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The Great Wave (Masterplots II: Short Story Series, Revised Edition)

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The Story

An Irish Roman Catholic bishop sits in the stern of a currach, a small skin-covered boat, wearing his robes and carrying his stiff ecclesiastical vestments inside out in order to protect them. Because he travels to this island only once every four years for a confirmation ceremony, it is fitting that he come in full pomp. His vestments are exceptionally beautiful, including a cope, a capelike garment made with threads of gold, which he commissioned from a convent in Switzerland.

Privately, the bishop, who was born on this poor island, marvels that he has ever...

[The entire page is 1444 words long]

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