Brown Study: Insight into Despair

During his spiritual and emotional demise, Seamus fell into a brown study, a self-absorbed funk that isolated him from his family, the fourth estate and his teammates.

King of the Caterwaul: Alpie Pommeraie

Andrew de La Pommeraie, the short Providence Sterlings forward with the league's longest last name, eluded many a defender. Quick as a caffeinated cat, for sure. But in the rare instance an opponent mashed him against the boards or knocked him to the ice, "Alpie" (as his teammates called him), would caterwaul to the officials.

Riposte: Verbal Fencing in the Locker Room

The banter in the Beaverbrooks locker room, highlighted by Benoit's good-natured attack on Ambrose Bishop's lack of foot speed and the subsequent riposte—Bishop changing the subject— made Seamus J. O'Sheehan forget his scoring slump.

 

Thimblerig: Sleight of St. John's

Seamus J. O'Sheehan and the Lady Beaverbrooks strolled along George Street, where live music streamed from the nearly two dozen pubs. While his younger teammates scanned the St. John's Christmastime festival for pretty maidens, Seamus found himself drawn to the sleight-of-hand artists, for the thimbleriggers seemed like the carnival equivalent of hockey players who juked and jived past would-be defenders.

Nobby: Kieran's Attire in Chic Montreal

Kieran was no snob, yet he enjoyed wearing a nobby hat and tie when visiting Quebec, on business, and to attend a Canadiens game at Le Forum de Montréal.

 

Froufrou: Nathalie's Frilly Fashion

Nathalie, as much as she was a put-on-no-airs lass, also enjoyed dressing in high heels, a floral-pattern dress, white blouse and a sequined bolero jacket. This ocassional froufrou suited her well, at least in Seamus's eyes.

Métier: Gráinne's Meat and Potatoes

Gráinne's métier was service, especially to those who could not help themselves, so Seamus and Kieran were not surprised when they found notes, like the one below, on the kitchen counter:

 

Boys,

 

St. Kev's needed my help with a troubled lad. Supper is in the refrigerator. Bake at 350 for an hour. Enjoy your hockey game. I'll see you later this evening.

 

Love,

 

Mom

 

P.S. Save some potato bake for me. Rinse your plates—they won't wash themselves.