Coal Flat
4
4
Rogers saw Father Flaherty talking to another patient on the veranda of his ward: he was evidently visiting parishioners in hospital. When he had finished with this patient he came over to Rogers.
‘G’day, crock,’ he said. ‘Isn’t it time you were up on your feet again?’
‘So you did put my weights up after all,’ Rogers said.
The priest’s smile went out. ‘I only told Mike Cassidy. After all he was your lawyer. I didn’t tell the other side.’
‘Why did you do that?’
‘I thought Mike should know.’
‘Well, it had the effect of making him want to drop the case.’
‘Well, I wasn’t to know he’d do that. I didn’t put him up to it. Anyway you got off without his help.’
‘I had nothing to hide.’
‘Well, what’s the argument about?… You might be a little more cheerful when a visitor comes to see you.’
‘Forget it…. Listen, Father, can’t you stop Peter going to that convent?’
‘He’s already there.’
‘Can’t you get him out of it then?’
‘Why should I?’
‘It just about ruined him last time he was there.’
‘Good God, who are you to talk? I could say that you just about ruined him. What good did you do for him? Tell me that.’
‘I’m not going into that. But I’m certain that convent is the worst place for him.’
‘What harm did it do him before?’
‘He hated it. He came back sullen and sneaky.’
‘How do you know he wouldn’t have been worse if he’d stayed at home? It could be that he wasn’t at the convent long enough. You must admit he’s better in a convent than in that home.’
‘I’m not even sure about that.’
‘Be fair. Goodness me, you know what that home was like. Now he’s got the nuns to look after him, not that screaming termagant of a mother. He’ll get attention, firm handling, regular meals, plenty of rest, security. It’s just what he needs.’
‘Firm handling is what I’m afraid of.’
‘Now, if you’re meaning that the nuns are harsh on principle you’ve been listening to rumours that a man like you should know better than to take notice of. They’re very kind with kids; of course when they get a boy like young Herlihy they need to be firm.’
‘Well, they were hard on him last time. He told me.’
‘They won’t be any harder than they have to be. And where did your soft treatment get him-or you either? Into court; into hospital too, if the truth be known.’
‘Peter isn’t to blame for that. But listen, Father, aren’t there other convents? Couldn’t he be sent to another where they won’t be so hard on him?’
‘That’s the only one that could handle him, I reckon. And he’ll get a good Christian training there. What’s the alternative anyway? I hope you’re not thinking of trying to adopt him?’
‘Not me. But there must be somebody in the Flat who’d be prepared to take him in. Some mining family.’
‘Well, I haven’t heard of any applicants…. And even if there were, would you expect me to be in favour of it–or Mike either? Have him brought up in atheism when he could be brought up as a Christian? No, Paul, you can’t persuade me that’s the right course. You won’t understand me, but the boy’s soul is at stake.’