Guests of the Nation

Mary Roberts

026

#2

“Guests of the Nation” by Frank O’Connor, begins with the Civil war that erupted in Ireland in 1922. During this war, two British soldiers, Belcher and Hawkins, have been captured by the Irish Republican Army. The two Englishmen, being transferred from the Second Battalion to another battalion, are put under the guard of two Irish soldiers, Noble and Bonaparte. Within days the four men become quite friendly with each other. One night, while having tea, an argument erupts between Hawkins and Noble. Jeremiah Donovan, the commanding Irish officer, steps outside, followed by Bonaparte. Donovan informs him of the situation they’re facing: if the British kill their comrades, they would in turn have to kill Belcher and Hawkins. Bonaparte later informs Noble of this and both find it difficult to face their friends the next day.

The following evening, while the four are preparing to play cards, Donovan enters the house and tells Bonaparte and Noble that four of the Irish whom had been held captive were killed by the British. He demands that Belcher and Hawkins be killed. Rather than tell his new friends the bad news, Noble goes with Feeney, an intelligence officer, to dig the graves for the Englishmen in a nearby bog. Donovan lies to the two Englishmen saying that they were being moved back to the Second Battalion. The two men pack their things and the group sets off toward the bog. As they near the bog, Donovan reveals the truth, which leads to Hawkins contesting his execution endlessly, even offering to switch sides.

But while he begs and pleads not to be killed by his pals, Donovan shoots Hawkins in the back of the head. Belcher blindfolds himself. He tells the Irish of the letters from him and Hawkins to their respective families. Bonaparte finishes off Hawkins, and Donovan shoots Belcher, killing him instantly.

After burying the two Englishmen, they return to the house to find the old woman, the owner, questioning about the two men. Both...