The House Children
Page 20
“I understand,” I said.
“Then Father Cosgrove made the arrangements ta send ya ta Ballinasloe. My mam said it was best. She promised that ya wouldn’t be sent ta America fer adoption. Peg, that was the best I could do. Can ya ever fergive me?”
I hugged Norah tightly and whispered through my tears, “I understand, Mam, and I forgive ya.”
We held each other and wept.
Little was said during our walk to the bus station.
“Please write,” she said.
“I will.”
I felt the bond of love when she embraced me.
“Don’t open it till yer on the boat,” she said, handing me an envelope.
I put it in my purse and boarded the bus. As it pulled out of the station, Norah stood there waving goodbye. She was crying.
The bus was crowded; many of the other passengers were also going to the port. I looked at my ring and momentarily questioned my departure. My strength came from deep inside; I knew I didn’t belong here.
My excitement grew when shouts of joy came from the other passengers. Through the bus window, I admired the stately ship in the harbor. When the bus stopped, people pushed and shoved each other. Everyone was eager to get off the bus and onto the ship.
Along with the others, I queued up at the terminal. A handsome young man dressed in a uniform looked over my papers and passport. He reminded me of Connor.
“I hate ta see a pretty lass like yerself leave Ireland. Look me up if ya ever come back!”
I smiled, but didn’t answer him. I really didn’t know if I’d ever want to come back.
I stood on the deck of the S.S. America, looking at the shoreline. The ship’s horn blew as it began to pull out of the harbor. I removed the envelope from my purse. It held a photograph of a young woman holding a small girl. I recalled the day it was taken; it was just before I had left Moycullen for Ballinasloe. Tears welled up in my eyes, but I felt surprisingly calm as we sailed toward the wide-open Atlantic Ocean.
Discussion Questions
Should Norah have fought with her parents to keep her daughter?
Why do you think Sister Constance believed it was in the best interest of the children to treat them all the same? Do you think she had any affectionate feelings for the children?
Do you think it was the town’s residents or the Sisters of Mercy that preferred to separate the house children and the town’s children?
Do you think the house children felt family bonds among themselves?
Was it a loving act or unfair of Norah to stay in Peg’s life?
Was Peg’s exposure to the Hanley family a benefit or a hindrance?
What was the source of Peg’s strength to grow as a person?
Why do you think the boarders were so accepting of Peg, Patsy, and Clare?
Why do you think Mother Bernard kept tabs on Peg after she left Saint Thomas?
Why do you think Dan encouraged Norah to sign off on Peg’s emigration?
Do you think Peg forgave Norah?
Given the choice, do you think Peg would have stayed in Ireland if she could have lived with the Hanley family?
Acknowledgments
I am sincerely grateful to my family and friends who have supported me throughout the long process of researching and writing The House Children.
A very special thank you to three people who were pivotal in my journey. Mitchell Resk, my son, who gave me books on how to write a book, hoping they would encourage me to write the story I had talked about for so long. Benee Knauer, my editor, who tactfully guided me through the process of “fleshing it out.” Working with her has been a priceless education. Last but not least, Frank Daniele, my husband, whose love and unyielding support gave me the strength and confidence to navigate the complex road to publication.
About the Author
H eidi Daniele’s passion for history and genealogy opened the door for her debut novel, The House Children. An empty nester, living in the Hudson Valley with her husband, Heidi enjoys gardening, photography, and exploring her family tree. She has a degree in Communications and Media Arts and has worked on several short independent films. She earned the Learning in Progress Award for Excellence at a Dutchess Community College Film Festival for coproducing, writing, directing, filming, and editing the film, Final Decisions.
Volunteer work: The Lisa Libraries—The Lisa Libraries donates new children’s books and small libraries to organizations that work with kids in poor and under-served areas.
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