A Very Fine Quality. "I can't do that. Anyhow, I don't understand

"I can't do that. Anyhow, I don't understand... Father Gallagher who appoints the teachers."

"Listen. There are many people who feel the same way as I do. If I go to Father Gallagher in the name of all those people and say that you are willing to take the job, the job is yours. Even if he didn't want to, he'd have no choice but to appoint to..." "Why should you want to do that for me?" I was as much curious as taken aback. "It's bloody necessary. I have three sons. They go to that school. And with the education they are getting up there, all they'll ever be fit for is to dig ditches, and I don't ever want to watch any of my sons dig. The whole school is a mess."

"What makes you think I'd be any better?" "You're young. You're qualified. You're ambitious. It's

a very good job for someone your age. I'll give you all backing you'd want. With you there I'd feel my children would still have a real chance. If I go to Father Gallagher and say that things can't be allowed to go on as they've been going and we have a young man here, from a good

family, a local, more than qualified, who's willing to take the job, who has everyone's backing, then I can guarantee you here,this very evening,that you'll be the principal of that school when it opens in September." For the first time it was all coming clear to me. "What'll

happen to the Master? What'll he do?" "What I'm more concerned about is what'll my children

do if he stays." "Do you mean the Master'll be out on the road, then?" "You need have no fear of that. He's got the Teachers' Union behind him. Today, alcoholism is looked upon as

just another illness." Reegan laughed sarcastically. "No. He'd just have that bit less of a pension with which to drink himself into an early grave. You need have no worries. You'd be doing everybody a favour, including him most of all, if you take the job. Well, what do you say? I could still go to Father Gallagher tonight. It's late, but not too late. Well, what do you say?" "I'd have to think about it anyhow." "It's a very fine position for a young man starting out in life."

"I know it is. I'm very grateful. But I'll have to think about it."

To hell with gratitude. Gratitude doesn't matter a damn. I can't wait for very long. Something has to be done, and be done soon."

"I know that, but I still have to think about it." "Listen, let's not decide on anything this evening. Why on't you drop over to my place tomorrow night. My daughter has been saying for a long time now that she'd ike to meet you. Come about nine." From the boat I watched Reegan cross the road and disappear. I rowed very slowly away, in the deadly silence of the half-darkness. My hair and clothes were wet with the dew.

B. Write the end of the story as you see it and justify it.