e0u nh\u1ea5t x\u1ee9 New South Wales, v\u1eady m\u00e0 ch\u01b0a bao gi\u1edd \u00f4ng cho ph\u00e9p c\u00f4 con g\u00e1i duy nh\u1ea5t c\u1ee7a \u00f4ng \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c c\u1ee1i ng\u1ef1a! Th\u1ebf th\u00ec l\u00e0m sao con g\u00e1i c\u1ee7a \u00f4ng gi\u1eef \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c v\u1ecb tr\u00ed b\u00ean c\u1ea1nh \u00e1i n\u1eef Carmichael, \u00e1i n\u1eef Hopeton v\u00e0 phu nh\u00e2n Antony King, t\u1ea5t c\u1ea3 \u0111\u1ec1u l\u00e0 nh\u1eefng k\u1ef5 s\u0129 t\u00e0i ba. Meggie ph\u1ea3i t\u1eadp c\u1ee1i ng\u1ef1a ng\u1ed3i m\u1ed9t b\u00ean theo c\u00e1ch d\u00e0nh cho ph\u1ee5 n\u1eef v\u00e0 c\u1ea3 hai b\u00ean nh\u01b0 \u0111\u00e0n \u00f4ng. \u00d4ng c\u00f3 nghe t\u00f4i kh\u00f4ng \u00f4ng Pa\u0111y? T\u00f4i bi\u1ebft \u00f4ng r\u1ea5t b\u1eadn, v\u1eady t\u00f4i s\u1ebd d\u1ea1y cho Meggie ngh\u1ec7 thu\u1eadt c\u1ee1i ng\u1ef1a, d\u00f9 \u00f4ng c\u00f3 th\u00edch hay kh\u00f4ng th\u00edch. N\u1ebfu v\u00ec chuy\u1ec7n n\u00e0y Meggie c\u00f3 xao l\u00e3ng vi\u1ec7c nh\u00e0 th\u00ec c\u0169ng ch\u1eb3ng sao. M\u1ed9t v\u00e0i gi\u1edd trong tu\u1ea7n Fiona s\u1ebd kh\u00f4ng c\u00f3 Meggie b\u00ean c\u1ea1nh \u0111\u1ec3 l\u00e0m vi\u1ec7c nh\u00e0. Ch\u00fang ta kh\u00f4ng tr\u1edf l\u1ea1i v\u1ea5n \u0111\u1ec1 n\u00e0y, d\u1ee9t kho\u00e1t l\u00e0 nh\u01b0 th\u1ebf. Pa\u0111y kh\u00f4ng c\u00f3 kh\u1ea3 n\u0103ng \u0111\u1ed1i \u0111\u1ea7u v\u1edbi m\u1ed9t linh m\u1ee5c; th\u1ebf l\u00e0 t\u1eeb \u0111\u00f3, Meggie b\u1eaft \u0111\u1ea7u t\u1eadp c\u1ee1i ng\u1ef1a. Nhi\u1ec1u n\u0103m tr\u01b0\u1edbc \u0111\u00e2y c\u00f4 b\u00e9 ao \u01b0\u1edbc ph\u00fat gi\u00e2y n\u00e0y. C\u00f3 m\u1ed9t l\u1ea7n, Meggie \u0111\u00e3 b\u00e0y t\u1ecf \u01b0\u1edbc mu\u1ed1n \u0111\u00f3 v\u1edbi cha nh\u01b0ng Pa\u0111y l\u1ea1i qu\u00ean, v\u00e0 c\u00f4 b\u00e9 c\u0169ng kh\u00f4ng nh\u1eafc l\u1ea1i coi nh\u01b0 cha m\u00ecnh im l\u1eb7ng c\u00f3 ngh\u0129a l\u00e0 t\u1eeb ch\u1ed1i. \u0110\u01b0\u1ee3c h\u1ecdc c\u1ee1i ng\u1ef1a d\u01b0\u1edbi s\u1ef1 h\u01b0\u1edbng d\u1eabn c\u1ee7a cha Ralph, Meggie sung s\u01b0\u1edbng ph\u00e1t \u0111i\u00ean l\u00ean, kh\u00f4ng h\u1ec1 gi\u1ea5u gi\u1ebfm ni\u1ec1m vui c\u1ee7a m\u00ecnh. S\u1ef1 ng\u01b0\u1ee1ng m\u1ed9 c\u1ee7a Meggie \u0111\u1ed1i v\u1edbi cha Ralph gi\u1edd \u0111\u00e2y \u0111\u00e3 bi\u1ebfn th\u00e0nh m\u1ed1i t\u00ecnh n\u00f3ng b\u1ecfng c\u1ee7a m\u1ed9t c\u00f4 g\u00e1i l\u00e9m l\u1ec9nh . V\u1eabn bi\u1ebft r\u1eb1ng m\u1ed1i t\u00ecnh \u1ea5y l\u00e0 kh\u00f4ng \u0111i \u0111\u1ebfn \u0111\u00e2u nh\u01b0ng c\u00f4 b\u00e9 v\u1eabn t\u1ef1 cho ph\u00e9p m\u00ecnh m\u01a1 t\u01b0\u1edfng v\u1ec1 con ng\u01b0\u1eddi \u1ea5y. Meggie t\u01b0\u1edfng t\u01b0\u1ee3ng c\u00e1i c\u1ea3m gi\u00e1c m\u00e0 c\u00f3 \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c khi \u1edf trong v\u00f2ng tay c\u1ee7a cha Ralph v\u00e0 c\u1ea3 nh\u1eefng n\u1ee5 h\u00f4n n\u1ed3ng n\u00e0n c\u1ee7a cha. Nh\u1eefng suy ngh\u0129 th\u01a1 th\u1ea9n c\u1ee7a Meggie kh\u00f4ng \u0111i xa h\u01a1n; c\u00f4 b\u00e9 kh\u00f4ng c\u00f3 ch\u00fat \u00fd t\u01b0\u1edfng g\u00ec v\u1ec1 \u0111i\u1ec1u c\u00f3 th\u1ec3 x\u1ea3y ra sau \u0111\u00f3, th\u1eadm ch\u00ed kh\u00f4ng hi\u1ec3u nh\u1eefng di\u1ec5n bi\u1ebfn ti\u1ebfp theo s\u1ebd nh\u01b0 th\u1ebf n\u00e0o. N\u1ebfu c\u00f4 b\u00e9 bi\u1ebft r\u1eb1ng m\u01a1 t\u01b0\u1edfng \u0111\u1ebfn m\u1ed9t linh m\u1ee5c l\u00e0 x\u1ea5u th\u00ec ch\u00ednh c\u00f4 c\u0169ng kh\u00f4ng \u0111\u1ee7 s\u1ee9c \u0111\u1ec3 n\u00e9 tr\u00e1nh. B\u00e2y gi\u1edd c\u00f4 ch\u1ec9 c\u00f2n bi\u1ebft che gi\u1ea5u l\u00f2ng m\u00ecnh, kh\u00f4ng \u0111\u1ec3 cho cha Ralph \u0111o\u00e1n \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c nh\u1eefng \u00fd ngh\u0129 th\u1ea7m k\u00edn.","CH\u01af\u01a0NG 12 T rong khi Mary Carson \u0111ang \u0111\u1ee9ng sau c\u00e1nh c\u1eeda s\u1ed5 ph\u00f2ng kh\u00e1ch theo d\u00f5i c\u1ea3 hai ng\u01b0\u1eddi th\u00ec cha Ralph v\u00e0 Meggie t\u1eeb chu\u1ed3ng ng\u1ef1a \u0111ang \u0111i v\u1ec1 t\u1eadn b\u00ean kia \u0111\u1ed1i di\u1ec7n v\u1edbi ng\u00f4i nh\u00e0 l\u1edbn, c\u00f9ng m\u1ed9t h\u01b0\u1edbng v\u1edbi nh\u00e0 c\u1ee7a ng\u01b0\u1eddi qu\u1ea3n l\u00fd. Nh\u1eefng ng\u01b0\u1eddi l\u00e0m c\u00f4ng \u1edf trang tr\u1ea1i ch\u1ec9 \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c c\u1ee1i tr\u00ean nh\u1eefng con ng\u1ef1a ch\u01b0a h\u1ec1 nu\u00f4i trong chu\u1ed3ng m\u00e0 th\u1ea3 ngo\u00e0i s\u00e2n hay lang thang \u0111i \u0103n c\u1ecf. Nh\u01b0ng \u1edf Drogheda v\u1eabn c\u00f3 nh\u1eefng \u0111\u00e0n ng\u1ef1a r\u1ea5t \u0111\u1eb9p m\u1eb7c d\u00f9 ch\u1ec9 c\u00f3 cha Ralph l\u00e0 \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c c\u1ee1i tr\u00ean nh\u1eefng con ng\u1ef1a \u0111\u00f3. Mary Carson \u0111\u00e3 gi\u1eef l\u1ea1i hai con ng\u1ef1a thu\u1ea7n gi\u1ed1ng \u0111\u1eb7c bi\u1ec7t d\u00e0nh cho cha Ralph s\u1eed d\u1ee5ng, kh\u00f4ng th\u1ec3 \u0111\u1ec3 nh\u1eefng con ng\u1ef1a gi\u00e0 \u1ed1m nhom cho cha. Khi cha Ralph h\u1ecfi b\u00e0 Mary Carson c\u00f3 b\u1eb1ng l\u00f2ng cho Meggie c\u1ee1i tr\u00ean m\u1ed9t trong hai con ng\u1ef1a \u1ea5y kh\u00f4ng, b\u00e0 Mary kh\u00f4ng c\u00f3 c\u00e1ch n\u00e0o t\u1eeb ch\u1ed1i. C\u00f4 g\u00e1i l\u00e0 ch\u00e1u c\u1ee7a b\u00e0, v\u1ea3 l\u1ea1i l\u00fd do c\u1ee7a cha Ralph \u0111\u01b0a ra l\u00e0 ch\u00ed l\u00fd. C\u00f4 b\u00e9 ph\u1ea3i bi\u1ebft c\u1ee1i ng\u1ef1a ch\u1ee9, ch\u00e1u g\u00e1i c\u1ee7a b\u00e0 ch\u1ee7 kia m\u00e0. Trong th\u00e2m t\u00e2m, b\u00e0 Mary Carson r\u1ea5t mu\u1ed1n t\u1eeb ch\u1ed1i ho\u1eb7c \u00edt ra n\u00ean c\u00f9ng \u0111i v\u1edbi h\u1ecd. Nh\u01b0ng b\u00e0 kh\u00f4ng th\u1ec3 c\u01b0\u1ee1ng l\u1ea1i l\u1eddi y\u00eau c\u1ea7u c\u1ee7a linh m\u1ee5c, c\u0169ng nh\u01b0 v\u1edbi c\u00e1i tu\u1ed5i n\u00e0y b\u00e0 kh\u00f4ng th\u1ec3 ng\u1ed3i tr\u00ean l\u01b0ng ng\u1ef1a \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c n\u1eefa. Th\u1ebf l\u00e0 b\u00e0 \u0111\u00e0nh ch\u1ecbu thua m\u1ed9t c\u00e1ch b\u1ef1c t\u1ee9c khi nh\u00ecn th\u1ea5y h\u1ecd s\u00e1nh vai \u0111i qua b\u00e3i c\u1ecf. Ng\u01b0\u1eddi \u0111\u00e0n \u00f4ng m\u1eb7c qu\u1ea7n ng\u1eafn, \u0111\u00f4i \u1ee7ng cao t\u1edbi \u0111\u1ea7u g\u1ed1i, v\u00f3c ng\u01b0\u1eddi m\u1ea3nh kh\u1ea3nh, n\u00e9t m\u1eb7t c\u00f3 ch\u00fat li\u1ebfn tho\u1eafng c\u1ee7a con trai. C\u1eb7p nam n\u1eef n\u00e0y bi\u1ec3u l\u1ed9 t\u00ecnh c\u1ea3m th\u00e2n m\u1eadt v\u00e0 h\u1ebft s\u1ee9c thanh th\u1ea3n. \u0110\u00e2y l\u00e0 l\u1ea7n th\u1ee9 m\u1ed9t ng\u00e0n, b\u00e0 Mary Carson t\u1ef1 h\u1ecfi t\u1ea1i sao ngo\u00e0i b\u00e0 ra, kh\u00f4ng ai \u0111\u1eb7t v\u1ea5n \u0111\u1ec1 m\u1ed1i quan h\u1ec7 \u1ea5y. Pa\u0111y th\u00ec t\u1ecf ra h\u1ebft s\u1ee9c b\u1eb1ng l\u00f2ng v\u1ec1 m\u1ed1i quan h\u1ec7 gi\u1eefa con g\u00e1i m\u00ecnh v\u00e0 cha Ralph, c\u00f2n Fiona l\u00fac n\u00e0o c\u0169ng im l\u1eb7ng ch\u1eb3ng n\u00f3i l\u1eddi n\u00e0o nh\u01b0 kh\u00fac g\u1ed7. Ph\u1ea3i ch\u0103ng v\u00ec y\u00eau Ralph de Bricassart m\u00e0 b\u00e0 Mary Carson ph\u00e1t hi\u1ec7n ra c\u00e1i \u0111i\u1ec1u kh\u00f4ng ai th\u1ea5y \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c? Ho\u1eb7c l\u00e0 \u00f3c t\u01b0\u1edfng t\u01b0\u1ee3ng c\u1ee7a b\u00e0 \u0111\u00e3 h\u1ea1i b\u00e0? C\u00f3 \u0111\u00fang \u0111\u00e2y l\u00e0 t\u00ecnh b\u1ea1n gi\u1eefa m\u1ed9t ng\u01b0\u1eddi \u0111\u00e0n \u00f4ng g\u1ea7n 35 tu\u1ed5i d\u00e0nh cho m\u1ed9t c\u00f4 g\u00e1i ch\u01b0a tr\u01b0\u1edfng th\u00e0nh? Ngu ng\u1ed1c! Kh\u00f4ng m\u1ed9t ng\u01b0\u1eddi \u0111\u00e0n \u00f4ng n\u00e0o k\u1ec3 c\u1ea3 Ralph l\u1ea1i kh\u00f4ng bi\u1ebft Meggie nh\u01b0 b\u00f4ng h\u1ed3ng \u0111ang n\u1edf sao? V\u1edbi Ralph th\u00ec c\u00f3 g\u00ec l\u1ecdt qua \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c con m\u1eaft c\u1ee7a \u00f4ng ta \u0111\u00e2u? B\u00e0n tay c\u1ee7a Mary Carson run l\u00ean, nh\u1eefng gi\u1ecdt m\u1ef1c xanh \u0111en r\u01a1i xu\u1ed1ng l\u00e0m b\u1ea9n trang gi\u1ea5y tr\u01b0\u1edbc m\u1eb7t b\u00e0 ta. Nh\u1eefng ng\u00f3n tay kh\u1eb3ng khiu \u0111\u01b0a v\u00e0o h\u1ed9c t\u1ee7 l\u1ea5y ra m\u1ed9t t\u1edd gi\u1ea5y kh\u00e1c. B\u00e0 l\u1ea1i c\u1ea7m vi\u1ebft ch\u1ea5m v\u00e0o b\u00ecnh m\u1ef1c v\u00e0 vi\u1ebft l\u1ea1i t\u1eebng ch\u1eef, v\u1edbi s\u1ef1 t\u1ef1 tin v\u00e0 vi\u1ebft su\u00f4ng s\u1ebb kh\u00f4ng kh\u00e1c l\u1ea7n tr\u01b0\u1edbc. Sau \u0111\u00f3 b\u00e0 \u0111\u1ee9ng l\u00ean v\u00e0 n\u1eb7ng n\u1ec1 \u0111i v\u1ec1 ph\u00eda c\u1eeda. - Minnie, Minnie! B\u00e0 g\u1ecdi t\u1ecd - Ch\u00faa \u01a1i! Ch\u00ednh b\u00e0 ta g\u1ecdi. - Ch\u1ecb h\u1ea7u ph\u00f2ng k\u00eau l\u00ean b\u1eb1ng m\u1ed9t gi\u1ecdng trong tr\u1ebbo. Con c\u00f3 th\u1ec3 gi\u00fap g\u00ec cho b\u00e0, th\u01b0a b\u00e0 Carson? Ch\u1ecb ta v\u1eeba h\u1ecfi v\u1eeba ngh\u0129 th\u1ea7m t\u1ea1i sao b\u00e0 ta kh\u00f4ng g\u1ecdi b\u00e0 Smith nh\u01b0 m\u1ecdi khi. - M\u00e0y \u0111i g\u1ecdi ngay th\u1eb1ng l\u00e0m h\u00e0ng r\u00e0o v\u00e0 Tom \u0111\u1ebfn \u0111\u00e2y ngay. - Con c\u00f3 c\u1ea7n n\u00f3i cho b\u00e0 Smith bi\u1ebft kh\u00f4ng? - Kh\u00f4ng, m\u00e0y ch\u1ec9 c\u1ea7n l\u00e0m theo nh\u01b0 tao b\u1ea3o. Khi c\u1ea3 hai \u0111\u1ebfn, Mary Carson h\u1ecfi:","- Hai anh c\u00f3 bi\u1ebft vi\u1ebft kh\u00f4ng? C\u1ea3 hai v\u1eeba nu\u1ed1t n\u01b0\u1edbc mi\u1ebfng \u0111\u1ec3 t\u1ef1 tr\u1ea5n an v\u1eeba g\u1eadt \u0111\u1ea7u. - V\u1eady th\u00ec t\u1ed1t. T\u00f4i mu\u1ed1n hai anh nh\u00ecn t\u00f4i k\u00fd t\u00ean tr\u00ean t\u1edd gi\u1ea5y n\u00e0y, r\u1ed3i hai anh k\u00fd t\u00ean v\u00e0 vi\u1ebft \u0111\u1ecba ch\u1ec9 c\u1ee7a hai anh \u1edf d\u01b0\u1edbi ch\u1eef k\u00fd c\u1ee7a t\u00f4i. Hi\u1ec3u ch\u1ee9? C\u1ea3 hai g\u1eadt \u0111\u1ea7u. Mary Carson ch\u0103m ch\u00fa theo d\u00f5i h\u1ecd v\u00e0 khi hai ng\u01b0\u1eddi \u0111\u00e3 vi\u1ebft xong, b\u00e0 trao cho m\u1ed7i ng\u01b0\u1eddi m\u1ed9t t\u1edd b\u1ea1c m\u01b0\u1eddi b\u1ea3ng v\u1edbi l\u1eddi d\u1eb7n ph\u1ea3i bi\u1ebft gi\u1eef mi\u1ec7ng. Meggie v\u00e0 cha Ralph \u0111\u00e3 bi\u1ebfn m\u1ea5t t\u1ef1 bao gi\u1edd. Mary Carson n\u1eb7ng n\u1ec1 ng\u1ed3i xu\u1ed1ng b\u00e0n vi\u1ebft, l\u1ea1i l\u1ea5y ra m\u1ed9t t\u1edd gi\u1ea5y kh\u00e1c v\u00e0 l\u1ea1i b\u1eaft \u0111\u1ea7u vi\u1ebft. L\u1ea7n n\u00e0y, c\u00f3 l\u1ebd do n\u1ed9i dung \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c vi\u1ebft kh\u00f4ng \u0111\u01a1n gi\u1ea3n n\u00ean b\u00e0 kh\u00f4ng c\u00f2n khoan thai nh\u01b0 tr\u01b0\u1edbc. R\u1ea5t nhi\u1ec1u l\u1ea7n, b\u00e0 d\u1eebng l\u1ea1i \u0111\u1ec3 suy ngh\u0129, m\u00f4i m\u00edm ch\u1eb7t, m\u1ec9m c\u01b0\u1eddi nh\u01b0ng kh\u00f4ng vui, r\u1ed3i b\u00e0 l\u1ea1i ti\u1ebfp t\u1ee5c. H\u00ecnh nh\u01b0 b\u00e0 c\u00f3 nhi\u1ec1u \u0111i\u1ec1u ph\u1ea3i n\u00f3i: c\u00e1c h\u00e0ng ch\u1eef san s\u00e1t nhau, th\u1ebf m\u00e0 b\u00e0 v\u1eabn c\u1ea7n m\u1ed9t t\u1edd th\u1ee9 hai. Sau c\u00f9ng b\u00e0 \u0111\u1ecdc k\u1ef9 m\u1ed9t l\u1ea7n n\u1eefa, b\u00e0 x\u1ebfp l\u1ea1i v\u00e0 cho v\u00e0o m\u1ed9t bao th\u01b0, b\u00ean ngo\u00e0i ni\u00eam phong b\u1eb1ng xi \u0111\u1ecf... Ch\u1ec9 c\u00f3 Pa\u0111y, Fiona, Bob, Jack v\u00e0 Meggie ph\u1ea3i \u0111i d\u1ef1 bu\u1ed5i chi\u00eau \u0111\u00e3i; Hughie v\u00e0 Stuart nh\u1eb9 nh\u00f5m v\u00ec \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c \u1edf nh\u00e0 \u0111\u1ec3 lo cho hai em b\u00e9. Th\u1eadt l\u00e0 m\u1ed9t tr\u01b0\u1eddng h\u1ee3p h\u1ebft s\u1ee9c \u0111\u1eb7c bi\u1ec7t, Mary Carson \u0111\u00e3 tr\u00fat h\u1ea7u bao kh\u00e1 r\u1ed9ng r\u00e3i \u0111\u1ec3 cho m\u1ed7i ng\u01b0\u1eddi m\u1ed9t b\u1ed9 qu\u1ea7n \u00e1o \u0111\u1eb9p nh\u1ea5t c\u00f3 th\u1ec3 c\u00f3 \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c \u1edf Gilly n\u00e0y. Khi Fiona v\u00e0 Pa\u0111y ra kh\u1ecfi ph\u00f2ng, m\u1ea5y \u0111\u1ee9a con trai c\u1ee7a hai \u00f4ng b\u00e0 h\u1ebft s\u1ee9c ng\u1ea1c nhi\u00ean ch\u01b0a bao gi\u1edd ch\u00fang l\u1ea1i nh\u00ecn th\u1ea5y cha m\u1eb9 \u0103n m\u1eb7c \u0111\u1eb9p m\u1ed9t c\u00e1ch v\u01b0\u01a1ng gi\u1ea3 nh\u01b0 th\u1ebf. Tuy nhi\u00ean ng\u01b0\u1eddi g\u00e2y s\u1ef1 ch\u00fa \u00fd h\u01a1n h\u1ebft trong c\u0103n ph\u00f2ng n\u00e0y ch\u00ednh l\u00e0 Meggie. C\u00f3 l\u1ebd v\u00ec nh\u1edb l\u1ea1i th\u1eddi nh\u1ecf b\u1ecb coi r\u1ebb c\u1ee7a m\u00ecnh v\u00e0 \u0111i\u00ean ti\u1ebft v\u00ec c\u00e1c ph\u1ee5 n\u1eef tr\u1ebb kh\u00e1c \u0111\u1ec1u \u0111\u1eb7t may qu\u1ea7n \u00e1o \u1edf Sydney n\u00ean ch\u1ecb th\u1ee3 may \u1edf Gilly \u0111\u00e3 \u0111\u1eb7t h\u1ebft t\u00e0i n\u0103ng v\u00e0o chi\u1ebfc \u00e1o c\u1ee7a Meggie. \u0110\u00f3 l\u00e0 chi\u1ebfc \u00e1o d\u00e0i kh\u00f4ng c\u00f3 tay, c\u1ed5 h\u1edf kh\u00e1 th\u1ea5p. Fiona h\u01a1i ng\u1ea1i nh\u01b0ng Meggie l\u1ea1i n\u00e0i n\u1ec9 m\u1eb9 chi\u1ec1u m\u00ecnh. Ch\u1ecb th\u1ee3 may cam \u0111oan r\u1eb1ng t\u1ea5t c\u1ea3 c\u00e1c thi\u1ebfu n\u1eef b\u00e2y gi\u1edd \u0111\u1ec1u \u0103n m\u1eb7c nh\u01b0 th\u1ebf, l\u1ebd n\u00e0o l\u1ea1i \u0111\u1ec3 Meggie \u0103n m\u1eb7c nh\u01b0 m\u1ed9t \u0111\u1ee9a con g\u00e1i nh\u00e0 qu\u00ea, l\u00e0m tr\u00f2 c\u01b0\u1eddi cho thi\u00ean h\u1ea1. Th\u1ebf l\u00e0 cu\u1ed1i c\u00f9ng Fiona \u0111\u00e3 nh\u00e2n nh\u01b0\u1ee3ng. Pa\u0111y \u0111\u00e3 h\u00e1 mi\u1ec7ng khi \u0111\u1ed1i di\u1ec7n v\u1edbi con g\u00e1i m\u00ecnh nh\u01b0ng \u00f4ng \u0111\u00e3 k\u1ecbp k\u00ecm ch\u1ebft l\u1ea1i v\u00e0 kh\u00f4ng \u0111\u1ec3 l\u1ecdt m\u00f4i l\u1eddi n\u00e0o ra d\u00f9 cho c\u1ed5 h\u1ecdng \u00f4ng n\u00f3ng ran v\u00e0 ng\u1ee9a ng\u00e1y. B\u00e0i h\u1ecdc cay \u0111\u1eafng x\u1ea3y ra \u1edf nh\u00e0 x\u1ee9 v\u1edbi Frank tuy \u0111\u00e3 l\u00e2u, nh\u01b0ng Pa\u0111y v\u1eabn c\u00f2n nh\u1edb m\u00e3i. \u00d4ng \u0111\u01b0a tay v\u1ec1 h\u01b0\u1edbng con g\u00e1i v\u00e0 m\u1ec9m c\u01b0\u1eddi d\u1ecbu d\u00e0ng. - \u1ed2, Meggie, con \u0111\u1eb9p qu\u00e1! \u0110\u1ebfn \u0111\u00e2y, ba mu\u1ed1n \u0111\u00f3ng vai ch\u00e0ng hi\u1ec7p s\u0129 h\u1ed9 v\u1ec7 con. C\u00f2n Bob v\u00e0 Jack lo cho m\u1eb9 con. Th\u00e1ng t\u1edbi Meggie 17 tu\u1ed5i v\u00e0 l\u1ea7n \u0111\u1ea7u ti\u00ean trong cu\u1ed9c \u0111\u1eddi, Pa\u0111y c\u1ea3m th\u1ea5y m\u00ecnh gi\u00e0. C\u00f2n Meggie, v\u1eabn l\u00e0 \u0111\u1ee9a con g\u00e1i y\u00eau qu\u00ed c\u1ee7a \u00f4ng. Kh\u00f4ng th\u1ec3 \u0111\u1ec3 b\u1ea5t c\u1ee9 chuy\u1ec7n g\u00ec l\u00e0m h\u1ecfng s\u1ef1 xu\u1ea5t hi\u1ec7n l\u1ea7n \u0111\u1ea7u c\u1ee7a Meggie tr\u01b0\u1edbc \u0111\u00e1m \u0111\u00f4ng. Cha Ralph v\u1eabn m\u1eb7c chi\u1ebfc \u00e1o th\u1ee5ng nh\u01b0 th\u01b0\u1eddng l\u1ec7 Kh\u00f4ng c\u00f3 m\u1ed9t th\u1ee9 th\u1eddi trang n\u00e0o c\u1ee7a \u0111\u00e0n \u00f4ng l\u1ea1i th\u00edch h\u1ee3p v\u1edbi cha Ralph h\u01a1n l\u00e0 chi\u1ebfc \u00e1o m\u00e0u \u0111en theo m\u1ed9t ki\u1ec3u c\u1eaft r\u1ea5t nghi\u00eam trang: r\u1ed9ng ra \u1edf ph\u00eda","d\u01b0\u1edbi, v\u00f4 s\u1ed1 n\u00fat ch\u1ea1y d\u00e0i t\u1eeb c\u1ed5 xu\u1ed1ng v\u1edbi chi\u1ebfc th\u1eaft l\u01b0ng r\u1ed9ng vi\u1ec1n \u0111\u1ecf. Mary Carson m\u1eb7c to\u00e0n m\u1ed9t m\u00e0u tr\u1eafng, xa tanh tr\u1eafng, \u0111\u0103ng ten tr\u1eafng v\u00e0 l\u00f4ng \u0111\u00e0 \u0111i\u1ec3u tr\u1eafng tr\u00ean chi\u1ebfc \u00e1o c\u1ee7a b\u00e0. Fiona nh\u00ecn b\u00e0 s\u1eedng s\u1ed1t v\u00e0 kh\u00f4ng c\u00f2n c\u00f3 \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c th\u00e1i \u0111\u1ed9 th\u1ea3n nhi\u00ean nh\u01b0 m\u1ecdi khi. C\u00e1ch \u0103n m\u1eb7c c\u1ee7a Mary Carson th\u1eadt l\u00e0 l\u1ed1 b\u1ecbch gi\u1ed1ng nh\u01b0 c\u00f4 d\u00e2u trong ng\u00e0y c\u01b0\u1edbi, kh\u00f4ng th\u1ec3 n\u00e0o t\u01b0\u1edfng t\u01b0\u1ee3ng \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c. - T\u1ea1i sao b\u00e0 ta l\u1ea1i \u0111\u1ecfm d\u00e1ng nh\u01b0 m\u1ed9t c\u00f4 g\u00e1i gi\u00e0 th\u1ea5t t\u00ecnh b\u00f4i tr\u00e9t ph\u1ea5n son d\u1ecb h\u1ee3m. Th\u1eadt ra b\u00e0 ta gi\u1ed1ng t\u1eebng n\u00e9t m\u1ed9t b\u1ee9c \u1ea3nh n\u1ed5i ti\u1ebfng c\u1ee7a n\u1eef ho\u00e0ng Victoria ch\u1ee5p tr\u01b0\u1edbc ng\u00e0y ch\u1ebft. Mary Carson c\u01b0\u1eddi v\u1edbi Pa\u0111y v\u00e0 \u0111\u1eb7t tay l\u00ean vai em trai m\u00ecnh. - Em c\u00f3 th\u1ec3 \u0111\u01b0a tay ra d\u00ecu ch\u1ecb \u0111\u1ebfn b\u00e0n \u0103n, Padraic. C\u00f2n cha Ralph s\u1ebd \u0111\u01b0a Fiona, m\u1ea5y \u0111\u1ee9a con trai th\u00ec \u0111i theo Meggie - Con c\u00f3 khi\u00eau v\u0169 t\u1ed1i nay kh\u00f4ng, Meggie? Pa\u0111y nhanh mi\u1ec7ng tr\u1ea3 l\u1eddi cho con: - N\u00f3 c\u00f2n nh\u1ecf qu\u00e1. N\u00f3 m\u1edbi m\u01b0\u00f2i b\u1ea3y tu\u1ed5i. N\u00f3i xong Pa\u0111y s\u1ef1c nh\u1edb l\u1ea1i, m\u1ed9t thi\u1ebfu s\u00f3t kh\u00e1c c\u1ee7a gia \u0111\u00ecnh m\u00ecnh l\u00e0 c\u00e1c con \u0111\u1ec1u kh\u00f4ng h\u1ec1 \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c t\u1eadp nh\u1ea3y. - R\u1ea5t ti\u1ebfc! B\u00e0 Mary Carson n\u00f3i bu\u00f4ng th\u00f5ng. Cu\u1ed9c chi\u00eau \u0111\u00e3 th\u1eadt r\u00ecnh rang, m\u1ed9t v\u0169 h\u1ed9i r\u1ef1c r\u1ee1, s\u00e1ng ch\u00f3i, kh\u00f4ng th\u1ec3 n\u00e0o qu\u00ean. \u0110\u00f3 l\u00e0 nh\u1eefng l\u1eddi b\u00ecnh ph\u1ea9m nghe \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c qua c\u00e1c cu\u1ed9c trao \u0111\u1ed5i t\u1ed1i h\u00f4m \u0111\u00f3. Royal O'' Mara, t\u1eeb Inishmurray c\u00e1ch Drogheda 300 c\u00e2y s\u1ed1 c\u0169ng c\u00f3 m\u1eb7t c\u00f9ng v\u1ee3, c\u00e1c con trai v\u00e0 con g\u00e1i duy nh\u1ea5t. D\u00e2n ch\u00fang \u1edf trong v\u00f9ng kh\u00f4ng ng\u1ea1i \u0111\u01b0\u1eddng xa 300 c\u00e2y s\u1ed1 \u0111\u1ec3 \u0111\u1ebfn d\u1ef1 m\u1ed9t tr\u1eadn \u0111\u1ea5u cricket, m\u00f4n th\u1ec3 thao \u01b0a th\u00edch \u1edf \u00dac, kh\u00f4ng th\u1ec3 t\u01b0\u1edfng t\u01b0\u1ee3ng l\u00e0 h\u1ecd \u0111i m\u1ed9t \u0111o\u1ea1n d\u00e0i nh\u01b0 th\u1ebf d\u1ef1 m\u1ed9t cu\u1ed9c ti\u1ebfp t\u00e2n. Duncan Gordon \u0111\u1ebfn t\u1eeb Each Uisg\u1eb9 Martin King v\u1edbi v\u1ee3, con trai Anthony v\u00e0 c\u00f4 con d\u00e2u; Evan Pugh t\u1eeb Braich Y Pull; Dominic O'' Rourk t\u1eeb Dibban Dibban, Horry Hoperton t\u1eeb Beel - Beel v\u00e0 h\u01a1n m\u1ed9t ch\u1ee5c nh\u00e2n v\u1eadt ti\u1ebfng t\u0103m kh\u00e1c trong v\u00f9ng. H\u1ea7u h\u1ebft theo \u0111\u1ea1o C\u00f4ng gi\u00e1o v\u00e0 r\u1ea5t \u00edt ng\u01b0\u1eddi trong s\u1ed1 h\u1ecd mang t\u00ean Anglo - Saxon; s\u1ed1 ng\u01b0\u1eddi Irish, Scottish v\u00e0 Welsh g\u1ea7n b\u1eb1ng nhau. C\u00f3 ng\u01b0\u1eddi \u0111\u1ed3n r\u1eb1ng b\u00e0 Mary c\u00f3 \u0111\u1ee7 ti\u1ec1n \u0111\u1ec3 mua v\u00e0 b\u00e1n c\u1ea3 vua n\u01b0\u1edbc Anh n\u1eefa. B\u00e0 ta \u0111\u1ea7u t\u01b0 khai th\u00e1c th\u00e9p, b\u1ea1c, ch\u00ec, thi\u1ebfc, \u0111\u1ed3ng v\u00e0 v\u00e0ng, b\u1ecf v\u1ed1n v\u00e0o h\u00e0ng tr\u0103m x\u00ed nghi\u1ec7p. Drogheda t\u1eeb l\u00e2u kh\u00f4ng c\u00f2n \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c coi l\u00e0 ngu\u1ed3n sinh l\u1ee3i ch\u00ednh c\u1ee7a b\u00e0; thu nh\u1eadp \u1edf \u0111i\u1ec1n trang n\u00e0y kh\u00f4ng c\u00f2n c\u00f3 ngh\u0129a l\u00fd g\u00ec v\u00e0 ch\u1ec9 l\u00e0 m\u1ed9t c\u00f4ng vi\u1ec7c l\u00e0m ch\u01a1i cho vui c\u1ee7a Mary. Cha Ralph kh\u00f4ng n\u00f3i chuy\u1ec7n v\u1edbi Meggie trong bu\u1ed5i \u0103n v\u00e0 c\u1ea3 sau \u0111\u00f3. Su\u1ed1t bu\u1ed5i chi\u00eau \u0111\u00e3i, \u00f4ng qu\u00ean h\u1eb3n Meggie. Nh\u01b0 b\u1ecb x\u00fac ph\u1ea1m, c\u00f4 g\u00e1i c\u1ee9 theo d\u00f5i \u00f4ng kh\u1eafp ph\u00f2ng. C\u1ea3m nh\u1eadn \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c s\u1ef1 xao xuy\u1ebfn \u1edf Meggie, cha Ralph \u0111\u1ebfn g\u1ea7n c\u00f4 b\u00e9, c\u1eaft ngh\u0129a cho c\u00f4 r\u00f5 n\u1ebfu \u00f4ng t\u1ecf ra ch\u00fa \u00fd Meggie h\u01a1n c\u00e1c c\u00f4 g\u00e1i kh\u00e1c nh\u01b0 Carmichael, Gordon hay O'' Mara ch\u1eb3ng h\u1ea1n th\u00ec ti\u1ebfng t\u0103m c\u1ee7a hai ng\u01b0\u1eddi c\u00f3 th\u1ec3 b\u1ecb \u1ea3nh h\u01b0\u1edfng x\u1ea5u. C\u0169ng nh\u01b0 Meggie, cha Ralph kh\u00f4ng khi\u00eau v\u0169 v\u00e0 c\u0169ng nh\u01b0 c\u00f4, \u00f4ng thu h\u00fat s\u1ef1 ch\u00fa \u00fd c\u1ee7a nhi\u1ec1u thi\u1ebfu n\u1eef; c\u1ea3 hai \u0111\u1eb9p h\u01a1n h\u1eb3n t\u1ea5t c\u1ea3 nh\u1eefng ng\u01b0\u1eddi c\u00f3 m\u1eb7t. Pa\u0111y v\u00e0 Fiona v\u1eabn \u1edf l\u1ea1i ch\u01a1i nh\u01b0ng v\u00e0o n\u1eeda \u0111\u00eam, Bob v\u00e0 Jack c\u00f9ng Meggie r\u1eddi kh\u1ecfi cu\u1ed9c vui. Cha m\u1eb9 h\u1ecd kh\u00f4ng hay h\u1ecd \u0111\u00e3 \u0111i ch\u01a1i n\u01a1i kh\u00e1c. Khi Meggie r\u1eddi kh\u1ecfi ph\u00f2ng, cha Ralph th\u1ea5y m\u00ecnh tr\u1ebb h\u01a1n \u00edt nh\u1ea5t m\u01b0\u1eddi tu\u1ed5i. \u00d4ng tr\u1edf n\u00ean sinh \u0111\u1ed9ng v\u00e0","g\u00e2y ng\u1ea1c nhi\u00ean cho c\u00e1c c\u00f4 g\u00e1i nh\u01b0 Hopeton, Mackail, Gordon v\u00e0 O'' Mara v\u1ec1 nh\u1eefng b\u01b0\u1edbc nh\u1ea3y v\u1edbi Carmichael. Sau \u0111\u00f3, cha Ralph m\u1eddi l\u1ea7n l\u01b0\u1ee3t t\u1ea5t c\u1ea3 c\u00e1c thi\u1ebfu n\u1eef, lu\u00f4n c\u1ea3 Pugh, x\u1ea5u x\u00ed nh\u1ea5t. Kh\u00f4ng m\u1ed9t ng\u01b0\u1eddi kh\u00e1ch n\u00e0o c\u00f3 th\u1ec3 than phi\u1ec1n r\u1eb1ng con g\u00e1i m\u00ecnh \u0111\u00e3 m\u1ea5t c\u01a1 h\u1ed9i khi\u00eau v\u0169 v\u1edbi cha De Bricassart. \u0110\u1ebfn ba gi\u1edd s\u00e1ng, Mary Carson \u0111\u1ee9ng l\u00ean m\u1ed9t c\u00e1ch n\u1eb7ng n\u1ec1 v\u00e0 ng\u00e1p: - Kh\u00f4ng, cu\u1ed9c vui c\u1ee9 ti\u1ebfp t\u1ee5c! N\u1ebfu t\u00f4i m\u1ec7t - qu\u1ea3 th\u1eadt t\u00f4i \u0111\u00e3 m\u1ec7t - t\u00f4i s\u1ebd \u0111i n\u1eb1m, \u0111\u00f3 c\u0169ng l\u00e0 \u00fd \u0111\u1ecbnh c\u1ee7a t\u00f4i; nh\u01b0ng th\u1ee9c \u0103n v\u00e0 \u0111\u1ed3 u\u1ed1ng kh\u00f4ng thi\u1ebfu, c\u00f2n d\u00e0n nh\u1ea1c \u0111\u00e3 \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c tr\u1ea3 ti\u1ec1n \u0111\u1ec3 ch\u01a1i cho \u0111\u1ebfn khi kh\u00f4ng c\u00f2n m\u1ed9t ai mu\u1ed1n nh\u1ea3y n\u1eefa m\u1edbi th\u00f4i. H\u01a1n n\u1eefa c\u00f3 m\u1ed9t ch\u00fat \u1ed3n \u00e0o ch\u1ec9 d\u1ed7 gi\u1ea5c ng\u1ee7 t\u00f4i th\u00eam nhi\u1ec1u m\u1ed9ng \u0111\u1eb9p. Th\u01b0a cha, cha c\u00f3 th\u1ec3 gi\u00fap \u0111\u01b0a t\u00f4i l\u00ean l\u1ea7u \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c kh\u00f4ng? Khi r\u1eddi kh\u1ecfi ph\u00f2ng chi\u00eau \u0111\u00e3i, b\u00e0 kh\u00f4ng \u0111i \u0111\u1ebfn c\u1ea7u thang r\u1ed9ng uy nghi d\u1eabn l\u00ean l\u1ea7u, m\u00e0 l\u1ea1i h\u01b0\u1edbng cha Ralph c\u00f9ng \u0111\u1ebfn ph\u00f2ng kh\u00e1ch. Tr\u00f4ng b\u00e0 c\u00f3 v\u1ebb m\u1ecfi m\u1ec7t, d\u1ef1a c\u1ea3 ng\u01b0\u1eddi v\u00e0o c\u00e1nh tay c\u1ee7a cha Ralph. C\u1eeda ph\u00f2ng \u0111\u00f3ng k\u00edn, b\u00e0 ch\u1edd linh m\u1ee5c d\u00f9ng ch\u00eca kh\u00f3a do b\u00e0 trao \u0111\u1ec3 m\u1edf c\u1eeda. B\u00e0 \u0111i v\u00e0o tr\u01b0\u1edbc. - Cu\u1ed9c chi\u00eau \u0111\u00e3i th\u00e0nh c\u00f4ng \u0111\u1ea5y b\u00e0 Mary \u1ea1, \u00f4ng n\u00f3i. - \u0110\u00e2y l\u00e0 l\u1ea7n cu\u1ed1i c\u00f9ng t\u00f4i t\u1ed5 ch\u1ee9c, th\u01b0a cha. - Kh\u00f4ng n\u00ean n\u00f3i th\u1ebf, b\u00e0 Mary th\u00e2n m\u1ebfn. - T\u1ea1i sao? T\u00f4i \u0111\u00e3 ch\u00e1n s\u1ed1ng v\u00e0 t\u00f4i s\u1ebd k\u1ebft th\u00fac cu\u1ed9c s\u1ed1ng \u1edf \u0111\u00e2y. Cha kh\u00f4ng tin \u00e0? Trong h\u01a1n 70 n\u0103m, t\u00f4i lu\u00f4n lu\u00f4n l\u00e0m \u0111\u00fang nh\u1eefng g\u00ec t\u00f4i mu\u1ed1n. Cho n\u00ean n\u1ebfu th\u1ea7n ch\u1ebft ngh\u0129 r\u1eb1ng h\u1eafn c\u00f3 quy\u1ec1n ch\u1ecdn l\u1ef1a gi\u1edd ph\u00fat ra \u0111i c\u1ee7a t\u00f4i th\u00ec h\u1eafn sai l\u1ea7m v\u00f4 c\u00f9ng. T\u00f4i s\u1ebd ch\u1ebft v\u00e0o \u0111\u00fang c\u00e1i l\u00fac t\u00f4i ch\u1ecdn, m\u00e0 tuy\u1ec7t nhi\u00ean kh\u00f4ng ph\u1ea3i l\u00e0 t\u1ef1 t\u1eed. Ch\u00ednh l\u00f2ng ham s\u1ed1ng gi\u00fap cho ch\u00fang ta t\u1ed3n t\u1ea1i; ch\u1ea5m d\u1ee9t cu\u1ed9c s\u1ed1ng kh\u00f4ng kh\u00f3 kh\u0103n \u0111\u00e2u n\u1ebfu ch\u00fang ta th\u1eadt s\u1ef1 mu\u1ed1n. T\u00f4i \u0111\u00e3 m\u1ecfi m\u1ec7t v\u00e0 t\u00f4i mu\u1ed1n ch\u1ea5m d\u1ee9t. R\u1ea5t \u0111\u01a1n gi\u1ea3n. Cha Ralph c\u0169ng th\u1ebf, r\u1ea5t m\u1ecfi m\u1ec7t, kh\u00f4ng ph\u1ea3i m\u1ecfi m\u1ec7t v\u1edbi cu\u1ed9c s\u1ed1ng m\u00e0 v\u1ec1 c\u00e1i b\u1ec1 ngo\u00e0i kh\u00f4ng thay \u0111\u1ed5i \u00f4ng ph\u1ea3i n\u00fap \u1edf ph\u00eda sau, m\u1ecfi m\u1ec7t v\u00ec kh\u00f4ng kh\u00ed nh\u00e0m ch\u00e1n, s\u1ef1 thi\u1ebfu v\u1eafng b\u1ea1n tri k\u1ef7 v\u00e0 m\u1ecfi m\u1ec7t c\u1ea3 v\u1edbi ch\u00ednh m\u00ecnh. C\u0103n ph\u00f2ng l\u1edd m\u1edd d\u01b0\u1edbi \u00e1nh s\u00e1ng c\u1ee7a m\u1ed9t c\u00e2y \u0111\u00e8n d\u1ea7u b\u1eb1ng th\u1ee7y tinh m\u00e0u h\u1ed3ng ng\u1ecdc r\u1ea5t qu\u00ed, \u00e1nh \u0111\u00e8n t\u1ecf ra nh\u1eefng v\u1ec7t s\u00e1ng m\u00e0u h\u1ed3ng l\u00ean m\u1eb7t b\u00e0 Mary Carson, l\u00e0m cho \u0111\u01b0\u1eddng n\u00e9t c\u1ee9ng r\u1eafn c\u1ee7a quai h\u00e0m b\u00e0 c\u00e0ng tr\u1edf n\u00ean ma qu\u00e1i. Cha Ralph th\u1ea5y nh\u1ee9c \u1edf ch\u00e2n, \u1edf l\u01b0ng, l\u00e2u r\u1ed3i \u00f4ng kh\u00f4ng khi\u00eau v\u0169 nhi\u1ec1u nh\u01b0 th\u1ebf m\u1eb7c d\u00f9 \u00f4ng v\u1eabn t\u1ef1 h\u00e0o kh\u00f4ng b\u1ecb l\u1ea1c h\u1eadu v\u1edbi nh\u1eefng ki\u1ec3u nh\u1ea3y m\u1edbi nh\u1ea5t. Ba m\u01b0\u01a1i l\u0103m tu\u1ed5i r\u1ed3i nh\u01b0ng v\u1eabn l\u00e0 linh m\u1ee5c \u1edf n\u00f4ng th\u00f4n... V\u1eady th\u00ec \u0111\u1ebfn bao gi\u1edd m\u1edbi tr\u1edf th\u00e0nh m\u1ed9t nh\u00e2n v\u1eadt \u0111\u1ea7y quy\u1ec1n l\u1ef1c c\u1ee7a Nh\u00e0 th\u1edd? Gi\u1ea5c m\u1ed9ng k\u1ebft th\u00fac tr\u01b0\u1edbc khi b\u1eaft \u0111\u1ea7u - \u00d4 h\u00f4! Nh\u1eefng gi\u1ea5c m\u01a1 c\u1ee7a th\u1eddi tr\u1ebb! V\u00e0 nh\u1eefng l\u1eddi n\u00f3i v\u00f4 t\u00e2m, s\u1ef1 s\u00f4i n\u1ed5i c\u1ee7a tu\u1ed5i tr\u1ebb. \u00d4ng \u0111\u00e3 thi\u1ebfu b\u1ea3n l\u0129nh \u0111\u1ec3 chi\u1ebfn th\u1eafng th\u1eed th\u00e1ch. Nh\u01b0ng kh\u00f4ng bao gi\u1edd \u00f4ng l\u1eb7p l\u1ea1i sai l\u1ea7m c\u0169, kh\u00f4ng bao gi\u1edd, kh\u00f4ng bao gi\u1edd... Kh\u00f4ng gi\u1eef v\u1eefng \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c ch\u1ed7 \u0111\u1ee9ng c\u1ee7a m\u00ecnh, \u00f4ng th\u1edf d\u00e0i, \u0111\u00e2u c\u00f2n g\u00ec? D\u1ecbp may kh\u00f4ng \u0111\u1ebfn hai l\u1ea7n. \u0110\u00e3 \u0111\u1ebfn l\u00fac nh\u00ecn th\u1eb3ng c\u00e1c s\u1ef1 vi\u1ec7c, ch\u1ea5m d\u1ee9t hy v\u1ecdng v\u00e0 m\u01a1 m\u1ed9ng. - Cha Ralph c\u00f3 nh\u1edb kh\u00f4ng, t\u00f4i \u0111\u00e3 t\u1eebng n\u00f3i v\u1edbi cha r\u1eb1ng t\u00f4i s\u1ebd \u0111\u00e1nh b\u1ea1i cha ngay tr\u00ean m\u1ea3nh \u0111\u1ea5t quen thu\u1ed9c c\u1ee7a cha, v\u00e0 t\u00f4i s\u1ebd l\u00e0m cho cha b\u1ecb s\u1ee5p v\u00e0o ch\u00ednh c\u00e1i b\u1eaby c\u1ee7a cha? Ti\u1ebfng n\u00f3i kh\u00f4n khan k\u00e9o cha Ralph ra kh\u1ecfi nh\u1eefng \u00fd t\u01b0\u1edfng \u0111ang \u0111eo \u0111u\u1ed5i trong l\u00fac bu\u1ed3n ch\u00e1n. \u00d4ng","nh\u00ecn Mary Carson v\u00e0 c\u01b0\u1eddi. - B\u00e0 Mary th\u00e2n m\u1ebfn, t\u00f4i kh\u00f4ng qu\u00ean b\u1ea5t c\u1ee9 \u0111i\u1ec1u g\u00ec m\u00e0 b\u00e0 \u0111\u00e3 n\u00f3i. T\u00f4i t\u1ef1 h\u1ecfi t\u00f4i s\u1ebd l\u00e0m g\u00ec n\u1ebfu trong nh\u1eefng n\u0103m qua kh\u00f4ng c\u00f3 s\u1ef1 gi\u00fap \u0111\u1ee1 c\u1ee7a b\u00e0. Tr\u00ed tu\u1ec7 c\u1ee7a b\u00e0, s\u1ef1 kh\u00f4n ngoan v\u00e0 nh\u1ea1y c\u1ea3m c\u1ee7a b\u00e0 tr\u01b0\u1edbc c\u00e1c s\u1ef1 vi\u1ec7c... - N\u1ebfu t\u00f4i tr\u1ebb h\u01a1n, t\u00f4i \u0111\u00e3 chinh ph\u1ee5c \u00f4ng b\u1eb1ng c\u00e1ch kh\u00e1c, Ralph. \u00f4ng kh\u00f4ng bao gi\u1edd bi\u1ebft t\u00f4i kh\u00e1t khao \u0111\u1ebfn m\u1ee9c n\u00e0o \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c l\u00f9i l\u1ea1i ba m\u01b0\u01a1i n\u0103m. N\u1ebfu c\u00f3 con qu\u1ef7 n\u00e0o xu\u1ea5t hi\u1ec7n t\u1eb7ng t\u00f4i c\u00e1i xu\u00e2n s\u1eafc \u0111\u1ed5i l\u1ea5y linh h\u1ed3n t\u00f4i, t\u00f4i s\u1ebd kh\u00f4ng h\u1ec1 do d\u1ef1 m\u1ed9t ph\u00fat v\u00e0 c\u0169ng kh\u00f4ng bao gi\u1edd ti\u1ebfc v\u1ec1 cu\u1ed9c th\u1ecfa thu\u1eadn \u1ea5y nh\u01b0 t\u00ean gi\u00e0 ngu ng\u1ed1c Faust \u0111\u00e2u. Nh\u01b0ng th\u00f4i \u0111\u1eebng \u0111i\u00ean r\u1ed3... T\u00f4i kh\u00f4ng th\u1ec3 tin v\u00e0o Ch\u00faa l\u1eabn qu\u1ec9, \u00f4ng d\u01b0 bi\u1ebft. T\u00f4i kh\u00f4ng th\u1ea5y c\u00f3 g\u00ec ch\u1ee9ng t\u1ecf c\u1ea3 hai \u0111\u1ec1u t\u1ed3n t\u1ea1i. C\u00f2n cha? - \u0110\u00fang l\u00e0 l\u00fd lu\u1eadn h\u01a1i \u0111\u01a1n gi\u1ea3n. - C\u00f3 th\u1ec3. - T\u00f4i ngh\u0129 r\u1eb1ng con ng\u01b0\u1eddi \u0111\u00e3 mang s\u1eb5n \u0111\u1ee9c tin trong m\u00ecnh ngay khi v\u1eeba sinh ra. V\u1ec1 ph\u1ea7n t\u00f4i, \u0111\u00f3 l\u00e0 cu\u1ed9c \u0111\u1ea5u tranh kh\u00f4ng ng\u1eebng v\u1edbi b\u1ea3n th\u00e2n, nh\u01b0ng kh\u00f4ng bao gi\u1edd t\u00f4i b\u1ecf cu\u1ed9c. - Th\u1ebf m\u00e0 t\u00f4i l\u1ea1i r\u1ea5t mu\u1ed1n l\u00e0m \u00f4ng b\u1ecf cu\u1ed9c. - \u00d4, b\u00e0 Mary th\u00e2n m\u1ebfn! \u0110i\u1ec1u \u0111\u00f3 t\u00f4i \u0111\u00e3 bi\u1ebft! \u00d4ng n\u00f3i v\u1edbi m\u1ed9t tho\u00e1ng \u0111\u00f9a, \u0111\u00f4i m\u1eaft nh\u01b0 nhu\u1ed9m m\u00e0u n\u00e2u x\u00e1m d\u01b0\u1edbi \u00e1nh \u0111\u00e8n. - Nh\u01b0ng cha c\u00f3 bi\u1ebft t\u1ea1i sao kh\u00f4ng? M\u1ed9t c\u1ea3m gi\u00e1c s\u1ee3 h\u00e3i tr\u00e0n ng\u1eadp cha Ralph. B\u1ed7ng ch\u1ed1c \u00f4ng nh\u1eadn ra con ng\u01b0\u1eddi \u0111\u1ea7y nh\u01b0\u1ee3c \u0111i\u1ec3m c\u1ee7a m\u00ecnh nh\u01b0ng \u00f4ng li\u1ec1n l\u00f9i \u00fd ngh\u0129 \u0111\u00f3. - T\u00f4i bi\u1ebft, b\u00e0 Mary \u1ea1. H\u00e3y tin t\u00f4i, t\u00f4i c\u1ea3m th\u1ea5y x\u00f3t xa v\u1ec1 \u0111i\u1ec1u \u0111\u00f3. - Ngo\u00e0i m\u1eb9 c\u1ee7a \u00f4ng ra, bao nhi\u00eau ph\u1ee5 n\u1eef \u0111\u00e3 y\u00eau \u00f4ng r\u1ed3i? - M\u1eb9 t\u00f4i c\u00f3 y\u00eau t\u00f4i kh\u00f4ng? T\u00f4i t\u1ef1 h\u1ecfi \u0111i\u1ec1u \u0111\u00f3. D\u00f9 sao th\u00ec cu\u1ed1i c\u00f9ng t\u00f4i v\u1eabn b\u1ecb m\u1eb9 t\u00f4i c\u0103m gh\u00e9t. Ph\u1ea7n \u0111\u00f4ng ph\u1ee5 n\u1eef \u0111\u1ec1u nh\u01b0 th\u1ebf c\u1ea3. \u0110\u00e1ng l\u00fd t\u00ean t\u00f4i ph\u1ea3i l\u00e0 Hippolyte. - \u1ed2! \u0110i\u1ec1u \u0111\u00f3 gi\u1ea3i th\u00edch r\u1ea5t nhi\u1ec1u. - C\u00f2n nh\u1eefng ng\u01b0\u1eddi ph\u1ee5 n\u1eef kh\u00e1c, t\u00f4i ch\u1ec9 th\u1ea5y c\u00f3 Meggie... Nh\u01b0ng \u0111\u00f3 l\u00e0 m\u1ed9t c\u00f4 g\u00e1i c\u00f2n b\u00e9. Ch\u1eafc kh\u00f4ng qu\u00e1 \u0111\u00e1ng ch\u00fat n\u00e0o khi n\u00f3i r\u1eb1ng c\u00f3 h\u00e0ng tr\u0103m ph\u1ee5 n\u1eef mu\u1ed1n t\u00f4i. Nh\u01b0ng c\u00f2n y\u00eau t\u00f4i? T\u00f4i nghi ng\u1edd \u0111i\u1ec1u n\u00e0y l\u1eafm. - C\u00f2n t\u00f4i, t\u00f4i \u0111\u00e3 y\u00eau \u00f4ng. - B\u00e0 n\u00f3i gi\u1ecdng x\u00fac \u0111\u1ed9ng. - Kh\u00f4ng \u0111\u00e2u, t\u00f4i ch\u1ec9 l\u00e0 m\u1ed9t ch\u1ea5t k\u00edch th\u00edch tu\u1ed5i gi\u00e0 c\u1ee7a b\u00e0, kh\u00f4ng h\u01a1n kh\u00f4ng k\u00e9m. Khi b\u00e0 nh\u00ecn t\u00f4i, t\u00f4i l\u00e0m b\u00e0 s\u1ef1c nh\u1edb t\u1ea5t c\u1ea3 nh\u1eefng ham mu\u1ed1n m\u00e0 tu\u1ed5i t\u00e1c \u0111\u00e3 ng\u0103n ch\u1eb7n b\u00e0 l\u1ea1i. - \u00d4ng l\u1ea7m r\u1ed3i. T\u00f4i \u0111\u00e3 y\u00eau \u00f4ng. Y\u00eau thi\u1ebft tha. \u00f4ng ngh\u0129 r\u1eb1ng tu\u1ed5i gi\u00e0 kh\u00f4ng cho t\u00f4i c\u00f3 th\u1ec3 y\u00eau \u00e0? Th\u1ebf th\u00ec, cha Ralph h\u00e3y nghe t\u00f4i n\u00f3i \u0111i\u1ec1u sau \u0111\u00e2y. B\u00ean trong c\u00e1i th\u00e2n x\u00e1c qu\u00e1i \u0111\u1ea3n n\u00e0y, t\u00f4i v\u1eabn c\u00f2n tr\u1ebb... T\u00f4i c\u00f2n c\u1ea3m gi\u00e1c, c\u00f2n kh\u00e1t khao, c\u00f2n m\u01a1 m\u1ed9ng, t\u00f4i v\u1eabn gi\u1eadm ch\u00e2n v\u00e0 b\u1ef1c t\u1ee9c tr\u01b0\u1edbc nh\u1eefng thua thi\u1ec7t c\u1ee7a th\u00e2n x\u00e1c gi\u00e0 nua n\u00e0y. Tu\u1ed5i gi\u00e0 l\u00e0 s\u1ef1 tr\u1eebng ph\u1ea1t cay \u0111\u1eafng nh\u1ea5t m\u00e0 Ch\u00faa b\u1eaft ch\u00fang ta ph\u1ea3i ch\u1ecbu. T\u1ea1i sao","Ng\u01b0\u1eddi l\u1ea1i kh\u00f4ng l\u00e0m cho t\u00e2m h\u1ed3n gi\u00e0 \u0111i c\u00f9ng m\u1ed9t l\u00fac v\u1edbi tu\u1ed5i t\u00e1c? T\u1ea5t nhi\u00ean t\u00f4i s\u1ebd xu\u1ed1ng \u0111\u1ecba ng\u1ee5c. Nh\u01b0ng tr\u01b0\u1edbc \u0111\u00f3 t\u00f4i hy v\u1ecdng s\u1ebd c\u00f3 d\u1ecbp n\u00f3i v\u1edbi \u0110\u1ea5ng t\u1ed1i cao r\u1eb1ng ng\u00e0i l\u00e0 k\u1ebb t\u1ed3i t\u1ec7, kh\u00f4 khan v\u00e0 \u0111\u00e1ng khinh b\u1ec9 d\u01b0\u1eddng n\u00e0o. - B\u00e0 g\u00f3a b\u1ee5a qu\u00e1 l\u00e2u, b\u00e0 Mary. Ch\u00faa \u0111\u00e3 ban cho b\u00e0 s\u1ef1 t\u1ef1 do ch\u1ecdn l\u1ef1a, \u0111\u00e1ng l\u00fd b\u00e0 n\u00ean \u0111i th\u00eam m\u1ed9t b\u01b0\u1edbc n\u1eefa nh\u01b0ng r\u1ed3i b\u00e0 v\u1eabn quy\u1ebft ch\u1ecdn cu\u1ed9c s\u1ed1ng \u0111\u1ed9c th\u00e2n, v\u1eady th\u00ec b\u00e0 ch\u1ec9 n\u00ean tr\u00e1ch m\u00ecnh, ch\u1ee9 kh\u00f4ng th\u1ec3 tr\u00e1ch Ch\u00faa \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c. M\u1ed9t l\u00fac im l\u1eb7ng, b\u00e0 b\u1ea5u ch\u1eb7t l\u1ea5y hai b\u00ean chi\u1ebfc gh\u1ebf b\u00e0nh, v\u00e0 c\u1ea3m th\u1ea5y d\u1ec5 ch\u1ecbu tr\u1edf l\u1ea1i khi m\u1edf m\u1eaft ra. D\u01b0\u1edbi \u00e1nh \u0111\u00e8n d\u1ea7u, \u0111\u00f4i m\u1eaft \u1ea5y \u0111\u1ecf v\u00e0 long lanh nh\u01b0ng v\u1eabn kh\u00f4ng c\u00f3 m\u1ed9t gi\u1ecdt n\u01b0\u1edbc m\u1eaft, c\u00f3 c\u00e1i g\u00ec \u0111\u00f3 \u0111au \u0111\u1edbn h\u01a1n, trong su\u1ed1t h\u01a1n nh\u1eefng gi\u1ecdt n\u01b0\u1edbc m\u1eaft gi\u1ea5u k\u00edn. Cha Ralph kh\u00f4ng d\u00e1m th\u1edf m\u1ea1nh, \u00f4ng c\u1ea3m th\u1ea5y lo s\u1ee3 v\u00e0 ngh\u0129 r\u1eb1ng b\u00e0 ta ch\u1eb3ng kh\u00e1c g\u00ec con nh\u1ec7n c\u00e1i. - Cha Ralph, tr\u00ean b\u00e0n vi\u1ebft c\u1ee7a t\u00f4i c\u00f3 m\u1ed9t phong b\u00ec. Xin \u00f4ng vui l\u00f2ng mang l\u1ea1i cho t\u00f4i, c\u1ea3m \u01a1n \u00f4ng nhi\u1ec1u l\u1eafm. Cha Ralph e d\u00e8 \u0111\u1ee9ng l\u00ean \u0111i \u0111\u1ebfn b\u00e0n v\u00e0 c\u1ea7m l\u1ea5y phong b\u00ec v\u1edbi m\u1ed9t ch\u00fat t\u00f2 m\u00f2. Phong b\u00ec tr\u1eafng d\u00e1n k\u00edn, nguy\u00ean ph\u00eda sau \u0111\u00f3ng xi \u0111\u1ecf con d\u1ea5u ri\u00eang c\u1ee7a Mary Carson h\u00ecnh \u0111\u1ea7u con c\u1eebu \u0111\u1ef1c v\u00e0 ch\u1eef D bao chung quanh. \u00d4ng mang l\u1ea1i cho b\u00e0 Carson nh\u01b0ng li\u1ec1n \u0111\u00f3 b\u00e0 ra d\u1ea5u m\u1eddi \u00f4ng ng\u1ed3i xu\u1ed1ng v\u00e0 \u0111\u01b0a phong b\u00ec ra ph\u00eda tr\u01b0\u1edbc. - Phong b\u00ec n\u00e0y c\u1ee7a \u00f4ng - b\u00e0 nh\u1ebfch mi\u1ec7ng c\u01b0\u1eddi - v\u00e0 s\u1ed1 ph\u1eadn c\u1ee7a \u00f4ng \u1edf trong \u0111\u00f3. \u00e0ngh\u0129a c\u1ee7a phong b\u00ec n\u00e0y l\u00e0 nh\u01b0 th\u1ebf. Th\u1eadt ti\u1ebfc v\u00f4 c\u00f9ng, t\u00f4i kh\u00f4ng c\u00f2n c\u00f3 m\u1eb7t \u1edf tr\u00ean c\u1ecfi \u0111\u1eddi n\u00e0y \u0111\u1ec3 ch\u1ee9ng ki\u1ebfn nh\u1eefng g\u00ec s\u1ebd x\u1ea3y ra, nh\u01b0ng t\u00f4i \u0111o\u00e1n bi\u1ebft \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c chuy\u1ec7n \u1ea5y, v\u00ec r\u1eb1ng t\u00f4i bi\u1ebft r\u00f5 \u00f4ng, bi\u1ebft \u00f4ng nhi\u1ec1u h\u01a1n \u00f4ng t\u01b0\u1edfng. Con ng\u01b0\u1eddi \u00f4ng ki\u00eau h\u00e3nh kh\u00f4ng th\u1ec3 ch\u1ecbu n\u1ed5i! Phong b\u00ec ch\u1ee9a \u0111\u1ef1ng s\u1ed1 ph\u1eadn cu\u1ed9c \u0111\u1eddi v\u00e0 c\u1ea3 linh h\u1ed3n \u00f4ng \u0111\u1ea5y. T\u00f4i \u0111\u00e0nh ph\u1ea3i nh\u01b0\u1eddng \u00f4ng cho Meggie nh\u01b0ng t\u00f4i an t\u00e2m v\u00ec \u0111\u00e3 c\u00f3 c\u00e1ch \u0111\u1ec3 con b\u00e9 n\u00e0y c\u0169ng s\u1ebd kh\u00f4ng c\u00f3 \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c \u00f4ng. - T\u1ea1i sao b\u00e0 l\u1ea1i cay c\u00fa v\u1edbi Meggie \u0111\u1ebfn th\u1ebf? - T\u00f4i \u0111\u00e3 n\u00f3i v\u1edbi \u00f4ng r\u1ed3i. T\u1ea1i v\u00ec \u00f4ng y\u00eau n\u00f3. - Nh\u01b0ng t\u00ecnh y\u00eau \u1ea5y kh\u00f4ng nh\u01b0 b\u00e0 hi\u1ec3u. Meggie \u0111\u00e1ng tu\u1ed5i con t\u00f4i, m\u00e0 t\u00f4i th\u00ec kh\u00f4ng bao gi\u1edd c\u00f3 con \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c, c\u00f4 \u1ea5y l\u00e0 ni\u1ec1m vui c\u1ee7a \u0111\u1eddi t\u00f4i. B\u00e0 Mary \u1ea1, Meggie \u0111\u1ed1i v\u1edbi t\u00f4i l\u00e0 m\u1ed9t \u00fd ni\u1ec7m, \u0111\u00fang l\u00e0 m\u1ed9t \u00fd ni\u1ec7m! B\u00e0 gi\u00e0 c\u01b0\u1eddi cay \u0111\u1ed9c: - T\u00f4i kh\u00f4ng mu\u1ed1n ch\u00fang ta n\u00f3i v\u1ec1 Meggie qu\u00ed b\u00e1u c\u1ee7a \u00f4ng! T\u00f4i s\u1ebd m\u00e3i m\u00e3i kh\u00f4ng g\u1eb7p l\u1ea1i \u00f4ng do \u0111\u00f3 t\u00f4i kh\u00f4ng mu\u1ed1n m\u1ea5t th\u00ec gi\u1edd v\u1ec1 chuy\u1ec7n c\u1ee7a con b\u00e9 \u1ea5y. Tr\u1edf l\u1ea1i c\u00e1i th\u01b0, t\u00f4i mu\u1ed1n r\u1eb1ng \u00f4ng th\u1ec1 v\u1edbi t\u00f4i, l\u1eddi th\u1ec1 c\u1ee7a m\u1ed9t linh m\u1ee5c r\u1eb1ng \u00f4ng s\u1ebd kh\u00f4ng m\u1edf phong b\u00ec tr\u01b0\u1edbc khi ch\u00ednh \u00f4ng t\u1eadn m\u1eaft nh\u00ecn th\u1ea5y c\u00e1i ch\u1ebft c\u1ee7a t\u00f4i. \u00d4ng ch\u1ec9 m\u1edf th\u01b0 ra tr\u01b0\u1edbc khi t\u00f4i \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c ch\u00f4n c\u1ea5t. \u00d4ng h\u00e3y th\u1ec1 \u0111i. - Kh\u00f4ng c\u1ea7n th\u1ebf b\u00e0 Mary \u1ea1. T\u00f4i s\u1ebd l\u00e0m \u0111\u00fang nh\u01b0 l\u1eddi y\u00eau c\u1ea7u c\u1ee7a b\u00e0. - \u00d4ng h\u00e3y th\u1ec1 \u0111i, n\u1ebfu kh\u00f4ng t\u00f4i l\u1ea5y l\u1ea1i phong th\u01b0 \u0111\u1ea5y.","- Th\u1ebf th\u00ec... t\u00f4i \u0111\u1ed3ng \u00fd - cha Ralph nh\u00fan vai. \u0110\u00e2y l\u00e0 l\u1eddi th\u1ec1 c\u1ee7a m\u1ed9t linh m\u1ee5c, t\u00f4i xin th\u1ec1, s\u1ebd kh\u00f4ng m\u1edf th\u01b0 ra tr\u01b0\u1edbc khi nh\u00ecn t\u1eadn m\u1eaft b\u00e0 \u0111\u00e3 ch\u1ebft, v\u00e0 s\u1ebd \u0111\u1ecdc th\u01b0 n\u00e0y tr\u01b0\u1edbc khi b\u00e0 \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c ch\u00f4n c\u1ea5t. - T\u1ed1t l\u1eafm, t\u1ed1t l\u1eafm. - B\u00e0 Mary, xin b\u00e0 \u0111\u1eebng lo l\u1eafng! Ch\u1eb3ng qua \u0111\u00e2y c\u0169ng l\u00e0 m\u1ed9t \u00fd ngh\u0129 ng\u00f4ng cu\u1ed3ng \u0111\u00f9a gi\u1ee1n c\u1ee7a b\u00e0 th\u1ebf th\u00f4i. S\u00e1ng mai b\u00e0 l\u1ea1i c\u01b0\u1eddi v\u1ec1 chuy\u1ec7n n\u00e0y \u0111\u1ea5y. - T\u00f4i s\u1ebd kh\u00f4ng th\u1ea5y c\u00e1i s\u00e1ng mai \u1ea5y. T\u00f4i s\u1ebd ch\u1ebft \u0111\u00eam nay; t\u00f4i kh\u00f4ng qu\u00e1 y\u1ebfu \u0111u\u1ed1i \u0111\u1ec3 n\u00e1n l\u1ea1i ch\u1edd gi\u00e2y ph\u00fat sung s\u01b0\u1edbng \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c nh\u00ecn th\u1ea5y \u00f4ng l\u1ea7n n\u1eefa. Kh\u00f4ng l\u1ebd t\u00f4i l\u1ea1i tu\u1ed9t d\u1ed1c \u0111\u1ebfn th\u1ebf sao! T\u00f4i \u0111i ngh\u1ec9 \u0111\u00e2y. \u00d4ng s\u1eb5n s\u00e0ng \u0111\u01b0a t\u00f4i l\u00ean \u0111\u1ebfn \u0111\u1ea7u c\u1ea7u thang ch\u1ee9? Cha Ralph kh\u00f4ng tin \u0111i\u1ec1u b\u00e0 Mary Carson n\u00f3i nh\u01b0ng bi\u1ebft r\u1eb1ng c\u00e3i l\u1ea1i c\u0169ng v\u00f4 \u00edch, v\u1ea3 l\u1ea1i b\u00e0 ta \u0111ang trong t\u00e2m tr\u1ea1ng b\u1ea5t \u1ed5n kh\u00f4ng n\u00ean l\u00e0m bu\u1ed3n l\u00f2ng b\u00e0 b\u1eb1ng m\u1ed9t chuy\u1ec7n b\u00f4ng \u0111\u00f9a. Ch\u1ec9 c\u00f3 Ch\u00faa l\u00e0 \u0111\u1ecbnh c\u00e1i ch\u1ebft c\u1ee7a m\u1ed9t con ng\u01b0\u1eddi, ngo\u1ea1i tr\u1eeb tr\u01b0\u1eddng h\u1ee3p theo \u00fd mu\u1ed1n ri\u00eang m\u00e0 ngay c\u1ea3 \u00fd mu\u1ed1n \u0111\u00f3 c\u0169ng do Ch\u00faa \u0111\u00e3 ban cho ta c\u00f3 th\u1ec3 t\u1ef1 k\u1ebft li\u1ec5u \u0111\u1eddi m\u00ecnh. Nh\u01b0ng b\u00e0 \u0111\u00e3 n\u00f3i r\u1eb1ng b\u00e0 s\u1ebd kh\u00f4ng t\u1ef1 t\u1eed m\u00e0. Cha Ralph d\u00ecu b\u00e0 ta b\u01b0\u1edbc l\u00ean t\u1eebng b\u1eadc thang, b\u00e0 t\u1ecf ra r\u1ea5t m\u1ec7t v\u00e0 c\u1ea7n \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c gi\u00fap th\u1eadt s\u1ef1. \u0110\u1ebfn cu\u1ed1i c\u1ea7u thang, \u00f4ng c\u1ea7m hai tay c\u1ee7a b\u00e0 l\u00ean, c\u00fai xu\u1ed1ng \u0111\u1ecbnh h\u00f4n nh\u01b0ng b\u00e0 ra r\u00fat tay l\u1ea1i. - Ri\u00eang \u0111\u00eam nay, t\u00f4i kh\u00f4ng mu\u1ed1n nh\u1eadn m\u1ed9t c\u00e1i h\u00f4n nh\u01b0 th\u1ebf. H\u00f4n tr\u00ean m\u00f4i, Ralph. H\u00e3y \u00f4m h\u00f4n v\u00e0o m\u00f4i t\u00f4i nh\u01b0 th\u1ec3 ch\u00fang ta l\u00e0 \u0111\u00f4i t\u00ecnh nh\u00e2n! D\u01b0\u1edbi \u00e1nh s\u00e1ng r\u1ef1c r\u1ee1 c\u1ee7a c\u00e2y \u0111\u00e8n ch\u00f9m l\u1edbn \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c th\u1eafp \u0111\u1ebfn 400 ng\u1ecdn n\u1ebfn, b\u00e0 nh\u1eadn ra g\u01b0\u01a1ng m\u1eb7t c\u1ee7a linh m\u1ee5c m\u1ed9t v\u1ebb th\u1eadt kinh t\u1edfm, b\u1ea5t gi\u00e1c b\u00e0 l\u00f9i l\u1ea1i. B\u1ea5y gi\u1edd b\u00e0 mu\u1ed1n ch\u1ebft \u0111i, mu\u1ed1n m\u1ed9t c\u00e1ch m\u00e3nh li\u1ec7t kh\u00f4ng th\u1ec3 n\u00e0o ch\u1ea7n ch\u1edd \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c n\u1eefa. - B\u00e0 Mary, t\u00f4i l\u00e0 linh m\u1ee5c! T\u00f4i kh\u00f4ng th\u1ec3 l\u00e0m chuy\u1ec7n \u0111\u00f3. Mary Carson c\u01b0\u1eddi l\u1edbn, ti\u1ebfng c\u01b0\u1eddi ch\u00e1t ch\u00faa, qu\u00e1i d\u1ecb - \u1ed2, Ralph, \u00f4ng \u0111\u00fang l\u00e0 m\u1ed9t k\u1ebb l\u1eeba b\u1ecbp! L\u1eeba b\u1ecbp v\u1edbi t\u01b0 c\u00e1ch con ng\u01b0\u1eddi v\u00e0 l\u1eeba b\u1ecbp v\u1edbi t\u01b0 c\u00e1ch m\u1ed9t linh m\u1ee5c: \u00f4ng ch\u1eb3ng l\u00e0 g\u00ec h\u1ebft, Ralph \u1ea1. M\u1ed9t t\u00ean l\u1eeba b\u1ecbp b\u1ea5t l\u1ef1c, v\u00f4 \u00edch! M\u1ed9t th\u1ee9 \u0111\u00e0n \u00f4ng b\u1ea5t l\u1ef1c v\u00e0 m\u1ed9t linh m\u1ee5c b\u1ea5t l\u1ef1c!","CH\u01af\u01a0NG 13 N go\u00e0i kia b\u00ecnh minh ch\u01b0a r\u00f5 n\u00e9t, k\u1ec3 c\u1ea3 v\u1ea7ng s\u00e1ng xu\u1ea5t hi\u1ec7n tr\u01b0\u1edbc \u0111\u00f3. B\u00f3ng t\u1ed1i \u00eam \u00e1i, d\u00e0y \u0111\u1eb7c, trong kh\u00f4ng kh\u00ed n\u00f3ng b\u1ee9c c\u00f2n ph\u1ee7 tr\u00f9m l\u00ean c\u1ea3 Drogheda. \u0110i \u0111\u1ebfn \u0111\u1ea7u b\u00ean kia b\u00e3i c\u1ecf, cha Ralph \u0111\u1ee9ng s\u1eefng l\u1ea1i, ng\u01b0\u1edbc m\u1eaft nh\u00ecn l\u00ean tr\u1eddi, t\u00ecm ki\u1ebfm Th\u01b0\u1ee3ng \u0111\u1ebf b\u1eb1ng c\u00e1i \u0103n ten ho\u00e0n to\u00e0n b\u1ea3n n\u0103ng c\u1ee7a m\u00ecnh. \u0110\u00fang r\u1ed3i, \u1edf m\u1ed9t n\u01a1i n\u00e0o \u0111\u00f3 tr\u00ean cao, gi\u1eefa c\u00e1i ch\u1ea5m li ti ph\u00e1t ra th\u1ee9 \u00e1nh s\u00e1ng tinh khi\u1ebft v\u00e0 v\u1eddi v\u1ee3i, c\u00f3 g\u00ec \u1edf gi\u1eefa m\u00e0n \u0111\u00eam n\u00e0y? Ch\u1ec9 c\u1ea7n nh\u00ecn v\u00f2m tr\u1eddi \u0111\u1ea7y sao c\u0169ng \u0111\u00e3 thuy\u1ebft ph\u1ee5c con ng\u01b0\u1eddi tin v\u00e0o s\u1ef1 v\u0129nh c\u1eedu t\u1ed3n t\u1ea1i c\u1ee7a Ch\u00faa. T\u1ea5t nhi\u00ean b\u00e0 ta c\u00f3 l\u00fd. M\u1ed9t k\u1ebb b\u1ecbp. \u0110\u00fang th\u1eadt l\u00e0 m\u1ed9t k\u1ebb b\u1ecbp. Ch\u1eb3ng ra linh m\u1ee5c ch\u1eb3ng ra \u0111\u00e0n \u00f4ng. Ph\u1ea3i chi c\u00f3 ai \u0111\u00f3 th\u1eed t\u00ecm hi\u1ec3u th\u1ebf n\u00e0o l\u00e0 ng\u01b0\u1eddi n\u00e0y ho\u1eb7c ng\u01b0\u1eddi kia. Kh\u00f4ng! Ch\u1eb3ng ph\u1ea3i ng\u01b0\u1eddi n\u00e0y, ch\u1eb3ng ph\u1ea3i ng\u01b0\u1eddi kia! Linh m\u1ee5c v\u00e0 \u0111\u00e0n \u00f4ng kh\u00f4ng th\u1ec3 t\u1ed3n t\u1ea1i chung v\u1edbi nhau - l\u00e0 \u0111\u00e0n \u00f4ng c\u00f3 ngh\u0129a l\u00e0 kh\u00f4ng l\u00e0 linh m\u1ee5c. T\u1ea1i sao t\u00f4i l\u1ea1i \u0111\u1ec3 ch\u00e2n k\u1eb9t trong m\u1ea1ng nh\u1ec7n c\u1ee7a b\u00e0 ta? N\u1ecdc \u0111\u1ed9c c\u1ee7a b\u00e0 ta th\u1eadt l\u00e0 d\u1eef d\u1eb1n, nham hi\u1ec3m nhi\u1ec1u h\u01a1n t\u00f4i t\u01b0\u1edfng t\u01b0\u1ee3ng. Trong th\u01b0 ch\u1ee9a \u0111\u1ef1ng \u0111i\u1ec1u g\u00ec? C\u00f3 v\u1ebb nh\u01b0 b\u00e0 ta mu\u1ed1n nh\u1eed ta! B\u00e0 ta \u0111\u00e3 bi\u1ebft g\u00ec, \u0111o\u00e1n g\u00ec? C\u00e1i g\u00ec \u1edf ta m\u00e0 b\u00e0 mu\u1ed1n bi\u1ebft hay mu\u1ed1n \u0111o\u00e1n? Ch\u1ec9 c\u00f3 s\u1ef1 tr\u1ed1ng r\u1ed7ng v\u00e0 s\u1ef1 c\u00f4 \u0111\u01a1n. Ho\u00e0i nghi \u0111au kh\u1ed5. Lu\u00f4n lu\u00f4n \u0111au kh\u1ed5. Tuy nhi\u00ean, b\u00e0 \u0111\u00e3 l\u1ea7m r\u1ed3i b\u00e0 Mary \u1ea1. T\u00f4i v\u1eabn c\u00f3 kh\u1ea3 n\u0103ng l\u00e0m ng\u01b0\u1eddi \u0111\u00e0n \u00f4ng, t\u00f4i kh\u00f4ng b\u1ea5t l\u1ef1c. Ch\u1eb3ng qua l\u00e0 t\u00f4i \u0111\u00e3 l\u1ef1a ch\u1ecdn v\u00e0 t\u00f4i \u0111\u00e3 tr\u1ea3i qua nhi\u1ec1u n\u0103m t\u1ef1 m\u00ecnh ch\u1ee9ng minh r\u1eb1ng c\u00e1i ph\u00fat gi\u00e2y n\u1ed5i d\u1eady c\u1ee7a th\u1ec3 x\u00e1c c\u00f3 th\u1ec3 k\u00ecm ch\u1ebf \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c. C\u00f3 ai \u0111\u00f3 kh\u00f3c th\u00ec th\u1ea7m trong ngh\u0129a trang. \u0110\u00fang l\u00e0 Meggie. Cha Ralph k\u00e9o cao \u00e1o cho\u00e0ng l\u00ean, leo qua h\u00e0ng r\u00e0o s\u1eaft, kh\u00f4ng c\u01b0\u1ee1ng l\u1ea1i \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c l\u00f2ng h\u00e1o h\u1ee9c mu\u1ed1n g\u1eb7p Meggie v\u00ec t\u1ed1i qua \u00f4ng ch\u01b0a k\u1ecbp t\u1eeb gi\u00e3. B\u1ea3n t\u00ednh d\u1eedng d\u01b0ng \u0111\u00f9a c\u1ee3t tr\u1edf l\u1ea1i v\u1edbi \u00f4ng, b\u00e0 ta kh\u00f4ng th\u1ec3 n\u00e0o k\u00e9o \u00f4ng ra kh\u1ecfi c\u00e1i b\u00f3ng h\u00ecnh v\u1eabn \u00e1m \u1ea3nh \u00f4ng. Con nh\u1ec7n gi\u00e0 nham hi\u1ec3m! C\u1ea7u Ch\u00faa tr\u1eebng ph\u1ea1t b\u00e0 ta b\u1ecb r\u1eefa th\u00e2y ra. B\u1ecb r\u1eefa th\u00e2y ra. - Meggie th\u01b0\u01a1ng y\u00eau, \u0111\u1eebng kh\u00f3c n\u1eefa - \u00f4ng ng\u1ed3i xu\u1ed1ng c\u1ea1nh c\u00f4 g\u00e1i tr\u00eam th\u1ea3m c\u1ecf \u01b0\u1edbt \u0111\u1eabm s\u01b0\u01a1ng. Cha \u0111o\u00e1n ch\u1eafc con kh\u00f4ng mang theo kh\u0103n tay. C\u1ea7m l\u1ea5y kh\u0103n c\u1ee7a cha, lau n\u01b0\u1edbc m\u1eaft \u0111i, ngoan n\u00e0o. Meggie c\u1ea7m m\u1ea3nh v\u1ea3i v\u00e0 v\u00e2ng l\u1eddi lau n\u01b0\u1edbc m\u1eaft. - Con ch\u01b0a thay c\u1ea3 chi\u1ebfc \u00e1o \u0111\u1eb9p n\u00e0y \u00e0. Con ng\u1ed3i \u0111\u00e2y t\u1eeb n\u1eeda \u0111\u00eam ph\u1ea3i kh\u00f4ng? - Con n\u00f3i v\u1edbi hai anh l\u00e0 con \u0111i ng\u1ee7. - Th\u1ebf th\u00ec t\u1ea1i sao con ra \u0111\u00e2y? C\u00f3 chuy\u1ec7n g\u00ec h\u1ea3 Meggie? - H\u1ed3i h\u00f4m, cha kh\u00f4ng n\u00f3i v\u1edbi con m\u1ed9t l\u1eddi. Xa xa v\u1ec1 ph\u00eda \u0110\u00f4ng tr\u1eddi \u1eedng l\u00ean ch\u00fat \u00e1nh s\u00e1ng m\u00e0u ng\u1ecdc trai. M\u1ea5y con g\u00e0 tr\u1ed1ng \u1edf Drogheda \u0111\u00f3n hi\u1ec7u b\u00ecnh minh b\u1eb1ng ti\u1ebfng g\u00e1y r\u00e1t c\u1ea3 c\u1ed5 h\u1ecdng. B\u1ea5y gi\u1edd cha Ralph nh\u00ecn r\u00f5 d\u1ea5u v\u1ebft c\u1ee7a nh\u1eefng gi\u1ecdt n\u01b0\u1edbc m\u1eaft \u0111\u00eam qua kh\u00f4ng l\u00e0m m\u1edd \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c \u00e1nh m\u1eaft tuy\u1ec7t \u0111\u1eb9p c\u1ee7a Meggie. - Meggie, trong bu\u1ed5i ti\u1ebfp t\u00e2n \u0111\u00eam qua, con l\u00e0 c\u00f4 g\u00e1i xinh \u0111\u1eb9p nh\u1ea5t, kh\u00f4ng c\u00f3 ai s\u00e1nh b\u1eb1ng. Nh\u01b0ng ng\u01b0\u1eddi ta c\u0169ng bi\u1ebft cha th\u01b0\u1eddng \u0111\u1ebfn Drogheda nhi\u1ec1u h\u01a1n l\u00e0 c\u00f4ng vi\u1ec7c th\u1eadt s\u1ef1 \u0111\u00f2i h\u1ecfi. Cha l\u00e0 linh m\u1ee5c, v\u00ec th\u1ebf, cha \u0111\u1ee9ng tr\u00ean m\u1ecdi s\u1ef1 nghi ng\u1edd. Tuy nhi\u00ean, cha e ng\u01b0\u1eddi ta kh\u00f4ng nh\u00ecn c\u00e1c s\u1ef1 vi\u1ec7c b\u1eb1ng con m\u1eaft \u1ea5y. Trong c\u00e1c linh m\u1ee5c, cha \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c coi l\u00e0 ng\u01b0\u1eddi c\u00f2n tr\u1ebb v\u00e0 d\u1ec5 coi. N\u1ebfu cha ch\u00fa \u00fd v\u00e0 con m\u1ed9t ch\u00fat th\u00f4i","th\u00ec c\u1ea3 Gilly n\u00e0y s\u1ebd bi\u1ebft t\u1ee9c kh\u1eafc. R\u1ed3i t\u1ea5t c\u1ea3 c\u00e1c \u0111\u01b0\u1eddng d\u00e2y \u0111i\u1ec7n tho\u1ea1i s\u1ebd loan truy\u1ec1n tin \u1ea5y. Con c\u00f3 hi\u1ec3u cha n\u00f3i g\u00ec kh\u00f4ng? Meggie l\u1eafc \u0111\u1ea7u, nh\u1eefng l\u1ecdn t\u00f3c qu\u0103n \u00f3ng \u00e1nh c\u00e0ng l\u00fac c\u00e0ng r\u1ef1c r\u1ee1 d\u01b0\u1edbi \u00e1nh m\u1eb7t tr\u1eddi. - Con c\u00f2n qu\u00e1 tr\u1ebb \u0111\u1ec3 hi\u1ec3u c\u00e1c chuy\u1ec7n r\u1eafc r\u1ed1i c\u1ee7a \u0111\u1eddi n\u00e0y - \u00f4ng n\u00f3i ti\u1ebfp - nh\u01b0ng cha ph\u1ea3i cho con bi\u1ebft d\u1ea7n. V\u00e0 h\u00ecnh nh\u01b0, c\u0169ng l\u1ea1i ch\u00ednh cha l\u00e0 ng\u01b0\u1eddi d\u1ea1y d\u1ed7 con. \u0110i\u1ec1u m\u00e0 cha mu\u1ed1n con ph\u1ea3i hi\u1ec3u l\u00e0 d\u01b0 lu\u1eadn \u0111\u1ed3n \u0111\u00e3i r\u1eb1ng cha ch\u00fa \u00fd \u0111\u1ebfn con v\u1edbi t\u01b0 c\u00e1ch \u0111\u00e0n \u00f4ng, ch\u1ee9 kh\u00f4ng ph\u1ea3i v\u1edbi t\u01b0 c\u00e1ch linh m\u1ee5c. - Th\u01b0a cha... - Gh\u00ea t\u1edfm, ph\u1ea3i kh\u00f4ng Meggie? - \u00f4ng m\u1ec9m c\u01b0\u1eddi - nh\u01b0ng \u0111\u00f3 l\u00e0 \u0111i\u1ec1u m\u00e0 h\u1ecd n\u00f3i, cha \u0111oan ch\u1eafc v\u1edbi con th\u1ebf. Con ph\u1ea3i hi\u1ec3u, Meggie, con kh\u00f4ng c\u00f2n l\u00e0 \u0111\u1ee9a tr\u1ebb con n\u1eefa, con l\u00e0 m\u1ed9t c\u00f4 g\u00e1i. Th\u1ebf nh\u01b0ng con l\u1ea1i ch\u01b0a bi\u1ebft che gi\u1ea5u t\u00ecnh c\u1ea3m m\u00e0 cha d\u00e0nh cho con, n\u1ebfu cha \u0111\u1ebfn g\u1ea7n con, n\u00f3i chuy\u1ec7n v\u1edbi con tr\u01b0\u1edbc nhi\u1ec1u ng\u01b0\u1eddi \u0111ang theo d\u00f5i th\u00ec \u00e1nh m\u1eaft c\u1ee7a con s\u1ebd t\u1ef1 th\u00fa con ngay, v\u00e0 ng\u01b0\u1eddi ta kh\u00f4ng th\u1ec3 kh\u00f4ng hi\u1ec3u sai tr\u00e1i th\u00e1i \u0111\u1ed9 c\u1ee7a con. Meggie nh\u00ecn cha Ralph m\u1ed9t c\u00e1ch h\u01a1i k\u1ef3 l\u1ea1, kh\u00f4ng th\u1ec3 n\u00e0o hi\u1ec3u \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c. Meggie quay \u0111i n\u01a1i kh\u00e1c v\u00e0 cha Ralph ch\u1ec9 nh\u00ecn th\u1ea5y m\u1ed9t n\u1eeda g\u01b0\u01a1ng m\u1eb7t. - V\u00e2ng, con \u0111\u00e3 hi\u1ec3u. Tr\u01b0\u1edbc \u0111\u00e2y con th\u1eadt l\u00e0 ngu \u0111\u1ea7n kh\u00f4ng hi\u1ec3u \u0111i\u1ec1u \u1ea5y. - Con th\u1ea5y \u0111\u00e3 \u0111\u1ebfn l\u00fac ph\u1ea3i v\u1ec1 nh\u00e0 ch\u01b0a? Hi\u1ec7n gi\u1edd h\u1ea7u h\u1ebft m\u1ecdi ng\u01b0\u1eddi c\u00f2n ng\u1ee7 n\u01b0\u1edbng tr\u00ean gi\u01b0\u1eddng, nh\u01b0ng l\u1ee1 c\u00f3 ai th\u1ee9c d\u1eady s\u1edbm nh\u01b0 m\u1ecdi khi, con l\u1ea1i g\u1eb7p r\u1eafc r\u1ed1i \u0111\u1ea5y. Con kh\u00f4ng th\u1ec3 n\u00f3i con v\u1eeba \u0111i v\u1edbi cha v\u1ec1 m\u00e0 c\u0169ng kh\u00f4ng th\u1ec3 n\u00f3i con \u0111\u00e3 c\u00f3 m\u1eb7t \u1edf nh\u00e0, Meggie \u1ea1. Meggie \u0111\u1ee9ng l\u00ean, b\u1ea5t \u0111\u1ed9ng m\u1ed9t l\u00fac, m\u1eaft nh\u00ecn xu\u1ed1ng cha Ralph. - Con \u0111i \u0111\u00e2y, th\u01b0a cha. Nh\u01b0ng con c\u1ea7u mong m\u1ecdi ng\u01b0\u1eddi hi\u1ec3u cha h\u01a1n, nh\u01b0 th\u1ebf s\u1ebd kh\u00f4ng ai \u0111\u1eb7t \u0111i\u1ec1u nh\u1eefng chuy\u1ec7n nh\u01b0 th\u1ebf v\u1ec1 cha. Nh\u01b0ng c\u00f3 ph\u1ea3i cha kh\u00f4ng h\u1ec1 v\u1ea5n v\u01b0\u01a1ng nh\u1eefng \u00fd t\u01b0\u1edfng nh\u01b0 v\u1eady? Do m\u1ed9t chuy\u1ec7n g\u00ec \u0111\u00f3, c\u00e2u h\u1ecfi c\u1ee7a Meggie l\u00e0m t\u1ed5n th\u01b0\u01a1ng \u00f4ng, t\u1ed5n th\u01b0\u01a1ng n\u1eb7ng n\u1ec1, h\u1eadu qu\u1ea3 c\u1ee7a n\u00f3 c\u00f2n h\u01a1n c\u1ea3 nh\u1eefng l\u1eddi ch\u00e2m ch\u1ecdc \u00e1c \u0111\u1ed9c c\u1ee7a Mary Carson. - Kh\u00f4ng, Meggie. Con n\u00f3i \u0111\u00fang. Cha kh\u00f4ng h\u1ec1 nu\u00f4i nh\u1eefng \u00fd t\u01b0\u1edfng nh\u01b0 th\u1ebf. Kh\u00f4ng, cha ho\u00e0n to\u00e0n kh\u00f4ng ngh\u0129 \u0111\u1ebfn. Con v\u1ec1 \u0111i, Meggie. Con v\u1ec1 nh\u00e0 \u0111i! Cha Ralph nh\u00ecn theo Meggie \u0111ang ch\u1ea1y gi\u1eefa c\u00e1c n\u1ea5m m\u1ed3, r\u1ed3i tr\u00e8o qua h\u00e0ng r\u00e0o th\u1ea5p. D\u01b0\u1edbi l\u1edbp \u00e1o d\u00e0i th\u00eau nh\u1eefng b\u00f4ng hoa h\u1ed3ng, th\u00e2n h\u00ecnh c\u1ee7a Meggie \u0111\u1eb9p d\u1ecbu d\u00e0ng, \u0111\u1ea7y n\u1eef t\u00ednh v\u00e0 m\u1ed9t ch\u00fat g\u00ec \u0111\u00f3 nh\u01b0 kh\u00f4ng th\u1eadt. V\u00e0o x\u1ebf chi\u1ec1u cha Ralph c\u00f3 c\u1ea3m gi\u00e1c m\u1ed9t b\u00e0n tay ch\u1ea1m nh\u1eb9 v\u00e0o vai. \u00d4ng gi\u01a1 tay \u0111\u1ecbnh n\u1eafm l\u1ea5y nh\u01b0ng v\u1eabn kh\u00f4ng \u0111\u1ee7 ngh\u1ecb l\u1ef1c \u0111\u1ec3 m\u1edf m\u1eaft ra. \u00d4ng mu\u1ed1n gi\u1eef l\u1ea1i b\u00e0n tay \u1ea5y tr\u00ean m\u00e1 m\u00ecnh. - Meggie, \u00f4ng th\u00ec th\u1ea7m. - Th\u01b0a cha, th\u01b0a cha! Cha \u01a1i h\u00e3y th\u1ee9c d\u1eady! Gi\u1ecdng n\u00f3i c\u1ee7a b\u00e0 Smith k\u00e9o \u00f4ng ra kh\u1ecfi c\u01a1n m\u00ea ng\u1ee7 v\u00e0 \u00f4ng t\u00ecm l\u1ea1i ngay s\u1ef1 t\u1ec9nh t\u00e1o. - Chuy\u1ec7n g\u00ec \u0111\u00f3 b\u00e0 Smith?","- B\u00e0 Mary Carson... th\u01b0a cha. B\u00e0 \u0111\u00e3 ch\u1ebft. \u0110\u1ed3ng h\u1ed3 \u0111eo tay c\u1ee7a \u00f4ng ch\u1ec9 s\u00e1u gi\u1edd h\u01a1n. C\u00f2n ng\u00e1i ng\u1ee7 v\u00e0 m\u1ecfi m\u1ec7t b\u1edfi c\u00e1i n\u00f3ng n\u1eb7ng n\u1ec1 c\u1ee7a ban ng\u00e0y, cha Ralph v\u1ed9i v\u00e0ng c\u1edfi b\u1ed9 \u0111\u1ed3 ng\u1ee7 v\u00e0 m\u1eb7c v\u00e0o chi\u1ebfc \u00e1o ch\u00f9ng, cho\u00e0ng l\u00ean c\u1ed5 chi\u1ebfc kh\u0103n l\u1ec5, l\u1ea5y d\u1ea7u l\u00e0m l\u1ec5 x\u1ee9c n\u01b0\u1edbc th\u00e1nh, c\u00e2y th\u00e1nh gi\u00e1 l\u1edbn b\u1eb1ng b\u1ea1c, tr\u00e0ng chu\u1ed7i h\u1ea1t m\u00e0u \u0111en. \u00d4ng kh\u00f4ng cho r\u1eb1ng b\u00e0 Smith l\u1ea7m l\u1eabn. \u00d4ng bi\u1ebft l\u00e0 con nh\u1ec7n gi\u00e0 \u0111\u00e3 ch\u1ebft. B\u00e0 ta c\u00f3 c\u1ed1 t\u00ecnh th\u00fac \u0111\u1ea9y c\u00e1i ch\u1ebft s\u1edbm h\u01a1n? N\u1ebfu nh\u01b0 th\u1ebf, c\u1ea7u Ch\u00faa, b\u00e0 kh\u00f4ng \u0111\u1ec3 l\u1ea1i m\u1ed9t ch\u1ee9ng c\u1edb n\u00e0o r\u00f5 r\u1ec7t v\u00e0 c\u00e1i ch\u1ebft c\u1ee7a b\u00e0 kh\u00f4ng l\u00e0m cho b\u00e1c s\u0129 nghi ng\u1edd. L\u00e0m l\u1ec5 x\u1ee9c d\u1ea7u cho b\u00e0 ta c\u00f3 \u00edch l\u1ee3i g\u00ec, \u00f4ng c\u0169ng kh\u00f4ng bi\u1ebft, nh\u01b0ng d\u00f9 sao v\u1eabn ph\u1ea3i l\u00e0m \u0111i\u1ec1u \u0111\u00f3 cho b\u00e0. N\u1ebfu \u00f4ng t\u1eeb ch\u1ed1i l\u00e0m l\u1ec5, th\u00ec s\u1ebd c\u00f3 cu\u1ed9c \u0111i\u1ec1u tra, v\u00e0 r\u1ed3i s\u1ebd \u0111\u1ebb ra \u0111\u1ee7 th\u1ee9 chuy\u1ec7n r\u1eafc r\u1ed1i. \u00d4ng cho r\u1eb1ng b\u00e0 Mary ch\u1ebft v\u00ec t\u1ef1 t\u1eed, th\u1ebf th\u00ec l\u00e0m l\u1ec5 th\u00e1nh tr\u00ean thi th\u1ec3 c\u1ee7a b\u00e0 l\u00e0 m\u1ed9t s\u1ef1 x\u00fac ph\u1ea1m \u0111\u1ebfn nh\u1eefng g\u00ec thi\u00eang li\u00eang nh\u1ea5t. B\u00e0 ta \u0111\u00e3 ch\u1ebft th\u1eadt. C\u00f3 l\u1ebd \u0111\u00e3 ch\u1ebft v\u00e0i ph\u00fat sau khi cha Ralph t\u1eeb gi\u00e3, nh\u01b0 v\u1eady l\u00e0 c\u00e1ch \u0111\u00e2y kho\u1ea3ng m\u01b0\u1eddi ti\u1ebfng \u0111\u1ed3ng h\u1ed3. C\u00e1c c\u1eeda s\u1ed5 \u0111\u1ec1u \u0111\u00f3ng th\u1eadt k\u00edn, trong ph\u00f2ng c\u00f3 m\u00f9i \u1ea9m c\u1ee7a h\u01a1i n\u01b0\u1edbc ch\u1ee9a trong m\u1ea5y chi\u1ebfc ch\u1eadu. Khi c\u00f2n s\u1ed1ng b\u00e0 v\u1eabn l\u00e0m nh\u01b0 th\u1ebf \u0111\u1ec3 gi\u1eef cho da lu\u00f4n m\u00e1t v\u00e0 m\u1ecbn. C\u00f3 ti\u1ebfng vo vo l\u1ea1 tai trong kh\u00f4ng kh\u00ed, sau m\u1ed9t l\u00fac ng\u01a1 ng\u00e1c, cha Ralph nh\u1eadn ra \u0111\u00f3 l\u00e0 ti\u1ebfng ru\u1ed3i bay; t\u1eebng \u0111\u00e0n l\u01b0\u1ee3n quanh, k\u00e9o nhau bu l\u1ea1i th\u01b0\u1edfng th\u1ee9c bu\u1ed5i ti\u1ec7c th\u1ecbnh so\u1ea1n tr\u00ean thi th\u1ec3 c\u1ee7a b\u00e0 Mary. Ch\u00fang bay qua l\u1ea1i, gh\u00e9p \u0111\u00f4i v\u00e0 \u0111\u1ebb tr\u1ee9ng tr\u00ean c\u01a1 th\u1ec3 \u0111\u00e3 l\u1ea1nh c\u1ee7a b\u00e0. - V\u00ec t\u00ecnh th\u01b0\u01a1ng c\u1ee7a Ch\u00faa, b\u00e0 Smith h\u00e3y m\u1edf c\u1eeda s\u1ed5 ra. Cha Ralph k\u00eau l\u00ean, h\u01a1i th\u1edf d\u1ed3n d\u1eadp. M\u1eb7t t\u00e1i nh\u1ee3t, \u00f4ng \u0111\u1ebfn g\u1ea7n gi\u01b0\u1eddng. M\u1ed9t m\u00f9i h\u00f4i th\u1ed1i kh\u00f3 ch\u1ecbu h\u01a1n c\u1ea3 con ng\u1ef1a ch\u1ebft \u1edf ngo\u00e0i b\u00e3i. \u00d4ng gh\u00ea t\u1edfm kh\u00f4ng d\u00e1m ch\u1ea1m v\u00e0o thi th\u1ec3 c\u1ee7a b\u00e0 c\u0169ng nh\u01b0 \u00f4ng \u0111ang gh\u00ea t\u1edfm kh\u00f4ng d\u00e1m ch\u1ea1m v\u00e0o ng\u01b0\u1eddi b\u00e0 khi b\u00e0 c\u00f2n s\u1ed1ng, nh\u1ea5t l\u00e0 tr\u00ean hai m\u00f4i l\u00fac nh\u00fac \u0111\u1ea7y tr\u1ee9ng ru\u1ed3i. Cu\u1ed1i c\u00f9ng th\u00ec m\u1ecdi vi\u1ec7c \u0111\u1ec1u xong xu\u00f4i. Cha Ralph \u0111\u1ee9ng th\u1eb3ng ng\u01b0\u1eddi l\u00ean: - B\u00e0 Smith, ch\u1ea1y \u0111i b\u00e1o cho \u00f4ng Cleary hay, n\u00f3i v\u1edbi \u00f4ng \u1ea5y ra l\u1ec7nh cho c\u00e1c con trai \u0111\u00f3ng ngay m\u1ed9t quan t\u00e0i. Ch\u00fang ta kh\u00f4ng c\u00f2n th\u1eddi gi\u1edd \u0111\u1ec3 ch\u1edd mang quan t\u00e0i t\u1eeb Gilly \u0111\u1ebfn, thi th\u1ec3 c\u1ee7a b\u00e0 \u0111ang th\u1ed1i ra. L\u1ea1y Ch\u00faa! T\u00f4i mu\u1ed1n n\u00f4n ra v\u00e0 ph\u1ea3i \u0111i t\u1eafm ngay. T\u00f4i \u0111\u1ec3 qu\u1ea7n \u00e1o \u1edf ngo\u00e0i c\u1eeda, b\u00e0 h\u00e3y \u0111em \u0111\u1ed1t gi\u00f9m t\u00f4i. M\u00e3i m\u00e3i t\u00f4i kh\u00f4ng th\u1ec3 t\u1ea9y x\u00f3a \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c m\u00f9i h\u00f4i th\u1ed1i th\u1ea5m v\u00e0o ng\u01b0\u1eddi t\u00f4i. Tr\u1edf v\u1ec1 ph\u00f2ng ri\u00eang, cha Ralph m\u1eb7c chi\u1ebfc qu\u1ea7n \u0111i ng\u1ef1a v\u00e0 \u00e1o s\u01a1 mi, b\u1ed7ng \u00f4ng nh\u1edb l\u1ea1i phong th\u01b0 v\u00e0 l\u1eddi th\u1ec1 c\u1ee7a m\u00ecnh. Phong b\u00ec ch\u1ee9a b\u1ed1n t\u1edd gi\u1ea5y; \u00f4ng m\u1edf t\u1eebng t\u1edd v\u00e0 nh\u1eadn ra ngay hai t\u1edd sau l\u00e0 di ch\u00fac c\u1ee7a Mary Carson. Hai t\u1edd \u0111\u1ea7u d\u01b0\u1edbi h\u00ecnh th\u1ee9c th\u01b0 ri\u00eang, vi\u1ebft cho \u00f4ng. Ralph th\u00e2n m\u1ebfn c\u1ee7a t\u00f4i, Nh\u01b0 \u00f4ng \u0111\u00e3 nh\u1eadn ra, v\u0103n b\u1ea3n th\u1ee9 hai ch\u1ee9a \u0111\u1ef1ng trong phong b\u00ec n\u00e0y l\u00e0 di ch\u00fac c\u1ee7a t\u00f4i. T\u00f4i c\u00f3 l\u1eadp m\u1ed9t di ch\u00fac kh\u00e1c, k\u00fd t\u00ean v\u00e0 \u0111\u00f3ng kh\u1eb1n l\u1ea1i ho\u00e0n to\u00e0n c\u00f3 gi\u00e1 tr\u1ecb, hi\u1ec7n n\u1eb1m t\u1ea1i v\u0103n ph\u00f2ng c\u1ee7a Harry Gough \u1edf Gilly. Di ch\u00fac trong phong b\u00ec n\u00e0y \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c l\u1eadp sau \u0111\u00f3 r\u1ea5t l\u00e2u, v\u00e0 t\u1ea5t nhi\u00ean n\u00f3 c\u00f3 gi\u00e1 tr\u1ecb v\u00f4 hi\u1ec7u h\u00f3a di ch\u00fac m\u00e0 Harry \u0111ang gi\u1eef.","Th\u1eadt ra, t\u00f4i \u0111\u00e3 l\u1eadp di ch\u00fac th\u1ee9 hai ch\u1ec9 c\u00e1ch \u0111\u00e2y m\u1ea5y ng\u00e0y. T\u00f4i \u0111\u00e3 y\u00eau c\u1ea7u Tom v\u00e0 ng\u01b0\u1eddi th\u1ee3 l\u00e0m h\u00e0ng r\u00e0o k\u00fd t\u00ean d\u01b0\u1edbi di ch\u00fac v\u1edbi t\u01b0 c\u00e1ch ng\u01b0\u1eddi l\u00e0m ch\u1ee9ng; v\u00ec t\u00f4i hi\u1ec3u bi\u1ebft r\u1eb1ng kh\u00f4ng th\u1ec3 g\u1ecdi ng\u01b0\u1eddi \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c th\u1eeba h\u01b0\u1edfng \u0111\u1ec3 l\u00e0m th\u1ee7 t\u1ee5c n\u00e0y. V\u0103n b\u1ea3n ho\u00e0n to\u00e0n h\u1ee3p ph\u00e1p d\u00f9 r\u1eb1ng ng\u01b0\u1eddi l\u1eadp kh\u00f4ng ph\u1ea3i l\u00e0 Harry. Kh\u00f4ng m\u1ed9t t\u00f2a \u00e1n n\u00e0o trong c\u1ea3 n\u01b0\u1edbc, c\u00f3 th\u1ec3 ph\u1ee7 nh\u1eadn gi\u00e1 tr\u1ecb c\u1ee7a b\u1ea3n di ch\u00fac sau, t\u00f4i cam \u0111oan v\u1edbi \u00f4ng nh\u01b0 th\u1ebf. Nh\u01b0ng t\u1ea1i sao t\u00f4i kh\u00f4ng y\u00eau c\u1ea7u Harry l\u1eadp di ch\u00fac n\u00e0y n\u1ebfu t\u00f4i mu\u1ed1n s\u1eeda \u0111\u1ed5i n\u1ed9i dung c\u1ee7a di ch\u00fac th\u1ee9 nh\u1ea5t? L\u00fd do th\u1eadt \u0111\u01a1n gi\u1ea3n, Ralph th\u00e2n m\u1ebfn c\u1ee7a t\u00f4i. T\u00f4i th\u1eadt l\u00f2ng mu\u1ed1n kh\u00f4ng m\u1ed9t ai ngo\u00e0i t\u00f4i v\u00e0 \u00f4ng s\u1ebd bi\u1ebft l\u00e0 c\u00f3 t\u1edd di ch\u00fac n\u00e0y. \u0110\u00e2y l\u00e0 b\u1ea3n duy nh\u1ea5t v\u00e0 b\u1ea3n n\u00e0y \u1edf trong tay \u00f4ng. Kh\u00f4ng m\u1ed9t ng\u01b0\u1eddi n\u00e0o bi\u1ebft \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c vi\u1ec7c n\u00e0y c\u1ea3, \u0111\u00e2y l\u00e0 m\u1ed9t ph\u1ea7n r\u1ea5t quan tr\u1ecdng trong k\u1ebf ho\u1ea1ch c\u1ee7a t\u00f4i. \u00d4ng c\u00f3 nh\u1edb \u0111o\u1ea1n trong kinh th\u00e1nh k\u1ec3 l\u1ea1i Xa t\u0103ng \u0111\u01b0a Ch\u00faa Jesus Christ l\u00ean n\u00fai v\u00e0 c\u00e1m d\u1ed7 Ng\u01b0\u1eddi b\u1eb1ng c\u00e1ch h\u1ee9a trao cho Ng\u01b0\u1eddi c\u1ea3 th\u1ebf gi\u1edbi? Th\u1eadt l\u00e0 th\u00fa v\u1ecb n\u1ebfu t\u00f4i bi\u1ebft \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c t\u00f4i c\u00f3 m\u1ed9t quy\u1ec1n l\u1ef1c c\u1ee7a Xa t\u0103ng v\u00e0 t\u00f4i c\u00f3 kh\u1ea3 n\u0103ng c\u00e1m d\u1ed7 ng\u01b0\u1eddi t\u00f4i y\u00eau (\u00f4ng c\u00f3 ho\u00e0i nghi v\u1ec1 chuy\u1ec7n Xa t\u0103ng y\u00eau Ch\u00faa? T\u00f4i th\u00ec kh\u00f4ng) b\u1eb1ng c\u00e1ch trao cho ng\u01b0\u1eddi \u1ea5y c\u1ea3 th\u1ebf gi\u1edbi. Tr\u01b0\u1eddng h\u1ee3p c\u1ee7a \u00f4ng \u0111\u1ee9ng tr\u01b0\u1edbc hai con \u0111\u01b0\u1eddng ph\u1ea3i ch\u1ecdn \u0111\u00e3 lu\u00f4n k\u00edch th\u00edch suy ngh\u0129 c\u1ee7a t\u00f4i trong su\u1ed1t nh\u1eefng n\u0103m g\u1ea7n \u0111\u00e2y v\u00e0 khi t\u00f4i c\u00e0ng \u0111\u1ebfn g\u1ea7n c\u00e1i ch\u1ebft th\u00ec nh\u1eefng g\u00ec t\u00f4i h\u00ecnh dung trong \u0111\u1ea7u l\u1ea1i c\u00e0ng mang \u0111\u1ebfn cho t\u00f4i nhi\u1ec1u th\u00edch th\u00fa. Sau khi \u0111\u1ecdc t\u1edd di ch\u00fac, \u00f4ng s\u1ebd hi\u1ec3u t\u00f4i n\u00f3i v\u1edbi ng\u1ee5 \u00fd g\u00ec. Trong khi t\u00f4i b\u1ecb h\u1ecfa thi\u00eau d\u01b0\u1edbi \u0111\u1ecba ng\u1ee5c, b\u1ecb lo\u1ea1i ra kh\u1ecfi c\u00e1i th\u1ebf gi\u1edbi m\u00e0 hi\u1ec7n gi\u1edd t\u00f4i bi\u1ebft th\u00ec \u00f4ng v\u1eabn c\u00f2n s\u1ed1ng, nh\u01b0ng \u00f4ng c\u0169ng s\u1ebd b\u1ecb thi\u00eau trong m\u1ed9t \u0111\u1ecba ng\u1ee5c c\u1ee7a nh\u1eefng ng\u1ecdn l\u1eeda d\u1eef d\u1ed9i h\u01a1n c\u00e1c ng\u1ecdn l\u1eeda m\u00e0 kh\u00f4ng m\u1ed9t th\u1ea7n linh n\u00e0o c\u00f3 th\u1ec3 t\u1ea1o ra \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c. Ralph c\u1ee7a t\u00f4i! T\u00f4i \u0111\u00e3 t\u00ecm hi\u1ec3u \u00f4ng \u0111\u1ebfn t\u1eadn c\u00f9ng! R\u1ea5t c\u00f3 th\u1ec3 t\u00f4i ch\u1eb3ng l\u00e0m \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c vi\u1ec7c g\u00ec kh\u00e1c nh\u01b0ng t\u00f4i l\u1ea1i r\u1ea5t bi\u1ebft c\u00e1ch h\u00e0nh h\u1ea1 nh\u1eefng ng\u01b0\u1eddi t\u00f4i y\u00eau. V\u00e0 \u00f4ng l\u00e0 m\u1ed9t con m\u1ed3i v\u00f4 c\u00f9ng h\u1ea5p d\u1eabn so v\u1edbi ng\u01b0\u1eddi ch\u1ed3ng qu\u00e1 c\u1ed1 Michael th\u00e2n y\u00eau c\u1ee7a t\u00f4i. Khi t\u00f4i m\u1edbi bi\u1ebft \u00f4ng, \u00f4ng c\u00f3 \u00fd mu\u1ed1n chi\u1ebfm \u0111o\u1ea1t Drogheda v\u00e0 ti\u1ec1n b\u1ea1c c\u1ee7a t\u00f4i, ph\u1ea3i kh\u00f4ng Ralph? \u00f4ng coi c\u1ea3 hai l\u00e0 m\u1ed9t ph\u01b0\u01a1ng ti\u1ec7n gi\u00fap \u00f4ng mua c\u00e1i quy\u1ec1n \u0111\u1ea1t t\u1edbi gi\u00e1 tr\u1ecb m\u00e0 \u00f4ng mong mu\u1ed1n. Nh\u01b0ng l\u00fac \u0111\u00f3, Meggie xu\u1ea5t hi\u1ec7n v\u00e0 \u00f4ng \u0111\u00e3 lo\u1ea1i ngay trong \u0111\u1ea7u \u00f4ng m\u1ecdi \u00fd ngh\u0129 mua chu\u1ed9c t\u00f4i, ph\u1ea3i th\u1ebf kh\u00f4ng? T\u00f4i \u0111\u00e3 tr\u1edf th\u00e0nh c\u00e1i b\u00ecnh phong cho c\u00e1c cu\u1ed9c lui t\u1edbi c\u1ee7a \u00f4ng \u1edf Drogheda, t\u1ea1o c\u01a1 h\u1ed9i cho \u00f4ng g\u1eb7p c\u00f4 b\u00e9 \u1ea5y. T\u00f4i t\u1ef1 h\u1ecfi \u00f4ng c\u00f3 d\u1ec5 d\u00e0ng thay \u0111\u1ed5i s\u1ef1 trung th\u00e0nh c\u1ee7a \u00f4ng hay kh\u00f4ng n\u1ebfu \u00f4ng bi\u1ebft \u0111\u00edch x\u00e1c t\u00f4i c\u00f3 m\u1ed9t t\u00e0i s\u1ea3n l\u1edbn nh\u01b0 th\u1ebf n\u00e0o. \u00d4ng ho\u00e0i nghi ph\u1ea3i kh\u00f4ng Ralph? T\u00f4i ngh\u0129 r\u1eb1ng \u00f4ng kh\u00f4ng tin \u0111i\u1ec1u \u0111\u00f3. \u0110\u00fang l\u00e0 r\u1ea5t kh\u00f3 coi v\u1ec1 ph\u00eda ng\u01b0\u1eddi \u0111\u1ec3 l\u1ea1i di ch\u00fac khi ph\u1ea3i k\u00ea khai gi\u00e1 tr\u1ecb ch\u00ednh x\u00e1c c\u1ee7a di s\u1ea3n, nh\u01b0ng theo \u0111\u00e1nh gi\u00e1 c\u1ee7a t\u00f4i, t\u00f4i th\u1ea5y t\u1ed1t h\u01a1n c\u1ee9 n\u00eau ra \u0111\u00e2y gi\u00fap \u00f4ng an t\u00e2m bi\u1ebft r\u1eb1ng \u00f4ng c\u00f3 \u0111\u1ee7 c\u00e1c d\u1eef ki\u1ec7n \u0111\u1ec3 l\u1ea5y m\u1ed9t quy\u1ebft \u0111\u1ecbnh khi th\u1eddi \u0111i\u1ec3m \u0111\u1ebfn. N\u1ebfu c\u00f3 sai l\u1ec7ch c\u0169ng ch\u1ec9 kho\u1ea3ng v\u00e0i tr\u0103m ng\u00e0n b\u1ea3ng, t\u00e0i s\u1ea3n c\u1ee7a t\u00f4i l\u00ean t\u1edbi tr\u00ean 13 tri\u1ec7u \u0111\u1ed3ng sterling. T\u00f4i \u0111ang vi\u1ebft cu\u1ed1i trang hai v\u00e0 t\u00f4i kh\u00f4ng c\u00f3 \u00fd \u0111\u1ecbnh n\u00e1n l\u1ea1i l\u00e2u h\u01a1n n\u1eefa v\u1edbi l\u00e1 th\u01b0 n\u00e0y. H\u00e3y \u0111\u1ecdc di ch\u00fac t\u00f4i, Ralph. V\u00e0 khi \u0111\u00e3 \u0111\u1ecdc xong, \u00f4ng c\u1ee9 quy\u1ebft \u0111\u1ecbnh l\u1ea5y \u00f4ng s\u1ebd l\u00e0m g\u00ec. Ho\u1eb7c \u00f4ng s\u1ebd trao cho Harry Gough \u0111\u1ec3 ch\u00ednh th\u1ee9c h\u00f3a, ho\u1eb7c \u00f4ng \u0111\u1ed1t n\u00f3 \u0111i v\u00e0 kh\u00f4ng n\u00f3i m\u1ed9t l\u1eddi v\u1edbi b\u1ea5t c\u1ee9 ai v\u1ec1 s\u1ef1 t\u1ed3n t\u1ea1i c\u1ee7a n\u00f3? \u0110\u00e2y l\u00e0 m\u1ed9t quy\u1ebft \u0111\u1ecbnh ho\u00e0n to\u00e0n thu\u1ed9c quy\u1ec1n c\u1ee7a \u00f4ng. T\u00f4i th\u1ea5y c\u1ea7n n\u00f3i th\u00eam r\u1eb1ng di ch\u00fac n\u1eb1m \u1edf v\u0103n","ph\u00f2ng c\u1ee7a Harry \u0111\u00e3 \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c t\u00f4i th\u1ea3o ra m\u1ed9t n\u0103m sau khi Pa\u0111y \u0111\u1ebfn \u0111\u00e2y. Trong di ch\u00fac \u0111\u00f3, t\u00f4i \u0111\u1ec3 l\u1ea1i ho\u00e0n to\u00e0n t\u00e0i s\u1ea3n cho em trai t\u00f4i. B\u00e2y gi\u1edd th\u00ec \u00f4ng bi\u1ebft ch\u00ednh x\u00e1c chuy\u1ec7n g\u00ec \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c \u0111\u1eb7t ra v\u1edbi \u00f4ng. Ralph, t\u00f4i y\u00eau \u00f4ng \u0111\u1ebfn m\u1ee9c t\u00f4i c\u00f3 th\u1ec3 gi\u1ebft \u00f4ng v\u00ec \u00f4ng \u0111\u00e3 xua \u0111u\u1ed5i t\u00f4i, n\u1ebfu t\u00f4i kh\u00f4ng k\u1ecbp suy ngh\u0129 l\u1ea1i c\u00e1ch tr\u1ea3 th\u00f9 \u0111\u00f3 l\u00e0 qu\u00e1 nh\u1eb9 nh\u00e0ng. T\u00f4i kh\u00f4ng thu\u1ed9c lo\u1ea1i ng\u01b0\u1eddi cao th\u01b0\u1ee3ng; t\u00f4i y\u00eau \u00f4ng, nh\u01b0ng t\u00f4i mu\u1ed1n \u00f4ng g\u00e0o th\u00e9t l\u00ean v\u00ec kinh ho\u00e0ng. V\u00ec r\u1eb1ng, t\u00f4i bi\u1ebft r\u1ea5t r\u00f5 quy\u1ebft \u0111\u1ecbnh m\u00e0 \u00f4ng s\u1ebd ch\u1ecdn. T\u00f4i bi\u1ebft m\u1ed9t c\u00e1ch ch\u1eafc ch\u1eafn nh\u01b0 l\u00e0 t\u00f4i \u1edf \u0111\u00f3 \u0111ang nh\u00ecn \u00f4ng. \u00d4ng s\u1ebd g\u00e0o th\u00e9t l\u00ean, Ralph, v\u00e0 \u00f4ng s\u1ebd bi\u1ebft th\u1ebf n\u00e0o l\u00e0 n\u1ed7i kinh ho\u00e0ng. Th\u1ebf th\u00ec c\u1ee9 \u0111\u1ecdc \u0111i, ch\u00e0ng linh m\u1ee5c \u0111\u1eb9p trai \u0111\u1ea7y tham v\u1ecdng c\u1ee7a t\u00f4i! H\u00e3y \u0111\u1ecdc di ch\u00fac c\u1ee7a t\u00f4i v\u00e0 h\u00e3y quy\u1ebft \u0111\u1ecbnh s\u1ed1 ph\u1eadn c\u1ee7a m\u00ecnh. L\u00e1 th\u01b0 kh\u00f4ng c\u00f3 ch\u1eef k\u00fd, k\u1ec3 c\u1ea3 ch\u1eef k\u00fd t\u1eaft. Cha Ralph c\u1ea3m th\u1ea5y m\u1ed3 h\u00f4i \u01b0\u1edbt \u0111\u1eabm tr\u00e1n m\u00ecnh, nh\u1ecf gi\u1ecdt t\u1eeb g\u00e1y xu\u1ed1ng l\u01b0ng. V\u00e0 \u00f4ng mu\u1ed1n \u0111\u1ee9ng d\u1eady ngay, \u0111em \u0111\u1ed1t c\u1ea3 hai v\u0103n b\u1ea3n, kh\u00f4ng c\u1ea7n xem n\u1ed9i dung c\u1ee7a t\u1edd di ch\u00fac. Nh\u01b0ng qu\u1ea3 th\u1eadt b\u00e0 ta hi\u1ec3u qu\u00e1 nhi\u1ec1u con m\u1ed3i c\u1ee7a m\u00ecnh, c\u00e1i con nh\u1ec7n gi\u00e0, ph\u1ee5c ph\u1ecbch \u1ea5y. T\u1ea5t nhi\u00ean r\u1ed3i linh m\u1ee5c l\u1ea1i ti\u1ebfp t\u1ee5c \u0111\u1ecdc v\u0103n b\u1ea3n th\u1ee9 hai. \u00d4ng qu\u00e1 t\u00f2 m\u00f2 \u0111\u1ec3 c\u00f3 th\u1ec3 ch\u1ed1ng l\u1ea1i s\u1ef1 c\u00e1m d\u1ed7. Ch\u00faa \u01a1i! \u00d4ng \u0111\u00e3 l\u00e0m g\u00ec m\u00e0 \u0111\u1ec3 cho b\u00e0 ta nh\u1eadn ch\u00ecm v\u00e0o m\u1ed9t c\u01a1n xo\u00e1y kinh kh\u1ee7ng nh\u01b0 th\u1ebf? T\u1ea1i sao ph\u1ee5 n\u1eef l\u1ea1i mang \u0111\u1ebfn cho \u00f4ng l\u1eafm kh\u1ed5 l\u1ee5y? T\u1ea1i sao th\u00e2n x\u00e1c \u00f4ng kh\u00f4ng l\u00f9n th\u1ea5p, t\u1eadt nguy\u1ec1n, x\u1ea5u xa? N\u1ebfu \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c nh\u01b0 th\u1ebf, bi\u1ebft \u0111\u00e2u \u00f4ng s\u1ebd h\u1ea1nh ph\u00fac? Hai t\u1edd gi\u1ea5y kia c\u1ee7a di ch\u00fac c\u0169ng c\u00f9ng m\u1ed9t tu\u1ed3ng ch\u1eef nh\u1ecf nh\u1eafn v\u00e0 chi li. C\u0169ng ti ti\u1ec7n v\u00e0 h\u1eb1n th\u00f9 nh\u01b0 l\u00f2ng d\u1ea1 \u0111\u00e0n b\u00e0. T\u00f4i k\u00fd t\u00ean d\u01b0\u1edbi \u0111\u00e2y l\u00e0 Mary Carson, kh\u1ecfe m\u1ea1nh v\u00e0 s\u00e1ng su\u1ed1t, tuy\u00ean b\u1ed1 \u0111\u00e2y l\u00e0 di ch\u00fac c\u1ee7a t\u00f4i, c\u00f3 gi\u00e1 tr\u1ecb v\u00f4 hi\u1ec7u h\u00f3a v\u00e0 ti\u00eau h\u1ee7y c\u00e1c di ch\u00fac c\u0169ng do t\u00f4i l\u1eadp ra tr\u01b0\u1edbc \u0111\u00e2y. Ngo\u1ea1i tr\u1eeb c\u00e1c v\u1eadt di t\u1eb7ng n\u00eau ra d\u01b0\u1edbi \u0111\u00e2y, t\u00f4i \u0111\u1ec3 l\u1ea1i to\u00e0n b\u1ed9 \u0111\u1ed9ng s\u1ea3n v\u00e0 b\u1ea5t \u0111\u1ed9ng s\u1ea3n cho T\u00f2a th\u00e1nh La M\u00e3, v\u1edbi nh\u1eefng \u0111i\u1ec1u ki\u1ec7n sau \u0111\u00e2y: Th\u1ee9 nh\u1ea5t, T\u00f2a th\u00e1nh La M\u00e3 \u0111\u00e3 n\u00eau tr\u00ean (d\u01b0\u1edbi \u0111\u00e2y s\u1ebd g\u1ecdi t\u1eaft l\u00e0 T\u00f2a th\u00e1nh) ph\u1ea3i hi\u1ec3u r\u1eb1ng t\u00f4i \u0111\u00e3 k\u00ednh tr\u1ecdng v\u00e0 th\u01b0\u01a1ng y\u00eau nh\u01b0 th\u1ebf n\u00e0o ng\u01b0\u1eddi \u0111\u1ea1i di\u1ec7n c\u1ee7a Ch\u00faa, cha Ralph. Duy nh\u1ea5t v\u00ec long nh\u00e2n \u0111\u1ee9c c\u1ee7a cha, do s\u1ef1 bi\u1ebft \u01a1n \u1edf ng\u01b0\u1eddi \u0111\u00e3 h\u01b0\u1edbng d\u1eabn linh h\u1ed3n t\u00f4i, do s\u1ef1 gi\u00fap \u0111\u1ee1 m\u00e0 cha mang \u0111\u1ebfn cho t\u00f4i v\u00e0 kh\u00f4ng bao gi\u1edd t\u1eeb ch\u1ed1i, ch\u00ednh v\u00ec nh\u1eefng l\u00fd do \u1ea5y m\u00e0 t\u00f4i \u0111\u00e3 \u0111\u1ec3 l\u1ea1i to\u00e0n b\u1ed9 t\u00e0i s\u1ea3n c\u1ee7a t\u00f4i cho T\u00f2a th\u00e1nh. Th\u1ee9 hai, T\u00f2a th\u00e1nh ti\u1ebfp t\u1ee5c h\u01b0\u1edfng c\u00e1c quy\u1ec1n l\u1ee3i c\u1ee7a di s\u1ea3n n\u00e0y cho \u0111\u1ebfn khi T\u00f2a Th\u00e1nh c\u00f2n th\u1eeba nh\u1eadn ph\u1ea9m gi\u00e1 v\u00e0 kh\u1ea3 n\u0103ng c\u1ee7a cha Ralph n\u00f3i tr\u00ean. Th\u1ee9 ba, ch\u00ednh cha Ralph \u0111\u00e3 n\u00eau c\u00f3 tr\u00e1ch nhi\u1ec7m qu\u1ea3n l\u00fd v\u00e0 \u0111i\u1ec1u h\u00e0nh t\u1ea5t c\u1ea3 \u0111\u1ed9ng s\u1ea3n v\u00e0 b\u1ea5t \u0111\u1ed9ng s\u1ea3n v\u1edbi t\u01b0 c\u00e1ch l\u00e0 ng\u01b0\u1eddi qu\u1ea3n l\u00fd ch\u00ednh c\u1ee7a di s\u1ea3n n\u00e0y. Th\u1ee9 t\u01b0, n\u1ebfu cha Ralph \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c n\u00eau tr\u00ean qua \u0111\u1eddi th\u00ec t\u1edd di ch\u00fac c\u1ee7a cha s\u1ebd \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c nh\u00ecn nh\u1eadn v\u1ec1 m\u1eb7t ph\u00e1p l\u00fd li\u00ean quan \u0111\u1ebfn s\u1ef1 qu\u1ea3n l\u00fd ti\u1ebfp t\u1ee5c t\u00e0i s\u1ea3n c\u1ee7a t\u00f4i. C\u00f3 ngh\u0129a l\u00e0 T\u00f2a th\u00e1nh v\u1eabn ti\u1ebfp t\u1ee5c l\u00e0m ch\u1ee7 t\u00e0i s\u1ea3n n\u00e0y nh\u01b0ng linh m\u1ee5c Ralph l\u00e0 ng\u01b0\u1eddi duy nh\u1ea5t c\u00f3 th\u1ea9m quy\u1ec1n ch\u1ec9 \u0111\u1ecbnh ng\u01b0\u1eddi thay th\u1ebf cha \u0111\u1ec3 qu\u1ea3n l\u00fd. Kh\u00f4ng b\u1eaft bu\u1ed9c ng\u01b0\u1eddi thay th\u1ebf cha Ralph ph\u1ea3i \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c ch\u1ecdn trong gi\u00e1o s\u0129 hay ng\u01b0\u1eddi ngo\u00e0i gi\u00e1o h\u1ed9i, theo \u0111\u1ea1o C\u00f4ng gi\u00e1o.","Th\u1ee9 n\u0103m, \u0111i\u1ec1n trang Drogheda kh\u00f4ng \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c b\u00e1n hay ph\u00e2n chia. Th\u1ee9 s\u00e1u, em t\u00f4i Padraic Cleary, ph\u1ea3i \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c gi\u1eef l\u1ea1i l\u00e0m ng\u01b0\u1eddi qu\u1ea3n l\u00fd \u0111i\u1ec1n trang Drogheda, \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c quy\u1ec1n \u1edf l\u1ea1i t\u00f2a nh\u00e0 c\u1ee7a t\u00f4i v\u00e0 \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c tr\u1ea3 h\u00e0ng th\u00e1ng m\u1ed9t s\u1ed1 ti\u1ec1n l\u01b0\u01a1ng m\u00e0 ch\u1ec9 c\u00f3 cha Ralph bi\u1ebft \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c m\u00e0 th\u00f4i. Th\u1ee9 b\u1ea3y, trong tr\u01b0\u1eddng h\u1ee3p em t\u00f4i Padraic Cleary qua \u0111\u1eddi, th\u00ec v\u1ee3 em t\u00f4i v\u00e0 c\u00e1c con em t\u00f4i \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c quy\u1ec1n ti\u1ebfp t\u1ee5c \u1edf t\u00f2a nh\u00e0 \u0111\u00f3 v\u00e0 c\u01b0\u01a1ng v\u1ecb qu\u1ea3n l\u00fd \u0111i\u1ec1n trang s\u1ebd trao cho c\u00e1c con c\u1ee7a em t\u00f4i theo th\u1ee9 t\u1ef1 Rober, John, Hugh, Stuart, James va Patrick; danh s\u00e1ch n\u00e0y lo\u1ea1i Francis. Th\u1ee9 t\u00e1m, khi Padraic qua \u0111\u1eddi v\u00e0 \u0111\u1ee9a con cu\u1ed1i c\u00f9ng c\u1ee7a em t\u00f4i c\u0169ng qua \u0111\u1eddi th\u00ec c\u00e1c quy\u1ec1n l\u1ee3i d\u00e0nh cho Padraic Cleary s\u1ebd \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c chuy\u1ec3n sang c\u00e1c ch\u00e1u c\u1ee7a em t\u00f4i. Nh\u1eefng di t\u1eb7ng ri\u00eang. \u0110\u1ec3 l\u1ea1i cho Padraic Cleary t\u1ea5t c\u1ea3 \u0111\u1ed3 \u0111\u1ea1c trong c\u00e1c ng\u00f4i nh\u00e0 n\u1eb1m tr\u00ean \u0111\u1ea5t c\u1ee7a \u0111i\u1ec1n trang Drogheda. B\u00e0 Eunice Smith, qu\u1ea3n gia c\u1ee7a t\u00f4i, \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c quy\u1ec1n \u1edf l\u1ea1i c\u01b0\u01a1ng v\u1ecb hi\u1ec7n nay c\u1ee7a b\u00e0 v\u1edbi s\u1ed1 l\u01b0\u01a1ng x\u1ee9ng \u0111\u00e1ng cho \u0111\u1ebfn khi n\u00e0o t\u00f9y \u00fd mu\u1ed1n c\u1ee7a b\u00e0, ngo\u00e0i ra trao ngay cho b\u00e0 s\u1ed1 ti\u1ec1n n\u0103m ng\u00e0n b\u1ea3ng Anh. Khi b\u00e0 v\u1ec1 h\u01b0u, tr\u1ea3 cho b\u00e0 m\u1ed9t tr\u1ee3 c\u1ea5p \u0111\u1ea7y \u0111\u1ee7. V\u1edbi Minerva O'' Brien v\u00e0 Catherine Donnelly, c\u1ea3 hai \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c quy\u1ec1n \u1edf l\u1ea1i c\u01b0\u01a1ng v\u1ecb m\u00ecnh cho \u0111\u1ebfn khi n\u00e0o t\u00f9y \u00fd. Trao cho m\u1ed7i ng\u01b0\u1eddi m\u1ed9t ng\u00e0n b\u1ea3ng Anh ngay b\u00e2y gi\u1edd v\u00e0 khi v\u1ec1 h\u01b0u c\u1ea3 hai nh\u1eadn m\u1ed9t s\u1ed1 ti\u1ec1n tr\u1ee3 c\u1ea5p \u0111\u1ea7y \u0111\u1ee7. V\u1edbi cha Ralph, h\u00e0ng n\u0103m h\u01b0\u1edfng m\u1ed9t s\u1ed1 ti\u1ec1n l\u00e0 m\u01b0\u1eddi ng\u00e0n b\u1ea3ng Anh, nh\u01b0 th\u1ebf su\u1ed1t c\u1ea3 \u0111\u1eddi, \u0111\u1ec3 cho cha s\u1eed d\u1ee5ng vi\u1ec7c ri\u00eang kh\u00f4ng c\u1ea7n b\u00e1o c\u00e1o. T\u1edd di ch\u00fac c\u00f3 ch\u1eef k\u00fd h\u1ee3p l\u1ec7, ghi r\u00f5 ng\u00e0y th\u00e1ng v\u00e0 c\u00f3 ch\u1eef k\u00fd ng\u01b0\u1eddi ch\u1ee9ng. Ph\u00f2ng c\u1ee7a cha Ralph nh\u00ecn ra h\u01b0\u1edbng T\u00e2y. M\u1eb7t tr\u1eddi \u0111ang l\u1eb7n. M\u00e0n b\u1ee5i m\u1ecfng xu\u1ea5t hi\u1ec7n v\u00e0o m\u1ed7i m\u00f9a h\u00e8 ph\u1ee7 l\u00ean c\u1ea3 kh\u00f4ng gian \u0111ang ch\u00ecm trong y\u00ean l\u1eb7ng. C\u00e1c tia m\u1eb7t tr\u1eddi xuy\u00ean qua m\u00e0n b\u1ee5i li ti \u1ea5y kh\u00f4ng kh\u00e1c g\u00ec nh\u1eefng ng\u00f3n tay, t\u1ea5t c\u1ea3 s\u00e1ng r\u1ef1c l\u00ean m\u00e0u v\u00e0ng \u00e1nh v\u00e0 m\u00e0u t\u00eda. - Hoan h\u00f4 Mary! \u00d4ng n\u00f3i m\u1ed9t m\u00ecnh. B\u00e0 Mary \u01a1i, t\u00f4i ph\u1ea3i nh\u00ecn nh\u1eadn l\u00e0 b\u00e0 \u0111\u00e3 th\u1eafng t\u00f4i. M\u1ed9t \u0111\u00f2n c\u1ee7a b\u1eadc s\u01b0, t\u00f4i l\u00e0 ng\u01b0\u1eddi b\u1ecb l\u1eeba, ch\u1ee9 kh\u00f4ng ph\u1ea3i b\u00e0. N\u01b0\u1edbc m\u1eaft r\u01a1i xu\u1ed1ng t\u1eeb l\u00fac n\u00e0o l\u00e0m cha Ralph kh\u00f4ng c\u00f2n nh\u00ecn th\u1ea5y r\u00f5 c\u00e1c t\u1edd gi\u1ea5y \u0111ang c\u1ea7m tr\u00ean tay; \u00f4ng v\u1ed9i v\u00e3 \u0111\u01b0a ra xa \u0111\u1ec3 tr\u00e1nh kh\u1ecfi b\u1ecb nh\u00f2a. M\u01b0\u1eddi ba tri\u1ec7u \u0111\u1ed3ng b\u1ea3ng Anh. M\u01b0\u1eddi ba tri\u1ec7u \u0111\u1ed3ng b\u1ea3ng Anh. \u0110\u00fang l\u1eafm, \u0111\u00f3 l\u00e0 m\u1ee5c ti\u00eau m\u00e0 \u00f4ng nh\u1eafm \u0111\u1ebfn tr\u01b0\u1edbc th\u1eddi gian \u00f4ng g\u1eb7p Meggie. V\u1edbi s\u1ef1 xu\u1ea5t hi\u1ec7n c\u1ee7a Meggie, \u00f4ng \u0111\u00e3 b\u1ecf r\u01a1i k\u1ebf ho\u1ea1ch v\u00ec r\u1eb1ng \u00f4ng kh\u00f4ng th\u1ec3 l\u1ea1nh l\u00f9ng ti\u1ebfn h\u00e0nh m\u1ed9t chi\u1ebfn d\u1ecbch m\u00e0 \u00f4ng bi\u1ebft cu\u1ed1i c\u00f9ng tru\u1ea5t quy\u1ec1n th\u1eeba k\u1ebf c\u1ee7a Meggie. Nh\u01b0ng n\u1ebfu \u00f4ng bi\u1ebft tr\u01b0\u1edbc ch\u00ednh x\u00e1c t\u00e0i s\u1ea3n c\u1ee7a con nh\u1ec7n gi\u00e0 k\u1ebfch s\u00f9 nh\u01b0 th\u1ebf th\u00ec \u00f4ng \u0111\u00e3 nh\u01b0 th\u1ebf n\u00e0o? Ph\u1ea3n \u1ee9ng c\u1ee7a \u00f4ng s\u1ebd ra sao? \u00d4ng kh\u00f4ng bao gi\u1edd t\u01b0\u1edfng t\u01b0\u1ee3ng r\u1eb1ng Mary Carson c\u00f3 th\u1ec3 \u0111\u1ec3 l\u1ea1i cho \u00f4ng m\u1ed9t ph\u1ea7n m\u01b0\u1eddi s\u1ed1 ti\u1ec1n n\u00e0y, n\u00f3i chi m\u01b0\u1eddi ba tri\u1ec7u \u0111\u1ed3ng b\u1ea3ng Anh? Su\u1ed1t b\u1ea3y n\u0103m, Pa\u0111y v\u00e0 gia \u0111\u00ecnh s\u1ed1ng \u00e2m th\u1ea7m trong ng\u00f4i nh\u00e0 d\u00e0nh cho vi\u00ean qu\u1ea3n l\u00fd. M\u1ecdi ng\u01b0\u1eddi trong","gia \u0111\u00ecnh l\u00e0m vi\u1ec7c c\u1eadt l\u1ef1c cho Mary Carson? V\u00ec c\u00e1i g\u00ec? V\u00ec kho\u1ea3n ti\u1ec1n c\u00f4ng b\u1ee7n x\u1ec9n c\u1ee7a b\u00e0 ta sao? Ch\u01b0a m\u1ed9t l\u1ea7n cha Ralph ch\u1ee9ng ki\u1ebfn Pa\u0111y than phi\u1ec1n s\u1ef1 \u0111\u1ed1i x\u1eed keo ki\u1ec7t c\u1ee7a ng\u01b0\u1eddi ch\u1ecb, c\u00f3 l\u1ebd Pa\u0111y ngh\u0129 r\u1eb1ng \u00f4ng ta s\u1ebd \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c \u0111\u1ec1n b\u00f9 l\u1ea1i khi Mary Carson qua \u0111\u1eddi. Pa\u0111y ch\u1ecbu \u0111\u1ef1ng \u0111\u1ebfn m\u1ee9c quen d\u1ea7n v\u00e0 cu\u1ed1i c\u00f9ng y\u00eau th\u01b0\u01a1ng Drogheda nh\u01b0 \u0111i\u1ec1n trang n\u00e0y c\u0169ng s\u1ebd thu\u1ed9c v\u1ec1 \u00f4ng th\u00f4i. - Mary, b\u00e0 th\u1eadt l\u00e0 tinh qu\u00e1i, cha Ralph l\u1eb7p l\u1ea1i m\u1ed9t m\u00ecnh. L\u1ea7n \u0111\u1ea7u ti\u00ean k\u1ec3 t\u1eeb thu\u1edf \u1ea5u th\u01a1, nh\u1eefng gi\u1ecdt n\u01b0\u1edbc m\u1eaft r\u01a1i \u0111\u1ea7m \u0111\u00eca tr\u00ean tay \u00f4ng nh\u01b0ng kh\u00f4ng h\u1ec1 r\u01a1i l\u00ean t\u1edd di ch\u00fac. M\u01b0\u1eddi ba tri\u1ec7u b\u1ea3ng Anh; v\u00e0 c\u00f2n c\u00f3 c\u1ea3 kh\u1ea3 n\u0103ng tr\u1edf th\u00e0nh H\u1ed3ng Y Bricassart. D\u0129 nhi\u00ean l\u00e0 b\u1eb1ng c\u00e1ch t\u01b0\u1edbc \u0111o\u1ea1t quy\u1ec1n th\u1eeba k\u1ebf c\u1ee7a Pa\u0111y, v\u1ee3 \u00f4ng ta, c\u00e1c con trai \u00f4ng ta - v\u00e0 Meggie. Tr\u1eddi \u01a1i, h\u00ecnh nh\u01b0 b\u00e0 ta \u0111\u00e3 h\u1ebft s\u1ee9c qu\u1ef7 qu\u00e1i th\u1ea5y \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c c\u1ea3 ru\u1ed9t gan c\u1ee7a m\u00ecnh! N\u1ebfu Mary t\u01b0\u1edbc \u0111o\u1ea1t c\u00f4ng s\u1ee9c Pa\u0111y, m\u1ed9t c\u00e1ch tr\u1ea7n tr\u1ee5i, th\u00ec con \u0111\u01b0\u1eddng c\u1ee7a cha Ralph \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c v\u1ea1ch ra qu\u00e1 r\u00f5 r\u00e0ng: \u00f4ng ta s\u1ebd c\u1ea7m ngay t\u1edd di ch\u00fac, \u0111\u1ee9ng l\u00ean \u0111i xu\u1ed1ng b\u1ebfp, v\u00e0 n\u00e9m n\u00f3 v\u00e0o l\u00f2 l\u1eeda kh\u00f4ng m\u1ed9t ch\u00fat do d\u1ef1. Nh\u01b0ng kh\u00f4ng, Mary Carson kh\u00f4ng l\u00e0m th\u1ebf, b\u00e0 l\u1ea1i b\u1ea3o \u0111\u1ea3m cho Pa\u0111y kh\u00f4ng t\u00fang thi\u1ebfu, l\u1ea1i c\u00f3 \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c m\u1ed9t cu\u1ed9c s\u1ed1ng d\u1ec5 th\u1edf h\u01a1n \u1edf Drogheda sau c\u00e1i ch\u1ebft c\u1ee7a b\u00e0 ta, m\u1eb7t kh\u00e1c \u0111i\u1ec1n trang n\u00e0y c\u0169ng kh\u00f4ng h\u1eb3n tru\u1ea5t kh\u1ecfi tay \u00f4ng. Thu nh\u1eadp c\u00e1c lo\u1ea1i c\u1ee7a \u0111i\u1ec1n trang v\u00e0 quy\u1ec1n s\u1edf h\u1eefu \u00f4ng kh\u00f4ng \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c h\u01b0\u1edfng, \u0111\u00fang th\u1ebf, nh\u01b0ng \u00f4ng v\u1eabn \u1edf tr\u00ean \u0111\u1ea5t \u0111\u00f3. V\u00e2ng, \u00f4ng kh\u00f4ng l\u00e0m ch\u1ee7 c\u00e1i t\u00e0i s\u1ea3n k\u1ebfch s\u00f9 13 tri\u1ec7u b\u1ea3ng Anh, nh\u01b0ng \u00f4ng v\u1eabn \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c k\u00ednh tr\u1ecdng v\u00e0 s\u1ed1ng m\u1ed9t c\u00e1ch \u0111\u1ea7y \u0111\u1ee7. Meggie kh\u00f4ng bao gi\u1edd \u0111\u00f3i, kh\u00f4ng b\u1ecb t\u01b0\u1edbc \u0111o\u1ea1t t\u1ea5t c\u1ea3. C\u00f3 \u0111i\u1ec1u l\u00e0 Mary Carson kh\u00f4ng t\u1ea1o \u0111i\u1ec1u ki\u1ec7n cho Meggie s\u00e1nh ngang vai v\u1edbi ti\u1ec3u th\u01b0 Carmichael v\u00e0 gi\u1edbi th\u01b0\u1ee3ng l\u01b0u thu\u1ed9c \u0111\u1ecba. Ho\u00e0n to\u00e0n \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c k\u00ednh tr\u1ecdng, \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c ch\u1ea5p nh\u1eadn trong gi\u1edbi gi\u00e0u sang nh\u01b0ng kh\u00f4ng bao gi\u1edd thu\u1ed9c h\u1eb3n v\u00e0o t\u1ea7ng l\u1edbp b\u00ean tr\u00ean. Kh\u00f4ng bao gi\u1edd. M\u01b0\u1eddi ba tri\u1ec7u b\u1ea3ng Anh. \u0110\u1ee7 \u0111i\u1ec1u ki\u1ec7n \u0111\u1ec3 r\u1eddi b\u1ecf Gillanbone v\u00e0 b\u00f3ng t\u1ed1i v\u0129nh c\u1eedu, t\u1ea1o \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c m\u1ed9t v\u1ecb tr\u00ed trong h\u00e0ng ch\u1ee9c s\u1eafc c\u1ee7a Nh\u00e0 th\u1edd, \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c l\u00f2ng nh\u1eefng ng\u01b0\u1eddi ngang h\u00e0ng v\u00e0 c\u1ea3 v\u1edbi c\u00e1c \u0111\u1ea5ng b\u1ec1 tr\u00ean. T\u1ea5t c\u1ea3 nh\u1eefng \u0111i\u1ec1u thu\u1eadn l\u1ee3i \u1ea5y \u0111\u1ebfn gi\u1eefa l\u00fac \u00f4ng c\u00f2n tr\u1ebb, c\u00f2n c\u00f3 th\u1ec3 tranh th\u1ee7 nh\u1eefng g\u00ec b\u1ecb b\u1ecf d\u1edf l\u00e2u nay. Mary Carson \u0111\u00e3 bi\u1ebfn Gillanbone th\u00e0nh trung t\u00e2m l\u00e3nh \u0111\u1ecba d\u00e0nh ri\u00eang cho \u0110\u1ee9c T\u1ed5ng gi\u00e1m m\u1ee5c \u0111\u1ea1i di\u1ec7n c\u1ee7a Gi\u00e1o ho\u00e0ng. D\u01b0 \u00e2m c\u1ee7a s\u1ef1 vi\u1ec7c n\u00e0y s\u1ebd vang d\u1ed9i \u0111\u1ebfn Vatican, \u0111\u00f3 l\u00e0 c\u00e1ch tr\u1ea3 th\u00f9 c\u1ee7a b\u00e0. D\u00f9 cho gi\u00e1o h\u1ed9i gi\u00e0u c\u00f3 \u0111\u1ebfn \u0111\u00e2u, m\u01b0\u1eddi ba tri\u1ec7u b\u1ea3ng Anh v\u1eabn l\u00e0 m\u01b0\u1eddi ba tri\u1ec7u b\u1ea3ng Anh. \u0110\u00f3 kh\u00f4ng ph\u1ea3i l\u00e0 m\u1ed9t s\u1ed1 ti\u1ec1n c\u00f3 th\u1ec3 coi nh\u1eb9, d\u00f9 v\u1edbi gi\u00e1o h\u1ed9i \u0111i n\u1eefa. V\u00e0 ch\u00ednh cha Ralph l\u00e0 ng\u01b0\u1eddi duy nh\u1ea5t c\u00f3 th\u1ec3 \u0111\u01b0a t\u00e0i s\u1ea3n k\u1ebfch s\u00f9 \u1ea5y v\u1ec1 cho Nh\u00e0 th\u1edd, \u00f4ng l\u00e0 ng\u01b0\u1eddi \u0111\u00e3 \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c nh\u00ecn nh\u1eadn t\u1edd di ch\u00fac; ch\u00ednh b\u00e0 Mary Carson \u0111o\u00e1n tr\u01b0\u1edbc \u0111i\u1ec1u \u0111\u00f3, c\u1ea7u Ch\u00faa \u0111\u00e0y m\u1ee5 gi\u00e0 n\u00e0y m\u1ee5c x\u01b0\u01a1ng d\u01b0\u1edbi \u0111\u1ecba ng\u1ee5c! Nh\u01b0ng ch\u1eafc ch\u1eafn Pa\u0111y s\u1ebd gi\u1eadn d\u1eef, s\u1ebd t\u1eeb ch\u1ed1i nh\u00ecn m\u1eb7t v\u00e0 t\u1eeb nay ch\u1eb3ng th\u00e8m n\u00f3i m\u1ed9t l\u1eddi n\u00e0o v\u1edbi \u00f4ng. Nh\u01b0ng d\u00f9 c\u00f3 gi\u1eadn d\u1eef, \u00f4ng \u1ea5y c\u0169ng s\u1ebd kh\u00f4ng ki\u1ec7n \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c ra t\u00f2a. Th\u1eadt s\u1ef1 c\u00f3 c\u1ea7n l\u1ea5y m\u1ed9t quy\u1ebft \u0111\u1ecbnh kh\u00f4ng? Quy\u1ebft \u0111\u1ecbnh \u1ea5y, cha Ralph \u0111\u00e3 bi\u1ebft r\u1ed3i. Ngay l\u00fac v\u1eeba \u0111\u1ecdc t\u1edd di ch\u00fac \u00f4ng \u0111\u00e3 bi\u1ebft s\u1ebd ph\u1ea3i ph\u1ea3n \u1ee9ng nh\u01b0 th\u1ebf n\u00e0o. N\u01b0\u1edbc m\u1eaft \u0111\u00e3 kh\u00f4 r\u00e1o. Cha Ralph \u0111\u1ee9ng l\u00ean, nh\u1eb9 nh\u00e0ng v\u00e0 g\u1ecdn g\u00e0ng nh\u01b0 m\u1ecdi khi, \u00f4ng xem l\u1ea1i chi\u1ebfc \u00e1o s\u01a1 mi b\u1ecf v\u00e0o qu\u1ea7n \u0111\u00e3 g\u1ecdn g\u00e0ng ch\u01b0a, r\u1ed3i \u0111\u1ebfn g\u1ea7n","c\u1eeda. \u00d4ng ph\u1ea3i \u0111i ngay Gilly, \u0111\u1ec3 l\u1ea5y chi\u1ebfc \u00e1o d\u00f2ng v\u00e0 c\u00e1c th\u1ee9 kh\u00e1c \u0111\u1ec3 l\u00e0m l\u1ec5 tang. Nh\u01b0ng tr\u01b0\u1edbc h\u1ebft, \u00f4ng ph\u1ea3i nh\u00ecn m\u1eb7t Mary l\u1ea7n cu\u1ed1i. C\u00e1c c\u1eeda s\u1ed5 v\u1eabn m\u1edf toang nh\u01b0ng m\u00f9i h\u00f4i th\u1ed1i v\u1eabn x\u00f4ng l\u00ean, kh\u00f4ng c\u00f3 m\u1ed9t ng\u1ecdn gi\u00f3 nh\u1eb9. \u0110i nh\u1eefng b\u01b0\u1edbc d\u1ee9t kho\u00e1t, \u00f4ng \u0111\u1ebfn g\u1ea7n gi\u01b0\u1eddng, nh\u00ecn xu\u1ed1ng. Nh\u1eefng tr\u1ee9ng ru\u1ed3i \u0111\u1ebb \u0111\u00e3 b\u1eaft \u0111\u1ea7u n\u1edf th\u00e0nh d\u00f2i, l\u1ed5n ng\u1ed5n tr\u00ean g\u01b0\u01a1ng m\u1eb7t c\u00f3 nhi\u1ec1u n\u01a1i \u1ea9m \u01b0\u1edbt. B\u00e0n tay v\u00e0 c\u00e1nh tay Mary \u0111\u00e3 s\u00ecnh l\u00ean, da n\u1ee9t ra v\u1edbi nh\u1eefng \u0111\u1ed1m m\u00e0u xanh t\u00e1i. \u00d4i l\u1ea1y Ch\u00faa! Sao con nh\u1ec7n gi\u00e0 l\u1ea1i g\u1edbm ghi\u1ebfc nh\u01b0 th\u1ebf. Nh\u01b0ng m\u1ee5 s\u1ebd kh\u00f4ng bao gi\u1edd th\u1eafng \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c Meggie c\u1ee7a ta, kh\u00f4ng th\u1ec3 n\u00e0o t\u01b0\u1edbc \u0111o\u1ea1t \u1edf Meggie nh\u1eefng g\u00ec kh\u00f4ng thu\u1ed9c v\u1ec1 m\u1ee5. R\u1ea5t c\u00f3 th\u1ec3 ta c\u0169ng b\u1ecb thi\u00eau \u1edf h\u1ecfa ng\u1ee5c k\u1ebf b\u00ean m\u1ee5 nh\u01b0ng ta bi\u1ebft tr\u01b0\u1edbc h\u1ecfa ng\u1ee5c d\u00e0nh cho m\u1ee5 nh\u01b0 th\u1ebf n\u00e0o: m\u1ee5 mong mu\u1ed1n v\u00f4 c\u00f9ng hai ch\u00fang ta s\u1ebd c\u00f9ng nhau r\u1ee5c x\u01b0\u01a1ng trong v\u0129nh c\u1eedu nh\u01b0ng m\u1ee5 s\u1ebd v\u1eabn th\u1ea5y ta h\u1ebft s\u1ee9c d\u1eedng d\u01b0ng tr\u01b0\u1edbc m\u1ee5. ... Cha Ralph tr\u1ea7m ng\u00e2m kh\u00e1 l\u00e2u, l\u00e2u h\u01a1n th\u1eddi gian \u0111i v\u1ec1 nh\u00e0 x\u1ee9 v\u00e0 tr\u1edf l\u1ea1i. Tr\u01b0\u1edbc khi v\u1ec1 nh\u00e0, \u00f4ng \u0111\u00e3 gh\u00e9 l\u1ea1i nh\u00e0 c\u1ee7a Harry Gough \u1edf Gillanbone. Harry Gough v\u1eeba ng\u1ed3i v\u00e0o b\u00e0n \u0103n, \u0111\u1ee9ng d\u1eady v\u00e0 \u0111i th\u1eb3ng v\u00e0o ph\u00f2ng kh\u00e1ch khi \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c ch\u1ecb gi\u00fap vi\u1ec7c b\u00e1o tin cha Ralph \u0111\u1ebfn. - Th\u01b0a cha, xin m\u1eddi cha d\u00f9ng c\u01a1m. C\u00f3 th\u1ecbt b\u00f2 n\u1ea5u nh\u1eeb v\u1edbi khoai t\u00e2y lu\u1ed9c, \u0111\u1eb7c bi\u1ec7t th\u1ecbt b\u00f2 kh\u00f4ng m\u1eb7n l\u1eafm. - Kh\u00f4ng, c\u1ea3m \u01a1n Harry, t\u00f4i kh\u00f4ng th\u1ec3 d\u00f9ng c\u01a1m v\u1edbi \u00f4ng \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c. T\u00f4i gh\u00e9 qua \u0111\u00e2y \u0111\u1ec3 cho \u00f4ng bi\u1ebft b\u00e0 Mary Carson \u0111\u00e3 m\u1ea5t s\u00e1ng na\u1ef5 - Ch\u00faa \u01a1i! T\u00f4i m\u1edbi d\u1ef1 bu\u1ed5i ti\u1ebfp t\u00e2n c\u1ee7a b\u00e0 t\u1ed1i h\u00f4m qua! B\u00e0 ta tr\u00f4ng kh\u1ecfe m\u1ea1nh l\u1eafm th\u01b0a cha! - \u0110\u00fang th\u1ebf. B\u00e0 ta c\u00f2n r\u1ea5t kh\u1ecfe khi t\u00f4i d\u00ecu b\u00e0 l\u00ean c\u1ea7u thang h\u1ed3i ba gi\u1edd, nh\u01b0ng h\u00ecnh nh\u01b0 b\u00e0 ch\u1ebft ngay khi n\u1eb1m xu\u1ed1ng. B\u00e0 Smith ph\u00e1t hi\u1ec7n \u0111i\u1ec1u \u0111\u00f3 v\u00e0o l\u00fac s\u00e1u gi\u1edd chi\u1ec1u h\u00f4m nay. - Ng\u00e0y mai s\u1ebd ch\u00f4n? - Ph\u1ea3i, ch\u00f4n ng\u00e0y mai. - Nh\u1edd cha n\u00f3i cho \u00f4ng Pa\u0111y bi\u1ebft t\u00f4i s\u1ebd mang di ch\u00fac c\u1ee7a b\u00e0 Mary Carson \u0111\u1ebfn \u0111\u1ec3 k\u1ecbp m\u1edf ra \u0111\u1ecdc ngay sau khi mai t\u00e1ng. Cha c\u0169ng l\u00e0 m\u1ed9t trong nh\u1eefng ng\u01b0\u1eddi \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c h\u01b0\u1edfng m\u1ed9t ph\u1ea7n t\u00e0i s\u1ea3n, th\u01b0a cha. Do \u0111\u00f3 t\u00f4i c\u0169ng m\u1eddi cha ch\u1ee9ng ki\u1ebfn l\u00fac \u0111\u1ecdc di ch\u00fac. - T\u00f4i e r\u1eb1ng ch\u00fang ta g\u1eb7p m\u1ed9t ch\u00fat r\u1eafc r\u1ed1i, Harry. \u00d4ng c\u00f3 bi\u1ebft kh\u00f4ng, Mary \u0111\u00e3 l\u1eadp m\u1ed9t t\u1edd di ch\u00fac kh\u00e1c. T\u1ed1i h\u00f4m qua sau khi r\u1eddi cu\u1ed9c ti\u1ebfp t\u00e2n, b\u00e0 \u0111\u00e3 trao l\u1ea1i cho t\u00f4i m\u1ed9t phong th\u01b0 \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c kh\u1eb1n k\u00edn v\u00e0 bu\u1ed9c t\u00f4i, ph\u1ea3i long tr\u1ecdng h\u1ee9a v\u1edbi b\u00e0 ch\u1ec9 m\u1edf phong th\u01b0 \u1ea5y ra sau khi t\u00f4i bi\u1ebft ch\u1eafc b\u00e0 \u0111\u00e3 qua \u0111\u1eddi. T\u00f4i \u0111\u00e3 l\u00e0m theo \u00fd nguy\u1ec7n c\u1ee7a b\u00e0 v\u00e0 \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c bi\u1ebft phong th\u01b0 \u1ea5y ch\u1ee9a \u0111\u1ef1ng m\u1ed9t di ch\u00fac. - B\u00e0 Marry \u0111\u00e3 l\u1eadp m\u1ed9t di ch\u00fac kh\u00e1c? Kh\u00f4ng c\u00f3 m\u1eb7t t\u00f4i. - H\u00ecnh nh\u01b0 th\u1ebf. Theo t\u00f4i ngh\u0129 b\u00e0 ta \u0111\u00e3 t\u00ednh vi\u1ec7c n\u00e0y t\u1eeb l\u00e2u, nh\u01b0ng kh\u00f4ng bi\u1ebft l\u00fd do n\u00e0o \u0111\u00e3 th\u00fac \u0111\u1ea9y b\u00e0 gi\u1eef k\u00edn nh\u01b0 th\u1ebf. - Cha c\u00f3 mang theo di ch\u00fac \u0111\u00f3 kh\u00f4ng?","- C\u00f3. Cha Ralph \u0111\u01b0a tay v\u00e0o \u00e1o r\u00fat ra b\u1ea3n di ch\u00fac \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c x\u1ebfp r\u1ea5t c\u1ea9n th\u1eadn v\u00e0 trao cho Harr\u1ef5 V\u1ecb tr\u01b0\u1edfng kh\u1ebf kh\u00f4ng c\u1ea7n t\u1ecf ra ch\u00fat t\u1ebf nh\u1ecb n\u00e0o, \u00f4ng ta \u0111\u1ecdc ngay t\u1ea1i ch\u1ed7. Khi \u0111\u1ecdc d\u1ee9t, \u00f4ng ng\u01b0\u1edbc l\u00ean nh\u00ecn cha Ralph. Linh m\u1ee5c th\u1ea5y trong m\u1eaft \u00f4ng ta \u0111i\u1ec1u m\u00e0 linh m\u1ee5c ch\u1eb3ng mu\u1ed1n th\u1ea5y ch\u00fat n\u00e0o: s\u1ef1 ng\u01b0\u1ee1ng m\u1ed9, s\u1ef1 gi\u1eadn d\u1eef r\u1ed3i s\u1ef1 khinh b\u1ec9 n\u00e0o \u0111\u00f3. - Th\u1ebf th\u00ec xin c\u00f3 l\u1eddi ch\u00fac m\u1eebng cha. Cu\u1ed1i c\u00f9ng th\u00ec cha th\u1eeba h\u01b0\u1edfng tr\u1ecdn t\u1ea5t c\u1ea3. V\u00ec kh\u00f4ng l\u00e0 ng\u01b0\u1eddi c\u00f4ng gi\u00e1o, \u00f4ng ta t\u1ef1 cho ph\u00e9p m\u00ecnh nh\u1eadn x\u00e9t nh\u01b0 th\u1ebf v\u1edbi cha Ralph. - N\u00e0y \u00f4ng Harry, h\u00e3y tin t\u00f4i, \u0111i\u1ec1u n\u00e0y l\u00e0m cho t\u00f4i b\u1ea5t ng\u1edd kh\u00f4ng k\u00e9m \u00f4ng \u0111\u00e2u. - C\u00f3 ph\u1ea3i \u0111\u00e2y l\u00e0 b\u1ea3n duy nh\u1ea5t? - Theo t\u00f4i bi\u1ebft th\u00ec \u0111\u00fang th\u1ebf. - V\u00e0 b\u00e0 \u0111\u00e3 trao cho cha l\u00fac khuya \u0111\u00eam qua? - V\u00e2ng. - V\u1eady th\u00ec t\u1ea1i sao cha kh\u00f4ng ti\u00eau h\u1ee7y n\u00f3 \u0111i \u0111\u1ec3 c\u00f3 th\u1ec3 b\u1ea3o \u0111\u1ea3m cho Pa\u0111y \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c th\u1eeba k\u1ebf nh\u1eefng g\u00ec \u0111\u00e1ng l\u00fd thu\u1ed9c quy\u1ec1n c\u1ee7a \u00f4ng \u1ea5y? Nh\u00e0 th\u1edd kh\u00f4ng c\u00f3 l\u00fd do g\u00ec y\u00eau s\u00e1ch t\u00e0i s\u1ea3n c\u1ee7a b\u00e0 Mary Carson. Linh m\u1ee5c Ralph nh\u00ecn th\u1eb3ng \u00f4ng tr\u01b0\u1edfng kh\u1ebf kh\u00f4ng c\u00f3 ch\u00fat g\u00ec qu\u1ef7 quy\u1ec7t: - \u1ed2, nh\u01b0 th\u1ebf th\u00ec kh\u00f4ng \u0111\u00fang \u0111\u1eafn, Harry! Quy\u1ec1n s\u1eed d\u1ee5ng t\u00e0i s\u1ea3n nh\u01b0 th\u1ebf n\u00e0o thu\u1ed9c v\u1ec1 b\u00e0 Mary Carson. - T\u00f4i s\u1ebd c\u1ed1 v\u1ea5n cho Pa\u0111y \u0111\u00e2m \u0111\u01a1n ki\u1ec7n ch\u1ed1ng l\u1ea1i t\u1edd di ch\u00fac th\u1ee9 hai. - \u00d4ng c\u00f3 l\u00fd. Sau c\u00e2u n\u00f3i \u0111\u00f3 hai ng\u01b0\u1eddi chia tay nhau. S\u00e1ng h\u00f4m sau ngay khi ch\u01b0a ai \u0111\u1ebfn \u0111\u01b0a \u0111\u00e1m, c\u1ea3 th\u1ecb tr\u1ea5n Gillanbone v\u00e0 kh\u1eafp trong v\u00f9ng \u0111\u00e3 bi\u1ebft tin t\u00e0i s\u1ea3n c\u1ee7a b\u00e0 Mary Carson v\u1ec1 tay ai. V\u00e1n b\u00e0i \u0111\u00e3 l\u1eadt ng\u1eeda, h\u1ebft \u0111\u01b0\u1eddng th\u1ed1i lui. Cha Ralph cho \u00f4 t\u00f4 d\u1eebng l\u1ea1i c\u00e1ch d\u00e3y ph\u00eda sau nh\u00e0 kh\u00e1 xa, \u00f4ng b\u01b0\u1edbc xu\u1ed1ng v\u00e0 \u0111i ch\u1ea7m ch\u1eadm. C\u00e1c c\u1eeda s\u1ed5 \u0111\u1ec1u c\u00f3 \u00e1nh s\u00e1ng d\u1ed9i ra. C\u00f3 b\u00f3ng \u0111en n\u00e0o \u0111\u00f3 \u1edf m\u1ed9t n\u01a1i khu\u1ea5t sau c\u00e2y \u0111\u1eadu t\u00eda. Cha Ralph \u0111\u1ee9ng l\u1ea1i, gi\u1eadt m\u00ecnh r\u1edfn t\u00f3c g\u00e1y. Con nh\u1ec7n c\u00e1i gi\u00e0 v\u1eabn c\u00f3 nh\u1eefng c\u00e1i c\u00e1ch ri\u00eang c\u1ee7a b\u00e0 ta \u0111\u1ec3 g\u00e2y b\u1ea5t ng\u1edd. Nh\u01b0ng kh\u00f4ng, h\u00f3a ra l\u00e0 Meggie trong b\u1ed9 qu\u1ea7n \u00e1o \u0111i ng\u1ef1a v\u1edbi \u0111\u00f4i gi\u00e0y \u1ed1ng cao \u0111ang s\u1ed1t ru\u1ed9t ch\u1edd \u00f4ng tr\u1edf l\u1ea1i. - Con l\u00e0m cho cha ho\u1ea3ng s\u1ee3, \u00f4ng n\u00f3i c\u1ee5t ng\u1ee7n. - Con xin l\u1ed7i cha. Con kh\u00f4ng mu\u1ed1n l\u00e0m th\u1ebf. Nh\u01b0ng con c\u0169ng kh\u00f4ng mu\u1ed1n \u1edf trong nh\u00e0 v\u1edbi ba v\u00e0 c\u00e1c anh con. M\u1eb9 con \u1edf \u0111\u00e0ng nh\u00e0 v\u1edbi hai em, \u0111\u00e1ng l\u00fd gi\u1edd n\u00e0y con ph\u1ea3i c\u1ea7u kinh v\u1edbi b\u00e0 Smith, Minnie v\u00e0 Cat, nh\u01b0ng con kh\u00f4ng mu\u1ed1n c\u1ea7u nguy\u1ec7n cho b\u00e0 Mary. Nh\u01b0 th\u1ebf l\u00e0 c\u00f3 t\u1ed9i ph\u1ea3i kh\u00f4ng cha? Ch\u00ednh v\u00e0o l\u00fac \u1ea5y cha Ralph kh\u00f4ng cho ph\u00e9p \u00f4ng n\u00f3i \u0111i\u1ec1u g\u00ec \u0111\u00f3 l\u00e0m vui l\u00f2ng linh h\u1ed3n c\u1ee7a Mary Carson. - Cha kh\u00f4ng cho r\u1eb1ng \u0111\u00f3 l\u00e0 m\u1ed9t t\u1ed9i l\u1ed7i, Meggie \u00e0. Ng\u01b0\u1ee3c l\u1ea1i, ch\u00ednh s\u1ef1 gi\u1ea3 d\u1ed1i m\u1edbi l\u00e0 c\u00f3 t\u1ed9i. Cha c\u0169ng th\u1ebf, cha kh\u00f4ng mu\u1ed1n c\u1ea7u nguy\u1ec7n cho b\u00e0 ta. B\u00e0 \u1ea5y... kh\u00f4ng t\u1ed1t l\u1eafm. Th\u1ebf th\u00ec n\u1ebfu con m\u1eafc t\u1ed9i v\u00ec \u0111\u00e3 n\u00f3i cho cha bi\u1ebft suy ngh\u0129 c\u1ee7a con, th\u00ec cha c\u0169ng th\u1ebf, nh\u01b0ng ri\u00eang trong tr\u01b0\u1eddng h\u1ee3p c\u1ee7a cha th\u00ec t\u1ed9i n\u1eb7ng h\u01a1n.","T\u1ed9i b\u1eaft bu\u1ed9c ph\u1ea3i y\u00eau th\u01b0\u01a1ng m\u1ecdi ng\u01b0\u1eddi, g\u00e1nh n\u1eb7ng \u1ea5y con kh\u00f4ng ph\u1ea3i g\u00e1nh nh\u01b0 cha. - Cha c\u00f3 kh\u1ecfe kh\u00f4ng? - Kh\u1ecfe, t\u1ed1t l\u1eafm, \u00f4ng v\u1eeba n\u00f3i v\u1eeba nh\u00ecn l\u00ean t\u00f2a nh\u00e0, sau \u0111\u00f3 l\u00e0 m\u1ed9t ti\u1ebfng th\u1edf d\u00e0i. Cha c\u0169ng kh\u00f4ng mu\u1ed1n v\u00e0o trong \u0111\u00f3 ch\u00fat n\u00e0o. C\u00f3 th\u1ebf th\u00f4i. Cha kh\u00f4ng mu\u1ed1n \u1edf chung d\u01b0\u1edbi m\u1ed9t m\u00e1i nh\u00e0 v\u1edbi b\u00e0 ta cho t\u1edbi s\u00e1ng v\u00e0 ch\u1edd \u0111\u1ee3i cho b\u1ecdn ma qu\u1ec9, t\u1ed1i t\u0103m, b\u1ecb xua \u0111u\u1ed5i. N\u1ebfu ngay b\u00e2y gi\u1edd cha th\u1eafng ng\u1ef1a, con c\u00f3 ch\u1ecbu c\u00f9ng cha \u0111i d\u1ea1o cho t\u1edbi l\u00fac tr\u1eddi s\u00e1ng kh\u00f4ng? B\u00e0n tay c\u1ee7a c\u00f4 g\u00e1i ph\u1edbt nh\u1eb9 qua tay \u00e1o \u0111en r\u1ed3i \u0111\u1ec3 r\u01a1i xu\u1ed1ng. - Con c\u0169ng v\u1eady, con kh\u00f4ng mu\u1ed1n v\u00e0o trong \u0111\u00f3. - Con ch\u1edd cha m\u1ed9t ph\u00fat \u0111\u1ec3 cha c\u1ea5t chi\u1ebfc \u00e1o ch\u00f9ng v\u00e0o \u00f4t\u00f4. - Con \u0111i xu\u1ed1ng chu\u1ed3ng ng\u1ef1a. L\u1ea7n \u0111\u1ea7u ti\u00ean, c\u00f4 mu\u1ed1n \u0111\u1ed1i di\u1ec7n v\u1edbi cha Ralph ngay tr\u00ean t\u01b0 th\u1ebf c\u1ee7a \u00f4ng; t\u01b0 th\u1ebf c\u1ee7a ng\u01b0\u1eddi l\u1edbn; c\u00f2n cha Ralph th\u00ec c\u1ea3m nh\u1eadn r\u00f5 r\u00e0ng s\u1ef1 thay \u0111\u1ed5i \u1edf Meggie nh\u01b0 c\u1ea3m nh\u1eadn h\u01b0\u01a1ng th\u01a1m hoa h\u1ed3ng ng\u00e0o ng\u1ea1t trong v\u01b0\u1eddi b\u00e0 Mary Carson. Nh\u1eefng hoa h\u1ed3ng. Tro c\u1ee7a hoa h\u1ed3ng. Hoa h\u1ed3ng, \u0111\u00e2u \u0111\u00e2u c\u0169ng hoa h\u1ed3ng. Nh\u1eefng hoa h\u1ed3ng, v\u1ec1 \u0111\u00eam ch\u1ec9 c\u00f2n l\u1ea1i h\u01b0\u01a1ng th\u01a1m. H\u01b0\u01a1ng th\u01a1m c\u1ee7a hoa h\u1ed3ng. Meggie th\u00e2n y\u00eau c\u1ee7a ta, ta \u0111\u00e3 b\u1ecf r\u01a1i c\u00f4 ta. Nh\u01b0ng c\u00f4 ta c\u00f3 hi\u1ec3u kh\u00f4ng, c\u00f4 ta \u0111\u00e3 tr\u1edf th\u00e0nh m\u1ed9t m\u1ed1i \u0111e d\u1ecda? Cho n\u00ean, ta \u0111\u00e3 d\u1eabm n\u00e1t Meggie d\u01b0\u1edbi \u0111\u1ebf gi\u00e0y tham v\u1ecdng; Meggie kh\u00f4ng c\u00f2n l\u00e0 g\u00ec kh\u00e1c h\u01a1n l\u00e0 m\u1ed9t hoa h\u1ed3ng tan t\u00e1c tr\u00ean c\u1ecf. H\u01b0\u01a1ng th\u01a1m c\u1ee7a hoa h\u1ed3ng, m\u00f9i gh\u00ea t\u1edfm c\u1ee7a Mary Carson. Hoa h\u1ed3ng v\u00e0 tro c\u1ee7a hoa h\u1ed3ng. - Tro c\u1ee7a hoa h\u1ed3ng, \u00f4ng th\u00ec th\u1ea7m m\u1ed9t m\u00ecnh khi ng\u1ed3i l\u00ean l\u01b0ng ng\u1ef1a. Ch\u00fang ta \u0111i th\u1eadt xa, m\u00f9i th\u01a1m c\u1ee7a hoa h\u1ed3ng xa c\u00e1ch nh\u01b0 m\u1eb7t tr\u0103ng. Ng\u00e0y mai, m\u00f9i th\u01a1m hoa h\u1ed3ng s\u1ebd ng\u1eadp tr\u00e0n c\u1ea3 nh\u00e0. \u00d4ng th\u00fac g\u00f3t gi\u00e0y v\u00e0o h\u00f4ng ng\u1ef1a, cho n\u00f3 \u0111i ch\u1ea7m ch\u1eadm tr\u01b0\u1edbc Meggie tr\u00ean con \u0111\u01b0\u1eddng ch\u1ea1y d\u1ecdc theo b\u1edd su\u1ed1i, l\u00f2ng ngh\u1eb9n ng\u00e0o. Cho \u0111\u1ebfn khi \u00f4ng nghe m\u00f9i h\u01b0\u01a1ng th\u01a1m ng\u00e0o ng\u1ea1t c\u1ee7a nh\u1eefng c\u1ee5m h\u1ed3ng m\u00e0 ng\u00e0y mai \u0111\u00e2y s\u1ebd ph\u1ee7 k\u00edn quan t\u00e0i c\u1ee7a b\u00e0 Mary Carson, \u00f4ng v\u1eabn ch\u01b0a \u00fd th\u1ee9c bi\u1ebfn c\u1ed1 s\u1ebd x\u1ea3y ra th\u1ee9c th\u1eddi. \u00d4ng s\u1ebd ph\u1ea3i ra \u0111i ngay. Qu\u00e1 nhi\u1ec1u suy ngh\u0129, qu\u00e1 nhi\u1ec1u x\u00fac c\u1ea3m, t\u1ea5t c\u1ea3 kh\u00f4ng th\u1ec3 d\u1ed3n n\u00e9n. T\u00f2a th\u00e1nh s\u1ebd kh\u00f4ng \u0111\u1ec3 \u00f4ng m\u1ed1c meo \u1edf c\u00e1i x\u00f3 Gilly n\u00e0y m\u1ed9t ng\u00e0y n\u00e0o sau khi \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c bi\u1ebft n\u1ed9i dung t\u1edd di ch\u00fac kh\u00f3 c\u00f3 th\u1ec3 t\u01b0\u1edfng t\u01b0\u1ee3ng n\u00e0y. \u00d4ng s\u1ebd b\u1ecb g\u1ecdi v\u1ec1 Sydney t\u1ee9c th\u1eddi. Ngay t\u1ee9c th\u1eddi! \u00d4ng tr\u1ed1n ch\u1ea1y m\u1ed9t s\u1ef1 \u0111au kh\u1ed5; m\u00e0 l\u1ea7n \u0111\u1ea7u ti\u00ean \u00f4ng n\u1ebfm tr\u1ea3i. Kh\u00f4ng ph\u1ea3i l\u00e0 chuy\u1ec7n t\u00ecnh c\u1edd n\u00e0o \u0111\u00f3 trong t\u01b0\u01a1ng lai l\u1edd m\u1edd; chuy\u1ec7n n\u00e0y s\u1ebd x\u1ea3y ra t\u1ee9c kh\u1eafc. V\u00e0 \u00f4ng \u0111\u00e3 m\u01b0\u1eddng t\u01b0\u1ee3ng ra g\u01b0\u01a1ng m\u1eb7t c\u1ee7a Pa\u0111y, s\u1ef1 gh\u00ea t\u1edfm hi\u1ec7n l\u00ean \u1edf con ng\u01b0\u1eddi t\u1ed1t b\u1ee5ng \u1ea5y, c\u00e1ch n\u00e9 tr\u00e1nh \u0111\u1ec3 kh\u1ecfi ph\u1ea3i ch\u1ea1m m\u1eb7t. Sau \u0111\u00f3 kh\u00f4ng bao gi\u1edd \u00f4ng \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c ti\u1ebfp \u0111\u00e3i n\u1ed3ng h\u1eadu t\u1ea1i Drogheda n\u1eefa v\u00e0 \u00f4ng s\u1ebd kh\u00f4ng bao gi\u1edd g\u1eb7p l\u1ea1i Meggie. Nh\u01b0ng r\u1ed3i ti\u1ebfng v\u00f3 ng\u1ef1a \u0111i\u00ean cu\u1ed3ng \u0111\u00e3 mang l\u1ea1i cho cha s\u1ef1 t\u1ef1 tin th\u01b0\u1eddng c\u00f3. Nh\u01b0 th\u1ebf c\u00f2n h\u01a1n, nh\u01b0 th\u1ebf c\u00f2n h\u01a1n, nh\u01b0 th\u1ebf c\u00f2n h\u01a1n. Ng\u1ef1a phi r\u1ed3i ng\u1ef1a l\u1ea1i phi. \u0110\u00fang v\u1eady, nh\u01b0 th\u1ebf s\u1ebd \u00edt \u0111au kh\u1ed5 h\u01a1n, th\u00e0 \u1ea9n m\u00ecnh trong s\u1ef1 an to\u00e0n c\u1ee7a m\u1ed9t tu ph\u00f2ng n\u00e0o \u0111\u00f3 c\u1ee7a t\u00f2a t\u1ed5ng gi\u00e1m m\u1ee5c v\u00e0 m\u1ed7i l\u00fac m\u1ed9t \u00edt \u0111au kh\u1ed5 h\u01a1n, v\u00e0 c\u00e0ng \u00edt \u0111au kh\u1ed5 h\u01a1n cho \u0111\u1ebfn khi n\u1ed7i \u0111au trong l\u00f2ng tan bi\u1ebfn. N\u00ean ch\u1ecdn nh\u01b0 th\u1ebf c\u00f2n h\u01a1n l\u00e0 \u1edf l\u1ea1i Gillabone \u0111\u1ec3 nh\u00ecn th\u1ea5y Meggie bi\u1ebfn th\u00e0nh m\u1ed9t con ng\u01b0\u1eddi kh\u00e1c, r\u1ed3i \u0111\u1ebfn m\u1ed9t h\u00f4m ph\u1ea3i l\u00e0m ph\u00e9p c\u01b0\u1edbi","cho c\u00f4 ta v\u1edbi m\u1ed9t ng\u01b0\u1eddi xa l\u1ea1. H\u00e3y \u0111\u1ec3 Meggie ra ngo\u00e0i t\u1ea7m m\u1eaft, ra ngo\u00e0i suy ngh\u0129. ... Nh\u01b0ng v\u1eady th\u00ec, ta \u0111ang l\u00e0m g\u00ec cho Meggie gi\u1eefa l\u00fac n\u00e0y, phi ng\u1ef1a qua c\u00e1c l\u00f9m c\u00e2y v\u00e0 b\u1ee5i r\u1eadm, c\u00e1ch xa con su\u1ed1i? \u00d4ng kh\u00f4ng l\u00e0m sao hi\u1ec3u n\u1ed5i l\u00fd do, ch\u1ec9 nghe trong tim m\u00ecnh nh\u00f3i \u0111au. Kh\u00f4ng ph\u1ea3i c\u01a1n \u0111au so s\u1ef1 ph\u1ea3n b\u1ed9i - Meggie kh\u00f4ng bao gi\u1edd l\u00e0m chuy\u1ec7n \u0111\u00f3 m\u00e0 ch\u1ec9 l\u00e0 n\u1ed7i \u0111au c\u1ee7a s\u1ef1 chia ly. - Cha \u01a1i, cha \u01a1i! Con kh\u00f4ng theo k\u1ecbp cha! \u0110\u1eebng ch\u1ea1y nhanh qu\u00e1, th\u01b0a cha! Ti\u1ebfng g\u1ecdi c\u1ee7a Meggie \u0111\u1ee9a cha tr\u1edf v\u1ec1 v\u1edbi b\u1ed5n ph\u1eadn - tr\u1edf v\u1ec1 v\u1edbi th\u1ef1c t\u1ebf. C\u0169ng nh\u01b0 trong m\u1ed9t phim quay ch\u1eadm, \u00f4ng k\u00e9o ng\u01b0\u1ee3c h\u00e0m ng\u1ef1a \u0111\u1ec3 cho n\u00f3 quay l\u1ea1i v\u00e0 gh\u00ecm l\u1ea1i t\u1ea1i ch\u1ed7 cho \u0111\u1ebfn khi con v\u1eadt ch\u1ecbu \u0111\u1ee9ng im, cha \u0111\u1ee9ng \u0111\u00f3 ch\u1edd n\u00e0ng \u0111u\u1ed5i k\u1ecbp? Tai h\u1ecda l\u00e0 th\u1ebf \u0111\u00f3, Meggie \u0111u\u1ed5i k\u1ecbp ta kh\u00f4ng? Hai ng\u01b0\u1eddi d\u1eebng l\u1ea1i b\u00ean m\u1ed9t \u0111\u1ea7m l\u1edbn n\u01b0\u1edbc s\u00f3ng s\u00f4i s\u1ee5c m\u00f9i l\u01b0u hu\u1ef3nh. Cha Ralph ng\u1ed3i tr\u00ean m\u1ed9t kh\u00fac g\u1ed7 ven b\u1edd, Meggie c\u0169ng ng\u1ed3i xu\u1ed1ng theo nh\u01b0ng c\u00e1ch m\u1ed9t kho\u1ea3ng. C\u00f4 ta ng\u1ed3i nghi\u00eang m\u1ed9t b\u00ean c\u1ed1t \u00fd c\u00f3 th\u1ec3 quan s\u00e1t cha Ralph. - C\u00f3 chuy\u1ec7n g\u00ec \u0111\u00f3, th\u01b0a cha? C\u00f3 c\u00e1i g\u00ec \u0111\u00f3 h\u01a1i l\u1ea1, khi nghe m\u1ed9t c\u00e2u m\u00ecnh th\u01b0\u1eddng h\u1ecfi c\u00f4 ta. Cha Ralph m\u1ec9m c\u01b0\u1eddi. - Cha \u0111\u00e3 b\u00e1n con, Meggie nh\u1ecf b\u00e9 c\u1ee7a cha. B\u00e1n v\u1edbi gi\u00e1 m\u01b0\u1eddi ba tri\u1ec7u b\u1ea3ng Anh. - Cha \u0111\u00e3 b\u00e1n con? - M\u1ed9t c\u00e1ch h\u00ecnh t\u01b0\u1ee3ng. \u0110i\u1ec1u \u0111\u00f3 kh\u00f4ng quan tr\u1ecdng l\u1eafm. Con h\u00e3y l\u1ea1i g\u1ea7n \u0111\u00e2y. R\u1ed3i \u0111\u00e2y ch\u00fang ta s\u1ebd kh\u00f4ng c\u00f2n k\u1ecbp \u0111\u1ec3 n\u00f3i chuy\u1ec7n v\u1edbi nhau n\u1eefa. - \u00e0cha mu\u1ed1n n\u00f3i trong su\u1ed1t th\u1eddi gian ch\u1ecbu tang ch\u1ee9 g\u00ec. Con kh\u00f4ng th\u1ea5y c\u00f3 g\u00ec kh\u00e1c bi\u1ec7t gi\u1eefa chuy\u1ec7n c\u00f3 tang v\u00e0 kh\u00f4ng c\u00f3 tang. - Cha kh\u00f4ng n\u00f3i \u0111\u1ebfn chuy\u1ec7n \u0111\u00f3, Meggie \u1ea1. - Hay l\u00e0 t\u1ea1i con \u0111\u00e3 l\u1edbn v\u00e0 ng\u01b0\u1eddi ta c\u00f3 th\u1ec3 d\u00e8m pha chuy\u1ec7n c\u1ee7a ch\u00fang ta? - C\u0169ng kh\u00f4ng \u0111\u00fang nh\u01b0 th\u1ebf \u0111\u00e2u. Ch\u1eb3ng qua l\u00e0 cha s\u1ebd ra \u0111i. L\u1ea1i th\u1ebf \u0111\u1ea5y, th\u00eam m\u1ed9t c\u00fa \u0111\u1ecbnh m\u1ec7nh ng\u00e0n c\u00e2n gi\u00e1ng v\u00e0o \u0111\u1eddi c\u00f4. Kh\u00f4ng k\u00eau la, kh\u00f4ng kh\u00f3c, kh\u00f4ng n\u1ed5i tr\u1eadn cu\u1ed3ng phong ph\u1eabn n\u1ed9 m\u00e0 ch\u1ec9 h\u01a1i gi\u1eadt n\u1ea9y ng\u01b0\u1eddi, gi\u1ed1ng nh\u01b0 c\u00e1i g\u00e1nh n\u1eb7ng ng\u00e0n c\u00e2n \u1ea5y \u0111\u1eb7t l\u1ec7ch tr\u00ean vai khi\u1ebfn Meggie m\u1ea5t th\u0103ng b\u1eb1ng. Meggie n\u00e9n h\u01a1i th\u1edf, kh\u00f4ng \u0111\u1ec3 bu\u00f4ng m\u1ed9t ti\u1ebfng th\u1edf d\u00e0i. - Khi n\u00e0o th\u01b0a cha? - Trong v\u00e0i ng\u00e0y. - Cha \u01a1i. \u0110\u00f3 l\u00e0 \u0111i\u1ec1u kh\u1ed5 t\u00e2m cho con h\u01a1n c\u1ea3 s\u1ef1 ra \u0111i c\u1ee7a Frank. - C\u00f2n v\u1edbi cha th\u00ec ch\u01b0a bao gi\u1edd trong \u0111\u1eddi l\u1ea1i kh\u1ed5 t\u00e2m nh\u01b0 th\u1ebf. Cha kh\u00f4ng c\u00f3 m\u1ed9t ni\u1ec1m an \u1ee7i n\u00e0o. Nh\u01b0ng con, \u00edt ra c\u0169ng c\u00f2n c\u00f3 gia \u0111\u00ecnh. - Cha c\u00f3 Ch\u00faa. - Con n\u00f3i hay l\u1eafm, Meggia. Con \u0111\u00e3 th\u1eadt s\u1ef1 tr\u01b0\u1edfng th\u00e0nh. Nh\u01b0ng Meggie thu\u1ed9c h\u1ea1ng ph\u1ee5 n\u1eef lu\u00f4n bi\u1ebft m\u00ecnh mu\u1ed1n g\u00ec, \u0111eo \u0111\u1eb3ng b\u1ec1n b\u1ec9 m\u1ed9t m\u1ee5c \u0111\u00edch cho n\u00ean c\u00f4 tr\u1edf l\u1ea1i m\u1ed9t c\u00e2u h\u1ecfi b\u1ecf d\u1edf khi hai ng\u01b0\u1eddi phi ng\u1ef1a tr\u00ean con \u0111\u01b0\u1eddng d\u00e0i 5 c\u00e2y s\u1ed1. Ralph ra \u0111i, th\u1eadt l\u00e0 kh\u00f3","ch\u1ecbu \u0111\u1ef1ng n\u1ed5i s\u1ef1 v\u1eafng m\u1eb7t \u1ea5y, nh\u01b0ng d\u00f9 sao Meggie c\u0169ng c\u1ea7n \u0111\u1eb7t ra m\u1ed9t c\u00e2u h\u1ecfi. - Th\u01b0a cha, l\u00fac \u1edf chu\u1ed3ng ng\u1ef1a, cha c\u00f3 n\u00f3i \u201c tro c\u1ee7a hoa h\u1ed3ng\u201d. C\u00f3 ph\u1ea3i \u00fd cha mu\u1ed1n n\u00f3i v\u1ec1 m\u00e0u \u00e1o c\u1ee7a con? - C\u00f3 m\u1ed9t ph\u1ea7n nh\u01b0 th\u1ebf. Nh\u01b0ng c\u00f3 l\u1ebd cha mu\u1ed1n n\u00f3i theo m\u1ed9t ngh\u0129a kh\u00e1c. - Ngh\u0129a n\u00e0o? - Th\u1eadt kh\u00f3 \u0111\u1ec3 cho con hi\u1ec3u, Meggie b\u00e9 nh\u1ecf c\u1ee7a ta. \u0110\u00f3 l\u00e0 vi\u1ec7c suy ngh\u0129 v\u1ec1 m\u1ed9t \u00fd t\u01b0\u1edfng \u0111ang ch\u1ebft d\u1ea7n, kh\u00f4ng \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c quy\u1ec1n sinh s\u00f4i v\u00e0 c\u0169ng kh\u00f4ng \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c quy\u1ec1n n\u1ea9y n\u1edf. - Kh\u00f4ng c\u00f3 m\u1ed9t th\u1ee9 g\u00ec l\u1ea1i kh\u00f4ng c\u00f3 quy\u1ec1n \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c sinh ra, k\u1ec3 c\u1ea3 m\u1ed9t \u00fd t\u01b0\u1edfng. - Nh\u01b0ng con bi\u1ebft cha \u0111\u1ecbnh n\u00f3i g\u00ec ch\u1ee9? - C\u00f3 l\u1ebd con bi\u1ebft. - Kh\u00f4ng ph\u1ea3i t\u1ea5t c\u1ea3 nh\u1eefng g\u00ec \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c sinh ra \u0111\u1ec1u t\u1ed1t, Meggie \u1ea1. - Kh\u00f4ng. C\u00e1i g\u00ec \u0111\u00e3 sinh ra, th\u00ec b\u1ea3n ch\u1ea5t n\u00f3 \u0111\u00e3 mang c\u1ea3 \u00fd mu\u1ed1n \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c t\u1ed3n t\u1ea1i. - Con n\u00f3i nh\u01b0 m\u1ed9t tu s\u0129 d\u00f2ng T\u00ean. Con bao nhi\u00eau tu\u1ed5i r\u1ed3i nh\u1ec9? - M\u1ed9t th\u00e1ng n\u1eefa th\u00f4i con \u0111\u00e3 m\u01b0\u1eddi b\u1ea3y tu\u1ed5i r\u1ed3i, th\u01b0a cha. - Con tr\u1ea3i qua 17 n\u0103m kh\u00e1 v\u1ea5t v\u1ea3. Nh\u01b0ng th\u1ebf \u0111\u1ea5y, nh\u1eefng c\u1ef1c nh\u1ecdc l\u00e0m cho con ng\u01b0\u1eddi ta tr\u1edf n\u00ean gi\u00e0 d\u1eb7n. Trong nh\u1eefng l\u00fac r\u1ea3nh tr\u00ed con th\u01b0\u1eddng ngh\u0129 g\u00ec Meggie? - \u1ed2, con ngh\u0129 \u0111\u1ebfn Jimes, Patsy, \u0111\u1ebfn c\u00e1c anh kh\u00e1c c\u1ee7a con, \u0111\u1ebfn cha m\u1eb9, ngh\u0129 \u0111\u1ebfn Hal v\u00e0 c\u00f4 Mary. \u0110\u00f4i khi ngh\u0129 \u0111\u1ebfn chuy\u1ec7n l\u00e0m sao \u0111\u1ec3 c\u00f3 con, con r\u1ea5t th\u00edch nh\u01b0 th\u1ebf. V\u00e0 con ngh\u0129 \u0111\u1ebfn m\u1ecdi th\u1ee9 tr\u00ean \u0111\u1eddi m\u00e0 \u0111\u00e0n \u00f4ng th\u01b0\u1eddng v\u1eabn \u0111\u1ec1 c\u1eadp. R\u1ed3i th\u1eddi ti\u1ebft, m\u01b0a, v\u01b0\u1eddn rau, c\u00e1c con g\u00e0 m\u00e1i \u0111\u1ebb tr\u1ee9ng, v\u00e0 ngh\u0129 \u0111\u1ebfn ng\u00e0y mai con s\u1ebd l\u00e0m g\u00ec. - Th\u1ebf con kh\u00f4ng ngh\u0129 \u0111\u1ebfn chuy\u1ec7n s\u1ebd l\u1ea5y ch\u1ed3ng \u00e0? - Kh\u00f4ng, nh\u01b0ng con l\u1ea1i ngh\u0129 r\u1eb1ng ph\u1ea3i c\u00f3 m\u1ed9t ng\u01b0\u1eddi ch\u1ed3ng n\u1ebfu con mu\u1ed1n c\u00f3 con. Th\u1eadt \u0111\u00e1ng t\u1ed9i nghi\u1ec7p \u0111\u1ee9a con kh\u00f4ng c\u00f3 cha. Tuy l\u00f2ng qu\u1eb7n \u0111au, cha Ralph v\u1eabn m\u1ec9m c\u01b0\u1eddi. Meggie l\u00e0 hi\u1ec7n th\u00e2n c\u1ee7a m\u1ed9t s\u1ef1 pha tr\u1ed9n k\u1ef3 l\u1ea1 gi\u1eefa hi\u1ec3u bi\u1ebft non n\u1edbt v\u00e0 \u00fd th\u1ee9c \u0111\u1ea1o \u0111\u1ee9c cao c\u1ea3. \u0110\u1ed9t nhi\u00ean, \u00f4ng quay l\u1ea1i, n\u00e2ng c\u1eb1m Meggie v\u00e0 nh\u00ecn th\u1eb3ng v\u00e0o m\u1eaft c\u00f4 g\u00e1i. L\u00e0m th\u1ebf n\u00e0o \u0111\u00e2y, ph\u1ea3i l\u00e0m g\u00ec \u0111\u00e2y! - Con... Meggie ch\u1ec9 l\u1ea5p l\u1eedng. V\u00e0 im l\u1eb7ng. - Con kh\u00f4ng n\u00f3i r\u1eb1ng con \u0111\u00e3 ngh\u0129 \u0111\u1ebfn cha ph\u1ea3i kh\u00f4ng? N\u1ebfu con kh\u00f4ng c\u1ea3m th\u1ea5y \u0111i\u1ec1u \u0111\u00f3 l\u00e0 t\u1ed9i l\u1ed7i th\u00ec con \u0111\u00e3 nh\u1eafc t\u00ean cha c\u00f9ng m\u1ed9t l\u00fac v\u1edbi ba c\u1ee7a con. Nh\u01b0 v\u1eady, t\u1ed1t h\u01a1n l\u00e0 cha ph\u1ea3i \u0111i kh\u1ecfi n\u01a1i \u0111\u00e2y, con th\u1ea5y \u0111\u00fang kh\u00f4ng? Con \u0111\u00e3 b\u1eaft \u0111\u1ea7u qu\u00e1 c\u00e1i tu\u1ed5i \u0111\u1ec3 nu\u00f4i d\u01b0\u1ee1ng trong \u0111\u1ea7u m\u1ed9t \u00fd th\u00edch ng\u00f4ng cu\u1ed3ng ki\u1ec3u tr\u1ebb con m\u1eb7c d\u00f9 con r\u1ea5t gi\u00e0 d\u1eb7n so v\u1edbi m\u1ed9t c\u00f4 g\u00e1i ch\u01b0a \u0111\u1ea7y m\u01b0\u1eddi b\u1ea3y tu\u1ed5i. Cha vui m\u1eebng khi th\u1ea5y con bi\u1ebft g\u00ec v\u1ec1 nh\u1eefng th\u1ef1c t\u1ebf c\u1ee7a cu\u1ed9c s\u1ed1ng, nh\u01b0ng cha l\u1ea1i hi\u1ec3u r\u1eb1ng nh\u1eefng m\u1ed1i t\u00ecnh v\u1ea9n v\u01a1 tr\u1ebb con c\u0169ng g\u00e2y ra l\u1eafm \u0111au kh\u1ed5. Cha c\u0169ng t\u1eebng tr\u1ea3i qua nh\u01b0 th\u1ebf.","Meggie \u0111\u1ecbnh n\u00f3i g\u00ec nh\u01b0ng l\u1ea1i th\u00f4i, hai con m\u1eaft long lanh nh\u01b0 mu\u1ed1n kh\u00f3c, nh\u00ecn xu\u1ed1ng v\u00e0 l\u1eafc \u0111\u1ea7u. - N\u00e0y Meggie, \u0111\u00e2y ch\u1ec9 l\u00e0 m\u1ed9t ch\u1eb7ng \u0111\u01b0\u1eddng, m\u1ed9t c\u1ed9t m\u1ed1c d\u1eabn con \u0111\u1ebfn cu\u1ed9c \u0111\u1eddi c\u1ee7a m\u1ed9t ng\u01b0\u1eddi \u0111\u00e0n b\u00e0. V\u00e0i n\u0103m n\u1eefa con s\u1ebd g\u1eb7p ng\u01b0\u1eddi n\u00e0o \u0111\u00f3 sau n\u00e0y s\u1ebd l\u00e0m ch\u1ed3ng con; con s\u1ebd b\u1eadn r\u1ed9n v\u00f4 c\u00f9ng \u0111\u1ec3 t\u1ed5 ch\u1ee9c cu\u1ed9c s\u1ed1ng. V\u00e0 khi \u1ea5y n\u1ebfu c\u00f3 nh\u1edb \u0111\u1ebfn cha th\u00ec c\u0169ng ch\u1ec9 l\u00e0 nh\u1edb \u0111\u1ebfn nh\u01b0 m\u1ed9t ng\u01b0\u1eddi b\u1ea1n tr\u01b0\u1edbc \u0111\u00e2y \u0111\u00e3 gi\u00fap m\u00ecnh tr\u1ea3i qua c\u01a1n kh\u1ee7ng ho\u1ea3ng c\u1ee7a th\u1eddi nh\u1ecf. \u0110i\u1ec1u con ph\u1ea3i tr\u00e1nh l\u00e0 \u01b0\u1edbc m\u01a1 l\u00e3ng m\u1ea1n v\u1ec1 cha \u0111\u1ec3 tr\u1edf th\u00e0nh th\u00f3i quen. Cha kh\u00f4ng c\u00f3 quy\u1ec1n \u0111\u1ed1i x\u1eed v\u1edbi con nh\u01b0 m\u1ed9t ng\u01b0\u1eddi ch\u1ed3ng . Cha kh\u00f4ng bao gi\u1edd nh\u00ecn con trong h\u01b0\u1edbng \u1ea5y. Meggie, con hi\u1ec3u l\u1eddi cha ch\u1ee9? Khi cha n\u00f3i cha y\u00eau con, kh\u00f4ng ph\u1ea3i v\u1edbi t\u01b0 c\u00e1ch m\u1ed9t ng\u01b0\u1eddi \u0111\u00e0n \u00f4ng. V\u00ec th\u1ebf m\u00e0 con kh\u00f4ng \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c m\u01a1 m\u1ed9ng v\u1ec1 cha. Cha s\u1ebd \u0111i v\u00e0 \u00edt hy v\u1ecdng c\u00f3 th\u1eddi gi\u1edd tr\u1edf v\u1ec1 Drogheda n\u00e0y, d\u00f9 l\u00e0 m\u1ed9t cu\u1ed9c th\u0103m vi\u1ebfng b\u00ecnh th\u01b0\u1eddng. Hai vai c\u1ee7a c\u00f4 g\u00e1i v\u1eabn c\u1ee5p xu\u1ed1ng nh\u01b0 th\u1ec3 c\u00e1i s\u1ee9c n\u1eb7ng t\u1eeb tr\u00ean \u0111\u00e8 xu\u1ed1ng qu\u00e1 m\u1ee9c ch\u1ecbu \u0111\u1ef1ng, nh\u01b0ng Meggie v\u1eabn ng\u1ea9ng \u0111\u1ea7u l\u00ean nh\u00ecn th\u1eb3ng m\u1eb7t cha Ralph. - Con kh\u00f4ng m\u01a1 m\u1ed9ng n\u1eefa \u0111\u00e2u, cha \u0111\u1eebng lo. Con bi\u1ebft cha l\u00e0 linh m\u1ee5c. - Con bi\u1ebft kh\u00f4ng, cha kh\u00f4ng h\u1ec1 ngh\u0129 r\u1eb1ng m\u00ecnh \u0111\u00e3 ch\u1ecdn l\u1ea7m s\u1ee9 m\u1ec7nh. N\u00f3 \u0111\u00e3 th\u1ecfa m\u00e3n trong cha m\u1ed9t nhu c\u1ea7u m\u00e0 kh\u00f4ng ai c\u00f3 th\u1ec3 l\u00e0m th\u1ecfa m\u00e3n \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c, k\u1ec3 c\u1ea3 con. - Con bi\u1ebft. Con nh\u1eadn ra \u0111i\u1ec1u \u0111\u00f3 khi ch\u1ee9ng ki\u1ebfn cha h\u00e0nh l\u1ec5. Cha c\u00f3 quy\u1ec1n l\u1ef1c. Con tin r\u1eb1ng l\u00fac \u1ea5y cha c\u1ea3m nh\u1eadn ho\u00e0n to\u00e0n r\u1eb1ng m\u00ecnh h\u00f2a \u0111\u1ed3ng v\u1edbi \u0110\u1ee9c Ch\u00faa Tr\u1eddi. - Ta nghe r\u00f5 t\u1eebng h\u01a1i th\u1edf n\u00edn l\u1ea1i trong nh\u00e0 th\u1edd, Meggie \u1ea1. M\u1ed7i ng\u00e0y, ta ch\u1ebft \u0111i v\u00e0 m\u1ed7i s\u00e1ng ta s\u1ed1ng l\u1ea1i khi l\u00e0m l\u1ec5. C\u00f3 ph\u1ea3i ch\u0103ng ch\u00ednh v\u00ec ta l\u00e0 m\u1ed9t \u0111\u1ea5ng ch\u0103n chi\u00ean \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c Ch\u00faa l\u1ef1a ch\u1ecdn hay v\u00ec ta c\u1ea3m nh\u1eadn \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c t\u1eebng h\u01a1i th\u1edf b\u1ecb n\u00e9n l\u1ea1i v\u00e0 ta \u0111o\u00e1n \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c uy quy\u1ec1n c\u1ee7a ta \u0111\u1ed1i v\u1edbi nh\u1eefng linh h\u1ed3n t\u1ed3n t\u1ea1i? - \u0110i\u1ec1u \u1ea5y c\u00f3 g\u00ec l\u00e0 quan tr\u1ecdng \u0111\u00e2u cha? Nh\u01b0 th\u1ebf \u0111\u00f3 v\u00e0 ch\u1ec9 th\u1ebf th\u00f4i? - R\u1ea5t c\u00f3 th\u1ec3 \u0111i\u1ec1u \u0111\u00f3 kh\u00f4ng quan tr\u1ecdng \u0111\u1ed1i v\u1edbi con nh\u01b0ng v\u1edbi ta th\u00ec kh\u00e1c. Ta ho\u00e0i nghi, ho\u00e0i nghi. Nh\u01b0ng r\u1ed3i Meggie tr\u1edf l\u1ea1i \u0111i\u1ec1u c\u00f4 tha thi\u1ebft nh\u1ea5t. - Con kh\u00f4ng bi\u1ebft thi\u1ebfu cha con s\u1ebd s\u1ed1ng ra sao. B\u1eaft \u0111\u1ea7u l\u00e0 Frank, b\u00e2y gi\u1edd \u0111\u1ebfn cha. V\u1edbi Hal th\u00ec kh\u00e1c, \u00edt ra con bi\u1ebft r\u1eb1ng Hal \u0111\u00e3 ch\u1ebft v\u00e0 s\u1ebd kh\u00f4ng bao gi\u1edd tr\u1edf l\u1ea1i. Nh\u01b0ng cha v\u00e0 Frank \u0111\u1ec1u c\u00f2n s\u1ed1ng! Con s\u1ebd lu\u00f4n t\u1ef1 h\u1ecfi hai ng\u01b0\u1eddi th\u00e2n thi\u1ebft nh\u1ea5t \u0111\u1eddi con ra sao, \u0111ang l\u00e0m g\u00ec, m\u1ecdi chuy\u1ec7n c\u00f3 t\u1ed1t \u0111\u1eb9p c\u1ea3 kh\u00f4ng, con c\u00f3 gi\u00fap g\u00ec cho h\u1ecd kh\u00f4ng? Con c\u0169ng c\u1ea7n bi\u1ebft cha c\u00f3 c\u00f2n s\u1ed1ng kh\u00f4ng n\u1eefa ch\u1ee9. - Cha c\u0169ng c\u00f3 nh\u1eefng b\u0103n kho\u0103n \u1ea5y Meggie \u1ea1, v\u00e0 cha bi\u1ebft r\u1eb1ng Frank c\u0169ng th\u1ebf th\u00f4i. - \u1ed2 kh\u00f4ng \u0111\u00e2u! Frank \u0111\u00e3 qu\u00ean ch\u00fang ta. R\u1ed3i cha c\u0169ng th\u1ebf th\u00f4i, cha s\u1ebd qu\u00ean ch\u00fang con. - Cha m\u00e3i m\u00e3i kh\u00f4ng bao gi\u1edd qu\u00ean con, Meggie, m\u00e3i m\u00e3i cho \u0111\u1ebfn khi cha c\u00f2n s\u1ed1ng tr\u00ean c\u00f5i \u0111\u1eddi n\u00e0y. V\u00e0 \u0111\u00f3 s\u1ebd l\u00e0 m\u1ed9t h\u00ecnh ph\u1ea1t cho cha khi \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c s\u1ed1ng l\u00e2u, th\u1eadt l\u00e2u. \u0110\u00e3 \u0111\u1ebfn l\u00fac ch\u00fang ta t\u1eeb bi\u1ec7t nhau, Meggie. Ch\u00fang ta s\u1ebd kh\u00f4ng c\u00f2n c\u00f3 d\u1ecbp g\u1eb7p ri\u00eang nh\u01b0 th\u1ebf n\u00e0y n\u1eefa. - N\u1ebfu cha kh\u00f4ng ph\u1ea3i l\u00e0 linh m\u1ee5c, cha c\u00f3 l\u1ea5y con l\u00e0m v\u1ee3 kh\u00f4ng? Nghe nh\u1eafc nh\u1edf l\u1ea1i t\u00e2m tr\u1ea1ng c\u0169, cha Ralph xao xuy\u1ebfn l\u1ea1 l\u00f9ng:","- \u0110\u1eebng c\u00f3 l\u00fac n\u00e0o c\u0169ng g\u1ecdi ta lu\u00f4n mi\u1ec7ng l\u00e0 cha! Meggie c\u00f3 th\u1ec3 g\u1ecdi ta l\u00e0 Ralph. L\u1eddi nh\u1eafc nh\u1edf \u1ea5y c\u1ee7a cha Ralph kh\u00f4ng l\u00e0 c\u00e2u tr\u1ea3 l\u1eddi m\u00e0 Meggie ch\u1edd \u0111\u1ee3i. M\u1eb7c d\u00f9 \u00e1p s\u00e1t ng\u01b0\u1eddi v\u00e0o Meggie, \u00f4ng v\u1eabn kh\u00f4ng c\u00f3 \u00fd \u0111\u1ecbnh \u00f4m h\u00f4n. Meggie ng\u01b0\u1edbc l\u00ean nh\u00ecn \u00f4ng \u0111ang ch\u00ecm d\u1ea7n trong b\u00f3ng \u0111\u00eam d\u00e0y \u0111\u1eb7c; tr\u0103ng \u0111\u00e3 khu\u1ea5t t\u1eeb bao gi\u1edd. Ralph c\u1ea3m gi\u00e1c hai \u0111\u1ea7u nh\u1ecdn nh\u1ecf nh\u1eafn tr\u00ean ng\u1ef1c Meggie ch\u1ea1m nh\u1eb9 v\u00e0o ng\u01b0\u1eddi \u00f4ng; m\u1ed9t th\u1ee9 c\u1ea3m gi\u00e1c k\u1ef3 l\u1ea1, b\u1ed1i r\u1ed1i. C\u00e0ng b\u1ed1i r\u1ed1i h\u01a1n n\u1eefa l\u00e0 Meggie \u0111\u00e3 \u00e1p s\u00e1t ng\u01b0\u1eddi v\u00e0o Ralph m\u1ed9t c\u00e1ch bu\u00f4ng th\u1ea3 c\u1ee7a ng\u01b0\u1eddi v\u1ee3 h\u1eb1ng \u0111\u00eam \u00e2u y\u1ebfm ch\u1ed3ng. R\u1ea5t t\u1ef1 nhi\u00ean, hai tay Meggie b\u1ea5m v\u00e0o c\u1ed5 Ralph v\u00e0 \u00f4m Ralph si\u1ebft m\u1ea1nh. Ch\u01b0a bao gi\u1edd cha Ralph \u0111\u1eb7t l\u00ean m\u00f4i ph\u1ee5 n\u1eef m\u1ed9t c\u00e1i h\u00f4n y\u00eau \u0111\u01b0\u01a1ng n\u00e0o, ngay c\u1ea3 l\u00fac n\u00e0y \u0111\u00e2y c\u0169ng kh\u00f4ng mu\u1ed1n nh\u01b0 th\u1ebf. M\u1ed9t ch\u1ea1m nh\u1eb9 d\u1ecbu d\u00e0ng tr\u00ean m\u00e1, m\u1ed9t c\u00e1i si\u1ebft v\u1ed9i v\u00e3 gi\u1ed1ng nh\u01b0 nh\u1eefng \u0111i\u1ec1u m\u00e0 Meggie th\u01b0\u1eddng ch\u1edd \u0111\u1ee3i \u1edf cha ru\u1ed9t m\u00ecnh tr\u01b0\u1edbc khi \u00f4ng \u0111i xa. Meggie v\u1eeba nh\u1ea1y c\u1ea3m l\u1ea1i v\u1eeba ki\u00eau h\u00e3nh. Cha Ralph v\u00f4 t\u00ecnh x\u00fac ph\u1ea1m \u0111\u1ebfn c\u00f4 khi \u0111\u00f3n nh\u1eadn m\u1ed9t c\u00e1ch l\u1ea1nh l\u00f9ng nh\u1eefng \u01b0\u1edbc m\u01a1 s\u00e2u k\u00edn nh\u1ea5t m\u00e0 c\u00f4 h\u1eb1ng \u00f4m \u1ea5p. \u0110\u00fang th\u1ebf, c\u0169ng nh\u01b0 cha Ralph, Meggie mong ch\u1ea5m d\u1ee9t ngay c\u00e1i gi\u00e2y ph\u00fat t\u1eeb bi\u1ec7t n\u00e0y. Li\u1ec7u r\u1eb1ng m\u00ecnh c\u00f3 \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c ch\u00fat an \u1ee7i n\u00e0o kh\u00f4ng khi bi\u1ebft \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c cha Ralph c\u00f2n ch\u1ecbu nhi\u1ec1u \u0111au kh\u1ed5 h\u01a1n trong ph\u00fat gi\u00e2y n\u00e0y? Khi \u00f4ng nghi\u00eang \u0111\u1ea7u xu\u1ed1ng h\u00f4n l\u00ean m\u00e1 Meggie, c\u00f4 \u0111\u00e3 nh\u00f3n ch\u00e2n l\u00ean v\u00e0 ph\u1ea3i ch\u0103ng l\u00e0 do t\u00ecnh c\u1edd, m\u00f4i c\u1ee7a Meggie ch\u1ea1m qua m\u00f4i c\u1ee7a Ralph. \u0110\u1ea7u cha b\u1eadt ng\u01b0\u1ee3c ra sau nh\u01b0 v\u1eeba n\u1ebfm ph\u1ea3i n\u1ecdc \u0111\u1ed9c c\u1ee7a con nh\u1ec7n; nh\u01b0ng r\u1ed3i nh\u1edb s\u1ef1c l\u1ea1i r\u1eb1ng m\u00ecnh s\u1ebd m\u1ea5t Meggie v\u0129nh vi\u1ec5n, cha Ralph l\u1ea1i c\u00fai \u0111\u1ea7u s\u00e1t Meggie, \u0111\u1ecbnh n\u00f3i \u0111i\u1ec1u g\u00ec \u0111\u00f3 v\u1edbi \u0111\u00f4i m\u00f4i d\u1ec5 th\u01b0\u01a1ng v\u00e0 m\u00edm ch\u1eb7t \u1ea5y. C\u00f2n Meggie c\u1ed1 g\u1eafng \u0111\u1ec3 tr\u1ea3 l\u1eddi, \u0111\u00f4i m\u00f4i h\u00e9 m\u1edf. C\u00e1i c\u01a1 th\u1ec3 tr\u1ebb trung \u1ea5y b\u1ed7ng nhi\u00ean nh\u01b0 m\u1ea5t \u0111i t\u1ea5t c\u1ea3 nh\u1eefng x\u01b0\u01a1ng th\u1ecbt, bi\u1ebfn th\u00e0nh m\u1ed9t th\u1ee9 ch\u1ea5t l\u1ecfng, m\u1ed9t ph\u1ea7n c\u1ee7a nh\u1eefng b\u00f3ng \u0111\u00eam \u1ea5m \u00e1p v\u00e0 tan bi\u1ebfn v\u00e0o \u0111\u00f3. M\u1ed9t tay Ralph cho\u00e0ng qua th\u00e2n ng\u01b0\u1eddi Meggie, b\u00e0n tay c\u00f2n l\u1ea1i, Ralph vu\u1ed1t ve m\u00e1i t\u00f3c v\u00e0 g\u00e1y, gi\u1eef cho g\u01b0\u01a1ng m\u1eb7t c\u00f4 ng\u01b0\u1edbc nh\u00ecn l\u00ean, nh\u01b0 s\u1ee3 r\u1eb1ng Meggie c\u00f3 th\u1ec3 tho\u00e1t \u0111i m\u1ea5t v\u00e0o ngay gi\u00e2y ph\u00fat ng\u1eafn ng\u1ee7i n\u00e0y tr\u01b0\u1edbc khi \u00f4ng k\u1ecbp kh\u1eafc ghi v\u00e0o t\u00e2m kh\u1ea3m s\u1ef1 hi\u1ec7n di\u1ec7n k\u1ef3 \u1ea3o c\u1ee7a Meggie. Meggie \u0111\u00f3 nh\u01b0ng kh\u00f4ng ph\u1ea3i l\u00e0 Meggie, qu\u00e1 xa l\u1ea1 \u0111\u1ec3 m\u00e0 quen thu\u1ed9c v\u00ec r\u1eb1ng Meggie c\u1ee7a cha Ralph ch\u01b0a l\u00e0 ph\u1ee5 n\u1eef, ch\u01b0a mang \u0111\u1ebfn c\u00e1i c\u1ea3m gi\u00e1c c\u1ee7a ng\u01b0\u1eddi ph\u1ee5 n\u1eef v\u00e0 kh\u00f4ng bao gi\u1edd l\u00e0 m\u1ed9t ph\u1ee5 n\u1eef \u0111\u1ed1i v\u1edbi \u00f4ng. C\u0169ng nh\u01b0 kh\u00f4ng th\u1ec3 n\u00e0o \u00f4ng l\u00e0 \u0111\u00e0n \u00f4ng \u0111\u1ed1i v\u1edbi c\u00f4. \u00e0ngh\u0129 \u0111\u00e3 chi\u1ebfn th\u1eafng nh\u1eefng gi\u00e1c quan \u0111ang b\u1ed1i r\u1ed1i. Cha Ralph g\u1ee1 hai tay \u0111ang cho\u00e0ng c\u1ed5 \u00f4ng, \u0111\u1ea9y nh\u1eb9 Meggie ra v\u00e0 t\u00ecm c\u00e1ch nh\u00ecn v\u00e0o \u0111\u00f4i m\u1eaft c\u1ee7a c\u00f4 trong b\u00f3ng \u0111\u00eam. Nh\u01b0ng Meggie c\u00fai m\u1eb7t xu\u1ed1ng, t\u1eeb ch\u1ed1i nh\u00ecn cha Ralph. - \u0110\u00e3 \u0111\u1ebfn l\u00fac ch\u00fang m\u00ecnh ph\u1ea3i r\u1eddi kh\u1ecfi \u0111\u00e2y. Kh\u00f4ng m\u1ed9t l\u1eddi, Meggie b\u01b0\u1edbc \u0111\u1ebfn g\u1ea7n con ng\u1ef1a, leo l\u00ean l\u01b0ng ng\u1ed3i ch\u1edd; th\u01b0\u1eddng khi th\u00ec cha Ralph ng\u1ed3i s\u1eb5n \u0111\u1ec3 ch\u1edd Meggie. \u0110\u00fang nh\u01b0 cha ti\u00ean \u0111o\u00e1n, t\u00f2a nh\u00e0 \u1edf Drogheda ng\u1eadp tr\u00e0n hoa h\u1ed3ng. C\u00e1c v\u01b0\u1eddn h\u1ed3ng chung quanh \u0111\u1ec1u t\u1eadp trung hoa v\u1ec1 \u0111\u00e2y. Cha Ralph \u0111\u00e3 l\u00e0m l\u1ec5 Misa v\u1edbi nh\u1eefng l\u1eddi l\u1ebd m\u00e0 ng\u01b0\u1eddi n\u00e0y th\u00ec cho r\u1eb1ng \u00f4ng \u0111\u00e3 m\u1ec9a mai, ng\u01b0\u1eddi kh\u00e1c th\u00ec cho r\u1eb1ng gi\u1ecdng n\u00f3i \u1ea5y ch\u1ee9a \u0111\u1ef1ng \u0111au x\u00f3t ch\u00e2n th\u00e0nh.","Sau \u0111\u00f3 chi\u1ebfc quan t\u00e0i \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c \u0111\u1eb7t l\u00ean chi\u1ebfc xe \u0111\u1ea9y th\u1ea5p. Kh\u00f4ng ai ch\u1ecbu \u0111\u01b0a vai v\u00e0o khi\u00eang thi h\u00e0i c\u1ee7a b\u00e0 Mary Carson. V\u00e0 c\u0169ng kh\u00f4ng c\u00f3 ai ti\u1ebfc th\u01b0\u01a1ng khi nh\u00ecn th\u1ea5y hai c\u00e1nh c\u1eeda h\u1ea7m m\u1ed9 kh\u00e9p k\u00edn l\u1ea1i. Th\u1ebf l\u00e0 m\u1ecdi ng\u01b0\u1eddi c\u00f3 th\u1ec3 h\u00edt th\u1edf t\u1ef1 nhi\u00ean. Trong khi kh\u00e1ch kh\u1ee9a t\u1eadp trung \u1edf gian ph\u00f2ng l\u1edbn \u0111\u1ec3 \u0103n l\u00f3t d\u1ea1 hay tr\u00f2 chuy\u1ec7n, \u00f4ng ch\u01b0\u1edfng kh\u1ebf Harry Gough m\u1eddi Pa\u0111y v\u00e0 gia \u0111\u00ecnh, cha Ralph, b\u00e0 Smith v\u00e0 hai ch\u1ecb gi\u00fap vi\u1ec7c \u0111\u1ebfn ph\u00f2ng kh\u00e1ch. V\u1ed1n ng\u01b0\u1eddi nh\u00e2n t\u1eeb t\u1ed1t b\u1ee5ng, Pa\u0111y \u0111\u00e3 kh\u00f3c ch\u1ecb, c\u00f2n b\u00e0 Fiona, v\u1ee3 Pa\u0111y, th\u00ec n\u00e9t m\u1eb7t v\u1eabn kh\u00f4ng thay \u0111\u1ed5i, nh\u01b0 th\u1ec3 kkh\u00f4ng ch\u00fa \u00fd \u0111\u1ebfn chuy\u1ec7n g\u00ec \u0111\u00e3 x\u1ea3y ra. - Pa\u0111y, t\u00f4i \u0111\u1ec1 ngh\u1ecb \u00f4ng ph\u1ea3n \u0111\u1ed1i t\u1edd di ch\u00fac - Harry Gough tuy\u00ean b\u1ed1 sau khi \u0111\u1ecdc tr\u1ecdn v\u0103n b\u1ea3n b\u1eb1ng m\u1ed9t gi\u1ecdng kh\u00f4 khan v\u00e0 b\u1ea5t m\u00e3n. - \u0110\u00fang l\u00e0 m\u1ed9t con m\u1ee5 gi\u00e0 th\u1ed1i tha v\u00e0 qu\u1ef7 qu\u00e1i! B\u00e0 Smith bu\u1ed9t mi\u1ec7ng k\u00eau l\u00ean. M\u1eb7c d\u00f9 b\u00e0 th\u01b0\u01a1ng cha Ralph nh\u01b0ng t\u00ecnh c\u1ea3m c\u1ee7a b\u00e0 Smith v\u1eabn nghi\u00eang v\u1ec1 ph\u00eda gia \u0111\u00ecnh h\u1ecd Cleary. D\u00f2ng h\u1ecd n\u00e0y \u0111\u00e3 mang \u0111\u1ebfn cho \u0111\u1eddi b\u00e0 ni\u1ec1m vui r\u1ed9n r\u00e3. Pa\u0111y l\u1eafc \u0111\u1ea7u. - Kh\u00f4ng, \u00f4ng Harry! T\u00f4i kh\u00f4ng l\u00e0m g\u00ec c\u1ea3. T\u00e0i s\u1ea3n n\u00e0y l\u00e0 c\u1ee7a ch\u1ecb t\u00f4i v\u00e0 ch\u1ecb t\u00f4i c\u00f3 to\u00e0n quy\u1ec1n quy\u1ebft \u0111\u1ecbnh theo \u00fd b\u00e0. N\u1ebfu ch\u1ecb t\u00f4i mu\u1ed1n \u0111\u1ec3 l\u1ea1i t\u1ea5t c\u1ea3 cho Nh\u00e0 th\u1edd th\u00ec ch\u00fang t\u00f4i ph\u1ea3i c\u00fai \u0111\u1ea7u tr\u01b0\u1edbc \u00fd mu\u1ed1n c\u1ee7a b\u00e0. T\u00f4i kh\u00f4ng th\u1ec3 n\u00f3i d\u1ed1i r\u1eb1ng t\u00f4i ho\u00e0n to\u00e0n kh\u00f4ng h\u1ec1 th\u1ea5t v\u1ecdng nh\u01b0ng t\u00f4i ch\u1ec9 l\u00e0 m\u1ed9t ng\u01b0\u1eddi ch\u1ea5t ph\u00e1c, cho n\u00ean nh\u01b0 v\u1eady l\u1ea1i t\u1ed1t h\u01a1n. T\u00f4i th\u00e0nh th\u1eadt n\u00f3i r\u1eb1ng t\u00f4i kh\u00f4ng ham nh\u1eadn tr\u00e1ch nhi\u1ec7m n\u1eb7ng n\u1ec1 cai qu\u1ea3n m\u1ed9t \u0111i\u1ec1n trang r\u1ed9ng bao la nh\u01b0 Drogheda. - \u00d4ng kh\u00f4ng hi\u1ec3u g\u00ec h\u1ebft Pa\u0111y \u1ea1 - Harry Gough n\u00f3i l\u1ea1i b\u1eb1ng c\u00e1ch nh\u1ea5n m\u1ea1nh t\u1eebng l\u1eddi m\u1ed9t nh\u01b0 n\u00f3i v\u1edbi tr\u1ebb con - Kh\u00f4ng ph\u1ea3i ch\u1ec9 c\u00f3 Drogheda, \u0111i\u1ec1n trang ch\u1ec9 l\u00e0 m\u1ed9t ph\u1ea7n r\u1ea5t nh\u1ecf trong s\u1ed1 t\u00e0i s\u1ea3n m\u00e0 ch\u1ecb c\u1ee7a \u00f4ng \u0111\u00e3 \u0111\u1ec3 l\u1ea1i. B\u00e0 \u1ea5y l\u00e0 c\u1ed5 \u0111\u00f4ng c\u00f3 quy\u1ec1n ki\u1ec3m so\u00e1t c\u1ea3 tr\u0103m c\u00f4ng ty lo\u1ea1i l\u1edbn; b\u00e0 c\u00f2n c\u00f3 nh\u1eefng nh\u00e0 m\u00e1y \u0111\u00fac th\u00e9p, nh\u1eefng m\u1ecf v\u00e0ng, h\u00e3ng Michar Limited m\u00e0 tr\u1ee5 s\u1edf l\u00e0 m\u1ed9t t\u00f2a nh\u00e0 ch\u00edn t\u1ea7ng \u1edf Sydney. B\u00e0 ch\u1ecb \u00f4ng l\u00e0 ng\u01b0\u1eddi gi\u00e0u c\u00f3 nh\u1ea5t \u1edf \u00dac! Th\u1eadt k\u1ef3 l\u1ea1, ch\u00ednh b\u00e0 \u0111\u00e3 nh\u1edd t\u00f4i li\u00ean h\u1ec7 v\u1edbi c\u00e1c gi\u00e1m \u0111\u1ed1c Michar Limited \u1edf Sydney ch\u1ec9 m\u1edbi c\u00e1ch \u0111\u00e2y kh\u00f4ng \u0111\u1ea7y m\u1ed9t th\u00e1ng v\u1edbi m\u1ee5c \u0111\u00edch xem l\u1ea1i ti\u1ec1n b\u1ea1c c\u1ee7a b\u00e0 hi\u1ec7n c\u00f3 l\u00e0 bao nhi\u00eau. V\u00e0o l\u00fac b\u00e0 qua \u0111\u1eddi, t\u00e0i s\u1ea3n c\u1ee7a b\u00e0 l\u00ean t\u1edbi m\u01b0\u1eddi ba tri\u1ec7u b\u1ea3ng Anh. - M\u01b0\u1eddi ba tri\u1ec7u b\u1ea3ng! Pa\u0111y l\u1eb7p l\u1ea1i con s\u1ed1 v\u1edbi gi\u1ecdng xa x\u00f4i nh\u01b0 khi ng\u01b0\u1eddi ta nh\u1eafc t\u1edbi c\u00e1i kho\u1ea3ng c\u00e1ch t\u1eeb m\u1eb7t \u0111\u1ea5t t\u1edbi m\u1eb7t tr\u1eddi, m\u1ed9t s\u1ef1 \u0111\u00e1nh gi\u00e1 kh\u00f4ng t\u00e0i n\u00e0o h\u00ecnh dung n\u1ed5i. Th\u1ebf \u0111\u1ea5y, coi nh\u01b0 v\u1ea5n \u0111\u1ec1 \u0111\u00e3 gi\u1ea3i quy\u1ebft, Harry. T\u00f4i d\u1ee9t kho\u00e1t kh\u00f4ng mu\u1ed1n \u0111\u1ea3m tr\u00e1ch nh\u1eefng c\u00f4ng vi\u1ec7c qu\u00e1 to l\u1edbn \u1ea5y. - Kh\u00f4ng c\u00f3 c\u00f4ng vi\u1ec7c to l\u1edbn n\u00e0o ph\u1ea3i \u0111\u1ea3m tr\u00e1ch, Pa\u0111y! \u00d4ng kh\u00f4ng hi\u1ec3u \u00e0? V\u1edbi nh\u1eefng t\u00e0i s\u1ea3n nh\u01b0 th\u1ebf s\u1ebd t\u1ef1 qu\u1ea3n l\u00fd l\u1ea5y! \u00d4ng ho\u00e0n to\u00e0n kh\u1ecfi ph\u1ea3i quan t\u00e2m t\u1edbi, c\u00f3 h\u00e0ng tr\u0103m nh\u00e2n vi\u00ean \u0111\u1ec3 lo vi\u1ec7c n\u00e0y. Pa\u0111y, \u00f4ng h\u00e3y ki\u1ec7n l\u1ea1i t\u1edd di ch\u00fac n\u00e0y, t\u00f4i tha thi\u1ebft \u0111\u1ec1 ngh\u1ecb v\u1edbi \u00f4ng nh\u01b0 v\u1eady. T\u00f4i s\u1ebd gi\u1edbi thi\u1ec7u v\u1edbi \u00f4ng nh\u1eefng lu\u1eadt s\u01b0 gi\u1ecfi nh\u1ea5t n\u01b0\u1edbc v\u00e0 t\u00f4i s\u1ebd h\u1ed7 tr\u1ee3 \u0111\u1ebfn c\u00f9ng, d\u00f9 ph\u1ea3i \u0111\u1ebfn \u0111\u1ebfn t\u1eadn H\u1ed9i \u0111\u1ed3ng c\u01a1 m\u1eadt. Pa\u0111y b\u1ed7ng nh\u1edb l\u1ea1i r\u1eb1ng gia \u0111\u00ecnh \u00f4ng c\u0169ng c\u00f3 quy\u1ec1n ph\u00e1t bi\u1ec3u trong vi\u1ec7c n\u00e0y, \u00f4ng quay sang Bob v\u00e0 Jack, \u0111ang h\u00e1 h\u1ed1c mi\u1ec7ng, ng\u1ed3i c\u1ea1nh nhau tr\u00ean m\u1ed9t chi\u1ebfc gh\u1ebf d\u00e0i c\u1ea9m th\u1ea1ch \u00dd.","- N\u00e0y c\u00e1c con, c\u00e1c con ngh\u0129 th\u1ebf n\u00e0o? C\u00e1c con c\u00f3 mu\u1ed1n t\u00ecm c\u00e1ch t\u00fam l\u1ea5y c\u00e1i m\u00f3n b\u00e9o b\u1edf... m\u01b0\u1eddi ba tri\u1ec7u b\u1ea3ng c\u1ee7a c\u00f4 Mary kh\u00f4ng? N\u1ebfu c\u00e1c con mu\u1ed1n, ba s\u1ebd ki\u1ec7n ph\u1ea3n \u0111\u1ed1i di ch\u00fac n\u00e0y, c\u00f2n kh\u00f4ng th\u00ec ba s\u1ebd r\u00fat lui. - Nh\u01b0ng d\u00f9 th\u1ebf n\u00e0o th\u00ec ch\u00fang ta v\u1eabn \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c quy\u1ec1n ti\u1ebfp t\u1ee5c s\u1ed1ng \u1edf Drogheda, trong di ch\u00fac c\u0169ng c\u00f3 n\u00f3i r\u00f5 \u0111i\u1ec1u \u0111\u00f3 ph\u1ea3i kh\u00f4ng ba? - Bob h\u1ecfi. - Kh\u00f4ng ai c\u00f3 quy\u1ec1n \u0111u\u1ed5i c\u00e1c c\u1eadu ra kh\u1ecfi Drogheda cho \u0111\u1ebfn khi n\u00e0o ba c\u00e1c c\u1eadu c\u00f2n m\u1ed9t ng\u01b0\u1eddi con ng\u01b0\u1eddi ch\u00e1u \u1edf \u0111\u00e2y, Harry gi\u1ea3i th\u00edch. - Ch\u00fang ta s\u1ebd \u1edf \u0111\u00e2y, trong ng\u00f4i nh\u00e0 l\u1edbn v\u1edbi b\u00e0 Smith v\u00e0 Minnie, Cat. Nh\u1eefng ng\u01b0\u1eddi n\u00e0y ph\u1ee5c v\u1ee5 ch\u00fang ta v\u00e0 ch\u00fang ta l\u1ea1i nh\u1eadn m\u1ed9t s\u1ed1 ti\u1ec1n l\u01b0\u01a1ng cao - Pa\u0111y th\u00eam v\u00e0o, qu\u00e1 sung s\u01b0\u1edbng v\u00e0 h\u00e0i l\u00f2ng v\u1ec1 s\u1ef1 may m\u1eafn c\u1ee7a m\u00ecnh v\u00e0 qu\u00ean \u0111i n\u1ed7i b\u1ea5t h\u1ea1nh. - V\u1eady th\u00ec c\u00f2n \u0111\u00f2i h\u1ecfi g\u00ec h\u01a1n n\u1eefa? Bob h\u1ecfi em m\u00ecnh. Em c\u00f3 \u0111\u1ed3ng \u00fd kh\u00f4ng? - V\u1edbi em, nh\u01b0 th\u1ebf l\u00e0 v\u1eeba. Jack tr\u1ea3 l\u1eddi ng\u1eafn g\u1ecdn. Cha Ralph l\u00f2ng d\u1ea1 b\u1ed3n ch\u1ed3n. Kh\u00f4ng k\u1ecbp thay b\u1ed9 \u0111\u1ed3 l\u00e0m l\u1ec5, \u00f4ng c\u0169ng kh\u00f4ng k\u1ecbp ng\u1ed3i; kh\u00f4ng kh\u00e1c m\u1ed9t ph\u00e1p s\u01b0 \u0111\u1eb9p v\u00e0 h\u1eafc \u00e1m; \u00f4ng \u0111\u1ee9ng trong b\u00f3ng t\u1ed1i \u1edf cu\u1ed1i ph\u00f2ng, hai tay \u0111\u00fat v\u00e0o \u00e1o cho\u00e0ng m\u00e0u \u0111en; n\u00e9t m\u1eb7t s\u1eefng s\u1edd. Trong t\u1eadn \u0111\u00e1y s\u00e2u c\u1ee7a t\u00f4i m\u1eaft xanh xa x\u00f4i, \u0111ang d\u1ed3n s\u1ef1 phi\u1ec1n mu\u1ed9n v\u00e0 n\u1ed7i kinh ho\u00e0ng. S\u1ef1 tr\u1eebng ph\u1ea1t m\u00e0 \u00f4ng ch\u1edd \u0111\u1ee3i m\u1ed9t c\u00e1ch gi\u1eadn d\u1eef v\u00e0 khinh b\u1ec9, cu\u1ed1i c\u00f9ng \u0111\u00e3 kh\u00f4ng x\u1ea3y ra. Pa\u0111y \u0111\u00e3 \u0111\u1eb7t t\u1ea5t c\u1ea3 tr\u00ean m\u1ed9t m\u00e2m b\u1ea1c, \u0111\u1ea7y thi\u1ec7n ch\u00ed, d\u00e2ng t\u1eb7ng \u00f4ng l\u1eddi c\u1ea3m \u01a1n \u00f4ng \u0111\u00e3 lo gi\u00f9m g\u00e1nh n\u1eb7ng cho d\u00f2ng h\u1ecd Cleary. - C\u00f2n b\u00e0 Fiona v\u00e0 Meggie th\u00ec sao? Linh m\u1ee5c xen v\u00e0o, l\u1eddi n\u00f3i kh\u00f4 khan h\u01b0\u1edbng v\u1ec1 ph\u00eda Pa\u0111\u1ef5 Ph\u1ea3i ch\u0103ng \u00f4ng kh\u00f4ng coi tr\u1ecdng l\u1eafm ph\u1ee5 n\u1eef trong gia \u0111\u00ecnh n\u00ean kh\u00f4ng h\u1ecfi \u00fd ki\u1ebfn c\u1ee7a nh\u1eefng ng\u01b0\u1eddi \u1ea5y? - V\u1eady Fiona, em c\u00f3 \u00fd ki\u1ebfn g\u00ec? Pa\u0111y lo l\u1eafng h\u1ecfi. - Em tu\u00e2n theo \u00fd ki\u1ebfn c\u1ee7a anh, Pa\u0111y. Ph\u1ea7n em th\u00ec sao c\u0169ng \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c. - Con kh\u00f4ng c\u1ea7n 13 tri\u1ec7u b\u1ea3ng c\u1ee7a b\u00e0 ta, Meggie tr\u1ea3 l\u1eddi, m\u1eaft nh\u00ecn ch\u0103m ch\u0103m cha Ralph. - Nh\u01b0 th\u1ebf, coi nh\u01b0 k\u1ebft th\u00fac v\u1ee5 n\u00e0y, Harry - Pa\u0111y quay l\u1ea1i n\u00f3i v\u1edbi vi\u00ean ch\u01b0\u1edfng kh\u1ebf - Ch\u00fang t\u00f4i kh\u00f4ng mu\u1ed1n ki\u1ec7n ch\u1ed1ng l\u1ea1i t\u1edd di ch\u00fac. T\u00f2a th\u00e1nh c\u1ee9 th\u1eeba h\u01b0\u1edfng ti\u1ec1n c\u1ee7a b\u00e0 Marry, nh\u01b0 th\u1ebf l\u00e0 r\u1ea5t t\u1ed1t. Harry \u0111\u1eadp hai tay v\u00e0o nhau. - Tr\u1eddi \u0111\u1ea5t \u01a1i, t\u00f4i \u0111au t\u1eadn ru\u1ed9t gan khi nh\u00ecn th\u1ea5y \u00f4ng b\u1ecb tr\u1ea5n l\u1ed9t. - T\u00f4i c\u1ea3m \u01a1n ng\u00f4i sao b\u1ed5n m\u1ea1ng c\u1ee7a t\u00f4i, Pa\u0111y nh\u1ecf nh\u1eb9 n\u00f3i. N\u1ebfu kh\u00f4ng c\u00f3 ch\u1ecb Mary c\u1ee7a t\u00f4i, th\u00ec b\u00e2y gi\u1edd t\u00f4i c\u00f2n ph\u1ea3i l\u00e0m thu\u00ea l\u00e0m m\u01b0\u1edbn cho ng\u01b0\u1eddi n\u00e0y, ng\u01b0\u1eddi n\u1ecd \u0111\u1ec3 s\u1ed1ng \u1edf T\u00e2n T\u00e2y Lan. Tr\u01b0\u1edbc khi r\u1eddi ph\u00f2ng kh\u00e1ch, Pa\u0111y g\u1eb7p cha Ralph, b\u1eaft tay linh m\u1ee5c tr\u01b0\u1edbc bao nhi\u00eau ng\u01b0\u1eddi ch\u0103m ch\u00fa theo d\u00f5i t\u1eeb n\u00e3y gi\u1edd. - Th\u01b0a cha, xin cha \u0111\u1eebng ngh\u0129 r\u1eb1ng ch\u00fang t\u00f4i c\u00f3 \u00fd ngh\u0129 b\u1ea5t b\u00ecnh g\u00ec \u0111\u1ed1i v\u1edbi cha. Su\u1ed1t c\u1ea3 chi\u1ec1u d\u00e0i c\u1ee7a cu\u1ed9c \u0111\u1eddi b\u00e0, Mary kh\u00f4ng h\u1ec1 \u0111\u1ec3 cho m\u1ed9t ai \u1ea3nh h\u01b0\u1edfng m\u00ecnh, d\u00f9 ng\u01b0\u1eddi \u0111\u00f3 l\u00e0 linh m\u1ee5c, em hay ch\u1ed3ng. Cha h\u00e3y tin t\u00f4i v\u00e0 cha c\u0169ng r\u1ea5t t\u1ed1t \u0111\u1ed1i v\u1edbi ch\u00fang t\u00f4i. Ch\u00fang t\u00f4i kh\u00f4ng bao gi\u1edd qu\u00ean.","M\u1eb7c c\u1ea3m t\u1ed9i l\u1ed7i. G\u00e1nh n\u1eb7ng. Su\u00fdt ch\u00fat n\u1eefa cha Ralph qu\u00ean n\u1eb1m b\u00e0n tay s\u1ea7n s\u00f9i m\u00e0 Pa\u0111y \u0111\u00e3 ch\u00eca ra nh\u01b0ng b\u1ed9 \u00f3c c\u1ee7a cha \u0111\u00e3 k\u1ecbp gi\u00e0nh l\u1ea1i ph\u1ea7n th\u1eafng; cha Ralph b\u1eaft tay v\u00e0 si\u1ebft th\u1eadt m\u1ea1nh, m\u1ec9m c\u01b0\u1eddi kh\u00f3 nh\u1ecdc. - C\u00e1m \u01a1n Pa\u0111y. H\u00e3y tin ch\u1eafc r\u1eb1ng t\u00f4i s\u1ebd theo d\u00f5i s\u00e1t kh\u00f4ng \u0111\u1ec3 cho gia \u0111\u00ecnh \u00f4ng thi\u1ebfu h\u1ee5t b\u1ea5t c\u1ee9 th\u1ee9 g\u00ec. Cha Ralph \u0111i ngay trong tu\u1ea7n l\u1ec5 \u1ea5y v\u00e0 kh\u00f4ng h\u1ec1 tr\u1edf l\u1ea1i th\u0103m Drogheda. \u00d4ng d\u00e0nh v\u00e0i ng\u00e0y \u0111\u1ec3 s\u1eafp x\u1ebfp m\u1ed9t v\u00e0i th\u1ee9 l\u1eb7t v\u1eb7t v\u00e0 \u0111i th\u0103m c\u00e1c gia \u0111\u00ecnh c\u00f4ng gi\u00e1o trong v\u00f9ng, ngo\u1ea1i tr\u1eeb Drogheda. Linh m\u1ee5c Watkin Thomas t\u1eeb x\u1ee9 Wales t\u1edbi, thay th\u1ebf \u0111\u1ea3m tr\u00e1ch gi\u00e1o x\u1ee9 Gillanbone, c\u00f2n cha Ralph de Bricassart tr\u1edf th\u00e0nh th\u01b0 k\u00fd ri\u00eang c\u1ee7a t\u1ed5ng gi\u00e1m m\u1ee5c Gluny Dark. Nh\u01b0ng c\u00f4ng vi\u1ec7c c\u1ee7a cha r\u1ea5t \u00edt; cha c\u00f3 hai ng\u01b0\u1eddi tr\u1ee3 l\u00fd. Cha \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c giao nhi\u1ec7m v\u1ee5 xem l\u1ea1i s\u1ea3n nghi\u1ec7p c\u1ee7a b\u00e0 Mary Carson g\u1ed3m nh\u1eefng g\u00ec v\u00e0 gi\u00e1 tr\u1ecb th\u1eadt s\u1ef1 bao nhi\u00eau v\u00ec l\u1ee3i \u00edch c\u1ee7a T\u00f2a th\u00e1nh.","C\u200b H\u01af\u01a0NG 14 N\u0103m m\u1edbi \u0111\u00e3 \u0111\u1ebfn, c\u00f9ng l\u00fac v\u1edbi \u0111\u00eam khi\u00eau v\u0169 Saint Sylvestre do gia \u0111\u00ecnh Angus Mac Queen t\u1ed5 ch\u1ee9c h\u00e0ng n\u0103m \u1edf Rudna Hinish, trong khi \u0111\u00f3 th\u00ec gia \u0111\u00ecnh Cleary v\u1eabn ch\u01b0a chuy\u1ec3n qua \u1edf t\u00f2a nh\u00e0 l\u1edbn v\u00ec vi\u1ec7c s\u1eafp x\u1ebfp theo \u00fd c\u1ee7a Fiona c\u00f2n k\u00e9o d\u00e0i. Cha Ralph c\u00f3 g\u1edfi cho Pa\u0111y m\u1ed9t ng\u00e2n phi\u1ebfu n\u0103m ng\u00e0n b\u1ea3ng t\u1eeb \u0111\u1ea7u th\u00e1ng 12, \u0111\u1ec3 chi d\u00f9ng ban \u0111\u1ea7u theo c\u00e1ch gi\u1ea3i th\u00edch trong th\u01b0 c\u1ee7a \u00f4ng. Pa\u0111y \u0111\u01b0a th\u01b0 cho Fiona xem v\u1edbi th\u00e1i \u0111\u1ed9 kinh ng\u1ea1c. - Tr\u1eddi \u01a1i, l\u00e0m vi\u1ec7c su\u1ed1t \u0111\u1eddi, t\u00f4i c\u0169ng kh\u00f4ng l\u00e0m sao \u0111\u00e0o ra \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c m\u1ed9t s\u1ed1 ti\u1ec1n nh\u01b0 th\u1ebf n\u00e0y? - V\u1edbi s\u1ed1 ti\u1ec1n n\u00e0y m\u00ecnh l\u00e0m g\u00ec? Fiona h\u1ecfi sau khi li\u1ebfc qua v\u00e0o t\u1ea5m ng\u00e2n phi\u1ebfu r\u1ed3i \u0111\u00f4i m\u1eaft long lanh nh\u00ecn ch\u1ed3ng. Th\u1ebf l\u00e0 ch\u00fang ta \u0111\u00e3 c\u00f3 ti\u1ec1n? Anh c\u00f3 th\u1ea5y kh\u00f4ng? \u1ed2, em kh\u00f4ng c\u1ea7n s\u1ed1 ti\u1ec1n 13 tri\u1ec7u b\u1ea3ng c\u1ee7a c\u00f4 Mary... m\u1ed9t s\u1ed1 ti\u1ec1n nh\u01b0 th\u1ebf kh\u00f4ng th\u1eadt. Nh\u01b0ng c\u00f2n ti\u1ec1n n\u00e0y, th\u00ec th\u1eadt \u0111\u00f3. Ch\u00fang ta s\u1ebd l\u00e0m g\u00ec b\u00e2y gi\u1edd? - Chi x\u00e0i, Pa\u0111y tr\u1ea3 l\u1eddi \u0111\u01a1n gi\u1ea3n. Mua qu\u1ea7n \u00e1o m\u1edbi cho con c\u00e1i... C\u00f2n em? C\u00f3 l\u1ebd em th\u00edch mua s\u1eafm \u0111\u1ed3 \u0111\u1ea1c cho ng\u00f4i nh\u00e0 l\u1edbn ph\u1ea3i kh\u00f4ng? V\u1ec1 ph\u1ea7n anh th\u00ec ch\u1eb3ng th\u1ea5y c\u1ea7n th\u1ee9 g\u00ec c\u1ea3. - Ng\u1ed1c th\u1eadt. Ch\u00ednh em c\u0169ng kh\u00f4ng bi\u1ebft chi x\u00e0i chuy\u1ec7n g\u00ec (b\u00e0 \u0111\u1ee9ng l\u00ean, r\u1eddi b\u00e0n \u0103n v\u00e0 g\u1ecdi Meggie v\u1edbi m\u1ed9t gi\u1ecdng quy\u1ec1n uy). Con \u0111\u1ebfn \u0111\u00e2y! Ch\u00fang ta qua nh\u00e0 l\u1edbn xem \u1edf \u0111\u00f3 c\u1ea7n g\u00ec. \u0110\u00e3 ba tu\u1ea7n tr\u00f4i qua k\u1ec3 t\u1eeb ng\u00e0y s\u00f3ng gi\u00f3 ti\u1ebfp theo c\u00e1i ch\u1ebft c\u1ee7a Mary Carson, th\u1ebf m\u00e0 ch\u01b0a c\u00f3 m\u1ed9t th\u00e0nh vi\u00ean n\u00e0o c\u1ee7a gia \u0111\u00ecnh Cleary \u0111\u1eb7t ch\u00e2n \u0111\u1ebfn t\u00f2a nh\u00e0 l\u1edbn. Nh\u01b0ng b\u00e2y gi\u1edd cu\u1ed9c vi\u1ebfng th\u0103m c\u1ee7a Fiona \u0111\u00e3 b\u00f9 l\u1ea1i th\u1eddi gian h\u1ecd g\u1edbm ghi\u1ebfc xa l\u00e1nh ng\u00f4i nh\u00e0 n\u00e0y. B\u00e0 \u0111i t\u1eeb ph\u00f2ng n\u00e0y sang ph\u00f2ng kh\u00e1c, ph\u00eda sau c\u00f3 c\u1ea3 m\u1ed9t \u0111o\u00e0n t\u00f9y t\u00f9ng g\u1ed3m Meggie, v\u00e0 Smith, Cat v\u00e0 Minnie. B\u00e0 l\u00e0m cho con g\u00e1i b\u00e0 ng\u1ea1c nhi\u00ean v\u1ec1 s\u1ef1 s\u1ed1ng \u0111\u1ed9ng m\u00e0 t\u1eeb l\u00e2u kh\u00f4ng th\u1ea5y \u1edf b\u00e0. B\u00e0 lu\u00f4n lu\u00f4n n\u00f3i m\u1ed9t m\u00ecnh, khi th\u00ec ch\u00ea th\u1ee9 n\u00e0y \u0111\u00e1ng t\u1edfm, khi th\u00ec ch\u00ea th\u1ee9 kia qu\u00e1 x\u1ea5u x\u00ed, ph\u1ea3i ch\u0103ng ch\u1ecb Mary b\u1ecb b\u1ec7nh m\u00e0 m\u1ea5t hay ch\u1ecb \u1ea5y ch\u1eb3ng c\u00f3 ch\u00fat \u00f3c th\u1ea9m m\u1ef9 n\u00e0o c\u1ea3! B\u00e0n vi\u1ebft c\u1ee7a Mary Carson, theo ki\u1ec3u x\u1ea5u x\u00ed th\u1eddi Victoria, b\u00ean tr\u00ean c\u00f3 \u0111\u1eb7t m\u00e1y \u0111i\u1ec7n tho\u1ea1i. Fiona \u0111\u1ebfn g\u1ea7n, nh\u00ecn m\u00e0u g\u1ed7 bu\u1ed3n hiu v\u1edbi v\u1ebb ch\u00ea bai. - B\u00e0n vi\u1ebft c\u1ee7a t\u00f4i \u0111\u1eb7t v\u00e0o \u0111\u00e2y th\u00ec h\u1ee3p qu\u00e1, b\u00e0 n\u00f3i. T\u00f4i b\u1eaft \u0111\u1ea7u s\u1eeda sang, s\u1eafp x\u1ebfp l\u1ea1i t\u1eeb c\u0103n ph\u00f2ng n\u00e0y. Ch\u00fang ta ch\u1ec9 d\u1ecdn nh\u00e0 sang khi m\u1ecdi vi\u1ec7c xong xu\u00f4i. Ch\u01b0a xong th\u00ec kh\u00f4ng d\u1ecdn. Nh\u01b0 th\u1ebf ch\u00fang ta b\u1ed1 tr\u00ed \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c m\u1ed9t n\u01a1i c\u00f3 th\u1ec3 h\u1ecdp m\u1eb7t nhau m\u00e0 kh\u00f4ng th\u1ea5y bu\u1ed3n t\u1ebb - v\u1eeba n\u00f3i b\u00e0 v\u1eeba ng\u1ed3i xu\u1ed1ng coi l\u1ea1i chi\u1ebfc \u0111i\u1ec7n tho\u1ea1i. Sau khi s\u1eeda \u0111i\u1ec7n tho\u1ea1i xong, Fiona ra l\u1ec7nh cho ba ng\u01b0\u1eddi ph\u1ee5 n\u1eef th\u00e1o g\u1ee1 ngay c\u00e1c b\u1ee9c m\u00e0n nhung m\u00e0u n\u00e2u v\u00e0 n\u00e9m t\u1ea5t c\u1ea3 v\u00e0 m\u1ed9t ch\u1ed7 d\u00e0nh ri\u00eang cho c\u00e1c th\u1ee9 kh\u00f4ng c\u00f2n d\u00f9ng n\u1eefa. V\u00e0 Fiona \u0111\u1ed1t c\u00f9ng v\u1edbi r\u00e1c r\u1ebfn. - Ch\u00fang ta kh\u00f4ng c\u1ea7n nh\u1eefng th\u1ee9 n\u00e0y, b\u00e0 kh\u1eb3ng \u0111\u1ecbnh. V\u00e0 t\u00f4i c\u0169ng kh\u00f4ng mu\u1ed1n cho ng\u01b0\u1eddi ngh\u00e8o \u1edf Gillanbone d\u00f9ng nh\u1eefng th\u1ee9 n\u00e0y. - \u0110\u00fang th\u1ebf, m\u1eb9, Meggie t\u00e1n \u0111\u1ed3ng nh\u01b0ng h\u01a1i s\u1eedng s\u1ed1t.","- Ch\u00fang ta kh\u00f4ng r\u00e8m m\u00e0n, Fiona n\u00f3i, kh\u00f4ng b\u0103n kho\u0103n ch\u00fat n\u00e0o khi l\u00e0m tr\u00e1i l\u1ea1i c\u00e1c qui t\u1eafc trang ho\u00e0ng trong nh\u00e0 c\u1ee7a th\u1eddi \u0111\u1ea1i n\u00e0y. H\u00e0nh lang r\u1ea5t r\u1ed9ng, kh\u00f3 cho \u00e1nh n\u1eafng chi\u1ebfu th\u1eb3ng v\u00e0o b\u00ean trong nh\u00e0, v\u1eady th\u00ec r\u00e8m m\u00e0n c\u00f3 \u00edch g\u00ec? M\u1eb9 mu\u1ed1n \u0111\u1ec3 tr\u1ed1ng cho m\u1ecdi ng\u01b0\u1eddi nh\u00ecn th\u1ea5y \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c ph\u00f2ng kh\u00e1ch. V\u00e0o tu\u1ea7n l\u1ec5 th\u1ee9 hai c\u1ee7a th\u00e1ng gi\u00eang, t\u1ea5t c\u1ea3 \u0111\u00e3 ho\u00e0n ch\u1ec9nh, ti\u1ebfng \u0111\u1ed3n lan r\u1ed9ng ra qua li\u00ean l\u1ea1c c\u1ee7a c\u00e1c m\u00e1y \u0111i\u1ec7n tho\u1ea1i \u0111\u1ecba ph\u01b0\u01a1ng. B\u00e0 Cleary Fiona \u0111\u00e3 bi\u1ebfn ph\u00f2ng kh\u00e1ch c\u1ee7a Drogheda th\u00e0nh m\u1ed9t cung \u0111i\u1ec7n. Kh\u00f4ng ai nghi ng\u1edd s\u1ef1 th\u00e0nh c\u00f4ng c\u1ee7a Fion\u1ea1 Ba ng\u00e0y tr\u01b0\u1edbc khi d\u1ecdn sang nh\u00e0 l\u1edbn khi m\u1eb7t tr\u1eddi ch\u01b0a l\u00ean, m\u1ea5y con g\u00e0 tr\u1ed1ng \u0111\u00e3 ch\u00e0o \u0111\u00f3n m\u1ed9t ng\u00e0y m\u1edbi b\u1eb1ng nh\u1eefng ti\u1ebfng g\u00e1y r\u1ed9n r\u00e3 vui t\u01b0\u01a1i. - \u0110\u1ed3 t\u1ed1t m\u00e3 nh\u01b0ng ch\u1eb3ng l\u00e0m \u0103n ra g\u00ec, Fiona c\u00e1u g\u1eaft. M\u1eb9 kh\u00f4ng bi\u1ebft ch\u00fang n\u00f3 t\u1ef1 h\u00e0o v\u1ec1 c\u00e1i g\u00ec. Kh\u00f4ng c\u00f3 l\u1ea5y m\u1ed9t tr\u1ee9ng cho bu\u1ed5i \u0103n s\u00e1ng, trong khi bao nhi\u00eau \u0111\u00e0n \u00f4ng \u0111ang t\u1eadp trung \u1edf nh\u00e0 \u0111\u1ec3 ch\u1edd d\u1ecdn \u0111\u1ed3. Meggie, con ph\u1ea3i ra chu\u1ed3ng g\u00e0 xem th\u1eed, m\u1eb9 \u0111ang qu\u00e1 b\u1eadn r\u1ed9n. M\u1eb9 t\u1ef1 h\u1ecfi ba mua d\u00e0i h\u1ea1n t\u1ea5t c\u1ea3 c\u00e1c lo\u1ea1i b\u00e1o n\u00e0y l\u00e0m g\u00ec; kh\u00f4ng ai c\u00f3 th\u1eddi gi\u1edd \u0111\u1ec3 \u0111\u1ecdc. N\u00f3 cao l\u00ean nhanh qu\u00e1 m\u1eb9 kh\u00f4ng \u0111\u1ed1t k\u1ecbp. Con xem, t\u1edd n\u00e0y xu\u1ea5t b\u1ea3n v\u00e0o c\u00e1i ng\u00e0y ch\u00fang ta m\u1edbi \u0111\u1ebfn \u0111\u00e2y! Nh\u01b0ng \u00edt ra nh\u1eefng t\u1edd b\u00e1o \u1ea5y c\u0169ng c\u00f3 c\u00f4ng d\u1ee5ng g\u00f3i b\u1ecdc ch\u00e9n d\u0129a. Th\u1eadt l\u00e0 d\u1ec5 ch\u1ecbu khi th\u1ea5y m\u1eb9 vui v\u1ebb, Meggie ngh\u0129 th\u1ea7m, nhanh nh\u1eb9n b\u01b0\u1edbc xu\u1ed1ng c\u00e1c b\u1eadt thang. Chu\u1ed3ng g\u00e0 r\u1ed9ng th\u00eanh thang, c\u00f3 b\u1ed1n g\u00e0 tr\u1ed1ng v\u00e0 h\u01a1n b\u1ed1n ch\u1ee5c g\u00e0 m\u00e1i. Khi Meggie \u0111\u1ea9y c\u1eeda b\u01b0\u1edbc v\u00e0o trong, m\u1ea5y con g\u00e0 m\u00e1i nhao nhao l\u00ean, t\u01b0\u1edfng r\u1eb1ng Meggie \u0111\u1ebfn cho \u0103n. - Th\u1eadt t\u00ecnh ch\u00fang bay ch\u1eb3ng ra l\u00e0m sao c\u1ea3. Gi\u1ecdng c\u1ee7a Meggie nghi\u00eam ngh\u1ecb trong khi duy\u1ec7t qua c\u00e1c m\u00e1ng d\u00f9ng \u0111\u1ec3 h\u1ee9ng tr\u1ee9ng! Kh\u00f4ng \u0111\u1ee7 cho \u0103n bu\u1ed5i s\u00e1ng ch\u1ee9 \u0111\u1eebng n\u00f3i t\u1edbi chuy\u1ec7n l\u00e0m b\u00e1nh! Th\u1ebf n\u00e0y nh\u00e9, t\u00f4i c\u1ea7n b\u00e1o tr\u01b0\u1edbc cho c\u00e1c c\u00f4 c\u1eadu bi\u1ebft \u0111\u1ec3 kh\u1ecfi than van, n\u1ebfu c\u00e1c c\u00f4 c\u1eadu kh\u00f4ng nhanh ch\u00f3ng v\u00e0o n\u1ec1 n\u1ebfp, c\u00e1c c\u00f4 c\u1eadu s\u1ebd k\u1ebft th\u00fac t\u1ea5t c\u1ea3 trong... n\u1ed3i. T\u1ea5t c\u1ea3 kh\u00f4ng tr\u1eeb m\u1ed9t \u0111\u1ee9a n\u00e0o. L\u1eddi c\u1ea3nh c\u00e1o n\u00e0y c\u00f3 gi\u00e1 tr\u1ecb cho c\u00e1c m\u00e0y r\u00e2u c\u0169ng nh\u01b0 cho c\u00e1c b\u1eadc phu nh\u00e2n. N\u00e0y c\u00e1c ng\u00e0i, \u0111\u1eebng c\u00f3 x\u00f2e \u0111u\u00f4i \u01b0\u1ee1n ng\u1ef1c nh\u01b0 th\u1ec3 chuy\u1ec7n n\u00e0y kh\u00f4ng d\u00ednh d\u1ea5p \u0111\u1ebfn c\u00e1c ng\u00e0i! Tr\u1ee9ng g\u00e0 \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c \u0111\u1eb7t k\u1ef9 l\u01b0\u1ee1ng trong t\u1ea1p d\u1ec1, Meggie tr\u1edf l\u1ea1i b\u1ebfp v\u1eeba \u0111i v\u1eeba h\u00e1t nho nh\u1ecf. B\u01b0\u1edbc v\u00e0o nh\u00e0 Meggie b\u1eaft g\u1eb7p m\u1eb9 \u0111ang ng\u1ed3i tr\u00ean chi\u1ebfc gh\u1ebf b\u00e0nh c\u1ee7a cha, m\u1eaft nh\u00ecn ch\u0103m ch\u00fa v\u00e0o t\u1edd tu\u1ea7n b\u00e1o Smith'' s Weekly, m\u1eb7t t\u00e1i xanh, m\u00f4i run run. Meggie nghe ti\u1ebfng n\u00f3i c\u00e1c anh c\u00f9ng cha m\u00ecnh b\u00ean kia v\u00e1ch v\u00e0 ti\u1ebfng c\u01b0\u1eddi c\u1ee7a Jims v\u00e0 Patsy v\u1eeba \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c 6 tu\u1ed5i. Hai \u0111\u1ee9a em kh\u00f4ng \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c th\u1ee9c d\u1eady tr\u01b0\u1edbc khi ng\u01b0\u1eddi l\u1edbn \u0111i l\u00e0m. - C\u00f3 chuy\u1ec7n g\u00ec th\u1ebf, th\u01b0a m\u1eb9? - Meggie h\u1ecfi. Fiona kh\u00f4ng tr\u1ea3 l\u1eddi; v\u00e0 v\u1eabn b\u1ea5t \u0111\u1ed9ng, nh\u1eefng gi\u1ecdt m\u1ed3 h\u00f4i \u0111\u1ecdng l\u1ea1i tr\u00ean m\u00f4i d\u01b0\u1edbi, \u0111\u00f4i m\u1eaft s\u1eefng s\u1edd trong \u0111au \u0111\u1edbn nh\u01b0 th\u1ec3 b\u00e0 \u0111ang gom h\u1ebft s\u1ee9c l\u1ef1c m\u00ecnh \u0111\u1ec3 ng\u0103n l\u1ea1i ti\u1ebfng th\u00e9t ph\u00e1t ra t\u1eeb trong l\u00f2ng. - Ba \u01a1i! Ba \u01a1i! Meggie g\u1ecdi to, gi\u1ecdng h\u1ed1t ho\u1ea3ng. Ti\u1ebfng g\u1ecdi khi\u1ebfp \u0111\u1ea3m c\u1ee7a Meggie k\u00e9o Pa\u0111y kh\u1ecfi ph\u00f2ng, gi\u1eefa l\u00fac \u00f4ng v\u1eeba m\u1eb7c chi\u1ebfc \u00e1o gil\u00ea. Bob, Jack, Hughie v\u00e0 Stuart ch\u1ea1y theo cha. Kh\u00f4ng n\u00f3i l\u1eddi n\u00e0o, Megie ch\u1ec9 m\u1eb9. X\u00fac \u0111\u1ed9ng \u0111\u1ebfn t\u1eafc ngh\u1ebdn c\u1ed5 h\u1ecdng v\u00ec \u00e2u lo, Pa\u0111y c\u00fai xu\u1ed1ng s\u00e1t v\u1ee3 m\u00ecnh, n\u1eafm l\u1ea5y c\u1ed5 tay m\u1ec1m nh\u0169n.","- C\u00f3 chuy\u1ec7n g\u00ec th\u1ebf, em th\u01b0\u01a1ng y\u00eau? \u00f4ng h\u1ecfi. Gi\u1ecdng n\u00f3i th\u1eadt d\u1ecbu d\u00e0ng c\u1ee7a Pa\u0111y g\u1ea7n nh\u01b0 ho\u00e0n to\u00e0n xa l\u1ea1 \u0111\u1ed1i v\u1edbi c\u00e1c con \u00f4ng, \u0111\u00f3 l\u00e0 gi\u1ecdng n\u00f3i m\u00e0 ch\u00fang bi\u1ebft cha m\u1eb9 ch\u00fang v\u1eabn d\u00f9ng \u0111\u1ebfn khi kh\u00f4ng c\u00f3 m\u1eb7t con c\u00e1i. H\u00ecnh nh\u01b0 gi\u1ecdng n\u00f3i \u0111\u1eb7c bi\u1ec7t \u1ea5y, \u0111\u00e3 k\u00e9o Fiona ra kh\u1ecfi v\u1ef1c th\u1eb3m m\u00e0 b\u00e0 \u0111ang ch\u1edbi v\u1edbi; \u0111\u00f4i m\u1eaft to, m\u00e0u n\u00e2u nh\u00ecn l\u00ean g\u01b0\u01a1ng m\u1eb7t hi\u1ec1n h\u1eadu c\u1ee7a ch\u1ed3ng \u0111\u1ea7y \u00e2u lo, v\u00e0 m\u1ecfi m\u1ec7t. - \u0110\u1ea5y, b\u00e0 v\u1eeba n\u00f3i v\u1eeba ch\u1ec9 t\u1edd b\u00e1o n\u1eb1m \u1edf ph\u00eda cu\u1ed1i trang. Stuart \u0111\u1ebfn sau l\u01b0ng m\u1eb9, d\u1ecbu d\u00e0ng \u0111\u1eb7t b\u00e0n tay l\u00ean vai; tr\u01b0\u1edbc khi \u0111\u1ecdc b\u00e0i b\u00e1o, Pa\u0111y nh\u00ecn v\u00e0o m\u1eb7t con trai \u00f4ng r\u1ed3i v\u1ee3 \u00f4ng; v\u00e0 ra v\u1ebb b\u1eb1ng l\u00f2ng. \u00d4ng kh\u00f4ng c\u00f3 th\u00e1i \u0111\u1ed9 ghen t\u1ee9c nh\u01b0 \u0111\u1ed1i v\u1edbi Frank tr\u01b0\u1edbc \u0111\u00e2y. T\u00ecnh y\u00eau m\u00e0 c\u1ea3 hai d\u00e0nh cho Fiona \u0111\u00e3 l\u00e0m hai cha con g\u1ea7n g\u0169i nhau h\u01a1n. Pa\u0111y \u0111\u1ecdc b\u00e0i b\u00e1o to l\u00ean, gi\u1ecdng ch\u1ea7m ch\u1eadm c\u00e0ng l\u00fac c\u00e0ng \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3m bu\u1ed3n. T\u1ef1a b\u00e0i b\u00e1o: \\\"M\u1ed9t v\u00f5 s\u0129 b\u1ecb k\u1ebft \u00e1n chung th\u00e2n. Francis Amstrong Cleary, 26 tu\u1ed5i, v\u00f5 s\u0129 nh\u00e0 ngh\u1ec1, h\u00f4m nay \u0111\u00e3 b\u1ecb t\u00f2a \u00e1n \u1edf Goulburn k\u1ebft t\u1ed9i c\u1ed1 s\u00e1t Ronald Cummings, th\u1ee3 tr\u1ed3ng tr\u1ecdt 32 tu\u1ed5i, v\u1ee5 \u00e1n x\u1ea3y ra h\u1ed3i th\u00e1ng b\u1ea3y v\u1eeba qua. B\u1ed3i th\u1ea9m \u0111o\u00e0n \u0111\u00e3 \u0111\u01b0a ra k\u1ebft qu\u1ea3 ch\u1ec9 sau m\u01b0\u1eddi ph\u00fat h\u1ee3p ri\u00eang, \u0111\u1ec1 ngh\u1ecb \u00e1p d\u1ee5ng h\u00ecnh ph\u1ea1t n\u1eb7ng nh\u1ea5t. Theo l\u1eddi ph\u00e1n x\u1eed c\u1ee7a quan t\u00f2a Fitz Hugh Cunneally th\u00ec \u0111\u00e2y l\u00e0 m\u1ed9t tr\u01b0\u1eddng h\u1ee3p hi\u1ec3n nhi\u00ean v\u00e0 kh\u00f4ng c\u00f2n nghi ng\u1edd. Cummings v\u00e0 Cleary g\u00e2y g\u1ed5 v\u1edbi nhau d\u1eef d\u1ed9i trong qu\u00e1n r\u01b0\u1ee3u c\u1ee7a kh\u00e1ch s\u1ea1n Harbor ng\u00e0y 23 th\u00e1ng 7. C\u0169ng v\u00e0o chi\u1ec1u h\u00f4m \u0111\u00f3, trung s\u0129 Tom Bearsmore, c\u1ea3nh s\u00e1t \u1edf Goulburn, c\u00f3 hai nh\u00e2n vi\u00ean \u0111i theo, \u0111\u00e3 \u0111\u1ebfn \u0111\u1ea5y, theo y\u00eau c\u1ea7u c\u1ee7a ch\u1ee7 nh\u00e2n kh\u00e1ch s\u1ea1n n\u00e0y, \u00f4ng James Ogilvie. Trong m\u1ed9t ng\u00f5 h\u1ebbm b\u1ea9n th\u1ec9u sau kh\u00e1ch s\u1ea1n, c\u00e1c vi\u00ean c\u1ea3nh s\u00e1t \u0111\u00e3 b\u1eaft g\u1eb7p Cleary \u0111ang \u0111\u00e1 t\u00fai b\u1ee5i v\u00e0o \u0111\u1ea7u Cummings, anh n\u00e0y \u0111ang n\u1eb1m d\u00e0i d\u01b0\u1edbi \u0111\u1ea5t, b\u1ea5t t\u1ec9nh. Hai n\u1eafm tay c\u1ee7a Cleary \u0111\u1ea7y m\u00e1u, c\u00f3 c\u1ea3 nh\u1eefng ch\u00f9m t\u00f3c r\u00fat ra t\u1eeb tr\u00ean \u0111\u1ea7u c\u1ee7a Cummings. Trong l\u00fac b\u1ecb b\u1eaft, Cleary say m\u00e8m nh\u01b0ng v\u1eabn c\u00f2n s\u00e1ng su\u1ed1t. L\u00fac \u0111\u1ea7u h\u1eafn ch\u1ec9 b\u1ecb truy t\u1ed1 t\u1ed9i \u0111\u00e1nh ng\u01b0\u1eddi v\u00e0 g\u00e2y th\u01b0\u01a1ng t\u00edch nh\u01b0ng sau \u0111\u00f3 h\u1eafn ph\u1ea3i tr\u1ea3 l\u1eddi v\u1ec1 t\u1ed9i c\u1ed1 s\u00e1t v\u00ec Cummings b\u1ecb ch\u1ea5n th\u01b0\u01a1ng s\u1ecd n\u00e3o \u0111\u00e3 ch\u1ebft \u1edf b\u1ec7nh vi\u1ec7n Goulburn ng\u00e0y h\u00f4m sau. Lu\u1eadt s\u01b0 Arthur Whyte, bi\u1ec7n h\u1ed9 cho b\u1ecb can, cho r\u1eb1ng th\u00e2n ch\u1ee7 c\u1ee7a m\u00ecnh v\u00f4 t\u1ed9i b\u1eb1ng c\u00e1ch l\u1eadp lu\u1eadn h\u1eafn b\u1ecb b\u00eanh t\u00e2m th\u1ea7n, nh\u01b0ng b\u1ed1n gi\u00e1m \u0111\u1ecbnh khoa t\u00e2m th\u1ea7n, \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c ch\u1ec9 \u0111\u1ecbnh tuy\u00ean b\u1ed1 m\u1ed9t c\u00e1ch d\u1ee9t kho\u00e1t, chi\u1ebfu theo lu\u1eadt M'' Naghten, Cleary kh\u00f4ng th\u1ec3 coi nh\u01b0 kh\u00f4ng c\u00f3 tr\u00e1ch nhi\u1ec7m \u0111\u1ed1i v\u1edbi h\u00e0nh vi c\u1ee7a m\u00ecnh. Khi ng\u1ecf l\u1eddi v\u1edbi c\u00e1c v\u1ecb b\u1ed3i th\u1ea9m, quan t\u00f2a Fitz Cunneally tuy\u00ean b\u1ed1 v\u1ea5n \u0111\u1ec1 kh\u00f4ng ph\u1ea3i l\u00e0 x\u00e1c \u0111\u1ecbnh b\u1ecb can c\u00f3 t\u1ed9i hay v\u00f4 t\u1ed9i v\u00ec r\u1eb1ng s\u1ef1 ph\u00e1n x\u00e9t kh\u00f4ng th\u1ec3 kh\u00e1c h\u01a1n l\u00e0 c\u00f3 t\u1ed9i, nh\u01b0ng \u00f4ng y\u00eau c\u1ea7u c\u00e1c b\u1ed3i th\u1ea9m suy ngh\u0129 tr\u01b0\u1edbc khi k\u1ebft lu\u1eadn n\u00ean khoan h\u1ed3ng hay n\u00ean nghi\u00eam kh\u1eafc v\u00ec r\u1eb1ng t\u1ea5t c\u1ea3 t\u00f9y thu\u1ed9c \u1edf \u00fd ki\u1ebfn c\u1ee7a c\u00e1c v\u1ecb. Khi k\u1ebft \u00e1n Cleary, quan t\u00f2a Fitz Cunneally g\u1ecdi h\u00e0nh \u0111\u1ed9ng c\u1ee7a b\u1ecb can l\u00e0 d\u00e3 man m\u1ea5t t\u00ednh ng\u01b0\u1eddi nh\u01b0ng l\u1ea1i cho r\u1eb1ng h\u00e0nh \u0111\u1ed9ng \u1ea5y kh\u00f4ng c\u00f3 d\u1ef1 t\u00ednh tr\u01b0\u1edbc v\u00e0 \u0111\u00e3 ph\u1ea1m trong t\u00ecnh tr\u1ea1ng say r\u01b0\u1ee3u n\u00ean tr\u00e1nh \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c \u00e1n t\u1eed h\u00ecnh. \u00f4ng cho r\u1eb1ng hai qu\u1ea3 \u0111\u1ea5m c\u1ee7a Cleary c\u0169ng l\u00e0 nh\u1eefng v\u0169 kh\u00ed nguy hi\u1ec3m kh\u00f4ng kh\u00e1c s\u00fang hay dao. Cleary b\u1ecb k\u1ebft \u00e1n chung th\u00e2n kh\u1ed5 sai, ch\u1ecbu h\u00e0nh ph\u1ea1t t\u1ea1i nh\u00e0 t\u00f9 Goulburn - n\u01a1i \u0111\u00e2y \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c x\u00e2y \u0111\u1ec3 giam gi\u1eef nh\u1eefng lo\u1ea1i t\u00f9 b\u1ea3n ch\u1ea5t \u0111\u1eb7c bi\u1ec7t hung d\u1eef. Khi t\u00f2a h\u1ecfi b\u1ecb can c\u00f3 \u0111i\u1ec1u g\u00ec mu\u1ed1n n\u00f3i","kh\u00f4ng, Cleary \u0111\u00e1p: \u201c T\u00f4i ch\u1ec9 y\u00eau c\u1ea7u \u0111\u1eebng cho m\u1eb9 t\u00f4i hay bi\u1ebft g\u00ec s\u1ef1 vi\u1ec7c n\u00e0y.\u201d Pa\u0111y nh\u00ecn l\u00ean \u0111\u1ea7u trang \u0111\u1ec3 xem ng\u00e0y th\u00e1ng t\u1edd b\u00e1o: ng\u00e0y 6 th\u00e1ng 12 n\u0103m 1925. - T\u1edd b\u00e1o n\u00e0y \u0111\u00e3 ba n\u0103m m\u1edbi \u0111\u1ebfn \u0111\u00e2y, \u00f4ng th\u00ec th\u1ea7m, ng\u01b0\u1eddi r\u1ee5ng r\u1eddi. Kh\u00f4ng ai \u0111\u00e1p l\u1ea1i m\u1ed9t l\u1eddi hay c\u00f3 b\u1ea5t c\u1ee9 c\u1eed ch\u1ec9 n\u00e0o b\u1edfi v\u00ec kh\u00f4ng bi\u1ebft ph\u1ea3i l\u00e0m g\u00ec; ph\u00eda tr\u01b0\u1edbc nh\u00e0 v\u1ecdng v\u00e0o ti\u1ebfng c\u01b0\u1eddi h\u1ed3n nhi\u00ean c\u1ee7a c\u1eb7p song sinh, c\u00e0ng l\u00fac \u1ed3n \u00e0o v\u00ec c\u1ea3 hai n\u00f3i chuy\u1ec7n v\u1edbi nhau r\u1ed9n r\u00e3. - T\u00f4i... ch\u1ec9 y\u00eau c\u1ea7u... \u0111\u1eebng cho m\u1eb9 t\u00f4i hay bi\u1ebft g\u00ec Fiona th\u1ec1u th\u00e0o gi\u1ecdng u\u1ec3 o\u1ea3i. V\u00e0 ng\u01b0\u1eddi ta \u0111\u00e3 t\u00f4n tr\u1ecdng m\u1ed9t c\u00e1ch tri\u1ec7t \u0111\u1ec3 \u00fd nguy\u1ec7n c\u1ee7a n\u00f3! Tr\u1eddi \u01a1i! Frank r\u1ea5t \u0111\u00e1ng th\u01b0\u01a1ng c\u1ee7a t\u00f4i! Pa\u0111y lau n\u01b0\u1edbc m\u1eaft b\u1eb1ng tay \u00e1o, r\u1ed3i ng\u1ed3i x\u1ed5m b\u00ean c\u1ea1nh v\u1ee3, vu\u1ed1t nh\u1eb9 \u0111\u1ea7u g\u1ed1i c\u1ee7a b\u00e0 - Fiona th\u01b0\u01a1ng y\u00eau c\u1ee7a anh, h\u00e3y s\u1eeda so\u1ea1n qu\u1ea7n \u00e1o. Ch\u00fang ta s\u1ebd \u0111i th\u0103m Frank. B\u00e0 \u0111\u1ecbnh \u0111\u1ee9ng l\u00ean nh\u01b0ng n\u1eeda ch\u1eebng b\u1eadt ng\u1eeda ra sau l\u01b0ng gh\u1ebf. Tr\u00ean g\u01b0\u01a1ng m\u1eb7t nh\u1ee3t nh\u1ea1t \u0111\u1ea7y m\u1ecfi m\u1ec7t, hai m\u1eaft l\u1ea5p l\u00e1nh v\u00e0 nh\u00ecn th\u1eb3ng nh\u01b0 ng\u01b0\u1eddi \u0111\u00e3 ch\u1ebft, hai m\u00ed m\u1eaft s\u01b0ng h\u00fap, con ng\u01b0\u01a1i v\u00e0ng b\u1ec7ch. - Em kh\u00f4ng th\u1ec3 \u0111\u1ebfn \u0111\u00f3! B\u00e0 n\u00f3i. Trong gi\u1ecdng n\u00f3i c\u1ee7a b\u00e0 kh\u00f4ng c\u00f3 v\u1ebb g\u00ec th\u1ea5t v\u1ecdng nh\u01b0ng ai c\u0169ng \u0111\u1ec1u c\u1ea3m th\u1ea5y n\u1ed7i lo \u00e2u \u0111ang gi\u00e0y x\u00e9o b\u00e0. - N\u1ebfu n\u00f3 g\u1eb7p l\u1ea1i em, n\u00f3 s\u1ebd ch\u1ebft ngay - sau m\u1ed9t l\u00fac im l\u1eb7ng, b\u00e0 l\u1ea1i n\u00f3i. Pa\u0111y \u01a1i! N\u00f3 s\u1ebd ch\u1ebft ngay n\u1ebfu g\u1eb7p em. Em qu\u00e1 bi\u1ebft l\u00f2ng ki\u00eau h\u00e3nh, tham v\u1ecdng v\u00e0 s\u1ef1 quy\u1ebft t\u00e2m c\u1ee7a n\u00f3 mu\u1ed1n tr\u1edf th\u00e0nh m\u1ed9t ng\u01b0\u1eddi c\u00f3 t\u00ean tu\u1ed5i trong x\u00e3 h\u1ed9i. C\u1ee9 \u0111\u1ec3 cho n\u00f3 ch\u1ecbu \u0111\u1ef1ng m\u1ed9t m\u00ecnh n\u1ed7i \u0111au kh\u1ed5 v\u00ec \u0111\u00f3 l\u00e0 \u00fd mu\u1ed1n c\u1ee7a n\u00f3. Anh c\u00f3 \u0111\u1ecdc th\u1ea5y nh\u1eefng l\u1eddi c\u1ee7a n\u00f3 ch\u01b0a: T\u00f4i ch\u1ec9 y\u00eau c\u1ea7u \u0111\u1eebng cho m\u1eb9 t\u00f4i hay bi\u1ebft g\u00ec h\u1ebft. Ch\u00fang ta c\u1ea7n g\u00edup n\u00f3 \u0111\u1ec3 gi\u1eef tr\u1ecdn v\u1eb9n b\u00ed m\u1eadt c\u1ee7a n\u00f3. C\u00f3 g\u00ec t\u1ed1t l\u00e0nh \u0111\u00e2u cho cu\u1ed9c g\u1eb7p m\u1eb7t nh\u01b0 th\u1ebf v\u1ec1 ph\u00eda n\u00f3 v\u00e0 c\u1ea3 ph\u00eda ch\u00fang ta. Pa\u0111y ti\u1ebfp t\u1ee5c kh\u00f3c, kh\u00f4ng ph\u1ea3i v\u00ec Frank; m\u00e0 v\u00ec r\u1eb1ng c\u00e1i ch\u1ea5t s\u1ed1ng \u0111\u00e3 bi\u1ebfn \u0111i tr\u00ean g\u01b0\u01a1ng m\u1eb7t c\u1ee7a Fiona, v\u00e0 trong \u0111\u00f4i m\u1eaft kh\u00f4ng c\u00f2n sinh kh\u00ed c\u1ee7a b\u00e0. Th\u1eb1ng con trai \u1ea5y nh\u01b0 m\u1ed9t con chim \u0111\u00e1ng th\u01b0\u01a1ng; su\u1ed1t \u0111\u1eddi g\u1eb7p tai h\u1ecda, nh\u1eefng tai h\u1ecda \u0111\u00e3 l\u00e0m Fiona kh\u00f4ng th\u1ec3 c\u1edfi m\u1edf \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c v\u1edbi ch\u1ed3ng. M\u1ed7i khi b\u00f3ng d\u00e1ng h\u1ea1nh ph\u00fac l\u00f3 d\u1ea1ng th\u00ec Frank xu\u1ea5t hi\u1ec7n, gieo s\u1ef1 \u0111au kh\u1ed5 cho Pa\u0111y. Nh\u01b0ng t\u00ecnh y\u00eau m\u00e0 Pa\u0111y d\u00e0nh cho Fiona s\u00e2u \u0111\u1eadm v\u00e0 kh\u00f4ng g\u00ec lay chuy\u1ec3n \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c, kh\u00f4ng kh\u00e1c t\u00ecnh y\u00eau m\u00e0 Fiona d\u00e0nh cho Frank. \u00d4ng kh\u00f4ng th\u1ec3 phi\u1ec1n tr\u00e1ch g\u00ec \u1edf ch\u00e0ng thanh ni\u00ean, t\u1eeb chuy\u1ec7n x\u1ea3y ra v\u00e0o c\u00e1i \u0111\u00eam t\u1ea1i nh\u00e0 x\u1ee9. \u00d4ng n\u00f3i: - Th\u00f4i v\u1eady. N\u1ebfu em th\u1ea5y r\u1eb1ng t\u1ed1t h\u01a1n l\u00e0 \u0111\u1eebng g\u1eb7p Frank th\u00ec ch\u00fang ta kh\u00f4ng \u0111i. Tuy nhi\u00ean anh r\u1ea5t mu\u1ed1n bi\u1ebft con ra sao v\u00e0 nh\u1ea5t l\u00e0 ch\u00fang ta c\u00f3 gi\u00fap \u00edch \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c g\u00ec cho n\u00f3 kh\u00f4ng. Theo em, anh c\u00f3 n\u00ean vi\u1ebft th\u01b0 cho cha Ralph \u0111\u1ec3 nh\u1edd cha ch\u0103m s\u00f3c Frank? \u0110\u00f4i m\u1eaft c\u00f2n \u0111\u1edd \u0111\u1eabn nh\u01b0ng tr\u00ean g\u01b0\u01a1ng m\u1eb7t Fiona tho\u00e1ng c\u00f3 m\u1ed9t ch\u00fat m\u00e0u h\u1ed3ng. - \u0110\u00fang th\u1ebf Pa\u0111y \u1ea1, anh vi\u1ebft th\u01b0 \u0111i. Nh\u01b0ng anh nh\u1edb n\u00f3i v\u1edbi cha th\u1ebf n\u00e0o \u0111\u1ec3 cha kh\u00f4ng cho Frank hay l\u00e0 ch\u00fang ta \u0111\u00e3 bi\u1ebft s\u1ef1 vi\u1ec7c. Frank s\u1ebd d\u1ec5 ch\u1ecbu h\u01a1n n\u1ebfu n\u00f3 tin ch\u1eafc r\u1eb1ng c\u1ea3 nh\u00e0 kh\u00f4ng ai hay bi\u1ebft g\u00ec. V\u00e0i ng\u00e0y sau, Fiona t\u00ecm l\u1ea1i \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c g\u1ea7n tr\u1ecdn v\u1eb9n phong \u0111\u1ed9 v\u00e0 ch\u00fa \u00fd l\u1ea1i trong vi\u1ec7c trang ho\u00e0ng ng\u00f4i nh\u00e0. Nh\u01b0ng s\u1ef1 im l\u1eb7ng l\u1ea1i x\u00e2m chi\u1ebfm, b\u00e0 ti\u1ebfp t\u1ee5c l\u1ea1nh l\u00f9ng tuy c\u00f3 b\u1edbt \u0111i n\u00e9t kh\u1eafc kh\u1ed5.","Cu\u1ed9c s\u1ed1ng trong ng\u00f4i nh\u00e0 l\u1edbn thay \u0111\u1ed5i r\u1ea5t nhi\u1ec1u. \u0110\u1ea7u ti\u00ean ai c\u0169ng th\u1ea5y h\u01a1i kh\u00e1c th\u01b0\u1eddng khi m\u1ed7i ng\u01b0\u1eddi \u1edf m\u1ed9t ph\u00f2ng ri\u00eang, c\u00f2n ph\u1ee5 n\u1eef - Fiona v\u00e0 Meggie - th\u00ec t\u1eeb nay kh\u00f4ng c\u00f2n lo c\u00f4ng vi\u1ec7c n\u1ed9i tr\u1ee3. Trong c\u0169ng nh\u01b0 ngo\u00e0i, \u0111\u00e3 c\u00f3 Minnie, Cat v\u00e0 b\u00e0 Smith lo t\u1ea5t c\u1ea3, t\u1eeb vi\u1ec7c gi\u1eb7t \u1ee7i qu\u1ea7n \u00e1o cho \u0111\u1ebfn b\u1ebfp n\u00fac, lau d\u1ecdn; nh\u1eefng ng\u01b0\u1eddi n\u00e0y kinh ho\u1ea3ng l\u00ean khi th\u1ea5y c\u00f3 ng\u01b0\u1eddi t\u1ecf \u00fd \u0111\u1ecbnh ti\u1ebfp tay h\u1ecd. Pa\u0111y \u0111\u00e3 c\u00f3 tin t\u1ee9c c\u1ee7a cha Ralph. Thu nh\u1eadp c\u1ee7a b\u00e0 Mary h\u1eb1ng n\u0103m l\u00ean \u0111\u1ebfn kho\u1ea3ng b\u1ed1n tri\u1ec7u b\u1ea3ng Anh, nh\u1edd v\u00e0o Michar Limited l\u00e0 m\u1ed9t c\u00f4ng ty t\u01b0 nh\u00e2n m\u00e0 \u0111a s\u1ed1 c\u00e1c d\u1ef1 \u00e1n \u0111\u1ea7u t\u01b0 \u0111\u1ec1u nh\u1eafm v\u00e0o th\u00e9p, trang b\u1ecb t\u00e0u b\u00e8 v\u00e0 c\u00e1c m\u1ecf. Cha Ralph vi\u1ebft: S\u1ed1 ti\u1ec1n m\u00e0 t\u00f4i g\u1edfi \u0111\u1ebfn \u00f4ng ch\u1ec9 l\u00e0 m\u1ed9t gi\u1ecdt n\u01b0\u1edbc bi\u1ec3n v\u00e0 kh\u00f4ng \u0111\u1ebfn m\u01b0\u1eddi ph\u1ea7n tr\u0103m thu th\u1eadp h\u1eb1ng n\u0103m c\u1ee7a ri\u00eang Drogheda. \u00d4ng \u0111\u1eebng lo v\u1ec1 nh\u1eefng n\u0103m kh\u00f3 kh\u0103n. C\u00e1c t\u00e0i kho\u1ea3n c\u1ee7a Drogheda r\u1ea5t l\u00e0 l\u1ea1c quan, t\u00f4i c\u00f3 th\u1ec3 tr\u1ea3 l\u01b0\u01a1ng cho \u00f4ng su\u1ed1t \u0111\u1eddi ch\u1ec9 c\u1ea7n d\u1ef1a v\u00e0o thu nh\u1eadp c\u1ee7a \u0111i\u1ec1n trang. Do \u0111\u00f3 ti\u1ec1n m\u00e0 \u00f4ng nh\u1eadn l\u00e0 c\u1ee7a \u00f4ng v\u00e0 kh\u00f4ng th\u00e2m v\u00e0 m\u1ed9t \u0111\u1ed3ng n\u00e0o c\u1ee7a Michar Limited. Ti\u1ec1n \u1ea5y t\u1eeb ngu\u1ed3n c\u1ee7a \u0111i\u1ec1n trang ch\u1edb kh\u00f4ng ph\u1ea3i c\u1ee7a c\u00f4ng ty. T\u00f4i ch\u1ec9 y\u00eau c\u1ea7u gi\u1eef sao cho s\u1ed5 s\u00e1ch lu\u00f4n k\u1ecbp th\u1eddi v\u00e0 ch\u1eb7t ch\u1ebd d\u1ef1 ph\u00f2ng c\u00f3 m\u1ed9t cu\u1ed9c ki\u1ec3m tra t\u1edbi \u0111\u00e2y. Ch\u1ec9 sau khi nh\u1eadn l\u00e1 th\u01b0 tr\u00ean, Pa\u0111y t\u1eadp h\u1ee3p c\u1ea3 gia \u0111\u00ecnh v\u00e0o m\u1ed9t bu\u1ed5i t\u1ed1i t\u1ea1i ph\u00f2ng kh\u00e1ch l\u1ed9ng l\u1eaby. \u00d4ng ch\u1ee7 tr\u00ec, tr\u00ean m\u0169i \u00f4ng c\u00f3 c\u1eb7p ki\u1ebfng g\u1ecdng th\u00e9p, \u00f4ng ng\u1ed3i trong chi\u1ebfc gh\u1ebf b\u00e0nh l\u1edbn m\u00e0u kem, hai ch\u00e2n \u00eam \u00e1i \u0111\u1eb7t tr\u00ean m\u1ed9t gh\u1ebf d\u00e0i c\u00f9ng m\u00e0u, c\u00f2n c\u00e1i \u1ed1ng v\u1ed1 \u0111\u1eb7t tr\u00ean g\u1ea1t t\u00e0n th\u1ee7y tinh Waterford. - Th\u1eadt l\u00e0 d\u1ec5 ch\u1ecbu l\u00e0m sao, \u00f4ng n\u00f3i v\u1edbi n\u1ee5 c\u01b0\u1eddi c\u00f9ng l\u00fac \u0111\u1ea3o m\u1eaft nh\u00ecn chung quanh. Ba ngh\u0129 ch\u00fang ta n\u00ean bi\u1ec3u quy\u1ebft hoan h\u00f4 s\u1ef1 th\u00e0nh c\u00f4ng c\u1ee7a m\u1eb9. C\u00e1c con ngh\u0129 sao? \u0110\u1ec1 ngh\u1ecb c\u1ee7a Pa\u0111y \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c h\u01b0\u1edfng \u1ee9ng b\u1eb1ng nh\u1eefng ti\u1ebfng th\u00ec th\u1ea7m \u0111\u1ed3ng t\u00ecnh c\u1ee7a c\u00e1c con trai; Fiona nghi\u00eang \u0111\u1ea7u sang b\u00ean, tr\u1edf m\u00ecnh tr\u00ean chi\u1ebfc gh\u1ebf b\u00e0nh tr\u01b0\u1edbc kia c\u1ee7a Mary Carson, b\u00e2y gi\u1edd \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c b\u1ecdc l\u1ea1i v\u1ea3i l\u1ee5a l\u00f3ng l\u00e1nh m\u00e0u kem. C\u00f2n Meggie th\u00ec th\u00edch n\u1eb1m thu m\u00ecnh nh\u01b0 con m\u00e8o tr\u00ean c\u00e1i gh\u1ebf d\u00e0i. - Cha Ralph \u0111\u00e3 l\u00e0m r\u00f5 t\u1ea5t c\u1ea3, v\u00e0 t\u1ecf ra r\u1ea5t r\u1ed9ng r\u00e3i, Pa\u0111y ti\u1ebfp t\u1ee5c n\u00f3i. \u00d4ng ta \u0111\u00e3 g\u1edfi v\u00e0o ng\u00e2n h\u00e0ng b\u1ea3y ng\u00e0n b\u1ea3ng \u0111\u1ee9ng t\u00ean ba v\u00e0 m\u1edf c\u00e1c s\u1ed5 ti\u1ebft ki\u1ec7m hai ng\u00e0n b\u1ea3ng cho m\u1ed7i \u0111\u1ee9a trong c\u00e1c con. V\u1edbi t\u01b0 c\u00e1ch gi\u00e1m \u0111\u1ed1c \u0111i\u1ec1n trang, ba l\u00e3nh b\u1ed1n ng\u00e0n b\u1ea3ng m\u1ed7i n\u0103m, Bob l\u00e3nh ba ng\u00e0n b\u1ea3ng v\u1edbi ch\u1ee9c v\u1ee5 ph\u00f3 gi\u00e1m \u0111\u1ed1c. T\u1ea5t c\u1ea3 c\u00e1c con trai c\u1ee7a ba \u0111\u1ebfn tu\u1ed5i lao \u0111\u1ed9ng, Jack, Hughie, Stuart \u0111\u1ec1u l\u00e3nh hai ng\u00e0n m\u1ed7i n\u0103m, ri\u00eang Jims v\u00e0 Patsy \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c m\u1ed9t ng\u00e0n cho \u0111\u1ebfn khi n\u00e0o hai \u0111\u1ee9a \u0111\u1ee7 tu\u1ed5i \u0111i l\u00e0m. Sau n\u00e0y, \u0111i\u1ec1n trang s\u1ebd b\u1ea3o \u0111\u1ea3m cho Jims v\u00e0 Patsy m\u1ed7i \u0111\u1ee9a m\u1ed9t thu nh\u1eadp ngang b\u1eb1ng v\u1edbi c\u00e1c th\u00e0nh vi\u00ean Cleary kh\u00e1c l\u00e0m vi\u1ec7c t\u1ea1i Drogheda, d\u00f9 cho hai \u0111\u1ee9a c\u00f3 ch\u1ecdn m\u1ed9t ngh\u1ec1 n\u00e0o kh\u00e1c \u0111i n\u1eefa. Khi Jims v\u00e0 Patsy \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c 12 tu\u1ed5i, c\u1ea3 hai s\u1ebd \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c g\u1edfi h\u1ecdc n\u1ed9i tr\u00fa t\u1ea1i trung h\u1ecdc Riverview \u1edf Sydney, m\u1ecdi chi ph\u00ed do \u0111i\u1ec1n trang ch\u1ecbu. \u201cM\u1eb9 nh\u1eadn hai ng\u00e0n b\u1ea3ng h\u00e0ng n\u0103m \u0111\u1ec3 chi d\u1ee5ng ri\u00eang, Meggie c\u0169ng th\u1ebf. Ti\u1ec1n d\u00f9ng \u0111\u1ec3 b\u1ea3o qu\u1ea3n t\u00f2a nh\u00e0 l\u00e0 n\u0103m ng\u00e0n b\u1ea3ng, m\u1eb7c d\u1ea7u ch\u00ednh ba ph\u1ea3i t\u1ef1 h\u1ecfi t\u1ea1i sao cha Ralph t\u01b0\u1edfng t\u01b0\u1ee3ng ra m\u1ed9t kho\u1ea3n ti\u1ec1n nhi\u1ec1u th\u1ebf cho c\u00f4ng vi\u1ec7c n\u00e0y\u201d. \u201cQuy\u1ebft \u0111\u1ecbnh \u0111\u1ea7u ti\u00ean c\u1ee7a ba trong nhi\u1ec7m v\u1ee5 m\u1edbi gi\u00e1m \u0111\u1ed1c l\u00e0 thu\u00ea th\u00eam \u00edt nh\u1ea5t s\u00e1u ng\u01b0\u1eddi ch\u0103n nu\u00f4i \u0111\u1ec3"]
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