The Thorn Birds

Three weeks after Mary’s death, the Cleary family moves into the main house. Ralph has been in touch, updating them about their finances. Fiona is happy to move out of the stockman’s house, and she has gone to great lengths to redecorate the main house to her liking. While sorting through old newspapers, the family discovers that three years ago, Frank received a life sentence for killing a man. When asked to comment to the court, Frank had simply requested: “Just don’t tell my mother” (223).

Fiona decides not to try to visit Frank, and her joy evaporates. Everyone in the family tries to comfort her with gifts and other gestures, but they are unsuccessful. Meggie, now burdened with the responsibility of caring for the youngest Cleary children, is resentful: “When I have my children, she would think to herself, I’m never going to love one of them more than the rest” (225).  

Paddy decides to keep everyone busy to distract them from the news of Frank. He decides that Fiona will take over as bookkeeper of the estate and that Meggie will care for the livestock in the paddocks. Another letter from Ralph informs Paddy that Frank ought to be in a mental health facility.