Where Old Ghosts Meet - Kate Evans [65]
“You’ve been very kind to me, Peg,” Nora said on impulse. “Thank you.”
“It’s not easy what you’re doin’, girl,” she said. “News of you is on everyone’s lips now, but you don’t want to worry about that. Your grandfather gave more to this place than he ever took away and he never hurt no one. Now, you go sit down and I’ll take up your supper.”
“What do you think Father O’Reilly wants with me?” She reached for the plate held out to her.
“Maybe he’s thought more about it all and has something he wants to tell you. When you’ve kept your distance all your life from the ordinary people, it’s hard to change. That was part of the clergy’s power years ago. People were afraid to come near them, never mind come straight out and ask a question.”
Nora remembered that feeling of being in awe of the men in black. But that was then, now she felt differently. She’d make a quick phone call after supper and see if he wanted to be more forthcoming. She turned her attention to the piece of crispy pan-fried cod on her plate and began to eat.
“This is delicious.” She realized that she hadn’t eaten all day.
“Did Gerry have much to say about Matt?”
“Gerry had plenty to say about Matt but he seems to think he let him down. I suppose you knew all about that?”
“Yes, I knew about all that. Who didn’t? Things were bad enough during the thirties but the teacher leavin’ was the last straw. There was some racket about that, people layin’ blame with this one and that one. The school was doin’ good. The youngsters were there every day, and not only that, they wanted to go and that was something in itself. Gerry and a few more were making great strides. We were some proud of our school then.” She looked out the window, browsing the landscape of her memory. After a little while she laid her fork down and stared at her plate, holding the rim lightly with both hands.
“You’re disappointed, I know, to hear Matt took off like that again. It’s hard to understand but I believe he was afraid for Gerry. He thought he’d done wrong by him.”
“What do you mean?”
“He blamed himself for filling Gerry’s head with all that actin’ stuff. He never meant to do that. Gerry was smart but more important, he had no fear in him. He had the guts for anything. He’s still the same, goes for the big haul. When he gets something in his mind, there’s no holdin’ him back. He’d have done as he pleased no matter what. That’s what Matt didn’t understand.”
Peg touched each side of her mouth with her index finger in her usual way, checking for stray scraps of food. “Gerry was in some state that night. He came by the house about eight o’clock. It was January month, bitter cold with a gale of wind comin’ in off the water. He stood back from the door a ways, his two feet planted on the ground like he was anchored right to the spot.”
“Come in, Gerry.” Peg opened the door wider. “Come in, for the love of God, before the wind makes away with you.”
“Is it true?” he bawled out. “Is he gone?”
“Yes, Gerry, it’s true,” she said. “He’s gone.”
“And what about me and my exams? I don’t suppose he happened to mention before he left, what I was supposed to do.”
“No, Gerry, he didn’t. You’re on your own now.” Peg had to shout to make herself heard above the wind. “You got to look out for yourself and keep on with what you’re doing. Any time you wants a quiet place to study, you’re welcome here. You’ve just got to go do it yourself.”
“To give him his due, Nora, Gerry did just that. I believe myself, it was the makin’ of Gerry Quinlan. He had a new determination about him, like he was cut free. He was the first youngster on the island to get his CHE exams and he passed with wonderful marks. That was some achievement in those days, coming from a one-room school. He came to the door with the letter