• Across the Barricades
  • Chapter 18

Lingard175

167

whirled in her mind.

"I'm glad you've stopped seeing Kevin," said Tommy. "You'll
forget him after a while. It's just as well."

On the eve of the 'Twelfth' the bonfires were lit. From her window Sadie watched
the children lighting the one at the end of their street. The flames
leapt high, spitting against the dark sky. The children danced round
it singing Ornaange songs.

The next morning the Jacksons were astir early. Hr Jackson was
walking in the parade. His bowler hat lay burshedbrushed and smooth on the
hall table. He wore his best navy-blue suit and white shirt, and
the sash of his lodge, purple and gold. Mrs Jackson took out her
rollers after breakfast and combed out her hair, then went upstairs
to take off her dressing gown and put on her Sunday clothes.

Tommy was going out, just to see the parade pass, but not not
to take part in it.

"Why don't you go with him?" Mrs Jackson asked Sadie.

"I've seen it often enough."

"Better for you than sitting in the house brooding. I don't know
what's come over you." SheMrs Jackson shook her head.

"When I went out all the time you were always complaining."

But Mrs Jackson was not listening. She was fussing in front of
the mirror, demanding to know if her hair was all right, and her hat.

Mr Jackson put on his bowler hat and set off up the street to
join the other members of his lodge. Then A little while later
Mrs Jackson and Tommy went out. Tommy avoided Sadie's eye.

Subject: 
Joan Lingard
Coverage: 
1972
Keywords: 
Lodge, Bowler
Citation: 
Linen Hall Library, "Lingard175", Northern Ireland Literary Archive, accessed Fri, 03/29/2024 - 06:53, https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/lingard175