hailmarys

Updated: May 6, 2025

And I fell into a half-revery, in which the hailmarys wove themselves in and out, like threads in a pattern. Dreamily enough, I heard the youthful guests depart, in a gale of laughter and flute-like goodnights. And I noted, too, that no light as yet shone in the Butterfly Man's rooms. Well he would hurl himself into the work to-morrow, probably, and clear it up in an hour or two. He was like that.

Marie Conway Oemler - Slippy McGee, Sometimes Known as the Butterfly Man

And having done this, I decided upon my course: "If he has thought of this himself, then I will help. But if he has not, I will not suggest it, no, no matter what happens." I told myself I would say ten more Hailmarys, and I said them, with an Ourfather at the end. And without further praying I got to my feet.

Marie Conway Oemler - Slippy McGee, Sometimes Known as the Butterfly Man

I could still see him crouching before the safe; and all the while the eternities stretched and stretched on either side of us, infinities I could only partly bridge over with Hailmarys and Ourfathers. "And lead us not into temptation ... but deliver us from evil ..."

Marie Conway Oemler - Slippy McGee, Sometimes Known as the Butterfly Man