Volume 1, No. 1

Pennington's Dance / Russell... 9

boys or older men, all of whom were too young, old or infirm for active duty overseas. The women and children of London, who turned to them for help and protection, valued these men. During Henry's last years he was for the most part an invalid, spending his time in the chair in the front room by the window, watching life pass by and praying on his beads. All their children except two had left and either immigrated to other lands or lived elsewhere in England. Nora minded him well during this time, but still she continued to work, attend Mass and look after the home and the two children she had left living with them. "She's a great one, that Nora." People would say of her, including Mr. Pennington.
"And how's your dear husband today?" Pennington would ask every single day Nora went into the shop. "Oh he's fine. Fine. Thanks for asking after him." Nora would say, trying to staunch any further conversation and making