GRACE PULLED ON her sturdy boots, warm coat, hat and gloves as she set off to visit Larkfield. Joe was ill, laid up there with a bad throat and a chest infection. Even though he wrote, she missed him terribly and longed to see him.
She took a tram to Kimmage and briskly walked the rest of the way along the muddy road and avenue to Larkfield. It was an imposing mansion surrounded by fields, cottages and outbuildings. Approaching the house she noticed a large group of men standing near the barn, while others were kicking a football around.
Inside, the old house was rather ramshackle, with a fine staircase on either side of the large hallway with a balcony overlooking it.
Joe looked pale and drawn, his eyes huge in his long face, and he seemed even thinner than usual, his dark hair standing up in greasy tufts.
‘Oh Joe, what is the matter with you?’ Grace gasped, unable to hide her alarm at seeing the large swelling on his throat.
‘Don’t worry Grace, I am fine,’ he reassured her. ‘The old glands always give me trouble when I am low, but I’m on the mend and feeling better for seeing you.’
A fire blazed in the grate, warming the room which had maps and diagrams of the city scattered over the floor. On a table in the drawing room lay a wireless radio with pieces of wire and metal which he was tinkering with. He fiddled with some of the dials and buttons, causing the machine to buzz alarmingly. Grace was startled.
‘It won’t bite or burn or hurt you, I promise.’
Dubious, she tested the equipment, as he demonstrated to her how to use it to transmit signals and Morse code. He also showed her another, smaller wireless he was working on.
‘The aim is for this one to be easily portable,’ he explained.
‘Who will use it?’
‘The men use it to send messages and to keep in contact with each other and other Volunteer units.’
Despite being ill it was clear that Joe was involved in planning some kind of large mission with the Volunteers, judging by the equipment and charts that were scattered around the place.
‘Are all the men outside Volunteers?’ she enquired, watching them from the window; a group of them seemed to be drilling.
‘Yes, some of them have only recently arrived from Liverpool to avoid conscription.’
‘Poor Nellie is rather swamped trying to help them.’
‘My parents have agreed that they can stay here. It’s out of the way and they are safe and have shelter. It’s good to see them training.’
‘It’s like an army,’ she laughed.
‘Have you ever thought of joining Cumann na mBan?’ he asked lightly. ‘Or the Citizen Army?’
‘Joe, can you imagine me in tweeds and boots, marching and learning how to clean and store guns and use bandages?’ she joked, running her fingers through her hair. ‘You know I’m not at all like Nellie or your sisters.’
They had tea together – Grace made him tasty Welsh rarebit from some cheese, bread and Worcestershire sauce.
‘Joe, I want to tell you something,’ she said firmly as they sat by the fire.
She could see a look of concern fill his dark eyes.
‘I have decided that I want to become a Roman Catholic.’
‘Grace, there is no need for you to convert on my behalf,’ he said quietly, taking her hand in his. ‘My love, it will make no difference to us marrying.’
‘I know that, Joe, but I have been considering it for a long time. Attending masses in the Pro-Cathedral has renewed my faith and given me great spiritual comfort. I’ve talked to your friend Father Sherwin in the University Church and he has very kindly agreed to instruct me and baptize me formally. I want to convert before our marriage so that you and I will share the same faith and can have a Catholic wedding ceremony.’
‘Grace, you know how happy this will make me,’ he admitted, ‘but what of your family?’
‘Mother will be livid and disapproving. That is why I want it to be our secret.’
‘Very well, we will keep it quiet if that is what you want,’ he agreed.
Geraldine and their brother George appeared then, so, as it was starting to get dark, Grace walked back up the avenue to catch the tram home. She hated leaving Joe and couldn’t help but worry about him; he looked so unwell despite his assurance that all was bully as they hugged goodbye.