Page 105

By Jack Joseph Smith

justify the courts decision to release the youngster. The courtroom had become busy during there conversation with uniforms carying papers here and there. The Jesuit returned to his position below the judge, and I only felt sorry that I wasn't screaming my story to the world. Those bastards. They have me frightened to death. I watched the judge open his narrowed mouth and speak like a dieing bird. The court understands, that the parents of Michael Frost, have agreed to send him away to Military School. The court is always willing to go along with the parents, when their desires to rehabilitate the child appear to be sincere. In this case the court accepts the parents willingness to place their own child in a supervised and desiplined enviorhment. A continual report will be sent to the boys probation officer for the period of one year. Next case. I'll be able to finish up at Saint Bernards, won't I Father? We were walking down the cold stairs and into the sun, My mother and father clung together as I looked up at the Jesuit waiting for an answer. Yes, Michael. We will arrange that. But then you must go on to Valley Forge. For how long? I'm not sure. Wait until things are calm. Thanks Father. Sure, Michael. What did you tell him? A few secrets, you have a deep red mark way within your eye Michael. One of them must have caught you with a good one. If it wasn't for Johnson, I think they would have killed me. Were you afraid?

Original Scan

Page 105

AI Interpretation

GPT

The court accepts the parents' plan to send Michael to Valley Forge Military School, and outside the hearing the Jesuit confirms that Saint Bernard's will hold him a little longer before he is sent away.

Release arrives only by exchanging one institution for another, so the decision feels less merciful than managerial. Michael's question is immediately practical and local, asking first whether he can finish at Saint Bernard's before facing the larger exile.

Claude

Release comes by exchanging one institution for another - the judge, speaking 'like a dieing bird,' accepts the parents' willingness to place the boy 'in a supervised and desiplined enviorhment,' a year of reports, 'Next case.' Michael's first instinct is local and practical: 'I'll be able to finish up at Saint Bernards, won't I Father?' Outside, walking 'down the cold stairs and into the sun,' the Jesuit admits he told the judge 'A few secrets,' notes 'a deep red mark way within your eye,' and Michael confesses 'If it wasn't for Johnson, I think they would have killed me.' Mercy here reads as managerial, not gentle.