Torn Away Read Online Free PDF

from her touch with a shake of his shoulders, and she stood, empty hands suspended like hovering birds.
    He looked at his uncle, relaxed, his big mournful face intent on his reading.
    Kate turned away toward the stove. “And your hair needs cutting so it’s out of your eyes. Matthew will cut it for you, he’s a good barber.”
    He brushed the hair out of his eyes. “My hair is fine the way it is.”
    â€œWe usually go to Mass at ten onSundays,” said Kate. “You’ll meet Father O’Connor, and maybe a few of the children you’ll be with on Monday.”
    â€œMonday?” said Declan.
    â€œWhen you go to school,” said Kate. “The bus picks up at the general store at eight-fifteen. Pender School is only ten minutes up the road. Or would you rather Tuesday? It’d give you the chance to get some clothes and look around a bit.”
    â€œThanks,” said Declan, “but I’ll not be going to any school.”
    Kate didn’t pause in her mixing of the batter. “Not go, do I hear you say?” She shot a glance over at Matthew. “But what would you do with yourself around here? Ana is at the same school, and she says it’s the great place. Ah! Wait and see, you’ll like it just fine when you meet a few of the others.”
    â€œGood morning, good morning.” An old lady came down the stairs dressed for the outdoors. She carried an umbrella and wore a blue Sunday coat with a little blue hat. She was thin and straight like a dry twig.
    â€œGood mornin’, Miss Ritter,” said Kate. Matthew did not look up from his book.
    Miss Ritter kept going straight for thedoor and waved the hand which was not carrying the umbrella. “Make yourselves at home,” she said happily.
    â€œShe always goes to the seven o’clock Mass,” Kate explained to Declan. She poured some of the batter into the pan.
    Declan said, “You’d better know, both of you, I’ve no intention of staying here in Canada. I was forced to come.” He shot an angry look at his uncle. “You had no right forcing me to come.”
    Matthew lowered his book. “It was my duty. I could do no less, Declan. You’re my brother’s son.”
    â€œYou had no right to interfere!” insisted Declan.
    â€œYou’ve no one left in Ireland,” said Matthew. “You will be better off here with your own, you’ll see.” He spoke quietly, almost in a whisper.
    Declan spoke contemptuously. “My own are still in Ireland. Buried in Irish soil. Which is where I will be buried, too, after I’ve revenged their cruel murders.”
    Kate interrupted. “Sit at the table, Matthew, and have your breakfast.” She placed two plates of pancakes on the table.
    Matthew took his place opposite his nephew. Kate sat between them with her cup of coffee. “I’ll maybe have a pancake myself when Ana and Thomas come down,” she said.
    â€œI was
forced
,” said Declan, noticing Kate glance at the gold ring on his finger and at the angry bruises on his wrists, “I wasn’t asked.”
    Matthew poured syrup on his pancakes, then passed the bottle to Declan.
    Declan poured too much syrup. “I’m needed in Ireland. At least I know
my
duty right enough. I’m not the kind who runs away from the battle like some I could mention.”
    â€œYou haven’t touched your coffee,” Kate said to Declan. “I’ll pour you a glass of orange juice.” She got up and poured the juice while Declan and Matthew eyed each other across the table. “It’s going to be the lovely day,” said Kate. “After the church you can go for a walk, Declan. Ana and Thomas will show you around, won’t you, Ana?” she said to the girl and the boy who had just come down the stairs.
    â€œSure,” said Ana. She smiled at Declan.
    Declan looked at her. She wasn’t wearing her sunglasses