The librarian reads the note and says tis an awful pity about
Mr. Griffin, hes a true gentleman and a man of great learning, you
wouldnt believe the books he reads, sometimes four a week, that one
day he took home a book in French, French, if you dont mind, on the
history of the rudder, the rudder, if you dont mind, shed give anything
for a look inside his head for it must be packed with all sorts of learn-
ing, packed, if you dont mind.
She picks out a gorgeous book with colored pictures about English
gardens. She says, I know what he likes in the fishing department, and
chooses a book called In Search of the Irish Salmon by Brigadier General
Hugh Colton. Oh, says the librarian, he reads hundreds of books about
English officers fishing in Ireland. Ive read some myself out of pure
curiosity and you can see why those officers are glad to be in Ireland
after all they put up with in India and Africa and other desperate places.
At least the people here are polite.Were known for that, the politeness,
not running around throwing spears at people.
Laman lies in the bed, reads his books, talks down from the loft
about the day his legs will heal and hell be out there in the back plant-
ing a garden which will be famous far and wide for color and beauty
and when hes not gardening hell be roaming the rivers around Lim-
erick and bringing home salmon that will make your mouth water. His
mother left a recipe for salmon thats a family secret and if he had the
time and his legs werent killing him hed find it someplace in this
house. He says now that Im reliable I can get a book for myself every
week but dont be bringing home filth. I want to know what the filth
is but he wont tell me so Ill have to find out for myself.
Mam says she wants to join the library too but its a long walk from
Lamans house, two miles, and would I mind getting her a book every
week, a romance by Charlotte M. Brame or any other nice writer. She
doesnt want any books about English officers looking for salmon or
books about people shooting each other.Theres enough trouble in the
world without reading about people bothering fish and each other.
Grandma caught a chill the night we had the trouble in the house in
Roden Lane and the chill turned into pneumonia.They shifted her to
the City Home Hospital and now shes dead.
Her oldest son, my uncle Tom, thought hed go to England to work
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