The Sentinels shillelagh

her eyes softened the moment she saw her! but deirdre remembered herself, remembered her fears and that starbuck had seen it fit to have her endure them! and so she turned a stubborn cheek toward starbuck as she approached, stiff and uncomfortable largely due to her own volition. it has been treated. i came too close to a mother bear, she informed, her voice aloof as it had never been toward her dear friend; she, deirdre, was the reason for that very beasts death, which further broke her heart! her own ailment had gotten the better of her, and so many had to suffer for her own foolishness.

one must remember that deirdre was a girl, still, and prone to insecurities as much as any other despite her mature affect and demeanor. truly the girl was wise well beyond her years, but she was susceptible, still, to hurt. without looking at her friend, deirdre revealed the wounds well beneath the surface: i thought you had left me,