Part 34 (2/2)
Denis Quirk ca than he had been, but just as war like a well-oiled machine
”Any improvement?” he asked
Kathleen shook her head, while tears filled her eyes
”We are so weak and powerless,” she said
”But brave of heart,” he answered cheerfully ”Things are at their worst just now, but there is always a gliht in the East Keep your eyes that way and you will soon see the sun rising to send the shadows and the black thoughts helter skelter back into the darkness May I see him?”
”I will ask nurse,” said Kathleen ”She is the coels of self-sacrifice,” said Denis, after she had left the room ”You make hed at this outburst
”Sure you are not so bad--for a th, and us poor women the moral virtues You can't help it that you were not made a woman Just do your best to put up with yourself”
In a few o in to him for five minutes He is quiet and sensible now,” she said
Denis entered the sick room very quietly It was darkened and cool; about it there was the scent of fresh flowers brought daily froarden The bed linen was scrupulously white, and the rooly tidy Des in a peaceful doze, low in the bed, in the prostration that had followed a period of wild delirium As Denis entered he opened his eyes and smiled
”Is it you, Dad?” he asked ”I fancied you would corace to you!”
Denis did not answer, fearing to break the chain of thought that had taken his friend back to his childish days
”A disgrace to you and to the O'Connors,” Desmond continued ”Didn't you tellto the Faith; that never a one of them ever fell away? Well, I have been the first; just from pique, dad; pique and pride Why don't you speak tohiain It was all darkness for a timeafter Sylvia had left me hopeless Where is Sylvia?”
He turned his head to search the roo the name by which he addressed her, entered the rooo away from me, Sylvia”
”Only into the next room,” she answered
”Yes, that will do Isn't she splendid, dad? I intend to coain, to make my peace with God, and live like an O'Connor Why don't you send for a priest?” he asked, in an irritable voice
”You shall have a priest!” cried Denis
But Des deliriuhtmare The word had been spoken, and when Denis Quirk had called the nurse and left her in charge, he hastened to the nearest telephone exchange and sent the long-delayedjourney to Melbourne
Through the evening and night the good priest sat silently beside the chauffeur, but his lips werethe rosary beads as he prayed for the boy he loved The chauffeur, who knew hieneral rule, Father Healy ht he could only pray silently For he had seen Desrow up from infancy to manhood, and had prepared him for the Sacraments His downfall had been a calamity; his return to the Faith would mean a triuh the night, its bright headlights picking out the road in front of it; blackness around; the horn now sounding its deep note as they dashed past a townshi+p, while Father Healy was praying for the sickwhen the car entered the sleeping city, where darkness and quiet held possession Here and there a light shone froain they passed a night wanderer or police itself for the busy day
In the flat Denis Quirk was sitting in an ar the sound of the motor His quick ears heard it as it came up Collins Street, and he was at the door to adry?” he asked