Got a card from Father Pat saying that he had a private audience with the Pope, and is having a glorious time. – Went to match to-day at which there was a huge crowd. Of course, we were beaten by about 5 goals, though our fellows put up a good fight. It serves them right, anyhow, because it was evident they had neither wind nor practice. – Came home pretty disgusted that we are always beaten. Called in to School of Music to see Mammie. This morning all the teachers at the school got a paper on which to sign by oath allegiance to the Free State. That is alright for Pappie and Mammie, but Mrs. Stockley and Mrs. Neeson are going to resign. ((The husbands of both ladies had been on the republican, anti-Treaty side in the civil war, during which Seán Neeson was interned by the Free State government. Aloys Fleischmann senior, as an alien interned by the British during the world war, abstained from politics. The requirement that all employees swear an oath of loyalty to the Free State was subsequently withdrawn.)) The Committee has declared the choir will not sing on account of bad attendances (a lie!) and because the last concert was not a credit to the school. Whoever brought credit to it except Pappie and Mammie? But it’s no use swearing about ignorami who hate everything except what the gallery likes. Pappie and Mr. Fielding are going to consider the question, however.
