Had a lengthy argument with a boy in school about Germany and the war. The boys are all very fair-minded in Farran Ferris, but they often try to draw me out by telling me about the brutalities committed by the Germans. I always argue the matter to the finish very heatedly, even though I know they are only amused by my fervour. Dr. Scannell is very good on this point, as he has often well shown up to us the real state of affairs during the war, and has dispelled the stupid notions about German barbarism. When I came home I was delighted to find Father Pat MacSwiney ((Father Patrick MacSwiney, M.A. (1885-1940), one of the Fleischmanns´ closest friends. He was a man of much learning with a great love of music, also a man of action who set up social and cultural organisations in the parishes in which he served. He was at this time chaplain to a convent in Dunmanway, having been removed from Cork after a public controversy with the bishop during the civil war. He was to be transferred to Kinsale in 1927.)) was going to stay with us till Saturday. He looked rather thin and pale after his illness, but was as vigorous and merry as ever.
