The Hogans of Glenart

My youngest brother, Lorcan, had made his first Communion. As is usual, he called around to all our neighbours and friends nearby, then the sky opened and the rain came down in torrents. That finished visiting for the day. The next day was Sunday, it was a family occasion; relatives who lived some distance away came to visit. At teatime we remembered one particular lady who had not been visited my mother said it would have to wait till Monday.

The white shirt and socks were washed and the shirt ironed to pristine condition on Monday. Lorcan returned from school, had his dinner, was scrubbed till he shone and dressed up again in all his finery. Off he trotted with strict instructions to be home for his tea at 5.30.

The house he was visiting had a short drive to the front door. He arrived and was hugged and kissed by the old lady. Her daughter brought lemonade and biscuits, but the best was yet to come, at last the daughter said, "Do you want to come down to see the parrot?" Did he what!! He would endure more kisses and hugs for that pleasure. He spent some time talking to this amazing bird who could imitate all of the family, whistle several tunes, imitate the phone and the hall door bell. This clever bird caused much amusement and sometimes embarrassment to the family and friends. Lorcan was asked would he stay and have tea, he said "No, thank you", as per instructions that he had to be home at 5.30. He was told it was now a quarter past, so he would have to run all the way home. He ran down the drive and as he emerged from the gate, a boy was cycling on the path and they collided, the smaller one fairing the worst. He was thrown up in the air and landed in a little crumpled heap on the road. As luck would have it, our own family doctor was just arriving on a house call and recognising the accident victim, picked him up and took him home. The doctor told my mother there had been an accident and the child's arm was broken, she could come with him to the hospital which was about 6 miles away.

In the casualty department, the patient was handed over to the doctor in charge who was very kind. The child was x-rayed and showed no other broken bones, but multiple cuts, grazes and bruises he looked a very sorry sight. Turning to my mother, the doctor said, "I'm afraid I'll have to cut it off", indicating the white shirt. Lorcan sat up and tried to push the doctor away, screaming "Don't cut it off! Mammy, don't let them cut my arm off!"

Both my mother and the doctor had to hide their smiles, but felt very sorry for the little lad and the terror they had unwittingly caused him. However, my mother asked the doctor could she cut the shirt open at the seam, as she would then be able to sew it up again. Clothing was on coupons at the time and my mother, thrifty soul that she was, couldn't bear to see the new white shirt being hacked off.

Later the doctor said he had learned a lesson that would last him a lifetime - and that lesson was you must explain to the patient what had to be done, even though the patient may be a very young child.