New beginnings (con't)

         The time in Toronto comes to an end when the family is moves to Montreal, where Grandmother Sinclair runs a boarding house.  It is another strange place for Eileen and the children, but is much roomier.  There are several difficulties.  Allan, Grandmother’s baby, went off to the war without her permission, and his mother is still angry about it, six years later.  He not only surprised her with his wife and children, but the fact that she is an english bitch makes her instantly dislike her new daughter-in-law. She is kind to the children and buys them new clothes, but is very hard on her namesake.  Jean is not a meek child, and stands up to her grandmother.  Some part of her admires the child’s spunk, but she does not allow backtalk, and little Jean is often in trouble.  Eileen tries to keep the children in order, but it is difficult.  Grandmother screams when she finds little Allan on the kitchen floor trying to mix cocoa and corn syrup together.  The piercing screams bring Eileen running, only to be told, “You bitch!  Look what your fucking bastard is doing.”  Eileen cries as she cleans up the mess. 

         The children become very, very familiar with parks.

        

         One night Allan and Eileen have a long, private talk in their bedroom, next to that of the children.  Grandmother and her namesake both lie awake for a long time, listening to the sounds of crying and shouting.  They hear Allan saying “Sorry, sorry” over and over.  It is about some nurse that came over on the same ship with him.

         The next morning Eileen doesn’t come down to breakfast, and Allan is left to deal with the children.  He is very quiet.  Eileen finally appears, but her eyes are red and she seems angry.  She silently deals with the baby, and doesn’t even look at her husband.

Grandmother is the only happy one.  She is in the best mood the children have ever seen her in.

         Eileen takes the children into their bedroom and tells then they are going back to England with her.  Jean is so happy she doesn’t realize mother isn’t happy about this.  Grandmother goes out and comes home with an envelope, silently giving it to Eileen.  Inside is some money and tickets.  Eileen opens it and starts to cry again.  She goes to the room she shares with Allan.

         Now it is he who is angry with Grandmother.  He and Eileen have a long private talk.  Later, when the children are asleep, they go out on their own.  When the children wake up their parents are packing up.  Now it is Grandmother who has red eyes.  She refuses to say good-bye when they leave.

         Not long after that they get the news that Grandmother is dead, of a massive heart attack.  Allan’s brother and sisters come from the United States for the funeral and burial, on Mount Royal.

She leaves little Jean her bible, covered in black morocco leather, with gold-edged pages as thin as tissue.  On the flyleaf, in beautiful old-fashioned handwriting were the words, “To my Jeannie, always beloved, from your Angus.”