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diff --git a/old/dblnr11h.htm b/old/dblnr11h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..0ff439f --- /dev/null +++ b/old/dblnr11h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,7069 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN"> +<html> +<head> +<title>Dubliners</title> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"> +</head> + +<body bgcolor="#FFFFFF" text="#000000"> + +<h1>The Project Gutenberg Etext of Dubliners +by James Joyce</h1> +<h2>(#1 in our series by James Joyce)</h2> +<pre> +Copyright laws are changing all over the world. Be sure to check the +copyright laws for your country before distributing this or any other +Project Gutenberg file. + +We encourage you to keep this file, exactly as it is, on your +own disk, thereby keeping an electronic path open for future +readers. Please do not remove this. + +This header should be the first thing seen when anyone starts to +view the etext. Do not change or edit it without written permission. +The words are carefully chosen to provide users with the +information they need to understand what they may and may not +do with the etext. + + +**Welcome To The World of Free Plain Vanilla Electronic Texts** + +**Etexts Readable By Both Humans and By Computers, Since 1971** + +*****These Etexts Are Prepared By Thousands of Volunteers!***** + +Information on contacting Project Gutenberg to get etexts, and +further information, is included below. We need your donations. + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a 501(c)(3) +organization with EIN [Employee Identification Number] 64-6221541 + + + +Title: Dubliners + +Author: James Joyce + +Release Date: Sep, 2001 [Etext #2814] +[Most recently updated August 18, 2002] + +Edition: 11 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII +</pre> + + +<p>Prepared by David Reed haradda@aol.com or davidr@inconnect.com </p> +<p>Updates by Karol Pietrzak. </p> +<p>Dubliners</p> +<p>by James Joyce</p> +<p> </p> + + +<div align="center">CONTENTS </div> +<p> The Sisters<br> +An Encounter <br> +Araby <br> +Eveline <br> +After the Race <br> +Two Gallants <br> +The Boarding House <br> +A Little Cloud <br> +Counterparts <br> +Clay <br> +A Painful Case <br> +Ivy Day in the Committee Room <br> +A Mother <br> +Grace <br> +The Dead<br> +<p> </p> +<h2 align="center">DUBLINERS</h2> +<h2 align="center"> </h2> +<h3 align="center">THE SISTERS</h3> +<p>THERE was no hope for him this time: it was the third stroke. Night after night + I had passed the house (it was vacation time) and studied the lighted square + of window: and night after night I had found it lighted in the same way, faintly + and evenly. If he was dead, I thought, I would see the reflection of candles + on the darkened blind for I knew that two candles must be set at the head of + a corpse. He had often said to me: "I am not long for this world," + and I had thought his words idle. Now I knew they were true. Every night as + I gazed up at the window I said softly to myself the word paralysis. It had + always sounded strangely in my ears, like the word gnomon in the Euclid and + the word simony in the Catechism. But now it sounded to me like the name of + some maleficent and sinful being. It filled me with fear, and yet I longed to + be nearer to it and to look upon its deadly work.</p> +<p>Old Cotter was sitting at the fire, smoking, when I came + downstairs to supper. While my aunt was ladling out my stirabout + he said, as if returning to some former remark of his:</p> +<p>"No, I wouldn't say he was exactly... but there was something + queer... there was something uncanny about him. I'll tell you my + opinion...."</p> +<p>He began to puff at his pipe, no doubt arranging his opinion in his + mind. Tiresome old fool! When we knew him first he used to be + rather interesting, talking of faints and worms; but I soon grew + tired of him and his endless stories about the distillery.</p> +<p>"I have my own theory about it," he said. "I think it was one + of + those ... peculiar cases .... But it's hard to say...."</p> +<p>He began to puff again at his pipe without giving us his theory. My + uncle saw me staring and said to me:</p> +<p>"Well, so your old friend is gone, you'll be sorry to hear."</p> +<p>"Who?" said I.</p> +<p>"Father Flynn."</p> +<p>"Is he dead?"</p> +<p>"Mr. Cotter here has just told us. He was passing by the house."</p> +<p>I knew that I was under observation so I continued eating as if the + news had not interested me. My uncle explained to old Cotter.</p> +<p>"The youngster and he were great friends. The old chap taught him + a great deal, mind you; and they say he had a great wish for him."</p> +<p>"God have mercy on his soul," said my aunt piously.</p> +<p>Old Cotter looked at me for a while. I felt that his little beady + black eyes were examining me but I would not satisfy him by + looking up from my plate. He returned to his pipe and finally spat + rudely into the grate.</p> +<p>"I wouldn't like children of mine," he said, "to have too much + to + say to a man like that."</p> +<p>"How do you mean, Mr. Cotter?" asked my aunt.</p> +<p>"What I mean is," said old Cotter, "it's bad for children. My + idea is: + let a young lad run about and play with young lads of his own age + and not be... Am I right, Jack?"</p> +<p>"That's my principle, too," said my uncle. "Let him learn to + box his + corner. That's what I'm always saying to that Rosicrucian there: + take exercise. Why, when I was a nipper every morning of my life + I had a cold bath, winter and summer. And that's what stands to me + now. Education is all very fine and large.... Mr. Cotter might take a + pick of that leg mutton," he added to my aunt.</p> +<p>"No, no, not for me," said old Cotter.</p> +<p>My aunt brought the dish from the safe and put it on the table.</p> +<p>"But why do you think it's not good for children, Mr. Cotter?" she + asked.</p> +<p>"It's bad for children," said old Cotter, "because their mind + are so + impressionable. When children see things like that, you know, it + has an effect...."</p> +<p>I crammed my mouth with stirabout for fear I might give utterance + to my anger. Tiresome old red-nosed imbecile!</p> +<p>It was late when I fell asleep. Though I was angry with old Cotter + for alluding to me as a child, I puzzled my head to extract meaning + from his unfinished sentences. In the dark of my room I imagined + that I saw again the heavy grey face of the paralytic. I drew the + blankets over my head and tried to think of Christmas. But the grey + face still followed me. It murmured, and I understood that it + desired to confess something. I felt my soul receding into some + pleasant and vicious region; and there again I found it waiting for + me. It began to confess to me in a murmuring voice and I + wondered why it smiled continually and why the lips were so + moist with spittle. But then I remembered that it had died of + paralysis and I felt that I too was smiling feebly as if to absolve the + simoniac of his sin.</p> +<p>The next morning after breakfast I went down to look at the little + house in Great Britain Street. It was an unassuming shop, + registered under the vague name of Drapery . The drapery + consisted mainly of children's bootees and umbrellas; and on + ordinary days a notice used to hang in the window, saying: + Umbrellas Re-covered . No notice was visible now for the shutters + were up. A crape bouquet was tied to the doorknocker with ribbon. + Two poor women and a telegram boy were reading the card pinned + on the crape. I also approached and read:</p> +<p>July 1st, 1895 + The Rev. James Flynn (formerly of S. Catherine's Church, + Meath Street), aged sixty-five years. + R. I. P.</p> +<p>The reading of the card persuaded me that he was dead and I was + disturbed to find myself at check. Had he not been dead I would + have gone into the little dark room behind the shop to find him + sitting in his arm-chair by the fire, nearly smothered in his + great-coat. Perhaps my aunt would have given me a packet of High + Toast for him and this present would have roused him from his + stupefied doze. It was always I who emptied the packet into his + black snuff-box for his hands trembled too much to allow him to + do this without spilling half the snuff about the floor. Even as he + raised his large trembling hand to his nose little clouds of smoke + dribbled through his fingers over the front of his coat. It may have + been these constant showers of snuff which gave his ancient + priestly garments their green faded look for the red handkerchief, + blackened, as it always was, with the snuff-stains of a week, with + which he tried to brush away the fallen grains, was quite + inefficacious.</p> +<p>I wished to go in and look at him but I had not the courage to + knock. I walked away slowly along the sunny side of the street, + reading all the theatrical advertisements in the shop-windows as I + went. I found it strange that neither I nor the day seemed in a + mourning mood and I felt even annoyed at discovering in myself a + sensation of freedom as if I had been freed from something by his + death. I wondered at this for, as my uncle had said the night + before, he had taught me a great deal. He had studied in the Irish + college in Rome and he had taught me to pronounce Latin + properly. He had told me stories about the catacombs and about + Napoleon Bonaparte, and he had explained to me the meaning of + the different ceremonies of the Mass and of the different vestments + worn by the priest. Sometimes he had amused himself by putting + difficult questions to me, asking me what one should do in certain + circumstances or whether such and such sins were mortal or venial + or only imperfections. His questions showed me how complex and + mysterious were certain institutions of the Church which I had + always regarded as the simplest acts. The duties of the priest + towards the Eucharist and towards the secrecy of the confessional + seemed so grave to me that I wondered how anybody had ever + found in himself the courage to undertake them; and I was not + surprised when he told me that the fathers of the Church had + written books as thick as the Post Office Directory and as closely + printed as the law notices in the newspaper, elucidating all these + intricate questions. Often when I thought of this I could make no + answer or only a very foolish and halting one upon which he used + to smile and nod his head twice or thrice. Sometimes he used to + put me through the responses of the Mass which he had made me + learn by heart; and, as I pattered, he used to smile pensively and + nod his head, now and then pushing huge pinches of snuff up each + nostril alternately. When he smiled he used to uncover his big + discoloured teeth and let his tongue lie upon his lower lip--a habit + which had made me feel uneasy in the beginning of our + acquaintance before I knew him well.</p> +<p>As I walked along in the sun I remembered old Cotter's words and + tried to remember what had happened afterwards in the dream. I + remembered that I had noticed long velvet curtains and a swinging + lamp of antique fashion. I felt that I had been very far away, in + some land where the customs were strange--in Persia, I thought.... + But I could not remember the end of the dream.</p> +<p>In the evening my aunt took me with her to visit the house of + mourning. It was after sunset; but the window-panes of the houses + that looked to the west reflected the tawny gold of a great bank of + clouds. Nannie received us in the hall; and, as it would have been + unseemly to have shouted at her, my aunt shook hands with her for + all. The old woman pointed upwards interrogatively and, on my + aunt's nodding, proceeded to toil up the narrow staircase before us, + her bowed head being scarcely above the level of the banister-rail. + At the first landing she stopped and beckoned us forward + encouragingly towards the open door of the dead-room. My aunt + went in and the old woman, seeing that I hesitated to enter, began + to beckon to me again repeatedly with her hand.</p> +<p>I went in on tiptoe. The room through the lace end of the blind was + suffused with dusky golden light amid which the candles looked + like pale thin flames. He had been coffined. Nannie gave the lead + and we three knelt down at the foot of the bed. I pretended to pray + but I could not gather my thoughts because the old woman's + mutterings distracted me. I noticed how clumsily her skirt was + hooked at the back and how the heels of her cloth boots were + trodden down all to one side. The fancy came to me that the old + priest was smiling as he lay there in his coffin.</p> +<p>But no. When we rose and went up to the head of the bed I saw + that he was not smiling. There he lay, solemn and copious, vested + as for the altar, his large hands loosely retaining a chalice. His face + was very truculent, grey and massive, with black cavernous + nostrils and circled by a scanty white fur. There was a heavy odour + in the room--the flowers.</p> +<p>We crossed ourselves and came away. In the little room downstairs + we found Eliza seated in his arm-chair in state. I groped my way + towards my usual chair in the corner while Nannie went to the + sideboard and brought out a decanter of sherry and some + wine-glasses. She set these on the table and invited us to take a + little glass of wine. Then, at her sister's bidding, she filled out the + sherry into the glasses and passed them to us. She pressed me to + take some cream crackers also but I declined because I thought I + would make too much noise eating them. She seemed to be + somewhat disappointed at my refusal and went over quietly to the + sofa where she sat down behind her sister. No one spoke: we all + gazed at the empty fireplace.</p> +<p>My aunt waited until Eliza sighed and then said:</p> +<p>"Ah, well, he's gone to a better world."</p> +<p>Eliza sighed again and bowed her head in assent. My aunt fingered + the stem of her wine-glass before sipping a little.</p> +<p>"Did he... peacefully?" she asked.</p> +<p>"Oh, quite peacefully, ma'am," said Eliza. "You couldn't tell + when + the breath went out of him. He had a beautiful death, God be + praised."</p> +<p>"And everything...?"</p> +<p>"Father O'Rourke was in with him a Tuesday and anointed him and + prepared him and all."</p> +<p>"He knew then?"</p> +<p>"He was quite resigned."</p> +<p>"He looks quite resigned," said my aunt.</p> +<p>"That's what the woman we had in to wash him said. She said he + just looked as if he was asleep, he looked that peaceful and + resigned. No one would think he'd make such a beautiful corpse."</p> +<p>"Yes, indeed," said my aunt.</p> +<p>She sipped a little more from her glass and said:</p> +<p>"Well, Miss Flynn, at any rate it must be a great comfort for you to + know that you did all you could for him. You were both very kind + to him, I must say."</p> +<p>Eliza smoothed her dress over her knees.</p> +<p>"Ah, poor James!" she said. "God knows we done all we could, + as + poor as we are--we wouldn't see him want anything while he was + in it."</p> +<p>Nannie had leaned her head against the sofa-pillow and seemed + about to fall asleep.</p> +<p>"There's poor Nannie," said Eliza, looking at her, "she's wore + out. + All the work we had, she and me, getting in the woman to wash + him and then laying him out and then the coffin and then arranging + about the Mass in the chapel. Only for Father O'Rourke I don't + know what we'd done at all. It was him brought us all them flowers + and them two candlesticks out of the chapel and wrote out the + notice for the Freeman's General and took charge of all the papers + for the cemetery and poor James's insurance."</p> +<p>"Wasn't that good of him?" said my aunt</p> +<p>Eliza closed her eyes and shook her head slowly.</p> +<p>"Ah, there's no friends like the old friends," she said, "when + all is + said and done, no friends that a body can trust."</p> +<p>"Indeed, that's true," said my aunt. "And I'm sure now that + he's + gone to his eternal reward he won't forget you and all your + kindness to him."</p> +<p>"Ah, poor James!" said Eliza. "He was no great trouble to us. + You + wouldn't hear him in the house any more than now. Still, I know + he's gone and all to that...."</p> +<p>"It's when it's all over that you'll miss him," said my aunt.</p> +<p>"I know that," said Eliza. "I won't be bringing him in his cup + of + beef-tea any me, nor you, ma'am, sending him his snuff. Ah, poor + James!"</p> +<p>She stopped, as if she were communing with the past and then said + shrewdly:</p> +<p>"Mind you, I noticed there was something queer coming over him + latterly. Whenever I'd bring in his soup to him there I'd find him + with his breviary fallen to the floor, lying back in the chair and his + mouth open."</p> +<p>She laid a finger against her nose and frowned: then she continued:</p> +<p>"But still and all he kept on saying that before the summer was + over he'd go out for a drive one fine day just to see the old house + again where we were all born down in Irishtown and take me and + Nannie with him. If we could only get one of them new-fangled + carriages that makes no noise that Father O'Rourke told him about, + them with the rheumatic wheels, for the day cheap--he said, at + Johnny Rush's over the way there and drive out the three of us + together of a Sunday evening. He had his mind set on that.... Poor + James!"</p> +<p>"The Lord have mercy on his soul!" said my aunt.</p> +<p>Eliza took out her handkerchief and wiped her eyes with it. Then + she put it back again in her pocket and gazed into the empty grate + for some time without speaking.</p> +<p>"He was too scrupulous always," she said. "The duties of the + priesthood was too much for him. And then his life was, you might + say, crossed."</p> +<p>"Yes," said my aunt. "He was a disappointed man. You could see + that."</p> +<p>A silence took possession of the little room and, under cover of it, + I approached the table and tasted my sherry and then returned + quietly to my chair in the comer. Eliza seemed to have fallen into a + deep revery. We waited respectfully for her to break the silence: + and after a long pause she said slowly:</p> +<p>"It was that chalice he broke.... That was the beginning of it. Of + course, they say it was all right, that it contained nothing, I mean. + But still.... They say it was the boy's fault. But poor James was so + nervous, God be merciful to him!"</p> +<p>"And was that it?" said my aunt. "I heard something...."</p> +<p>Eliza nodded.</p> +<p>"That affected his mind," she said. "After that he began to + mope by + himself, talking to no one and wandering about by himself. So one + night he was wanted for to go on a call and they couldn't find him + anywhere. They looked high up and low down; and still they + couldn't see a sight of him anywhere. So then the clerk suggested + to try the chapel. So then they got the keys and opened the chapel + and the clerk and Father O'Rourke and another priest that was + there brought in a light for to look for him.... And what do you + think but there he was, sitting up by himself in the dark in his + confession-box, wide- awake and laughing-like softly to himself?"</p> +<p>She stopped suddenly as if to listen. I too listened; but there was + no sound in the house: and I knew that the old priest was lying still + in his coffin as we had seen him, solemn and truculent in death, an + idle chalice on his breast.</p> +<p>Eliza resumed:</p> +<p>"Wide-awake and laughing-like to himself.... So then, of course, when + they saw that, that made them think that there was something gone wrong with + him...."</p> +<p> </p> +<h3 align="center">AN ENCOUNTER</h3> +<p>IT WAS Joe Dillon who introduced the Wild West to us. He had a little library + made up of old numbers of The Union Jack , Pluck and The Halfpenny Marvel . + Every evening after school we met in his back garden and arranged Indian battles. + He and his fat young brother Leo, the idler, held the loft of the stable while + we tried to carry it by storm; or we fought a pitched battle on the grass. But, + however well we fought, we never won siege or battle and all our bouts ended + with Joe Dillon's war dance of victory. His parents went to eight- o'clock mass + every morning in Gardiner Street and the peaceful odour of Mrs. Dillon was prevalent + in the hall of the house. But he played too fiercely for us who were younger + and more timid. He looked like some kind of an Indian when he capered round + the garden, an old tea-cosy on his head, beating a tin with his fist and yelling: +</p> +<p>Ya! yaka, yaka, yaka!"</p> +<p>Everyone was incredulous when it was reported that he had a + vocation for the priesthood. Nevertheless it was true.</p> +<p>A spirit of unruliness diffused itself among us and, under its + influence, differences of culture and constitution were waived. We + banded ourselves together, some boldly, some in jest and some + almost in fear: and of the number of these latter, the reluctant + Indians who were afraid to seem studious or lacking in robustness, + I was one. The adventures related in the literature of the Wild + West were remote from my nature but, at least, they opened doors + of escape. I liked better some American detective stories which + were traversed from time to time by unkempt fierce and beautiful + girls. Though there was nothing wrong in these stories and though + their intention was sometimes literary they were circulated secretly + at school. One day when Father Butler was hearing the four pages + of Roman History clumsy Leo Dillon was discovered with a copy + of The Halfpenny Marvel .</p> +<p>"This page or this page? This page Now, Dillon, up! 'Hardly had + the day' ... Go on! What day? 'Hardly had the day dawned' ... Have + you studied it? What have you there in your pocket?"</p> +<p>Everyone's heart palpitated as Leo Dillon handed up the paper and + everyone assumed an innocent face. Father Butler turned over the + pages, frowning.</p> +<p>"What is this rubbish?" he said. "The Apache Chief! Is this + what + you read instead of studying your Roman History? Let me not find + any more of this wretched stuff in this college. The man who wrote + it, I suppose, was some wretched fellow who writes these things + for a drink. I'm surprised at boys like you, educated, reading such + stuff. I could understand it if you were ... National School boys. + Now, Dillon, I advise you strongly, get at your work or..."</p> +<p>This rebuke during the sober hours of school paled much of the + glory of the Wild West for me and the confused puffy face of Leo + Dillon awakened one of my consciences. But when the restraining + influence of the school was at a distance I began to hunger again + for wild sensations, for the escape which those chronicles of + disorder alone seemed to offer me. The mimic warfare of the + evening became at last as wearisome to me as the routine of school + in the morning because I wanted real adventures to happen to + myself. But real adventures, I reflected, do not happen to people + who remain at home: they must be sought abroad.</p> +<p>The summer holidays were near at hand when I made up my mind + to break out of the weariness of schoollife for one day at least. + With Leo Dillon and a boy named Mahony I planned a day's + miching. Each of us saved up sixpence. We were to meet at ten in + the morning on the Canal Bridge. Mahony's big sister was to write + an excuse for him and Leo Dillon was to tell his brother to say he + was sick. We arranged to go along the Wharf Road until we came + to the ships, then to cross in the ferryboat and walk out to see the + Pigeon House. Leo Dillon was afraid we might meet Father Butler + or someone out of the college; but Mahony asked, very sensibly, + what would Father Butler be doing out at the Pigeon House. We + were reassured: and I brought the first stage of the plot to an end + by collecting sixpence from the other two, at the same time + showing them my own sixpence. When we were making the last + arrangements on the eve we were all vaguely excited. We shook + hands, laughing, and Mahony said:</p> +<p>"Till tomorrow, mates!"</p> +<p>That night I slept badly. In the morning I was firstcomer to the + bridge as I lived nearest. I hid my books in the long grass near the + ashpit at the end of the garden where nobody ever came and + hurried along the canal bank. It was a mild sunny morning in the + first week of June. I sat up on the coping of the bridge admiring + my frail canvas shoes which I had diligently pipeclayed overnight + and watching the docile horses pulling a tramload of business + people up the hill. All the branches of the tall trees which lined the + mall were gay with little light green leaves and the sunlight slanted + through them on to the water. The granite stone of the bridge was + beginning to be warm and I began to pat it with my hands in time + to an air in my head. I was very happy.</p> +<p>When I had been sitting there for five or ten minutes I saw + Mahony's grey suit approaching. He came up the hill, smiling, and + clambered up beside me on the bridge. While we were waiting he + brought out the catapult which bulged from his inner pocket and + explained some improvements which he had made in it. I asked + him why he had brought it and he told me he had brought it to + have some gas with the birds. Mahony used slang freely, and spoke + of Father Butler as Old Bunser. We waited on for a quarter of an + hour more but still there was no sign of Leo Dillon. Mahony, at + last, jumped down and said:</p> +<p>"Come along. I knew Fatty'd funk it."</p> +<p>"And his sixpence...?" I said.</p> +<p>"That's forfeit," said Mahony. "And so much the better for us--a + bob and a tanner instead of a bob."</p> +<p>We walked along the North Strand Road till we came to the Vitriol + Works and then turned to the right along the Wharf Road. Mahony + began to play the Indian as soon as we were out of public sight. He + chased a crowd of ragged girls, brandishing his unloaded catapult + and, when two ragged boys began, out of chivalry, to fling stones + at us, he proposed that we should charge them. I objected that the + boys were too small and so we walked on, the ragged troop + screaming after us: "Swaddlers! Swaddlers!" thinking that we were + Protestants because Mahony, who was dark-complexioned, wore + the silver badge of a cricket club in his cap. When we came to the + Smoothing Iron we arranged a siege; but it was a failure because + you must have at least three. We revenged ourselves on Leo Dillon + by saying what a funk he was and guessing how many he would + get at three o'clock from Mr. Ryan.</p> +<p>We came then near the river. We spent a long time walking about + the noisy streets flanked by high stone walls, watching the working + of cranes and engines and often being shouted at for our + immobility by the drivers of groaning carts. It was noon when we + reached the quays and as all the labourers seemed to be eating + their lunches, we bought two big currant buns and sat down to eat + them on some metal piping beside the river. We pleased ourselves + with the spectacle of Dublin's commerce--the barges signalled + from far away by their curls of woolly smoke, the brown fishing + fleet beyond Ringsend, the big white sailingvessel which was + being discharged on the opposite quay. Mahony said it would be + right skit to run away to sea on one of those big ships and even I, + looking at the high masts, saw, or imagined, the geography which + had been scantily dosed to me at school gradually taking substance + under my eyes. School and home seemed to recede from us and + their influences upon us seemed to wane.</p> +<p>We crossed the Liffey in the ferryboat, paying our toll to be + transported in the company of two labourers and a little Jew with a + bag. We were serious to the point of solemnity, but once during the + short voyage our eyes met and we laughed. When we landed we + watched the discharging of the graceful threemaster which we had + observed from the other quay. Some bystander said that she was a + Norwegian vessel. I went to the stern and tried to decipher the + legend upon it but, failing to do so, I came back and examined the + foreign sailors to see had any of them green eyes for I had some + confused notion.... The sailors' eyes were blue and grey and even + black. The only sailor whose eyes could have been called green + was a tall man who amused the crowd on the quay by calling out + cheerfully every time the planks fell:</p> +<p>"All right! All right!"</p> +<p>When we were tired of this sight we wandered slowly into + Ringsend. The day had grown sultry, and in the windows of the + grocers' shops musty biscuits lay bleaching. We bought some + biscuits and chocolate which we ate sedulously as we wandered + through the squalid streets where the families of the fishermen + live. We could find no dairy and so we went into a huckster's shop + and bought a bottle of raspberry lemonade each. Refreshed by this, + Mahony chased a cat down a lane, but the cat escaped into a wide + field. We both felt rather tired and when we reached the field we + made at once for a sloping bank over the ridge of which we could + see the Dodder.</p> +<p>It was too late and we were too tired to carry out our project of + visiting the Pigeon House. We had to be home before four o'clock + lest our adventure should be discovered. Mahony looked + regretfully at his catapult and I had to suggest going home by train + before he regained any cheerfulness. The sun went in behind some + clouds and left us to our jaded thoughts and the crumbs of our + provisions.</p> +<p>There was nobody but ourselves in the field. When we had lain on + the bank for some time without speaking I saw a man approaching + from the far end of the field. I watched him lazily as I chewed one + of those green stems on which girls tell fortunes. He came along + by the bank slowly. He walked with one hand upon his hip and in + the other hand he held a stick with which he tapped the turf lightly. + He was shabbily dressed in a suit of greenish-black and wore what + we used to call a jerry hat with a high crown. He seemed to be + fairly old for his moustache was ashen-grey. When he passed at + our feet he glanced up at us quickly and then continued his way. + We followed him with our eyes and saw that when he had gone on + for perhaps fifty paces he turned about and began to retrace his + steps. He walked towards us very slowly, always tapping the + ground with his stick, so slowly that I thought he was looking for + something in the grass.</p> +<p>He stopped when he came level with us and bade us goodday. We + answered him and he sat down beside us on the slope slowly and + with great care. He began to talk of the weather, saying that it + would be a very hot summer and adding that the seasons had + changed gready since he was a boy--a long time ago. He said that + the happiest time of one's life was undoubtedly one's schoolboy + days and that he would give anything to be young again. While he + expressed these sentiments which bored us a little we kept silent. + Then he began to talk of school and of books. He asked us whether + we had read the poetry of Thomas Moore or the works of Sir + Walter Scott and Lord Lytton. I pretended that I had read every + book he mentioned so that in the end he said:</p> +<p>"Ah, I can see you are a bookworm like myself. Now," he added, + pointing to Mahony who was regarding us with open eyes, "he is + different; he goes in for games."</p> +<p>He said he had all Sir Walter Scott's works and all Lord Lytton's + works at home and never tired of reading them. "Of course," he + said, "there were some of Lord Lytton's works which boys couldn't + read." Mahony asked why couldn't boys read them--a question + which agitated and pained me because I was afraid the man would + think I was as stupid as Mahony. The man, however, only smiled. I + saw that he had great gaps in his mouth between his yellow teeth. + Then he asked us which of us had the most sweethearts. Mahony + mentioned lightly that he had three totties. The man asked me how + many I had. I answered that I had none. He did not believe me and + said he was sure I must have one. I was silent.</p> +<p>"Tell us," said Mahony pertly to the man, "how many have you + yourself?"</p> +<p>The man smiled as before and said that when he was our age he + had lots of sweethearts.</p> +<p>"Every boy," he said, "has a little sweetheart."</p> +<p>His attitude on this point struck me as strangely liberal in a man of + his age. In my heart I thought that what he said about boys and + sweethearts was reasonable. But I disliked the words in his mouth + and I wondered why he shivered once or twice as if he feared + something or felt a sudden chill. As he proceeded I noticed that his + accent was good. He began to speak to us about girls, saying what + nice soft hair they had and how soft their hands were and how all + girls were not so good as they seemed to be if one only knew. + There was nothing he liked, he said, so much as looking at a nice + young girl, at her nice white hands and her beautiful soft hair. He + gave me the impression that he was repeating something which he + had learned by heart or that, magnetised by some words of his own + speech, his mind was slowly circling round and round in the same + orbit. At times he spoke as if he were simply alluding to some fact + that everybody knew, and at times he lowered his voice and spoke + mysteriously as if he were telling us something secret which he did + not wish others to overhear. He repeated his phrases over and over + again, varying them and surrounding them with his monotonous + voice. I continued to gaze towards the foot of the slope, listening + to him.</p> +<p>After a long while his monologue paused. He stood up slowly, + saying that he had to leave us for a minute or so, a few minutes, + and, without changing the direction of my gaze, I saw him walking + slowly away from us towards the near end of the field. We + remained silent when he had gone. After a silence of a few + minutes I heard Mahony exclaim:</p> +<p>"I say! Look what he's doing!"</p> +<p>As I neither answered nor raised my eyes Mahony exclaimed + again:</p> +<p>"I say... He's a queer old josser!"</p> +<p>"In case he asks us for our names," I said "let you be Murphy + and I'll + be Smith."</p> +<p>We said nothing further to each other. I was still considering + whether I would go away or not when the man came back and sat + down beside us again. Hardly had he sat down when Mahony, + catching sight of the cat which had escaped him, sprang up and + pursued her across the field. The man and I watched the chase. The + cat escaped once more and Mahony began to throw stones at the + wall she had escaladed. Desisting from this, he began to wander + about the far end of the field, aimlessly.</p> +<p>After an interval the man spoke to me. He said that my friend was + a very rough boy and asked did he get whipped often at school. I + was going to reply indignantly that we were not National School + boys to be whipped, as he called it; but I remained silent. He began + to speak on the subject of chastising boys. His mind, as if + magnetised again by his speech, seemed to circle slowly round and + round its new centre. He said that when boys were that kind they + ought to be whipped and well whipped. When a boy was rough and + unruly there was nothing would do him any good but a good sound + whipping. A slap on the hand or a box on the ear was no good: + what he wanted was to get a nice warm whipping. I was surprised + at this sentiment and involuntarily glanced up at his face. As I did + so I met the gaze of a pair of bottle-green eyes peering at me from + under a twitching forehead. I turned my eyes away again.</p> +<p>The man continued his monologue. He seemed to have forgotten + his recent liberalism. He said that if ever he found a boy talking to + girls or having a girl for a sweetheart he would whip him and whip + him; and that would teach him not to be talking to girls. And if a + boy had a girl for a sweetheart and told lies about it then he would + give him such a whipping as no boy ever got in this world. He said + that there was nothing in this world he would like so well as that. + He described to me how he would whip such a boy as if he were + unfolding some elaborate mystery. He would love that, he said, + better than anything in this world; and his voice, as he led me + monotonously through the mystery, grew almost affectionate and + seemed to plead with me that I should understand him.</p> +<p>I waited till his monologue paused again. Then I stood up abruptly. + Lest I should betray my agitation I delayed a few moments + pretending to fix my shoe properly and then, saying that I was + obliged to go, I bade him good-day. I went up the slope calmly but + my heart was beating quickly with fear that he would seize me by + the ankles. When I reached the top of the slope I turned round and, + without looking at him, called loudly across the field:</p> +<p>"Murphy!"</p> +<p>My voice had an accent of forced bravery in it and I was ashamed of my paltry + stratagem. I had to call the name again before Mahony saw me and hallooed in + answer. How my heart beat as he came running across the field to me! He ran + as if to bring me aid. And I was penitent; for in my heart I had always despised + him a little.</p> +<p> </p> +<h3 align="center">ARABY</h3> +<p>NORTH RICHMOND STREET being blind, was a quiet street + except at the hour when the Christian Brothers' School set the boys + free. An uninhabited house of two storeys stood at the blind end, + detached from its neighbours in a square ground The other houses + of the street, conscious of decent lives within them, gazed at one + another with brown imperturbable faces.</p> +<p>The former tenant of our house, a priest, had died in the back + drawing-room. Air, musty from having been long enclosed, hung + in all the rooms, and the waste room behind the kitchen was + littered with old useless papers. Among these I found a few + paper-covered books, the pages of which were curled and damp: + The Abbot, by Walter Scott, The Devout Communnicant and The + Memoirs of Vidocq. I liked the last best because its leaves were + yellow. The wild garden behind the house contained a central + apple-tree and a few straggling bushes under one of which I found + the late tenant's rusty bicycle-pump. He had been a very charitable + priest; in his will he had left all his money to institutions and the + furniture of his house to his sister.</p> +<p>When the short days of winter came dusk fell before we had well + eaten our dinners. When we met in the street the houses had grown + sombre. The space of sky above us was the colour of + ever-changing violet and towards it the lamps of the street lifted + their feeble lanterns. The cold air stung us and we played till our + bodies glowed. Our shouts echoed in the silent street. The career + of our play brought us through the dark muddy lanes behind the + houses where we ran the gauntlet of the rough tribes from the + cottages, to the back doors of the dark dripping gardens where + odours arose from the ashpits, to the dark odorous stables where a + coachman smoothed and combed the horse or shook music from + the buckled harness. When we returned to the street light from the + kitchen windows had filled the areas. If my uncle was seen turning + the corner we hid in the shadow until we had seen him safely + housed. Or if Mangan's sister came out on the doorstep to call her + brother in to his tea we watched her from our shadow peer up and + down the street. We waited to see whether she would remain or go + in and, if she remained, we left our shadow and walked up to + Mangan's steps resignedly. She was waiting for us, her figure + defined by the light from the half-opened door. Her brother always + teased her before he obeyed and I stood by the railings looking at + her. Her dress swung as she moved her body and the soft rope of + her hair tossed from side to side.</p> +<p>Every morning I lay on the floor in the front parlour watching her + door. The blind was pulled down to within an inch of the sash so + that I could not be seen. When she came out on the doorstep my + heart leaped. I ran to the hall, seized my books and followed her. I + kept her brown figure always in my eye and, when we came near + the point at which our ways diverged, I quickened my pace and + passed her. This happened morning after morning. I had never + spoken to her, except for a few casual words, and yet her name + was like a summons to all my foolish blood.</p> +<p>Her image accompanied me even in places the most hostile to + romance. On Saturday evenings when my aunt went marketing I + had to go to carry some of the parcels. We walked through the + flaring streets, jostled by drunken men and bargaining women, + amid the curses of labourers, the shrill litanies of shop-boys who + stood on guard by the barrels of pigs' cheeks, the nasal chanting of + street-singers, who sang a come-all-you about O'Donovan Rossa, + or a ballad about the troubles in our native land. These noises + converged in a single sensation of life for me: I imagined that I + bore my chalice safely through a throng of foes. Her name sprang + to my lips at moments in strange prayers and praises which I + myself did not understand. My eyes were often full of tears (I + could not tell why) and at times a flood from my heart seemed to + pour itself out into my bosom. I thought little of the future. I did + not know whether I would ever speak to her or not or, if I spoke to + her, how I could tell her of my confused adoration. But my body + was like a harp and her words and gestures were like fingers + running upon the wires.</p> +<p>One evening I went into the back drawing-room in which the priest + had died. It was a dark rainy evening and there was no sound in the + house. Through one of the broken panes I heard the rain impinge + upon the earth, the fine incessant needles of water playing in the + sodden beds. Some distant lamp or lighted window gleamed below + me. I was thankful that I could see so little. All my senses seemed + to desire to veil themselves and, feeling that I was about to slip + from them, I pressed the palms of my hands together until they + trembled, murmuring: "O love! O love!" many times.</p> +<p>At last she spoke to me. When she addressed the first words to me + I was so confused that I did not know what to answer. She asked + me was I going to Araby. I forgot whether I answered yes or no. It + would be a splendid bazaar, she said she would love to go.</p> +<p>"And why can't you?" I asked.</p> +<p>While she spoke she turned a silver bracelet round and round her + wrist. She could not go, she said, because there would be a retreat + that week in her convent. Her brother and two other boys were + fighting for their caps and I was alone at the railings. She held one + of the spikes, bowing her head towards me. The light from the + lamp opposite our door caught the white curve of her neck, lit up + her hair that rested there and, falling, lit up the hand upon the + railing. It fell over one side of her dress and caught the white + border of a petticoat, just visible as she stood at ease.</p> +<p>"It's well for you," she said.</p> +<p>"If I go," I said, "I will bring you something."</p> +<p>What innumerable follies laid waste my waking and sleeping + thoughts after that evening! I wished to annihilate the tedious + intervening days. I chafed against the work of school. At night in + my bedroom and by day in the classroom her image came between + me and the page I strove to read. The syllables of the word Araby + were called to me through the silence in which my soul luxuriated + and cast an Eastern enchantment over me. I asked for leave to go + to the bazaar on Saturday night. My aunt was surprised and hoped + it was not some Freemason affair. I answered few questions in + class. I watched my master's face pass from amiability to + sternness; he hoped I was not beginning to idle. I could not call my + wandering thoughts together. I had hardly any patience with the + serious work of life which, now that it stood between me and my + desire, seemed to me child's play, ugly monotonous child's play.</p> +<p>On Saturday morning I reminded my uncle that I wished to go to + the bazaar in the evening. He was fussing at the hallstand, looking + for the hat-brush, and answered me curtly:</p> +<p>"Yes, boy, I know."</p> +<p>As he was in the hall I could not go into the front parlour and lie at + the window. I left the house in bad humour and walked slowly + towards the school. The air was pitilessly raw and already my heart + misgave me.</p> +<p>When I came home to dinner my uncle had not yet been home. + Still it was early. I sat staring at the clock for some time and. when + its ticking began to irritate me, I left the room. I mounted the + staircase and gained the upper part of the house. The high cold + empty gloomy rooms liberated me and I went from room to room + singing. From the front window I saw my companions playing + below in the street. Their cries reached me weakened and + indistinct and, leaning my forehead against the cool glass, I looked + over at the dark house where she lived. I may have stood there for + an hour, seeing nothing but the brown-clad figure cast by my + imagination, touched discreetly by the lamplight at the curved + neck, at the hand upon the railings and at the border below the + dress.</p> +<p>When I came downstairs again I found Mrs. Mercer sitting at the + fire. She was an old garrulous woman, a pawnbroker's widow, who + collected used stamps for some pious purpose. I had to endure the + gossip of the tea-table. The meal was prolonged beyond an hour + and still my uncle did not come. Mrs. Mercer stood up to go: she + was sorry she couldn't wait any longer, but it was after eight + o'clock and she did not like to be out late as the night air was bad + for her. When she had gone I began to walk up and down the + room, clenching my fists. My aunt said:</p> +<p>"I'm afraid you may put off your bazaar for this night of Our Lord."</p> +<p>At nine o'clock I heard my uncle's latchkey in the halldoor. I heard + him talking to himself and heard the hallstand rocking when it had + received the weight of his overcoat. I could interpret these signs. + When he was midway through his dinner I asked him to give me + the money to go to the bazaar. He had forgotten.</p> +<p>"The people are in bed and after their first sleep now," he said.</p> +<p>I did not smile. My aunt said to him energetically:</p> +<p>"Can't you give him the money and let him go? You've kept him + late enough as it is."</p> +<p>My uncle said he was very sorry he had forgotten. He said he + believed in the old saying: "All work and no play makes Jack a + dull boy." He asked me where I was going and, when I had told + him a second time he asked me did I know The Arab's Farewell to + his Steed. When I left the kitchen he was about to recite the + opening lines of the piece to my aunt.</p> +<p>I held a florin tightly in my hand as I strode down Buckingham Street towards + the station. The sight of the streets thronged with buyers and glaring with + gas recalled to me the purpose of my journey. I took my seat in a third-class + carriage of a deserted train. After an intolerable delay the train moved out + of the station slowly. It crept onward among ruinous house and over the twinkling + river. At Westland Row Station a crowd of people pressed to the carriage doors; + but the porters moved them back, saying that it was a special train for the + bazaar. I remained alone in the bare carriage. In a few minutes the train drew + up beside an improvised wooden platform. I passed out on to the road and saw + by the lighted dial of a clock that it was ten minutes to ten. In front of me + was a large building which displayed the magical name.</p> +<p>I could not find any sixpenny entrance and, fearing that the bazaar + would be closed, I passed in quickly through a turnstile, handing a + shilling to a weary-looking man. I found myself in a big hall + girdled at half its height by a gallery. Nearly all the stalls were + closed and the greater part of the hall was in darkness. I recognised + a silence like that which pervades a church after a service. I + walked into the centre of the bazaar timidly. A few people were + gathered about the stalls which were still open. Before a curtain, + over which the words Cafe Chantant were written in coloured + lamps, two men were counting money on a salver. I listened to the + fall of the coins.</p> +<p>Remembering with difficulty why I had come I went over to one of + the stalls and examined porcelain vases and flowered tea- sets. At + the door of the stall a young lady was talking and laughing with + two young gentlemen. I remarked their English accents and + listened vaguely to their conversation.</p> +<p>"O, I never said such a thing!"</p> +<p>"O, but you did!"</p> +<p>"O, but I didn't!"</p> +<p>"Didn't she say that?"</p> +<p>"Yes. I heard her."</p> +<p>"0, there's a ... fib!"</p> +<p>Observing me the young lady came over and asked me did I wish + to buy anything. The tone of her voice was not encouraging; she + seemed to have spoken to me out of a sense of duty. I looked + humbly at the great jars that stood like eastern guards at either side + of the dark entrance to the stall and murmured:</p> +<p>"No, thank you."</p> +<p>The young lady changed the position of one of the vases and went + back to the two young men. They began to talk of the same + subject. Once or twice the young lady glanced at me over her + shoulder.</p> +<p>I lingered before her stall, though I knew my stay was useless, to + make my interest in her wares seem the more real. Then I turned + away slowly and walked down the middle of the bazaar. I allowed + the two pennies to fall against the sixpence in my pocket. I heard a + voice call from one end of the gallery that the light was out. The + upper part of the hall was now completely dark.</p> +<p>Gazing up into the darkness I saw myself as a creature driven and derided by + vanity; and my eyes burned with anguish and anger.</p> +<p> </p> +<h3 align="center">EVELINE</h3> +<p>SHE sat at the window watching the evening invade the avenue. + Her head was leaned against the window curtains and in her + nostrils was the odour of dusty cretonne. She was tired.</p> +<p>Few people passed. The man out of the last house passed on his + way home; she heard his footsteps clacking along the concrete + pavement and afterwards crunching on the cinder path before the + new red houses. One time there used to be a field there in which + they used to play every evening with other people's children. Then + a man from Belfast bought the field and built houses in it--not + like their little brown houses but bright brick houses with shining + roofs. The children of the avenue used to play together in that field + --the Devines, the Waters, the Dunns, little Keogh the cripple, she + and her brothers and sisters. Ernest, however, never played: he was + too grown up. Her father used often to hunt them in out of the field + with his blackthorn stick; but usually little Keogh used to keep nix + and call out when he saw her father coming. Still they seemed to + have been rather happy then. Her father was not so bad then; and + besides, her mother was alive. That was a long time ago; she and + her brothers and sisters were all grown up her mother was dead. + Tizzie Dunn was dead, too, and the Waters had gone back to + England. Everything changes. Now she was going to go away like + the others, to leave her home.</p> +<p>Home! She looked round the room, reviewing all its familiar + objects which she had dusted once a week for so many years, + wondering where on earth all the dust came from. Perhaps she + would never see again those familiar objects from which she had + never dreamed of being divided. And yet during all those years she + had never found out the name of the priest whose yellowing + photograph hung on the wall above the broken harmonium beside + the coloured print of the promises made to Blessed Margaret Mary + Alacoque. He had been a school friend of her father. Whenever he + showed the photograph to a visitor her father used to pass it with a + casual word:</p> +<p>"He is in Melbourne now."</p> +<p>She had consented to go away, to leave her home. Was that wise? + She tried to weigh each side of the question. In her home anyway + she had shelter and food; she had those whom she had known all + her life about her. O course she had to work hard, both in the + house and at business. What would they say of her in the Stores + when they found out that she had run away with a fellow? Say she + was a fool, perhaps; and her place would be filled up by + advertisement. Miss Gavan would be glad. She had always had an + edge on her, especially whenever there were people listening.</p> +<p>"Miss Hill, don't you see these ladies are waiting?"</p> +<p>"Look lively, Miss Hill, please."</p> +<p>She would not cry many tears at leaving the Stores.</p> +<p>But in her new home, in a distant unknown country, it would not + be like that. Then she would be married--she, Eveline. People + would treat her with respect then. She would not be treated as her + mother had been. Even now, though she was over nineteen, she + sometimes felt herself in danger of her father's violence. She knew + it was that that had given her the palpitations. When they were + growing up he had never gone for her like he used to go for Harry + and Ernest, because she was a girl but latterly he had begun to + threaten her and say what he would do to her only for her dead + mother's sake. And no she had nobody to protect her. Ernest was + dead and Harry, who was in the church decorating business, was + nearly always down somewhere in the country. Besides, the + invariable squabble for money on Saturday nights had begun to + weary her unspeakably. She always gave her entire wages--seven + shillings--and Harry always sent up what he could but the trouble + was to get any money from her father. He said she used to + squander the money, that she had no head, that he wasn't going to + give her his hard-earned money to throw about the streets, and + much more, for he was usually fairly bad on Saturday night. In the + end he would give her the money and ask her had she any intention + of buying Sunday's dinner. Then she had to rush out as quickly as + she could and do her marketing, holding her black leather purse + tightly in her hand as she elbowed her way through the crowds and + returning home late under her load of provisions. She had hard + work to keep the house together and to see that the two young + children who had been left to hr charge went to school regularly + and got their meals regularly. It was hard work--a hard life--but + now that she was about to leave it she did not find it a wholly + undesirable life.</p> +<p>She was about to explore another life with Frank. Frank was very + kind, manly, open-hearted. She was to go away with him by the + night-boat to be his wife and to live with him in Buenos Ayres + where he had a home waiting for her. How well she remembered + the first time she had seen him; he was lodging in a house on the + main road where she used to visit. It seemed a few weeks ago. He + was standing at the gate, his peaked cap pushed back on his head + and his hair tumbled forward over a face of bronze. Then they had + come to know each other. He used to meet her outside the Stores + every evening and see her home. He took her to see The Bohemian + Girl and she felt elated as she sat in an unaccustomed part of the + theatre with him. He was awfully fond of music and sang a little. + People knew that they were courting and, when he sang about the + lass that loves a sailor, she always felt pleasantly confused. He + used to call her Poppens out of fun. First of all it had been an + excitement for her to have a fellow and then she had begun to like + him. He had tales of distant countries. He had started as a deck boy + at a pound a month on a ship of the Allan Line going out to + Canada. He told her the names of the ships he had been on and the + names of the different services. He had sailed through the Straits + of Magellan and he told her stories of the terrible Patagonians. He + had fallen on his feet in Buenos Ayres, he said, and had come over + to the old country just for a holiday. Of course, her father had + found out the affair and had forbidden her to have anything to say + to him.</p> +<p>"I know these sailor chaps," he said.</p> +<p>One day he had quarrelled with Frank and after that she had to + meet her lover secretly.</p> +<p>The evening deepened in the avenue. The white of two letters in + her lap grew indistinct. One was to Harry; the other was to her + father. Ernest had been her favourite but she liked Harry too. Her + father was becoming old lately, she noticed; he would miss her. + Sometimes he could be very nice. Not long before, when she had + been laid up for a day, he had read her out a ghost story and made + toast for her at the fire. Another day, when their mother was alive, + they had all gone for a picnic to the Hill of Howth. She + remembered her father putting on her mothers bonnet to make the + children laugh.</p> +<p>Her time was running out but she continued to sit by the window, + leaning her head against the window curtain, inhaling the odour of + dusty cretonne. Down far in the avenue she could hear a street + organ playing. She knew the air Strange that it should come that + very night to remind her of the promise to her mother, her promise + to keep the home together as long as she could. She remembered + the last night of her mother's illness; she was again in the close + dark room at the other side of the hall and outside she heard a + melancholy air of Italy. The organ-player had been ordered to go + away and given sixpence. She remembered her father strutting + back into the sickroom saying:</p> +<p>"Damned Italians! coming over here!"</p> +<p>As she mused the pitiful vision of her mother's life laid its spell on + the very quick of her being--that life of commonplace sacrifices + closing in final craziness. She trembled as she heard again her + mother's voice saying constantly with foolish insistence:</p> +<p>"Derevaun Seraun! Derevaun Seraun!"</p> +<p>She stood up in a sudden impulse of terror. Escape! She must + escape! Frank would save her. He would give her life, perhaps + love, too. But she wanted to live. Why should she be unhappy? She + had a right to happiness. Frank would take her in his arms, fold her + in his arms. He would save her.</p> +<p>She stood among the swaying crowd in the station at the North + Wall. He held her hand and she knew that he was speaking to her, + saying something about the passage over and over again. The + station was full of soldiers with brown baggages. Through the wide + doors of the sheds she caught a glimpse of the black mass of the + boat, lying in beside the quay wall, with illumined portholes. She + answered nothing. She felt her cheek pale and cold and, out of a + maze of distress, she prayed to God to direct her, to show her what + was her duty. The boat blew a long mournful whistle into the mist. + If she went, tomorrow she would be on the sea with Frank, + steaming towards Buenos Ayres. Their passage had been booked. + Could she still draw back after all he had done for her? Her + distress awoke a nausea in her body and she kept moving her lips + in silent fervent prayer.</p> +<p>A bell clanged upon her heart. She felt him seize her hand:</p> +<p>"Come!"</p> +<p>All the seas of the world tumbled about her heart. He was drawing + her into them: he would drown her. She gripped with both hands at + the iron railing.</p> +<p>"Come!"</p> +<p>No! No! No! It was impossible. Her hands clutched the iron in + frenzy. Amid the seas she sent a cry of anguish.</p> +<p>"Eveline! Evvy!"</p> +<p>He rushed beyond the barrier and called to her to follow. He was shouted at + to go on but he still called to her. She set her white face to him, passive, + like a helpless animal. Her eyes gave him no sign of love or farewell or recognition.</p> +<p> </p> +<h3 align="center">AFTER THE RACE</h3> +<p>THE cars came scudding in towards Dublin, running evenly like + pellets in the groove of the Naas Road. At the crest of the hill at + Inchicore sightseers had gathered in clumps to watch the cars + careering homeward and through this channel of poverty and + inaction the Continent sped its wealth and industry. Now and again + the clumps of people raised the cheer of the gratefully oppressed. + Their sympathy, however, was for the blue cars--the cars of their + friends, the French.</p> +<p>The French, moreover, were virtual victors. Their team had + finished solidly; they had been placed second and third and the + driver of the winning German car was reported a Belgian. Each + blue car, therefore, received a double measure of welcome as it + topped the crest of the hill and each cheer of welcome was + acknowledged with smiles and nods by those in the car. In one of + these trimly built cars was a party of four young men whose spirits + seemed to be at present well above the level of successful + Gallicism: in fact, these four young men were almost hilarious. + They were Charles Segouin, the owner of the car; Andre Riviere, a + young electrician of Canadian birth; a huge Hungarian named + Villona and a neatly groomed young man named Doyle. Segouin + was in good humour because he had unexpectedly received some + orders in advance (he was about to start a motor establishment in + Paris) and Riviere was in good humour because he was to be + appointed manager of the establishment; these two young men + (who were cousins) were also in good humour because of the + success of the French cars. Villona was in good humour because + he had had a very satisfactory luncheon; and besides he was an + optimist by nature. The fourth member of the party, however, was + too excited to be genuinely happy.</p> +<p>He was about twenty-six years of age, with a soft, light brown + moustache and rather innocent-looking grey eyes. His father, who + had begun life as an advanced Nationalist, had modified his views + early. He had made his money as a butcher in Kingstown and by + opening shops in Dublin and in the suburbs he had made his + money many times over. He had also been fortunate enough to + secure some of the police contracts and in the end he had become + rich enough to be alluded to in the Dublin newspapers as a + merchant prince. He had sent his son to England to be educated in + a big Catholic college and had afterwards sent him to Dublin + University to study law. Jimmy did not study very earnestly and + took to bad courses for a while. He had money and he was popular; + and he divided his time curiously between musical and motoring + circles. Then he had been sent for a term to Cambridge to see a + little life. His father, remonstrative, but covertly proud of the + excess, had paid his bills and brought him home. It was at + Cambridge that he had met Segouin. They were not much more + than acquaintances as yet but Jimmy found great pleasure in the + society of one who had seen so much of the world and was reputed + to own some of the biggest hotels in France. Such a person (as his + father agreed) was well worth knowing, even if he had not been + the charming companion he was. Villona was entertaining also--a + brilliant pianist--but, unfortunately, very poor.</p> +<p>The car ran on merrily with its cargo of hilarious youth. The two + cousins sat on the front seat; Jimmy and his Hungarian friend sat + behind. Decidedly Villona was in excellent spirits; he kept up a + deep bass hum of melody for miles of the road The Frenchmen + flung their laughter and light words over their shoulders and often + Jimmy had to strain forward to catch the quick phrase. This was + not altogether pleasant for him, as he had nearly always to make a + deft guess at the meaning and shout back a suitable answer in the + face of a high wind. Besides Villona's humming would confuse + anybody; the noise of the car, too.</p> +<p>Rapid motion through space elates one; so does notoriety; so does + the possession of money. These were three good reasons for + Jimmy's excitement. He had been seen by many of his friends that + day in the company of these Continentals. At the control Segouin + had presented him to one of the French competitors and, in answer + to his confused murmur of compliment, the swarthy face of the + driver had disclosed a line of shining white teeth. It was pleasant + after that honour to return to the profane world of spectators amid + nudges and significant looks. Then as to money--he really had a + great sum under his control. Segouin, perhaps, would not think it a + great sum but Jimmy who, in spite of temporary errors, was at + heart the inheritor of solid instincts knew well with what difficulty + it had been got together. This knowledge had previously kept his + bills within the limits of reasonable recklessness, and if he had + been so conscious of the labour latent in money when there had + been question merely of some freak of the higher intelligence, how + much more so now when he was about to stake the greater part of + his substance! It was a serious thing for him.</p> +<p>Of course, the investment was a good one and Segouin had + managed to give the impression that it was by a favour of + friendship the mite of Irish money was to be included in the capital + of the concern. Jimmy had a respect for his father's shrewdness in + business matters and in this case it had been his father who had + first suggested the investment; money to be made in the motor + business, pots of money. Moreover Segouin had the unmistakable + air of wealth. Jimmy set out to translate into days' work that lordly + car in which he sat. How smoothly it ran. In what style they had + come careering along the country roads! The journey laid a + magical finger on the genuine pulse of life and gallantly the + machinery of human nerves strove to answer the bounding courses + of the swift blue animal.</p> +<p>They drove down Dame Street. The street was busy with unusual + traffic, loud with the horns of motorists and the gongs of impatient + tram-drivers. Near the Bank Segouin drew up and Jimmy and his + friend alighted. A little knot of people collected on the footpath to + pay homage to the snorting motor. The party was to dine together + that evening in Segouin's hotel and, meanwhile, Jimmy and his + friend, who was staying with him, were to go home to dress. The + car steered out slowly for Grafton Street while the two young men + pushed their way through the knot of gazers. They walked + northward with a curious feeling of disappointment in the exercise, + while the city hung its pale globes of light above them in a haze of + summer evening.</p> +<p>In Jimmy's house this dinner had been pronounced an occasion. A + certain pride mingled with his parents' trepidation, a certain + eagerness, also, to play fast and loose for the names of great + foreign cities have at least this virtue. Jimmy, too, looked very + well when he was dressed and, as he stood in the hall giving a last + equation to the bows of his dress tie, his father may have felt even + commercially satisfied at having secured for his son qualities often + unpurchaseable. His father, therefore, was unusually friendly with + Villona and his manner expressed a real respect for foreign + accomplishments; but this subtlety of his host was probably lost + upon the Hungarian, who was beginning to have a sharp desire for + his dinner.</p> +<p>The dinner was excellent, exquisite. Segouin, Jimmy decided, had + a very refined taste. The party was increased by a young + Englishman named Routh whom Jimmy had seen with Segouin at + Cambridge. The young men supped in a snug room lit by electric + candle lamps. They talked volubly and with little reserve. Jimmy, + whose imagination was kindling, conceived the lively youth of the + Frenchmen twined elegantly upon the firm framework of the + Englishman's manner. A graceful image of his, he thought, and a + just one. He admired the dexterity with which their host directed + the conversation. The five young men had various tastes and their + tongues had been loosened. Villona, with immense respect, began + to discover to the mildly surprised Englishman the beauties of the + English madrigal, deploring the loss of old instruments. Riviere, + not wholly ingenuously, undertook to explain to Jimmy the + triumph of the French mechanicians. The resonant voice of the + Hungarian was about to prevail in ridicule of the spurious lutes of + the romantic painters when Segouin shepherded his party into + politics. Here was congenial ground for all. Jimmy, under generous + influences, felt the buried zeal of his father wake to life within + him: he aroused the torpid Routh at last. The room grew doubly + hot and Segouin's task grew harder each moment: there was even + danger of personal spite. The alert host at an opportunity lifted his + glass to Humanity and, when the toast had been drunk, he threw + open a window significantly.</p> +<p>That night the city wore the mask of a capital. The five young men + strolled along Stephen's Green in a faint cloud of aromatic smoke. + They talked loudly and gaily and their cloaks dangled from their + shoulders. The people made way for them. At the corner of + Grafton Street a short fat man was putting two handsome ladies on + a car in charge of another fat man. The car drove off and the short + fat man caught sight of the party.</p> +<p>"Andre."</p> +<p>"It's Farley!"</p> +<p>A torrent of talk followed. Farley was an American. No one knew + very well what the talk was about. Villona and Riviere were the + noisiest, but all the men were excited. They got up on a car, + squeezing themselves together amid much laughter. They drove by + the crowd, blended now into soft colours, to a music of merry + bells. They took the train at Westland Row and in a few seconds, + as it seemed to Jimmy, they were walking out of Kingstown + Station. The ticket-collector saluted Jimmy; he was an old man:</p> +<p>"Fine night, sir!"</p> +<p>It was a serene summer night; the harbour lay like a darkened + mirror at their feet. They proceeded towards it with linked arms, + singing Cadet Roussel in chorus, stamping their feet at every:</p> +<p>"Ho! Ho! Hohe, vraiment!"</p> +<p>They got into a rowboat at the slip and made out for the + American's yacht. There was to be supper, music, cards. Villona + said with conviction:</p> +<p>"It is delightful!"</p> +<p>There was a yacht piano in the cabin. Villona played a waltz for + Farley and Riviere, Farley acting as cavalier and Riviere as lady. + Then an impromptu square dance, the men devising original + figures. What merriment! Jimmy took his part with a will; this was + seeing life, at least. Then Farley got out of breath and cried "Stop!" + A man brought in a light supper, and the young men sat down to it + for form's sake. They drank, however: it was Bohemian. They + drank Ireland, England, France, Hungary, the United States of + America. Jimmy made a speech, a long speech, Villona saying: + "Hear! hear!" whenever there was a pause. There was a great + clapping of hands when he sat down. It must have been a good + speech. Farley clapped him on the back and laughed loudly. What + jovial fellows! What good company they were!</p> +<p>Cards! cards! The table was cleared. Villona returned quietly to his + piano and played voluntaries for them. The other men played game + after game, flinging themselves boldly into the adventure. They + drank the health of the Queen of Hearts and of the Queen of + Diamonds. Jimmy felt obscurely the lack of an audience: the wit + was flashing. Play ran very high and paper began to pass. Jimmy + did not know exactly who was winning but he knew that he was + losing. But it was his own fault for he frequently mistook his cards + and the other men had to calculate his I.O.U.'s for him. They were + devils of fellows but he wished they would stop: it was getting late. + Someone gave the toast of the yacht The Belle of Newport and + then someone proposed one great game for a finish.</p> +<p>The piano had stopped; Villona must have gone up on deck. It was + a terrible game. They stopped just before the end of it to drink for + luck. Jimmy understood that the game lay between Routh and + Segouin. What excitement! Jimmy was excited too; he would lose, + of course. How much had he written away? The men rose to their + feet to play the last tricks. talking and gesticulating. Routh won. + The cabin shook with the young men's cheering and the cards were + bundled together. They began then to gather in what they had won. + Farley and Jimmy were the heaviest losers.</p> +<p>He knew that he would regret in the morning but at present he was + glad of the rest, glad of the dark stupor that would cover up his + folly. He leaned his elbows on the table and rested his head + between his hands, counting the beats of his temples. The cabin + door opened and he saw the Hungarian standing in a shaft of grey + light:</p> +<p>"Daybreak, gentlemen!"</p> +<p> </p> +<h3 align="center">TWO GALLANTS</h3> +<p>THE grey warm evening of August had descended upon the city and a mild warm + air, a memory of summer, circulated in the streets. The streets, shuttered for + the repose of Sunday, swarmed with a gaily coloured crowd. Like illumined pearls + the lamps shone from the summits of their tall poles upon the living texture + below which, changing shape and hue unceasingly, sent up into the warm grey + evening air an unchanging unceasing murmur.</p> +<p>Two young men came down the hill of Rutland Square. On of + them was just bringing a long monologue to a close. The other, + who walked on the verge of the path and was at times obliged to + step on to the road, owing to his companion's rudeness, wore an + amused listening face. He was squat and ruddy. A yachting cap + was shoved far back from his forehead and the narrative to which + he listened made constant waves of expression break forth over his + face from the corners of his nose and eyes and mouth. Little jets of + wheezing laughter followed one another out of his convulsed body. + His eyes, twinkling with cunning enjoyment, glanced at every + moment towards his companion's face. Once or twice he + rearranged the light waterproof which he had slung over one + shoulder in toreador fashion. His breeches, his white rubber shoes + and his jauntily slung waterproof expressed youth. But his figure + fell into rotundity at the waist, his hair was scant and grey and his + face, when the waves of expression had passed over it, had a + ravaged look.</p> +<p>When he was quite sure that the narrative had ended he laughed + noiselessly for fully half a minute. Then he said:</p> +<p>"Well!... That takes the biscuit!"</p> +<p>His voice seemed winnowed of vigour; and to enforce his words he + added with humour:</p> +<p>"That takes the solitary, unique, and, if I may so call it, recherche + biscuit! "</p> +<p>He became serious and silent when he had said this. His tongue + was tired for he had been talking all the afternoon in a + public-house in Dorset Street. Most people considered Lenehan a + leech but, in spite of this reputation, his adroitness and eloquence + had always prevented his friends from forming any general policy + against him. He had a brave manner of coming up to a party of + them in a bar and of holding himself nimbly at the borders of the + company until he was included in a round. He was a sporting + vagrant armed with a vast stock of stories, limericks and riddles. + He was insensitive to all kinds of discourtesy. No one knew how + he achieved the stern task of living, but his name was vaguely + associated with racing tissues.</p> +<p>"And where did you pick her up, Corley?" he asked.</p> +<p>Corley ran his tongue swiftly along his upper lip.</p> +<p>"One night, man," he said, "I was going along Dame Street and + I + spotted a fine tart under Waterhouse's clock and said good- night, + you know. So we went for a walk round by the canal and she told + me she was a slavey in a house in Baggot Street. I put my arm + round her and squeezed her a bit that night. Then next Sunday, + man, I met her by appointment. We vent out to Donnybrook and I + brought her into a field there. She told me she used to go with a + dairyman.... It was fine, man. Cigarettes every night she'd bring me + and paying the tram out and back. And one night she brought me + two bloody fine cigars--O, the real cheese, you know, that the old + fellow used to smoke.... I was afraid, man, she'd get in the family + way. But she's up to the dodge."</p> +<p>"Maybe she thinks you'll marry her," said Lenehan.</p> +<p>"I told her I was out of a job," said Corley. "I told her I + was in + Pim's. She doesn't know my name. I was too hairy to tell her that. + But she thinks I'm a bit of class, you know."</p> +<p>Lenehan laughed again, noiselessly.</p> +<p>"Of all the good ones ever I heard," he said, "that emphatically + takes the biscuit."</p> +<p>Corley's stride acknowledged the compliment. The swing of his + burly body made his friend execute a few light skips from the path + to the roadway and back again. Corley was the son of an inspector + of police and he had inherited his father's frame and gut. He + walked with his hands by his sides, holding himself erect and + swaying his head from side to side. His head was large, globular + and oily; it sweated in all weathers; and his large round hat, set + upon it sideways, looked like a bulb which had grown out of + another. He always stared straight before him as if he were on + parade and, when he wished to gaze after someone in the street, it + was necessary for him to move his body from the hips. At present + he was about town. Whenever any job was vacant a friend was + always ready to give him the hard word. He was often to be seen + walking with policemen in plain clothes, talking earnestly. He + knew the inner side of all affairs and was fond of delivering final + judgments. He spoke without listening to the speech of his + companions. His conversation was mainly about himself what he + had said to such a person and what such a person had said to him + and what he had said to settle the matter. When he reported these + dialogues he aspirated the first letter of his name after the manner + of Florentines.</p> +<p>Lenehan offered his friend a cigarette. As the two young men + walked on through the crowd Corley occasionally turned to smile + at some of the passing girls but Lenehan's gaze was fixed on the + large faint moon circled with a double halo. He watched earnestly + the passing of the grey web of twilight across its face. At length he + said:</p> +<p>"Well... tell me, Corley, I suppose you'll be able to pull it off all + right, eh?"</p> +<p>Corley closed one eye expressively as an answer.</p> +<p>"Is she game for that?" asked Lenehan dubiously. "You can never + know women."</p> +<p>"She's all right," said Corley. "I know the way to get around + her, + man. She's a bit gone on me."</p> +<p>"You're what I call a gay Lothario," said Lenehan. "And the + proper + kind of a Lothario, too!"</p> +<p>A shade of mockery relieved the servility of his manner. To save + himself he had the habit of leaving his flattery open to the + interpretation of raillery. But Corley had not a subtle mind.</p> +<p>"There's nothing to touch a good slavey," he affirmed. "Take + my + tip for it."</p> +<p>"By one who has tried them all," said Lenehan.</p> +<p>"First I used to go with girls, you know," said Corley, unbosoming; + "girls off the South Circular. I used to take them out, man, on the + tram somewhere and pay the tram or take them to a band or a play + at the theatre or buy them chocolate and sweets or something that + way. I used to spend money on them right enough," he added, in a + convincing tone, as if he was conscious of being disbelieved.</p> +<p>But Lenehan could well believe it; he nodded gravely.</p> +<p>"I know that game," he said, "and it's a mug's game."</p> +<p>"And damn the thing I ever got out of it," said Corley.</p> +<p>"Ditto here," said Lenehan.</p> +<p>"Only off of one of them," said Corley.</p> +<p>He moistened his upper lip by running his tongue along it. The + recollection brightened his eyes. He too gazed at the pale disc of + the moon, now nearly veiled, and seemed to meditate.</p> +<p>She was... a bit of all right," he said regretfully.</p> +<p>He was silent again. Then he added:</p> +<p>"She's on the turf now. I saw her driving down Earl Street one + night with two fellows with her on a car."</p> +<p>"I suppose that's your doing," said Lenehan.</p> +<p>"There was others at her before me," said Corley philosophically.</p> +<p>This time Lenehan was inclined to disbelieve. He shook his head + to and fro and smiled.</p> +<p>"You know you can't kid me, Corley," he said.</p> +<p>"Honest to God!" said Corley. "Didn't she tell me herself?"</p> +<p>Lenehan made a tragic gesture.</p> +<p>"Base betrayer!" he said.</p> +<p>As they passed along the railings of Trinity College, Lenehan + skipped out into the road and peered up at the clock.</p> +<p>"Twenty after," he said.</p> +<p>"Time enough," said Corley. "She'll be there all right. I always + let + her wait a bit."</p> +<p>Lenehan laughed quietly.</p> +<p>'Ecod! Corley, you know how to take them," he said.</p> +<p>"I'm up to all their little tricks," Corley confessed.</p> +<p>"But tell me," said Lenehan again, "are you sure you can bring + it + off all right? You know it's a ticklish job. They're damn close on + that point. Eh? ... What?"</p> +<p>His bright, small eyes searched his companion's face for + reassurance. Corley swung his head to and fro as if to toss aside an + insistent insect, and his brows gathered.</p> +<p>"I'll pull it off," he said. "Leave it to me, can't you?"</p> +<p>Lenehan said no more. He did not wish to ruffle his friend's + temper, to be sent to the devil and told that his advice was not + wanted. A little tact was necessary. But Corley's brow was soon + smooth again. His thoughts were running another way.</p> +<p>"She's a fine decent tart," he said, with appreciation; "that's + what + she is."</p> +<p>They walked along Nassau Street and then turned into Kildare + Street. Not far from the porch of the club a harpist stood in the + roadway, playing to a little ring of listeners. He plucked at the + wires heedlessly, glancing quickly from time to time at the face of + each new-comer and from time to time, wearily also, at the sky. + His harp, too, heedless that her coverings had fallen about her + knees, seemed weary alike of the eyes of strangers and of her + master's hands. One hand played in the bass the melody of Silent, + O Moyle, while the other hand careered in the treble after each + group of notes. The notes of the air sounded deep and full.</p> +<p>The two young men walked up the street without speaking, the + mournful music following them. When they reached Stephen's + Green they crossed the road. Here the noise of trams, the lights and + the crowd released them from their silence.</p> +<p>"There she is!" said Corley.</p> +<p>At the corner of Hume Street a young woman was standing. She + wore a blue dress and a white sailor hat. She stood on the + curbstone, swinging a sunshade in one hand. Lenehan grew lively.</p> +<p>"Let's have a look at her, Corley," he said.</p> +<p>Corley glanced sideways at his friend and an unpleasant grin + appeared on his face.</p> +<p>"Are you trying to get inside me?" he asked.</p> +<p>"Damn it!" said Lenehan boldly, "I don't want an introduction. + All I + want is to have a look at her. I'm not going to eat her."</p> +<p>"O ... A look at her?" said Corley, more amiably. "Well... I'll + tell + you what. I'll go over and talk to her and you can pass by."</p> +<p>"Right!" said Lenehan.</p> +<p>Corley had already thrown one leg over the chains when Lenehan + called out:</p> +<p>"And after? Where will we meet?"</p> +<p>"Half ten," answered Corley, bringing over his other leg.</p> +<p>"Where?"</p> +<p>"Corner of Merrion Street. We'll be coming back."</p> +<p>"Work it all right now," said Lenehan in farewell.</p> +<p>Corley did not answer. He sauntered across the road swaying his + head from side to side. His bulk, his easy pace, and the solid sound + of his boots had something of the conqueror in them. He + approached the young woman and, without saluting, began at once + to converse with her. She swung her umbrella more quickly and + executed half turns on her heels. Once or twice when he spoke to + her at close quarters she laughed and bent her head.</p> +<p>Lenehan observed them for a few minutes. Then he walked rapidly + along beside the chains at some distance and crossed the road + obliquely. As he approached Hume Street corner he found the air + heavily scented and his eyes made a swift anxious scrutiny of the + young woman's appearance. She had her Sunday finery on. Her + blue serge skirt was held at the waist by a belt of black leather. + The great silver buckle of her belt seemed to depress the centre of + her body, catching the light stuff of her white blouse like a clip. + She wore a short black jacket with mother-of-pearl buttons and a + ragged black boa. The ends of her tulle collarette had been + carefully disordered and a big bunch of red flowers was pinned in + her bosom stems upwards. Lenehan's eyes noted approvingly her + stout short muscular body. rank rude health glowed in her face, on + her fat red cheeks and in her unabashed blue eyes. Her features + were blunt. She had broad nostrils, a straggling mouth which lay + open in a contented leer, and two projecting front teeth. As he + passed Lenehan took off his cap and, after about ten seconds, + Corley returned a salute to the air. This he did by raising his hand + vaguely and pensively changing the angle of position of his hat.</p> +<p>Lenehan walked as far as the Shelbourne Hotel where he halted + and waited. After waiting for a little time he saw them coming + towards him and, when they turned to the right, he followed them, + stepping lightly in his white shoes, down one side of Merrion + Square. As he walked on slowly, timing his pace to theirs, he + watched Corley's head which turned at every moment towards the + young woman's face like a big ball revolving on a pivot. He kept + the pair in view until he had seen them climbing the stairs of the + Donnybrook tram; then he turned about and went back the way he + had come.</p> +<p>Now that he was alone his face looked older. His gaiety seemed to + forsake him and, as he came by the railings of the Duke's Lawn, he + allowed his hand to run along them. The air which the harpist had + played began to control his movements His softly padded feet + played the melody while his fingers swept a scale of variations idly + along the railings after each group of notes.</p> +<p>He walked listlessly round Stephen's Green and then down Grafton + Street. Though his eyes took note of many elements of the crowd + through which he passed they did so morosely. He found trivial all + that was meant to charm him and did not answer the glances which + invited him to be bold. He knew that he would have to speak a + great deal, to invent and to amuse and his brain and throat were + too dry for such a task. The problem of how he could pass the + hours till he met Corley again troubled him a little. He could think + of no way of passing them but to keep on walking. He turned to the + left when he came to the corner of Rutland Square and felt more at + ease in the dark quiet street, the sombre look of which suited his + mood. He paused at last before the window of a poor-looking shop + over which the words Refreshment Bar were printed in white + letters. On the glass of the window were two flying inscriptions: + Ginger Beer and Ginger Ale. A cut ham was exposed on a great + blue dish while near it on a plate lay a segment of very light + plum-pudding. He eyed this food earnestly for some time and then, + after glancing warily up and down the street, went into the shop + quickly.</p> +<p>He was hungry for, except some biscuits which he had asked two + grudging curates to bring him, he had eaten nothing since + breakfast-time. He sat down at an uncovered wooden table + opposite two work-girls and a mechanic. A slatternly girl waited + on him.</p> +<p>"How much is a plate of peas?" he asked.</p> +<p>"Three halfpence, sir," said the girl.</p> +<p>"Bring me a plate of peas," he said, "and a bottle of ginger + beer."</p> +<p>He spoke roughly in order to belie his air of gentility for his entry + had been followed by a pause of talk. His face was heated. To + appear natural he pushed his cap back on his head and planted his + elbows on the table. The mechanic and the two work-girls + examined him point by point before resuming their conversation in + a subdued voice. The girl brought him a plate of grocer's hot peas, + seasoned with pepper and vinegar, a fork and his ginger beer. He + ate his food greedily and found it so good that he made a note of + the shop mentally. When he had eaten all the peas he sipped his + ginger beer and sat for some time thinking of Corley's adventure. + In his imagination he beheld the pair of lovers walking along some + dark road; he heard Corley's voice in deep energetic gallantries and + saw again the leer of the young woman's mouth. This vision made + him feel keenly his own poverty of purse and spirit. He was tired + of knocking about, of pulling the devil by the tail, of shifts and + intrigues. He would be thirty-one in November. Would he never + get a good job? Would he never have a home of his own? He + thought how pleasant it would be to have a warm fire to sit by and + a good dinner to sit down to. He had walked the streets long + enough with friends and with girls. He knew what those friends + were worth: he knew the girls too. Experience had embittered his + heart against the world. But all hope had not left him. He felt + better after having eaten than he had felt before, less weary of his + life, less vanquished in spirit. He might yet be able to settle down + in some snug corner and live happily if he could only come across + some good simple-minded girl with a little of the ready.</p> +<p>He paid twopence halfpenny to the slatternly girl and went out of + the shop to begin his wandering again. He went into Capel Street + and walked along towards the City Hall. Then he turned into Dame + Street. At the corner of George's Street he met two friends of his + and stopped to converse with them. He was glad that he could rest + from all his walking. His friends asked him had he seen Corley and + what was the latest. He replied that he had spent the day with + Corley. His friends talked very little. They looked vacantly after + some figures in the crowd and sometimes made a critical remark. + One said that he had seen Mac an hour before in Westmoreland + Street. At this Lenehan said that he had been with Mac the night + before in Egan's. The young man who had seen Mac in + Westmoreland Street asked was it true that Mac had won a bit over + a billiard match. Lenehan did not know: he said that Holohan had + stood them drinks in Egan's.</p> +<p>He left his friends at a quarter to ten and went up George's Street. + He turned to the left at the City Markets and walked on into + Grafton Street. The crowd of girls and young men had thinned and + on his way up the street he heard many groups and couples bidding + one another good-night. He went as far as the clock of the College + of Surgeons: it was on the stroke of ten. He set off briskly along + the northern side of the Green hurrying for fear Corley should + return too soon. When he reached the corner of Merrion Street he + took his stand in the shadow of a lamp and brought out one of the + cigarettes which he had reserved and lit it. He leaned against the + lamp-post and kept his gaze fixed on the part from which he + expected to see Corley and the young woman return.</p> +<p>His mind became active again. He wondered had Corley managed + it successfully. He wondered if he had asked her yet or if he would + leave it to the last. He suffered all the pangs and thrills of his + friend's situation as well as those of his own. But the memory of + Corley's slowly revolving head calmed him somewhat: he was sure + Corley would pull it off all right. All at once the idea struck him + that perhaps Corley had seen her home by another way and given + him the slip. His eyes searched the street: there was no sign of + them. Yet it was surely half-an-hour since he had seen the clock of + the College of Surgeons. Would Corley do a thing like that? He lit + his last cigarette and began to smoke it nervously. He strained his + eyes as each tram stopped at the far corner of the square. They + must have gone home by another way. The paper of his cigarette + broke and he flung it into the road with a curse.</p> +<p>Suddenly he saw them coming towards him. He started with + delight and keeping close to his lamp-post tried to read the result + in their walk. They were walking quickly, the young woman taking + quick short steps, while Corley kept beside her with his long stride. + They did not seem to be speaking. An intimation of the result + pricked him like the point of a sharp instrument. He knew Corley + would fail; he knew it was no go.</p> +<p>They turned down Baggot Street and he followed them at once, + taking the other footpath. When they stopped he stopped too. They + talked for a few moments and then the young woman went down + the steps into the area of a house. Corley remained standing at the + edge of the path, a little distance from the front steps. Some + minutes passed. Then the hall-door was opened slowly and + cautiously. A woman came running down the front steps and + coughed. Corley turned and went towards her. His broad figure hid + hers from view for a few seconds and then she reappeared running + up the steps. The door closed on her and Corley began to walk + swiftly towards Stephen's Green.</p> +<p>Lenehan hurried on in the same direction. Some drops of light rain + fell. He took them as a warning and, glancing back towards the + house which the young woman had entered to see that he was not + observed, he ran eagerly across the road. Anxiety and his swift run + made him pant. He called out:</p> +<p>"Hallo, Corley!"</p> +<p>Corley turned his head to see who had called him, and then + continued walking as before. Lenehan ran after him, settling the + waterproof on his shoulders with one hand.</p> +<p>"Hallo, Corley!" he cried again.</p> +<p>He came level with his friend and looked keenly in his face. He + could see nothing there.</p> +<p>"Well?" he said. "Did it come off?"</p> +<p>They had reached the corner of Ely Place. Still without answering, + Corley swerved to the left and went up the side street. His features + were composed in stern calm. Lenehan kept up with his friend, + breathing uneasily. He was baffled and a note of menace pierced + through his voice.</p> +<p>"Can't you tell us?" he said. "Did you try her?"</p> +<p>Corley halted at the first lamp and stared grimly before him. Then with a grave + gesture he extended a hand towards the light and, smiling, opened it slowly + to the gaze of his disciple. A small gold coin shone in the palm.</p> +<p> </p> +<h3 align="center">THE BOARDING HOUSE</h3> +<p>MRS. MOONEY was a butcher's daughter. She was a woman who + was quite able to keep things to herself: a determined woman. She + had married her father's foreman and opened a butcher's shop near + Spring Gardens. But as soon as his father-in-law was dead Mr. + Mooney began to go to the devil. He drank, plundered the till, ran + headlong into debt. It was no use making him take the pledge: he + was sure to break out again a few days after. By fighting his wife + in the presence of customers and by buying bad meat he ruined his + business. One night he went for his wife with the cleaver and she + had to sleep a neighbour's house.</p> +<p>After that they lived apart. She went to the priest and got a separation from + him with care of the children. She would give him neither money nor food nor + house-room; and so he was obliged to enlist himself as a sheriff's man. He was + a shabby stooped little drunkard with a white face and a white moustache white + eyebrows, pencilled above his little eyes, which were veined and raw; and all + day long he sat in the bailiff's room, waiting to be put on a job. Mrs. Mooney, + who had taken what remained of her money out of the butcher business and set + up a boarding house in Hardwicke Street, was a big imposing woman. Her house + had a floating population made up of tourists from Liverpool and the Isle of + Man and, occasionally, artistes from the music halls. Its resident population + was made up of clerks from the city. She governed the house cunningly and firmly, + knew when to give credit, when to be stern and when to let things pass. All + the resident young men spoke of her as The Madam. </p> +<p>Mrs. Mooney's young men paid fifteen shillings a week for board and lodgings + (beer or stout at dinner excluded). They shared in common tastes and occupations + and for this reason they were very chummy with one another. They discussed with + one another the chances of favourites and outsiders. Jack Mooney, the Madam's + son, who was clerk to a commission agent in Fleet Street, had the reputation + of being a hard case. He was fond of using soldiers' obscenities: usually he + came home in the small hours. When he met his friends he had always a good one + to tell them and he was always sure to be on to a good thing-that is to say, + a likely horse or a likely artiste. He was also handy with the mits and sang + comic songs. On Sunday nights there would often be a reunion in Mrs. Mooney's + front drawing-room. The music-hall artistes would oblige; and Sheridan played + waltzes and polkas and vamped accompaniments. Polly Mooney, the Madam's daughter, + would also sing. She sang:</p> +<blockquote> + I'm a ... naughty girl. <br> + You needn't sham: <br> + You know I am.<br> + <p> +</blockquote> +<p>Polly was a slim girl of nineteen; she had light soft hair and a + small full mouth. Her eyes, which were grey with a shade of green + through them, had a habit of glancing upwards when she spoke + with anyone, which made her look like a little perverse madonna. + Mrs. Mooney had first sent her daughter to be a typist in a + corn-factor's office but, as a disreputable sheriff's man used to + come every other day to the office, asking to be allowed to say a + word to his daughter, she had taken her daughter home again and + set her to do housework. As Polly was very lively the intention was + to give her the run of the young men. Besides young men like to + feel that there is a young woman not very far away. Polly, of + course, flirted with the young men but Mrs. Mooney, who was a + shrewd judge, knew that the young men were only passing the time + away: none of them meant business. Things went on so for a long + time and Mrs. Mooney began to think of sending Polly back to + typewriting when she noticed that something was going on + between Polly and one of the young men. She watched the pair and + kept her own counsel.</p> +<p>Polly knew that she was being watched, but still her mother's + persistent silence could not be misunderstood. There had been no + open complicity between mother and daughter, no open + understanding but, though people in the house began to talk of the + affair, still Mrs. Mooney did not intervene. Polly began to grow a + little strange in her manner and the young man was evidently + perturbed. At last, when she judged it to be the right moment, Mrs. + Mooney intervened. She dealt with moral problems as a cleaver + deals with meat: and in this case she had made up her mind.</p> +<p>It was a bright Sunday morning of early summer, promising heat, + but with a fresh breeze blowing. All the windows of the boarding + house were open and the lace curtains ballooned gently towards + the street beneath the raised sashes. The belfry of George's Church + sent out constant peals and worshippers, singly or in groups, + traversed the little circus before the church, revealing their purpose + by their self-contained demeanour no less than by the little + volumes in their gloved hands. Breakfast was over in the boarding + house and the table of the breakfast-room was covered with plates + on which lay yellow streaks of eggs with morsels of bacon-fat and + bacon-rind. Mrs. Mooney sat in the straw arm-chair and watched + the servant Mary remove the breakfast things. She mad Mary + collect the crusts and pieces of broken bread to help to make + Tuesday's bread- pudding. When the table was cleared, the broken + bread collected, the sugar and butter safe under lock and key, she + began to reconstruct the interview which she had had the night + before with Polly. Things were as she had suspected: she had been + frank in her questions and Polly had been frank in her answers. + Both had been somewhat awkward, of course. She had been made + awkward by her not wishing to receive the news in too cavalier a + fashion or to seem to have connived and Polly had been made + awkward not merely because allusions of that kind always made + her awkward but also because she did not wish it to be thought that + in her wise innocence she had divined the intention behind her + mother's tolerance.</p> +<p>Mrs. Mooney glanced instinctively at the little gilt clock on the + mantelpiece as soon as she had become aware through her revery + that the bells of George's Church had stopped ringing. It was + seventeen minutes past eleven: she would have lots of time to have + the matter out with Mr. Doran and then catch short twelve at + Marlborough Street. She was sure she would win. To begin with + she had all the weight of social opinion on her side: she was an + outraged mother. She had allowed him to live beneath her roof, + assuming that he was a man of honour and he had simply abused + her hospitality. He was thirty-four or thirty-five years of age, so + that youth could not be pleaded as his excuse; nor could ignorance + be his excuse since he was a man who had seen something of the + world. He had simply taken advantage of Polly's youth and + inexperience: that was evident. The question was: What reparation + would he make?</p> +<p>There must be reparation made in such case. It is all very well for + the man: he can go his ways as if nothing had happened, having + had his moment of pleasure, but the girl has to bear the brunt. + Some mothers would be content to patch up such an affair for a + sum of money; she had known cases of it. But she would not do so. + For her only one reparation could make up for the loss of her + daughter's honour: marriage.</p> +<p>She counted all her cards again before sending Mary up to Doran's + room to say that she wished to speak with him. She felt sure she + would win. He was a serious young man, not rakish or loud-voiced + like the others. If it had been Mr. Sheridan or Mr. Meade or + Bantam Lyons her task would have been much harder. She did not + think he would face publicity. All the lodgers in the house knew + something of the affair; details had been invented by some. + Besides, he had been employed for thirteen years in a great + Catholic wine-merchant's office and publicity would mean for + him, perhaps, the loss of his job. Whereas if he agreed all might be + well. She knew he had a good screw for one thing and she + suspected he had a bit of stuff put by.</p> +<p>Nearly the half-hour! She stood up and surveyed herself in the + pier-glass. The decisive expression of her great florid face satisfied + her and she thought of some mothers she knew who could not get + their daughters off their hands.</p> +<p>Mr. Doran was very anxious indeed this Sunday morning. He had + made two attempts to shave but his hand had been so unsteady that + he had been obliged to desist. Three days' reddish beard fringed his + jaws and every two or three minutes a mist gathered on his glasses + so that he had to take them off and polish them with his + pocket-handkerchief. The recollection of his confession of the + night before was a cause of acute pain to him; the priest had drawn + out every ridiculous detail of the affair and in the end had so + magnified his sin that he was almost thankful at being afforded a + loophole of reparation. The harm was done. What could he do now + but marry her or run away? He could not brazen it out. The affair + would be sure to be talked of and his employer would be certain to + hear of it. Dublin is such a small city: everyone knows everyone + else's business. He felt his heart leap warmly in his throat as he + heard in his excited imagination old Mr. Leonard calling out in his + rasping voice: "Send Mr. Doran here, please."</p> +<p>All his long years of service gone for nothing! All his industry and + diligence thrown away! As a young man he had sown his wild oats, + of course; he had boasted of his free-thinking and denied the + existence of God to his companions in public- houses. But that was + all passed and done with... nearly. He still bought a copy of + Reynolds's Newspaper every week but he attended to his religious + duties and for nine-tenths of the year lived a regular life. He had + money enough to settle down on; it was not that. But the family + would look down on her. First of all there was her disreputable + father and then her mother's boarding house was beginning to get a + certain fame. He had a notion that he was being had. He could + imagine his friends talking of the affair and laughing. She was a + little vulgar; some times she said "I seen" and "If I had've + known." + But what would grammar matter if he really loved her? He could + not make up his mind whether to like her or despise her for what + she had done. Of course he had done it too. His instinct urged him + to remain free, not to marry. Once you are married you are done + for, it said.</p> +<p>While he was sitting helplessly on the side of the bed in shirt and + trousers she tapped lightly at his door and entered. She told him + all, that she had made a clean breast of it to her mother and that + her mother would speak with him that morning. She cried and + threw her arms round his neck, saying:</p> +<p>"O Bob! Bob! What am I to do? What am I to do at all?"</p> +<p>She would put an end to herself, she said.</p> +<p>He comforted her feebly, telling her not to cry, that it would be all + right, never fear. He felt against his shirt the agitation of her + bosom.</p> +<p>It was not altogether his fault that it had happened. He + remembered well, with the curious patient memory of the celibate, + the first casual caresses her dress, her breath, her fingers had given + him. Then late one night as he was undressing for she had tapped + at his door, timidly. She wanted to relight her candle at his for hers + had been blown out by a gust. It was her bath night. She wore a + loose open combing- jacket of printed flannel. Her white instep + shone in the opening of her furry slippers and the blood glowed + warmly behind her perfumed skin. From her hands and wrists too + as she lit and steadied her candle a faint perfume arose.</p> +<p>On nights when he came in very late it was she who warmed up his + dinner. He scarcely knew what he was eating feeling her beside + him alone, at night, in the sleeping house. And her thoughtfulness! + If the night was anyway cold or wet or windy there was sure to be + a little tumbler of punch ready for him. Perhaps they could be + happy together....</p> +<p>They used to go upstairs together on tiptoe, each with a candle, + and on the third landing exchange reluctant goodnights. They used + to kiss. He remembered well her eyes, the touch of her hand and + his delirium....</p> +<p>But delirium passes. He echoed her phrase, applying it to himself: + "What am I to do?" The instinct of the celibate warned him to hold + back. But the sin was there; even his sense of honour told him that + reparation must be made for such a sin.</p> +<p>While he was sitting with her on the side of the bed Mary came to + the door and said that the missus wanted to see him in the parlour. + He stood up to put on his coat and waistcoat, more helpless than + ever. When he was dressed he went over to her to comfort her. It + would be all right, never fear. He left her crying on the bed and + moaning softly: "O my God!"</p> +<p>Going down the stairs his glasses became so dimmed with + moisture that he had to take them off and polish them. He longed + to ascend through the roof and fly away to another country where + he would never hear again of his trouble, and yet a force pushed + him downstairs step by step. The implacable faces of his employer + and of the Madam stared upon his discomfiture. On the last flight + of stairs he passed Jack Mooney who was coming up from the + pantry nursing two bottles of Bass. They saluted coldly; and the + lover's eyes rested for a second or two on a thick bulldog face and + a pair of thick short arms. When he reached the foot of the + staircase he glanced up and saw Jack regarding him from the door + of the return-room.</p> +<p>Suddenly he remembered the night when one of the musichall + artistes, a little blond Londoner, had made a rather free allusion to + Polly. The reunion had been almost broken up on account of Jack's + violence. Everyone tried to quiet him. The music-hall artiste, a + little paler than usual, kept smiling and saying that there was no + harm meant: but Jack kept shouting at him that if any fellow tried + that sort of a game on with his sister he'd bloody well put his teeth + down his throat, so he would.</p> +<p>Polly sat for a little time on the side of the bed, crying. Then she + dried her eyes and went over to the looking-glass. She dipped the + end of the towel in the water-jug and refreshed her eyes with the + cool water. She looked at herself in profile and readjusted a + hairpin above her ear. Then she went back to the bed again and sat + at the foot. She regarded the pillows for a long time and the sight + of them awakened in her mind secret, amiable memories. She + rested the nape of her neck against the cool iron bed-rail and fell + into a reverie. There was no longer any perturbation visible on her + face.</p> +<p>She waited on patiently, almost cheerfully, without alarm. her + memories gradually giving place to hopes and visions of the + future. Her hopes and visions were so intricate that she no longer + saw the white pillows on which her gaze was fixed or remembered + that she was waiting for anything.</p> +<p>At last she heard her mother calling. She started to her feet and ran + to the banisters.</p> +<p>"Polly! Polly!"</p> +<p>"Yes, mamma?"</p> +<p>"Come down, dear. Mr. Doran wants to speak to you."</p> +<p>Then she remembered what she had been waiting for.</p> +<p> </p> +<h3 align="center">A LITTLE CLOUD</h3> +<p>EIGHT years before he had seen his friend off at the North Wall + and wished him godspeed. Gallaher had got on. You could tell that + at once by his travelled air, his well-cut tweed suit, and fearless + accent. Few fellows had talents like his and fewer still could + remain unspoiled by such success. Gallaher's heart was in the right + place and he had deserved to win. It was something to have a + friend like that.</p> +<p>Little Chandler's thoughts ever since lunch-time had been of his + meeting with Gallaher, of Gallaher's invitation and of the great city + London where Gallaher lived. He was called Little Chandler + because, though he was but slightly under the average stature, he + gave one the idea of being a little man. His hands were white and + small, his frame was fragile, his voice was quiet and his manners + were refined. He took the greatest care of his fair silken hair and + moustache and used perfume discreetly on his handkerchief. The + half-moons of his nails were perfect and when he smiled you + caught a glimpse of a row of childish white teeth.</p> +<p>As he sat at his desk in the King's Inns he thought what changes + those eight years had brought. The friend whom he had known + under a shabby and necessitous guise had become a brilliant figure + on the London Press. He turned often from his tiresome writing to + gaze out of the office window. The glow of a late autumn sunset + covered the grass plots and walks. It cast a shower of kindly + golden dust on the untidy nurses and decrepit old men who + drowsed on the benches; it flickered upon all the moving figures-- + on the children who ran screaming along the gravel paths and on + everyone who passed through the gardens. He watched the scene + and thought of life; and (as always happened when he thought of + life) he became sad. A gentle melancholy took possession of him. + He felt how useless it was to struggle against fortune, this being + the burden of wisdom which the ages had bequeathed to him.</p> +<p>He remembered the books of poetry upon his shelves at home. He + had bought them in his bachelor days and many an evening, as he + sat in the little room off the hall, he had been tempted to take one + down from the bookshelf and read out something to his wife. But + shyness had always held him back; and so the books had remained + on their shelves. At times he repeated lines to himself and this + consoled him.</p> +<p>When his hour had struck he stood up and took leave of his desk + and of his fellow-clerks punctiliously. He emerged from under the + feudal arch of the King's Inns, a neat modest figure, and walked + swiftly down Henrietta Street. The golden sunset was waning and + the air had grown sharp. A horde of grimy children populated the + street. They stood or ran in the roadway or crawled up the steps + before the gaping doors or squatted like mice upon the thresholds. + Little Chandler gave them no thought. He picked his way deftly + through all that minute vermin-like life and under the shadow of + the gaunt spectral mansions in which the old nobility of Dublin + had roystered. No memory of the past touched him, for his mind + was full of a present joy.</p> +<p>He had never been in Corless's but he knew the value of the name. + He knew that people went there after the theatre to eat oysters and + drink liqueurs; and he had heard that the waiters there spoke + French and German. Walking swiftly by at night he had seen cabs + drawn up before the door and richly dressed ladies, escorted by + cavaliers, alight and enter quickly. They wore noisy dresses and + many wraps. Their faces were powdered and they caught up their + dresses, when they touched earth, like alarmed Atalantas. He had + always passed without turning his head to look. It was his habit to + walk swiftly in the street even by day and whenever he found + himself in the city late at night he hurried on his way + apprehensively and excitedly. Sometimes, however, he courted the + causes of his fear. He chose the darkest and narrowest streets and, + as he walked boldly forward, the silence that was spread about his + footsteps troubled him, the wandering, silent figures troubled him; + and at times a sound of low fugitive laughter made him tremble + like a leaf.</p> +<p>He turned to the right towards Capel Street. Ignatius Gallaher on the London + Press! Who would have thought it possible eight years before? Still, now that + he reviewed the past, Little Chandler could remember many signs of future greatness + in his friend. People used to say that Ignatius Gallaher was wild Of course, + he did mix with a rakish set of fellows at that time. drank freely and borrowed + money on all sides. In the end he had got mixed up in some shady affair, some + money transaction: at least, that was one version of his flight. But nobody + denied him talent. There was always a certain... something in Ignatius Gallaher + that impressed you in spite of yourself. Even when he was out at elbows and + at his wits' end for money he kept up a bold face. Little Chandler remembered + (and the remembrance brought a slight flush of pride to his cheek) one of Ignatius + Gallaher's sayings when he was in a tight corner:</p> +<p>Half time now, boys," he used to say light-heartedly. "Where's my + considering cap?"</p> +<p>That was Ignatius Gallaher all out; and, damn it, you couldn't but + admire him for it.</p> +<p>Little Chandler quickened his pace. For the first time in his life he + felt himself superior to the people he passed. For the first time his + soul revolted against the dull inelegance of Capel Street. There + was no doubt about it: if you wanted to succeed you had to go + away. You could do nothing in Dublin. As he crossed Grattan + Bridge he looked down the river towards the lower quays and + pitied the poor stunted houses. They seemed to him a band of + tramps, huddled together along the riverbanks, their old coats + covered with dust and soot, stupefied by the panorama of sunset + and waiting for the first chill of night bid them arise, shake + themselves and begone. He wondered whether he could write a + poem to express his idea. Perhaps Gallaher might be able to get it + into some London paper for him. Could he write something + original? He was not sure what idea he wished to express but the + thought that a poetic moment had touched him took life within + him like an infant hope. He stepped onward bravely.</p> +<p>Every step brought him nearer to London, farther from his own + sober inartistic life. A light began to tremble on the horizon of his + mind. He was not so old--thirty-two. His temperament might be + said to be just at the point of maturity. There were so many + different moods and impressions that he wished to express in + verse. He felt them within him. He tried weigh his soul to see if it + was a poet's soul. Melancholy was the dominant note of his + temperament, he thought, but it was a melancholy tempered by + recurrences of faith and resignation and simple joy. If he could + give expression to it in a book of poems perhaps men would listen. + He would never be popular: he saw that. He could not sway the + crowd but he might appeal to a little circle of kindred minds. The + English critics, perhaps, would recognise him as one of the Celtic + school by reason of the melancholy tone of his poems; besides + that, he would put in allusions. He began to invent sentences and + phrases from the notice which his book would get. "Mr. Chandler + has the gift of easy and graceful verse." ... "wistful sadness + pervades these poems." ... "The Celtic note." It was a pity his + name + was not more Irish-looking. Perhaps it would be better to insert his + mother's name before the surname: Thomas Malone Chandler, or + better still: T. Malone Chandler. He would speak to Gallaher about + it.</p> +<p>He pursued his revery so ardently that he passed his street and had + to turn back. As he came near Corless's his former agitation began + to overmaster him and he halted before the door in indecision. + Finally he opened the door and entered.</p> +<p>The light and noise of the bar held him at the doorways for a few + moments. He looked about him, but his sight was confused by the + shining of many red and green wine-glasses The bar seemed to him + to be full of people and he felt that the people were observing him + curiously. He glanced quickly to right and left (frowning slightly to + make his errand appear serious), but when his sight cleared a little + he saw that nobody had turned to look at him: and there, sure + enough, was Ignatius Gallaher leaning with his back against the + counter and his feet planted far apart.</p> +<p>"Hallo, Tommy, old hero, here you are! What is it to be? What will + you have? I'm taking whisky: better stuff than we get across the + water. Soda? Lithia? No mineral? I'm the same Spoils the + flavour.... Here, garcon, bring us two halves of malt whisky, like a + good fellow.... Well, and how have you been pulling along since I + saw you last? Dear God, how old we're getting! Do you see any + signs of aging in me--eh, what? A little grey and thin on the top-- + what?"</p> +<p>Ignatius Gallaher took off his hat and displayed a large closely + cropped head. His face was heavy, pale and cleanshaven. His eyes, + which were of bluish slate-colour, relieved his unhealthy pallor + and shone out plainly above the vivid orange tie he wore. Between + these rival features the lips appeared very long and shapeless and + colourless. He bent his head and felt with two sympathetic fingers + the thin hair at the crown. Little Chandler shook his head as a + denial. Ignatius Galaher put on his hat again.</p> +<p>"It pulls you down," be said, "Press life. Always hurry and + scurry, + looking for copy and sometimes not finding it: and then, always to + have something new in your stuff. Damn proofs and printers, I say, + for a few days. I'm deuced glad, I can tell you, to get back to the + old country. Does a fellow good, a bit of a holiday. I feel a ton + better since I landed again in dear dirty Dublin.... Here you are, + Tommy. Water? Say when."</p> +<p>Little Chandler allowed his whisky to be very much diluted.</p> +<p>"You don't know what's good for you, my boy," said Ignatius + Gallaher. "I drink mine neat."</p> +<p>"I drink very little as a rule," said Little Chandler modestly. "An + odd half-one or so when I meet any of the old crowd: that's all."</p> +<p>"Ah well," said Ignatius Gallaher, cheerfully, "here's to us + and to + old times and old acquaintance."</p> +<p>They clinked glasses and drank the toast.</p> +<p>"I met some of the old gang today," said Ignatius Gallaher. "O'Hara + seems to be in a bad way. What's he doing?"</p> +<p>"Nothing, said Little Chandler. "He's gone to the dogs."</p> +<p>"But Hogan has a good sit, hasn't he?"</p> +<p>"Yes; he's in the Land Commission."</p> +<p>"I met him one night in London and he seemed to be very flush.... + Poor O'Hara! Boose, I suppose?"</p> +<p>"Other things, too," said Little Chandler shortly.</p> +<p>Ignatius Gallaher laughed.</p> +<p>"Tommy," he said, "I see you haven't changed an atom. You're + the + very same serious person that used to lecture me on Sunday + mornings when I had a sore head and a fur on my tongue. You'd + want to knock about a bit in the world. Have you never been + anywhere even for a trip?"</p> +<p>"I've been to the Isle of Man," said Little Chandler.</p> +<p>Ignatius Gallaher laughed.</p> +<p>"The Isle of Man!" he said. "Go to London or Paris: Paris, for + choice. That'd do you good."</p> +<p>"Have you seen Paris?"</p> +<p>"I should think I have! I've knocked about there a little."</p> +<p>"And is it really so beautiful as they say?" asked Little Chandler.</p> +<p>He sipped a little of his drink while Ignatius Gallaher finished his + boldly.</p> +<p>"Beautiful?" said Ignatius Gallaher, pausing on the word and on + the flavour of his drink. "It's not so beautiful, you know. Of course, + it is beautiful.... But it's the life of Paris; that's the thing. Ah, there's + no city like Paris for gaiety, movement, excitement...."</p> +<p>Little Chandler finished his whisky and, after some trouble, + succeeded in catching the barman's eye. He ordered the same + again.</p> +<p>"I've been to the Moulin Rouge," Ignatius Gallaher continued when + the barman had removed their glasses, "and I've been to all the + Bohemian cafes. Hot stuff! Not for a pious chap like you, + Tommy."</p> +<p>Little Chandler said nothing until the barman returned with two + glasses: then he touched his friend's glass lightly and reciprocated + the former toast. He was beginning to feel somewhat disillusioned. + Gallaher's accent and way of expressing himself did not please + him. There was something vulgar in his friend which he had not + observed before. But perhaps it was only the result of living in + London amid the bustle and competition of the Press. The old + personal charm was still there under this new gaudy manner. And, + after all, Gallaher had lived, he had seen the world. Little Chandler + looked at his friend enviously.</p> +<p>"Everything in Paris is gay," said Ignatius Gallaher. "They + believe + in enjoying life--and don't you think they're right? If you want to + enjoy yourself properly you must go to Paris. And, mind you, + they've a great feeling for the Irish there. When they heard I was + from Ireland they were ready to eat me, man."</p> +<p>Little Chandler took four or five sips from his glass.</p> +<p>"Tell me," he said, "is it true that Paris is so... immoral + as they + say?"</p> +<p>Ignatius Gallaher made a catholic gesture with his right arm.</p> +<p>"Every place is immoral," he said. "Of course you do find spicy + bits in Paris. Go to one of the students' balls, for instance. That's + lively, if you like, when the cocottes begin to let themselves loose. + You know what they are, I suppose?"</p> +<p>"I've heard of them," said Little Chandler.</p> +<p>Ignatius Gallaher drank off his whisky and shook his had.</p> +<p>"Ah," he said, "you may say what you like. There's no woman + like + the Parisienne--for style, for go."</p> +<p>"Then it is an immoral city," said Little Chandler, with timid + insistence--"I mean, compared with London or Dublin?"</p> +<p>"London!" said Ignatius Gallaher. "It's six of one and half-a-dozen + of the other. You ask Hogan, my boy. I showed him a bit about + London when he was over there. He'd open your eye.... I say, + Tommy, don't make punch of that whisky: liquor up."</p> +<p>"No, really...."</p> +<p>"O, come on, another one won't do you any harm. What is it? The + same again, I suppose?"</p> +<p>"Well... all right."</p> +<p>"Francois, the same again.... Will you smoke, Tommy?"</p> +<p>Ignatius Gallaher produced his cigar-case. The two friends lit their + cigars and puffed at them in silence until their drinks were served.</p> +<p>"I'll tell you my opinion," said Ignatius Gallaher, emerging after + some time from the clouds of smoke in which he had taken refuge, + "it's a rum world. Talk of immorality! I've heard of cases--what + am I saying?--I've known them: cases of... immorality...."</p> +<p>Ignatius Gallaher puffed thoughtfully at his cigar and then, in a + calm historian's tone, he proceeded to sketch for his friend some + pictures of the corruption which was rife abroad. He summarised + the vices of many capitals and seemed inclined to award the palm + to Berlin. Some things he could not vouch for (his friends had told + him), but of others he had had personal experience. He spared + neither rank nor caste. He revealed many of the secrets of religious + houses on the Continent and described some of the practices which + were fashionable in high society and ended by telling, with details, + a story about an English duchess--a story which he knew to be + true. Little Chandler as astonished.</p> +<p>"Ah, well," said Ignatius Gallaher, "here we are in old jog- + along + Dublin where nothing is known of such things."</p> +<p>"How dull you must find it," said Little Chandler, "after all + the + other places you've seen!"</p> +<p>Well," said Ignatius Gallaher, "it's a relaxation to come over here, + you know. And, after all, it's the old country, as they say, isn't it? + You can't help having a certain feeling for it. That's human + nature.... But tell me something about yourself. Hogan told me you + had... tasted the joys of connubial bliss. Two years ago, wasn't it?"</p> +<p>Little Chandler blushed and smiled.</p> +<p>"Yes," he said. "I was married last May twelve months."</p> +<p>"I hope it's not too late in the day to offer my best wishes," said + Ignatius Gallaher. "I didn't know your address or I'd have done so + at the time."</p> +<p>He extended his hand, which Little Chandler took.</p> +<p>"Well, Tommy," he said, "I wish you and yours every joy in life, + old chap, and tons of money, and may you never die till I shoot + you. And that's the wish of a sincere friend, an old friend. You + know that?"</p> +<p>"I know that," said Little Chandler.</p> +<p>"Any youngsters?" said Ignatius Gallaher.</p> +<p>Little Chandler blushed again.</p> +<p>"We have one child," he said.</p> +<p>"Son or daughter?"</p> +<p>"A little boy."</p> +<p>Ignatius Gallaher slapped his friend sonorously on the back.</p> +<p>"Bravo," he said, "I wouldn't doubt you, Tommy."</p> +<p>Little Chandler smiled, looked confusedly at his glass and bit his + lower lip with three childishly white front teeth.</p> +<p>"I hope you'll spend an evening with us," he said, "before you + go + back. My wife will be delighted to meet you. We can have a little + music and----"</p> +<p>"Thanks awfully, old chap," said Ignatius Gallaher, "I'm sorry + we + didn't meet earlier. But I must leave tomorrow night."</p> +<p>"Tonight, perhaps...?"</p> +<p>"I'm awfully sorry, old man. You see I'm over here with another + fellow, clever young chap he is too, and we arranged to go to a + little card-party. Only for that..."</p> +<p>"O, in that case..."</p> +<p>"But who knows?" said Ignatius Gallaher considerately. "Next + year + I may take a little skip over here now that I've broken the ice. It's + only a pleasure deferred."</p> +<p>"Very well," said Little Chandler, "the next time you come we + must have an evening together. That's agreed now, isn't it?"</p> +<p>"Yes, that's agreed," said Ignatius Gallaher. "Next year if + I come, + parole d'honneur."</p> +<p>"And to clinch the bargain," said Little Chandler, "we'll just + have + one more now."</p> +<p>Ignatius Gallaher took out a large gold watch and looked a it.</p> +<p>"Is it to be the last?" he said. "Because you know, I have an + a.p."</p> +<p>"O, yes, positively," said Little Chandler.</p> +<p>"Very well, then," said Ignatius Gallaher, "let us have another + one + as a deoc an doruis--that's good vernacular for a small whisky, I + believe."</p> +<p>Little Chandler ordered the drinks. The blush which had risen to + his face a few moments before was establishing itself. A trifle + made him blush at any time: and now he felt warm and excited. + Three small whiskies had gone to his head and Gallaher's strong + cigar had confused his mind, for he was a delicate and abstinent + person. The adventure of meeting Gallaher after eight years, of + finding himself with Gallaher in Corless's surrounded by lights and + noise, of listening to Gallaher's stories and of sharing for a brief + space Gallaher's vagrant and triumphant life, upset the equipoise of + his sensitive nature. He felt acutely the contrast between his own + life and his friend's and it seemed to him unjust. Gallaher was his + inferior in birth and education. He was sure that he could do + something better than his friend had ever done, or could ever do, + something higher than mere tawdry journalism if he only got the + chance. What was it that stood in his way? His unfortunate timidity + He wished to vindicate himself in some way, to assert his + manhood. He saw behind Gallaher's refusal of his invitation. + Gallaher was only patronising him by his friendliness just as he + was patronising Ireland by his visit.</p> +<p>The barman brought their drinks. Little Chandler pushed one glass + towards his friend and took up the other boldly.</p> +<p>"Who knows?" he said, as they lifted their glasses. "When you + come next year I may have the pleasure of wishing long life and + happiness to Mr. and Mrs. Ignatius Gallaher."</p> +<p>Ignatius Gallaher in the act of drinking closed one eye expressively + over the rim of his glass. When he had drunk he smacked his lips + decisively, set down his glass and said:</p> +<p>"No blooming fear of that, my boy. I'm going to have my fling first + and see a bit of life and the world before I put my head in the sack + --if I ever do."</p> +<p>"Some day you will," said Little Chandler calmly.</p> +<p>Ignatius Gallaher turned his orange tie and slate-blue eyes full + upon his friend.</p> +<p>"You think so?" he said.</p> +<p>"You'll put your head in the sack," repeated Little Chandler stoutly, + "like everyone else if you can find the girl."</p> +<p>He had slightly emphasised his tone and he was aware that he had + betrayed himself; but, though the colour had heightened in his + cheek, he did not flinch from his friend's gaze. Ignatius Gallaher + watched him for a few moments and then said:</p> +<p>"If ever it occurs, you may bet your bottom dollar there'll be no + mooning and spooning about it. I mean to marry money. She'll + have a good fat account at the bank or she won't do for me."</p> +<p>Little Chandler shook his head.</p> +<p>"Why, man alive," said Ignatius Gallaher, vehemently, "do you + know what it is? I've only to say the word and tomorrow I can have + the woman and the cash. You don't believe it? Well, I know it. + There are hundreds--what am I saying?--thousands of rich + Germans and Jews, rotten with money, that'd only be too glad.... + You wait a while my boy. See if I don't play my cards properly. + When I go about a thing I mean business, I tell you. You just wait."</p> +<p>He tossed his glass to his mouth, finished his drink and laughed + loudly. Then he looked thoughtfully before him and said in a + calmer tone:</p> +<p>"But I'm in no hurry. They can wait. I don't fancy tying myself up + to one woman, you know."</p> +<p>He imitated with his mouth the act of tasting and made a wry face.</p> +<p>"Must get a bit stale, I should think," he said.</p> +<p>Little Chandler sat in the room off the hall, holding a child in his + arms. To save money they kept no servant but Annie's young sister + Monica came for an hour or so in the morning and an hour or so in + the evening to help. But Monica had gone home long ago. It was a + quarter to nine. Little Chandler had come home late for tea and, + moreover, he had forgotten to bring Annie home the parcel of + coffee from Bewley's. Of course she was in a bad humour and gave + him short answers. She said she would do without any tea but + when it came near the time at which the shop at the corner closed + she decided to go out herself for a quarter of a pound of tea and + two pounds of sugar. She put the sleeping child deftly in his arms + and said:</p> +<p>"Here. Don't waken him."</p> +<p>A little lamp with a white china shade stood upon the table and its + light fell over a photograph which was enclosed in a frame of + crumpled horn. It was Annie's photograph. Little Chandler looked + at it, pausing at the thin tight lips. She wore the pale blue summer + blouse which he had brought her home as a present one Saturday. + It had cost him ten and elevenpence; but what an agony of + nervousness it had cost him! How he had suffered that day, waiting + at the shop door until the shop was empty, standing at the counter + and trying to appear at his ease while the girl piled ladies' blouses + before him, paying at the desk and forgetting to take up the odd + penny of his change, being called back by the cashier, and finally, + striving to hide his blushes as he left the shop by examining the + parcel to see if it was securely tied. When he brought the blouse + home Annie kissed him and said it was very pretty and stylish; but + when she heard the price she threw the blouse on the table and said + it was a regular swindle to charge ten and elevenpence for it. At + first she wanted to take it back but when she tried it on she was + delighted with it, especially with the make of the sleeves, and + kissed him and said he was very good to think of her.</p> +<p>Hm!...</p> +<p>He looked coldly into the eyes of the photograph and they + answered coldly. Certainly they were pretty and the face itself was + pretty. But he found something mean in it. Why was it so + unconscious and ladylike? The composure of the eyes irritated + him. They repelled him and defied him: there was no passion in + them, no rapture. He thought of what Gallaher had said about rich + Jewesses. Those dark Oriental eyes, he thought, how full they are + of passion, of voluptuous longing!... Why had he married the eyes + in the photograph?</p> +<p>He caught himself up at the question and glanced nervously round the room. + He found something mean in the pretty furniture which he had bought for his + house on the hire system. Annie had chosen it herself and it reminded hi of + her. It too was prim and pretty. A dull resentment against his life awoke within + him. Could he not escape from his little house? Was it too late for him to try + to live bravely like Gallaher? Could he go to London? There was the furniture + still to be paid for. If he could only write a book and get it published, that + might open the way for him.</p> +<p>A volume of Byron's poems lay before him on the table. He opened + it cautiously with his left hand lest he should waken the child and + began to read the first poem in the book:</p> +<p>Hushed are the winds and still the evening gloom,</p> +<p>Not e'en a Zephyr wanders through the grove,</p> +<p>Whilst I return to view my Margaret's tomb</p> +<p>And scatter flowers on tbe dust I love.</p> +<p>He paused. He felt the rhythm of the verse about him in the room. + How melancholy it was! Could he, too, write like that, express the + melancholy of his soul in verse? There were so many things he + wanted to describe: his sensation of a few hours before on Grattan + Bridge, for example. If he could get back again into that mood....</p> +<p>The child awoke and began to cry. He turned from the page and + tried to hush it: but it would not be hushed. He began to rock it to + and fro in his arms but its wailing cry grew keener. He rocked it + faster while his eyes began to read the second stanza:</p> +<p>Within this narrow cell reclines her clay,</p> +<p>That clay where once...</p> +<p>It was useless. He couldn't read. He couldn't do anything. The + wailing of the child pierced the drum of his ear. It was useless, + useless! He was a prisoner for life. His arms trembled with anger + and suddenly bending to the child's face he shouted:</p> +<p>"Stop!"</p> +<p>The child stopped for an instant, had a spasm of fright and began + to scream. He jumped up from his chair and walked hastily up and + down the room with the child in his arms. It began to sob + piteously, losing its breath for four or five seconds, and then + bursting out anew. The thin walls of the room echoed the sound. + He tried to soothe it but it sobbed more convulsively. He looked at + the contracted and quivering face of the child and began to be + alarmed. He counted seven sobs without a break between them and + caught the child to his breast in fright. If it died!...</p> +<p>The door was burst open and a young woman ran in, panting.</p> +<p>"What is it? What is it?" she cried.</p> +<p>The child, hearing its mother's voice, broke out into a paroxysm of + sobbing.</p> +<p>"It's nothing, Annie ... it's nothing.... He began to cry..."</p> +<p>She flung her parcels on the floor and snatched the child from him.</p> +<p>"What have you done to him?" she cried, glaring into his face.</p> +<p>Little Chandler sustained for one moment the gaze of her eyes and + his heart closed together as he met the hatred in them. He began to + stammer:</p> +<p>"It's nothing.... He ... he began to cry.... I couldn't ... I didn't do + anything.... What?"</p> +<p>Giving no heed to him she began to walk up and down the room, + clasping the child tightly in her arms and murmuring:</p> +<p>"My little man! My little mannie! Was 'ou frightened, love?... + There now, love! There now!... Lambabaun! Mamma's little lamb + of the world!... There now!"</p> +<p>Little Chandler felt his cheeks suffused with shame and he stood back out of + the lamplight. He listened while the paroxysm of the child's sobbing grew less + and less; and tears of remorse started to his eyes.</p> +<p> </p> +<h3 align="center">COUNTERPARTS</h3> +<p>THE bell rang furiously and, when Miss Parker went to the tube, a + furious voice called out in a piercing North of Ireland accent:</p> +<p>"Send Farrington here!"</p> +<p>Miss Parker returned to her machine, saying to a man who was + writing at a desk:</p> +<p>"Mr. Alleyne wants you upstairs."</p> +<p>The man muttered "Blast him!" under his breath and pushed back + his chair to stand up. When he stood up he was tall and of great + bulk. He had a hanging face, dark wine-coloured, with fair + eyebrows and moustache: his eyes bulged forward slightly and the + whites of them were dirty. He lifted up the counter and, passing by + the clients, went out of the office with a heavy step.</p> +<p>He went heavily upstairs until he came to the second landing, + where a door bore a brass plate with the inscription Mr. Alleyne. + Here he halted, puffing with labour and vexation, and knocked. + The shrill voice cried:</p> +<p>"Come in!"</p> +<p>The man entered Mr. Alleyne's room. Simultaneously Mr. Alleyne, + a little man wearing gold-rimmed glasses on a cleanshaven face, + shot his head up over a pile of documents. The head itself was so + pink and hairless it seemed like a large egg reposing on the papers. + Mr. Alleyne did not lose a moment:</p> +<p>"Farrington? What is the meaning of this? Why have I always to + complain of you? May I ask you why you haven't made a copy of + that contract between Bodley and Kirwan? I told you it must be + ready by four o'clock."</p> +<p>"But Mr. Shelley said, sir----"</p> +<p>"Mr. Shelley said, sir .... Kindly attend to what I say and not to + what Mr. Shelley says, sir. You have always some excuse or + another for shirking work. Let me tell you that if the contract is not + copied before this evening I'll lay the matter before Mr. Crosbie.... + Do you hear me now?"</p> +<p>"Yes, sir."</p> +<p>"Do you hear me now?... Ay and another little matter! I might as + well be talking to the wall as talking to you. Understand once for + all that you get a half an hour for your lunch and not an hour and a + half. How many courses do you want, I'd like to know.... Do you + mind me now?"</p> +<p>"Yes, sir."</p> +<p>Mr. Alleyne bent his head again upon his pile of papers. The man + stared fixedly at the polished skull which directed the affairs of + Crosbie & Alleyne, gauging its fragility. A spasm of rage gripped + his throat for a few moments and then passed, leaving after it a + sharp sensation of thirst. The man recognised the sensation and felt + that he must have a good night's drinking. The middle of the month + was passed and, if he could get the copy done in time, Mr. Alleyne + might give him an order on the cashier. He stood still, gazing + fixedly at the head upon the pile of papers. Suddenly Mr. Alleyne + began to upset all the papers, searching for something. Then, as if + he had been unaware of the man's presence till that moment, he + shot up his head again, saying:</p> +<p>"Eh? Are you going to stand there all day? Upon my word, + Farrington, you take things easy!"</p> +<p>"I was waiting to see..."</p> +<p>"Very good, you needn't wait to see. Go downstairs and do your + work."</p> +<p>The man walked heavily towards the door and, as he went out of + the room, he heard Mr. Alleyne cry after him that if the contract + was not copied by evening Mr. Crosbie would hear of the matter.</p> +<p>He returned to his desk in the lower office and counted the sheets + which remained to be copied. He took up his pen and dipped it in + the ink but he continued to stare stupidly at the last words he had + written: In no case shall the said Bernard Bodley be... The evening + was falling and in a few minutes they would be lighting the gas: + then he could write. He felt that he must slake the thirst in his + throat. He stood up from his desk and, lifting the counter as before, + passed out of the office. As he was passing out the chief clerk + looked at him inquiringly.</p> +<p>"It's all right, Mr. Shelley," said the man, pointing with his finger + to indicate the objective of his journey.</p> +<p>The chief clerk glanced at the hat-rack, but, seeing the row + complete, offered no remark. As soon as he was on the landing the + man pulled a shepherd's plaid cap out of his pocket, put it on his + head and ran quickly down the rickety stairs. From the street door + he walked on furtively on the inner side of the path towards the + corner and all at once dived into a doorway. He was now safe in + the dark snug of O'Neill's shop, and filling up the little window + that looked into the bar with his inflamed face, the colour of dark + wine or dark meat, he called out:</p> +<p>"Here, Pat, give us a g.p.. like a good fellow."</p> +<p>The curate brought him a glass of plain porter. The man drank it at + a gulp and asked for a caraway seed. He put his penny on the + counter and, leaving the curate to grope for it in the gloom, + retreated out of the snug as furtively as he had entered it.</p> +<p>Darkness, accompanied by a thick fog, was gaining upon the dusk + of February and the lamps in Eustace Street had been lit. The man + went up by the houses until he reached the door of the office, + wondering whether he could finish his copy in time. On the stairs a + moist pungent odour of perfumes saluted his nose: evidently Miss + Delacour had come while he was out in O'Neill's. He crammed his + cap back again into his pocket and re-entered the office, assuming + an air of absentmindedness.</p> +<p>"Mr. Alleyne has been calling for you," said the chief clerk + severely. "Where were you?"</p> +<p>The man glanced at the two clients who were standing at the + counter as if to intimate that their presence prevented him from + answering. As the clients were both male the chief clerk allowed + himself a laugh.</p> +<p>"I know that game," he said. "Five times in one day is a little + bit... + Well, you better look sharp and get a copy of our correspondence + in the Delacour case for Mr. Alleyne."</p> +<p>This address in the presence of the public, his run upstairs and the + porter he had gulped down so hastily confused the man and, as he + sat down at his desk to get what was required, he realised how + hopeless was the task of finishing his copy of the contract before + half past five. The dark damp night was coming and he longed to + spend it in the bars, drinking with his friends amid the glare of gas + and the clatter of glasses. He got out the Delacour correspondence + and passed out of the office. He hoped Mr. Alleyne would not + discover that the last two letters were missing.</p> +<p>The moist pungent perfume lay all the way up to Mr. Alleyne's + room. Miss Delacour was a middle-aged woman of Jewish + appearance. Mr. Alleyne was said to be sweet on her or on her + money. She came to the office often and stayed a long time when + she came. She was sitting beside his desk now in an aroma of + perfumes, smoothing the handle of her umbrella and nodding the + great black feather in her hat. Mr. Alleyne had swivelled his chair + round to face her and thrown his right foot jauntily upon his left + knee. The man put the correspondence on the desk and bowed + respectfully but neither Mr. Alleyne nor Miss Delacour took any + notice of his bow. Mr. Alleyne tapped a finger on the + correspondence and then flicked it towards him as if to say: "That's + all right: you can go."</p> +<p>The man returned to the lower office and sat down again at his + desk. He stared intently at the incomplete phrase: In no case shall + the said Bernard Bodley be... and thought how strange it was that + the last three words began with the same letter. The chief clerk + began to hurry Miss Parker, saying she would never have the + letters typed in time for post. The man listened to the clicking of + the machine for a few minutes and then set to work to finish his + copy. But his head was not clear and his mind wandered away to + the glare and rattle of the public-house. It was a night for hot + punches. He struggled on with his copy, but when the clock struck + five he had still fourteen pages to write. Blast it! He couldn't finish + it in time. He longed to execrate aloud, to bring his fist down on + something violently. He was so enraged that he wrote Bernard + Bernard instead of Bernard Bodley and had to begin again on a + clean sheet.</p> +<p>He felt strong enough to clear out the whole office singlehanded. + His body ached to do something, to rush out and revel in violence. + All the indignities of his life enraged him.... Could he ask the + cashier privately for an advance? No, the cashier was no good, no + damn good: he wouldn't give an advance.... He knew where he + would meet the boys: Leonard and O'Halloran and Nosey Flynn. + The barometer of his emotional nature was set for a spell of riot.</p> +<p>His imagination had so abstracted him that his name was called + twice before he answered. Mr. Alleyne and Miss Delacour were + standing outside the counter and all the clerks had turn round in + anticipation of something. The man got up from his desk. Mr. + Alleyne began a tirade of abuse, saying that two letters were + missing. The man answered that he knew nothing about them, that + he had made a faithful copy. The tirade continued: it was so bitter + and violent that the man could hardly restrain his fist from + descending upon the head of the manikin before him:</p> +<p>"I know nothing about any other two letters," he said stupidly.</p> +<p>"You--know--nothing. Of course you know nothing," said Mr. + Alleyne. "Tell me," he added, glancing first for approval to the + lady beside him, "do you take me for a fool? Do you think me an + utter fool?"</p> +<p>The man glanced from the lady's face to the little egg-shaped head + and back again; and, almost before he was aware of it, his tongue + had found a felicitous moment:</p> +<p>"I don't think, sir," he said, "that that's a fair question + to put to me."</p> +<p>There was a pause in the very breathing of the clerks. Everyone + was astounded (the author of the witticism no less than his + neighbours) and Miss Delacour, who was a stout amiable person, + began to smile broadly. Mr. Alleyne flushed to the hue of a wild + rose and his mouth twitched with a dwarf s passion. He shook his + fist in the man's face till it seemed to vibrate like the knob of some + electric machine:</p> +<p>"You impertinent ruffian! You impertinent ruffian! I'll make short + work of you! Wait till you see! You'll apologise to me for your + impertinence or you'll quit the office instanter! You'll quit this, I'm + telling you, or you'll apologise to me!"</p> +<p></p> +<p></p> +<p>He stood in a doorway opposite the office watching to see if the + cashier would come out alone. All the clerks passed out and finally + the cashier came out with the chief clerk. It was no use trying to + say a word to him when he was with the chief clerk. The man felt + that his position was bad enough. He had been obliged to offer an + abject apology to Mr. Alleyne for his impertinence but he knew + what a hornet's nest the office would be for him. He could + remember the way in which Mr. Alleyne had hounded little Peake + out of the office in order to make room for his own nephew. He + felt savage and thirsty and revengeful, annoyed with himself and + with everyone else. Mr. Alleyne would never give him an hour's + rest; his life would be a hell to him. He had made a proper fool of + himself this time. Could he not keep his tongue in his cheek? But + they had never pulled together from the first, he and Mr. Alleyne, + ever since the day Mr. Alleyne had overheard him mimicking his + North of Ireland accent to amuse Higgins and Miss Parker: that + had been the beginning of it. He might have tried Higgins for the + money, but sure Higgins never had anything for himself. A man + with two establishments to keep up, of course he couldn't....</p> +<p>He felt his great body again aching for the comfort of the + public-house. The fog had begun to chill him and he wondered + could he touch Pat in O'Neill's. He could not touch him for more + than a bob--and a bob was no use. Yet he must get money + somewhere or other: he had spent his last penny for the g.p. and + soon it would be too late for getting money anywhere. Suddenly, + as he was fingering his watch-chain, he thought of Terry Kelly's + pawn-office in Fleet Street. That was the dart! Why didn't he think + of it sooner?</p> +<p>He went through the narrow alley of Temple Bar quickly, + muttering to himself that they could all go to hell because he was + going to have a good night of it. The clerk in Terry Kelly's said A + crown! but the consignor held out for six shillings; and in the end + the six shillings was allowed him literally. He came out of the + pawn-office joyfully, making a little cylinder, of the coins between + his thumb and fingers. In Westmoreland Street the footpaths were + crowded with young men and women returning from business and + ragged urchins ran here and there yelling out the names of the + evening editions. The man passed through the crowd, looking on + the spectacle generally with proud satisfaction and staring + masterfully at the office-girls. His head was full of the noises of + tram- gongs and swishing trolleys and his nose already sniffed the + curling fumes punch. As he walked on he preconsidered the terms + in which he would narrate the incident to the boys:</p> +<p>"So, I just looked at him--coolly, you know, and looked at her. + Then I looked back at him again--taking my time, you know. 'I + don't think that that's a fair question to put to me,' says I."</p> +<p>Nosey Flynn was sitting up in his usual corner of Davy Byrne's + and, when he heard the story, he stood Farrington a half-one, + saying it was as smart a thing as ever he heard. Farrington stood a + drink in his turn. After a while O'Halloran and Paddy Leonard + came in and the story was repeated to them. O'Halloran stood + tailors of malt, hot, all round and told the story of the retort he had + made to the chief clerk when he was in Callan's of Fownes's Street; + but, as the retort was after the manner of the liberal shepherds in + the eclogues, he had to admit that it was not as clever as + Farrington's retort. At this Farrington told the boys to polish off + that and have another.</p> +<p>Just as they were naming their poisons who should come in but + Higgins! Of course he had to join in with the others. The men + asked him to give his version of it, and he did so with great + vivacity for the sight of five small hot whiskies was very + exhilarating. Everyone roared laughing when he showed the way in + which Mr. Alleyne shook his fist in Farrington's face. Then he + imitated Farrington, saying, "And here was my nabs, as cool as you + please," while Farrington looked at the company out of his heavy + dirty eyes, smiling and at times drawing forth stray drops of liquor + from his moustache with the aid of his lower lip.</p> +<p>When that round was over there was a pause. O'Halloran had money but neither + of the other two seemed to have any; so the whole party left the shop somewhat + regretfully. At the corner of Duke Street Higgins and Nosey Flynn bevelled off + to the left while the other three turned back towards the city. Rain was drizzling + down on the cold streets and, when they reached the Ballast Office, Farrington + suggested the Scotch House. The bar was full of men and loud with the noise + of tongues and glasses. The three men pushed past the whining matchsellers at + the door and formed a little party at the corner of the counter. They began + to exchange stories. Leonard introduced them to a young fellow named Weathers + who was performing at the Tivoli as an acrobat and knockabout artiste. Farrington + stood a drink all round. Weathers said he would take a small Irish and Apollinaris. + Farrington, who had definite notions of what was what, asked the boys would + they have an Apollinaris too; but the boys told Tim to make theirs hot. The + talk became theatrical. O'Halloran stood a round and then Farrington stood another + round, Weathers protesting that the hospitality was too Irish. He promised to + get them in behind the scenes and introduce them to some nice girls. O'Halloran + said that he and Leonard would go, but that Farrington wouldn't go because he + was a married man; and Farrington's heavy dirty eyes leered at the company in + token that he understood he was being chaffed. Weathers made them all have just + one little tincture at his expense and promised to meet them later on at Mulligan's + in Poolbeg Street.</p> +<p>When the Scotch House closed they went round to Mulligan's. + They went into the parlour at the back and O'Halloran ordered + small hot specials all round. They were all beginning to feel + mellow. Farrington was just standing another round when + Weathers came back. Much to Farrington's relief he drank a glass + of bitter this time. Funds were getting low but they had enough to + keep them going. Presently two young women with big hats and a + young man in a check suit came in and sat at a table close by. + Weathers saluted them and told the company that they were out of + the Tivoli. Farrington's eyes wandered at every moment in the + direction of one of the young women. There was something + striking in her appearance. An immense scarf of peacock-blue + muslin was wound round her hat and knotted in a great bow under + her chin; and she wore bright yellow gloves, reaching to the elbow. + Farrington gazed admiringly at the plump arm which she moved + very often and with much grace; and when, after a little time, she + answered his gaze he admired still more her large dark brown eyes. + The oblique staring expression in them fascinated him. She + glanced at him once or twice and, when the party was leaving the + room, she brushed against his chair and said "O, pardon!" in a + London accent. He watched her leave the room in the hope that she + would look back at him, but he was disappointed. He cursed his + want of money and cursed all the rounds he had stood, particularly + all the whiskies and Apolinaris which he had stood to Weathers. If + there was one thing that he hated it was a sponge. He was so angry + that he lost count of the conversation of his friends.</p> +<p>When Paddy Leonard called him he found that they were talking + about feats of strength. Weathers was showing his biceps muscle + to the company and boasting so much that the other two had called + on Farrington to uphold the national honour. Farrington pulled up + his sleeve accordingly and showed his biceps muscle to the + company. The two arms were examined and compared and finally + it was agreed to have a trial of strength. The table was cleared and + the two men rested their elbows on it, clasping hands. When Paddy + Leonard said "Go!" each was to try to bring down the other's hand + on to the table. Farrington looked very serious and determined.</p> +<p>The trial began. After about thirty seconds Weathers brought his + opponent's hand slowly down on to the table. Farrington's dark + wine-coloured face flushed darker still with anger and humiliation + at having been defeated by such a stripling.</p> +<p>"You're not to put the weight of your body behind it. Play fair," + he + said.</p> +<p>"Who's not playing fair?" said the other.</p> +<p>"Come on again. The two best out of three."</p> +<p>The trial began again. The veins stood out on Farrington's + forehead, and the pallor of Weathers' complexion changed to + peony. Their hands and arms trembled under the stress. After a + long struggle Weathers again brought his opponent's hand slowly + on to the table. There was a murmur of applause from the + spectators. The curate, who was standing beside the table, nodded + his red head towards the victor and said with stupid familiarity:</p> +<p>"Ah! that's the knack!"</p> +<p>"What the hell do you know about it?" said Farrington fiercely, + turning on the man. "What do you put in your gab for?"</p> +<p>"Sh, sh!" said O'Halloran, observing the violent expression of + Farrington's face. "Pony up, boys. We'll have just one little smahan + more and then we'll be off."</p> +<p></p> +<p></p> +<p>A very sullen-faced man stood at the corner of O'Connell Bridge + waiting for the little Sandymount tram to take him home. He was + full of smouldering anger and revengefulness. He felt humiliated + and discontented; he did not even feel drunk; and he had only + twopence in his pocket. He cursed everything. He had done for + himself in the office, pawned his watch, spent all his money; and + he had not even got drunk. He began to feel thirsty again and he + longed to be back again in the hot reeking public-house. He had + lost his reputation as a strong man, having been defeated twice by + a mere boy. His heart swelled with fury and, when he thought of + the woman in the big hat who had brushed against him and said + Pardon! his fury nearly choked him.</p> +<p>His tram let him down at Shelbourne Road and he steered his great + body along in the shadow of the wall of the barracks. He loathed + returning to his home. When he went in by the side- door he found + the kitchen empty and the kitchen fire nearly out. He bawled + upstairs:</p> +<p>"Ada! Ada!"</p> +<p>His wife was a little sharp-faced woman who bullied her husband + when he was sober and was bullied by him when he was drunk. + They had five children. A little boy came running down the stairs.</p> +<p>"Who is that?" said the man, peering through the darkness.</p> +<p>"Me, pa."</p> +<p>"Who are you? Charlie?"</p> +<p>"No, pa. Tom."</p> +<p>"Where's your mother?"</p> +<p>"She's out at the chapel."</p> +<p>"That's right.... Did she think of leaving any dinner for me?"</p> +<p>"Yes, pa. I --"</p> +<p>"Light the lamp. What do you mean by having the place in + darkness? Are the other children in bed?"</p> +<p>The man sat down heavily on one of the chairs while the little boy + lit the lamp. He began to mimic his son's flat accent, saying half to + himself: "At the chapel. At the chapel, if you please!" When the + lamp was lit he banged his fist on the table and shouted:</p> +<p>"What's for my dinner?"</p> +<p>"I'm going... to cook it, pa," said the little boy.</p> +<p>The man jumped up furiously and pointed to the fire.</p> +<p>"On that fire! You let the fire out! By God, I'll teach you to do that + again!"</p> +<p>He took a step to the door and seized the walking-stick which was + standing behind it.</p> +<p>"I'll teach you to let the fire out!" he said, rolling up his sleeve + in + order to give his arm free play.</p> +<p>The little boy cried "O, pa!" and ran whimpering round the table, + but the man followed him and caught him by the coat. The little + boy looked about him wildly but, seeing no way of escape, fell + upon his knees.</p> +<p>"Now, you'll let the fire out the next time!" said the man striking + at + him vigorously with the stick. "Take that, you little whelp!"</p> +<p>The boy uttered a squeal of pain as the stick cut his thigh. He + clasped his hands together in the air and his voice shook with + fright.</p> +<p>"O, pa!" he cried. "Don't beat me, pa! And I'll... I'll say + a Hail Mary for you.... I'll say a Hail Mary for you, pa, if you don't beat + me.... I'll say a Hail Mary...."</p> +<p> </p> +<h3 align="center">CLAY</h3> +<p>THE matron had given her leave to go out as soon as the women's tea was over + and Maria looked forward to her evening out. The kitchen was spick and span: + the cook said you could see yourself in the big copper boilers. The fire was + nice and bright and on one of the side-tables were four very big barmbracks. + These barmbracks seemed uncut; but if you went closer you would see that they + had been cut into long thick even slices and were ready to be handed round at + tea. Maria had cut them herself. </p> +<p>Maria was a very, very small person indeed but she had a very long + nose and a very long chin. She talked a little through her nose, + always soothingly: "Yes, my dear," and "No, my dear." She + was + always sent for when the women quarrelled Over their tubs and + always succeeded in making peace. One day the matron had said to + her:</p> +<p>"Maria, you are a veritable peace-maker!"</p> +<p>And the sub-matron and two of the Board ladies had heard the + compliment. And Ginger Mooney was always saying what she + wouldn't do to the dummy who had charge of the irons if it wasn't + for Maria. Everyone was so fond of Maria.</p> +<p>The women would have their tea at six o'clock and she would be + able to get away before seven. From Ballsbridge to the Pillar, + twenty minutes; from the Pillar to Drumcondra, twenty minutes; + and twenty minutes to buy the things. She would be there before + eight. She took out her purse with the silver clasps and read again + the words A Present from Belfast. She was very fond of that purse + because Joe had brought it to her five years before when he and + Alphy had gone to Belfast on a Whit-Monday trip. In the purse + were two half-crowns and some coppers. She would have five + shillings clear after paying tram fare. What a nice evening they + would have, all the children singing! Only she hoped that Joe + wouldn't come in drunk. He was so different when he took any + drink.</p> +<p>Often he had wanted her to go and live with them;-but she would + have felt herself in the way (though Joe's wife was ever so nice + with her) and she had become accustomed to the life of the + laundry. Joe was a good fellow. She had nursed him and Alphy + too; and Joe used often say:</p> +<p>"Mamma is mamma but Maria is my proper mother."</p> +<p>After the break-up at home the boys had got her that position in the + Dublin by Lamplight laundry, and she liked it. She used to have + such a bad opinion of Protestants but now she thought they were + very nice people, a little quiet and serious, but still very nice + people to live with. Then she had her plants in the conservatory + and she liked looking after them. She had lovely ferns and + wax-plants and, whenever anyone came to visit her, she always + gave the visitor one or two slips from her conservatory. There was + one thing she didn't like and that was the tracts on the walks; but + the matron was such a nice person to deal with, so genteel.</p> +<p>When the cook told her everything was ready she went into the + women's room and began to pull the big bell. In a few minutes the + women began to come in by twos and threes, wiping their + steaming hands in their petticoats and pulling down the sleeves of + their blouses over their red steaming arms. They settled down + before their huge mugs which the cook and the dummy filled up + with hot tea, already mixed with milk and sugar in huge tin cans. + Maria superintended the distribution of the barmbrack and saw + that every woman got her four slices. There was a great deal of + laughing and joking during the meal. Lizzie Fleming said Maria + was sure to get the ring and, though Fleming had said that for so + many Hallow Eves, Maria had to laugh and say she didn't want any + ring or man either; and when she laughed her grey-green eyes + sparkled with disappointed shyness and the tip of her nose nearly + met the tip of her chin. Then Ginger Mooney lifted her mug of tea + and proposed Maria's health while all the other women clattered + with their mugs on the table, and said she was sorry she hadn't a + sup of porter to drink it in. And Maria laughed again till the tip of + her nose nearly met the tip of her chin and till her minute body + nearly shook itself asunder because she knew that Mooney meant + well though, of course, she had the notions of a common woman.</p> +<p>But wasn't Maria glad when the women had finished their tea and + the cook and the dummy had begun to clear away the tea- things! + She went into her little bedroom and, remembering that the next + morning was a mass morning, changed the hand of the alarm from + seven to six. Then she took off her working skirt and her + house-boots and laid her best skirt out on the bed and her tiny + dress-boots beside the foot of the bed. She changed her blouse too + and, as she stood before the mirror, she thought of how she used to + dress for mass on Sunday morning when she was a young girl; and + she looked with quaint affection at the diminutive body which she + had so often adorned, In spite of its years she found it a nice tidy + little body.</p> +<p>When she got outside the streets were shining with rain and she + was glad of her old brown waterproof. The tram was full and she + had to sit on the little stool at the end of the car, facing all the + people, with her toes barely touching the floor. She arranged in her + mind all she was going to do and thought how much better it was + to be independent and to have your own money in your pocket. + She hoped they would have a nice evening. She was sure they + would but she could not help thinking what a pity it was Alphy and + Joe were not speaking. They were always falling out now but when + they were boys together they used to be the best of friends: but + such was life.</p> +<p>She got out of her tram at the Pillar and ferreted her way quickly + among the crowds. She went into Downes's cake-shop but the shop + was so full of people that it was a long time before she could get + herself attended to. She bought a dozen of mixed penny cakes, and + at last came out of the shop laden with a big bag. Then she thought + what else would she buy: she wanted to buy something really nice. + They would be sure to have plenty of apples and nuts. It was hard + to know what to buy and all she could think of was cake. She + decided to buy some plumcake but Downes's plumcake had not + enough almond icing on top of it so she went over to a shop in + Henry Street. Here she was a long time in suiting herself and the + stylish young lady behind the counter, who was evidently a little + annoyed by her, asked her was it wedding-cake she wanted to buy. + That made Maria blush and smile at the young lady; but the young + lady took it all very seriously and finally cut a thick slice of + plumcake, parcelled it up and said:</p> +<p>"Two-and-four, please."</p> +<p>She thought she would have to stand in the Drumcondra tram + because none of the young men seemed to notice her but an elderly + gentleman made room for her. He was a stout gentleman and he + wore a brown hard hat; he had a square red face and a greyish + moustache. Maria thought he was a colonel-looking gentleman and + she reflected how much more polite he was than the young men + who simply stared straight before them. The gentleman began to + chat with her about Hallow Eve and the rainy weather. He + supposed the bag was full of good things for the little ones and + said it was only right that the youngsters should enjoy themselves + while they were young. Maria agreed with him and favoured him + with demure nods and hems. He was very nice with her, and when + she was getting out at the Canal Bridge she thanked him and + bowed, and he bowed to her and raised his hat and smiled + agreeably, and while she was going up along the terrace, bending + her tiny head under the rain, she thought how easy it was to know a + gentleman even when he has a drop taken.</p> +<p>Everybody said: "0, here's Maria!" when she came to Joe's house. + Joe was there, having come home from business, and all the + children had their Sunday dresses on. There were two big girls in + from next door and games were going on. Maria gave the bag of + cakes to the eldest boy, Alphy, to divide and Mrs. Donnelly said it + was too good of her to bring such a big bag of cakes and made all + the children say:</p> +<p>"Thanks, Maria."</p> +<p>But Maria said she had brought something special for papa and + mamma, something they would be sure to like, and she began to + look for her plumcake. She tried in Downes's bag and then in the + pockets of her waterproof and then on the hallstand but nowhere + could she find it. Then she asked all the children had any of them + eaten it--by mistake, of course--but the children all said no and + looked as if they did not like to eat cakes if they were to be + accused of stealing. Everybody had a solution for the mystery and + Mrs. Donnelly said it was plain that Maria had left it behind her in + the tram. Maria, remembering how confused the gentleman with + the greyish moustache had made her, coloured with shame and + vexation and disappointment. At the thought of the failure of her + little surprise and of the two and fourpence she had thrown away + for nothing she nearly cried outright.</p> +<p>But Joe said it didn't matter and made her sit down by the fire. He + was very nice with her. He told her all that went on in his office, + repeating for her a smart answer which he had made to the + manager. Maria did not understand why Joe laughed so much over + the answer he had made but she said that the manager must have + been a very overbearing person to deal with. Joe said he wasn't so + bad when you knew how to take him, that he was a decent sort so + long as you didn't rub him the wrong way. Mrs. Donnelly played + the piano for the children and they danced and sang. Then the two + next-door girls handed round the nuts. Nobody could find the + nutcrackers and Joe was nearly getting cross over it and asked how + did they expect Maria to crack nuts without a nutcracker. But + Maria said she didn't like nuts and that they weren't to bother about + her. Then Joe asked would she take a bottle of stout and Mrs. + Donnelly said there was port wine too in the house if she would + prefer that. Maria said she would rather they didn't ask her to take + anything: but Joe insisted.</p> +<p>So Maria let him have his way and they sat by the fire talking over + old times and Maria thought she would put in a good word for + Alphy. But Joe cried that God might strike him stone dead if ever + he spoke a word to his brother again and Maria said she was sorry + she had mentioned the matter. Mrs. Donnelly told her husband it + was a great shame for him to speak that way of his own flesh and + blood but Joe said that Alphy was no brother of his and there was + nearly being a row on the head of it. But Joe said he would not + lose his temper on account of the night it was and asked his wife to + open some more stout. The two next-door girls had arranged some + Hallow Eve games and soon everything was merry again. Maria + was delighted to see the children so merry and Joe and his wife in + such good spirits. The next-door girls put some saucers on the + table and then led the children up to the table, blindfold. One got + the prayer-book and the other three got the water; and when one of + the next-door girls got the ring Mrs. Donnelly shook her finger at + the blushing girl as much as to say: 0, I know all about it! They + insisted then on blindfolding Maria and leading her up to the table + to see what she would get; and, while they were putting on the + bandage, Maria laughed and laughed again till the tip of her nose + nearly met the tip of her chin.</p> +<p>They led her up to the table amid laughing and joking and she put + her hand out in the air as she was told to do. She moved her hand + about here and there in the air and descended on one of the + saucers. She felt a soft wet substance with her fingers and was + surprised that nobody spoke or took off her bandage. There was a + pause for a few seconds; and then a great deal of scuffling and + whispering. Somebody said something about the garden, and at + last Mrs. Donnelly said something very cross to one of the + next-door girls and told her to throw it out at once: that was no + play. Maria understood that it was wrong that time and so she had + to do it over again: and this time she got the prayer-book.</p> +<p>After that Mrs. Donnelly played Miss McCloud's Reel for the + children and Joe made Maria take a glass of wine. Soon they were + all quite merry again and Mrs. Donnelly said Maria would enter a + convent before the year was out because she had got the + prayer-book. Maria had never seen Joe so nice to her as he was + that night, so full of pleasant talk and reminiscences. She said they + were all very good to her.</p> +<p>At last the children grew tired and sleepy and Joe asked Maria would she not + sing some little song before she went, one of the old songs. Mrs. Donnelly said + "Do, please, Maria!" and so Maria had to get up and stand beside the + piano. Mrs. Donnelly bade the children be quiet and listen to Maria's song. + Then she played the prelude and said "Now, Maria!" and Maria, blushing + very much began to sing in a tiny quavering voice. She sang I Dreamt that I + Dwelt, and when she came to the second verse she sang again:</p> +<blockquote> + I dreamt that I dwelt in marble halls<br> + With vassals and serfs at my side<br> + And of all who assembled within those walls<br> + That I was the hope and the pride. <br> + <p> </p> + I had riches too great to count; could boast <br> + Of a high ancestral name, <br> + But I also dreamt, which pleased me most, <br> + That you loved me still the same.<br> +</blockquote> +<p> </p> +<p>But no one tried to show her her mistake; and when she had ended her song Joe + was very much moved. He said that there was no time like the long ago and no + music for him like poor old Balfe, whatever other people might say; and his + eyes filled up so much with tears that he could not find what he was looking + for and in the end he had to ask his wife to tell him where the corkscrew was.</p> +<p> </p> +<h3 align="center">A PAINFUL CASE</h3> +<p>MR. JAMES DUFFY lived in Chapelizod because he wished to + live as far as possible from the city of which he was a citizen and + because he found all the other suburbs of Dublin mean, modern + and pretentious. He lived in an old sombre house and from his + windows he could look into the disused distillery or upwards along + the shallow river on which Dublin is built. The lofty walls of his + uncarpeted room were free from pictures. He had himself bought + every article of furniture in the room: a black iron bedstead, an + iron washstand, four cane chairs, a clothes- rack, a coal-scuttle, a + fender and irons and a square table on which lay a double desk. A + bookcase had been made in an alcove by means of shelves of + white wood. The bed was clothed with white bedclothes and a + black and scarlet rug covered the foot. A little hand-mirror hung + above the washstand and during the day a white-shaded lamp stood + as the sole ornament of the mantelpiece. The books on the white + wooden shelves were arranged from below upwards according to + bulk. A complete Wordsworth stood at one end of the lowest shelf + and a copy of the Maynooth Catechism, sewn into the cloth cover + of a notebook, stood at one end of the top shelf. Writing materials + were always on the desk. In the desk lay a manuscript translation + of Hauptmann's Michael Kramer, the stage directions of which + were written in purple ink, and a little sheaf of papers held + together by a brass pin. In these sheets a sentence was inscribed + from time to time and, in an ironical moment, the headline of an + advertisement for Bile Beans had been pasted on to the first sheet. + On lifting the lid of the desk a faint fragrance escaped--the + fragrance of new cedarwood pencils or of a bottle of gum or of an + overripe apple which might have been left there and forgotten.</p> +<p>Mr. Duffy abhorred anything which betokened physical or mental + disorder. A medival doctor would have called him saturnine. His + face, which carried the entire tale of his years, was of the brown + tint of Dublin streets. On his long and rather large head grew dry + black hair and a tawny moustache did not quite cover an + unamiable mouth. His cheekbones also gave his face a harsh + character; but there was no harshness in the eyes which, looking at + the world from under their tawny eyebrows, gave the impression of + a man ever alert to greet a redeeming instinct in others but often + disappointed. He lived at a little distance from his body, regarding + his own acts with doubtful side-glasses. He had an odd + autobiographical habit which led him to compose in his mind from + time to time a short sentence about himself containing a subject in + the third person and a predicate in the past tense. He never gave + alms to beggars and walked firmly, carrying a stout hazel.</p> +<p>He had been for many years cashier of a private bank in Baggot + Street. Every morning he came in from Chapelizod by tram. At + midday he went to Dan Burke's and took his lunch--a bottle of + lager beer and a small trayful of arrowroot biscuits. At four o'clock + he was set free. He dined in an eating-house in George's Street + where he felt himself safe from the society o Dublin's gilded youth + and where there was a certain plain honesty in the bill of fare. His + evenings were spent either before his landlady's piano or roaming + about the outskirts of the city. His liking for Mozart's music + brought him sometimes to an opera or a concert: these were the + only dissipations of his life.</p> +<p>He had neither companions nor friends, church nor creed. He lived + his spiritual life without any communion with others, visiting his + relatives at Christmas and escorting them to the cemetery when + they died. He performed these two social duties for old dignity's + sake but conceded nothing further to the conventions which + regulate the civic life. He allowed himself to think that in certain + circumstances he would rob his hank but, as these circumstances + never arose, his life rolled out evenly--an adventureless tale.</p> +<p>One evening he found himself sitting beside two ladies in the + Rotunda. The house, thinly peopled and silent, gave distressing + prophecy of failure. The lady who sat next him looked round at the + deserted house once or twice and then said:</p> +<p>"What a pity there is such a poor house tonight! It's so hard on + people to have to sing to empty benches."</p> +<p>He took the remark as an invitation to talk. He was surprised that + she seemed so little awkward. While they talked he tried to fix her + permanently in his memory. When he learned that the young girl + beside her was her daughter he judged her to be a year or so + younger than himself. Her face, which must have been handsome, + had remained intelligent. It was an oval face with strongly marked + features. The eyes were very dark blue and steady. Their gaze + began with a defiant note but was confused by what seemed a + deliberate swoon of the pupil into the iris, revealing for an instant + a temperament of great sensibility. The pupil reasserted itself + quickly, this half- disclosed nature fell again under the reign of + prudence, and her astrakhan jacket, moulding a bosom of a certain + fullness, struck the note of defiance more definitely.</p> +<p>He met her again a few weeks afterwards at a concert in Earlsfort + Terrace and seized the moments when her daughter's attention was + diverted to become intimate. She alluded once or twice to her + husband but her tone was not such as to make the allusion a + warning. Her name was Mrs. Sinico. Her husband's + great-great-grandfather had come from Leghorn. Her husband was + captain of a mercantile boat plying between Dublin and Holland; + and they had one child.</p> +<p>Meeting her a third time by accident he found courage to make an + appointment. She came. This was the first of many meetings; they + met always in the evening and chose the most quiet quarters for + their walks together. Mr. Duffy, however, had a distaste for + underhand ways and, finding that they were compelled to meet + stealthily, he forced her to ask him to her house. Captain Sinico + encouraged his visits, thinking that his daughter's hand was in + question. He had dismissed his wife so sincerely from his gallery + of pleasures that he did not suspect that anyone else would take an + interest in her. As the husband was often away and the daughter + out giving music lessons Mr. Duffy had many opportunities of + enjoying the lady's society. Neither he nor she had had any such + adventure before and neither was conscious of any incongruity. + Little by little he entangled his thoughts with hers. He lent her + books, provided her with ideas, shared his intellectual life with + her. She listened to all.</p> +<p>Sometimes in return for his theories she gave out some fact of her + own life. With almost maternal solicitude she urged him to let his + nature open to the full: she became his confessor. He told her that + for some time he had assisted at the meetings of an Irish Socialist + Party where he had felt himself a unique figure amidst a score of + sober workmen in a garret lit by an inefficient oil-lamp. When the + party had divided into three sections, each under its own leader + and in its own garret, he had discontinued his attendances. The + workmen's discussions, he said, were too timorous; the interest + they took in the question of wages was inordinate. He felt that they + were hard-featured realists and that they resented an exactitude + which was the produce of a leisure not within their reach. No + social revolution, he told her, would be likely to strike Dublin for + some centuries.</p> +<p>She asked him why did he not write out his thoughts. For what, he + asked her, with careful scorn. To compete with phrasemongers, + incapable of thinking consecutively for sixty seconds? To submit + himself to the criticisms of an obtuse middle class which entrusted + its morality to policemen and its fine arts to impresarios?</p> +<p>He went often to her little cottage outside Dublin; often they spent + their evenings alone. Little by little, as their thoughts entangled, + they spoke of subjects less remote. Her companionship was like a + warm soil about an exotic. Many times she allowed the dark to fall + upon them, refraining from lighting the lamp. The dark discreet + room, their isolation, the music that still vibrated in their ears + united them. This union exalted him, wore away the rough edges + of his character, emotionalised his mental life. Sometimes he + caught himself listening to the sound of his own voice. He thought + that in her eyes he would ascend to an angelical stature; and, as he + attached the fervent nature of his companion more and more + closely to him, he heard the strange impersonal voice which he + recognised as his own, insisting on the soul's incurable loneliness. + We cannot give ourselves, it said: we are our own. The end of + these discourses was that one night during which she had shown + every sign of unusual excitement, Mrs. Sinico caught up his hand + passionately and pressed it to her cheek.</p> +<p>Mr. Duffy was very much surprised. Her interpretation of his + words disillusioned him. He did not visit her for a week, then he + wrote to her asking her to meet him. As he did not wish their last + interview to be troubled by the influence of their ruined + confessional they meet in a little cakeshop near the Parkgate. It + was cold autumn weather but in spite of the cold they wandered up + and down the roads of the Park for nearly three hours. They agreed + to break off their intercourse: every bond, he said, is a bond to + sorrow. When they came out of the Park they walked in silence + towards the tram; but here she began to tremble so violently that, + fearing another collapse on her part, he bade her good-bye quickly + and left her. A few days later he received a parcel containing his + books and music.</p> +<p>Four years passed. Mr. Duffy returned to his even way of life. His + room still bore witness of the orderliness of his mind. Some new + pieces of music encumbered the music-stand in the lower room + and on his shelves stood two volumes by Nietzsche: Thus Spake + Zarathustra and The Gay Science. He wrote seldom in the sheaf of + papers which lay in his desk. One of his sentences, written two + months after his last interview with Mrs. Sinico, read: Love + between man and man is impossible because there must not be + sexual intercourse and friendship between man and woman is + impossible because there must be sexual intercourse. He kept away + from concerts lest he should meet her. His father died; the junior + partner of the bank retired. And still every morning he went into + the city by tram and every evening walked home from the city after + having dined moderately in George's Street and read the evening + paper for dessert.</p> +<p>One evening as he was about to put a morsel of corned beef and + cabbage into his mouth his hand stopped. His eyes fixed + themselves on a paragraph in the evening paper which he had + propped against the water-carafe. He replaced the morsel of food + on his plate and read the paragraph attentively. Then he drank a + glass of water, pushed his plate to one side, doubled the paper + down before him between his elbows and read the paragraph over + and over again. The cabbage began to deposit a cold white grease + on his plate. The girl came over to him to ask was his dinner not + properly cooked. He said it was very good and ate a few mouthfuls + of it with difficulty. Then he paid his bill and went out.</p> +<p>He walked along quickly through the November twilight, his stout + hazel stick striking the ground regularly, the fringe of the buff Mail + peeping out of a side-pocket of his tight reefer overcoat. On the + lonely road which leads from the Parkgate to Chapelizod he + slackened his pace. His stick struck the ground less emphatically + and his breath, issuing irregularly, almost with a sighing sound, + condensed in the wintry air. When he reached his house he went + up at once to his bedroom and, taking the paper from his pocket, + read the paragraph again by the failing light of the window. He + read it not aloud, but moving his lips as a priest does when he + reads the prayers Secreto. This was the paragraph:</p> + +<p align="center">DEATH OF A LADY AT SYDNEY PARADE <br> + A PAINFUL CASE +<p> + Today at the City of Dublin Hospital the Deputy Coroner (in the + absence of Mr. Leverett) held an inquest on the body of Mrs. + Emily Sinico, aged forty-three years, who was killed at Sydney + Parade Station yesterday evening. The evidence showed that the + deceased lady, while attempting to cross the line, was knocked + down by the engine of the ten o'clock slow train from Kingstown, + thereby sustaining injuries of the head and right side which led to + her death.</p> +<p>James Lennon, driver of the engine, stated that he had been in the + employment of the railway company for fifteen years. On hearing + the guard's whistle he set the train in motion and a second or two + afterwards brought it to rest in response to loud cries. The train + was going slowly.</p> +<p>P. Dunne, railway porter, stated that as the train was about to start + he observed a woman attempting to cross the lines. He ran towards + her and shouted, but, before he could reach her, she was caught by + the buffer of the engine and fell to the ground.</p> +<p>A juror. "You saw the lady fall?"</p> +<p>Witness. "Yes."</p> +<p>Police Sergeant Croly deposed that when he arrived he found the + deceased lying on the platform apparently dead. He had the body + taken to the waiting-room pending the arrival of the ambulance.</p> +<p>Constable 57 corroborated.</p> +<p>Dr. Halpin, assistant house surgeon of the City of Dublin Hospital, + stated that the deceased had two lower ribs fractured and had + sustained severe contusions of the right shoulder. The right side of + the head had been injured in the fall. The injuries were not + sufficient to have caused death in a normal person. Death, in his + opinion, had been probably due to shock and sudden failure of the + heart's action.</p> +<p>Mr. H. B. Patterson Finlay, on behalf of the railway company, + expressed his deep regret at the accident. The company had always + taken every precaution to prevent people crossing the lines except + by the bridges, both by placing notices in every station and by the + use of patent spring gates at level crossings. The deceased had + been in the habit of crossing the lines late at night from platform to + platform and, in view of certain other circumstances of the case, + he did not think the railway officials were to blame.</p> +<p>Captain Sinico, of Leoville, Sydney Parade, husband of the + deceased, also gave evidence. He stated that the deceased was his + wife. He was not in Dublin at the time of the accident as he had + arrived only that morning from Rotterdam. They had been married + for twenty-two years and had lived happily until about two years + ago when his wife began to be rather intemperate in her habits.</p> +<p>Miss Mary Sinico said that of late her mother had been in the habit of going + out at night to buy spirits. She, witness, had often tried to reason with her + mother and had induced her to join a League. She was not at home until an hour + after the accident. The jury returned a verdict in accordance with the medical + evidence and exonerated Lennon from all blame. </p> +<p>The Deputy Coroner said it was a most painful case, and expressed + great sympathy with Captain Sinico and his daughter. He urged on + the railway company to take strong measures to prevent the + possibility of similar accidents in the future. No blame attached to + anyone.</p> +<p></p> +<p></p> +<p>Mr. Duffy raised his eyes from the paper and gazed out of his + window on the cheerless evening landscape. The river lay quiet + beside the empty distillery and from time to time a light appeared + in some house on the Lucan road. What an end! The whole + narrative of her death revolted him and it revolted him to think that + he had ever spoken to her of what he held sacred. The threadbare + phrases, the inane expressions of sympathy, the cautious words of + a reporter won over to conceal the details of a commonplace + vulgar death attacked his stomach. Not merely had she degraded + herself; she had degraded him. He saw the squalid tract of her vice, + miserable and malodorous. His soul's companion! He thought of + the hobbling wretches whom he had seen carrying cans and bottles + to be filled by the barman. Just God, what an end! Evidently she + had been unfit to live, without any strength of purpose, an easy + prey to habits, one of the wrecks on which civilisation has been + reared. But that she could have sunk so low! Was it possible he + had deceived himself so utterly about her? He remembered her + outburst of that night and interpreted it in a harsher sense than he + had ever done. He had no difficulty now in approving of the course + he had taken.</p> +<p>As the light failed and his memory began to wander he thought her + hand touched his. The shock which had first attacked his stomach + was now attacking his nerves. He put on his overcoat and hat + quickly and went out. The cold air met him on the threshold; it + crept into the sleeves of his coat. When he came to the + public-house at Chapelizod Bridge he went in and ordered a hot + punch.</p> +<p>The proprietor served him obsequiously but did not venture to talk. + There were five or six workingmen in the shop discussing the + value of a gentleman's estate in County Kildare They drank at + intervals from their huge pint tumblers and smoked, spitting often + on the floor and sometimes dragging the sawdust over their spits + with their heavy boots. Mr. Duffy sat on his stool and gazed at + them, without seeing or hearing them. After a while they went out + and he called for another punch. He sat a long time over it. The + shop was very quiet. The proprietor sprawled on the counter + reading the Herald and yawning. Now and again a tram was heard + swishing along the lonely road outside.</p> +<p>As he sat there, living over his life with her and evoking + alternately the two images in which he now conceived her, he + realised that she was dead, that she had ceased to exist, that she + had become a memory. He began to feel ill at ease. He asked + himself what else could he have done. He could not have carried + on a comedy of deception with her; he could not have lived with + her openly. He had done what seemed to him best. How was he to + blame? Now that she was gone he understood how lonely her life + must have been, sitting night after night alone in that room. His + life would be lonely too until he, too, died, ceased to exist, became + a memory--if anyone remembered him.</p> +<p>It was after nine o'clock when he left the shop. The night was cold + and gloomy. He entered the Park by the first gate and walked along + under the gaunt trees. He walked through the bleak alleys where + they had walked four years before. She seemed to be near him in + the darkness. At moments he seemed to feel her voice touch his + ear, her hand touch his. He stood still to listen. Why had he + withheld life from her? Why had he sentenced her to death? He + felt his moral nature falling to pieces.</p> +<p>When he gained the crest of the Magazine Hill he halted and + looked along the river towards Dublin, the lights of which burned + redly and hospitably in the cold night. He looked down the slope + and, at the base, in the shadow of the wall of the Park, he saw + some human figures lying. Those venal and furtive loves filled him + with despair. He gnawed the rectitude of his life; he felt that he + had been outcast from life's feast. One human being had seemed to + love him and he had denied her life and happiness: he had + sentenced her to ignominy, a death of shame. He knew that the + prostrate creatures down by the wall were watching him and + wished him gone. No one wanted him; he was outcast from life's + feast. He turned his eyes to the grey gleaming river, winding along + towards Dublin. Beyond the river he saw a goods train winding out + of Kingsbridge Station, like a worm with a fiery head winding + through the darkness, obstinately and laboriously. It passed slowly + out of sight; but still he heard in his ears the laborious drone of the + engine reiterating the syllables of her name.</p> +<p>He turned back the way he had come, the rhythm of the engine pounding in his + ears. He began to doubt the reality of what memory told him. He halted under + a tree and allowed the rhythm to die away. He could not feel her near him in + the darkness nor her voice touch his ear. He waited for some minutes listening. + He could hear nothing: the night was perfectly silent. He listened again: perfectly + silent. He felt that he was alone.</p> +<p> </p> +<h3 align="center">IVY DAY IN THE COMMITTEE ROOM</h3> +<p>OLD JACK raked the cinders together with a piece of cardboard + and spread them judiciously over the whitening dome of coals. + When the dome was thinly covered his face lapsed into darkness + but, as he set himself to fan the fire again, his crouching shadow + ascended the opposite wall and his face slowly reemerged into + light. It was an old man's face, very bony and hairy. The moist blue + eyes blinked at the fire and the moist mouth fell open at times, + munching once or twice mechanically when it closed. When the + cinders had caught he laid the piece of cardboard against the wall, + sighed and said:</p> +<p>"That's better now, Mr. O'Connor."</p> +<p>Mr. O'Connor, a grey-haired young man, whose face was + disfigured by many blotches and pimples, had just brought the + tobacco for a cigarette into a shapely cylinder but when spoken to + he undid his handiwork meditatively. Then he began to roll the + tobacco again meditatively and after a moment's thought decided + to lick the paper.</p> +<p>"Did Mr. Tierney say when he'd be back?" he asked in a sky + falsetto.</p> +<p>"He didn't say."</p> +<p>Mr. O'Connor put his cigarette into his mouth and began search his + pockets. He took out a pack of thin pasteboard cards.</p> +<p>"I'll get you a match," said the old man.</p> +<p>"Never mind, this'll do," said Mr. O'Connor.</p> +<p>He selected one of the cards and read what was printed on it:</p> + +<div align="center">MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS<br> + ------------------------------<br> + ROYAL EXCHANGE WARD <br> + -------------------------------- </div> +<p>Mr. Richard J. Tierney, P.L.G., respectfully solicits the favour of your vote + and influence at the coming election in the Royal Exchange Ward.</p> +<p> + Mr. O'Connor had been engaged by Tierney's agent to canvass one + part of the ward but, as the weather was inclement and his boots + let in the wet, he spent a great part of the day sitting by the fire in + the Committee Room in Wicklow Street with Jack, the old + caretaker. They had been sitting thus since e short day had grown + dark. It was the sixth of October, dismal and cold out of doors.</p> +<p>Mr. O'Connor tore a strip off the card and, lighting it, lit his + cigarette. As he did so the flame lit up a leaf of dark glossy ivy the + lapel of his coat. The old man watched him attentively and then, + taking up the piece of cardboard again, began to fan the fire slowly + while his companion smoked.</p> +<p>"Ah, yes," he said, continuing, "it's hard to know what way + to bring + up children. Now who'd think he'd turn out like that! I sent him to + the Christian Brothers and I done what I could him, and there he + goes boosing about. I tried to make him someway decent."</p> +<p>He replaced the cardboard wearily.</p> +<p>"Only I'm an old man now I'd change his tune for him. I'd take the + stick to his back and beat him while I could stand over him--as I + done many a time before. The mother, you know, she cocks him + up with this and that...."</p> +<p>"That's what ruins children," said Mr. O'Connor.</p> +<p>"To be sure it is," said the old man. "And little thanks you + get for + it, only impudence. He takes th'upper hand of me whenever he sees + I've a sup taken. What's the world coming to when sons speaks that + way to their fathers?"</p> +<p>"What age is he?" said Mr. O'Connor.</p> +<p>"Nineteen," said the old man.</p> +<p>"Why don't you put him to something?"</p> +<p>"Sure, amn't I never done at the drunken bowsy ever since he left + school? 'I won't keep you,' I says. 'You must get a job for yourself.' + But, sure, it's worse whenever he gets a job; he drinks it all."</p> +<p>Mr. O'Connor shook his head in sympathy, and the old man fell + silent, gazing into the fire. Someone opened the door of the room + and called out:</p> +<p>"Hello! Is this a Freemason's meeting?"</p> +<p>"Who's that?" said the old man.</p> +<p>"What are you doing in the dark?" asked a voice.</p> +<p>"Is that you, Hynes?" asked Mr. O'Connor.</p> +<p>"Yes. What are you doing in the dark?" said Mr. Hynes. advancing + into the light of the fire.</p> +<p>He was a tall, slender young man with a light brown moustache. + Imminent little drops of rain hung at the brim of his hat and the + collar of his jacket-coat was turned up.</p> +<p>"Well, Mat," he said to Mr. O'Connor, "how goes it?"</p> +<p>Mr. O'Connor shook his head. The old man left the hearth and + after stumbling about the room returned with two candlesticks + which he thrust one after the other into the fire and carried to the + table. A denuded room came into view and the fire lost all its + cheerful colour. The walls of the room were bare except for a copy + of an election address. In the middle of the room was a small table + on which papers were heaped.</p> +<p>Mr. Hynes leaned against the mantelpiece and asked:</p> +<p>"Has he paid you yet?"</p> +<p>"Not yet," said Mr. O'Connor. "I hope to God he'll not leave + us in + the lurch tonight."</p> +<p>Mr. Hynes laughed.</p> +<p>"O, he'll pay you. Never fear," he said.</p> +<p>"I hope he'll look smart about it if he means business," said Mr. + O'Connor.</p> +<p>"What do you think, Jack?" said Mr. Hynes satirically to the old + man.</p> +<p>The old man returned to his seat by the fire, saying:</p> +<p>"It isn't but he has it, anyway. Not like the other tinker."</p> +<p>"What other tinker?" said Mr. Hynes.</p> +<p>"Colgan," said the old man scornfully.</p> +<p>"It is because Colgan's a working--man you say that? What's the + difference between a good honest bricklayer and a publican--eh? + Hasn't the working-man as good a right to be in the Corporation as + anyone else--ay, and a better right than those shoneens that are + always hat in hand before any fellow with a handle to his name? + Isn't that so, Mat?" said Mr. Hynes, addressing Mr. O'Connor.</p> +<p>"I think you're right," said Mr. O'Connor.</p> +<p>"One man is a plain honest man with no hunker-sliding about him. + He goes in to represent the labour classes. This fellow you're + working for only wants to get some job or other."</p> +<p>"0f course, the working-classes should be represented," said the + old man.</p> +<p>"The working-man," said Mr. Hynes, "gets all kicks and no + halfpence. But it's labour produces everything. The workingman is + not looking for fat jobs for his sons and nephews and cousins. The + working-man is not going to drag the honour of Dublin in the mud + to please a German monarch."</p> +<p>"How's that?" said the old man.</p> +<p>"Don't you know they want to present an address of welcome to + Edward Rex if he comes here next year? What do we want + kowtowing to a foreign king?"</p> +<p>"Our man won't vote for the address," said Mr. O'Connor. "He + goes + in on the Nationalist ticket."</p> +<p>"Won't he?" said Mr. Hynes. "Wait till you see whether he will + or + not. I know him. Is it Tricky Dicky Tierney?"</p> +<p>"By God! perhaps you're right, Joe," said Mr. O'Connor. "Anyway, + I wish he'd turn up with the spondulics."</p> +<p>The three men fell silent. The old man began to rake more cinders + together. Mr. Hynes took off his hat, shook it and then turned + down the collar of his coat, displaying, as he did so, an ivy leaf in + the lapel.</p> +<p>"If this man was alive," he said, pointing to the leaf, "we'd + have no + talk of an address of welcome."</p> +<p>"That's true," said Mr. O'Connor.</p> +<p>"Musha, God be with them times!" said the old man. "There was + some life in it then."</p> +<p>The room was silent again. Then a bustling little man with a + snuffling nose and very cold ears pushed in the door. He walked + over quickly to the fire, rubbing his hands as if he intended to + produce a spark from them.</p> +<p>"No money, boys," he said.</p> +<p>"Sit down here, Mr. Henchy," said the old man, offering him his + chair.</p> +<p>"O, don't stir, Jack, don't stir," said Mr. Henchy</p> +<p>He nodded curtly to Mr. Hynes and sat down on the chair which + the old man vacated.</p> +<p>"Did you serve Aungier Street?" he asked Mr. O'Connor.</p> +<p>"Yes," said Mr. O'Connor, beginning to search his pockets for + memoranda.</p> +<p>"Did you call on Grimes?"</p> +<p>"I did."</p> +<p>"Well? How does he stand?"</p> +<p>"He wouldn't promise. He said: 'I won't tell anyone what way I'm + going to vote.' But I think he'll be all right."</p> +<p>"Why so?"</p> +<p>"He asked me who the nominators were; and I told him. I + mentioned Father Burke's name. I think it'll be all right."</p> +<p>Mr. Henchy began to snuffle and to rub his hands over the fire at a + terrific speed. Then he said:</p> +<p>"For the love of God, Jack, bring us a bit of coal. There must be + some left."</p> +<p>The old man went out of the room.</p> +<p>"It's no go," said Mr. Henchy, shaking his head. "I asked the + little + shoeboy, but he said: 'Oh, now, Mr. Henchy, when I see work + going on properly I won't forget you, you may be sure.' Mean little + tinker! 'Usha, how could he be anything else?"</p> +<p>"What did I tell you, Mat?" said Mr. Hynes. "Tricky Dicky + Tierney."</p> +<p>"0, he's as tricky as they make 'em," said Mr. Henchy. "He hasn't + got those little pigs' eyes for nothing. Blast his soul! Couldn't he + pay up like a man instead of: 'O, now, Mr. Henchy, I must speak to + Mr. Fanning.... I've spent a lot of money'? Mean little schoolboy of + hell! I suppose he forgets the time his little old father kept the + hand-me-down shop in Mary's Lane."</p> +<p>"But is that a fact?" asked Mr. O'Connor.</p> +<p>"God, yes," said Mr. Henchy. "Did you never hear that? And the + men used to go in on Sunday morning before the houses were open + to buy a waistcoat or a trousers--moya! But Tricky Dicky's little + old father always had a tricky little black bottle up in a corner. Do + you mind now? That's that. That's where he first saw the light."</p> +<p>The old man returned with a few lumps of coal which he placed + here and there on the fire.</p> +<p>"Thats a nice how-do-you-do," said Mr. O'Connor. "How does he + expect us to work for him if he won't stump up?"</p> +<p>"I can't help it," said Mr. Henchy. "I expect to find the bailiffs + in + the hall when I go home."</p> +<p>Mr. Hynes laughed and, shoving himself away from the + mantelpiece with the aid of his shoulders, made ready to leave.</p> +<p>"It'll be all right when King Eddie comes," he said. "Well boys, + I'm + off for the present. See you later. 'Bye, 'bye."</p> +<p>He went out of the room slowly. Neither Mr. Henchy nor the old + man said anything, but, just as the door was closing, Mr. O'Connor, + who had been staring moodily into the fire, called out suddenly:</p> +<p>"'Bye, Joe."</p> +<p>Mr. Henchy waited a few moments and then nodded in the + direction of the door.</p> +<p>"Tell me," he said across the fire, "what brings our friend + in here? + What does he want?"</p> +<p>"'Usha, poor Joe!" said Mr. O'Connor, throwing the end of his + cigarette into the fire, "he's hard up, like the rest of us."</p> +<p>Mr. Henchy snuffled vigorously and spat so copiously that he + nearly put out the fire, which uttered a hissing protest.</p> +<p>"To tell you my private and candid opinion," he said, "I think + he's a + man from the other camp. He's a spy of Colgan's, if you ask me. + Just go round and try and find out how they're getting on. They + won't suspect you. Do you twig?"</p> +<p>"Ah, poor Joe is a decent skin," said Mr. O'Connor.</p> +<p>"His father was a decent, respectable man," Mr. Henchy admitted. + "Poor old Larry Hynes! Many a good turn he did in his day! But I'm + greatly afraid our friend is not nineteen carat. Damn it, I can + understand a fellow being hard up, but what I can't understand is a + fellow sponging. Couldn't he have some spark of manhood about + him?"</p> +<p>"He doesn't get a warm welcome from me when he comes," said + the old man. "Let him work for his own side and not come spying + around here."</p> +<p>"I don't know," said Mr. O'Connor dubiously, as he took out + cigarette-papers and tobacco. "I think Joe Hynes is a straight man. + He's a clever chap, too, with the pen. Do you remember that thing + he wrote...?"</p> +<p>"Some of these hillsiders and fenians are a bit too clever if ask + me," said Mr. Henchy. "Do you know what my private and candid + opinion is about some of those little jokers? I believe half of them + are in the pay of the Castle."</p> +<p>"There's no knowing," said the old man.</p> +<p>"O, but I know it for a fact," said Mr. Henchy. "They're Castle + hacks.... I don't say Hynes.... No, damn it, I think he's a stroke + above that.... But there's a certain little nobleman with a cock-eye + --you know the patriot I'm alluding to?"</p> +<p>Mr. O'Connor nodded.</p> +<p>"There's a lineal descendant of Major Sirr for you if you like! O, + the heart's blood of a patriot! That's a fellow now that'd sell his + country for fourpence--ay--and go down on his bended knees + and thank the Almighty Christ he had a country to sell."</p> +<p>There was a knock at the door.</p> +<p>"Come in!" said Mr. Henchy.</p> +<p>A person resembling a poor clergyman or a poor actor appeared in + the doorway. His black clothes were tightly buttoned on his short + body and it was impossible to say whether he wore a clergyman's + collar or a layman's, because the collar of his shabby frock-coat, + the uncovered buttons of which reflected the candlelight, was + turned up about his neck. He wore a round hat of hard black felt. + His face, shining with raindrops, had the appearance of damp + yellow cheese save where two rosy spots indicated the cheekbones. + He opened his very long mouth suddenly to express + disappointment and at the same time opened wide his very bright + blue eyes to express pleasure and surprise.</p> +<p>"O Father Keon!" said Mr. Henchy, jumping up from his chair. "Is + that you? Come in!"</p> +<p>"O, no, no, no!" said Father Keon quickly, pursing his lips as if + he + were addressing a child.</p> +<p>"Won't you come in and sit down?"</p> +<p>"No, no, no!" said Father Keon, speaking in a discreet, indulgent, + velvety voice. "Don't let me disturb you now! I'm just looking for + Mr. Fanning...."</p> +<p>"He's round at the Black Eagle," said Mr. Henchy. "But won't + you + come in and sit down a minute?"</p> +<p>"No, no, thank you. It was just a little business matter," said Father + Keon. "Thank you, indeed."</p> +<p>He retreated from the doorway and Mr. Henchy, seizing one of the + candlesticks, went to the door to light him downstairs.</p> +<p>"O, don't trouble, I beg!"</p> +<p>"No, but the stairs is so dark."</p> +<p>"No, no, I can see.... Thank you, indeed."</p> +<p>"Are you right now?"</p> +<p>"All right, thanks.... Thanks."</p> +<p>Mr. Henchy returned with the candlestick and put it on the table. + He sat down again at the fire. There was silence for a few + moments.</p> +<p>"Tell me, John," said Mr. O'Connor, lighting his cigarette with + another pasteboard card.</p> +<p>"Hm? "</p> +<p>"What he is exactly?"</p> +<p>"Ask me an easier one," said Mr. Henchy.</p> +<p>"Fanning and himself seem to me very thick. They're often in + Kavanagh's together. Is he a priest at all?"</p> +<p>"Mmmyes, I believe so.... I think he's what you call black sheep. + We haven't many of them, thank God! but we have a few.... He's an + unfortunate man of some kind...."</p> +<p>"And how does he knock it out?" asked Mr. O'Connor.</p> +<p>"That's another mystery."</p> +<p>"Is he attached to any chapel or church or institution or---"</p> +<p>"No," said Mr. Henchy, "I think he's travelling on his own + account.... God forgive me," he added, "I thought he was the dozen + of stout."</p> +<p>"Is there any chance of a drink itself?" asked Mr. O'Connor.</p> +<p>"I'm dry too," said the old man.</p> +<p>"I asked that little shoeboy three times," said Mr. Henchy, "would + he send up a dozen of stout. I asked him again now, but he was + leaning on the counter in his shirt-sleeves having a deep goster + with Alderman Cowley."</p> +<p>"Why didn't you remind him?" said Mr. O'Connor.</p> +<p>"Well, I couldn't go over while he was talking to Alderman + Cowley. I just waited till I caught his eye, and said: 'About that + little matter I was speaking to you about....' 'That'll be all right, Mr. + H.,' he said. Yerra, sure the little hop-o'- my-thumb has forgotten + all about it."</p> +<p>"There's some deal on in that quarter," said Mr. O'Connor + thoughtfully. "I saw the three of them hard at it yesterday at + Suffolk Street corner."</p> +<p>"I think I know the little game they're at," said Mr. Henchy. "You + must owe the City Fathers money nowadays if you want to be made Lord Mayor. + Then they'll make you Lord Mayor. By God! I'm thinking seriously of becoming + a City Father myself. What do you think? Would I do for the job?"</p> +<p>Mr. O'Connor laughed.</p> +<p>"So far as owing money goes...."</p> +<p>"Driving out of the Mansion House," said Mr. Henchy, "in all + my + vermin, with Jack here standing up behind me in a powdered wig + --eh?"</p> +<p>"And make me your private secretary, John."</p> +<p>"Yes. And I'll make Father Keon my private chaplain. We'll have a + family party."</p> +<p>"Faith, Mr. Henchy," said the old man, "you'd keep up better + style + than some of them. I was talking one day to old Keegan, the porter. + 'And how do you like your new master, Pat?' says I to him. 'You + haven't much entertaining now,' says I. 'Entertaining!' says he. 'He'd + live on the smell of an oil- rag.' And do you know what he told + me? Now, I declare to God I didn't believe him."</p> +<p>"What?" said Mr. Henchy and Mr. O'Connor.</p> +<p>"He told me: 'What do you think of a Lord Mayor of Dublin + sending out for a pound of chops for his dinner? How's that for + high living?' says he. 'Wisha! wisha,' says I. 'A pound of chops,' + says he, 'coming into the Mansion House.' 'Wisha!' says I, 'what + kind of people is going at all now?"</p> +<p>At this point there was a knock at the door, and a boy put in his + head.</p> +<p>"What is it?" said the old man.</p> +<p>"From the Black Eagle," said the boy, walking in sideways and + depositing a basket on the floor with a noise of shaken bottles.</p> +<p>The old man helped the boy to transfer the bottles from the basket + to the table and counted the full tally. After the transfer the boy put + his basket on his arm and asked:</p> +<p>"Any bottles?"</p> +<p>"What bottles?" said the old man.</p> +<p>"Won't you let us drink them first?" said Mr. Henchy.</p> +<p>"I was told to ask for the bottles."</p> +<p>"Come back tomorrow," said the old man.</p> +<p>"Here, boy!" said Mr. Henchy, "will you run over to O'Farrell's + and + ask him to lend us a corkscrew--for Mr. Henchy, say. Tell him we + won't keep it a minute. Leave the basket there."</p> +<p>The boy went out and Mr. Henchy began to rub his hands + cheerfully, saying:</p> +<p>"Ah, well, he's not so bad after all. He's as good as his word, + anyhow."</p> +<p>"There's no tumblers," said the old man.</p> +<p>"O, don't let that trouble you, Jack," said Mr. Henchy. "Many's + the + good man before now drank out of the bottle."</p> +<p>"Anyway, it's better than nothing," said Mr. O'Connor.</p> +<p>"He's not a bad sort," said Mr. Henchy, "only Fanning has such + a + loan of him. He means well, you know, in his own tinpot way."</p> +<p>The boy came back with the corkscrew. The old man opened three + bottles and was handing back the corkscrew when Mr. Henchy said + to the boy:</p> +<p>"Would you like a drink, boy?"</p> +<p>"If you please, sir," said the boy.</p> +<p>The old man opened another bottle grudgingly, and handed it to + the boy.</p> +<p>"What age are you?" he asked.</p> +<p>"Seventeen," said the boy.</p> +<p>As the old man said nothing further, the boy took the bottle. said: + "Here's my best respects, sir, to Mr. Henchy," drank the contents, + put the bottle back on the table and wiped his mouth with his + sleeve. Then he took up the corkscrew and went out of the door + sideways, muttering some form of salutation.</p> +<p>"That's the way it begins," said the old man.</p> +<p>"The thin edge of the wedge," said Mr. Henchy.</p> +<p>The old man distributed the three bottles which he had opened and + the men drank from them simultaneously. After having drank each + placed his bottle on the mantelpiece within hand's reach and drew + in a long breath of satisfaction.</p> +<p>"Well, I did a good day's work today," said Mr. Henchy, after a + pause.</p> +<p>"That so, John?"</p> +<p>"Yes. I got him one or two sure things in Dawson Street, Crofton + and myself. Between ourselves, you know, Crofton (he's a decent + chap, of course), but he's not worth a damn as a canvasser. He + hasn't a word to throw to a dog. He stands and looks at the people + while I do the talking."</p> +<p>Here two men entered the room. One of them was a very fat man + whose blue serge clothes seemed to be in danger of falling from + his sloping figure. He had a big face which resembled a young ox's + face in expression, staring blue eyes and a grizzled moustache. The + other man, who was much younger and frailer, had a thin, + clean-shaven face. He wore a very high double collar and a + wide-brimmed bowler hat.</p> +<p>"Hello, Crofton!" said Mr. Henchy to the fat man. "Talk of the + devil..."</p> +<p>"Where did the boose come from?" asked the young man. "Did the + cow calve?"</p> +<p>"O, of course, Lyons spots the drink first thing!" said Mr. + O'Connor, laughing.</p> +<p>"Is that the way you chaps canvass," said Mr. Lyons, "and Crofton + and I out in the cold and rain looking for votes?"</p> +<p>"Why, blast your soul," said Mr. Henchy, "I'd get more votes + in + five minutes than you two'd get in a week."</p> +<p>"Open two bottles of stout, Jack," said Mr. O'Connor.</p> +<p>"How can I?" said the old man, "when there's no corkscrew? "</p> +<p>"Wait now, wait now!" said Mr. Henchy, getting up quickly. "Did + you ever see this little trick?"</p> +<p>He took two bottles from the table and, carrying them to the fire, + put them on the hob. Then he sat dow-n again by the fire and took + another drink from his bottle. Mr. Lyons sat on the edge of the + table, pushed his hat towards the nape of his neck and began to + swing his legs.</p> +<p>"Which is my bottle?" he asked.</p> +<p>"This, lad," said Mr. Henchy.</p> +<p>Mr. Crofton sat down on a box and looked fixedly at the other + bottle on the hob. He was silent for two reasons. The first reason, + sufficient in itself, was that he had nothing to say; the second + reason was that he considered his companions beneath him. He + had been a canvasser for Wilkins, the Conservative, but when the + Conservatives had withdrawn their man and, choosing the lesser of + two evils, given their support to the Nationalist candidate, he had + been engaged to work for Mr. Tiemey.</p> +<p>In a few minutes an apologetic "Pok!" was heard as the cork flew + out of Mr. Lyons' bottle. Mr. Lyons jumped off the table, went to + the fire, took his bottle and carried it back to the table.</p> +<p>"I was just telling them, Crofton," said Mr. Henchy, that we got + a + good few votes today."</p> +<p>"Who did you get?" asked Mr. Lyons.</p> +<p>"Well, I got Parkes for one, and I got Atkinson for two, and got + Ward of Dawson Street. Fine old chap he is, too--regular old toff, + old Conservative! 'But isn't your candidate a Nationalist?' said he. + 'He's a respectable man,' said I. 'He's in favour of whatever will + benefit this country. He's a big ratepayer,' I said. 'He has extensive + house property in the city and three places of business and isn't it + to his own advantage to keep down the rates? He's a prominent and + respected citizen,' said I, 'and a Poor Law Guardian, and he doesn't + belong to any party, good, bad, or indifferent.' That's the way to + talk to 'em."</p> +<p>"And what about the address to the King?" said Mr. Lyons, after + drinking and smacking his lips.</p> +<p>"Listen to me," said Mr. Henchy. "What we want in thus country, + as I said to old Ward, is capital. The King's coming here will mean + an influx of money into this country. The citizens of Dublin will + benefit by it. Look at all the factories down by the quays there, + idle! Look at all the money there is in the country if we only + worked the old industries, the mills, the ship-building yards and + factories. It's capital we want."</p> +<p>"But look here, John," said Mr. O'Connor. "Why should we + welcome the King of England? Didn't Parnell himself..."</p> +<p>"Parnell," said Mr. Henchy, "is dead. Now, here's the way I + look at + it. Here's this chap come to the throne after his old mother keeping + him out of it till the man was grey. He's a man of the world, and he + means well by us. He's a jolly fine decent fellow, if you ask me, + and no damn nonsense about him. He just says to himself: 'The old + one never went to see these wild Irish. By Christ, I'll go myself and + see what they're like.' And are we going to insult the man when he + comes over here on a friendly visit? Eh? Isn't that right, Crofton?"</p> +<p>Mr. Crofton nodded his head.</p> +<p>"But after all now," said Mr. Lyons argumentatively, "King + Edward's life, you know, is not the very..."</p> +<p>"Let bygones be bygones," said Mr. Henchy. "I admire the man + personally. He's just an ordinary knockabout like you and me. He's + fond of his glass of grog and he's a bit of a rake, perhaps, and he's a + good sportsman. Damn it, can't we Irish play fair?"</p> +<p>"That's all very fine," said Mr. Lyons. "But look at the case + of + Parnell now."</p> +<p>"In the name of God," said Mr. Henchy, "where's the analogy + between the two cases?"</p> +<p>"What I mean," said Mr. Lyons, "is we have our ideals. Why, + now, + would we welcome a man like that? Do you think now after what + he did Parnell was a fit man to lead us? And why, then, would we + do it for Edward the Seventh?"</p> +<p>"This is Parnell's anniversary," said Mr. O'Connor, "and don't + let us + stir up any bad blood. We all respect him now that he's dead and + gone--even the Conservatives," he added, turning to Mr. Crofton.</p> +<p>Pok! The tardy cork flew out of Mr. Crofton's bottle. Mr. Crofton + got up from his box and went to the fire. As he returned with his + capture he said in a deep voice:</p> +<p>"Our side of the house respects him, because he was a gentleman."</p> +<p>"Right you are, Crofton!" said Mr. Henchy fiercely. "He was + the + only man that could keep that bag of cats in order. 'Down, ye dogs! + Lie down, ye curs!' That's the way he treated them. Come in, Joe! + Come in!" he called out, catching sight of Mr. Hynes in the + doorway.</p> +<p>Mr. Hynes came in slowly.</p> +<p>"Open another bottle of stout, Jack," said Mr. Henchy. "O, I + forgot + there's no corkscrew! Here, show me one here and I'll put it at the + fire."</p> +<p>The old man handed him another bottle and he placed it on the + hob.</p> +<p>"Sit down, Joe," said Mr. O'Connor, "we're just talking about + the + Chief."</p> +<p>"Ay, ay!" said Mr. Henchy.</p> +<p>Mr. Hynes sat on the side of the table near Mr. Lyons but said + nothing.</p> +<p>"There's one of them, anyhow," said Mr. Henchy, "that didn't + renege him. By God, I'll say for you, Joe! No, by God, you stuck to + him like a man!"</p> +<p>"0, Joe," said Mr. O'Connor suddenly. "Give us that thing you + wrote--do you remember? Have you got it on you?"</p> +<p>"0, ay!" said Mr. Henchy. "Give us that. Did you ever hear that. + Crofton? Listen to this now: splendid thing."</p> +<p>"Go on," said Mr. O'Connor. "Fire away, Joe."</p> +<p>Mr. Hynes did not seem to remember at once the piece to which + they were alluding, but, after reflecting a while, he said:</p> +<p>"O, that thing is it.... Sure, that's old now."</p> +<p>"Out with it, man!" said Mr. O'Connor.</p> +<p>"'Sh, 'sh," said Mr. Henchy. "Now, Joe!"</p> +<p>Mr. Hynes hesitated a little longer. Then amid the silence he took off his + hat, laid it on the table and stood up. He seemed to be rehearsing the piece + in his mind. After a rather long pause he announced:</p> + +<div align="center">THE DEATH OF PARNELL <br> + 6th October, 1891 </div> +<p> He cleared his throat once or twice and then began to recite:</p> +<div align="center">He is dead. Our Uncrowned King is dead. <br> + O, Erin, mourn with grief and woe <br> + For he lies dead whom the fell gang <br> + Of modern hypocrites laid low. <br> + He lies slain by the coward hounds <br> + He raised to glory from the mire; <br> + And Erin's hopes and Erin's dreams <br> + Perish upon her monarch's pyre. <br> + In palace, cabin or in cot <br> + The Irish heart where'er it be <br> + Is bowed with woe--for he is gone <br> + Who would have wrought her destiny. <br> + He would have had his Erin famed, <br> + The green flag gloriously unfurled,<br> + Her statesmen, bards and warriors raised <br> + Before the nations of the World. <br> + He dreamed (alas, 'twas but a dream!) <br> + Of Liberty: but as he strove <br> + To clutch that idol, treachery <br> + Sundered him from the thing he loved. <br> + Shame on the coward, caitiff hands <br> + That smote their Lord or with a kiss <br> + Betrayed him to the rabble-rout <br> + Of fawning priests--no friends of his. <br> + May everlasting shame consume <br> + The memory of those who tried <br> + To befoul and smear the exalted name <br> + Of one who spurned them in his pride. <br> + He fell as fall the mighty ones, <br> + Nobly undaunted to the last, <br> + And death has now united him <br> + With Erin's heroes of the past. <br> + No sound of strife disturb his sleep! <br> + Calmly he rests: no human pain <br> + Or high ambition spurs him now <br> + The peaks of glory to attain. <br> + They had their way: they laid him low. <br> + But Erin, list, his spirit may <br> + Rise, like the Phoenix from the flames, <br> + When breaks the dawning of the day, <br> + The day that brings us Freedom's reign. <br> + And on that day may Erin well <br> + Pledge in the cup she lifts to Joy <br> + One grief--the memory of Parnell.<br> +</div> +<p align="center"> </p> +<p align="left">Mr. Hynes sat down again on the table. When he had finished his + recitation there was a silence and then a burst of clapping: even + Mr. Lyons clapped. The applause continued for a little time. When + it had ceased all the auditors drank from their bottles in silence.</p> +<p>Pok! The cork flew out of Mr. Hynes' bottle, but Mr. Hynes + remained sitting flushed and bare-headed on the table. He did not + seem to have heard the invitation.</p> +<p>"Good man, Joe!" said Mr. O'Connor, taking out his cigarette + papers and pouch the better to hide his emotion.</p> +<p>"What do you think of that, Crofton?" cried Mr. Henchy. "Isn't + that + fine? What?"</p> +<p>Crofton said that it was a very fine piece of writing.</p> +<p> </p> +<h3 align="center">A MOTHER</h3> +<p>MR HOLOHAN, assistant secretary of the Eire Abu Society, had + been walking up and down Dublin for nearly a month, with his + hands and pockets full of dirty pieces of paper, arranging about the + series of concerts. He had a game leg and for this his friends called + him Hoppy Holohan. He walked up and down constantly, stood by + the hour at street corners arguing the point and made notes; but in + the end it was Mrs. Kearney who arranged everything.</p> +<p>Miss Devlin had become Mrs. Kearney out of spite. She had been + educated in a high-class convent, where she had learned French + and music. As she was naturally pale and unbending in manner she + made few friends at school. When she came to the age of marriage + she was sent out to many houses, where her playing and ivory + manners were much admired. She sat amid the chilly circle of her + accomplishments, waiting for some suitor to brave it and offer her + a brilliant life. But the young men whom she met were ordinary + and she gave them no encouragement, trying to console her + romantic desires by eating a great deal of Turkish Delight in + secret. However, when she drew near the limit and her friends + began to loosen their tongues about her, she silenced them by + marrying Mr. Kearney, who was a bootmaker on Ormond Quay.</p> +<p>He was much older than she. His conversation, which was serious, + took place at intervals in his great brown beard. After the first year + of married life, Mrs. Kearney perceived that such a man would + wear better than a romantic person, but she never put her own + romantic ideas away. He was sober, thrifty and pious; he went to + the altar every first Friday, sometimes with her, oftener by himself. + But she never weakened in her religion and was a good wife to + him. At some party in a strange house when she lifted her eyebrow + ever so slightly he stood up to take his leave and, when his cough + troubled him, she put the eider-down quilt over his feet and made a + strong rum punch. For his part, he was a model father. By paying a + small sum every week into a society, he ensured for both his + daughters a dowry of one hundred pounds each when they came to + the age of twenty-four. He sent the older daughter, Kathleen, to a + good convent, where she learned French and music, and afterward + paid her fees at the Academy. Every year in the month of July Mrs. + Kearney found occasion to say to some friend:</p> +<p>"My good man is packing us off to Skerries for a few weeks."</p> +<p>If it was not Skerries it was Howth or Greystones.</p> +<p>When the Irish Revival began to be appreciable Mrs. Kearney + determined to take advantage of her daughter's name and brought + an Irish teacher to the house. Kathleen and her sister sent Irish + picture postcards to their friends and these friends sent back other + Irish picture postcards. On special Sundays, when Mr. Kearney + went with his family to the pro-cathedral, a little crowd of people + would assemble after mass at the corner of Cathedral Street. They + were all friends of the Kearneys--musical friends or Nationalist + friends; and, when they had played every little counter of gossip, + they shook hands with one another all together, laughing at the + crossing of so man hands, and said good-bye to one another in + Irish. Soon the name of Miss Kathleen Kearney began to be heard + often on people's lips. People said that she was very clever at + music and a very nice girl and, moreover, that she was a believer + in the language movement. Mrs. Kearney was well content at this. + Therefore she was not surprised when one day Mr. Holohan came + to her and proposed that her daughter should be the accompanist at + a series of four grand concerts which his Society was going to give + in the Antient Concert Rooms. She brought him into the + drawing-room, made him sit down and brought out the decanter + and the silver biscuit-barrel. She entered heart and soul into the + details of the enterprise, advised and dissuaded: and finally a + contract was drawn up by which Kathleen was to receive eight + guineas for her services as accompanist at the four grand concerts.</p> +<p>As Mr. Holohan was a novice in such delicate matters as the + wording of bills and the disposing of items for a programme, Mrs. + Kearney helped him. She had tact. She knew what artistes should + go into capitals and what artistes should go into small type. She + knew that the first tenor would not like to come on after Mr. + Meade's comic turn. To keep the audience continually diverted she + slipped the doubtful items in between the old favourites. Mr. + Holohan called to see her every day to have her advice on some + point. She was invariably friendly and advising--homely, in fact. + She pushed the decanter towards him, saying:</p> +<p>"Now, help yourself, Mr. Holohan!"</p> +<p>And while he was helping himself she said:</p> +<p>"Don't be afraid! Don t be afraid of it! "</p> +<p>Everything went on smoothly. Mrs. Kearney bought some lovely + blush-pink charmeuse in Brown Thomas's to let into the front of + Kathleen's dress. It cost a pretty penny; but there are occasions + when a little expense is justifiable. She took a dozen of + two-shilling tickets for the final concert and sent them to those + friends who could not be trusted to come otherwise. She forgot + nothing, and, thanks to her, everything that was to be done was + done.</p> +<p>The concerts were to be on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and + Saturday. When Mrs. Kearney arrived with her daughter at the + Antient Concert Rooms on Wednesday night she did not like the + look of things. A few young men, wearing bright blue badges in + their coats, stood idle in the vestibule; none of them wore evening + dress. She passed by with her daughter and a quick glance through + the open door of the hall showed her the cause of the stewards' + idleness. At first she wondered had she mistaken the hour. No, it + was twenty minutes to eight.</p> +<p>In the dressing-room behind the stage she was introduced to the secretary of + the Society, Mr. Fitzpatrick. She smiled and shook his hand. He was a little + man, with a white, vacant face. She noticed that he wore his soft brown hat + carelessly on the side of his head and that his accent was flat. He held a programme + in his hand, and, while he was talking to her, he chewed one end of it into + a moist pulp. He seemed to bear disappointments lightly. Mr. Holohan came into + the dressingroom every few minutes with reports from the box- office. The artistes + talked among themselves nervously, glanced from time to time at the mirror and + rolled and unrolled their music. When it was nearly half-past eight, the few + people in the hall began to express their desire to be entertained. Mr. Fitzpatrick + came in, smiled vacantly at the room, and said: </p> +<p>Well now, ladies and gentlemen. I suppose we'd better open the + ball."</p> +<p>Mrs. Kearney rewarded his very flat final syllable with a quick + stare of contempt, and then said to her daughter encouragingly:</p> +<p>"Are you ready, dear?"</p> +<p>When she had an opportunity, she called Mr. Holohan aside and + asked him to tell her what it meant. Mr. Holohan did not know + what it meant. He said that the committee had made a mistake in + arranging for four concerts: four was too many.</p> +<p>"And the artistes!" said Mrs. Kearney. "Of course they are doing + their best, but really they are not good."</p> +<p>Mr. Holohan admitted that the artistes were no good but the + committee, he said, had decided to let the first three concerts go as + they pleased and reserve all the talent for Saturday night. Mrs. + Kearney said nothing, but, as the mediocre items followed one + another on the platform and the few people in the hall grew fewer + and fewer, she began to regret that she had put herself to any + expense for such a concert. There was something she didn't like in + the look of things and Mr. Fitzpatrick's vacant smile irritated her + very much. However, she said nothing and waited to see how it + would end. The concert expired shortly before ten, and everyone + went home quickly.</p> +<p>The concert on Thursday night was better attended, but Mrs. + Kearney saw at once that the house was filled with paper. The + audience behaved indecorously, as if the concert were an informal + dress rehearsal. Mr. Fitzpatrick seemed to enjoy himself; he was + quite unconscious that Mrs. Kearney was taking angry note of his + conduct. He stood at the edge of the screen, from time to time + jutting out his head and exchanging a laugh with two friends in the + corner of the balcony. In the course of the evening, Mrs. Kearney + learned that the Friday concert was to be abandoned and that the + committee was going to move heaven and earth to secure a + bumper house on Saturday night. When she heard this, she sought + out Mr. Holohan. She buttonholed him as he was limping out + quickly with a glass of lemonade for a young lady and asked him + was it true. Yes. it was true.</p> +<p>"But, of course, that doesn't alter the contract," she said. "The + contract was for four concerts."</p> +<p>Mr. Holohan seemed to be in a hurry; he advised her to speak to + Mr. Fitzpatrick. Mrs. Kearney was now beginning to be alarmed. + She called Mr. Fitzpatrick away from his screen and told him that + her daughter had signed for four concerts and that, of course, + according to the terms of the contract, she should receive the sum + originally stipulated for, whether the society gave the four concerts + or not. Mr. Fitzpatrick, who did not catch the point at issue very + quickly, seemed unable to resolve the difficulty and said that he + would bring the matter before the committee. Mrs. Kearney's anger + began to flutter in her cheek and she had all she could do to keep + from asking:</p> +<p>"And who is the Cometty pray?"</p> +<p>But she knew that it would not be ladylike to do that: so she was + silent.</p> +<p>Little boys were sent out into the principal streets of Dublin early + on Friday morning with bundles of handbills. Special puffs + appeared in all the evening papers, reminding the music loving + public of the treat which was in store for it on the following + evening. Mrs. Kearney was somewhat reassured, but be thought + well to tell her husband part of her suspicions. He listened + carefully and said that perhaps it would be better if he went with + her on Saturday night. She agreed. She respected her husband in + the same way as she respected the General Post Office, as + something large, secure and fixed; and though she knew the small + number of his talents she appreciated his abstract value as a male. + She was glad that he had suggested coming with her. She thought + her plans over.</p> +<p>The night of the grand concert came. Mrs. Kearney, with her + husband and daughter, arrived at the Antient Concert Rooms + three-quarters of an hour before the time at which the concert was + to begin. By ill luck it was a rainy evening. Mrs. Kearney placed + her daughter's clothes and music in charge of her husband and + went all over the building looking for Mr. Holohan or Mr. + Fitzpatrick. She could find neither. She asked the stewards was any + member of the committee in the hall and, after a great deal of + trouble, a steward brought out a little woman named Miss Beirne + to whom Mrs. Kearney explained that she wanted to see one of the + secretaries. Miss Beirne expected them any minute and asked + could she do anything. Mrs. Kearney looked searchingly at the + oldish face which was screwed into an expression of trustfulness + and enthusiasm and answered:</p> +<p>"No, thank you!"</p> +<p>The little woman hoped they would have a good house. She looked + out at the rain until the melancholy of the wet street effaced all the + trustfulness and enthusiasm from her twisted features. Then she + gave a little sigh and said:</p> +<p>"Ah, well! We did our best, the dear knows."</p> +<p>Mrs. Kearney had to go back to the dressing-room.</p> +<p>The artistes were arriving. The bass and the second tenor had + already come. The bass, Mr. Duggan, was a slender young man + with a scattered black moustache. He was the son of a hall porter + in an office in the city and, as a boy, he had sung prolonged bass + notes in the resounding hall. From this humble state he had raised + himself until he had become a first-rate artiste. He had appeared in + grand opera. One night, when an operatic artiste had fallen ill, he + had undertaken the part of the king in the opera of Maritana at the + Queen's Theatre. He sang his music with great feeling and volume + and was warmly welcomed by the gallery; but, unfortunately, he + marred the good impression by wiping his nose in his gloved hand + once or twice out of thoughtlessness. He was unassuming and + spoke little. He said yous so softly that it passed unnoticed and he + never drank anything stronger than milk for his voice's sake. Mr. + Bell, the second tenor, was a fair-haired little man who competed + every year for prizes at the Feis Ceoil. On his fourth trial he had + been awarded a bronze medal. He was extremely nervous and + extremely jealous of other tenors and he covered his nervous + jealousy with an ebullient friendliness. It was his humour to have + people know what an ordeal a concert was to him. Therefore when + he saw Mr. Duggan he went over to him and asked:</p> +<p>"Are you in it too? "</p> +<p>"Yes," said Mr. Duggan.</p> +<p>Mr. Bell laughed at his fellow-sufferer, held out his hand and said:</p> +<p>"Shake!"</p> +<p>Mrs. Kearney passed by these two young men and went to the edge + of the screen to view the house. The seats were being filled up + rapidly and a pleasant noise circulated in the auditorium. She came + back and spoke to her husband privately. Their conversation was + evidently about Kathleen for they both glanced at her often as she + stood chatting to one of her Nationalist friends, Miss Healy, the + contralto. An unknown solitary woman with a pale face walked + through the room. The women followed with keen eyes the faded + blue dress which was stretched upon a meagre body. Someone said + that she was Madam Glynn, the soprano.</p> +<p>"I wonder where did they dig her up," said Kathleen to Miss Healy. + "I'm sure I never heard of her."</p> +<p>Miss Healy had to smile. Mr. Holohan limped into the + dressing-room at that moment and the two young ladies asked him + who was the unknown woman. Mr. Holohan said that she was + Madam Glynn from London. Madam Glynn took her stand in a + corner of the room, holding a roll of music stiffly before her and + from time to time changing the direction of her startled gaze. The + shadow took her faded dress into shelter but fell revengefully into + the little cup behind her collar-bone. The noise of the hall became + more audible. The first tenor and the baritone arrived together. + They were both well dressed, stout and complacent and they + brought a breath of opulence among the company.</p> +<p>Mrs. Kearney brought her daughter over to them, and talked to + them amiably. She wanted to be on good terms with them but, + while she strove to be polite, her eyes followed Mr. Holohan in his + limping and devious courses. As soon as she could she excused + herself and went out after him.</p> +<p>"Mr. Holohan, I want to speak to you for a moment," she said.</p> +<p>They went down to a discreet part of the corridor. Mrs Kearney + asked him when was her daughter going to be paid. Mr. Holohan + said that Mr. Fitzpatrick had charge of that. Mrs. Kearney said that + she didn't know anything about Mr. Fitzpatrick. Her daughter had + signed a contract for eight guineas and she would have to be paid. + Mr. Holohan said that it wasn't his business.</p> +<p>"Why isn't it your business?" asked Mrs. Kearney. "Didn't you + yourself bring her the contract? Anyway, if it's not your business + it's my business and I mean to see to it."</p> +<p>"You'd better speak to Mr. Fitzpatrick," said Mr. Holohan + distantly.</p> +<p>"I don't know anything about Mr. Fitzpatrick," repeated Mrs. + Kearney. "I have my contract, and I intend to see that it is carried + out."</p> +<p>When she came back to the dressing-room her cheeks were slightly + suffused. The room was lively. Two men in outdoor dress had + taken possession of the fireplace and were chatting familiarly with + Miss Healy and the baritone. They were the Freeman man and Mr. + O'Madden Burke. The Freeman man had come in to say that he + could not wait for the concert as he had to report the lecture which + an American priest was giving in the Mansion House. He said they + were to leave the report for him at the Freeman office and he + would see that it went in. He was a grey-haired man, with a + plausible voice and careful manners. He held an extinguished cigar + in his hand and the aroma of cigar smoke floated near him. He had + not intended to stay a moment because concerts and artistes bored + him considerably but he remained leaning against the mantelpiece. + Miss Healy stood in front of him, talking and laughing. He was old + enough to suspect one reason for her politeness but young enough + in spirit to turn the moment to account. The warmth, fragrance and + colour of her body appealed to his senses. He was pleasantly + conscious that the bosom which he saw rise and fall slowly + beneath him rose and fell at that moment for him, that the laughter + and fragrance and wilful glances were his tribute. When he could + stay no longer he took leave of her regretfully.</p> +<p>"O'Madden Burke will write the notice," he explained to Mr. + Holohan, "and I'll see it in."</p> +<p>"Thank you very much, Mr. Hendrick," said Mr. Holohan. you'll + see it in, I know. Now, won't you have a little something before + you go?"</p> +<p>"I don't mind," said Mr. Hendrick.</p> +<p>The two men went along some tortuous passages and up a dark + staircase and came to a secluded room where one of the stewards + was uncorking bottles for a few gentlemen. One of these + gentlemen was Mr. O'Madden Burke, who had found out the room + by instinct. He was a suave, elderly man who balanced his + imposing body, when at rest, upon a large silk umbrella. His + magniloquent western name was the moral umbrella upon which + he balanced the fine problem of his finances. He was widely + respected.</p> +<p>While Mr. Holohan was entertaining the Freeman man Mrs. + Kearney was speaking so animatedly to her husband that he had to + ask her to lower her voice. The conversation of the others in the + dressing-room had become strained. Mr. Bell, the first item, stood + ready with his music but the accompanist made no sign. Evidently + something was wrong. Mr. Kearney looked straight before him, + stroking his beard, while Mrs. Kearney spoke into Kathleen's ear + with subdued emphasis. From the hall came sounds of + encouragement, clapping and stamping of feet. The first tenor and + the baritone and Miss Healy stood together, waiting tranquilly, but + Mr. Bell's nerves were greatly agitated because he was afraid the + audience would think that he had come late.</p> +<p>Mr. Holohan and Mr. O'Madden Burke came into the room In a + moment Mr. Holohan perceived the hush. He went over to Mrs. + Kearney and spoke with her earnestly. While they were speaking + the noise in the hall grew louder. Mr. Holohan became very red + and excited. He spoke volubly, but Mrs. Kearney said curtly at + intervals:</p> +<p>"She won't go on. She must get her eight guineas."</p> +<p>Mr. Holohan pointed desperately towards the hall where the + audience was clapping and stamping. He appealed to Mr Kearney + and to Kathleen. But Mr. Kearney continued to stroke his beard + and Kathleen looked down, moving the point of her new shoe: it + was not her fault. Mrs. Kearney repeated:</p> +<p>"She won't go on without her money."</p> +<p>After a swift struggle of tongues Mr. Holohan hobbled out in haste. + The room was silent. When the strain of the silence had become + somewhat painful Miss Healy said to the baritone:</p> +<p>"Have you seen Mrs. Pat Campbell this week?"</p> +<p>The baritone had not seen her but he had been told that she was + very fine. The conversation went no further. The first tenor bent + his head and began to count the links of the gold chain which was + extended across his waist, smiling and humming random notes to + observe the effect on the frontal sinus. From time to time everyone + glanced at Mrs. Kearney.</p> +<p>The noise in the auditorium had risen to a clamour when Mr. + Fitzpatrick burst into the room, followed by Mr. Holohan who was + panting. The clapping and stamping in the hall were punctuated by + whistling. Mr. Fitzpatrick held a few banknotes in his hand. He + counted out four into Mrs. Kearney's hand and said she would get + the other half at the interval. Mrs. Kearney said:</p> +<p>"This is four shillings short."</p> +<p>But Kathleen gathered in her skirt and said: "Now. Mr. Bell," to + the first item, who was shaking like an aspen. The singer and the + accompanist went out together. The noise in hall died away. There + was a pause of a few seconds: and then the piano was heard.</p> +<p>The first part of the concert was very successful except for Madam Glynn's + item. The poor lady sang Killarney in a bodiless gasping voice, with all the + old-fashioned mannerisms of intonation and pronunciation which she believed + lent elegance to her singing. She looked as if she had been resurrected from + an old stage-wardrobe and the cheaper parts of the hall made fun of her high + wailing notes. The first tenor and the contralto, however, brought down the + house. Kathleen played a selection of Irish airs which was generously applauded. + The first part closed with a stirring patriotic recitation delivered by a young + lady who arranged amateur theatricals. It was deservedly applauded; and, when + it was ended, the men went out for the interval, content.</p> +<p>All this time the dressing-room was a hive of excitement. In one + corner were Mr. Holohan, Mr. Fitzpatrick, Miss Beirne, two of the + stewards, the baritone, the bass, and Mr. O'Madden Burke. Mr. + O'Madden Burke said it was the most scandalous exhibition he had + ever witnessed. Miss Kathleen Kearney's musical career was ended + in Dublin after that, he said. The baritone was asked what did he + think of Mrs. Kearney's conduct. He did not like to say anything. + He had been paid his money and wished to be at peace with men. + However, he said that Mrs. Kearney might have taken the artistes + into consideration. The stewards and the secretaries debated hotly + as to what should be done when the interval came.</p> +<p>"I agree with Miss Beirne," said Mr. O'Madden Burke. "Pay her + nothing."</p> +<p>In another corner of the room were Mrs. Kearney and he: husband, + Mr. Bell, Miss Healy and the young lady who had to recite the + patriotic piece. Mrs. Kearney said that the Committee had treated + her scandalously. She had spared neither trouble nor expense and + this was how she was repaid.</p> +<p>They thought they had only a girl to deal with and that therefore, + they could ride roughshod over her. But she would show them + their mistake. They wouldn't have dared to have treated her like + that if she had been a man. But she would see that her daughter got + her rights: she wouldn't be fooled. If they didn't pay her to the last + farthing she would make Dublin ring. Of course she was sorry for + the sake of the artistes. But what else could she do? She appealed + to the second tenor who said he thought she had not been well + treated. Then she appealed to Miss Healy. Miss Healy wanted to + join the other group but she did not like to do so because she was a + great friend of Kathleen's and the Kearneys had often invited her to + their house.</p> +<p>As soon as the first part was ended Mr. Fitzpatrick and Mr. + Holohan went over to Mrs. Kearney and told her that the other four + guineas would be paid after the committee meeting on the + following Tuesday and that, in case her daughter did not play for + the second part, the committee would consider the contract broken + and would pay nothing.</p> +<p>"I haven't seen any committee," said Mrs. Kearney angrily. "My + daughter has her contract. She will get four pounds eight into her + hand or a foot she won't put on that platform."</p> +<p>"I'm surprised at you, Mrs. Kearney," said Mr. Holohan. "I never + thought you would treat us this way."</p> +<p>"And what way did you treat me?" asked Mrs. Kearney.</p> +<p>Her face was inundated with an angry colour and she looked as if + she would attack someone with her hands.</p> +<p>"I'm asking for my rights." she said.</p> +<p>You might have some sense of decency," said Mr. Holohan.</p> +<p>"Might I, indeed?... And when I ask when my daughter is going to + be paid I can't get a civil answer."</p> +<p>She tossed her head and assumed a haughty voice:</p> +<p>"You must speak to the secretary. It's not my business. I'm a great + fellow fol-the-diddle-I-do."</p> +<p>"I thought you were a lady," said Mr. Holohan, walking away from + her abruptly.</p> +<p>After that Mrs. Kearney's conduct was condemned on all hands: + everyone approved of what the committee had done. She stood at + the door, haggard with rage, arguing with her husband and + daughter, gesticulating with them. She waited until it was time for + the second part to begin in the hope that the secretaries would + approach her. But Miss Healy had kindly consented to play one or + two accompaniments. Mrs. Kearney had to stand aside to allow the + baritone and his accompanist to pass up to the platform. She stood + still for an instant like an angry stone image and, when the first + notes of the song struck her ear, she caught up her daughter's cloak + and said to her husband:</p> +<p>"Get a cab!"</p> +<p>He went out at once. Mrs. Kearney wrapped the cloak round her + daughter and followed him. As she passed through the doorway + she stopped and glared into Mr. Holohan's face.</p> +<p>"I'm not done with you yet," she said.</p> +<p>"But I'm done with you," said Mr. Holohan.</p> +<p>Kathleen followed her mother meekly. Mr. Holohan began to pace + up and down the room, in order to cool himself for he his skin on + fire.</p> +<p>"That's a nice lady!" he said. "O, she's a nice lady!"</p> +<p>You did the proper thing, Holohan," said Mr. O'Madden Burke, poised upon + his umbrella in approval.</p> +<p> </p> +<h3 align="center">GRACE</h3> +<p>TWO GENTLEMEN who were in the lavatory at the time tried to + lift him up: but he was quite helpless. He lay curled up at the foot + of the stairs down which he had fallen. They succeeded in turning + him over. His hat had rolled a few yards away and his clothes were + smeared with the filth and ooze of the floor on which he had lain, + face downwards. His eyes were closed and he breathed with a + grunting noise. A thin stream of blood trickled from the corner of + his mouth.</p> +<p>These two gentlemen and one of the curates carried him up the + stairs and laid him down again on the floor of the bar. In two + minutes he was surrounded by a ring of men. The manager of the + bar asked everyone who he was and who was with him. No one + knew who he was but one of the curates said he had served the + gentleman with a small rum.</p> +<p>"Was he by himself?" asked the manager.</p> +<p>"No, sir. There was two gentlemen with him."</p> +<p>"And where are they?"</p> +<p>No one knew; a voice said:</p> +<p>"Give him air. He's fainted."</p> +<p>The ring of onlookers distended and closed again elastically. A + dark medal of blood had formed itself near the man's head on the + tessellated floor. The manager, alarmed by the grey pallor of the + man's face, sent for a policeman.</p> +<p>His collar was unfastened and his necktie undone. He opened eyes + for an instant, sighed and closed them again. One of gentlemen + who had carried him upstairs held a dinged silk hat in his hand. + The manager asked repeatedly did no one know who the injured + man was or where had his friends gone. The door of the bar + opened and an immense constable entered. A crowd which had + followed him down the laneway collected outside the door, + struggling to look in through the glass panels.</p> +<p>The manager at once began to narrate what he knew. The costable, + a young man with thick immobile features, listened. He moved his + head slowly to right and left and from the manager to the person + on the floor, as if he feared to be the victim some delusion. Then + he drew off his glove, produced a small book from his waist, + licked the lead of his pencil and made ready to indite. He asked in + a suspicious provincial accent:</p> +<p>"Who is the man? What's his name and address?"</p> +<p>A young man in a cycling-suit cleared his way through the ring of + bystanders. He knelt down promptly beside the injured man and + called for water. The constable knelt down also to help. The young + man washed the blood from the injured man's mouth and then + called for some brandy. The constable repeated the order in an + authoritative voice until a curate came running with the glass. The + brandy was forced down the man's throat. In a few seconds he + opened his eyes and looked about him. He looked at the circle of + faces and then, understanding, strove to rise to his feet.</p> +<p>"You're all right now?" asked the young man in the cycling- suit.</p> +<p>"Sha,'s nothing," said the injured man, trying to stand up.</p> +<p>He was helped to his feet. The manager said something about a + hospital and some of the bystanders gave advice. The battered silk + hat was placed on the man's head. The constable asked:</p> +<p>"Where do you live?"</p> +<p>The man, without answering, began to twirl the ends of his + moustache. He made light of his accident. It was nothing, he said: + only a little accident. He spoke very thickly.</p> +<p>"Where do you live" repeated the constable.</p> +<p>The man said they were to get a cab for him. While the point was + being debated a tall agile gentleman of fair complexion, wearing a + long yellow ulster, came from the far end of the bar. Seeing the + spectacle, he called out:</p> +<p>"Hallo, Tom, old man! What's the trouble?"</p> +<p>"Sha,'s nothing," said the man.</p> +<p>The new-comer surveyed the deplorable figure before him and + then turned to the constable, saying:</p> +<p>"It's all right, constable. I'll see him home."</p> +<p>The constable touched his helmet and answered:</p> +<p>"All right, Mr. Power!"</p> +<p>"Come now, Tom," said Mr. Power, taking his friend by the arm. + "No bones broken. What? Can you walk?"</p> +<p>The young man in the cycling-suit took the man by the other arm + and the crowd divided.</p> +<p>"How did you get yourself into this mess?" asked Mr. Power.</p> +<p>"The gentleman fell down the stairs," said the young man.</p> +<p>"I' 'ery 'uch o'liged to you, sir," said the injured man.</p> +<p>"Not at all."</p> +<p>"'ant we have a little...?"</p> +<p>"Not now. Not now."</p> +<p>The three men left the bar and the crowd sifted through the doors + in to the laneway. The manager brought the constable to the stairs + to inspect the scene of the accident. They agreed that the + gentleman must have missed his footing. The customers returned + to the counter and a curate set about removing the traces of blood + from the floor.</p> +<p>When they came out into Grafton Street, Mr. Power whistled for + an outsider. The injured man said again as well as he could.</p> +<p>"I' 'ery 'uch o'liged to you, sir. I hope we'll 'eet again. 'y na'e is + Kernan."</p> +<p>The shock and the incipient pain had partly sobered him.</p> +<p>"Don't mention it," said the young man.</p> +<p>They shook hands. Mr. Kernan was hoisted on to the car and, + while Mr. Power was giving directions to the carman, he expressed + his gratitude to the young man and regretted that they could not + have a little drink together.</p> +<p>"Another time," said the young man.</p> +<p>The car drove off towards Westmoreland Street. As it passed + Ballast Office the clock showed half-past nine. A keen east wind + hit them, blowing from the mouth of the river. Mr. Kernan was + huddled together with cold. His friend asked him to tell how the + accident had happened.</p> +<p>"I'an't 'an," he answered, "'y 'ongue is hurt."</p> +<p>"Show."</p> +<p>The other leaned over the well of the car and peered into Mr. + Kernan's mouth but he could not see. He struck a match and, + sheltering it in the shell of his hands, peered again into the mouth + which Mr. Kernan opened obediently. The swaying movement of + the car brought the match to and from the opened mouth. The + lower teeth and gums were covered with clotted blood and a + minute piece of the tongue seemed to have been bitten off. The + match was blown out.</p> +<p>"That's ugly," said Mr. Power.</p> +<p>"Sha, 's nothing," said Mr. Kernan, closing his mouth and pulling + the collar of his filthy coat across his neck.</p> +<p>Mr. Kernan was a commercial traveller of the old school which + believed in the dignity of its calling. He had never been seen in the + city without a silk hat of some decency and a pair of gaiters. By + grace of these two articles of clothing, he said, a man could always + pass muster. He carried on the tradition of his Napoleon, the great + Blackwhite, whose memory he evoked at times by legend and + mimicry. Modern business methods had spared him only so far as + to allow him a little office in Crowe Street, on the window blind of + which was written the name of his firm with the address--London, + E. C. On the mantelpiece of this little office a little leaden + battalion of canisters was drawn up and on the table before the + window stood four or five china bowls which were usually half + full of a black liquid. From these bowls Mr. Kernan tasted tea. He + took a mouthful, drew it up, saturated his palate with it and then + spat it forth into the grate. Then he paused to judge.</p> +<p>Mr. Power, a much younger man, was employed in the Royal Irish + Constabulary Office in Dublin Castle. The arc of his social rise + intersected the arc of his friend's decline, but Mr. Kernan's decline + was mitigated by the fact that certain of those friends who had + known him at his highest point of success still esteemed him as a + character. Mr. Power was one of these friends. His inexplicable + debts were a byword in his circle; he was a debonair young man.</p> +<p></p> +<p>The car halted before a small house on the Glasnevin road and Mr. + Kernan was helped into the house. His wife put him to bed while + Mr. Power sat downstairs in the kitchen asking the children where + they went to school and what book they were in. The children-- + two girls and a boy, conscious of their father helplessness and of + their mother's absence, began some horseplay with him. He was + surprised at their manners and at their accents, and his brow grew + thoughtful. After a while Mrs. Kernan entered the kitchen, + exclaiming:</p> +<p>"Such a sight! O, he'll do for himself one day and that's the holy + alls of it. He's been drinking since Friday."</p> +<p>Mr. Power was careful to explain to her that he was not + responsible, that he had come on the scene by the merest accident. + Mrs. Kernan, remembering Mr. Power's good offices during + domestic quarrels, as well as many small, but opportune loans, + said:</p> +<p>"O, you needn't tell me that, Mr. Power. I know you're a friend of + his, not like some of the others he does be with. They're all right so + long as he has money in his pocket to keep him out from his wife + and family. Nice friends! Who was he with tonight, I'd like to + know?"</p> +<p>Mr. Power shook his head but said nothing.</p> +<p>"I'm so sorry," she continued, "that I've nothing in the house + to + offer you. But if you wait a minute I'll send round to Fogarty's, at + the corner."</p> +<p>Mr. Power stood up.</p> +<p>"We were waiting for him to come home with the money. He + never seems to think he has a home at all."</p> +<p>"O, now, Mrs. Kernan," said Mr. Power, "we'll make him turn + over + a new leaf. I'll talk to Martin. He's the man. We'll come here one of + these nights and talk it over."</p> +<p>She saw him to the door. The carman was stamping up and down + the footpath, and swinging his arms to warm himself.</p> +<p>"It's very kind of you to bring him home," she said.</p> +<p>"Not at all," said Mr. Power.</p> +<p>He got up on the car. As it drove off he raised his hat to her gaily.</p> +<p>"We'll make a new man of him," he said. "Good-night, Mrs. Kernan."</p> +<p> </p> +<p></p> +<p></p> +<p> + Mrs. Kernan's puzzled eyes watched the car till it was out of sight. + Then she withdrew them, went into the house and emptied her + husband's pockets.</p> +<p>She was an active, practical woman of middle age. Not long before + she had celebrated her silver wedding and renewed her intimacy + with her husband by waltzing with him to Mr. Power's + accompaniment. In her days of courtship, Mr. Kernan had seemed + to her a not ungallant figure: and she still hurried to the chapel + door whenever a wedding was reported and, seeing the bridal pair, + recalled with vivid pleasure how she had passed out of the Star of + the Sea Church in Sandymount, leaning on the arm of a jovial + well-fed man, who was dressed smartly in a frock-coat and + lavender trousers and carried a silk hat gracefully balanced upon + his other arm. After three weeks she had found a wife's life + irksome and, later on, when she was beginning to find it + unbearable, she had become a mother. The part of mother + presented to her no insuperable difficulties and for twenty-five + years she had kept house shrewdly for her husband. Her two eldest + sons were launched. One was in a draper's shop in Glasgow and + the other was clerk to a tea- merchant in Belfast. They were good + sons, wrote regularly and sometimes sent home money. The other + children were still at school.</p> +<p>Mr. Kernan sent a letter to his office next day and remained in bed. + She made beef-tea for him and scolded him roundly. She accepted + his frequent intemperance as part of the climate, healed him + dutifully whenever he was sick and always tried to make him eat a + breakfast. There were worse husbands. He had never been violent + since the boys had grown up, and she knew that he would walk to + the end of Thomas Street and back again to book even a small + order.</p> +<p>Two nights after, his friends came to see him. She brought them up + to his bedroom, the air of which was impregnated with a personal + odour, and gave them chairs at the fire. Mr. Kernan's tongue, the + occasional stinging pain of which had made him somewhat + irritable during the day, became more polite. He sat propped up in + the bed by pillows and the little colour in his puffy cheeks made + them resemble warm cinders. He apologised to his guests for the + disorder of the room, but at the same time looked at them a little + proudly, with a veteran's pride.</p> +<p>He was quite unconscious that he was the victim of a plot which + his friends, Mr. Cunningham, Mr. M'Coy and Mr. Power had + disclosed to Mrs. Kernan in the parlour. The idea been Mr. + Power's, but its development was entrusted to Mr. Cunningham. + Mr. Kernan came of Protestant stock and, though he had been + converted to the Catholic faith at the time of his marriage, he had + not been in the pale of the Church for twenty years. He was fond, + moreover, of giving side-thrusts at Catholicism.</p> +<p>Mr. Cunningham was the very man for such a case. He was an + elder colleague of Mr. Power. His own domestic life was very + happy. People had great sympathy with him, for it was known that + he had married an unpresentable woman who was an incurable + drunkard. He had set up house for her six times; and each time she + had pawned the furniture on him.</p> +<p>Everyone had respect for poor Martin Cunningham. He was a + thoroughly sensible man, influential and intelligent. His blade of + human knowledge, natural astuteness particularised by long + association with cases in the police courts, had been tempered by + brief immersions in the waters of general philosophy. He was well + informed. His friends bowed to his opinions and considered that + his face was like Shakespeare's.</p> +<p>When the plot had been disclosed to her, Mrs. Kernan had said:</p> +<p>"I leave it all in your hands, Mr. Cunningham."</p> +<p>After a quarter of a century of married life, she had very few + illusions left. Religion for her was a habit, and she suspected that a + man of her husband's age would not change greatly before death. + She was tempted to see a curious appropriateness in his accident + and, but that she did not wish to seem bloody-minded, would have + told the gentlemen that Mr. Kernan's tongue would not suffer by + being shortened. However, Mr. Cunningham was a capable man; + and religion was religion. The scheme might do good and, at least, + it could do no harm. Her beliefs were not extravagant. She + believed steadily in the Sacred Heart as the most generally useful + of all Catholic devotions and approved of the sacraments. Her faith + was bounded by her kitchen, but, if she was put to it, she could + believe also in the banshee and in the Holy Ghost.</p> +<p>The gentlemen began to talk of the accident. Mr. Cunningham said + that he had once known a similar case. A man of seventy had + bitten off a piece of his tongue during an epileptic fit and the + tongue had filled in again, so that no one could see a trace of the + bite.</p> +<p>"Well, I'm not seventy," said the invalid.</p> +<p>"God forbid," said Mr. Cunningham.</p> +<p>"It doesn't pain you now?" asked Mr. M'Coy.</p> +<p>Mr. M'Coy had been at one time a tenor of some reputation. His + wife, who had been a soprano, still taught young children to play + the piano at low terms. His line of life had not been the shortest + distance between two points and for short periods he had been + driven to live by his wits. He had been a clerk in the Midland + Railway, a canvasser for advertisements for The Irish Times and + for The Freeman's Journal, a town traveller for a coal firm on + commission, a private inquiry agent, a clerk in the office of the + Sub-Sheriff, and he had recently become secretary to the City + Coroner. His new office made him professionally interested in Mr. + Kernan's case.</p> +<p>"Pain? Not much," answered Mr. Kernan. "But it's so sickening. + I + feel as if I wanted to retch off."</p> +<p>"That's the boose," said Mr. Cunningham firmly.</p> +<p>"No," said Mr. Kernan. "I think I caught cold on the car. There's + something keeps coming into my throat, phlegm or----"</p> +<p>"Mucus." said Mr. M'Coy.</p> +<p>"It keeps coming like from down in my throat; sickening."</p> +<p>"Yes, yes," said Mr. M'Coy, "that's the thorax."</p> +<p>He looked at Mr. Cunningham and Mr. Power at the same time + with an air of challenge. Mr. Cunningham nodded his head rapidly + and Mr. Power said:</p> +<p>"Ah, well, all's well that ends well."</p> +<p>"I'm very much obliged to you, old man," said the invalid.</p> +<p>Mr. Power waved his hand.</p> +<p>"Those other two fellows I was with----"</p> +<p>"Who were you with?" asked Mr. Cunningham.</p> +<p>"A chap. I don't know his name. Damn it now, what's his name? + Little chap with sandy hair...."</p> +<p>"And who else?"</p> +<p>"Harford."</p> +<p>"Hm," said Mr. Cunningham.</p> +<p>When Mr. Cunningham made that remark, people were silent. It + was known that the speaker had secret sources of information. In + this case the monosyllable had a moral intention. Mr. Harford + sometimes formed one of a little detachment which left the city + shortly after noon on Sunday with the purpose of arriving as soon + as possible at some public-house on the outskirts of the city where + its members duly qualified themselves as bona fide travellers. But + his fellow-travellers had never consented to overlook his origin. + He had begun life as an obscure financier by lending small sums of + money to workmen at usurious interest. Later on he had become + the partner of a very fat, short gentleman, Mr. Goldberg, in the + Liffey Loan Bank. Though he had never embraced more than the + Jewish ethical code, his fellow-Catholics, whenever they had + smarted in person or by proxy under his exactions, spoke of him + bitterly as an Irish Jew and an illiterate, and saw divine + disapproval of usury made manifest through the person of his idiot + son. At other times they remembered his good points.</p> +<p>"I wonder where did he go to," said Mr. Kernan.</p> +<p>He wished the details of the incident to remain vague. He wished + his friends to think there had been some mistake, that Mr. Harford + and he had missed each other. His friends, who knew quite well + Mr. Harford's manners in drinking were silent. Mr. Power said + again:</p> +<p>"All's well that ends well."</p> +<p>Mr. Kernan changed the subject at once.</p> +<p>"That was a decent young chap, that medical fellow," he said. + "Only for him----"</p> +<p>"O, only for him," said Mr. Power, "it might have been a case + of + seven days, without the option of a fine."</p> +<p>"Yes, yes," said Mr. Kernan, trying to remember. "I remember + now + there was a policeman. Decent young fellow, he seemed. How did + it happen at all?"</p> +<p>"It happened that you were peloothered, Tom," said Mr. + Cunningham gravely.</p> +<p>"True bill," said Mr. Kernan, equally gravely.</p> +<p>"I suppose you squared the constable, Jack," said Mr. M'Coy.</p> +<p>Mr. Power did not relish the use of his Christian name. He was not + straight-laced, but he could not forget that Mr. M'Coy had recently + made a crusade in search of valises and portmanteaus to enable + Mrs. M'Coy to fulfil imaginary engagements in the country. More + than he resented the fact that he had been victimised he resented + such low playing of the game. He answered the question, + therefore, as if Mr. Kernan had asked it.</p> +<p>The narrative made Mr. Kernan indignant. He was keenly + conscious of his citizenship, wished to live with his city on terms + mutually honourable and resented any affront put upon him by + those whom he called country bumpkins.</p> +<p>"Is this what we pay rates for?" he asked. "To feed and clothe + these + ignorant bostooms... and they're nothing else."</p> +<p>Mr. Cunningham laughed. He was a Castle official only during + office hours.</p> +<p>"How could they be anything else, Tom?" he said.</p> +<p>He assumed a thick, provincial accent and said in a tone of + command:</p> +<p>"65, catch your cabbage!"</p> +<p>Everyone laughed. Mr. M'Coy, who wanted to enter the + conversation by any door, pretended that he had never heard the + story. Mr. Cunningham said:</p> +<p>"It is supposed--they say, you know--to take place in the depot + where they get these thundering big country fellows, omadhauns, + you know, to drill. The sergeant makes them stand in a row against + the wall and hold up their plates."</p> +<p>He illustrated the story by grotesque gestures.</p> +<p>"At dinner, you know. Then he has a bloody big bowl of cabbage + before him on the table and a bloody big spoon like a shovel. He + takes up a wad of cabbage on the spoon and pegs it across the + room and the poor devils have to try and catch it on their plates: + 65, catch your cabbage."</p> +<p>Everyone laughed again: but Mr. Kernan was somewhat indignant + still. He talked of writing a letter to the papers.</p> +<p>"These yahoos coming up here," he said, "think they can boss + the + people. I needn't tell you, Martin, what kind of men they are."</p> +<p>Mr. Cunningham gave a qualified assent.</p> +<p>"It's like everything else in this world," he said. "You get + some bad + ones and you get some good ones."</p> +<p>"O yes, you get some good ones, I admit," said Mr. Kernan, + satisfied.</p> +<p>"It's better to have nothing to say to them," said Mr. M'Coy. "That's + my opinion!"</p> +<p>Mrs. Kernan entered the room and, placing a tray on the table, + said:</p> +<p>"Help yourselves, gentlemen."</p> +<p>Mr. Power stood up to officiate, offering her his chair. She + declined it, saying she was ironing downstairs, and, after having + exchanged a nod with Mr. Cunningham behind Mr. Power's back, + prepared to leave the room. Her husband called out to her:</p> +<p>"And have you nothing for me, duckie?"</p> +<p>"O, you! The back of my hand to you!" said Mrs. Kernan tartly.</p> +<p>Her husband called after her:</p> +<p>"Nothing for poor little hubby!"</p> +<p>He assumed such a comical face and voice that the distribution of + the bottles of stout took place amid general merriment.</p> +<p>The gentlemen drank from their glasses, set the glasses again on + the table and paused. Then Mr. Cunningham turned towards Mr. + Power and said casually:</p> +<p>"On Thursday night, you said, Jack "</p> +<p>"Thursday, yes," said Mr. Power.</p> +<p>"Righto!" said Mr. Cunningham promptly.</p> +<p>"We can meet in M'Auley's," said Mr. M'Coy. "That'll be the + most + convenient place."</p> +<p>"But we mustn't be late," said Mr. Power earnestly, "because + it is + sure to be crammed to the doors."</p> +<p>"We can meet at half-seven," said Mr. M'Coy.</p> +<p>"Righto!" said Mr. Cunningham.</p> +<p>"Half-seven at M'Auley's be it!"</p> +<p>There was a short silence. Mr. Kernan waited to see whether he + would be taken into his friends' confidence. Then he asked:</p> +<p>"What's in the wind?"</p> +<p>"O, it's nothing," said Mr. Cunningham. "It's only a little + matter + that we're arranging about for Thursday."</p> +<p>"The opera, is it?" said Mr. Kernan.</p> +<p>"No, no," said Mr. Cunningham in an evasive tone, "it's just + a + little... spiritual matter."</p> +<p>"0," said Mr. Kernan.</p> +<p>There was silence again. Then Mr. Power said, point blank:</p> +<p>"To tell you the truth, Tom, we're going to make a retreat."</p> +<p>"Yes, that's it," said Mr. Cunningham, "Jack and I and M'Coy + here + --we're all going to wash the pot."</p> +<p>He uttered the metaphor with a certain homely energy and, + encouraged by his own voice, proceeded:</p> +<p>"You see, we may as well all admit we're a nice collection of + scoundrels, one and all. I say, one and all," he added with gruff + charity and turning to Mr. Power. "Own up now!"</p> +<p>"I own up," said Mr. Power.</p> +<p>"And I own up," said Mr. M'Coy.</p> +<p>"So we're going to wash the pot together," said Mr. Cunningham.</p> +<p>A thought seemed to strike him. He turned suddenly to the invalid + and said:</p> +<p>"D'ye know what, Tom, has just occurred to me? You night join in + and we'd have a four-handed reel."</p> +<p>"Good idea," said Mr. Power. "The four of us together."</p> +<p>Mr. Kernan was silent. The proposal conveyed very little meaning + to his mind, but, understanding that some spiritual agencies were + about to concern themselves on his behalf, he thought he owed it + to his dignity to show a stiff neck. He took no part in the + conversation for a long while, but listened, with an air of calm + enmity, while his friends discussed the Jesuits.</p> +<p>"I haven't such a bad opinion of the Jesuits," he said, intervening + at + length. "They're an educated order. I believe they mean well, too."</p> +<p>"They're the grandest order in the Church, Tom," said Mr. + Cunningham, with enthusiasm. "The General of the Jesuits stands + next to the Pope."</p> +<p>"There's no mistake about it," said Mr. M'Coy, "if you want + a thing + well done and no flies about, you go to a Jesuit. They're the boyos + have influence. I'll tell you a case in point...."</p> +<p>"The Jesuits are a fine body of men," said Mr. Power.</p> +<p>"It's a curious thing," said Mr. Cunningham, "about the Jesuit + Order. Every other order of the Church had to be reformed at some + time or other but the Jesuit Order was never once reformed. It + never fell away."</p> +<p>"Is that so?" asked Mr. M'Coy.</p> +<p>"That's a fact," said Mr. Cunningham. "That's history."</p> +<p>"Look at their church, too," said Mr. Power. "Look at the + congregation they have."</p> +<p>"The Jesuits cater for the upper classes," said Mr. M'Coy.</p> +<p>"Of course," said Mr. Power.</p> +<p>"Yes," said Mr. Kernan. "That's why I have a feeling for them. + It's + some of those secular priests, ignorant, bumptious----"</p> +<p>"They're all good men," said Mr. Cunningham, "each in his own + way. The Irish priesthood is honoured all the world over."</p> +<p>"O yes," said Mr. Power.</p> +<p>"Not like some of the other priesthoods on the continent," said Mr. + M'Coy, "unworthy of the name."</p> +<p>"Perhaps you're right," said Mr. Kernan, relenting.</p> +<p>"Of course I'm right," said Mr. Cunningham. "I haven't been + in the + world all this time and seen most sides of it without being a judge + of character."</p> +<p>The gentlemen drank again, one following another's example. Mr. + Kernan seemed to be weighing something in his mind. He was + impressed. He had a high opinion of Mr. Cunningham as a judge + of character and as a reader of faces. He asked for particulars.</p> +<p>"O, it's just a retreat, you know," said Mr. Cunningham. "Father + Purdon is giving it. It's for business men, you know."</p> +<p>"He won't be too hard on us, Tom," said Mr. Power persuasively.</p> +<p>"Father Purdon? Father Purdon?" said the invalid.</p> +<p>"O, you must know him, Tom," said Mr. Cunningham stoutly. + "Fine, jolly fellow! He's a man of the world like ourselves."</p> +<p>"Ah,... yes. I think I know him. Rather red face; tall."</p> +<p>"That's the man."</p> +<p>"And tell me, Martin.... Is he a good preacher?"</p> +<p>"Munno.... It's not exactly a sermon, you know. It's just kind of a + friendly talk, you know, in a common-sense way."</p> +<p>Mr. Kernan deliberated. Mr. M'Coy said:</p> +<p>"Father Tom Burke, that was the boy!"</p> +<p>"O, Father Tom Burke," said Mr. Cunningham, "that was a born + orator. Did you ever hear him, Tom?"</p> +<p>"Did I ever hear him!" said the invalid, nettled. "Rather! I + heard + him...."</p> +<p>"And yet they say he wasn't much of a theologian," said Mr + Cunningham.</p> +<p>"Is that so?" said Mr. M'Coy.</p> +<p>"O, of course, nothing wrong, you know. Only sometimes, they + say, he didn't preach what was quite orthodox."</p> +<p>"Ah!... he was a splendid man," said Mr. M'Coy.</p> +<p>"I heard him once," Mr. Kernan continued. "I forget the subject + of + his discourse now. Crofton and I were in the back of the... pit, you + know... the----"</p> +<p>"The body," said Mr. Cunningham.</p> +<p>"Yes, in the back near the door. I forget now what.... O yes, it was + on the Pope, the late Pope. I remember it well. Upon my word it + was magnificent, the style of the oratory. And his voice! God! + hadn't he a voice! The Prisoner of the Vatican, he called him. I + remember Crofton saying to me when we came out----"</p> +<p>"But he's an Orangeman, Crofton, isn't he?" said Mr. Power.</p> +<p>"'Course he is," said Mr. Kernan, "and a damned decent + Orangeman too. We went into Butler's in Moore Street--faith, was + genuinely moved, tell you the God's truth--and I remember well + his very words. Kernan, he said, we worship at different altars, he + said, but our belief is the same. Struck me as very well put."</p> +<p>"There's a good deal in that," said Mr. Power. "There used always + be crowds of Protestants in the chapel where Father Tom was + preaching."</p> +<p>"There's not much difference between us," said Mr. M'Coy.</p> +<p>"We both believe in----"</p> +<p>He hesitated for a moment.</p> +<p>"... in the Redeemer. Only they don't believe in the Pope and in the + mother of God."</p> +<p>"But, of course," said Mr. Cunningham quietly and effectively, + "our religion is the religion, the old, original faith."</p> +<p>"Not a doubt of it," said Mr. Kernan warmly.</p> +<p>Mrs. Kernan came to the door of the bedroom and announced:</p> +<p>"Here's a visitor for you!"</p> +<p>"Who is it?"</p> +<p>"Mr. Fogarty."</p> +<p>"O, come in! come in!"</p> +<p>A pale, oval face came forward into the light. The arch of its fair + trailing moustache was repeated in the fair eyebrows looped above + pleasantly astonished eyes. Mr. Fogarty was a modest grocer. He + had failed in business in a licensed house in the city because his + financial condition had constrained him to tie himself to + second-class distillers and brewers. He had opened a small shop on + Glasnevin Road where, he flattered himself, his manners would + ingratiate him with the housewives of the district. He bore himself + with a certain grace, complimented little children and spoke with a + neat enunciation. He was not without culture.</p> +<p>Mr. Fogarty brought a gift with him, a half-pint of special whisky. + He inquired politely for Mr. Kernan, placed his gift on the table + and sat down with the company on equal terms. Mr. Kernan + appreciated the gift all the more since he was aware that there was + a small account for groceries unsettled between him and Mr. + Fogarty. He said:</p> +<p>"I wouldn't doubt you, old man. Open that, Jack, will you?"</p> +<p>Mr. Power again officiated. Glasses were rinsed and five small + measures of whisky were poured out. This new influence + enlivened the conversation. Mr. Fogarty, sitting on a small area of + the chair, was specially interested.</p> +<p>"Pope Leo XIII," said Mr. Cunningham, "was one of the lights + of + the age. His great idea, you know, was the union of the Latin and + Greek Churches. That was the aim of his life."</p> +<p>"I often heard he was one of the most intellectual men in Europe," + said Mr. Power. "I mean, apart from his being Pope."</p> +<p>"So he was," said Mr. Cunningham, "if not the most so. His motto, + you know, as Pope, was Lux upon Lux--Light upon Light."</p> +<p>"No, no," said Mr. Fogarty eagerly. "I think you're wrong there. + It + was Lux in Tenebris, I think--Light in Darkness."</p> +<p>"O yes," said Mr. M'Coy, "Tenebrae."</p> +<p>"Allow me," said Mr. Cunningham positively, "it was Lux upon + Lux. And Pius IX his predecessor's motto was Crux upon Crux-- + that is, Cross upon Cross--to show the difference between their + two pontificates."</p> +<p>The inference was allowed. Mr. Cunningham continued.</p> +<p>"Pope Leo, you know, was a great scholar and a poet."</p> +<p>"He had a strong face," said Mr. Kernan.</p> +<p>"Yes," said Mr. Cunningham. "He wrote Latin poetry."</p> +<p>"Is that so?" said Mr. Fogarty.</p> +<p>Mr. M'Coy tasted his whisky contentedly and shook his head with + a double intention, saying:</p> +<p>"That's no joke, I can tell you."</p> +<p>"We didn't learn that, Tom," said Mr. Power, following Mr. + M'Coy's example, "when we went to the penny-a-week school."</p> +<p>"There was many a good man went to the penny-a-week school + with a sod of turf under his oxter," said Mr. Kernan sententiously. + "The old system was the best: plain honest education. None of + your modern trumpery...."</p> +<p>"Quite right," said Mr. Power.</p> +<p>"No superfluities," said Mr. Fogarty.</p> +<p>He enunciated the word and then drank gravely.</p> +<p>"I remember reading," said Mr. Cunningham, "that one of Pope + Leo's poems was on the invention of the photograph--in Latin, of + course."</p> +<p>"On the photograph!" exclaimed Mr. Kernan.</p> +<p>"Yes," said Mr. Cunningham.</p> +<p>He also drank from his glass.</p> +<p>"Well, you know," said Mr. M'Coy, "isn't the photograph + wonderful when you come to think of it?"</p> +<p>"O, of course," said Mr. Power, "great minds can see things."</p> +<p>"As the poet says: Great minds are very near to madness," said Mr. + Fogarty.</p> +<p>Mr. Kernan seemed to be troubled in mind. He made an effort to + recall the Protestant theology on some thorny points and in the end + addressed Mr. Cunningham.</p> +<p>"Tell me, Martin," he said. "Weren't some of the popes--of + course, not our present man, or his predecessor, but some of the + old popes--not exactly ... you know... up to the knocker?"</p> +<p>There was a silence. Mr. Cunningham said</p> +<p>"O, of course, there were some bad lots... But the astonishing thing + is this. Not one of them, not the biggest drunkard, not the most... + out-and-out ruffian, not one of them ever preached ex cathedra a + word of false doctrine. Now isn't that an astonishing thing?"</p> +<p>"That is," said Mr. Kernan.</p> +<p>"Yes, because when the Pope speaks ex cathedra," Mr. Fogarty + explained, "he is infallible."</p> +<p>"Yes," said Mr. Cunningham.</p> +<p>"O, I know about the infallibility of the Pope. I remember I was + younger then.... Or was it that----?"</p> +<p>Mr. Fogarty interrupted. He took up the bottle and helped the + others to a little more. Mr. M'Coy, seeing that there was not + enough to go round, pleaded that he had not finished his first + measure. The others accepted under protest. The light music of + whisky falling into glasses made an agreeable interlude.</p> +<p>"What's that you were saying, Tom?" asked Mr. M'Coy.</p> +<p>"Papal infallibility," said Mr. Cunningham, "that was the greatest + scene in the whole history of the Church."</p> +<p>"How was that, Martin?" asked Mr. Power.</p> +<p>Mr. Cunningham held up two thick fingers.</p> +<p>"In the sacred college, you know, of cardinals and archbishops and + bishops there were two men who held out against it while the + others were all for it. The whole conclave except these two was + unanimous. No! They wouldn't have it!"</p> +<p>"Ha!" said Mr. M'Coy.</p> +<p>"And they were a German cardinal by the name of Dolling... or + Dowling... or----"</p> +<p>"Dowling was no German, and that's a sure five," said Mr. Power, + laughing.</p> +<p>"Well, this great German cardinal, whatever his name was, was + one; and the other was John MacHale."</p> +<p>"What?" cried Mr. Kernan. "Is it John of Tuam?"</p> +<p>"Are you sure of that now?" asked Mr. Fogarty dubiously. "I + thought it was some Italian or American."</p> +<p>"John of Tuam," repeated Mr. Cunningham, "was the man."</p> +<p>He drank and the other gentlemen followed his lead. Then he + resumed:</p> +<p>"There they were at it, all the cardinals and bishops and + archbishops from all the ends of the earth and these two fighting + dog and devil until at last the Pope himself stood up and declared + infallibility a dogma of the Church ex cathedra. On the very + moment John MacHale, who had been arguing and arguing against + it, stood up and shouted out with the voice of a lion: 'Credo!'"</p> +<p>"I believe!" said Mr. Fogarty.</p> +<p>"Credo!" said Mr. Cunningham "That showed the faith he had. + He + submitted the moment the Pope spoke."</p> +<p>"And what about Dowling?" asked Mr. M'Coy.</p> +<p>"The German cardinal wouldn't submit. He left the church."</p> +<p>Mr. Cunningham's words had built up the vast image of the church + in the minds of his hearers. His deep, raucous voice had thrilled + them as it uttered the word of belief and submission. When Mrs. + Kernan came into the room, drying her hands she came into a + solemn company. She did not disturb the silence, but leaned over + the rail at the foot of the bed.</p> +<p>"I once saw John MacHale," said Mr. Kernan, "and I'll never + forget + it as long as I live."</p> +<p>He turned towards his wife to be confirmed.</p> +<p>"I often told you that?"</p> +<p>Mrs. Kernan nodded.</p> +<p>"It was at the unveiling of Sir John Gray's statue. Edmund Dwyer + Gray was speaking, blathering away, and here was this old fellow, + crabbed-looking old chap, looking at him from under his bushy + eyebrows."</p> +<p>Mr. Kernan knitted his brows and, lowering his head like an angry + bull, glared at his wife.</p> +<p>"God!" he exclaimed, resuming his natural face, "I never saw + such + an eye in a man's head. It was as much as to say: I have you + properly taped, my lad. He had an eye like a hawk."</p> +<p>"None of the Grays was any good," said Mr. Power.</p> +<p>There was a pause again. Mr. Power turned to Mrs. Kernan and + said with abrupt joviality:</p> +<p>"Well, Mrs. Kernan, we're going to make your man here a good + holy pious and God-fearing Roman Catholic."</p> +<p>He swept his arm round the company inclusively.</p> +<p>"We're all going to make a retreat together and confess our sins-- + and God knows we want it badly."</p> +<p>"I don't mind," said Mr. Kernan, smiling a little nervously.</p> +<p>Mrs. Kernan thought it would be wiser to conceal her satisfaction. + So she said:</p> +<p>"I pity the poor priest that has to listen to your tale."</p> +<p>Mr. Kernan's expression changed.</p> +<p>"If he doesn't like it," he said bluntly, "he can... do the + other thing. + I'll just tell him my little tale of woe. I'm not such a bad fellow----"</p> +<p>Mr. Cunningham intervened promptly.</p> +<p>"We'll all renounce the devil," he said, "together, not forgetting + his + works and pomps."</p> +<p>"Get behind me, Satan!" said Mr. Fogarty, laughing and looking at + the others.</p> +<p>Mr. Power said nothing. He felt completely out-generalled. But a + pleased expression flickered across his face.</p> +<p>"All we have to do," said Mr. Cunningham, "is to stand up with + lighted candles in our hands and renew our baptismal vows."</p> +<p>"O, don't forget the candle, Tom," said Mr. M'Coy, "whatever + you + do."</p> +<p>"What?" said Mr. Kernan. "Must I have a candle?"</p> +<p>"O yes," said Mr. Cunningham.</p> +<p>"No, damn it all," said Mr. Kernan sensibly, "I draw the line + there. + I'll do the job right enough. I'll do the retreat business and + confession, and... all that business. But... no candles! No, damn it + all, I bar the candles!"</p> +<p>He shook his head with farcical gravity.</p> +<p>"Listen to that!" said his wife.</p> +<p>"I bar the candles," said Mr. Kernan, conscious of having created + an effect on his audience and continuing to shake his head to and + fro. "I bar the magic-lantern business."</p> +<p>Everyone laughed heartily.</p> +<p>"There's a nice Catholic for you!" said his wife.</p> +<p>"No candles!" repeated Mr. Kernan obdurately. "That's off!"</p> +<p> </p> +<p></p> +<p></p> +<p> + The transept of the Jesuit Church in Gardiner Street was almost + full; and still at every moment gentlemen entered from the side + door and, directed by the lay-brother, walked on tiptoe along the + aisles until they found seating accommodation. The gentlemen + were all well dressed and orderly. The light of the lamps of the + church fell upon an assembly of black clothes and white collars, + relieved here and there by tweeds, on dark mottled pillars of green + marble and on lugubrious canvases. The gentlemen sat in the + benches, having hitched their trousers slightly above their knees + and laid their hats in security. They sat well back and gazed + formally at the distant speck of red light which was suspended + before the high altar.</p> +<p>In one of the benches near the pulpit sat Mr. Cunningham and Mr. + Kernan. In the bench behind sat Mr. M'Coy alone: and in the bench + behind him sat Mr. Power and Mr. Fogarty. Mr. M'Coy had tried + unsuccessfully to find a place in the bench with the others, and, + when the party had settled down in the form of a quincunx, he had + tried unsuccessfully to make comic remarks. As these had not been + well received, he had desisted. Even he was sensible of the + decorous atmosphere and even he began to respond to the religious + stimulus. In a whisper, Mr. Cunningham drew Mr. Kernan's + attention to Mr. Harford, the moneylender, who sat some distance + off, and to Mr. Fanning, the registration agent and mayor maker of + the city, who was sitting immediately under the pulpit beside one + of the newly elected councillors of the ward. To the right sat old + Michael Grimes, the owner of three pawnbroker's shops, and Dan + Hogan's nephew, who was up for the job in the Town Clerk's + office. Farther in front sat Mr. Hendrick, the chief reporter of The + Freeman's Journal, and poor O'Carroll, an old friend of Mr. + Kernan's, who had been at one time a considerable commercial + figure. Gradually, as he recognised familiar faces, Mr. Kernan + began to feel more at home. His hat, which had been rehabilitated + by his wife, rested upon his knees. Once or twice he pulled down + his cuffs with one hand while he held the brim of his hat lightly, + but firmly, with the other hand. +</p> +<p>A powerful-looking figure, the upper part of which was draped + with a white surplice, was observed to be struggling into the pulpit. + Simultaneously the congregation unsettled, produced + handkerchiefs and knelt upon them with care. Mr. Kernan + followed the general example. The priest's figure now stood + upright in the pulpit, two-thirds of its bulk, crowned by a massive + red face, appearing above the balustrade.</p> +<p>Father Purdon knelt down, turned towards the red speck of light + and, covering his face with his hands, prayed. After an interval, he + uncovered his face and rose. The congregation rose also and + settled again on its benches. Mr. Kernan restored his hat to its + original position on his knee and presented an attentive face to the + preacher. The preacher turned back each wide sleeve of his + surplice with an elaborate large gesture and slowly surveyed the + array of faces. Then he said:</p> +<p>"For the children of this world are wiser in their generation than + the children of light. Wherefore make unto yourselves friends out + of the mammon of iniquity so that when you die they may receive + you into everlasting dwellings."</p> +<p>Father Purdon developed the text with resonant assurance. It was + one of the most difficult texts in all the Scriptures, he said, to + interpret properly. It was a text which might seem to the casual + observer at variance with the lofty morality elsewhere preached by + Jesus Christ. But, he told his hearers, the text had seemed to him + specially adapted for the guidance of those whose lot it was to lead + the life of the world and who yet wished to lead that life not in the + manner of worldlings. It was a text for business men and + professional men. Jesus Christ with His divine understanding of + every cranny of our human nature, understood that all men were + not called to the religious life, that by far the vast majority were + forced to live in the world, and, to a certain extent, for the world: + and in this sentence He designed to give them a word of counsel, + setting before them as exemplars in the religious life those very + worshippers of Mammon who were of all men the least solicitous + in matters religious.</p> +<p>He told his hearers that he was there that evening for no terrifying, + no extravagant purpose; but as a man of the world speaking to his + fellow-men. He came to speak to business men and he would + speak to them in a businesslike way. If he might use the metaphor, + he said, he was their spiritual accountant; and he wished each and + every one of his hearers to open his books, the books of his + spiritual life, and see if they tallied accurately with conscience.</p> +<p>Jesus Christ was not a hard taskmaster. He understood our little + failings, understood the weakness of our poor fallen nature, + understood the temptations of this life. We might have had, we all + had from time to time, our temptations: we might have, we all had, + our failings. But one thing only, he said, he would ask of his + hearers. And that was: to be straight and manly with God. If their + accounts tallied in every point to say:</p> +<p>"Well, I have verified my accounts. I find all well."</p> +<p>But if, as might happen, there were some discrepancies, to admit + the truth, to be frank and say like a man:</p> +<p>"Well, I have looked into my accounts. I find this wrong and this wrong. + But, with God's grace, I will rectify this and this. I will set right my accounts."</p> +<p> </p> +<h3 align="center">THE DEAD</h3> +<p>LILY, the caretaker's daughter, was literally run off her feet. + Hardly had she brought one gentleman into the little pantry behind + the office on the ground floor and helped him off with his overcoat + than the wheezy hall-door bell clanged again and she had to + scamper along the bare hallway to let in another guest. It was well + for her she had not to attend to the ladies also. But Miss Kate and + Miss Julia had thought of that and had converted the bathroom + upstairs into a ladies' dressing-room. Miss Kate and Miss Julia + were there, gossiping and laughing and fussing, walking after each + other to the head of the stairs, peering down over the banisters and + calling down to Lily to ask her who had come.</p> +<p>It was always a great affair, the Misses Morkan's annual dance. + Everybody who knew them came to it, members of the family, old + friends of the family, the members of Julia's choir, any of Kate's + pupils that were grown up enough, and even some of Mary Jane's + pupils too. Never once had it fallen flat. For years and years it had + gone off in splendid style, as long as anyone could remember; ever + since Kate and Julia, after the death of their brother Pat, had left + the house in Stoney Batter and taken Mary Jane, their only niece, + to live with them in the dark, gaunt house on Usher's Island, the + upper part of which they had rented from Mr. Fulham, the + corn-factor on the ground floor. That was a good thirty years ago if + it was a day. Mary Jane, who was then a little girl in short clothes, + was now the main prop of the household, for she had the organ in + Haddington Road. She had been through the Academy and gave a + pupils' concert every year in the upper room of the Antient Concert + Rooms. Many of her pupils belonged to the better-class families on + the Kingstown and Dalkey line. Old as they were, her aunts also + did their share. Julia, though she was quite grey, was still the + leading soprano in Adam and Eve's, and Kate, being too feeble to + go about much, gave music lessons to beginners on the old square + piano in the back room. Lily, the caretaker's daughter, did + housemaid's work for them. Though their life was modest, they + believed in eating well; the best of everything: diamond-bone + sirloins, three-shilling tea and the best bottled stout. But Lily + seldom made a mistake in the orders, so that she got on well with + her three mistresses. They were fussy, that was all. But the only + thing they would not stand was back answers.</p> +<p>Of course, they had good reason to be fussy on such a night. And + then it was long after ten o'clock and yet there was no sign of + Gabriel and his wife. Besides they were dreadfully afraid that + Freddy Malins might turn up screwed. They would not wish for + worlds that any of Mary Jane's pupils should see him under the + influence; and when he was like that it was sometimes very hard to + manage him. Freddy Malins always came late, but they wondered + what could be keeping Gabriel: and that was what brought them + every two minutes to the banisters to ask Lily had Gabriel or + Freddy come.</p> +<p>"O, Mr. Conroy," said Lily to Gabriel when she opened the door + for him, "Miss Kate and Miss Julia thought you were never + coming. Good-night, Mrs. Conroy."</p> +<p>"I'll engage they did," said Gabriel, "but they forget that + my wife + here takes three mortal hours to dress herself."</p> +<p>He stood on the mat, scraping the snow from his goloshes, while + Lily led his wife to the foot of the stairs and called out:</p> +<p>"Miss Kate, here's Mrs. Conroy."</p> +<p>Kate and Julia came toddling down the dark stairs at once. Both of + them kissed Gabriel's wife, said she must be perished alive, and + asked was Gabriel with her.</p> +<p>"Here I am as right as the mail, Aunt Kate! Go on up. I'll follow," + called out Gabriel from the dark.</p> +<p>He continued scraping his feet vigorously while the three women + went upstairs, laughing, to the ladies' dressing-room. A light fringe + of snow lay like a cape on the shoulders of his overcoat and like + toecaps on the toes of his goloshes; and, as the buttons of his + overcoat slipped with a squeaking noise through the + snow-stiffened frieze, a cold, fragrant air from out-of-doors + escaped from crevices and folds.</p> +<p>"Is it snowing again, Mr. Conroy?" asked Lily.</p> +<p>She had preceded him into the pantry to help him off with his + overcoat. Gabriel smiled at the three syllables she had given his + surname and glanced at her. She was a slim; growing girl, pale in + complexion and with hay-coloured hair. The gas in the pantry + made her look still paler. Gabriel had known her when she was a + child and used to sit on the lowest step nursing a rag doll.</p> +<p>"Yes, Lily," he answered, "and I think we're in for a night + of it."</p> +<p>He looked up at the pantry ceiling, which was shaking with the + stamping and shuffling of feet on the floor above, listened for a + moment to the piano and then glanced at the girl, who was folding + his overcoat carefully at the end of a shelf.</p> +<p>"Tell me. Lily," he said in a friendly tone, "do you still go + to + school?"</p> +<p>"O no, sir," she answered. "I'm done schooling this year and + more."</p> +<p>"O, then," said Gabriel gaily, "I suppose we'll be going to + your + wedding one of these fine days with your young man, eh? "</p> +<p>The girl glanced back at him over her shoulder and said with great + bitterness:</p> +<p>"The men that is now is only all palaver and what they can get out + of you."</p> +<p>Gabriel coloured, as if he felt he had made a mistake and, without + looking at her, kicked off his goloshes and flicked actively with his + muffler at his patent-leather shoes.</p> +<p>He was a stout, tallish young man. The high colour of his cheeks + pushed upwards even to his forehead, where it scattered itself in a + few formless patches of pale red; and on his hairless face there + scintillated restlessly the polished lenses and the bright gilt rims of + the glasses which screened his delicate and restless eyes. His + glossy black hair was parted in the middle and brushed in a long + curve behind his ears where it curled slightly beneath the groove + left by his hat.</p> +<p>When he had flicked lustre into his shoes he stood up and pulled + his waistcoat down more tightly on his plump body. Then he took + a coin rapidly from his pocket.</p> +<p>"O Lily," he said, thrusting it into her hands, "it's Christmastime, + isn't it? Just... here's a little...."</p> +<p>He walked rapidly towards the door.</p> +<p>"O no, sir!" cried the girl, following him. "Really, sir, I + wouldn't + take it."</p> +<p>"Christmas-time! Christmas-time!" said Gabriel, almost trotting to + the stairs and waving his hand to her in deprecation.</p> +<p>The girl, seeing that he had gained the stairs, called out after him:</p> +<p>"Well, thank you, sir."</p> +<p>He waited outside the drawing-room door until the waltz should + finish, listening to the skirts that swept against it and to the + shuffling of feet. He was still discomposed by the girl's bitter and + sudden retort. It had cast a gloom over him which he tried to dispel + by arranging his cuffs and the bows of his tie. He then took from + his waistcoat pocket a little paper and glanced at the headings he + had made for his speech. He was undecided about the lines from + Robert Browning, for he feared they would be above the heads of + his hearers. Some quotation that they would recognise from + Shakespeare or from the Melodies would be better. The indelicate + clacking of the men's heels and the shuffling of their soles + reminded him that their grade of culture differed from his. He + would only make himself ridiculous by quoting poetry to them + which they could not understand. They would think that he was + airing his superior education. He would fail with them just as he + had failed with the girl in the pantry. He had taken up a wrong + tone. His whole speech was a mistake from first to last, an utter + failure.</p> +<p>Just then his aunts and his wife came out of the ladies' + dressing-room. His aunts were two small, plainly dressed old + women. Aunt Julia was an inch or so the taller. Her hair, drawn + low over the tops of her ears, was grey; and grey also, with darker + shadows, was her large flaccid face. Though she was stout in build + and stood erect, her slow eyes and parted lips gave her the + appearance of a woman who did not know where she was or where + she was going. Aunt Kate was more vivacious. Her face, healthier + than her sister's, was all puckers and creases, like a shrivelled red + apple, and her hair, braided in the same old-fashioned way, had not + lost its ripe nut colour.</p> +<p>They both kissed Gabriel frankly. He was their favourite nephew + the son of their dead elder sister, Ellen, who had married T. J. + Conroy of the Port and Docks.</p> +<p>"Gretta tells me you're not going to take a cab back to Monkstown + tonight, Gabriel," said Aunt Kate.</p> +<p>"No," said Gabriel, turning to his wife, "we had quite enough + of + that last year, hadn't we? Don't you remember, Aunt Kate, what a + cold Gretta got out of it? Cab windows rattling all the way, and the + east wind blowing in after we passed Merrion. Very jolly it was. + Gretta caught a dreadful cold."</p> +<p>Aunt Kate frowned severely and nodded her head at every word.</p> +<p>"Quite right, Gabriel, quite right," she said. "You can't be + too + careful."</p> +<p>"But as for Gretta there," said Gabriel, "she'd walk home in + the + snow if she were let."</p> +<p>Mrs. Conroy laughed.</p> +<p>"Don't mind him, Aunt Kate," she said. "He's really an awful + bother, what with green shades for Tom's eyes at night and making + him do the dumb-bells, and forcing Eva to eat the stirabout. The + poor child! And she simply hates the sight of it!... O, but you'll + never guess what he makes me wear now!"</p> +<p>She broke out into a peal of laughter and glanced at her husband, + whose admiring and happy eyes had been wandering from her + dress to her face and hair. The two aunts laughed heartily, too, for + Gabriel's solicitude was a standing joke with them.</p> +<p>"Goloshes!" said Mrs. Conroy. "That's the latest. Whenever it's + wet + underfoot I must put on my galoshes. Tonight even, he wanted me + to put them on, but I wouldn't. The next thing he'll buy me will be + a diving suit."</p> +<p>Gabriel laughed nervously and patted his tie reassuringly, while + Aunt Kate nearly doubled herself, so heartily did she enjoy the + joke. The smile soon faded from Aunt Julia's face and her + mirthless eyes were directed towards her nephew's face. After a + pause she asked:</p> +<p>"And what are goloshes, Gabriel?"</p> +<p>"Goloshes, Julia!" exclaimed her sister "Goodness me, don't + you + know what goloshes are? You wear them over your... over your + boots, Gretta, isn't it?"</p> +<p>"Yes," said Mrs. Conroy. "Guttapercha things. We both have a + pair + now. Gabriel says everyone wears them on the Continent."</p> +<p>"O, on the Continent," murmured Aunt Julia, nodding her head + slowly.</p> +<p>Gabriel knitted his brows and said, as if he were slightly angered:</p> +<p>"It's nothing very wonderful, but Gretta thinks it very funny + because she says the word reminds her of Christy Minstrels."</p> +<p>"But tell me, Gabriel," said Aunt Kate, with brisk tact. "Of + course, + you've seen about the room. Gretta was saying..."</p> +<p>"0, the room is all right," replied Gabriel. "I've taken one + in the + Gresham."</p> +<p>"To be sure," said Aunt Kate, "by far the best thing to do. + And the + children, Gretta, you're not anxious about them?"</p> +<p>"0, for one night," said Mrs. Conroy. "Besides, Bessie will + look + after them."</p> +<p>"To be sure," said Aunt Kate again. "What a comfort it is to + have a + girl like that, one you can depend on! There's that Lily, I'm sure I + don't know what has come over her lately. She's not the girl she + was at all."</p> +<p>Gabriel was about to ask his aunt some questions on this point, but + she broke off suddenly to gaze after her sister, who had wandered + down the stairs and was craning her neck over the banisters.</p> +<p>"Now, I ask you," she said almost testily, "where is Julia going? + Julia! Julia! Where are you going?"</p> +<p>Julia, who had gone half way down one flight, came back and + announced blandly:</p> +<p>"Here's Freddy."</p> +<p>At the same moment a clapping of hands and a final flourish of the + pianist told that the waltz had ended. The drawing-room door was + opened from within and some couples came out. Aunt Kate drew + Gabriel aside hurriedly and whispered into his ear:</p> +<p>"Slip down, Gabriel, like a good fellow and see if he's all right, and + don't let him up if he's screwed. I'm sure he's screwed. I'm sure he + is."</p> +<p>Gabriel went to the stairs and listened over the banisters. He could + hear two persons talking in the pantry. Then he recognised Freddy + Malins' laugh. He went down the stairs noisily.</p> +<p>"It's such a relief," said Aunt Kate to Mrs. Conroy, "that Gabriel + is + here. I always feel easier in my mind when he's here.... Julia, + there's Miss Daly and Miss Power will take some refreshment. + Thanks for your beautiful waltz, Miss Daly. It made lovely time."</p> +<p>A tall wizen-faced man, with a stiff grizzled moustache and + swarthy skin, who was passing out with his partner, said:</p> +<p>"And may we have some refreshment, too, Miss Morkan?"</p> +<p>"Julia," said Aunt Kate summarily, "and here's Mr. Browne and + Miss Furlong. Take them in, Julia, with Miss Daly and Miss + Power."</p> +<p>"I'm the man for the ladies," said Mr. Browne, pursing his lips until + his moustache bristled and smiling in all his wrinkles. "You know, + Miss Morkan, the reason they are so fond of me is----"</p> +<p>He did not finish his sentence, but, seeing that Aunt Kate was out + of earshot, at once led the three young ladies into the back room. + The middle of the room was occupied by two square tables placed + end to end, and on these Aunt Julia and the caretaker were + straightening and smoothing a large cloth. On the sideboard were + arrayed dishes and plates, and glasses and bundles of knives and + forks and spoons. The top of the closed square piano served also as + a sideboard for viands and sweets. At a smaller sideboard in one + corner two young men were standing, drinking hop-bitters.</p> +<p>Mr. Browne led his charges thither and invited them all, in jest, to + some ladies' punch, hot, strong and sweet. As they said they never + took anything strong, he opened three bottles of lemonade for + them. Then he asked one of the young men to move aside, and, + taking hold of the decanter, filled out for himself a goodly measure + of whisky. The young men eyed him respectfully while he took a + trial sip.</p> +<p>"God help me," he said, smiling, "it's the doctor's orders."</p> +<p>His wizened face broke into a broader smile, and the three young + ladies laughed in musical echo to his pleasantry, swaying their + bodies to and fro, with nervous jerks of their shoulders. The + boldest said:</p> +<p>"O, now, Mr. Browne, I'm sure the doctor never ordered anything + of the kind."</p> +<p>Mr. Browne took another sip of his whisky and said, with sidling + mimicry:</p> +<p>"Well, you see, I'm like the famous Mrs. Cassidy, who is reported + to have said: 'Now, Mary Grimes, if I don't take it, make me take it, + for I feel I want it.'"</p> +<p>His hot face had leaned forward a little too confidentially and he + had assumed a very low Dublin accent so that the young ladies, + with one instinct, received his speech in silence. Miss Furlong, + who was one of Mary Jane's pupils, asked Miss Daly what was the + name of the pretty waltz she had played; and Mr. Browne, seeing + that he was ignored, turned promptly to the two young men who + were more appreciative.</p> +<p>A red-faced young woman, dressed in pansy, came into the room, + excitedly clapping her hands and crying:</p> +<p>"Quadrilles! Quadrilles!"</p> +<p>Close on her heels came Aunt Kate, crying:</p> +<p>"Two gentlemen and three ladies, Mary Jane!"</p> +<p>"O, here's Mr. Bergin and Mr. Kerrigan," said Mary Jane. "Mr. + Kerrigan, will you take Miss Power? Miss Furlong, may I get you a + partner, Mr. Bergin. O, that'll just do now."</p> +<p>"Three ladies, Mary Jane," said Aunt Kate.</p> +<p>The two young gentlemen asked the ladies if they might have the + pleasure, and Mary Jane turned to Miss Daly.</p> +<p>"O, Miss Daly, you're really awfully good, after playing for the last + two dances, but really we're so short of ladies tonight."</p> +<p>"I don't mind in the least, Miss Morkan."</p> +<p>"But I've a nice partner for you, Mr. Bartell D'Arcy, the tenor. I'll + get him to sing later on. All Dublin is raving about him."</p> +<p>"Lovely voice, lovely voice!" said Aunt Kate.</p> +<p>As the piano had twice begun the prelude to the first figure Mary + Jane led her recruits quickly from the room. They had hardly gone + when Aunt Julia wandered slowly into the room, looking behind + her at something.</p> +<p>"What is the matter, Julia?" asked Aunt Kate anxiously. "Who + is + it?"</p> +<p>Julia, who was carrying in a column of table-napkins, turned to her + sister and said, simply, as if the question had surprised her:</p> +<p>"It's only Freddy, Kate, and Gabriel with him."</p> +<p>In fact right behind her Gabriel could be seen piloting Freddy + Malins across the landing. The latter, a young man of about forty, + was of Gabriel's size and build, with very round shoulders. His face + was fleshy and pallid, touched with colour only at the thick + hanging lobes of his ears and at the wide wings of his nose. He had + coarse features, a blunt nose, a convex and receding brow, tumid + and protruded lips. His heavy-lidded eyes and the disorder of his + scanty hair made him look sleepy. He was laughing heartily in a + high key at a story which he had been telling Gabriel on the stairs + and at the same time rubbing the knuckles of his left fist + backwards and forwards into his left eye. +</p> +<p>Good-evening, Freddy," said Aunt Julia.</p> +<p>Freddy Malins bade the Misses Morkan good-evening in what + seemed an offhand fashion by reason of the habitual catch in his + voice and then, seeing that Mr. Browne was grinning at him from + the sideboard, crossed the room on rather shaky legs and began to + repeat in an undertone the story he had just told to Gabriel.</p> +<p>"He's not so bad, is he?" said Aunt Kate to Gabriel.</p> +<p>Gabriel's brows were dark but he raised them quickly and + answered:</p> +<p>"O, no, hardly noticeable."</p> +<p>"Now, isn't he a terrible fellow!" she said. "And his poor mother + made him take the pledge on New Year's Eve. But come on, + Gabriel, into the drawing-room."</p> +<p>Before leaving the room with Gabriel she signalled to Mr. Browne + by frowning and shaking her forefinger in warning to and fro. Mr. + Browne nodded in answer and, when she had gone, said to Freddy + Malins:</p> +<p>"Now, then, Teddy, I'm going to fill you out a good glass of + lemonade just to buck you up."</p> +<p>Freddy Malins, who was nearing the climax of his story, waved the + offer aside impatiently but Mr. Browne, having first called Freddy + Malins' attention to a disarray in his dress, filled out and handed + him a full glass of lemonade. Freddy Malins' left hand accepted the + glass mechanically, his right hand being engaged in the + mechanical readjustment of his dress. Mr. Browne, whose face + was once more wrinkling with mirth, poured out for himself a + glass of whisky while Freddy Malins exploded, before he had well + reached the climax of his story, in a kink of high-pitched + bronchitic laughter and, setting down his untasted and overflowing + glass, began to rub the knuckles of his left fist backwards and + forwards into his left eye, repeating words of his last phrase as + well as his fit of laughter would allow him.</p> +<p>Gabriel could not listen while Mary Jane was playing her Academy + piece, full of runs and difficult passages, to the hushed + drawing-room. He liked music but the piece she was playing had + no melody for him and he doubted whether it had any melody for + the other listeners, though they had begged Mary Jane to play + something. Four young men, who had come from the + refreshment-room to stand in the doorway at the sound of the + piano, had gone away quietly in couples after a few minutes. The + only persons who seemed to follow the music were Mary Jane + herself, her hands racing along the key-board or lifted from it at + the pauses like those of a priestess in momentary imprecation, and + Aunt Kate standing at her elbow to turn the page.</p> +<p>Gabriel's eyes, irritated by the floor, which glittered with beeswax + under the heavy chandelier, wandered to the wall above the piano. + A picture of the balcony scene in Romeo and Juliet hung there and + beside it was a picture of the two murdered princes in the Tower + which Aunt Julia had worked in red, blue and brown wools when + she was a girl. Probably in the school they had gone to as girls that + kind of work had been taught for one year. His mother had worked + for him as a birthday present a waistcoat of purple tabinet, with + little foxes' heads upon it, lined with brown satin and having round + mulberry buttons. It was strange that his mother had had no + musical talent though Aunt Kate used to call her the brains carrier + of the Morkan family. Both she and Julia had always seemed a + little proud of their serious and matronly sister. Her photograph + stood before the pierglass. She held an open book on her knees and + was pointing out something in it to Constantine who, dressed in a + man-o-war suit, lay at her feet. It was she who had chosen the + name of her sons for she was very sensible of the dignity of family + life. Thanks to her, Constantine was now senior curate in + Balbrigan and, thanks to her, Gabriel himself had taken his degree + in the Royal University. A shadow passed over his face as he + remembered her sullen opposition to his marriage. Some slighting + phrases she had used still rankled in his memory; she had once + spoken of Gretta as being country cute and that was not true of + Gretta at all. It was Gretta who had nursed her during all her last + long illness in their house at Monkstown.</p> +<p>He knew that Mary Jane must be near the end of her piece for she + was playing again the opening melody with runs of scales after + every bar and while he waited for the end the resentment died + down in his heart. The piece ended with a trill of octaves in the + treble and a final deep octave in the bass. Great applause greeted + Mary Jane as, blushing and rolling up her music nervously, she + escaped from the room. The most vigorous clapping came from + the four young men in the doorway who had gone away to the + refreshment-room at the beginning of the piece but had come back + when the piano had stopped.</p> +<p>Lancers were arranged. Gabriel found himself partnered with Miss + Ivors. She was a frank-mannered talkative young lady, with a + freckled face and prominent brown eyes. She did not wear a + low-cut bodice and the large brooch which was fixed in the front + of her collar bore on it an Irish device and motto.</p> +<p>When they had taken their places she said abruptly:</p> +<p>"I have a crow to pluck with you."</p> +<p>"With me?" said Gabriel.</p> +<p>She nodded her head gravely.</p> +<p>"What is it?" asked Gabriel, smiling at her solemn manner.</p> +<p>"Who is G. C.?" answered Miss Ivors, turning her eyes upon him.</p> +<p>Gabriel coloured and was about to knit his brows, as if he did not + understand, when she said bluntly:</p> +<p>"O, innocent Amy! I have found out that you write for The Daily + Express. Now, aren't you ashamed of yourself?"</p> +<p>"Why should I be ashamed of myself?" asked Gabriel, blinking his + eyes and trying to smile.</p> +<p>"Well, I'm ashamed of you," said Miss Ivors frankly. "To say + you'd + write for a paper like that. I didn't think you were a West Briton."</p> +<p>A look of perplexity appeared on Gabriel's face. It was true that he + wrote a literary column every Wednesday in The Daily Express, + for which he was paid fifteen shillings. But that did not make him + a West Briton surely. The books he received for review were + almost more welcome than the paltry cheque. He loved to feel the + covers and turn over the pages of newly printed books. Nearly + every day when his teaching in the college was ended he used to + wander down the quays to the second-hand booksellers, to + Hickey's on Bachelor's Walk, to Web's or Massey's on Aston's + Quay, or to O'Clohissey's in the bystreet. He did not know how to + meet her charge. He wanted to say that literature was above + politics. But they were friends of many years' standing and their + careers had been parallel, first at the University and then as + teachers: he could not risk a grandiose phrase with her. He + continued blinking his eyes and trying to smile and murmured + lamely that he saw nothing political in writing reviews of books.</p> +<p>When their turn to cross had come he was still perplexed and + inattentive. Miss Ivors promptly took his hand in a warm grasp and + said in a soft friendly tone:</p> +<p>"Of course, I was only joking. Come, we cross now."</p> +<p>When they were together again she spoke of the University + question and Gabriel felt more at ease. A friend of hers had shown + her his review of Browning's poems. That was how she had found + out the secret: but she liked the review immensely. Then she said + suddenly:</p> +<p>"O, Mr. Conroy, will you come for an excursion to the Aran Isles + this summer? We're going to stay there a whole month. It will be + splendid out in the Atlantic. You ought to come. Mr. Clancy is + coming, and Mr. Kilkelly and Kathleen Kearney. It would be + splendid for Gretta too if she'd come. She's from Connacht, isn't + she?"</p> +<p>"Her people are," said Gabriel shortly.</p> +<p>"But you will come, won't you?" said Miss Ivors, laying her arm + hand eagerly on his arm.</p> +<p>"The fact is," said Gabriel, "I have just arranged to go----"</p> +<p>"Go where?" asked Miss Ivors.</p> +<p>"Well, you know, every year I go for a cycling tour with some + fellows and so----"</p> +<p>"But where?" asked Miss Ivors.</p> +<p>"Well, we usually go to France or Belgium or perhaps Germany," + said Gabriel awkwardly.</p> +<p>"And why do you go to France and Belgium," said Miss Ivors, + "instead of visiting your own land?"</p> +<p>"Well," said Gabriel, "it's partly to keep in touch with the + languages and partly for a change."</p> +<p>"And haven't you your own language to keep in touch with-- + Irish?" asked Miss Ivors.</p> +<p>"Well," said Gabriel, "if it comes to that, you know, Irish + is not my + language."</p> +<p>Their neighbours had turned to listen to the cross- examination. + Gabriel glanced right and left nervously and tried to keep his good + humour under the ordeal which was making a blush invade his + forehead.</p> +<p>"And haven't you your own land to visit," continued Miss Ivors, + "that you know nothing of, your own people, and your own + country?"</p> +<p>"0, to tell you the truth," retorted Gabriel suddenly, "I'm + sick of my + own country, sick of it!"</p> +<p>"Why?" asked Miss Ivors.</p> +<p>Gabriel did not answer for his retort had heated him.</p> +<p>"Why?" repeated Miss Ivors.</p> +<p>They had to go visiting together and, as he had not answered her, + Miss Ivors said warmly:</p> +<p>"Of course, you've no answer."</p> +<p>Gabriel tried to cover his agitation by taking part in the dance with + great energy. He avoided her eyes for he had seen a sour + expression on her face. But when they met in the long chain he + was surprised to feel his hand firmly pressed. She looked at him + from under her brows for a moment quizzically until he smiled. + Then, just as the chain was about to start again, she stood on tiptoe + and whispered into his ear:</p> +<p>"West Briton!"</p> +<p>When the lancers were over Gabriel went away to a remote corner + of the room where Freddy Malins' mother was sitting. She was a + stout feeble old woman with white hair. Her voice had a catch in it + like her son's and she stuttered slightly. She had been told that + Freddy had come and that he was nearly all right. Gabriel asked + her whether she had had a good crossing. She lived with her + married daughter in Glasgow and came to Dublin on a visit once a + year. She answered placidly that she had had a beautiful crossing + and that the captain had been most attentive to her. She spoke also + of the beautiful house her daughter kept in Glasgow, and of all the + friends they had there. While her tongue rambled on Gabriel tried + to banish from his mind all memory of the unpleasant incident + with Miss Ivors. Of course the girl or woman, or whatever she was, + was an enthusiast but there was a time for all things. Perhaps he + ought not to have answered her like that. But she had no right to + call him a West Briton before people, even in joke. She had tried + to make him ridiculous before people, heckling him and staring at + him with her rabbit's eyes.</p> +<p>He saw his wife making her way towards him through the waltzing + couples. When she reached him she said into his ear:</p> +<p>"Gabriel. Aunt Kate wants to know won't you carve the goose as + usual. Miss Daly will carve the ham and I'll do the pudding."</p> +<p>"All right," said Gabriel.</p> +<p>"She's sending in the younger ones first as soon as this waltz is + over so that we'll have the table to ourselves."</p> +<p>"Were you dancing?" asked Gabriel.</p> +<p>"Of course I was. Didn't you see me? What row had you with + Molly Ivors?"</p> +<p>"No row. Why? Did she say so?"</p> +<p>"Something like that. I'm trying to get that Mr. D'Arcy to sing. He's + full of conceit, I think."</p> +<p>"There was no row," said Gabriel moodily, "only she wanted me + to + go for a trip to the west of Ireland and I said I wouldn't."</p> +<p>His wife clasped her hands excitedly and gave a little jump.</p> +<p>"O, do go, Gabriel," she cried. "I'd love to see Galway again."</p> +<p>"You can go if you like," said Gabriel coldly.</p> +<p>She looked at him for a moment, then turned to Mrs. Malins and + said:</p> +<p>"There's a nice husband for you, Mrs. Malins."</p> +<p>While she was threading her way back across the room Mrs. + Malins, without adverting to the interruption, went on to tell + Gabriel what beautiful places there were in Scotland and beautiful + scenery. Her son-in-law brought them every year to the lakes and + they used to go fishing. Her son-in-law was a splendid fisher. One + day he caught a beautiful big fish and the man in the hotel cooked + it for their dinner.</p> +<p>Gabriel hardly heard what she said. Now that supper was coming + near he began to think again about his speech and about the + quotation. When he saw Freddy Malins coming across the room to + visit his mother Gabriel left the chair free for him and retired into + the embrasure of the window. The room had already cleared and + from the back room came the clatter of plates and knives. Those + who still remained in the drawing room seemed tired of dancing + and were conversing quietly in little groups. Gabriel's warm + trembling fingers tapped the cold pane of the window. How cool it + must be outside! How pleasant it would be to walk out alone, first + along by the river and then through the park! The snow would be + lying on the branches of the trees and forming a bright cap on the + top of the Wellington Monument. How much more pleasant it + would be there than at the supper-table!</p> +<p>He ran over the headings of his speech: Irish hospitality, sad + memories, the Three Graces, Paris, the quotation from Browning. + He repeated to himself a phrase he had written in his review: "One + feels that one is listening to a thought- tormented music." Miss + Ivors had praised the review. Was she sincere? Had she really any + life of her own behind all her propagandism? There had never + been any ill-feeling between them until that night. It unnerved him + to think that she would be at the supper-table, looking up at him + while he spoke with her critical quizzing eyes. Perhaps she would + not be sorry to see him fail in his speech. An idea came into his + mind and gave him courage. He would say, alluding to Aunt Kate + and Aunt Julia: "Ladies and Gentlemen, the generation which is + now on the wane among us may have had its faults but for my part + I think it had certain qualities of hospitality, of humour, of + humanity, which the new and very serious and hypereducated + generation that is growing up around us seems to me to lack." Very + good: that was one for Miss Ivors. What did he care that his aunts + were only two ignorant old women?</p> +<p>A murmur in the room attracted his attention. Mr. Browne was + advancing from the door, gallantly escorting Aunt Julia, who + leaned upon his arm, smiling and hanging her head. An irregular + musketry of applause escorted her also as far as the piano and + then, as Mary Jane seated herself on the stool, and Aunt Julia, no + longer smiling, half turned so as to pitch her voice fairly into the + room, gradually ceased. Gabriel recognised the prelude. It was that + of an old song of Aunt Julia's--Arrayed for the Bridal. Her voice, + strong and clear in tone, attacked with great spirit the runs which + embellish the air and though she sang very rapidly she did not miss + even the smallest of the grace notes. To follow the voice, without + looking at the singer's face, was to feel and share the excitement of + swift and secure flight. Gabriel applauded loudly with all the + others at the close of the song and loud applause was borne in + from the invisible supper-table. It sounded so genuine that a little + colour struggled into Aunt Julia's face as she bent to replace in the + music-stand the old leather-bound songbook that had her initials + on the cover. Freddy Malins, who had listened with his head + perched sideways to hear her better, was still applauding when + everyone else had ceased and talking animatedly to his mother + who nodded her head gravely and slowly in acquiescence. At last, + when he could clap no more, he stood up suddenly and hurried + across the room to Aunt Julia whose hand he seized and held in + both his hands, shaking it when words failed him or the catch in + his voice proved too much for him.</p> +<p>"I was just telling my mother," he said, "I never heard you + sing so + well, never. No, I never heard your voice so good as it is tonight. + Now! Would you believe that now? That's the truth. Upon my + word and honour that's the truth. I never heard your voice sound so + fresh and so... so clear and fresh, never."</p> +<p>Aunt Julia smiled broadly and murmured something about + compliments as she released her hand from his grasp. Mr. Browne + extended his open hand towards her and said to those who were + near him in the manner of a showman introducing a prodigy to an + audience:</p> +<p>"Miss Julia Morkan, my latest discovery!"</p> +<p>He was laughing very heartily at this himself when Freddy Malins + turned to him and said:</p> +<p>"Well, Browne, if you're serious you might make a worse + discovery. All I can say is I never heard her sing half so well as + long as I am coming here. And that's the honest truth."</p> +<p>"Neither did I," said Mr. Browne. "I think her voice has greatly + improved."</p> +<p>Aunt Julia shrugged her shoulders and said with meek pride:</p> +<p>"Thirty years ago I hadn't a bad voice as voices go."</p> +<p>"I often told Julia," said Aunt Kate emphatically, "that she + was + simply thrown away in that choir. But she never would be said by + me."</p> +<p>She turned as if to appeal to the good sense of the others against a + refractory child while Aunt Julia gazed in front of her, a vague + smile of reminiscence playing on her face.</p> +<p>"No," continued Aunt Kate, "she wouldn't be said or led by anyone, + slaving there in that choir night and day, night and day. Six o'clock + on Christmas morning! And all for what?"</p> +<p>"Well, isn't it for the honour of God, Aunt Kate?" asked Mary Jane, + twisting round on the piano-stool and smiling.</p> +<p>Aunt Kate turned fiercely on her niece and said:</p> +<p>"I know all about the honour of God, Mary Jane, but I think it's not + at all honourable for the pope to turn out the women out of the + choirs that have slaved there all their lives and put little + whipper-snappers of boys over their heads. I suppose it is for the + good of the Church if the pope does it. But it's not just, Mary Jane, + and it's not right."</p> +<p>She had worked herself into a passion and would have continued + in defence of her sister for it was a sore subject with her but Mary + Jane, seeing that all the dancers had come back, intervened + pacifically:</p> +<p>"Now, Aunt Kate, you're giving scandal to Mr. Browne who is of + the other persuasion."</p> +<p>Aunt Kate turned to Mr. Browne, who was grinning at this allusion + to his religion, and said hastily:</p> +<p>"O, I don't question the pope's being right. I'm only a stupid old + woman and I wouldn't presume to do such a thing. But there's such + a thing as common everyday politeness and gratitude. And if I + were in Julia's place I'd tell that Father Healey straight up to his + face..."</p> +<p>"And besides, Aunt Kate," said Mary Jane, "we really are all + hungry and when we are hungry we are all very quarrelsome."</p> +<p>"And when we are thirsty we are also quarrelsome," added Mr. + Browne.</p> +<p>"So that we had better go to supper," said Mary Jane, "and finish + the discussion afterwards."</p> +<p>On the landing outside the drawing-room Gabriel found his wife + and Mary Jane trying to persuade Miss Ivors to stay for supper. But + Miss Ivors, who had put on her hat and was buttoning her cloak, + would not stay. She did not feel in the least hungry and she had + already overstayed her time.</p> +<p>"But only for ten minutes, Molly," said Mrs. Conroy. "That won't + delay you."</p> +<p>"To take a pick itself," said Mary Jane, "after all your dancing."</p> +<p>"I really couldn't," said Miss Ivors.</p> +<p>"I am afraid you didn't enjoy yourself at all," said Mary Jane + hopelessly.</p> +<p>"Ever so much, I assure you," said Miss Ivors, "but you really + must + let me run off now."</p> +<p>"But how can you get home?" asked Mrs. Conroy.</p> +<p>"O, it's only two steps up the quay."</p> +<p>Gabriel hesitated a moment and said:</p> +<p>"If you will allow me, Miss Ivors, I'll see you home if you are + really obliged to go."</p> +<p>But Miss Ivors broke away from them.</p> +<p>"I won't hear of it," she cried. "For goodness' sake go in to + your + suppers and don't mind me. I'm quite well able to take care of + myself."</p> +<p>"Well, you're the comical girl, Molly," said Mrs. Conroy frankly.</p> +<p>"Beannacht libh," cried Miss Ivors, with a laugh, as she ran down + the staircase.</p> +<p>Mary Jane gazed after her, a moody puzzled expression on her + face, while Mrs. Conroy leaned over the banisters to listen for the + hall-door. Gabriel asked himself was he the cause of her abrupt + departure. But she did not seem to be in ill humour: she had gone + away laughing. He stared blankly down the staircase.</p> +<p>At the moment Aunt Kate came toddling out of the supper-room, + almost wringing her hands in despair.</p> +<p>"Where is Gabriel?" she cried. "Where on earth is Gabriel? There's + everyone waiting in there, stage to let, and nobody to carve the + goose!"</p> +<p>"Here I am, Aunt Kate!" cried Gabriel, with sudden animation, + "ready to carve a flock of geese, if necessary."</p> +<p>A fat brown goose lay at one end of the table and at the other end, + on a bed of creased paper strewn with sprigs of parsley, lay a great + ham, stripped of its outer skin and peppered over with crust + crumbs, a neat paper frill round its shin and beside this was a + round of spiced beef. Between these rival ends ran parallel lines of + side-dishes: two little minsters of jelly, red and yellow; a shallow + dish full of blocks of blancmange and red jam, a large green + leaf-shaped dish with a stalk-shaped handle, on which lay bunches + of purple raisins and peeled almonds, a companion dish on which + lay a solid rectangle of Smyrna figs, a dish of custard topped with + grated nutmeg, a small bowl full of chocolates and sweets wrapped + in gold and silver papers and a glass vase in which stood some tall + celery stalks. In the centre of the table there stood, as sentries to a + fruit-stand which upheld a pyramid of oranges and American + apples, two squat old-fashioned decanters of cut glass, one + containing port and the other dark sherry. On the closed square + piano a pudding in a huge yellow dish lay in waiting and behind it + were three squads of bottles of stout and ale and minerals, drawn + up according to the colours of their uniforms, the first two black, + with brown and red labels, the third and smallest squad white, with + transverse green sashes.</p> +<p>Gabriel took his seat boldly at the head of the table and, having + looked to the edge of the carver, plunged his fork firmly into the + goose. He felt quite at ease now for he was an expert carver and + liked nothing better than to find himself at the head of a well-laden + table.</p> +<p>"Miss Furlong, what shall I send you?" he asked. "A wing or + a slice + of the breast?"</p> +<p>"Just a small slice of the breast."</p> +<p>"Miss Higgins, what for you?"</p> +<p>"O, anything at all, Mr. Conroy."</p> +<p>While Gabriel and Miss Daly exchanged plates of goose and plates + of ham and spiced beef Lily went from guest to guest with a dish + of hot floury potatoes wrapped in a white napkin. This was Mary + Jane's idea and she had also suggested apple sauce for the goose + but Aunt Kate had said that plain roast goose without any apple + sauce had always been good enough for her and she hoped she + might never eat worse. Mary Jane waited on her pupils and saw + that they got the best slices and Aunt Kate and Aunt Julia opened + and carried across from the piano bottles of stout and ale for the + gentlemen and bottles of minerals for the ladies. There was a great + deal of confusion and laughter and noise, the noise of orders and + counter-orders, of knives and forks, of corks and glass-stoppers. + Gabriel began to carve second helpings as soon as he had finished + the first round without serving himself. Everyone protested loudly + so that he compromised by taking a long draught of stout for he + had found the carving hot work. Mary Jane settled down quietly to + her supper but Aunt Kate and Aunt Julia were still toddling round + the table, walking on each other's heels, getting in each other's way + and giving each other unheeded orders. Mr. Browne begged of + them to sit down and eat their suppers and so did Gabriel but they + said there was time enough, so that, at last, Freddy Malins stood up + and, capturing Aunt Kate, plumped her down on her chair amid + general laughter.</p> +<p>When everyone had been well served Gabriel said, smiling:</p> +<p>"Now, if anyone wants a little more of what vulgar people call + stuffing let him or her speak."</p> +<p>A chorus of voices invited him to begin his own supper and Lily + came forward with three potatoes which she had reserved for him.</p> +<p>"Very well," said Gabriel amiably, as he took another preparatory + draught, "kindly forget my existence, ladies and gentlemen, for a + few minutes."</p> +<p>He set to his supper and took no part in the conversation with + which the table covered Lily's removal of the plates. The subject of + talk was the opera company which was then at the Theatre Royal. + Mr. Bartell D'Arcy, the tenor, a dark- complexioned young man + with a smart moustache, praised very highly the leading contralto + of the company but Miss Furlong thought she had a rather vulgar + style of production. Freddy Malins said there was a Negro + chieftain singing in the second part of the Gaiety pantomime who + had one of the finest tenor voices he had ever heard.</p> +<p>"Have you heard him?" he asked Mr. Bartell D'Arcy across the + table.</p> +<p>"No," answered Mr. Bartell D'Arcy carelessly.</p> +<p>"Because," Freddy Malins explained, "now I'd be curious to hear + your opinion of him. I think he has a grand voice."</p> +<p>"It takes Teddy to find out the really good things," said Mr. + Browne familiarly to the table.</p> +<p>"And why couldn't he have a voice too?" asked Freddy Malins + sharply. "Is it because he's only a black?"</p> +<p>Nobody answered this question and Mary Jane led the table back + to the legitimate opera. One of her pupils had given her a pass for + Mignon. Of course it was very fine, she said, but it made her think + of poor Georgina Burns. Mr. Browne could go back farther still, to + the old Italian companies that used to come to Dublin--Tietjens, + Ilma de Murzka, Campanini, the great Trebelli, Giuglini, Ravelli, + Aramburo. Those were the days, he said, when there was + something like singing to be heard in Dublin. He told too of how + the top gallery of the old Royal used to be packed night after night, + of how one night an Italian tenor had sung five encores to Let me + like a Soldier fall, introducing a high C every time, and of how the + gallery boys would sometimes in their enthusiasm unyoke the + horses from the carriage of some great prima donna and pull her + themselves through the streets to her hotel. Why did they never + play the grand old operas now, he asked, Dinorah, Lucrezia + Borgia? Because they could not get the voices to sing them: that + was why.</p> +<p>"Oh, well," said Mr. Bartell D'Arcy, "I presume there are as + good + singers today as there were then."</p> +<p>"Where are they?" asked Mr. Browne defiantly.</p> +<p>"In London, Paris, Milan," said Mr. Bartell D'Arcy warmly. "I + suppose Caruso, for example, is quite as good, if not better than + any of the men you have mentioned."</p> +<p>"Maybe so," said Mr. Browne. "But I may tell you I doubt it + strongly."</p> +<p>"O, I'd give anything to hear Caruso sing," said Mary Jane.</p> +<p>"For me," said Aunt Kate, who had been picking a bone, "there + was only one tenor. To please me, I mean. But I suppose none of + you ever heard of him."</p> +<p>"Who was he, Miss Morkan?" asked Mr. Bartell D'Arcy politely.</p> +<p>"His name," said Aunt Kate, "was Parkinson. I heard him when + he + was in his prime and I think he had then the purest tenor voice that + was ever put into a man's throat."</p> +<p>"Strange," said Mr. Bartell D'Arcy. "I never even heard of him."</p> +<p>"Yes, yes, Miss Morkan is right," said Mr. Browne. "I remember + hearing of old Parkinson but he's too far back for me."</p> +<p>"A beautiful, pure, sweet, mellow English tenor," said Aunt Kate + with enthusiasm.</p> +<p>Gabriel having finished, the huge pudding was transferred to the + table. The clatter of forks and spoons began again. Gabriel's wife + served out spoonfuls of the pudding and passed the plates down + the table. Midway down they were held up by Mary Jane, who + replenished them with raspberry or orange jelly or with + blancmange and jam. The pudding was of Aunt Julia's making and + she received praises for it from all quarters She herself said that it + was not quite brown enough.</p> +<p>"Well, I hope, Miss Morkan," said Mr. Browne, "that I'm brown + enough for you because, you know, I'm all brown."</p> +<p>All the gentlemen, except Gabriel, ate some of the pudding out of + compliment to Aunt Julia. As Gabriel never ate sweets the celery + had been left for him. Freddy Malins also took a stalk of celery and + ate it with his pudding. He had been told that celery was a capital + thing for the blood and he was just then under doctor's care. Mrs. + Malins, who had been silent all through the supper, said that her + son was going down to Mount Melleray in a week or so. The table + then spoke of Mount Melleray, how bracing the air was down + there, how hospitable the monks were and how they never asked + for a penny-piece from their guests.</p> +<p>"And do you mean to say," asked Mr. Browne incredulously, "that + a chap can go down there and put up there as if it were a hotel and + live on the fat of the land and then come away without paying + anything?"</p> +<p>"O, most people give some donation to the monastery when they + leave." said Mary Jane.</p> +<p>"I wish we had an institution like that in our Church," said Mr. + Browne candidly.</p> +<p>He was astonished to hear that the monks never spoke, got up at + two in the morning and slept in their coffins. He asked what they + did it for.</p> +<p>"That's the rule of the order," said Aunt Kate firmly.</p> +<p>"Yes, but why?" asked Mr. Browne.</p> +<p>Aunt Kate repeated that it was the rule, that was all. Mr. Browne + still seemed not to understand. Freddy Malins explained to him, as + best he could, that the monks were trying to make up for the sins + committed by all the sinners in the outside world. The explanation + was not very clear for Mr. Browne grinned and said:</p> +<p>"I like that idea very much but wouldn't a comfortable spring bed + do them as well as a coffin?"</p> +<p>"The coffin," said Mary Jane, "is to remind them of their last + end."</p> +<p>As the subject had grown lugubrious it was buried in a silence of + the table during which Mrs. Malins could be heard saying to her + neighbour in an indistinct undertone:</p> +<p>"They are very good men, the monks, very pious men."</p> +<p>The raisins and almonds and figs and apples and oranges and + chocolates and sweets were now passed about the table and Aunt + Julia invited all the guests to have either port or sherry. At first Mr. + Bartell D'Arcy refused to take either but one of his neighbours + nudged him and whispered something to him upon which he + allowed his glass to be filled. Gradually as the last glasses were + being filled the conversation ceased. A pause followed, broken + only by the noise of the wine and by unsettlings of chairs. The + Misses Morkan, all three, looked down at the tablecloth. Someone + coughed once or twice and then a few gentlemen patted the table + gently as a signal for silence. The silence came and Gabriel pushed + back his chair.</p> +<p>The patting at once grew louder in encouragement and then ceased + altogether. Gabriel leaned his ten trembling fingers on the + tablecloth and smiled nervously at the company. Meeting a row of + upturned faces he raised his eyes to the chandelier. The piano was + playing a waltz tune and he could hear the skirts sweeping against + the drawing-room door. People, perhaps, were standing in the + snow on the quay outside, gazing up at the lighted windows and + listening to the waltz music. The air was pure there. In the distance + lay the park where the trees were weighted with snow. The + Wellington Monument wore a gleaming cap of snow that flashed + westward over the white field of Fifteen Acres. +</p> +<p>He began:</p> +<p>"Ladies and Gentlemen,</p> +<p>"It has fallen to my lot this evening, as in years past, to perform a + very pleasing task but a task for which I am afraid my poor powers + as a speaker are all too inadequate."</p> +<p>"No, no!" said Mr. Browne.</p> +<p>"But, however that may be, I can only ask you tonight to take the + will for the deed and to lend me your attention for a few moments + while I endeavour to express to you in words what my feelings are + on this occasion.</p> +<p>"Ladies and Gentlemen, it is not the first time that we have + gathered together under this hospitable roof, around this hospitable + board. It is not the first time that we have been the recipients--or + perhaps, I had better say, the victims--of the hospitality of certain + good ladies."</p> +<p>He made a circle in the air with his arm and paused. Everyone + laughed or smiled at Aunt Kate and Aunt Julia and Mary Jane who + all turned crimson with pleasure. Gabriel went on more boldly:</p> +<p>"I feel more strongly with every recurring year that our country has + no tradition which does it so much honour and which it should + guard so jealously as that of its hospitality. It is a tradition that is + unique as far as my experience goes (and I have visited not a few + places abroad) among the modern nations. Some would say, + perhaps, that with us it is rather a failing than anything to be + boasted of. But granted even that, it is, to my mind, a princely + failing, and one that I trust will long be cultivated among us. Of + one thing, at least, I am sure. As long as this one roof shelters the + good ladies aforesaid--and I wish from my heart it may do so for + many and many a long year to come--the tradition of genuine + warm-hearted courteous Irish hospitality, which our forefathers + have handed down to us and which we in turn must hand down to + our descendants, is still alive among us."</p> +<p>A hearty murmur of assent ran round the table. It shot through + Gabriel's mind that Miss Ivors was not there and that she had gone + away discourteously: and he said with confidence in himself:</p> +<p>"Ladies and Gentlemen,</p> +<p>"A new generation is growing up in our midst, a generation + actuated by new ideas and new principles. It is serious and + enthusiastic for these new ideas and its enthusiasm, even when it is + misdirected, is, I believe, in the main sincere. But we are living in + a sceptical and, if I may use the phrase, a thought-tormented age: + and sometimes I fear that this new generation, educated or + hypereducated as it is, will lack those qualities of humanity, of + hospitality, of kindly humour which belonged to an older day. + Listening tonight to the names of all those great singers of the past + it seemed to me, I must confess, that we were living in a less + spacious age. Those days might, without exaggeration, be called + spacious days: and if they are gone beyond recall let us hope, at + least, that in gatherings such as this we shall still speak of them + with pride and affection, still cherish in our hearts the memory of + those dead and gone great ones whose fame the world will not + willingly let die."</p> +<p>"Hear, hear!" said Mr. Browne loudly.</p> +<p>"But yet," continued Gabriel, his voice falling into a softer + inflection, "there are always in gatherings such as this sadder + thoughts that will recur to our minds: thoughts of the past, of + youth, of changes, of absent faces that we miss here tonight. Our + path through life is strewn with many such sad memories: and + were we to brood upon them always we could not find the heart to + go on bravely with our work among the living. We have all of us + living duties and living affections which claim, and rightly claim, + our strenuous endeavours.</p> +<p>"Therefore, I will not linger on the past. I will not let any gloomy + moralising intrude upon us here tonight. Here we are gathered + together for a brief moment from the bustle and rush of our + everyday routine. We are met here as friends, in the spirit of + good-fellowship, as colleagues, also to a certain extent, in the true + spirit of camaraderie, and as the guests of--what shall I call them? + --the Three Graces of the Dublin musical world."</p> +<p>The table burst into applause and laughter at this allusion. Aunt + Julia vainly asked each of her neighbours in turn to tell her what + Gabriel had said.</p> +<p>"He says we are the Three Graces, Aunt Julia," said Mary Jane.</p> +<p>Aunt Julia did not understand but she looked up, smiling, at + Gabriel, who continued in the same vein:</p> +<p>"Ladies and Gentlemen,</p> +<p>"I will not attempt to play tonight the part that Paris played on + another occasion. I will not attempt to choose between them. The + task would be an invidious one and one beyond my poor powers. + For when I view them in turn, whether it be our chief hostess + herself, whose good heart, whose too good heart, has become a + byword with all who know her, or her sister, who seems to be + gifted with perennial youth and whose singing must have been a + surprise and a revelation to us all tonight, or, last but not least, + when I consider our youngest hostess, talented, cheerful, + hard-working and the best of nieces, I confess, Ladies and + Gentlemen, that I do not know to which of them I should award the + prize."</p> +<p>Gabriel glanced down at his aunts and, seeing the large smile on + Aunt Julia's face and the tears which had risen to Aunt Kate's eyes, + hastened to his close. He raised his glass of port gallantly, while + every member of the company fingered a glass expectantly, and + said loudly:</p> +<p>"Let us toast them all three together. Let us drink to their health, + wealth, long life, happiness and prosperity and may they long + continue to hold the proud and self-won position which they hold + in their profession and the position of honour and affection which + they hold in our hearts."</p> +<p>All the guests stood up, glass in hand, and turning towards the + three seated ladies, sang in unison, with Mr. Browne as leader:</p> +<p>For they are jolly gay fellows,<br> For they are jolly gay fellows,<br> For they are + jolly gay fellows,<br> Which nobody can deny.</p> +<p>Aunt Kate was making frank use of her handkerchief and even + Aunt Julia seemed moved. Freddy Malins beat time with his + pudding-fork and the singers turned towards one another, as if in + melodious conference, while they sang with emphasis:</p> +<p>Unless he tells a lie,<br> + Unless he tells a lie,</p> +<p>Then, turning once more towards their hostesses, they sang:</p> +<p>For they are jolly gay fellows,<br> + For they are jolly gay fellows,<br> + For they are jolly gay fellows,<br> + Which nobody can deny.</p> +<p>The acclamation which followed was taken up beyond the door of the supper-room + by many of the other guests and renewed time after time, Freddy Malins acting + as officer with his fork on high.</p> +<p> </p> +<p></p> +<p></p> +<p> + The piercing morning air came into the hall where they were + standing so that Aunt Kate said:</p> +<p>"Close the door, somebody. Mrs. Malins will get her death of + cold."</p> +<p>"Browne is out there, Aunt Kate," said Mary Jane.</p> +<p>"Browne is everywhere," said Aunt Kate, lowering her voice.</p> +<p>Mary Jane laughed at her tone.</p> +<p>"Really," she said archly, "he is very attentive."</p> +<p>"He has been laid on here like the gas," said Aunt Kate in the same + tone, "all during the Christmas."</p> +<p>She laughed herself this time good-humouredly and then added + quickly:</p> +<p>"But tell him to come in, Mary Jane, and close the door. I hope to + goodness he didn't hear me."</p> +<p>At that moment the hall-door was opened and Mr. Browne came in + from the doorstep, laughing as if his heart would break. He was + dressed in a long green overcoat with mock astrakhan cuffs and + collar and wore on his head an oval fur cap. He pointed down the + snow-covered quay from where the sound of shrill prolonged + whistling was borne in.</p> +<p>"Teddy will have all the cabs in Dublin out," he said.</p> +<p>Gabriel advanced from the little pantry behind the office, + struggling into his overcoat and, looking round the hall, said:</p> +<p>"Gretta not down yet?"</p> +<p>"She's getting on her things, Gabriel," said Aunt Kate.</p> +<p>"Who's playing up there?" asked Gabriel.</p> +<p>"Nobody. They're all gone."</p> +<p>"O no, Aunt Kate," said Mary Jane. "Bartell D'Arcy and Miss + O'Callaghan aren't gone yet."</p> +<p>"Someone is fooling at the piano anyhow," said Gabriel.</p> +<p>Mary Jane glanced at Gabriel and Mr. Browne and said with a + shiver:</p> +<p>"It makes me feel cold to look at you two gentlemen muffled up + like that. I wouldn't like to face your journey home at this hour."</p> +<p>"I'd like nothing better this minute," said Mr. Browne stoutly, "than + a rattling fine walk in the country or a fast drive with a good + spanking goer between the shafts."</p> +<p>"We used to have a very good horse and trap at home," said Aunt + Julia sadly.</p> +<p>"The never-to-be-forgotten Johnny," said Mary Jane, laughing.</p> +<p>Aunt Kate and Gabriel laughed too.</p> +<p>"Why, what was wonderful about Johnny?" asked Mr. Browne.</p> +<p>"The late lamented Patrick Morkan, our grandfather, that is," + explained Gabriel, "commonly known in his later years as the old + gentleman, was a glue-boiler."</p> +<p>"O, now, Gabriel," said Aunt Kate, laughing, "he had a starch + mill."</p> +<p>"Well, glue or starch," said Gabriel, "the old gentleman had + a horse + by the name of Johnny. And Johnny used to work in the old + gentleman's mill, walking round and round in order to drive the + mill. That was all very well; but now comes the tragic part about + Johnny. One fine day the old gentleman thought he'd like to drive + out with the quality to a military review in the park."</p> +<p>"The Lord have mercy on his soul," said Aunt Kate + compassionately.</p> +<p>"Amen," said Gabriel. "So the old gentleman, as I said, harnessed + Johnny and put on his very best tall hat and his very best stock + collar and drove out in grand style from his ancestral mansion + somewhere near Back Lane, I think."</p> +<p>Everyone laughed, even Mrs. Malins, at Gabriel's manner and Aunt + Kate said:</p> +<p>"O, now, Gabriel, he didn't live in Back Lane, really. Only the mill + was there."</p> +<p>"Out from the mansion of his forefathers," continued Gabriel, "he + drove with Johnny. And everything went on beautifully until + Johnny came in sight of King Billy's statue: and whether he fell in + love with the horse King Billy sits on or whether he thought he + was back again in the mill, anyhow he began to walk round the + statue."</p> +<p>Gabriel paced in a circle round the hall in his goloshes amid the + laughter of the others.</p> +<p>"Round and round he went," said Gabriel, "and the old gentleman, + who was a very pompous old gentleman, was highly indignant. 'Go + on, sir! What do you mean, sir? Johnny! Johnny! Most + extraordinary conduct! Can't understand the horse!"</p> +<p>The peal of laughter which followed Gabriel's imitation of the + incident was interrupted by a resounding knock at the hall door. + Mary Jane ran to open it and let in Freddy Malins. Freddy Malins, + with his hat well back on his head and his shoulders humped with + cold, was puffing and steaming after his exertions.</p> +<p>"I could only get one cab," he said.</p> +<p>"O, we'll find another along the quay," said Gabriel.</p> +<p>"Yes," said Aunt Kate. "Better not keep Mrs. Malins standing + in + the draught."</p> +<p>Mrs. Malins was helped down the front steps by her son and Mr. + Browne and, after many manoeuvres, hoisted into the cab. Freddy + Malins clambered in after her and spent a long time settling her on + the seat, Mr. Browne helping him with advice. At last she was + settled comfortably and Freddy Malins invited Mr. Browne into the + cab. There was a good deal of confused talk, and then Mr. Browne + got into the cab. The cabman settled his rug over his knees, and + bent down for the address. The confusion grew greater and the + cabman was directed differently by Freddy Malins and Mr. + Browne, each of whom had his head out through a window of the + cab. The difficulty was to know where to drop Mr. Browne along + the route, and Aunt Kate, Aunt Julia and Mary Jane helped the + discussion from the doorstep with cross-directions and + contradictions and abundance of laughter. As for Freddy Malins he + was speechless with laughter. He popped his head in and out of the + window every moment to the great danger of his hat, and told his + mother how the discussion was progressing, till at last Mr. Browne + shouted to the bewildered cabman above the din of everybody's + laughter:</p> +<p>"Do you know Trinity College?"</p> +<p>"Yes, sir," said the cabman.</p> +<p>"Well, drive bang up against Trinity College gates," said Mr. + Browne, "and then we'll tell you where to go. You understand + now?"</p> +<p>"Yes, sir," said the cabman.</p> +<p>"Make like a bird for Trinity College."</p> +<p>"Right, sir," said the cabman.</p> +<p>The horse was whipped up and the cab rattled off along the quay + amid a chorus of laughter and adieus.</p> +<p>Gabriel had not gone to the door with the others. He was in a dark + part of the hall gazing up the staircase. A woman was standing + near the top of the first flight, in the shadow also. He could not see + her face but he could see the terra-cotta and salmon-pink panels of + her skirt which the shadow made appear black and white. It was + his wife. She was leaning on the banisters, listening to something. + Gabriel was surprised at her stillness and strained his ear to listen + also. But he could hear little save the noise of laughter and dispute + on the front steps, a few chords struck on the piano and a few + notes of a man's voice singing.</p> +<p>He stood still in the gloom of the hall, trying to catch the air that + the voice was singing and gazing up at his wife. There was grace + and mystery in her attitude as if she were a symbol of something. + He asked himself what is a woman standing on the stairs in the + shadow, listening to distant music, a symbol of. If he were a + painter he would paint her in that attitude. Her blue felt hat would + show off the bronze of her hair against the darkness and the dark + panels of her skirt would show off the light ones. Distant Music he + would call the picture if he were a painter.</p> +<p>The hall-door was closed; and Aunt Kate, Aunt Julia and Mary + Jane came down the hall, still laughing.</p> +<p>"Well, isn't Freddy terrible?" said Mary Jane. "He's really + terrible."</p> +<p>Gabriel said nothing but pointed up the stairs towards where his + wife was standing. Now that the hall-door was closed the voice + and the piano could be heard more clearly. Gabriel held up his + hand for them to be silent. The song seemed to be in the old Irish + tonality and the singer seemed uncertain both of his words and of + his voice. The voice, made plaintive by distance and by the singer's + hoarseness, faintly illuminated the cadence of the air with words + expressing grief:</p> +<p>O, the rain falls on my heavy locks + And the dew wets my skin, + My babe lies cold...</p> +<p>"O," exclaimed Mary Jane. "It's Bartell D'Arcy singing and he + wouldn't sing all the night. O, I'll get him to sing a song before he + goes."</p> +<p>"O, do, Mary Jane," said Aunt Kate.</p> +<p>Mary Jane brushed past the others and ran to the staircase, but + before she reached it the singing stopped and the piano was closed + abruptly.</p> +<p>"O, what a pity!" she cried. "Is he coming down, Gretta?"</p> +<p>Gabriel heard his wife answer yes and saw her come down towards + them. A few steps behind her were Mr. Bartell D'Arcy and Miss + O'Callaghan.</p> +<p>"O, Mr. D'Arcy," cried Mary Jane, "it's downright mean of you + to + break off like that when we were all in raptures listening to you."</p> +<p>"I have been at him all the evening," said Miss O'Callaghan, "and + Mrs. Conroy, too, and he told us he had a dreadful cold and + couldn't sing."</p> +<p>"O, Mr. D'Arcy," said Aunt Kate, "now that was a great fib to + tell."</p> +<p>"Can't you see that I'm as hoarse as a crow?" said Mr. D'Arcy + roughly.</p> +<p>He went into the pantry hastily and put on his overcoat. The others, + taken aback by his rude speech, could find nothing to say. Aunt + Kate wrinkled her brows and made signs to the others to drop the + subject. Mr. D'Arcy stood swathing his neck carefully and + frowning.</p> +<p>"It's the weather," said Aunt Julia, after a pause.</p> +<p>"Yes, everybody has colds," said Aunt Kate readily, "everybody."</p> +<p>"They say," said Mary Jane, "we haven't had snow like it for + thirty + years; and I read this morning in the newspapers that the snow is + general all over Ireland."</p> +<p>"I love the look of snow," said Aunt Julia sadly.</p> +<p>"So do I," said Miss O'Callaghan. "I think Christmas is never + really + Christmas unless we have the snow on the ground."</p> +<p>"But poor Mr. D'Arcy doesn't like the snow," said Aunt Kate, + smiling.</p> +<p>Mr. D'Arcy came from the pantry, fully swathed and buttoned, and + in a repentant tone told them the history of his cold. Everyone gave + him advice and said it was a great pity and urged him to be very + careful of his throat in the night air. Gabriel watched his wife, who + did not join in the conversation. She was standing right under the + dusty fanlight and the flame of the gas lit up the rich bronze of her + hair, which he had seen her drying at the fire a few days before. + She was in the same attitude and seemed unaware of the talk about + her. At last she turned towards them and Gabriel saw that there was + colour on her cheeks and that her eyes were shining. A sudden tide + of joy went leaping out of his heart.</p> +<p>"Mr. D'Arcy," she said, "what is the name of that song you were + singing?"</p> +<p>"It's called The Lass of Aughrim," said Mr. D'Arcy, "but I couldn't + remember it properly. Why? Do you know it?"</p> +<p>"The Lass of Aughrim," she repeated. "I couldn't think of the + name."</p> +<p>"It's a very nice air," said Mary Jane. "I'm sorry you were + not in + voice tonight."</p> +<p>"Now, Mary Jane," said Aunt Kate, "don't annoy Mr. D'Arcy. I + won't have him annoyed."</p> +<p>Seeing that all were ready to start she shepherded them to the door, + where good-night was said:</p> +<p>"Well, good-night, Aunt Kate, and thanks for the pleasant + evening."</p> +<p>"Good-night, Gabriel. Good-night, Gretta!"</p> +<p>"Good-night, Aunt Kate, and thanks ever so much. Goodnight, + Aunt Julia."</p> +<p>"O, good-night, Gretta, I didn't see you."</p> +<p>"Good-night, Mr. D'Arcy. Good-night, Miss O'Callaghan."</p> +<p>"Good-night, Miss Morkan."</p> +<p>"Good-night, again."</p> +<p>"Good-night, all. Safe home."</p> +<p>"Good-night. Good night."</p> +<p>The morning was still dark. A dull, yellow light brooded over the + houses and the river; and the sky seemed to be descending. It was + slushy underfoot; and only streaks and patches of snow lay on the + roofs, on the parapets of the quay and on the area railings. The + lamps were still burning redly in the murky air and, across the + river, the palace of the Four Courts stood out menacingly against + the heavy sky.</p> +<p>She was walking on before him with Mr. Bartell D'Arcy, her shoes + in a brown parcel tucked under one arm and her hands holding her + skirt up from the slush. She had no longer any grace of attitude, + but Gabriel's eyes were still bright with happiness. The blood went + bounding along his veins; and the thoughts went rioting through + his brain, proud, joyful, tender, valorous.</p> +<p>She was walking on before him so lightly and so erect that he + longed to run after her noiselessly, catch her by the shoulders and + say something foolish and affectionate into her ear. She seemed to + him so frail that he longed to defend her against something and + then to be alone with her. Moments of their secret life together + burst like stars upon his memory. A heliotrope envelope was lying + beside his breakfast-cup and he was caressing it with his hand. + Birds were twittering in the ivy and the sunny web of the curtain + was shimmering along the floor: he could not eat for happiness. + They were standing on the crowded platform and he was placing a + ticket inside the warm palm of her glove. He was standing with her + in the cold, looking in through a grated window at a man making + bottles in a roaring furnace. It was very cold. Her face, fragrant in + the cold air, was quite close to his; and suddenly he called out to + the man at the furnace:</p> +<p>"Is the fire hot, sir?"</p> +<p>But the man could not hear with the noise of the furnace. It was + just as well. He might have answered rudely.</p> +<p>A wave of yet more tender joy escaped from his heart and went + coursing in warm flood along his arteries. Like the tender fire of + stars moments of their life together, that no one knew of or would + ever know of, broke upon and illumined his memory. He longed to + recall to her those moments, to make her forget the years of their + dull existence together and remember only their moments of + ecstasy. For the years, he felt, had not quenched his soul or hers. + Their children, his writing, her household cares had not quenched + all their souls' tender fire. In one letter that he had written to her + then he had said: "Why is it that words like these seem to me so + dull and cold? Is it because there is no word tender enough to be + your name?"</p> +<p>Like distant music these words that he had written years before + were borne towards him from the past. He longed to be alone with + her. When the others had gone away, when he and she were in the + room in the hotel, then they would be alone together. He would + call her softly:</p> +<p>"Gretta!"</p> +<p>Perhaps she would not hear at once: she would be undressing. + Then something in his voice would strike her. She would turn and + look at him....</p> +<p>At the corner of Winetavern Street they met a cab. He was glad of + its rattling noise as it saved him from conversation. She was + looking out of the window and seemed tired. The others spoke + only a few words, pointing out some building or street. The horse + galloped along wearily under the murky morning sky, dragging his + old rattling box after his heels, and Gabriel was again in a cab with + her, galloping to catch the boat, galloping to their honeymoon.</p> +<p>As the cab drove across O'Connell Bridge Miss O'Callaghan said:</p> +<p>"They say you never cross O'Connell Bridge without seeing a + white horse."</p> +<p>"I see a white man this time," said Gabriel.</p> +<p>"Where?" asked Mr. Bartell D'Arcy.</p> +<p>Gabriel pointed to the statue, on which lay patches of snow. Then + he nodded familiarly to it and waved his hand.</p> +<p>"Good-night, Dan," he said gaily.</p> +<p>When the cab drew up before the hotel, Gabriel jumped out and, in + spite of Mr. Bartell D'Arcy's protest, paid the driver. He gave the + man a shilling over his fare. The man saluted and said:</p> +<p>"A prosperous New Year to you, sir."</p> +<p>"The same to you," said Gabriel cordially.</p> +<p>She leaned for a moment on his arm in getting out of the cab and + while standing at the curbstone, bidding the others good- night. + She leaned lightly on his arm, as lightly as when she had danced + with him a few hours before. He had felt proud and happy then, + happy that she was his, proud of her grace and wifely carriage. But + now, after the kindling again of so many memories, the first touch + of her body, musical and strange and perfumed, sent through him a + keen pang of lust. Under cover of her silence he pressed her arm + closely to his side; and, as they stood at the hotel door, he felt that + they had escaped from their lives and duties, escaped from home + and friends and run away together with wild and radiant hearts to a + new adventure. +</p> +<p>An old man was dozing in a great hooded chair in the hall. He lit a + candle in the office and went before them to the stairs. They + followed him in silence, their feet falling in soft thuds on the + thickly carpeted stairs. She mounted the stairs behind the porter, + her head bowed in the ascent, her frail shoulders curved as with a + burden, her skirt girt tightly about her. He could have flung his + arms about her hips and held her still, for his arms were trembling + with desire to seize her and only the stress of his nails against the + palms of his hands held the wild impulse of his body in check. The + porter halted on the stairs to settle his guttering candle. They + halted, too, on the steps below him. In the silence Gabriel could + hear the falling of the molten wax into the tray and the thumping + of his own heart against his ribs.</p> +<p>The porter led them along a corridor and opened a door. Then he + set his unstable candle down on a toilet-table and asked at what + hour they were to be called in the morning.</p> +<p>"Eight," said Gabriel.</p> +<p>The porter pointed to the tap of the electric-light and began a + muttered apology, but Gabriel cut him short.</p> +<p>"We don't want any light. We have light enough from the street. + And I say," he added, pointing to the candle, "you might remove + that handsome article, like a good man."</p> +<p>The porter took up his candle again, but slowly, for he was + surprised by such a novel idea. Then he mumbled good-night and + went out. Gabriel shot the lock to.</p> +<p>A ghastly light from the street lamp lay in a long shaft from one + window to the door. Gabriel threw his overcoat and hat on a couch + and crossed the room towards the window. He looked down into + the street in order that his emotion might calm a little. Then he + turned and leaned against a chest of drawers with his back to the + light. She had taken off her hat and cloak and was standing before + a large swinging mirror, unhooking her waist. Gabriel paused for a + few moments, watching her, and then said:</p> +<p>"Gretta!"</p> +<p>She turned away from the mirror slowly and walked along the + shaft of light towards him. Her face looked so serious and weary + that the words would not pass Gabriel's lips. No, it was not the + moment yet.</p> +<p>"You looked tired," he said.</p> +<p>"I am a little," she answered.</p> +<p>"You don't feel ill or weak?"</p> +<p>"No, tired: that's all."</p> +<p>She went on to the window and stood there, looking out. Gabriel + waited again and then, fearing that diffidence was about to + conquer him, he said abruptly:</p> +<p>"By the way, Gretta!"</p> +<p>"What is it?"</p> +<p>"You know that poor fellow Malins?" he said quickly.</p> +<p>"Yes. What about him?"</p> +<p>"Well, poor fellow, he's a decent sort of chap, after all," continued + Gabriel in a false voice. "He gave me back that sovereign I lent + him, and I didn't expect it, really. It's a pity he wouldn't keep away + from that Browne, because he's not a bad fellow, really."</p> +<p>He was trembling now with annoyance. Why did she seem so + abstracted? He did not know how he could begin. Was she + annoyed, too, about something? If she would only turn to him or + come to him of her own accord! To take her as she was would be + brutal. No, he must see some ardour in her eyes first. He longed to + be master of her strange mood.</p> +<p>"When did you lend him the pound?" she asked, after a pause.</p> +<p>Gabriel strove to restrain himself from breaking out into brutal + language about the sottish Malins and his pound. He longed to cry + to her from his soul, to crush her body against his, to overmaster + her. But he said:</p> +<p>"O, at Christmas, when he opened that little Christmas-card shop + in Henry Street."</p> +<p>He was in such a fever of rage and desire that he did not hear her + come from the window. She stood before him for an instant, + looking at him strangely. Then, suddenly raising herself on tiptoe + and resting her hands lightly on his shoulders, she kissed him.</p> +<p>"You are a very generous person, Gabriel," she said.</p> +<p>Gabriel, trembling with delight at her sudden kiss and at the + quaintness of her phrase, put his hands on her hair and began + smoothing it back, scarcely touching it with his fingers. The + washing had made it fine and brilliant. His heart was brimming + over with happiness. Just when he was wishing for it she had come + to him of her own accord. Perhaps her thoughts had been running + with his. Perhaps she had felt the impetuous desire that was in + him, and then the yielding mood had come upon her. Now that she + had fallen to him so easily, he wondered why he had been so + diffident.</p> +<p>He stood, holding her head between his hands. Then, slipping one + arm swiftly about her body and drawing her towards him, he said + softly:</p> +<p>"Gretta, dear, what are you thinking about?"</p> +<p>She did not answer nor yield wholly to his arm. He said again, + softly:</p> +<p>"Tell me what it is, Gretta. I think I know what is the matter. Do I + know?"</p> +<p>She did not answer at once. Then she said in an outburst of tears:</p> +<p>"O, I am thinking about that song, The Lass of Aughrim."</p> +<p>She broke loose from him and ran to the bed and, throwing her + arms across the bed-rail, hid her face. Gabriel stood stockstill for a + moment in astonishment and then followed her. As he passed in + the way of the cheval-glass he caught sight of himself in full + length, his broad, well-filled shirt-front, the face whose expression + always puzzled him when he saw it in a mirror, and his + glimmering gilt-rimmed eyeglasses. He halted a few paces from + her and said:</p> +<p>"What about the song? Why does that make you cry?"</p> +<p>She raised her head from her arms and dried her eyes with the + back of her hand like a child. A kinder note than he had intended + went into his voice.</p> +<p>"Why, Gretta?" he asked.</p> +<p>"I am thinking about a person long ago who used to sing that + song."</p> +<p>"And who was the person long ago?" asked Gabriel, smiling.</p> +<p>"It was a person I used to know in Galway when I was living with + my grandmother," she said.</p> +<p>The smile passed away from Gabriel's face. A dull anger began to + gather again at the back of his mind and the dull fires of his lust + began to glow angrily in his veins.</p> +<p>"Someone you were in love with?" he asked ironically.</p> +<p>"It was a young boy I used to know," she answered, "named + Michael Furey. He used to sing that song, The Lass of Aughrim. + He was very delicate."</p> +<p>Gabriel was silent. He did not wish her to think that he was + interested in this delicate boy.</p> +<p>"I can see him so plainly," she said, after a moment. "Such + eyes as + he had: big, dark eyes! And such an expression in them--an + expression!"</p> +<p>"O, then, you are in love with him?" said Gabriel.</p> +<p>"I used to go out walking with him," she said, "when I was in + Galway."</p> +<p>A thought flew across Gabriel's mind.</p> +<p>"Perhaps that was why you wanted to go to Galway with that Ivors + girl?" he said coldly.</p> +<p>She looked at him and asked in surprise:</p> +<p>"What for?"</p> +<p>Her eyes made Gabriel feel awkward. He shrugged his shoulders + and said:</p> +<p>"How do I know? To see him, perhaps."</p> +<p>She looked away from him along the shaft of light towards the + window in silence.</p> +<p>"He is dead," she said at length. "He died when he was only + seventeen. Isn't it a terrible thing to die so young as that?"</p> +<p>"What was he?" asked Gabriel, still ironically.</p> +<p>"He was in the gasworks," she said.</p> +<p>Gabriel felt humiliated by the failure of his irony and by the + evocation of this figure from the dead, a boy in the gasworks. + While he had been full of memories of their secret life together, + full of tenderness and joy and desire, she had been comparing him + in her mind with another. A shameful consciousness of his own + person assailed him. He saw himself as a ludicrous figure, acting + as a pennyboy for his aunts, a nervous, well-meaning + sentimentalist, orating to vulgarians and idealising his own + clownish lusts, the pitiable fatuous fellow he had caught a glimpse + of in the mirror. Instinctively he turned his back more to the light + lest she might see the shame that burned upon his forehead.</p> +<p>He tried to keep up his tone of cold interrogation, but his voice + when he spoke was humble and indifferent.</p> +<p>"I suppose you were in love with this Michael Furey, Gretta," he + said.</p> +<p>"I was great with him at that time," she said.</p> +<p>Her voice was veiled and sad. Gabriel, feeling now how vain it + would be to try to lead her whither he had purposed, caressed one + of her hands and said, also sadly:</p> +<p>"And what did he die of so young, Gretta? Consumption, was it?"</p> +<p>"I think he died for me," she answered.</p> +<p>A vague terror seized Gabriel at this answer, as if, at that hour + when he had hoped to triumph, some impalpable and vindictive + being was coming against him, gathering forces against him in its + vague world. But he shook himself free of it with an effort of + reason and continued to caress her hand. He did not question her + again, for he felt that she would tell him of herself. Her hand was + warm and moist: it did not respond to his touch, but he continued + to caress it just as he had caressed her first letter to him that spring + morning.</p> +<p>"It was in the winter," she said, "about the beginning of the + winter + when I was going to leave my grandmother's and come up here to + the convent. And he was ill at the time in his lodgings in Galway + and wouldn't be let out, and his people in Oughterard were written + to. He was in decline, they said, or something like that. I never + knew rightly."</p> +<p>She paused for a moment and sighed.</p> +<p>"Poor fellow," she said. "He was very fond of me and he was + such + a gentle boy. We used to go out together, walking, you know, + Gabriel, like the way they do in the country. He was going to study + singing only for his health. He had a very good voice, poor + Michael Furey."</p> +<p>"Well; and then?" asked Gabriel.</p> +<p>"And then when it came to the time for me to leave Galway and + come up to the convent he was much worse and I wouldn't be let + see him so I wrote him a letter saying I was going up to Dublin and + would be back in the summer, and hoping he would be better + then."</p> +<p>She paused for a moment to get her voice under control, and then + went on:</p> +<p>"Then the night before I left, I was in my grandmother's house in + Nuns' Island, packing up, and I heard gravel thrown up against the + window. The window was so wet I couldn't see, so I ran downstairs + as I was and slipped out the back into the garden and there was the + poor fellow at the end of the garden, shivering."</p> +<p>"And did you not tell him to go back?" asked Gabriel.</p> +<p>"I implored of him to go home at once and told him he would get + his death in the rain. But he said he did not want to live. I can see + his eyes as well as well! He was standing at the end of the wall + where there was a tree."</p> +<p>"And did he go home?" asked Gabriel.</p> +<p>"Yes, he went home. And when I was only a week in the convent + he died and he was buried in Oughterard, where his people came + from. O, the day I heard that, that he was dead!"</p> +<p>She stopped, choking with sobs, and, overcome by emotion, flung herself face + downward on the bed, sobbing in the quilt. Gabriel held her hand for a moment + longer, irresolutely, and then, shy of intruding on her grief, let it fall gently + and walked quietly to the window.</p> +<p> </p> +<p></p> +<p></p> +<p> + She was fast asleep.</p> +<p>Gabriel, leaning on his elbow, looked for a few moments + unresentfully on her tangled hair and half-open mouth, listening to + her deep-drawn breath. So she had had that romance in her life: a + man had died for her sake. It hardly pained him now to think how + poor a part he, her husband, had played in her life. He watched her + while she slept, as though he and she had never lived together as + man and wife. His curious eyes rested long upon her face and on + her hair: and, as he thought of what she must have been then, in + that time of her first girlish beauty, a strange, friendly pity for her + entered his soul. He did not like to say even to himself that her + face was no longer beautiful, but he knew that it was no longer the + face for which Michael Furey had braved death.</p> +<p>Perhaps she had not told him all the story. His eyes moved to the + chair over which she had thrown some of her clothes. A petticoat + string dangled to the floor. One boot stood upright, its limp upper + fallen down: the fellow of it lay upon its side. He wondered at his + riot of emotions of an hour before. From what had it proceeded? + From his aunt's supper, from his own foolish speech, from the wine + and dancing, the merry-making when saying good-night in the hall, + the pleasure of the walk along the river in the snow. Poor Aunt + Julia! She, too, would soon be a shade with the shade of Patrick + Morkan and his horse. He had caught that haggard look upon her + face for a moment when she was singing Arrayed for the Bridal. + Soon, perhaps, he would be sitting in that same drawing-room, + dressed in black, his silk hat on his knees. The blinds would be + drawn down and Aunt Kate would be sitting beside him, crying + and blowing her nose and telling him how Julia had died. He + would cast about in his mind for some words that might console + her, and would find only lame and useless ones. Yes, yes: that + would happen very soon.</p> +<p>The air of the room chilled his shoulders. He stretched himself + cautiously along under the sheets and lay down beside his wife. + One by one, they were all becoming shades. Better pass boldly into + that other world, in the full glory of some passion, than fade and + wither dismally with age. He thought of how she who lay beside + him had locked in her heart for so many years that image of her + lover's eyes when he had told her that he did not wish to live.</p> +<p>Generous tears filled Gabriel's eyes. He had never felt like that + himself towards any woman, but he knew that such a feeling must + be love. The tears gathered more thickly in his eyes and in the + partial darkness he imagined he saw the form of a young man + standing under a dripping tree. Other forms were near. His soul + had approached that region where dwell the vast hosts of the dead. + He was conscious of, but could not apprehend, their wayward and + flickering existence. His own identity was fading out into a grey + impalpable world: the solid world itself, which these dead had one + time reared and lived in, was dissolving and dwindling.</p> +<p>A few light taps upon the pane made him turn to the window. It had begun to + snow again. He watched sleepily the flakes, silver and dark, falling obliquely + against the lamplight. The time had come for him to set out on his journey westward. + Yes, the newspapers were right: snow was general all over Ireland. It was falling + on every part of the dark central plain, on the treeless hills, falling softly + upon the Bog of Allen and, farther westward, softly falling into the dark mutinous + Shannon waves. It was falling, too, upon every part of the lonely churchyard + on the hill where Michael Furey lay buried. It lay thickly drifted on the crooked + crosses and headstones, on the spears of the little gate, on the barren thorns. + His soul swooned slowly as he heard the snow falling faintly through the universe + and faintly falling, like the descent of their last end, upon all the living + and the dead.</p> +<p> </p> +<p> + End of The Project Gutenberg Etext of Dubliners + by James Joyce</p> +<p></p> + +<pre> +End of The Project Gutenberg Etext of Dubliners +by James Joyce + +******This file should be named dblnr11h.htm or dblnr11h.zip****** +Corrected EDITIONS of our etexts get a new NUMBER, dblnr12h.htm +VERSIONS based on separate sources get new LETTER, dblnr11ah.htm + +Project Gutenberg eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the US +unless a copyright notice is included. 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