Page 83

By Jack Joseph Smith

83 beneath my brows’ He came into the roam sayings. hello Michael; and went around and sat oppBite meg Do you think you Sinus every boy in the schooly he askeds I was taken back alittle, I don't knows Your a good ee cheat Thank you Fathers You never pick on a kid smaller: than yous Even a year ago you used to take on the eight graders down in the cellars Next year you will be in the eights But right. now your not so sure -youle the toughest, besause youl’ only in the seventh; Eithth grade looks bigger than seventh, Doesen't it? ! Yess Sometines the boys in the eight grade might look bigger and stronger than you. even PO ae though their note I'm mot’ afraid of them. Ha ha; but your sure you can whip everyone in the seventh, but youkenot sure you i can whip everyone in the eighth, How do you know you can whip everyone in the seventh? i I didn't say I could; : Youlea emart boy Michaelg The one thing you must’ remember is not forget next year ; what you know about yourself this years When you are in eighty” you will have to take : careof the seventh, just like you did this year against the eights Do you Imow what. . I am talking abdut? ; Yes I do Father, Goods You bring Young Ben and all the Saint Bernards boygwho loaf around Linsoim : sehool to Mass every Sunday, don't you? Well, kind of :

Original Scan

Page 83

AI Interpretation

GPT

Papa Joe questions Michael about whether he is the toughest boy in the school, then recasts that toughness as a duty to protect younger Saint Bernard's boys and keep bringing them to Mass.

The exchange is a moral lesson delivered in the language Michael already understands: fighting rank, school hierarchy, and neighborhood muscle. Papa Joe does not crush the boy's swagger; he redirects it into guardianship and group loyalty.

Claude

The toughest-kid interview runs on seventh-grade/eighth-grade logic until Papa Joe pivots to asking Michael about bringing Young Ben and the Saint Bernard's boys who loaf around Lincoln school to Mass — a bunch of honest bums at twelve.