Our Time Is Gone by James Hanley Read Free Book Online Page B

and I’m proud of her.’
    â€˜Listen, Dad,’ and Desmond put a hand on his father’s shoulder, ‘we can’t just stand here like this. We’re both getting drenched. Yes it’s hard, Dad. There’s nobody more sorry than I am, but be reasonable. Now will you …’
    â€˜I’ve been reasonable all my bloody life, lad. And look where I am to-day.’
    â€˜Yes, I know that, Dad. But still. Oh, Dad. I love mother as much as anybody.’
    â€˜Do you?’
    Captain Fury removed his hand. Drops of rain began to run down under his collar.
    â€˜Well!’ said Dennis Fury, ‘it’s been nice to see you in a way. I’m glad you’re getting on, anyhow! I never begrudged any of my children anything. Now I’m going home. And you go home too. It’s no use me going with you nor you coming with me. But I suppose we’ll see each other again at the hospital. I feel beat to-night. It’s been a fair struggle with your mother. I’ll tell you something too, case you don’t know it. Your mother’s going mad.’
    â€˜Dad? Why——Oh——?’
    â€˜Well, that’s what they said. And that’s all. Look here, Desmond. I’m going. I want to go. And I want to go off by myself. The other way is awkward. I can’t do anything for your mother. Neither can you. But I’ll pray anyhow! We’d only get talking about all the old things, and to tell you the truth, to tell you God’s honest truth,’ and here he gripped the Sam Browne belt again, ‘I’m sick of all them, all them things. Want to forget them.’
    Desmond thought. ‘That’s that.’ No! It was a definite break. It would never be the same again. Never. He put two hands on Mr. Fury’s shoulder. ‘Dad! You mightn’t like it. I don’t care. But I’m sorry, sorry for you and mother. Perhaps we could have been a better family. Besides——’
    â€˜No! I said No. And God I mean No ! I want to hear no more about families. Your mother and me are all right. We can look after each other! Don’t you get fretting yourself over things that can never happen again. Now I’ll shake hands with you, Desmond, and say good night,’ and his voice softened. ‘You weren’t a bad lad in a way, but perhaps you were a selfish, unthinking lad. Never mind. It can’t be helped. Best of luck to you.’
    To Desmond this was defeat. Utter defeat. He felt miserable, helpless. He could do nothing. How long was it since he had seen his father? He couldn’t remember. A long time surely. And his mother! Perhaps he ought to have—Suddenly he gripped his father’s hand and held it.
    â€˜Where’s Anthony?’
    â€˜In the Navy. He hasn’t been home once since the war broke out.’
    â€˜And Maureen?’
    â€˜Never see her.’
    â€˜What about Mr. Kilkey?’
    Mr. Fury freed his hand. This was getting awkward. He only wanted to go. To go home and sit down and think and hope and remember Fanny. This was ridiculous. Standing in the rain holding hands. He drew back again.
    â€˜Oh, I don’t know! I don’t know. Why d’you ask me these questions, anyhow? I’m away all the time. And every time I think of that man Joe Kilkey I feel sad and sick. The only friend your mother ever had. Yet she refused to open the door to him, time and time again. But as I told you, your mother’s gone queer in the head. That boy. Oh, that dear, foolish lad. It’s finished your mother. Christ! Now,’ and his voice became angry, ‘now, I’m going. I can’t stand this. I can’t stand this sort of thing. I—I—there’s your mother unconscious in there, a creature who never harmed a soul in the world. Ah! Sure, will you go? I’m off.’Night to you, lad. God keep you!’
    Without another word Dennis Fury walked away.
    Captain Fury did not