I could see the wisdom of her words, but a small part of me wanted to rebel at being told what to do. I should have been used to it by now; she’d been telling me what to do all my life, and I had given in because I was rewarded with praise and finery. I liked being told that I was beautiful and too good for the local boys. I liked wearing the latest fashions and making all my friends jealous. Some of them, like Delia, had to be satisfied with hand-me-downs, and others had to wear clothes their ma sewed out of dyed, rough flour sacks. I was far and away the best dressed of any of them, and I strutted into Mass on a Sunday morning knowing that everybody was looking at me. I told myself ’twas a small price to pay to let Ma have her say.

I did the same thing now. I nodded. “You’re right, Ma. You always are.”

She gave a satisfied nod.

* * *

From then on up to the time the Titanic was ready to sail, Ma took down from the dresser the wee box where she kept the money she’d saved from selling eggs. She took me to Donegal Town and spoiled me with new dresses and hats, ribbons and new boots, and even a small bottle of perfume I’d begged for. She even took me to get my hair styled. I was going to be the belle of the ball, she said.

It was a pity all that effort was going to be wasted in steerage.

The Titanic - 1912

The Titanic

1912

Delia

Delia

I was trembling with nerves and excitement when the big day arrived; the day we were to travel to Queenstown in County Cork to board the Titanic, which would sail the next day. Queenstown Harbor was at the far end of the country and it would be a long journey. First, we’d have to go by pony cart to the station in Donegal Town and then on by train, making several stops to change lines along the way. It would take us a full day. I’d never traveled that far in my life, nor had Nora. I couldn’t wait to see the rest of Ireland.

I’d scarcely slept the night before, my mind jumping between excitement and anxiety. As we left the cottage, the morning was still dark. Ma stood at the door, her arms folded, as Da readied the pony and cart. When he had hauled our luggage up into the bed of the cart, Nora ran over to Ma and threw her arms around her. Ma hugged Nora back. I knew by her loud sniffs she was crying, even though I couldn’t see her plainly.

“God bless, darlin’,” she said, “and remember everything I told you. You’ll no doubt have boys traipsing around after you on the boat, but you’re to set your sights higher.”