flour from a large bag. When she finishes pouring, she says, Theres a
pound of flour.
I dont think so, says Nora.Thats a very small pound of flour.
The woman flushes and glares,Are you accusin me?
Ah, no, Mrs. McGrath, says Nora. I think there was a little accident
there the way your hip was pressed against that paper and you didnt
even know the paper was pulled down a bit. Oh, God, no. A woman
like you thats forever on her knees before the Virgin Mary is an inspi-
ration to us all and is that your money I see on the floor there?
Mrs. McGrath steps back quickly and the needle on the scale jumps
and quivers.What money? she says, till she looks at Nora, and knows.
Nora smiles. Must be a trick of the shadows, she says, and smiles at the
scale. There was a mistake right enough for that shows barely half a
pound of flour.
That scale gives me more trouble, says Mrs. McGrath.
Im sure it does, says Nora.
But my conscience is clear before God, says Mrs. McGrath.
Im sure it is, says Nora, and youre admired by one and all at the St.
Vincent de Paul Society and the Legion of Mary.
I try to be a good Catholic.
Try? God knows tis little trying youd have for youre well known
for having a kind heart and I was wondering if you could spare a cou-
ple of sweets for the little boys here.
Well, now, Im not a millionaire, but here . . .
God bless you, Mrs. McGrath, and I know its asking a lot but could
you possibly lend me a couple of cigarettes?
Well, now, theyre not on the docket. Im not here to supply
luxuries.
If you could see your way, missus, Id be sure to mention your kind-
ness to the St.Vincent de Paul.
All right, all right, says Mrs. McGrath. Here. One time for the cig-
arettes and one time only.
God bless you, says Nora, and Im sorry you had so much trouble
with that scale.
On the way home we stopped in the Peoples Park and sat on a bench
while Malachy and I sucked on our sweets and Mam and Nora smoked
67