are still weak from the typhoid and I have to sit on steps and hold on to
walls and I wonder was it something good I said in that composition or
something bad.
Mr.Thomas L. OHalloran teaches three classes in one room, sixth,
seventh, eighth. He has a head like President Roosevelt and he wears
gold glasses. He wears suits, navy blue or gray, and theres a gold watch
chain that hangs across his belly from pocket to pocket in his waistcoat.
We call him Hoppy because he has a short leg and hops when he walks.
He knows what we call him and he says,Yes, Im Hoppy and Ill hop on
you. He carries a long stick, a pointer, and if you dont pay attention or
give a stupid answer he gives you three slaps on each hand or whacks
you across the backs of your legs. He makes you learn everything by
heart, everything, and that makes him the hardest master in the school.
He loves America and makes us know all the American states in alpha-
betical order. He makes charts of Irish grammar, Irish history and alge-
bra at home, hangs them on an easel and we have to chant our way
through the cases, conjugations and declensions of Irish, famous names
and battles, proportions, ratios, equations. We have to know all the
important dates in Irish history. He tells us what is important and why.
No master ever told us why before. If you asked why youd be hit on
the head. Hoppy doesnt call us idiots and if you ask a question he
doesnt go into a rage. Hes the only master who stops and says, Do ye
understand what Im talking about? Do ye want to ask a question?
Its a shock to everyone when he says, the Battle of Kinsale in six-
teen nought one was the saddest moment in Irish history, a close battle
with cruelty and atrocities on both sides.
Cruelty on both sides? The Irish side? How could that be? All the
other masters told us the Irish always fought nobly, they always fought
the fair fight. He recites and makes us remember,
They went forth to battle, but they always fell,
Their eyes were fixed above the sullen shields.
Nobly they fought and bravely, but not well,
And sank heart-wounded by a subtle spell.
If they lost it was because of traitors and informers. But I want to
know about these Irish atrocities.
Sir, did the Irish commit atrocities at the Battle of Kinsale?
207