Don't worry about imposing on me with replies! I enjoy reading them, and will answer any questions if and when I can- it's good for me to switch mental gears sometimes. Although don't feel obliged to go dig up those deleted responses either (I've written and deleted several replies to other posts and comments because they just jumped the shark somehow and couldn't be salvaged).

This particular scene prompted a fair amount of thought on my part which had as much to do with the delay as me being busy. Having read so many instances of your thoughts on and research into life and attitudes of the era, and your comments to Claire about how this would be challenging to Richard, it took me a while to work out what might make sense beyond some sort of religious gut reaction. Clearly Richard's an experienced and tolerant man (enough so at this point to view his original field notes critically), so what *else* is affecting his views? What would a man his age in the 1940s not even think to question? I don't know if I got it right (or if there is a right) but it was a fascinating line of thought.

I rather hope Richard gets at least one more semi-coherent moment with Jill, but that's just me enjoying their scene before rather than looking at the needs of the story :-)

And you're welcome! Thank you, again, for processing it all (from everyone here) into such wonderful and thoughtful stories!