Mercy Among the Children

Lyle often comes home drunk. No girls are interested in him. He attacks Hanny Brown to prove his worth and returns home to shout at his mother, who is sick. Lyle associates with Mat Pit. Autumn has a poem published. Lyle overhears his mother talking to Percy and wishes she would call him brave.

Jay Beard scolds Lyle for hitting Hanny Brown. Some days later, Lyle loses Percy and finds him at Jay Beard’s, who is playing guitar for Percy. Mat Pit intercepts Lyle and takes him to see Lyle’s grandfather’s grave. Mat is planning to steal Leo McVicer’s money. When he returns home, Percy is alone, and Elly has gone to the hospital.

Lyle and Percy visit Elly at the hospital. She is suffering from internal bleeding. Inspector Morris and John Delano tell Lyle they no longer suspect Sydney of his alleged crimes. Lyle carries Percy home and becomes nostalgic.

Elly arranges for Percy’s first communion from her hospital bed, and Darren Voteur comes to look after Percy. Darren abuses Percy, but Jay Beard saves him. Percy tells Lyle he is waiting for his father to return. 

Deidre Whyne tells Lyle that the tax office is dropping the charges, and that some girls from the Convent are bringing charges against her.