"A Mother" Summary

Mrs. Kearny has a daughter Kathleen who plays the piano. The family is Irish Nationalist and supports the idea that the Irish should relearn the Gaelic language of their ancestors. Mrs. Kearny goes the extra step by hiring an Irish tutor to help her children learn the language. News of Kathleen's patriotism spreads and she is asked to play the piano accompaniments at a musical concert for a local patriotic organization, the Eire Abu Society. Kathleen signs a contract for four concerts.

Mrs. Kearny is instrumental in the planning of the concert. She does all the paperwork and manages most of the initial arrangements. She is happy to do these things because they benefit Kathleen. Her work is not matched by the work performed by the members of the organization itself. The leader, Mr. Holohan, particularly does everything in...