Angela's Ashes

Frank delivers a telegram to a grieving Englishman, Mr. Harrington. His wife’s corpse is laid out in the home, and Mr. Harrington orders Frank inside, where he forces him to drink sherry and hurls insults at Frank. Mr. Harrington leaves the home to get more whiskey, and while alone, Frank pours some sherry on the corpse in a baptismal ritual because he is worried about Mrs. Harrington not being Catholic. Mr. Harrington catches Frank in the act and hurls more insults at him. Frank becomes sick and vomits on Mrs. Harrington’s rosebush outside the window, which makes Mr. Harrington irate and violent. Frank escapes out the window as Mr. Harrington launches all kinds of objects at Frank, including sherry bottles and ham sandwiches. When Frank returns to the telegram office, he is immediately fired. Fortunately, the parish priest intercedes on Frank’s behalf and Frank’s job is reinstated.

Frank begins a side job writing threatening letters for Mrs. Finucane, a woman who lends people money. The letters are so well written that the customers who owe money immediately begin to pay their debts. She is so delighted with Frank’s skill at writing threatening letters that she allows him some tea, but she shows her stingy side when he asks for bread.