Clay

The matron had given her leave to go out as soon as the women’s tea was over and…

Maria was a very, very small person indeed but she had a very long nose and a very…

“Maria, you are a veritable peace-maker!”

And the sub-matron and two of the Board ladies had heard the compliment. And Ginger Mooney was always…

The women would have their tea at six o’clock and she would be able to get away before…

Often he had wanted her to go and live with them; but she would have felt herself in…

“Mamma is mamma but Maria is my proper mother.”

After the break-up at home the boys had got her that position in the _Dublin by Lamplight_ laundry,…

When the cook told her everything was ready she went into the women’s room and began to pull…

But wasn’t Maria glad when the women had finished their tea and the cook and the dummy had…

When she got outside the streets were shining with rain and she was glad of her old brown…

She got out of her tram at the Pillar and ferreted her way quickly among the crowds. She…

“Two-and-four, please.”

She thought she would have to stand in the Drumcondra tram because none of the young men seemed…

Everybody said: _“O, here’s Maria!”_ when she came to Joe’s house. Joe was there, having come home from…

“Thanks, Maria.”

But Maria said she had brought something special for papa and mamma, something they would be sure to…

But Joe said it didn’t matter and made her sit down by the fire. He was very nice…

So Maria let him have his way and they sat by the fire talking over old times and…

They led her up to the table amid laughing and joking and she put her hand out in…

After that Mrs Donnelly played Miss McCloud’s Reel for the children and Joe made Maria take a glass…

At last the children grew tired and sleepy and Joe asked Maria would she not sing some little…

_I dreamt that I dwelt in marble halls With vassals and serfs at my side And of all…

But no one tried to show her her mistake; and when she had ended her song Joe was…