Read Online The Prudence of the Flesh by Ralph McInerny - Free Book Online Page A

his hand on Barrett’s arm.
    â€œWhat is your topic today?”
    â€œWilla Cather.
Shadows on the Rock; Death Comes for the Archbishop
.”
    â€œSounds good.”
    It did, but the feeling that was usually his when he recorded his program did not accompany him to the studio. He loved Willa Cather; she had written two of the best Catholic novels in American literature but was not herself a Catholic. What would Willa Cather have thought of a man who left the priesthood? A man who had murderous thoughts about a would-be writer like Ned Bunting? Incompetent he might be, but the
Tribune
had run that piece on Roger. Imagine what he would do with Gregory Barrett.
    The accusation by Madeline Murphy had the strange effect on Nancy and himself of returning them to the days when they had both changed their lives, marrying and going far from any reminders of what they had been, he a priest, she a nun. Over the years, the memories faded and it was as if they had never been otherwise than as they were. Then they had returned to the Chicago area, and within a year the accusation had come. It had begun when Madeline Murphy telephoned and talked with Nancy.
    She told him of it, and they both verbally dismissed it, but how could Nancy fail to be affected by a call that accused her husband of taking advantage of a young parishioner long ago?
    â€œI don’t remember such a name.”
    He wanted to deny it, to declare his innocence, to assureNancy that he had never seduced anyone. That would have been absurd, though, and for the first time he saw the effect of such an accusation: Any denial conferred on it some kind of reality.
    â€œWell, you can’t remember them all.” Nancy smiled and came into his arms. She was right. Humor was the only defense.
    He prayed that the phone call would be a single event, some madwoman deriving satisfaction from seeing herself as a victim. Had he prayed so fervently in years? How had the woman chosen him to harass? There must be some connection between his priestly life and the girl. She knew that he had been a priest. Of course, there would be many who knew that. Amos Cadbury’s suggestion that he talk with Roger Dowling was inspired.

15
    â€œOf course I know Father Dowling,” Gloria said in reply to Tuttle’s question. “I’m surprised you do.”
    Almost as surprising was her knowing Tuttle, but Madeline had mentioned the lawyer, and Gloria wondered if he would like some paintings to hang in his office and managed to run into him at the courthouse. Now he had stopped by.
    â€œMy walls are filled with awards.”
    â€œI have some small ones.”
    She offered to come by his office to see which of her paintingsmight fit, but the suggestion filled him with alarm. It turned out that he was nagged by his secretary.
    Gloria got to know him better. If nothing else, it might make Ned jealous.
    â€œI’m full of surprises,” Tuttle said in answer to her remark about his knowing Father Dowling. “The good father would like to meet our friend Madeline Murphy, and I want you to set it up.”
    â€œMeet with her?” Like Ned, Gloria had come to like Father Dowling—seen from the pews on a Sunday, that is. Of course, they were comparing him with Monsignor Sledz, “the martinet of St. Bavo’s,” in Ned’s phrase, which sounded better than it meant because she wasn’t all that sure of the meaning of “martinet.” (“Some kind of bird?”) Maddie’s quarrel was with Gregory Barrett, but no doubt the clergy rallied around one of their own.
    â€œGloria, he may be the only one who gives a damn about her.”
    â€œWell, thanks a lot.”
    â€œHe has talked with Gregory Barrett, sure. They were classmates back in the Ice Age. Maybe we shouldn’t handicap priests, but if we did I’d put Dowling way out in front of those I know.”
    â€œWho’s that in the car?”
    â€œA friend of