Explore "All That Swagger" by Miles Franklin on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
Meg Syme tutored her younger sisters and brothers, made all the clothing for the family, masculine and feminine, and was a splendid figure on a horse. Some said he would be a lucky man who won her; but men made little progress with her. She was too sedate, and only six years younger than Robert, who was now thirty-seven. She had no glances or blushes for Robert, who found her an enigma. At first he was regarded as Nessie's conquest, but Nessie discovered that Meg was the attraction. This created a sensation. Meg began to blossom. The neighbours said it was a shame that Robert Delacy should make a fool of her, and tried to warn her with gossip, but like Johanna, Meg was Robert's partisan for ever.
He measured Meg by his own instabilities and forays and felt that he had what he desired, and that to her nothing but full dignities could be suggested. He confided to his father that he wanted to marry.