of the world with the Germans marching everywhere and bombing everything that stands.We can’t ask him ourselves but we can get Bren- dan Quigley to do it. Anyone can see Brendan is the master’s pet and that means he can ask any question he likes.After school we tell Bren- dan he has to ask the question tomorrow, What use is Euclid and all those lines that go on forever when the Germans are bombing every- thing? Brendan says he doesn’t want to be the master’s pet, he didn’t ask for it, and he doesn’t want to ask the question. He’s afraid if he asks that question Dotty will attack him.We tell him if he doesn’t ask the ques- tion we’ll attack him. Next day Brendan raises his hand. Dotty gives him the little smile. Sir, what use is Euclid and all the lines when the Germans are bombing everything that stands? The little smile is gone. Ah, Brendan. Ah, Quigley. Oh, boys, oh, boys. He lays his stick on the desk and stands on the platform with his eyes  closed. What  use  is  Euclid?  he  says.  Use? Without  Euclid  the Messerschmitt could never have taken to the sky.Without Euclid the Spitfire could not dart from cloud to cloud. Euclid brings us grace and beauty and elegance.What does he bring us, boys? Grace, sir. And? Beauty, sir. And? Elegance, sir. Euclid is complete in himself and divine in application. Do you understand that, boys? We do, sir. I doubt it,boys,I doubt it.To love Euclid is to be alone in this world. He opens his eyes and sighs and you can see the eyes are a little watery. Paddy Clohessy is leaving the school that day and he’s stopped by Mr. O’Dea, who teaches the fifth class. Mr. O’Dea says,You, what’s your name? Clohessy, sir. What class are you in? Fourth class, sir. 153