Going home

Alexander, while walking in Toronto, reminisces the constant stream of people outside the Renco mining boarding grounds. He tells how the security guard rejects the constant groups of people trying to gain entry to the grounds. All kinds of lame excuses (p137) are used by the outsiders, though nothing renders the guard to let them in.

One day he and his brother outside the camping ground relieving themselves of their work duties are drawn to a familiar Gaelic tune. They come upon a stranger named James MacDonald. Because he is MacDonald, and part of the clan’, Calum smuggles his so called ‘cousin’ into the compound and offers him food. After eating he continues to play his fiddle. The music is soothing and...