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Date Posted: Sat, April 01 2023, 5:29:25
Author: Cait
Subject: QOTD for Saturday, April 1st 2023

The following quotation is taken from Dragonfly In Amber by Diana Gabaldon. Copyright 1992 All Rights Reserved. Chapter 37, Holyrood:

"I've never met your sister. Were ye close, the two of you?"

Jamie didn't speak, but nodded slightly, studying his uncle closely, as though looking for the answer to a puzzle in the warm face before him.

Colum nodded, too. "It was that way between Ellen and myself. I was a sickly wee thing, and she nursed me often. I remember the sun shining through her hair, and she telling me tales as I lay in bed. Even later" --the fine-cut lips lifted in a slight smile-- "when my legs first gave way; she'd come and go, all about Leoch, and stop each morning and night in my chamber, to tell me who she'd seen and what they said. We'd talk, about the tenants and the tacksman, and how things might be arranged. I was married then, but Letitia had no mind for such matters, and less interest." He flipped a hand, dismissing his wife.

"We talked between us -sometimes with Dougal, sometimes alone- of how the fortunes of the clan might best be maintained; how peace might be kept among the septs, which alliances could be made with other clans, how the lands and the timber should be.... And then she left," he said abruptly, looking down at the broad hands folded on his knee. "With no asking of leave nor word of farewell. She was gone. And I heard of her from others now and then, but from herself--nothing."

"She didn't answer your letter?" I asked softly, not wanting to intrude. He shook his head, still looking down.

"She was ill; she lost a child, as well as having the pox. And perhaps she meant to write later; it's an easy task to put off." He smiled briefly, without humor, and then his face relaxed into somberness. "But by Christmas 12-month, she was dead."

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Replies:

[> I couldn't have a week of quotes about the Mackenzie brothers without having one that mentions Ellen too. Reading and writing this passage chokes me up now, having lost my own sister who was such an anchor in my life. It's been 6 years this year, they say grief gets easier to carry, and it does, but I find myself wondering how it feel when I reach Colum's stage in life and how much I will remember. It's been a great week quoting for you all, thank you so much!!! -- Cait, Sat, April 01 2023, 5:34:24


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[> [> Thank you, Cait, for a great week of the beginning. I’m reading these passages and realize I’m still having new feelings; I don’t remember this scene and how close Column and Ellen were. She gave him the knowledge to be the brains of the outfit. Early on she knew her brothers. But when that passionate McKenzie fire got lit - she was gone. I’m so sorry you lost your sister so young. -- Kathy in PA, Sat, April 01 2023, 7:38:01


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[> Families are so complicated sometimes. I'm sad there was no reconciliation between Ellen and her brothers. I wonder if she wrote to Jocasta. -- kgp, Sun, April 02 2023, 6:41:09


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[> [> I never think of Jocasta in relationship to her brothers, weird isn’t it? Her three husbands, Jamie and Claire, Phaedra, Bri and Roger, Ulysses and Duncan - all these people in her life so intertwined. -- Kathy in PA, Sun, April 02 2023, 15:21:31


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