Vincent de Paul Society, Mrs. McGrath’s shop, the search for coal down the Dock Road, the worry over Oliver not wanting the boiled onion, and if he’s like this tomorrow she’s taking him to the doctor, and now she’s going to bed. Soon we’re all in bed and if there’s the odd flea I don’t mind because it’s warm in the bed with the six of us and I love the glow of the fire the way it dances on the walls and ceiling and makes the room go red and black, red and black, till it dims to white and black and all you can hear is a little cry from Oliver turning in my mother’s arms. In the morning Dad is lighting the fire, making tea, cutting the bread. He’s already dressed and he’s telling Mam hurry up and get dressed. He says to me, Francis, your little brother Oliver is sick and we’re taking him to the hospital.You are to be a good boy and take care of your two brothers.We’ll be back soon. Mam says, When we’re out go easy with that sugar. We’re not millionaires. When Mam picks up Oliver and wraps him in a coat Eugene stands on the bed. I want Ollie, he says. Ollie play. Ollie will be back soon, she says, and you can play with him. Now you can play with Malachy and Frank. Ollie, Ollie, I want Ollie. He follows Oliver with his eyes and when they’re gone he sits on the bed looking out the window. Malachy says, Genie, Genie, we have bread, we have tea. Sugar on your bread, Genie. He shakes his head and pushes away the bread Malachy is offering. He crawls to the place where Oliver slept with Mam, puts his head down and stares out the window. Grandma is at the door. I heard your father and mother were run- ning down Henry Street with the child in their arms. Now where are they gone to? Oliver is sick, I said. He wouldn’t eat the boiled onion in milk. What are you blatherin’ about? Wouldn’t eat the boiled onion and got sick. And who’s minding ye? I am. And what’s up with the child in the bed? What’s his name? That’s Eugene. He misses Oliver.They’re twins. 71