Ruby McBride Read Online Free PDF Page B

morsel. She felt ill and light-headed yet had no intention of giving in.
    ‘Are you going to eat that food 451 ?’
    ‘Not unless I can see our Billy. And have you given our Pearl her doll back?’
    ‘Certainly not is the answer to both questions. You are a bad influence upon him, and set an equally bad example to your sister with this outrageous behaviour. For a little guttersnipe such as yourself to have the effrontery to question the judgement of your betters almost beggars belief.’
    For four days she held out. The routine changed somewhat. It was decided that missing classes would only enflame her obstinacy, so the food was removed and Ruby was sent to continue her work as usual. Each mealtime, the same congealed dishes were set before her.
    When this didn’t work fresh food was brought, and it was true that the more appetising aroma almost weakened her resolve, but then she thought of Billy’s sad little face, his frightened eyes at being made to sleep on a straw pallet and threatened with the horror of being dumped in a cold bath by way of a ‘cure’. Ruby found it hard to imagine a more dreadful punishment for a very human failing. Wasn’t it enough that his mother was sick, possibly dying? She thought of his misery and sense of isolation at being kept from his sisters; the fear he must feel at being bullied by the older boys, and held on to her resolve. She would not eat until she could see him, and know that he was well.'

 
    Chapter Four
    It was kindly Sister George who finally broke the deadlock. One afternoon during the hour when the children were allowed to play games she brought Billy to see his sisters. He flew straight into Ruby’s arms and the three McBrides hugged and sobbed and clung on to each other as if they might never let go.
    ‘I am not in any way condoning your bad behaviour,’ Sister George sternly informed Ruby, ‘but we cannot have you fading away before our eyes. And I do understand your concern for Billy. I have recently discovered that you were right, he was being put upon by the older boys, which is not at all pleasant, though I doubt he has come to any real harm.’ She wagged a finger in his face. ‘It was very naughty of you not to tell us, Billy. If we had known, we could have done something.’
    Ruby put a protective arm about the little boy’s shoulders. ‘How would he find the courage to tell when he gets punished for the silliest of mistakes, like wetting his bed when he’s upset?’ she challenged before starting to examine his arms and legs, much as Mam might have done. She found several scratches and any number of bruises, which she showed to Sister George with a flush of triumph.
    ‘Little boys are always falling down and hurting themselves. As I said, I’m sure nobody meant him any real harm and I’ve spoken to the boys concerned. As for the bed wetting, all children must learn one way or another. It may sound cruel but this method generally works in the end.’
    But Ruby wasn’t satisfied. ‘If he’d been allowed to see us, his family, regular like, he might well have told us that he was being badly treated. Then we could’ve made sure he was happy and content, so that he wouldn’t wet his bed.’
    Sister George fingered the silver cross that hung about her neck, looking uncomfortable. ‘I think I’ve heard enough on this subject 451. I will speak to Sister Joseph and make sure you are allowed to see Billy once a day during recreation, so long as you strive to curb this tendency of yours to defiance. I can in no way condone such behaviour. For your part, you must apologise to Sister Joseph for your obstinacy and carry out whatever punishment she deems appropriate. Is that clear?’
    Pearl kicked on her ankle, and Ruby bit her tongue. ‘Yes, Sister.’
     
    The punishment was to scrub out the girls’ lavatories every day for a week. Ruby had to carry out this task on her hands and knees on the stone floors, as well as scrubbing the wooden seats of the