Read Online The Mammy by Brendan O'Carroll - Free Book Online

buy time - she had to get a seat that would put her in the last group. She would then have a chance to sneak out during ‘big’ break, which lasted thirty-five minutes. This would be enough time to get home, dump the pinnies and change into her own knickers, which would be dry by now. Even if they weren’t, better a damp pair than to be called ‘Droopy Drawers’ for the rest of her school days, and beyond!
    At the eleven o‘clock break, she went into action. During the ten-minute break she had approached all thirteen girls who would be in the final three groups. She offered her fruit, her sandwich and milk, but to no avail. By quarter-past eleven she was back in class, in the same seat where she had begun the day. Sister Magdalen had instructed the girls to take out their Catechism, and the learning of answers to Archbishop McQuaid’s questions began in earnest. At twenty-past eleven there was a gentle rap at the door. Sister Magdalen crossed the room, her crucifix dangling from her waist, and opened the door. There followed a murmuring through the half-opened door and the good sister re-entered the room and announced, ’All right, girls, the doctor is ready for you. The first group - off you go!‘ The first five victims rose slowly. It was as if they were bound for execution. They huddled together and trooped out the door. The lessons continued.
    ‘Who is God?’ Sister Magdalen boomed.
    ‘God is our father in Heaven, the creator and Lord of all things’ they all sang back.
    Cathy watched the clock. The time ticked by.
    ‘What is the Blessed Trinity?’ boomed Sister Magdalen, this time her long, pale finger pointing at Cathy. Cathy stood up.
    ‘There are ...’
    ‘Stop.’
    ‘... three ...’
    ‘I said stop! Cathy Browne!’ Cathy stopped and peered at the teacher through her fringe. The nun walked slowly towards her. ‘How many times do I have to repeat myself to you?’ She glared at Cathy. Cathy didn’t know how to answer this question. The nun’s arms shot out from under her bib and she held them out as if she were ready to be nailed to the cross. ‘Do I look like a parrot to you?’
    Cathy was tempted to answer: No, Sister, a penguin, but she knew better.
    ‘I asked you, Miss Browne, do I look like a parrot?’
    ‘No,’ Cathy mumbled.
    ‘I beg your pardon?’
    ‘No, Sister Magdalen.’ Cathy spoke louder.
    ‘Good. So you know that I do not intend to tell you each and every day to get that hair out of your eyes, do I?’
    ‘No, Sister Magdalen.’
    ‘Well, do it!’ the sister screamed, and the whole class jumped!
    Cathy put her hand to her forehead and with a flick of her head, the hair flew back to leave her beautiful, but now frightened, eyes bare.
    The sister smiled. ‘Good, now, what is the Blessed Trinity?’
    ‘There are three divine persons in the one God: God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Ghost.’
    The door opened and the first five victims were back.
    ‘Sit down, Miss Browne,’ Sister Magdalen said as she walked away from Cathy. Cathy sat, and her fringe dropped down again. She looked at the clock: twenty to twelve.
    Christ, she thought, twenty minutes - not long enough! At this rate Cathy would be stripped before the big break.
    Don’t panic, she told herself, maybe the next group will be longer. They weren’t. They were back in class before twelve o‘clock. At sixteen minutes past twelve the third group returned. It was time. Cathy’s group rose. She was shaking as she walked out. The corridor was empty and the five went without a word to the cloakroom to strip. Cathy undid the leather straps on her sandals and slowly began to remove them. Her breath was coming in short gasps. As she pulled off her socks the tears began to well up in her eyes. Suddenly a woman came into the cloakroom. She was a pretty woman — not a magazine model, but pretty. To Cathy she was an angel, for she said: ’Sorry, girls, the doctor is going on his lunch break, so go back to your