tory in the backyard? Heres the money for the fortnight and give me
the paper or keep it. Whats the use? I cant read anymore and Mrs.
Minihan thats supposed to read to me didnt come. Legless with the
sherry, thats what she is.Whats your name?
Frank, sir.
Can you read?
I can, sir.
Do you want to earn a sixpence?
I do, sir.
Come here tomorrow.Your name is Francis, isnt it?
Frank, sir.
Your name is Francis. There was never a St. Frank. Thats a name
for gangsters and politicians. Come here tomorrow at eleven and read
to me.
I will, sir.
Are you sure you can read?
I am, sir.
You can call me Mr.Timoney.
I will, Mr.Timoney.
Uncle Pat is mumbling at the gate, rubbing his leg. Wheres me
money an youre not supposed to be chattin with the customers an me
here with the leg destroyed be the rain. He has to stop at the pub at
Punchs Cross to have a pint for the destroyed leg.After the pint he says
he cant walk another inch and we get on a bus.The conductor says,
Fares, please, fares, but Uncle Pat says, Go way an dont be botherin
me, cant you see the state o me leg?
Oh, all right,Ab, all right.
The bus stops at the OConnell Monument and Uncle Pat goes to
the Monument Fish and Chip Café where the smells are so delicious
my stomach beats with the hunger. He gets a shillings worth of fish and
chips and my mouth is watering but when we get to Grandmas door
he gives me a threepenny bit, tells me meet him again next Friday and
go home now to my mother.
The dog Macushla is lying outside Mr. Timoneys door and when I
open the little garden gate to go up the path she rushes at me and
knocks me back out on the pavement and shed eat my face if Mr.Tim-
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