Chapter 31

“Can I give you a lift home?” he said.

Dot’s round, normally cheerful, face was dotted with red splotches and her eyes had dark circles underneath them.

She took his arm and they walked along the graveled path. “A lovely Mass and service, didn’t you think, Father?”

“It was. I’m sure this has taken its toll on you, being such good friends with Father Anselm.”

She sniffled and ran a gloved finger under her nose.

“You visited Father regularly?”

“Hm-mm. I tried to get over to the home once a week, but having young ones to look after it wasn’t always possible.”

“He was good to you when you worked at St. Andrew’s?” he asked.

She nodded. “I was at the orphanage a little over ten years, but the place was a second home to me.”

“Even though some of the children could be quite a bit of trouble to you.”

“Some, not many. I had my favorites.”

“My brother, Leslie, was one of them, I think.”