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sorry. I never meant for you, for us, to be caught.’
    MacCrae sighed. ‘It's better that we were caught,’ he said. ‘Otherwise we might never have seen the error and never repented.’
    Paddy didn't feel repentant. He knew he had broken the school rules, but he didn't feel ashamed or wicked. Then he thought of the look on MacCrae's face as the cane slashed into his hand. That, Paddy was deeply ashamed of. He put his hands together and prayed the Acts of Contrition, five Our Fathers and thirty Hail Marys, but when he had finished there was no resonance in the chamber of his soul, and no voice broke the silence of his unhappiness.
    On Christmas morning, Paddy's hands were still pink and tender, with raised welts across the palms. He wouldn't be able to open any oysters today. But worse than the pain was the idea of having to face Uncle Kevin. He knew Uncle Kevin had received not only his exam results but also a letter from Father O'Keefe.
    After mass finished, Paddy walked down the long drive, head bowed and hands thrust deep into his pockets. There were other boys waiting to be taken away for Christmas dinner as well, but their faces were full of bright anticipation.
    John Doherty was waiting at the gates.
    â€˜'Tis a lovely day to be celebrating our precious Lord's birthday,’ he said, nodding at the snowy fields as Paddy climbed onto the bench beside him. Paddy was so enveloped in gloom, he found it hard to do anything other than nod.
    â€˜You're grim today, little priest. That's not right on a day like this. Is it that you're missing your own mam? I can understand that. I wouldn't want to miss having Christmas with Mam and my sister Eileen's little ones.’
    â€˜I wish I was having Christmas with you,’ said Paddy gloomily.
    â€˜Well, that would be an honour, to have the little priest to bless us on such a day. Perhaps when you're finished at your uncle's you could come and join us for some supper.’
    Paddy didn't like to tell John about the trouble with the cheroots nor any of the other punishments he'd received at St Columcille's. John Doherty believed Paddy was a perfect student; a saintly, well-behaved young scholar, and Paddy didn't have the heart to disillusion him.
    Uncle Kevin was waiting in the street when they arrived at the shop. He was holding a wrapped gift and for a brief, impossible moment, Paddy thought it might have been a welcoming present for him.
    â€˜Merry Christmas, John,’ said Uncle Kevin, not even looking at Paddy. ‘A small gift to thank you for bringing the boy to us. We'll keep him with us this evening and make other arrangements to send him back to school tomorrow.’
    â€˜Now, I was just saying it would be grand, if you don't mind sir, if the lad joined us for supper this evening. I'll be staying up in town myself so I could bring him here again when we're done,’ said John. ‘And I'll be happy to collect the lad tomorrow.’
    â€˜I don't think that would be wise. The boy has things to answer to this evening.’
    Uncle Kevin's hand was heavy on Paddy's shoulder as they walked upstairs to the rooms above the shop. Aunt Lil dived at Paddy and gave him a quick and anxious pat on his arm. The look of fear and pity in her eyes made his heart beat faster. She said ‘But it's Christmas, spare the boy until tomorrow, Kevin, dear.’
    Uncle Kevin didn't turn to look at her. He spoke through gritted teeth,‘Best to deal with this first. Once the boy's been punished, we can all enjoy our Christmas dinner.’
    â€˜They punished me at school,’ said Paddy, holding up his hands to show the swollen welts.
    Uncle Kevin ignored his gesture and steered Paddy into the office, shutting Aunt Lil out.
    â€˜I —’ began Paddy.
    â€˜Be quiet, boy!’ shouted Uncle Kevin,‘and pray for forgiveness. How can you hope to find a place at the seminary if you're a thief and a liar? Your mortal soul is in jeopardy,