Read The Hull Home Fire for Free Online Page A

shouted over
     the din. “He makes sense to me.”
    “You’re not much more than a youngster,” a deep voice said. “What would you
     know about politics ?”
    “She has a right to her opinion,” someone else said.
    Joey smiled at the young woman. “It is truly heartwarming to see our young
     taking an active interest in their future. Anyone who strives to hold back
     Newfoundland is an enemy against hope and prosperity.” He directed his attention
     to the section at his right and honed in on an elderly man with balding white
     hair. “You good folks know what I mean. Is that not the case, Mr.
     Edwards ?”
    Mr. Edwards, a renowned lawyer, stood up. “Mr. Smallwood is a champion for all
     Newfoundlanders. He has toiled non-stop to...”
    The back row booed, drowning out the rest of the sentence.
    Henry took his grandmother by the arm. “Let’s get out of here before a brawl
     starts,” he said, and elbowed his way toward the exit.
    Joey spread his arms wide as if to give a blessing. “Is freedom of speech only
     for those who agree with you ?” He spoke in a normal pitch, yet it resonated
     clearly, audibly. The crowd quieted down.

    “ I ’ M VERY IMPRESSED WITH MR . Smallwood,” Dot said
     outside.
    “Nothing anyone says or does will make Dad believe in Confederation,” Henry
     said. “He doesn’t like any sort of change.”
    Dot wound her wool scarf more securely around her neck and
     buried her chin in the folds. “I wish this cold spurt would lift. It makes my
     skin ache.” Arm in arm, she and Henry started up Military Road. They walked
     along the empty streets where not even a motor car passed by.
    “I expect everyone’s at the CLB Armoury,” Henry said. “Smallwood certainly
     knows how to keep a cool head. He stopped a near-riot with a few words.”
    Dot clamped a gloved hand over her nostrils. “I’m sure the hairs in my nose are
     frozen stiff.” She looked at Henry. “I’m surprised Mary Norris wasn’t there.
     She’s all for Confederation.”
    “She knew I’d be there.” Henry stared into the distance. “Right now I’m not one
     of her favourite people.”
    “She’s a thoughtful girl. Let’s you know what’s on her mind.” Dot looked up at
     her grandson. “It wouldn’t hurt to follow her example.”
    Henry blushed, relieved his cheeks were already red from the biting wind.
     “Here’s Hull Home. Good night, Gran.” He turned to leave.
    “Hold on a second, Henry. I have one question for you to ponder over
     tonight.”
    “What ?” he said, wary of what he would hear.
    “Did you give Mary any real consideration before you applied for medical
     school ?”

    ALICE TOOK MIKE ’ S LETTER OUT of the sewing box,
     stuffed it in her pocket, and hurried to the bathroom. Her heart beat faster
     than her steps. She locked the door, sat on the edge of the cast iron tub, and
     pulled out the letter. Her eyes scanned the first page again. Footsteps on the
     stairs caused her to almost slide off the tub. Her breath caught in her throat
     andshe stuffed the letter back in her apron. “Don’t be so
     stunned,” she murmured to herself. “Tom can’t see what you’re doing.” When Alice
     heard the bedroom door close, she retrieved the two sheets of paper, smoothed
     them out on her lap, and read where she had left off earlier.
    I wish Tom would give me a chance to explain why I couldn’t make it home for
     our parents’ funerals. It’s hard to comprehend that any reason would justify
     what seems so heartless. I understand why Tom feels the way he does. Still,
     it’s difficult to believe he’s this dead set against his son becoming a
     doctor because of me... because of my so-called abandonment of the family.
     Then again, my brother was always stubborn and quick to jump to conclusions
     without possession of all the facts. He loves deeply. Unfortunately, he
     resents just as thoroughly.
    Alice, even though we’ve never met, I feel like I’ve known you