MORNING SERIAL
“WHY don’t you fling those books of yours away for a while? God! This house is fair driving me daft. What with your mother’s rampagings, and you with your head buried in books all the time…This is a fine place to come home to after a day’s work.” “But, Dad, I’m not worrying anyone,” Ieuan protested.
“Oh, close them books, boy. Get out into the street. You’re becoming a real hermit. There’s no sense in it, a young boy like you staying in the house night after night. I thought you’d have had enough of studying after that long stretch when we were out of work. You were at it then till all hours, boy. It’ll get you down. There’s a limit to everything, and it’s not natural for a growing lad to be spending all his time in a stuffy old parlour when there’s plenty to occupy his time and mind outside.” Ieuan closed his books. “All right, Dad, if that’s how you feel I’ll go out. I’m sorry.” “That’s no way to speak, Ieuan. I think it’s me who should say I’m sorry. But it’s getting worse in the house every day, honest it is. Things were bad enough when we both were out of a job. Now, I thought your mother’d brighten up a bit. She had a rotten time when there was no money coming into the house, but now …well, it beats me, Ieuan. I give up.” Ieuan walked to the door. “Sit down, Dad. Don’t let mam upset you like this. Honestly, sometimes I feel like shouting at her, and when I look at the foundry I start wondering whether I’m happier there than I am at home. At least, I do get a bit of peace there sometimes.” “Peace, Ieuan … at the foundry! Why shouldn’t you get a bit of peace there? Don’t tell me you’re still getting your leg pulled. I thought that nonsense had stopped after the first week.” “I’ve been there over a year, Dad, and it’s still the same. I hate the place,” Ieuan said, bitterly.
“Hate the fellows like Bull Jackson and his gang. I can stand up to them all right. With my fists, too, if it comes to the point. But I’ll stick it for a while longer, and then I’m handing in my notice, whether mam likes it or not. She’s satisfied so long as I bring in a bit of money every week.