Dancing in Limbo. Edward Toman
Читать онлайн книгу.
least their prayers were answered,’ scolded Schnozzle gendy. ‘And perhaps something good has come out of it after all. I don’t blame you not recognizing this young man and the state he’s in. But look closer and you’ll see that under all the grime is Master Francis Feely. Master Frank works in the scullery, under the eye of the major-domo, and has done since the death of his father.’
‘So he’s an orphan now?’
‘I’m afraid so. Alone in the cruel world.’
Concepta gave him a caustic look but said nothing.
‘Maybe not quite alone, however. Master Frank,’ Schnozzle whispered by way of explanation, ‘is one of the children of the Dancing Madonna. One of the privileged few to whom Our Lady has spoken personally, if we are to believe what we’ve been told. It’ll take more than a rabble of Portadown louts to kill Master Frank. That’s why he has been spared the slaughter in which all the others have perished. Our Blessed Lady is saving Master Frank for something greater.’ He took another handkerchief from his pocket, spat on it and wiped the caked blood from Frank’s face. ‘His father was a decent enough man in his way, but he failed in his mission. Somehow I don’t think Master Frank is going to fail us! Are you, Master Frank?’
‘No, sir.’
‘I think the time has come for this lad to move out of the kitchen and on to something better. Mr MacBride has done all he can for him.’
Sister Concepta grunted. ‘What had you in mind?’
‘Something tells me that this poor lad here might have the makings of a great wee priest. He’s got the perfect pedigree for it.’
‘A few real priests are sorely needed at the moment, that’s for sure,’ Concepta muttered with ill-concealed distaste.
‘Never doubt the wisdom of God. He never closes one door but He opens another.’ He settled the travelling rug round his knees and produced his rosary beads. ‘He’ll make a great priest, mark my words. One that will lead the Irish people out of the dark ages and back to the true church. I feel it in my bones. A year or two under the unique services of the good men in Derry, in their bracing northern climate, will make a man of him.’
‘You might be right.’ She sounded doubtful.
‘Of course I’m right,’ he snapped, closing the conversation. ‘I’ve never been wrong yet.’
The outriders hung on grimly as the charabanc swung round in the road, righted itself and the convoy moved off through the lanes. Frank was wedged between Schnozzle and Concepta, unable to move a muscle. A lethargy beyond tiredness, beyond hunger, was stealing over him. The conversation of the Archbishop and his bodyguard seemed to be coming to him from across an echoing chasm. Their words reverberated in his head, fighting for his attention with other noises that he was powerless to control. He could feel the enormity of what had happened welling up inside his brain. He fought the images away, forcing himself to stare at the scenery, to concentrate on the words of the rosary he was chanting automatically.
Конец ознакомительного фрагмента.
Текст предоставлен ООО «ЛитРес».
Прочитайте эту книгу целиком, купив полную легальную версию на ЛитРес.
Безопасно оплатить книгу можно банковской картой Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, со счета мобильного телефона, с платежного терминала, в салоне МТС или Связной, через PayPal, WebMoney, Яндекс.Деньги, QIWI Кошелек, бонусными картами или другим удобным Вам способом.