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six foot four and as broad as an ox, a man who was ready to fight and was afraid of nobody. Except his wife.
Kevin had always overlooked that. Now Pat Rafferty bored him, and
when the man was drunk he thought he was just stupid. There waswere
times too now that SteveBrian bored him, and this bothered himx a bit for
they had been friends all their lives.
They turned along the road that led to the scrapyard.
"I'll come along with you," said Brian. "I've plenty of time. "
Kevin glanced at him ssideways. "What's on your mind?"
"You're a good patriot, aren't you, Kevin? You always have been."
"That's right enough."
"You beliveve in the cause?"
"Well,of course I do, you know that. I'm a republican."
They had reached the gate of the yard. Kate's father was already
moving around inside it sorting out bits of junk. Kevin raised his
hand in greeting.
Brian put his hand on Kevin's armx and said in a low voice,"We
have to be prepared to fight for what we believe in,Kevin." No
response came from Kevin, so Brian added, "Are you ready to fight?"
"I don't see what good it would do."
"You can't mean that."
Kevin shrugged.
"Kevin," Kate's father called, "come and ggive us a hand. I can't get
this thing moved."
"Just coming, Mr MaloneKelly"
"Meet me later, Kevin," said Brianx urgently. "It's important"
"Kevin," called Mr MaloneKelly again. "I'm going to drop this blasted
