Borstal Boy by Brendan Behan

Author:Brendan Behan
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Non-Fiction, Classics, Biography
ISBN: 9781567921052
Publisher: Nonpareil Books
Published: 1958-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

written as high as the neon sign over Larne Harbour,

‘Welcome to sunny Ulster, the wages of sin is death’.

‘But thon talk and jokes of theirs is animalism. A

Presbyterian minister that comes in here is a Derry man, and

although he digs with the other foot, he’s still an Irishman

and he says he thinks it a disgrace to put Irish lads in here

with them. Catholic or Presbyterian, the Irish are reared the

same, he said, and I agree with them, though it’s only when

you’re listening to the English that you realize it. Now, you

don’t have too much to say to those fellows and never get

into their dirty way of speaking. Remember that you’re not

a cat burglar or a - a - ponce, but a Republican soldier,

and carry yourself as such.’

Then he handed me a book. ‘Take this. It won’t do you any

harm to have a look at it, now and again.’ It was a prayer

book. ‘The priest gave me that for you, and here’s something

from myself.’

I nearly fell out of my standing for he handed me a large

packet of Players, a box of matches, and six bars of

chocolate.

‘Go on,’ he said, ‘take them. I suppose you haven’t had a

smoke in months. I’ve some more for myself. I’m allowed

parcels, and a girl that lives here in London comes to see me

every month.’

‘Did you live with her outside?’ said I.

‘Of course I didn’t,’ said he, annoyed.

‘Oh, I didn’t mean that. I only meant did you live in the

same digs.’

His annoyance softened. ‘Oh, of course. I took you up

wrong. I’ve lived in London since I was fifteen. This girl

went to the Gaelic League in Hammersmith and sometimes

I used to leave her home.’

‘Go raibh mile maith agat (that you may have a thousand

thanks),’ I said and with sincerity.

‘That’s all right, Brendan, ta failte romhat (you are

welcome) ,’ said he, adding an IRA farewell, with a smile.

‘Keep in touch.’

‘I will, Harry, and thanks again.’

‘Here’s the screw now, sian I eat.’

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