Changing Habits Read Online Free PDF Page B

had no way of paying her tuition. When the shock wore off and Kathleen managed to find her tongue, she said, “You don’t want me working at the pub any longer?”
    Her uncle stood abruptly. “Back in a minute.” With that, he trotted toward the bar and drew himself a mug of Harp. He took a healthy swig before he sat down at the table again. “Let me tell you a story.”
    Her uncle was the best storyteller she’d ever met. It was one reason the pub was so popular. Boston didn’t lack for Irish pubs, but every night her uncle’s tavern was filled with music and laughter. And every night, the affable Patrick O’Shaughnessy entertained the crowd with a story or two. He had the gift, and what a gift it was. But if not for her father’s handling of the accounts, she feared her uncle would have lost the pub ten times over. Although he was a wonderful host and told a grand story, her uncle Patrick had no sense when it came to money or beer.
    â€œDid I do something wrong?” she asked before he could get caught up in one of the Irish legends or folktales he loved.
    â€œWrong? My Kathleen? Never!”
    â€œThen why are you telling me I can’t work in the pub anymore?” Apparently her mother and father already knew because her uncle had discussed it with them. Come to think of it, her father generally did the hiring and firing for the pub. Not this time, though.
    Uncle Patrick leaned over and clasped her hand in his. “Your parents and I talked it over, and we decided it just isn’t right for you to be here.”
    â€œBut why?”
    â€œKathleen, you’ve a calling from God!”
    â€œYes, but…”
    â€œNext year you’ll be in a convent. And now that you’rehead of the Sodality, well…it isn’t seemly to have you working in a tavern.”
    â€œBut Father O’Hara is here two and three nights a week.”
    â€œFather O’Hara isn’t a nun. It’s different with priests. I don’t know why, but it is. Now, I realize this comes as a shock—and that you need the money for tuition.”
    A sick feeling settled in the pit of her stomach. It wasn’t her father or even her uncle who’d come up with this outlandish notion. That…that sodden priest must have planted the idea in their minds. “Is this Father O’Hara’s doing?” she demanded.
    â€œNone of that matters, Kathleen. Just accept that we all want the best for you. This is hard on me, too, you know. Your beautiful face won’t be gracing my afternoons any longer, now will it?”
    In less than a year she’d be a postulant. When Kathleen entered the religious life, she’d be required to relinquish the things of the world, but that was months away yet. She hadn’t thought she’d have to give up her job quite so soon.
    â€œI feel bad about this,” her uncle continued.
    Kathleen tried not to show her distress. She’d need to make certain sacrifices in order to serve God. She was willing to cut her hair if God asked it of her, although she prayed He wouldn’t. Sex was out of the question for her, too, even though Maureen insisted on filling her in on all the details of what she and Robbie were doing. She hadn’t even walked through the convent doors and already she was expected to behave like a nun. It hurt that her only source of income was to be taken away from her, and all because of Father O’Hara.
    â€œWill I have to leave St. Mark’s?” It would be a bitter disappointment not to graduate with her friends.
    â€œNow, that would be a sin,” her uncle told her, sipping his lager. “Your tuition’s been paid up for the remainder of the school year.”
    Kathleen gasped. “You did that?”
    â€œI can’t have my sweet Kathleen worrying about paying her school fees, now can I?” He winked boyishly at her above his mug. “Father O’Hara and