a disgrace? till they get upstairs to Italy.They tell Mam and Dad theyre
sorry to disturb them but the Society has to be sure theyre helping
deserving cases. Mam offers them a cup of tea but they look around and
say, No, thank you.They want to know why were living upstairs.They
want to know about the lavatory.They ask questions because big peo-
ple can ask all the questions they like and write in notebooks, especially
when theyre wearing collars and ties and suits. They ask how old
Michael is, how much Dad gets at the Labour Exchange, when did he
last have a job, why doesnt he have a job now and what class of an
accent is that he has?
Dad tells them the lavatory could kill us with every class of disease,
that the kitchen floods in the winter and we have to move upstairs to
stay dry. He says the River Shannon is responsible for all the dampness
in the world and killing us one by one.
Malachy tells them were living in Italy and they smile.
Mam asks if theres any chance of getting boots for Malachy and me
and they say shell have to come down to Ozanam House and apply.She
says she hasnt been feeling well since the baby came and she wouldnt
be able to stand long in a queue, but they say everyone has to be treated
the same, even a woman down in the Irishtown that had triplets and,
thank you, well make our report to the Society.
When theyre leaving Malachy wants to show them where the angel
left Michael on the seventh step but Dad tells him, Not now, not now.
Malachy cries and one of the men gives him a piece of toffee from his
pocket and I wish I had something to cry about so that Id get a piece,
too.
I have to go downstairs again and show the men where to step to
keep their feet dry. They keep shaking their heads and saying, God
Almighty and Mother of God, this is desperate. Thats not Italy they
have upstairs, thats Calcutta.
Dad is telling Mam up in Italy she should never beg like that.
What do you mean, beg?
Dont you have any pride, begging for boots like that?
And what would you do, Mr. Grand Manner? Would you let them
go barefoot?
Id rather fix the shoes they have.
The shoes they have are falling to pieces.
I can fix them, he says.
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