Redemption - Leon Uris [340]
Well, shyte, what does a South Island schoolmaster know? Then Mildred showed me Tommy’s hidden trove of drawings and paintings. There were sketches of me that spoke off the paper, they were that fine. And one of his mother like to brought me to weeping. See, he never showed me his art because he was afraid I’d be disappointed by him not wanting to be a rancher.
Christ, I hope a person can make a living by painting pictures. My position was real clear. I was going to do everything to encourage and support him and I’d be there if, God forbid, he fell on his ass.
So Tommy Larkin is in Paris. I don’t know how much art he’s learning yet but he sure is getting an education on women and having a hell of a time.
Madge, my oldest girl, was the only one to fulfill her mother’s dreams. She married a nice boy, Donnie, who got through the war in one piece. The government gave out veterans’ homesteads and he’s doing very well on a good section of land. I’ve a grandson from them, already.
My major problem with Madge and Donnie is to try not to give them too much too soon. Anyhow, Donnie is a proud kid, up from poverty and determined to make it on his own.
I might add that I showed extraordinary tolerance by making no fuss over him not being a member of the true faith. He’s a good hunting partner. He used to have to bag a rabbit when he was a kid, or go hungry. I kind of hope they raise their kids as Catholics, but on the other hand, it doesn’t really make much difference now, does it?
If Tommy fooled the old Squire here, Spring totally flabbergasted me. She got into a group of anthropologists who were studying Maori origins and customs and became completely taken with that sort of work. She wants to spend here life learning the various native tribes and peoples of the South Pacific islands.
Now I can’t honestly figure out the value of such a profession. Well maybe, if she spent her time tracing Irish roots, that would be different. But, mind you, my daughter Spring is the first accepted and only female anthropology student in the London School of Economics.
Spring is no beauty but well endowed, and she has a way with the lads, and although she likes them and they like her, her anthropology comes first…so she writes. She and Tommy exchange London and Paris visits often and apparently know how to have a good old time. Mind you, these kids never…hardly ever…ask for extra money. You know how good it makes me feel that I can provide this life for them?
I suppose the Larkin of us all is Father Dary. He’s not “Father” any more except that he’s an expectant father. He fell desperately in love with a magnificent creature, I’m told. Her name is Rachael and she’s the daughter of Atty Fitzpatrick. Rachael is the fancy spelling for Rachel.
When he returned from the war and resigned the priesthood we figured there would be hell to pay, but his Bishop, Mooney, made a powerful stand on his behalf on his right side and the Countess Caroline Hubble made an equally powerful stand on his left.
Dary had given years of devoted service in the Bogside, working the bottom of the pit. Powerful support arose for him from the people.
The Larkin name in Derry and Donegal is not to be underestimated, and I suppose his Rachael girl is able to charm the devil’s grandmother.
Caroline Hubble helped sponsor his founding of an institute of advanced study and personal tutoring for exceptional students from all over Ireland.
In his last letter Dary said he was seriously considering running for the late Kevin O’Garvey’s seat, be it in the British Parliament or an Irish Parliament.
Brigid…well nothing much will change there. She remains the keeper of the ashes.
Like I said, things are in pretty good order,