The Project Gutenberg EBook of Dubliners, by James Joyce [.....] (PRONOUN) eBook is for the use of [.....] (PRONOUN) anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. [.....] (PRONOUN) may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with [.....] (PRONOUN) eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org Title: Dubliners Author: James Joyce Release Date: September, 2001 [EBook #2814] Last Updated: April 1, 2016 Language: English Character set encoding: UTF-8 *** START OF [.....] (PRONOUN) PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DUBLINERS *** Produced by David Reed, Karol Pietrzak, and David Widger
THERE was no hope for [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) time: it was the third stroke. Night after night [.....] (PRONOUN) had passed the house (it was vacation time) and studied the lighted square of window: and night after night [.....] (PRONOUN) had found it lighted in the same way, faintly and evenly. If [.....] (PRONOUN) was dead, [.....] (PRONOUN) thought, [.....] (PRONOUN) would see the reflection of candles on the darkened blind for [.....] (PRONOUN) knew [.....] (PRONOUN) two candles must be set at the head of a corpse. [.....] (PRONOUN) had often said to [.....] (PRONOUN) : "[.....] (PRONOUN) am not long for [.....] (PRONOUN) world," and [.....] (PRONOUN) had thought [.....] (PRONOUN) words idle. Now [.....] (PRONOUN) knew [.....] (PRONOUN) were true. Every night as [.....] (PRONOUN) gazed up at the window [.....] (PRONOUN) said softly to [.....] (PRONOUN) the word paralysis. It had always sounded strangely in [.....] (PRONOUN) ears, like the word gnomon in the Euclid and the word simony in the Catechism. But now it sounded to [.....] (PRONOUN) like the name of [.....] (PRONOUN) maleficent and sinful being. It filled [.....] (PRONOUN) with fear, and yet [.....] (PRONOUN) longed to be nearer to it and to look upon its deadly work.
Old Cotter was sitting at the fire, smoking, when [.....] (PRONOUN) came downstairs to supper. While [.....] (PRONOUN) aunt was ladling out [.....] (PRONOUN) stirabout [.....] (PRONOUN) said, as if returning to [.....] (PRONOUN) former remark of [.....] (PRONOUN) :
"No, [.....] (PRONOUN) wouldn't say [.....] (PRONOUN) was exactly ... but there was [.....] (PRONOUN) queer ... there was [.....] (PRONOUN) uncanny about [.....] (PRONOUN) . [.....] (PRONOUN) 'll tell [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) opinion...."
[.....] (PRONOUN) began to puff at [.....] (PRONOUN) pipe, no doubt arranging [.....] (PRONOUN) opinion in [.....] (PRONOUN) mind. Tiresome old fool! When [.....] (PRONOUN) knew [.....] (PRONOUN) first [.....] (PRONOUN) used to be rather interesting, talking of faints and worms; but [.....] (PRONOUN) soon grew tired of [.....] (PRONOUN) and [.....] (PRONOUN) endless stories about the distillery.
"[.....] (PRONOUN) have [.....] (PRONOUN) own theory about it," [.....] (PRONOUN) said. "[.....] (PRONOUN) think it was [.....] (PRONOUN) of [.....] (PRONOUN) ... peculiar cases.... But it's hard to say...."
[.....] (PRONOUN) began to puff again at [.....] (PRONOUN) pipe without giving [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) theory. [.....] (PRONOUN) uncle saw [.....] (PRONOUN) staring and said to [.....] (PRONOUN) :
"Well, so your old friend is gone, [.....] (PRONOUN) 'll be sorry to hear."
"[.....] (PRONOUN) ?" said [.....] (PRONOUN) .
"Father Flynn."
"Is [.....] (PRONOUN) dead?"
"Mr Cotter here has just told [.....] (PRONOUN) . [.....] (PRONOUN) was passing by the house."
[.....] (PRONOUN) knew [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) was under observation so [.....] (PRONOUN) continued eating as if the news had not interested [.....] (PRONOUN) . [.....] (PRONOUN) uncle explained to old Cotter.
"The youngster and [.....] (PRONOUN) were great friends. The old chap taught [.....] (PRONOUN) a great deal, mind [.....] (PRONOUN) ; and [.....] (PRONOUN) say [.....] (PRONOUN) had a great wish for [.....] (PRONOUN) ."
"God have mercy on [.....] (PRONOUN) soul," said [.....] (PRONOUN) aunt piously.
Old Cotter looked at [.....] (PRONOUN) for a while. [.....] (PRONOUN) felt [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) little beady black eyes were examining [.....] (PRONOUN) but [.....] (PRONOUN) would not satisfy [.....] (PRONOUN) by looking up from [.....] (PRONOUN) plate. [.....] (PRONOUN) returned to [.....] (PRONOUN) pipe and finally spat rudely into the grate.
"[.....] (PRONOUN) wouldn't like children of [.....] (PRONOUN) ," [.....] (PRONOUN) said, "to have too much to say to a man like [.....] (PRONOUN) ."
"How do [.....] (PRONOUN) mean, Mr Cotter?" asked [.....] (PRONOUN) aunt.
"[.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) mean is," said old Cotter, "it's bad for children. [.....] (PRONOUN) idea is: let a young lad run about and play with young lads of [.....] (PRONOUN) own age and not be.... Am [.....] (PRONOUN) right, Jack?"
"[.....] (PRONOUN) 's [.....] (PRONOUN) principle, too," said [.....] (PRONOUN) uncle. "Let [.....] (PRONOUN) learn to box [.....] (PRONOUN) corner. [.....] (PRONOUN) 's [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) 'm always saying to [.....] (PRONOUN) Rosicrucian there: take exercise. Why, when [.....] (PRONOUN) was a nipper every morning of [.....] (PRONOUN) life [.....] (PRONOUN) had a cold bath, winter and summer. And [.....] (PRONOUN) 's [.....] (PRONOUN) stands to [.....] (PRONOUN) now. Education is [.....] (PRONOUN) very fine and large.... Mr Cotter might take a pick of [.....] (PRONOUN) leg mutton," [.....] (PRONOUN) added to [.....] (PRONOUN) aunt.
"No, no, not for [.....] (PRONOUN) ," said old Cotter.
[.....] (PRONOUN) aunt brought the dish from the safe and put it on the table.
"But why do [.....] (PRONOUN) think it's not good for children, Mr Cotter?" [.....] (PRONOUN) asked.
"It's bad for children," said old Cotter, "because [.....] (PRONOUN) minds are so impressionable. When children see things like [.....] (PRONOUN) , [.....] (PRONOUN) know, it has an effect...."
[.....] (PRONOUN) crammed [.....] (PRONOUN) mouth with stirabout for fear [.....] (PRONOUN) might give utterance to [.....] (PRONOUN) anger. Tiresome old red-nosed imbecile!
It was late when [.....] (PRONOUN) fell asleep. Though [.....] (PRONOUN) was angry with old Cotter for alluding to [.....] (PRONOUN) as a child, [.....] (PRONOUN) puzzled [.....] (PRONOUN) head to extract meaning from [.....] (PRONOUN) unfinished sentences. In the dark of [.....] (PRONOUN) room [.....] (PRONOUN) imagined [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) saw again the heavy grey face of the paralytic. [.....] (PRONOUN) drew the blankets over [.....] (PRONOUN) head and tried to think of Christmas. But the grey face still followed [.....] (PRONOUN) . It murmured; and [.....] (PRONOUN) understood [.....] (PRONOUN) it desired to confess [.....] (PRONOUN) . [.....] (PRONOUN) felt [.....] (PRONOUN) soul receding into [.....] (PRONOUN) pleasant and vicious region; and there again [.....] (PRONOUN) found it waiting for [.....] (PRONOUN) . It began to confess to [.....] (PRONOUN) in a murmuring voice and [.....] (PRONOUN) wondered why it smiled continually and why the lips were so moist with spittle. But then [.....] (PRONOUN) remembered [.....] (PRONOUN) it had died of paralysis and [.....] (PRONOUN) felt [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) too was smiling feebly as if to absolve the simoniac of [.....] (PRONOUN) sin.
The next morning after breakfast [.....] (PRONOUN) went down to look at the little house in Great Britain Street. It was an unassuming shop, registered under the vague name of <[.....] (PRONOUN) >Drapery(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) >. The drapery consisted mainly of children's bootees and umbrellas; and on ordinary days a notice used to hang in the window, saying: <[.....] (PRONOUN) >Umbrellas Re-covered(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) >. No notice was visible now for the shutters were up. A crape bouquet was tied to the door-knocker with ribbon. Two poor women and a telegram boy were reading the card pinned on the crape. [.....] (PRONOUN) also approached and read:
July 1st, 1895
The Rev. James Flynn (formerly of
S. Catherine's
Church, Meath Street),
aged sixty-five years.
<[.....] (PRONOUN) >R. [.....] (PRONOUN) . P.(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) >
The reading of the card persuaded [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) was dead and [.....] (PRONOUN) was disturbed to find [.....] (PRONOUN) at check. Had [.....] (PRONOUN) not been dead [.....] (PRONOUN) would have gone into the little dark room behind the shop to find [.....] (PRONOUN) sitting in [.....] (PRONOUN) arm-chair by the fire, nearly smothered in [.....] (PRONOUN) great-coat. Perhaps [.....] (PRONOUN) aunt would have given [.....] (PRONOUN) a packet of High Toast for [.....] (PRONOUN) and [.....] (PRONOUN) present would have roused [.....] (PRONOUN) from [.....] (PRONOUN) stupefied doze. It was always [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) emptied the packet into [.....] (PRONOUN) black snuff-box for [.....] (PRONOUN) hands trembled too much to allow [.....] (PRONOUN) to do [.....] (PRONOUN) without spilling half the snuff about the floor. Even as [.....] (PRONOUN) raised [.....] (PRONOUN) large trembling hand to [.....] (PRONOUN) nose little clouds of smoke dribbled through [.....] (PRONOUN) fingers over the front of [.....] (PRONOUN) coat. It may have been [.....] (PRONOUN) constant showers of snuff [.....] (PRONOUN) gave [.....] (PRONOUN) ancient priestly garments [.....] (PRONOUN) green faded look for the red handkerchief, blackened, as it always was, with the snuff-stains of a week, with [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) tried to brush away the fallen grains, was quite inefficacious.
[.....] (PRONOUN) wished to go in and look at [.....] (PRONOUN) but [.....] (PRONOUN) had not the courage to knock. [.....] (PRONOUN) walked away slowly along the sunny side of the street, reading [.....] (PRONOUN) the theatrical advertisements in the shopwindows as [.....] (PRONOUN) went. [.....] (PRONOUN) found it strange [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) nor the day seemed in a mourning mood and [.....] (PRONOUN) felt even annoyed at discovering in [.....] (PRONOUN) a sensation of freedom as if [.....] (PRONOUN) had been freed from [.....] (PRONOUN) by [.....] (PRONOUN) death. [.....] (PRONOUN) wondered at [.....] (PRONOUN) for, as [.....] (PRONOUN) uncle had said the night before, [.....] (PRONOUN) had taught [.....] (PRONOUN) a great deal. [.....] (PRONOUN) had studied in the Irish college in Rome and [.....] (PRONOUN) had taught [.....] (PRONOUN) to pronounce Latin properly. [.....] (PRONOUN) had told [.....] (PRONOUN) stories about the catacombs and about Napoleon Bonaparte, and [.....] (PRONOUN) had explained to [.....] (PRONOUN) the meaning of the different ceremonies of the Mass and of the different vestments worn by the priest. Sometimes [.....] (PRONOUN) had amused himself by putting difficult questions to [.....] (PRONOUN) , asking [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) should do in certain circumstances or whether such and such sins were mortal or venial or only imperfections. [.....] (PRONOUN) questions showed [.....] (PRONOUN) how complex and mysterious were certain institutions of the Church [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) 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 [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) wondered how [.....] (PRONOUN) had ever found in himself the courage to undertake [.....] (PRONOUN) ; and [.....] (PRONOUN) was not surprised when [.....] (PRONOUN) told [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) the fathers of the Church had written books as thick as the <[.....] (PRONOUN) >Post Office Directory(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) > and as closely printed as the law notices in the newspaper, elucidating [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) intricate questions. Often when [.....] (PRONOUN) thought of [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) could make no answer or only a very foolish and halting [.....] (PRONOUN) upon [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) used to smile and nod [.....] (PRONOUN) head twice or thrice. Sometimes [.....] (PRONOUN) used to put [.....] (PRONOUN) through the responses of the Mass [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) had made [.....] (PRONOUN) learn by heart; and, as [.....] (PRONOUN) pattered, [.....] (PRONOUN) used to smile pensively and nod [.....] (PRONOUN) head, now and then pushing huge pinches of snuff up [.....] (PRONOUN) nostril alternately. When [.....] (PRONOUN) smiled [.....] (PRONOUN) used to uncover [.....] (PRONOUN) big discoloured teeth and let [.....] (PRONOUN) tongue lie upon [.....] (PRONOUN) lower lip—a habit [.....] (PRONOUN) had made [.....] (PRONOUN) feel uneasy in the beginning of [.....] (PRONOUN) acquaintance before [.....] (PRONOUN) knew [.....] (PRONOUN) well.
As [.....] (PRONOUN) walked along in the sun [.....] (PRONOUN) remembered old Cotter's words and tried to remember [.....] (PRONOUN) had happened afterwards in the dream. [.....] (PRONOUN) remembered [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) had noticed long velvet curtains and a swinging lamp of antique fashion. [.....] (PRONOUN) felt [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) had been very far away, in [.....] (PRONOUN) land where the customs were strange—in Persia, [.....] (PRONOUN) thought.... But [.....] (PRONOUN) could not remember the end of the dream.
In the evening [.....] (PRONOUN) aunt took [.....] (PRONOUN) with [.....] (PRONOUN) to visit the house of mourning. It was after sunset; but the window-panes of the houses [.....] (PRONOUN) looked to the west reflected the tawny gold of a great bank of clouds. Nannie received [.....] (PRONOUN) in the hall; and, as it would have been unseemly to have shouted at [.....] (PRONOUN) , [.....] (PRONOUN) aunt shook hands with [.....] (PRONOUN) for [.....] (PRONOUN) . The old woman pointed upwards interrogatively and, on [.....] (PRONOUN) aunt's nodding, proceeded to toil up the narrow staircase before [.....] (PRONOUN) , [.....] (PRONOUN) bowed head being scarcely above the level of the banister-rail. At the first landing [.....] (PRONOUN) stopped and beckoned [.....] (PRONOUN) forward encouragingly towards the open door of the dead-room. [.....] (PRONOUN) aunt went in and the old woman, seeing [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) hesitated to enter, began to beckon to [.....] (PRONOUN) again repeatedly with [.....] (PRONOUN) hand.
[.....] (PRONOUN) went in on tiptoe. The room through the lace end of the blind was suffused with dusky golden light amid [.....] (PRONOUN) the candles looked like pale thin flames. [.....] (PRONOUN) had been coffined. Nannie gave the lead and [.....] (PRONOUN) three knelt down at the foot of the bed. [.....] (PRONOUN) pretended to pray but [.....] (PRONOUN) could not gather [.....] (PRONOUN) thoughts because the old woman's mutterings distracted [.....] (PRONOUN) . [.....] (PRONOUN) noticed how clumsily [.....] (PRONOUN) skirt was hooked at the back and how the heels of [.....] (PRONOUN) cloth boots were trodden down [.....] (PRONOUN) to [.....] (PRONOUN) side. The fancy came to [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) the old priest was smiling as [.....] (PRONOUN) lay there in [.....] (PRONOUN) coffin.
But no. When [.....] (PRONOUN) rose and went up to the head of the bed [.....] (PRONOUN) saw [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) was not smiling. There [.....] (PRONOUN) lay, solemn and copious, vested as for the altar, [.....] (PRONOUN) large hands loosely retaining a chalice. [.....] (PRONOUN) 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.
[.....] (PRONOUN) blessed [.....] (PRONOUN) and came away. In the little room downstairs [.....] (PRONOUN) found Eliza seated in [.....] (PRONOUN) arm-chair in state. [.....] (PRONOUN) groped [.....] (PRONOUN) way towards [.....] (PRONOUN) usual chair in the corner while Nannie went to the sideboard and brought out a decanter of sherry and [.....] (PRONOUN) wine-glasses. [.....] (PRONOUN) set [.....] (PRONOUN) on the table and invited [.....] (PRONOUN) to take a little glass of wine. Then, at [.....] (PRONOUN) sister's bidding, [.....] (PRONOUN) filled out the sherry into the glasses and passed [.....] (PRONOUN) to [.....] (PRONOUN) . [.....] (PRONOUN) pressed [.....] (PRONOUN) to take [.....] (PRONOUN) cream crackers also but [.....] (PRONOUN) declined because [.....] (PRONOUN) thought [.....] (PRONOUN) would make too much noise eating [.....] (PRONOUN) . [.....] (PRONOUN) seemed to be somewhat disappointed at [.....] (PRONOUN) refusal and went over quietly to the sofa where [.....] (PRONOUN) sat down behind [.....] (PRONOUN) sister. [.....] (PRONOUN) spoke: [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) gazed at the empty fireplace.
[.....] (PRONOUN) aunt waited until Eliza sighed and then said:
"Ah, well, [.....] (PRONOUN) 's gone to a better world."
Eliza sighed again and bowed [.....] (PRONOUN) head in assent. [.....] (PRONOUN) aunt fingered the stem of [.....] (PRONOUN) wine-glass before sipping a little.
"Did [.....] (PRONOUN) ... peacefully?" [.....] (PRONOUN) asked.
"Oh, quite peacefully, ma'am," said Eliza. "[.....] (PRONOUN) couldn't tell when the breath went out of [.....] (PRONOUN) . [.....] (PRONOUN) had a beautiful death, God be praised."
"And [.....] (PRONOUN) ...?"
"Father O'Rourke was in with [.....] (PRONOUN) a Tuesday and anointed [.....] (PRONOUN) and prepared [.....] (PRONOUN) and [.....] (PRONOUN) ."
"[.....] (PRONOUN) knew then?"
"[.....] (PRONOUN) was quite resigned."
"[.....] (PRONOUN) looks quite resigned," said [.....] (PRONOUN) aunt.
"[.....] (PRONOUN) 's [.....] (PRONOUN) the woman [.....] (PRONOUN) had in to wash [.....] (PRONOUN) said. [.....] (PRONOUN) said [.....] (PRONOUN) just looked as if [.....] (PRONOUN) was asleep, [.....] (PRONOUN) looked [.....] (PRONOUN) peaceful and resigned. [.....] (PRONOUN) would think [.....] (PRONOUN) 'd make such a beautiful corpse."
"Yes, indeed," said [.....] (PRONOUN) aunt.
[.....] (PRONOUN) sipped a little more from [.....] (PRONOUN) glass and said:
"Well, Miss Flynn, at [.....] (PRONOUN) rate it must be a great comfort for [.....] (PRONOUN) to know [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) did [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) could for [.....] (PRONOUN) . [.....] (PRONOUN) were [.....] (PRONOUN) very kind to [.....] (PRONOUN) , [.....] (PRONOUN) must say."
Eliza smoothed [.....] (PRONOUN) dress over [.....] (PRONOUN) knees.
"Ah, poor James!" [.....] (PRONOUN) said. "God knows [.....] (PRONOUN) done [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) could, as poor as [.....] (PRONOUN) are—[.....] (PRONOUN) wouldn't see [.....] (PRONOUN) want [.....] (PRONOUN) while [.....] (PRONOUN) was in it."
Nannie had leaned [.....] (PRONOUN) head against the sofa-pillow and seemed about to fall asleep.
"There's poor Nannie," said Eliza, looking at [.....] (PRONOUN) , "[.....] (PRONOUN) 's wore out. [.....] (PRONOUN) the work [.....] (PRONOUN) had, [.....] (PRONOUN) and [.....] (PRONOUN) , getting in the woman to wash [.....] (PRONOUN) and then laying [.....] (PRONOUN) out and then the coffin and then arranging about the Mass in the chapel. Only for Father O'Rourke [.....] (PRONOUN) don't know [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) 'd have done at [.....] (PRONOUN) . It was [.....] (PRONOUN) brought [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) flowers and [.....] (PRONOUN) two candlesticks out of the chapel and wrote out the notice for the <[.....] (PRONOUN) >Freeman's General(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) > and took charge of [.....] (PRONOUN) the papers for the cemetery and poor James's insurance."
"Wasn't [.....] (PRONOUN) good of [.....] (PRONOUN) ?" said [.....] (PRONOUN) aunt.
Eliza closed [.....] (PRONOUN) eyes and shook [.....] (PRONOUN) head slowly.
"Ah, there's no friends like the old friends," [.....] (PRONOUN) said, "when [.....] (PRONOUN) is said and done, no friends [.....] (PRONOUN) a body can trust."
"Indeed, [.....] (PRONOUN) 's true," said [.....] (PRONOUN) aunt. "And [.....] (PRONOUN) 'm sure now [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) 's gone to [.....] (PRONOUN) eternal reward [.....] (PRONOUN) won't forget [.....] (PRONOUN) and [.....] (PRONOUN) your kindness to [.....] (PRONOUN) ."
"Ah, poor James!" said Eliza. "[.....] (PRONOUN) was no great trouble to [.....] (PRONOUN) . [.....] (PRONOUN) wouldn't hear [.....] (PRONOUN) in the house [.....] (PRONOUN) more than now. Still, [.....] (PRONOUN) know [.....] (PRONOUN) 's gone and [.....] (PRONOUN) to [.....] (PRONOUN) ...."
"It's when it's [.....] (PRONOUN) over [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) 'll miss [.....] (PRONOUN) ," said [.....] (PRONOUN) aunt.
"[.....] (PRONOUN) know [.....] (PRONOUN) ," said Eliza. "[.....] (PRONOUN) won't be bringing [.....] (PRONOUN) in [.....] (PRONOUN) cup of beef-tea [.....] (PRONOUN) more, nor [.....] (PRONOUN) , ma'am, sending [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) snuff. Ah, poor James!"
[.....] (PRONOUN) stopped, as if [.....] (PRONOUN) were communing with the past and then said shrewdly:
"Mind [.....] (PRONOUN) , [.....] (PRONOUN) noticed there was [.....] (PRONOUN) queer coming over [.....] (PRONOUN) latterly. Whenever [.....] (PRONOUN) 'd bring in [.....] (PRONOUN) soup to [.....] (PRONOUN) there [.....] (PRONOUN) 'd find [.....] (PRONOUN) with [.....] (PRONOUN) breviary fallen to the floor, lying back in the chair and [.....] (PRONOUN) mouth open."
[.....] (PRONOUN) laid a finger against [.....] (PRONOUN) nose and frowned: then [.....] (PRONOUN) continued:
"But still and [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) kept on saying [.....] (PRONOUN) before the summer was over [.....] (PRONOUN) 'd go out for a drive [.....] (PRONOUN) fine day just to see the old house again where [.....] (PRONOUN) were [.....] (PRONOUN) born down in Irishtown and take [.....] (PRONOUN) and Nannie with [.....] (PRONOUN) . If [.....] (PRONOUN) could only get [.....] (PRONOUN) of [.....] (PRONOUN) new-fangled carriages [.....] (PRONOUN) makes no noise [.....] (PRONOUN) Father O'Rourke told [.....] (PRONOUN) about, [.....] (PRONOUN) with the rheumatic wheels, for the day cheap—[.....] (PRONOUN) said, at Johnny Rush's over the way there and drive out the three of [.....] (PRONOUN) together of a Sunday evening. [.....] (PRONOUN) had [.....] (PRONOUN) mind set on [.....] (PRONOUN) .... Poor James!"
"The Lord have mercy on [.....] (PRONOUN) soul!" said [.....] (PRONOUN) aunt.
Eliza took out [.....] (PRONOUN) handkerchief and wiped [.....] (PRONOUN) eyes with it. Then [.....] (PRONOUN) put it back again in [.....] (PRONOUN) pocket and gazed into the empty grate for [.....] (PRONOUN) time without speaking.
"[.....] (PRONOUN) was too scrupulous always," [.....] (PRONOUN) said. "The duties of the priesthood was too much for [.....] (PRONOUN) . And then [.....] (PRONOUN) life was, [.....] (PRONOUN) might say, crossed."
"Yes," said [.....] (PRONOUN) aunt. "[.....] (PRONOUN) was a disappointed man. [.....] (PRONOUN) could see [.....] (PRONOUN) ."
A silence took possession of the little room and, under cover of it, [.....] (PRONOUN) approached the table and tasted [.....] (PRONOUN) sherry and then returned quietly to [.....] (PRONOUN) chair in the corner. Eliza seemed to have fallen into a deep revery. [.....] (PRONOUN) waited respectfully for [.....] (PRONOUN) to break the silence: and after a long pause [.....] (PRONOUN) said slowly:
"It was [.....] (PRONOUN) chalice [.....] (PRONOUN) broke.... [.....] (PRONOUN) was the beginning of it. Of course, [.....] (PRONOUN) say it was [.....] (PRONOUN) right, [.....] (PRONOUN) it contained [.....] (PRONOUN) , [.....] (PRONOUN) mean. But still.... [.....] (PRONOUN) say it was the boy's fault. But poor James was so nervous, God be merciful to [.....] (PRONOUN) !"
"And was [.....] (PRONOUN) it?" said [.....] (PRONOUN) aunt. "[.....] (PRONOUN) heard [.....] (PRONOUN) ...."
Eliza nodded.
"[.....] (PRONOUN) affected [.....] (PRONOUN) mind," [.....] (PRONOUN) said. "After [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) began to mope by himself, talking to [.....] (PRONOUN) and wandering about by himself. So [.....] (PRONOUN) night [.....] (PRONOUN) was wanted for to go on a call and [.....] (PRONOUN) couldn't find [.....] (PRONOUN) anywhere. [.....] (PRONOUN) looked high up and low down; and still [.....] (PRONOUN) couldn't see a sight of [.....] (PRONOUN) anywhere. So then the clerk suggested to try the chapel. So then [.....] (PRONOUN) got the keys and opened the chapel and the clerk and Father O'Rourke and another priest [.....] (PRONOUN) was there brought in a light for to look for [.....] (PRONOUN) .... And [.....] (PRONOUN) do [.....] (PRONOUN) think but there [.....] (PRONOUN) was, sitting up by himself in the dark in [.....] (PRONOUN) confession-box, wide-awake and laughing-like softly to himself?"
[.....] (PRONOUN) stopped suddenly as if to listen. [.....] (PRONOUN) too listened; but there was no sound in the house: and [.....] (PRONOUN) knew [.....] (PRONOUN) the old priest was lying still in [.....] (PRONOUN) coffin as [.....] (PRONOUN) had seen [.....] (PRONOUN) , solemn and truculent in death, an idle chalice on [.....] (PRONOUN) breast.
Eliza resumed:
"Wide-awake and laughing-like to himself.... So then, of course, when [.....] (PRONOUN) saw [.....] (PRONOUN) , [.....] (PRONOUN) made [.....] (PRONOUN) think [.....] (PRONOUN) there was [.....] (PRONOUN) gone wrong with [.....] (PRONOUN) ...."
IT was Joe Dillon [.....] (PRONOUN) introduced the Wild West to [.....] (PRONOUN) . [.....] (PRONOUN) had a little library made up of old numbers of <[.....] (PRONOUN) >The Union Jack(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) >, <[.....] (PRONOUN) >Pluck(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) > and <[.....] (PRONOUN) >The Halfpenny Marvel(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) >. Every evening after school [.....] (PRONOUN) met in [.....] (PRONOUN) back garden and arranged Indian battles. [.....] (PRONOUN) and [.....] (PRONOUN) fat young brother Leo, the idler, held the loft of the stable while [.....] (PRONOUN) tried to carry it by storm; or [.....] (PRONOUN) fought a pitched battle on the grass. But, however well [.....] (PRONOUN) fought, [.....] (PRONOUN) never won siege or battle and [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) bouts ended with Joe Dillon's war dance of victory. [.....] (PRONOUN) 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 [.....] (PRONOUN) played too fiercely for [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) were younger and more timid. [.....] (PRONOUN) looked like [.....] (PRONOUN) kind of an Indian when [.....] (PRONOUN) capered round the garden, an old tea-cosy on [.....] (PRONOUN) head, beating a tin with [.....] (PRONOUN) fist and yelling:
"Ya! yaka, yaka, yaka!"
[.....] (PRONOUN) was incredulous when it was reported [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) had a vocation for the priesthood. Nevertheless it was true.
A spirit of unruliness diffused itself among [.....] (PRONOUN) and, under its influence, differences of culture and constitution were waived. [.....] (PRONOUN) banded [.....] (PRONOUN) together, [.....] (PRONOUN) boldly, [.....] (PRONOUN) in jest and [.....] (PRONOUN) almost in fear: and of the number of [.....] (PRONOUN) latter, the reluctant Indians [.....] (PRONOUN) were afraid to seem studious or lacking in robustness, [.....] (PRONOUN) was [.....] (PRONOUN) . The adventures related in the literature of the Wild West were remote from [.....] (PRONOUN) nature but, at least, [.....] (PRONOUN) opened doors of escape. [.....] (PRONOUN) liked better [.....] (PRONOUN) American detective stories [.....] (PRONOUN) were traversed from time to time by unkempt fierce and beautiful girls. Though there was [.....] (PRONOUN) wrong in [.....] (PRONOUN) stories and though [.....] (PRONOUN) intention was sometimes literary [.....] (PRONOUN) were circulated secretly at school. [.....] (PRONOUN) day when Father Butler was hearing the four pages of Roman History clumsy Leo Dillon was discovered with a copy of <[.....] (PRONOUN) >The Halfpenny Marvel(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) >.
"[.....] (PRONOUN) page or [.....] (PRONOUN) page? [.....] (PRONOUN) page? Now, Dillon, up! <[.....] (PRONOUN) >'Hardly had the day'....(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) > Go on! [.....] (PRONOUN) day? <[.....] (PRONOUN) >'Hardly had the day dawned'....(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) > Have [.....] (PRONOUN) studied it? [.....] (PRONOUN) have [.....] (PRONOUN) there in your pocket?"
[.....] (PRONOUN) 's heart palpitated as Leo Dillon handed up the paper and [.....] (PRONOUN) assumed an innocent face. Father Butler turned over the pages, frowning.
"[.....] (PRONOUN) is [.....] (PRONOUN) rubbish?" [.....] (PRONOUN) said. "<[.....] (PRONOUN) >The Apache Chief!(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) > Is [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) read instead of studying your Roman History? Let [.....] (PRONOUN) not find [.....] (PRONOUN) more of [.....] (PRONOUN) wretched stuff in [.....] (PRONOUN) college. The man [.....] (PRONOUN) wrote it, [.....] (PRONOUN) suppose, was [.....] (PRONOUN) wretched fellow [.....] (PRONOUN) writes [.....] (PRONOUN) things for a drink. [.....] (PRONOUN) 'm surprised at boys like [.....] (PRONOUN) , educated, reading such stuff. [.....] (PRONOUN) could understand it if [.....] (PRONOUN) were ... National School boys. Now, Dillon, [.....] (PRONOUN) advise [.....] (PRONOUN) strongly, get at your work or...."
[.....] (PRONOUN) rebuke during the sober hours of school paled much of the glory of the Wild West for [.....] (PRONOUN) and the confused puffy face of Leo Dillon awakened [.....] (PRONOUN) of [.....] (PRONOUN) consciences. But when the restraining influence of the school was at a distance [.....] (PRONOUN) began to hunger again for wild sensations, for the escape [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) chronicles of disorder alone seemed to offer [.....] (PRONOUN) . The mimic warfare of the evening became at last as wearisome to [.....] (PRONOUN) as the routine of school in the morning because [.....] (PRONOUN) wanted real adventures to happen to [.....] (PRONOUN) . But real adventures, [.....] (PRONOUN) reflected, do not happen to people [.....] (PRONOUN) remain at home: [.....] (PRONOUN) must be sought abroad.
The summer holidays were near at hand when [.....] (PRONOUN) made up [.....] (PRONOUN) mind to break out of the weariness of school-life for [.....] (PRONOUN) day at least. With Leo Dillon and a boy named Mahony [.....] (PRONOUN) planned a day's miching. [.....] (PRONOUN) of [.....] (PRONOUN) saved up sixpence. [.....] (PRONOUN) were to meet at ten in the morning on the Canal Bridge. Mahony's big sister was to write an excuse for [.....] (PRONOUN) and Leo Dillon was to tell [.....] (PRONOUN) brother to say [.....] (PRONOUN) was sick. [.....] (PRONOUN) arranged to go along the Wharf Road until [.....] (PRONOUN) came to the ships, then to cross in the ferryboat and walk out to see the Pigeon House. Leo Dillon was afraid [.....] (PRONOUN) might meet Father Butler or [.....] (PRONOUN) out of the college; but Mahony asked, very sensibly, [.....] (PRONOUN) would Father Butler be doing out at the Pigeon House. [.....] (PRONOUN) were reassured: and [.....] (PRONOUN) brought the first stage of the plot to an end by collecting sixpence from the other two, at the same time showing [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) own sixpence. When [.....] (PRONOUN) were making the last arrangements on the eve [.....] (PRONOUN) were [.....] (PRONOUN) vaguely excited. [.....] (PRONOUN) shook hands, laughing, and Mahony said:
"Till tomorrow, mates!"
[.....] (PRONOUN) night [.....] (PRONOUN) slept badly. In the morning [.....] (PRONOUN) was first-comer to the bridge as [.....] (PRONOUN) lived nearest. [.....] (PRONOUN) hid [.....] (PRONOUN) books in the long grass near the ashpit at the end of the garden where [.....] (PRONOUN) ever came and hurried along the canal bank. It was a mild sunny morning in the first week of June. [.....] (PRONOUN) sat up on the coping of the bridge admiring [.....] (PRONOUN) frail canvas shoes [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) had diligently pipeclayed overnight and watching the docile horses pulling a tramload of business people up the hill. [.....] (PRONOUN) the branches of the tall trees [.....] (PRONOUN) lined the mall were gay with little light green leaves and the sunlight slanted through [.....] (PRONOUN) on to the water. The granite stone of the bridge was beginning to be warm and [.....] (PRONOUN) began to pat it with [.....] (PRONOUN) hands in time to an air in [.....] (PRONOUN) head. [.....] (PRONOUN) was very happy.
When [.....] (PRONOUN) had been sitting there for five or ten minutes [.....] (PRONOUN) saw Mahony's grey suit approaching. [.....] (PRONOUN) came up the hill, smiling, and clambered up beside [.....] (PRONOUN) on the bridge. While [.....] (PRONOUN) were waiting [.....] (PRONOUN) brought out the catapult [.....] (PRONOUN) bulged from [.....] (PRONOUN) inner pocket and explained [.....] (PRONOUN) improvements [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) had made in it. [.....] (PRONOUN) asked [.....] (PRONOUN) why [.....] (PRONOUN) had brought it and [.....] (PRONOUN) told [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) had brought it to have [.....] (PRONOUN) gas with the birds. Mahony used slang freely, and spoke of Father Butler as Old Bunser. [.....] (PRONOUN) 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:
"Come along. [.....] (PRONOUN) knew Fatty'd funk it."
"And [.....] (PRONOUN) sixpence...?" [.....] (PRONOUN) said.
"[.....] (PRONOUN) 's forfeit," said Mahony. "And so much the better for [.....] (PRONOUN) —a bob and a tanner instead of a bob."
[.....] (PRONOUN) walked along the North Strand Road till [.....] (PRONOUN) came to the Vitriol Works and then turned to the right along the Wharf Road. Mahony began to play the Indian as soon as [.....] (PRONOUN) were out of public sight. [.....] (PRONOUN) chased a crowd of ragged girls, brandishing [.....] (PRONOUN) unloaded catapult and, when two ragged boys began, out of chivalry, to fling stones at [.....] (PRONOUN) , [.....] (PRONOUN) proposed [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) should charge [.....] (PRONOUN) . [.....] (PRONOUN) objected [.....] (PRONOUN) the boys were too small and so [.....] (PRONOUN) walked on, the ragged troop screaming after [.....] (PRONOUN) : <[.....] (PRONOUN) >"Swaddlers! Swaddlers!"(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) > thinking [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) were Protestants because Mahony, [.....] (PRONOUN) was dark-complexioned, wore the silver badge of a cricket club in [.....] (PRONOUN) cap. When [.....] (PRONOUN) came to the Smoothing Iron [.....] (PRONOUN) arranged a siege; but it was a failure because [.....] (PRONOUN) must have at least three. [.....] (PRONOUN) revenged [.....] (PRONOUN) on Leo Dillon by saying [.....] (PRONOUN) a funk [.....] (PRONOUN) was and guessing how [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) would get at three o'clock from Mr Ryan.
[.....] (PRONOUN) came then near the river. [.....] (PRONOUN) 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 [.....] (PRONOUN) immobility by the drivers of groaning carts. It was noon when [.....] (PRONOUN) reached the quays and, as [.....] (PRONOUN) the labourers seemed to be eating [.....] (PRONOUN) lunches, [.....] (PRONOUN) bought two big currant buns and sat down to eat [.....] (PRONOUN) on [.....] (PRONOUN) metal piping beside the river. [.....] (PRONOUN) pleased [.....] (PRONOUN) with the spectacle of Dublin's commerce—the barges signalled from far away by [.....] (PRONOUN) curls of woolly smoke, the brown fishing fleet beyond Ringsend, the big white sailing-vessel [.....] (PRONOUN) was being discharged on the opposite quay. Mahony said it would be right skit to run away to sea on [.....] (PRONOUN) of [.....] (PRONOUN) big ships and even [.....] (PRONOUN) , looking at the high masts, saw, or imagined, the geography [.....] (PRONOUN) had been scantily dosed to [.....] (PRONOUN) at school gradually taking substance under [.....] (PRONOUN) eyes. School and home seemed to recede from [.....] (PRONOUN) and [.....] (PRONOUN) influences upon [.....] (PRONOUN) seemed to wane.
[.....] (PRONOUN) crossed the Liffey in the ferryboat, paying [.....] (PRONOUN) toll to be transported in the company of two labourers and a little Jew with a bag. [.....] (PRONOUN) were serious to the point of solemnity, but once during the short voyage [.....] (PRONOUN) eyes met and [.....] (PRONOUN) laughed. When [.....] (PRONOUN) landed [.....] (PRONOUN) watched the discharging of the graceful threemaster [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) had observed from the other quay. [.....] (PRONOUN) bystander said [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) was a Norwegian vessel. [.....] (PRONOUN) went to the stern and tried to decipher the legend upon it but, failing to do so, [.....] (PRONOUN) came back and examined the foreign sailors to see had [.....] (PRONOUN) of [.....] (PRONOUN) green eyes for [.....] (PRONOUN) had [.....] (PRONOUN) 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 [.....] (PRONOUN) amused the crowd on the quay by calling out cheerfully every time the planks fell:
"[.....] (PRONOUN) right! [.....] (PRONOUN) right!"
When [.....] (PRONOUN) were tired of [.....] (PRONOUN) sight [.....] (PRONOUN) wandered slowly into Ringsend. The day had grown sultry, and in the windows of the grocers' shops musty biscuits lay bleaching. [.....] (PRONOUN) bought [.....] (PRONOUN) biscuits and chocolate [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) ate sedulously as [.....] (PRONOUN) wandered through the squalid streets where the families of the fishermen live. [.....] (PRONOUN) could find no dairy and so [.....] (PRONOUN) went into a huckster's shop and bought a bottle of raspberry lemonade [.....] (PRONOUN) . Refreshed by [.....] (PRONOUN) , Mahony chased a cat down a lane, but the cat escaped into a wide field. [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) felt rather tired and when [.....] (PRONOUN) reached the field [.....] (PRONOUN) made at once for a sloping bank over the ridge of [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) could see the Dodder.
It was too late and [.....] (PRONOUN) were too tired to carry out [.....] (PRONOUN) project of visiting the Pigeon House. [.....] (PRONOUN) had to be home before four o'clock lest [.....] (PRONOUN) adventure should be discovered. Mahony looked regretfully at [.....] (PRONOUN) catapult and [.....] (PRONOUN) had to suggest going home by train before [.....] (PRONOUN) regained [.....] (PRONOUN) cheerfulness. The sun went in behind [.....] (PRONOUN) clouds and left [.....] (PRONOUN) to [.....] (PRONOUN) jaded thoughts and the crumbs of [.....] (PRONOUN) provisions.
There was [.....] (PRONOUN) but [.....] (PRONOUN) in the field. When [.....] (PRONOUN) had lain on the bank for [.....] (PRONOUN) time without speaking [.....] (PRONOUN) saw a man approaching from the far end of the field. [.....] (PRONOUN) watched [.....] (PRONOUN) lazily as [.....] (PRONOUN) chewed [.....] (PRONOUN) of [.....] (PRONOUN) green stems on [.....] (PRONOUN) girls tell fortunes. [.....] (PRONOUN) came along by the bank slowly. [.....] (PRONOUN) walked with [.....] (PRONOUN) hand upon [.....] (PRONOUN) hip and in the other hand [.....] (PRONOUN) held a stick with [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) tapped the turf lightly. [.....] (PRONOUN) was shabbily dressed in a suit of greenish-black and wore [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) used to call a jerry hat with a high crown. [.....] (PRONOUN) seemed to be fairly old for [.....] (PRONOUN) moustache was ashen-grey. When [.....] (PRONOUN) passed at [.....] (PRONOUN) feet [.....] (PRONOUN) glanced up at [.....] (PRONOUN) quickly and then continued [.....] (PRONOUN) way. [.....] (PRONOUN) followed [.....] (PRONOUN) with [.....] (PRONOUN) eyes and saw [.....] (PRONOUN) when [.....] (PRONOUN) had gone on for perhaps fifty paces [.....] (PRONOUN) turned about and began to retrace [.....] (PRONOUN) steps. [.....] (PRONOUN) walked towards [.....] (PRONOUN) very slowly, always tapping the ground with [.....] (PRONOUN) stick, so slowly [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) thought [.....] (PRONOUN) was looking for [.....] (PRONOUN) in the grass.
[.....] (PRONOUN) stopped when [.....] (PRONOUN) came level with [.....] (PRONOUN) and bade [.....] (PRONOUN) good-day. [.....] (PRONOUN) answered [.....] (PRONOUN) and [.....] (PRONOUN) sat down beside [.....] (PRONOUN) on the slope slowly and with great care. [.....] (PRONOUN) began to talk of the weather, saying [.....] (PRONOUN) it would be a very hot summer and adding [.....] (PRONOUN) the seasons had changed greatly since [.....] (PRONOUN) was a boy—a long time ago. [.....] (PRONOUN) said [.....] (PRONOUN) the happiest time of [.....] (PRONOUN) 's life was undoubtedly [.....] (PRONOUN) 's school-boy days and [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) would give [.....] (PRONOUN) to be young again. While [.....] (PRONOUN) expressed [.....] (PRONOUN) sentiments [.....] (PRONOUN) bored [.....] (PRONOUN) a little [.....] (PRONOUN) kept silent. Then [.....] (PRONOUN) began to talk of school and of books. [.....] (PRONOUN) asked [.....] (PRONOUN) whether [.....] (PRONOUN) had read the poetry of Thomas Moore or the works of Sir Walter Scott and Lord Lytton. [.....] (PRONOUN) pretended [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) had read every book [.....] (PRONOUN) mentioned so [.....] (PRONOUN) in the end [.....] (PRONOUN) said:
"Ah, [.....] (PRONOUN) can see [.....] (PRONOUN) are a bookworm like [.....] (PRONOUN) . Now," [.....] (PRONOUN) added, pointing to Mahony [.....] (PRONOUN) was regarding [.....] (PRONOUN) with open eyes, "[.....] (PRONOUN) is different; [.....] (PRONOUN) goes in for games."
[.....] (PRONOUN) said [.....] (PRONOUN) had [.....] (PRONOUN) Sir Walter Scott's works and [.....] (PRONOUN) Lord Lytton's works at home and never tired of reading [.....] (PRONOUN) . "Of course," [.....] (PRONOUN) said, "there were [.....] (PRONOUN) of Lord Lytton's works [.....] (PRONOUN) boys couldn't read." Mahony asked why couldn't boys read [.....] (PRONOUN) —a question [.....] (PRONOUN) agitated and pained [.....] (PRONOUN) because [.....] (PRONOUN) was afraid the man would think [.....] (PRONOUN) was as stupid as Mahony. The man, however, only smiled. [.....] (PRONOUN) saw [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) had great gaps in [.....] (PRONOUN) mouth between [.....] (PRONOUN) yellow teeth. Then [.....] (PRONOUN) asked [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) of [.....] (PRONOUN) had the [.....] (PRONOUN) sweethearts. Mahony mentioned lightly [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) had three totties. The man asked [.....] (PRONOUN) how [.....] (PRONOUN) had [.....] (PRONOUN) . [.....] (PRONOUN) answered [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) had [.....] (PRONOUN) . [.....] (PRONOUN) did not believe [.....] (PRONOUN) and said [.....] (PRONOUN) was sure [.....] (PRONOUN) must have [.....] (PRONOUN) . [.....] (PRONOUN) was silent.
"Tell [.....] (PRONOUN) ," said Mahony pertly to the man, "how [.....] (PRONOUN) have [.....] (PRONOUN) yourself?"
The man smiled as before and said [.....] (PRONOUN) when [.....] (PRONOUN) was [.....] (PRONOUN) age [.....] (PRONOUN) had lots of sweethearts.
"Every boy," [.....] (PRONOUN) said, "has a little sweetheart."
[.....] (PRONOUN) attitude on [.....] (PRONOUN) point struck [.....] (PRONOUN) as strangely liberal in a man of [.....] (PRONOUN) age. In [.....] (PRONOUN) heart [.....] (PRONOUN) thought [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) said about boys and sweethearts was reasonable. But [.....] (PRONOUN) disliked the words in [.....] (PRONOUN) mouth and [.....] (PRONOUN) wondered why [.....] (PRONOUN) shivered once or twice as if [.....] (PRONOUN) feared [.....] (PRONOUN) or felt a sudden chill. As [.....] (PRONOUN) proceeded [.....] (PRONOUN) noticed [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) accent was good. [.....] (PRONOUN) began to speak to [.....] (PRONOUN) about girls, saying [.....] (PRONOUN) nice soft hair [.....] (PRONOUN) had and how soft [.....] (PRONOUN) hands were and how [.....] (PRONOUN) girls were not so good as [.....] (PRONOUN) seemed to be if [.....] (PRONOUN) only knew. There was [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) liked, [.....] (PRONOUN) said, so much as looking at a nice young girl, at [.....] (PRONOUN) nice white hands and [.....] (PRONOUN) beautiful soft hair. [.....] (PRONOUN) gave [.....] (PRONOUN) the impression [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) was repeating [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) had learned by heart or [.....] (PRONOUN) , magnetised by [.....] (PRONOUN) words of [.....] (PRONOUN) own speech, [.....] (PRONOUN) mind was slowly circling round and round in the same orbit. At times [.....] (PRONOUN) spoke as if [.....] (PRONOUN) were simply alluding to [.....] (PRONOUN) fact [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) knew, and at times [.....] (PRONOUN) lowered [.....] (PRONOUN) voice and spoke mysteriously as if [.....] (PRONOUN) were telling [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) secret [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) did not wish others to overhear. [.....] (PRONOUN) repeated [.....] (PRONOUN) phrases over and over again, varying [.....] (PRONOUN) and surrounding [.....] (PRONOUN) with [.....] (PRONOUN) monotonous voice. [.....] (PRONOUN) continued to gaze towards the foot of the slope, listening to [.....] (PRONOUN) .
After a long while [.....] (PRONOUN) monologue paused. [.....] (PRONOUN) stood up slowly, saying [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) had to leave [.....] (PRONOUN) for a minute or so, a [.....] (PRONOUN) minutes, and, without changing the direction of [.....] (PRONOUN) gaze, [.....] (PRONOUN) saw [.....] (PRONOUN) walking slowly away from [.....] (PRONOUN) towards the near end of the field. [.....] (PRONOUN) remained silent when [.....] (PRONOUN) had gone. After a silence of a [.....] (PRONOUN) minutes [.....] (PRONOUN) heard Mahony exclaim:
"[.....] (PRONOUN) say! Look [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) 's doing!"
As [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) answered nor raised [.....] (PRONOUN) eyes Mahony exclaimed again:
"[.....] (PRONOUN) say.... [.....] (PRONOUN) 's a queer old josser!"
"In case [.....] (PRONOUN) asks [.....] (PRONOUN) for [.....] (PRONOUN) names," [.....] (PRONOUN) said, "let [.....] (PRONOUN) be Murphy and [.....] (PRONOUN) 'll be Smith."
[.....] (PRONOUN) said [.....] (PRONOUN) further to [.....] (PRONOUN) other. [.....] (PRONOUN) was still considering whether [.....] (PRONOUN) would go away or not when the man came back and sat down beside [.....] (PRONOUN) again. Hardly had [.....] (PRONOUN) sat down when Mahony, catching sight of the cat [.....] (PRONOUN) had escaped [.....] (PRONOUN) , sprang up and pursued [.....] (PRONOUN) across the field. The man and [.....] (PRONOUN) watched the chase. The cat escaped once more and Mahony began to throw stones at the wall [.....] (PRONOUN) had escaladed. Desisting from [.....] (PRONOUN) , [.....] (PRONOUN) began to wander about the far end of the field, aimlessly.
After an interval the man spoke to [.....] (PRONOUN) . [.....] (PRONOUN) said [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) friend was a very rough boy and asked did [.....] (PRONOUN) get whipped often at school. [.....] (PRONOUN) was going to reply indignantly [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) were not National School boys to be whipped, as [.....] (PRONOUN) called it; but [.....] (PRONOUN) remained silent. [.....] (PRONOUN) began to speak on the subject of chastising boys. [.....] (PRONOUN) mind, as if magnetised again by [.....] (PRONOUN) speech, seemed to circle slowly round and round its new centre. [.....] (PRONOUN) said [.....] (PRONOUN) when boys were [.....] (PRONOUN) kind [.....] (PRONOUN) ought to be whipped and well whipped. When a boy was rough and unruly there was [.....] (PRONOUN) would do [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) good but a good sound whipping. A slap on the hand or a box on the ear was no good: [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) wanted was to get a nice warm whipping. [.....] (PRONOUN) was surprised at [.....] (PRONOUN) sentiment and involuntarily glanced up at [.....] (PRONOUN) face. As [.....] (PRONOUN) did so [.....] (PRONOUN) met the gaze of a pair of bottle-green eyes peering at [.....] (PRONOUN) from under a twitching forehead. [.....] (PRONOUN) turned [.....] (PRONOUN) eyes away again.
The man continued [.....] (PRONOUN) monologue. [.....] (PRONOUN) seemed to have forgotten [.....] (PRONOUN) recent liberalism. [.....] (PRONOUN) said [.....] (PRONOUN) if ever [.....] (PRONOUN) found a boy talking to girls or having a girl for a sweetheart [.....] (PRONOUN) would whip [.....] (PRONOUN) and whip [.....] (PRONOUN) ; and [.....] (PRONOUN) would teach [.....] (PRONOUN) not to be talking to girls. And if a boy had a girl for a sweetheart and told lies about it then [.....] (PRONOUN) would give [.....] (PRONOUN) such a whipping as no boy ever got in [.....] (PRONOUN) world. [.....] (PRONOUN) said [.....] (PRONOUN) there was [.....] (PRONOUN) in [.....] (PRONOUN) world [.....] (PRONOUN) would like so well as [.....] (PRONOUN) . [.....] (PRONOUN) described to [.....] (PRONOUN) how [.....] (PRONOUN) would whip such a boy as if [.....] (PRONOUN) were unfolding [.....] (PRONOUN) elaborate mystery. [.....] (PRONOUN) would love [.....] (PRONOUN) , [.....] (PRONOUN) said, better than [.....] (PRONOUN) in [.....] (PRONOUN) world; and [.....] (PRONOUN) voice, as [.....] (PRONOUN) led [.....] (PRONOUN) monotonously through the mystery, grew almost affectionate and seemed to plead with [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) should understand [.....] (PRONOUN) .
[.....] (PRONOUN) waited till [.....] (PRONOUN) monologue paused again. Then [.....] (PRONOUN) stood up abruptly. Lest [.....] (PRONOUN) should betray [.....] (PRONOUN) agitation [.....] (PRONOUN) delayed a [.....] (PRONOUN) moments pretending to fix [.....] (PRONOUN) shoe properly and then, saying [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) was obliged to go, [.....] (PRONOUN) bade [.....] (PRONOUN) good-day. [.....] (PRONOUN) went up the slope calmly but [.....] (PRONOUN) heart was beating quickly with fear [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) would seize [.....] (PRONOUN) by the ankles. When [.....] (PRONOUN) reached the top of the slope [.....] (PRONOUN) turned round and, without looking at [.....] (PRONOUN) , called loudly across the field:
"Murphy!"
[.....] (PRONOUN) voice had an accent of forced bravery in it and [.....] (PRONOUN) was ashamed of [.....] (PRONOUN) paltry stratagem. [.....] (PRONOUN) had to call the name again before Mahony saw [.....] (PRONOUN) and hallooed in answer. How [.....] (PRONOUN) heart beat as [.....] (PRONOUN) came running across the field to [.....] (PRONOUN) ! [.....] (PRONOUN) ran as if to bring [.....] (PRONOUN) aid. And [.....] (PRONOUN) was penitent; for in [.....] (PRONOUN) heart [.....] (PRONOUN) had always despised [.....] (PRONOUN) a little.
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 [.....] (PRONOUN) , gazed at [.....] (PRONOUN) another with brown imperturbable faces.
The former tenant of [.....] (PRONOUN) house, a priest, had died in the back drawing-room. Air, musty from having been long enclosed, hung in [.....] (PRONOUN) the rooms, and the waste room behind the kitchen was littered with old useless papers. Among [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) found a [.....] (PRONOUN) paper-covered books, the pages of [.....] (PRONOUN) were curled and damp: <[.....] (PRONOUN) >The Abbot(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) >, by Walter Scott, <[.....] (PRONOUN) >The Devout Communicant(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) > and <[.....] (PRONOUN) >The Memoirs of Vidocq(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) >. [.....] (PRONOUN) liked the last best because its leaves were yellow. The wild garden behind the house contained a central apple-tree and a [.....] (PRONOUN) straggling bushes under [.....] (PRONOUN) of [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) found the late tenant's rusty bicycle-pump. [.....] (PRONOUN) had been a very charitable priest; in [.....] (PRONOUN) will [.....] (PRONOUN) had left [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) money to institutions and the furniture of [.....] (PRONOUN) house to [.....] (PRONOUN) sister.
When the short days of winter came dusk fell before [.....] (PRONOUN) had well eaten [.....] (PRONOUN) dinners. When [.....] (PRONOUN) met in the street the houses had grown sombre. The space of sky above [.....] (PRONOUN) was the colour of ever-changing violet and towards it the lamps of the street lifted [.....] (PRONOUN) feeble lanterns. The cold air stung [.....] (PRONOUN) and [.....] (PRONOUN) played till [.....] (PRONOUN) bodies glowed. [.....] (PRONOUN) shouts echoed in the silent street. The career of [.....] (PRONOUN) play brought [.....] (PRONOUN) through the dark muddy lanes behind the houses where [.....] (PRONOUN) 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 [.....] (PRONOUN) returned to the street light from the kitchen windows had filled the areas. If [.....] (PRONOUN) uncle was seen turning the corner [.....] (PRONOUN) hid in the shadow until [.....] (PRONOUN) had seen [.....] (PRONOUN) safely housed. Or if Mangan's sister came out on the doorstep to call [.....] (PRONOUN) brother in to [.....] (PRONOUN) tea [.....] (PRONOUN) watched [.....] (PRONOUN) from [.....] (PRONOUN) shadow peer up and down the street. [.....] (PRONOUN) waited to see whether [.....] (PRONOUN) would remain or go in and, if [.....] (PRONOUN) remained, [.....] (PRONOUN) left [.....] (PRONOUN) shadow and walked up to Mangan's steps resignedly. [.....] (PRONOUN) was waiting for [.....] (PRONOUN) , [.....] (PRONOUN) figure defined by the light from the half-opened door. [.....] (PRONOUN) brother always teased [.....] (PRONOUN) before [.....] (PRONOUN) obeyed and [.....] (PRONOUN) stood by the railings looking at [.....] (PRONOUN) . [.....] (PRONOUN) dress swung as [.....] (PRONOUN) moved [.....] (PRONOUN) body and the soft rope of [.....] (PRONOUN) hair tossed from side to side.
Every morning [.....] (PRONOUN) lay on the floor in the front parlour watching [.....] (PRONOUN) door. The blind was pulled down to within an inch of the sash so [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) could not be seen. When [.....] (PRONOUN) came out on the doorstep [.....] (PRONOUN) heart leaped. [.....] (PRONOUN) ran to the hall, seized [.....] (PRONOUN) books and followed [.....] (PRONOUN) . [.....] (PRONOUN) kept [.....] (PRONOUN) brown figure always in [.....] (PRONOUN) eye and, when [.....] (PRONOUN) came near the point at [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) ways diverged, [.....] (PRONOUN) quickened [.....] (PRONOUN) pace and passed [.....] (PRONOUN) . [.....] (PRONOUN) happened morning after morning. [.....] (PRONOUN) had never spoken to [.....] (PRONOUN) , except for a [.....] (PRONOUN) casual words, and yet [.....] (PRONOUN) name was like a summons to [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) foolish blood.
[.....] (PRONOUN) image accompanied [.....] (PRONOUN) even in places the [.....] (PRONOUN) hostile to romance. On Saturday evenings when [.....] (PRONOUN) aunt went marketing [.....] (PRONOUN) had to go to carry [.....] (PRONOUN) of the parcels. [.....] (PRONOUN) walked through the flaring streets, jostled by drunken men and bargaining women, amid the curses of labourers, the shrill litanies of shop-boys [.....] (PRONOUN) stood on guard by the barrels of pigs' cheeks, the nasal chanting of street-singers, [.....] (PRONOUN) sang a <[.....] (PRONOUN) >come-[.....] (PRONOUN) -[.....] (PRONOUN) (PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) > about O'Donovan Rossa, or a ballad about the troubles in [.....] (PRONOUN) native land. [.....] (PRONOUN) noises converged in a single sensation of life for [.....] (PRONOUN) : [.....] (PRONOUN) imagined [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) bore [.....] (PRONOUN) chalice safely through a throng of foes. [.....] (PRONOUN) name sprang to [.....] (PRONOUN) lips at moments in strange prayers and praises [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) did not understand. [.....] (PRONOUN) eyes were often full of tears ([.....] (PRONOUN) could not tell why) and at times a flood from [.....] (PRONOUN) heart seemed to pour itself out into [.....] (PRONOUN) bosom. [.....] (PRONOUN) thought little of the future. [.....] (PRONOUN) did not know whether [.....] (PRONOUN) would ever speak to [.....] (PRONOUN) or not or, if [.....] (PRONOUN) spoke to [.....] (PRONOUN) , how [.....] (PRONOUN) could tell [.....] (PRONOUN) of [.....] (PRONOUN) confused adoration. But [.....] (PRONOUN) body was like a harp and [.....] (PRONOUN) words and gestures were like fingers running upon the wires.
[.....] (PRONOUN) evening [.....] (PRONOUN) went into the back drawing-room in [.....] (PRONOUN) the priest had died. It was a dark rainy evening and there was no sound in the house. Through [.....] (PRONOUN) of the broken panes [.....] (PRONOUN) heard the rain impinge upon the earth, the fine incessant needles of water playing in the sodden beds. [.....] (PRONOUN) distant lamp or lighted window gleamed below [.....] (PRONOUN) . [.....] (PRONOUN) was thankful [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) could see so little. [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) senses seemed to desire to veil themselves and, feeling [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) was about to slip from [.....] (PRONOUN) , [.....] (PRONOUN) pressed the palms of [.....] (PRONOUN) hands together until [.....] (PRONOUN) trembled, murmuring: <[.....] (PRONOUN) >"O love! O love!"(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) > [.....] (PRONOUN) times.
At last [.....] (PRONOUN) spoke to [.....] (PRONOUN) . When [.....] (PRONOUN) addressed the first words to [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) was so confused [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) did not know [.....] (PRONOUN) to answer. [.....] (PRONOUN) asked [.....] (PRONOUN) was [.....] (PRONOUN) going to <[.....] (PRONOUN) >Araby(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) >. [.....] (PRONOUN) forgot whether [.....] (PRONOUN) answered yes or no. It would be a splendid bazaar, [.....] (PRONOUN) said; [.....] (PRONOUN) would love to go.
"And why can't [.....] (PRONOUN) ?" [.....] (PRONOUN) asked.
While [.....] (PRONOUN) spoke [.....] (PRONOUN) turned a silver bracelet round and round [.....] (PRONOUN) wrist. [.....] (PRONOUN) could not go, [.....] (PRONOUN) said, because there would be a retreat [.....] (PRONOUN) week in [.....] (PRONOUN) convent. [.....] (PRONOUN) brother and two other boys were fighting for [.....] (PRONOUN) caps and [.....] (PRONOUN) was alone at the railings. [.....] (PRONOUN) held [.....] (PRONOUN) of the spikes, bowing [.....] (PRONOUN) head towards [.....] (PRONOUN) . The light from the lamp opposite [.....] (PRONOUN) door caught the white curve of [.....] (PRONOUN) neck, lit up [.....] (PRONOUN) hair [.....] (PRONOUN) rested there and, falling, lit up the hand upon the railing. It fell over [.....] (PRONOUN) side of [.....] (PRONOUN) dress and caught the white border of a petticoat, just visible as [.....] (PRONOUN) stood at ease.
"It's well for [.....] (PRONOUN) ," [.....] (PRONOUN) said.
"If [.....] (PRONOUN) go," [.....] (PRONOUN) said, "[.....] (PRONOUN) will bring [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) ."
[.....] (PRONOUN) innumerable follies laid waste [.....] (PRONOUN) waking and sleeping thoughts after [.....] (PRONOUN) evening! [.....] (PRONOUN) wished to annihilate the tedious intervening days. [.....] (PRONOUN) chafed against the work of school. At night in [.....] (PRONOUN) bedroom and by day in the classroom [.....] (PRONOUN) image came between [.....] (PRONOUN) and the page [.....] (PRONOUN) strove to read. The syllables of the word <[.....] (PRONOUN) >Araby(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) > were called to [.....] (PRONOUN) through the silence in [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) soul luxuriated and cast an Eastern enchantment over [.....] (PRONOUN) . [.....] (PRONOUN) asked for leave to go to the bazaar on Saturday night. [.....] (PRONOUN) aunt was surprised and hoped it was not [.....] (PRONOUN) Freemason affair. [.....] (PRONOUN) answered [.....] (PRONOUN) questions in class. [.....] (PRONOUN) watched [.....] (PRONOUN) master's face pass from amiability to sternness; [.....] (PRONOUN) hoped [.....] (PRONOUN) was not beginning to idle. [.....] (PRONOUN) could not call [.....] (PRONOUN) wandering thoughts together. [.....] (PRONOUN) had hardly [.....] (PRONOUN) patience with the serious work of life [.....] (PRONOUN) , now [.....] (PRONOUN) it stood between [.....] (PRONOUN) and [.....] (PRONOUN) desire, seemed to [.....] (PRONOUN) child's play, ugly monotonous child's play.
On Saturday morning [.....] (PRONOUN) reminded [.....] (PRONOUN) uncle [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) wished to go to the bazaar in the evening. [.....] (PRONOUN) was fussing at the hallstand, looking for the hat-brush, and answered [.....] (PRONOUN) curtly:
"Yes, boy, [.....] (PRONOUN) know."
As [.....] (PRONOUN) was in the hall [.....] (PRONOUN) could not go into the front parlour and lie at the window. [.....] (PRONOUN) left the house in bad humour and walked slowly towards the school. The air was pitilessly raw and already [.....] (PRONOUN) heart misgave [.....] (PRONOUN) .
When [.....] (PRONOUN) came home to dinner [.....] (PRONOUN) uncle had not yet been home. Still it was early. [.....] (PRONOUN) sat staring at the clock for [.....] (PRONOUN) time and, when its ticking began to irritate [.....] (PRONOUN) , [.....] (PRONOUN) left the room. [.....] (PRONOUN) mounted the staircase and gained the upper part of the house. The high cold empty gloomy rooms liberated [.....] (PRONOUN) and [.....] (PRONOUN) went from room to room singing. From the front window [.....] (PRONOUN) saw [.....] (PRONOUN) companions playing below in the street. [.....] (PRONOUN) cries reached [.....] (PRONOUN) weakened and indistinct and, leaning [.....] (PRONOUN) forehead against the cool glass, [.....] (PRONOUN) looked over at the dark house where [.....] (PRONOUN) lived. [.....] (PRONOUN) may have stood there for an hour, seeing [.....] (PRONOUN) but the brown-clad figure cast by [.....] (PRONOUN) imagination, touched discreetly by the lamplight at the curved neck, at the hand upon the railings and at the border below the dress.
When [.....] (PRONOUN) came downstairs again [.....] (PRONOUN) found Mrs Mercer sitting at the fire. [.....] (PRONOUN) was an old garrulous woman, a pawnbroker's widow, [.....] (PRONOUN) collected used stamps for [.....] (PRONOUN) pious purpose. [.....] (PRONOUN) had to endure the gossip of the tea-table. The meal was prolonged beyond an hour and still [.....] (PRONOUN) uncle did not come. Mrs Mercer stood up to go: [.....] (PRONOUN) was sorry [.....] (PRONOUN) couldn't wait [.....] (PRONOUN) longer, but it was after eight o'clock and [.....] (PRONOUN) did not like to be out late as the night air was bad for [.....] (PRONOUN) . When [.....] (PRONOUN) had gone [.....] (PRONOUN) began to walk up and down the room, clenching [.....] (PRONOUN) fists. [.....] (PRONOUN) aunt said:
"[.....] (PRONOUN) 'm afraid [.....] (PRONOUN) may put off your bazaar for [.....] (PRONOUN) night of [.....] (PRONOUN) Lord."
At nine o'clock [.....] (PRONOUN) heard [.....] (PRONOUN) uncle's latchkey in the halldoor. [.....] (PRONOUN) heard [.....] (PRONOUN) talking to himself and heard the hallstand rocking when it had received the weight of [.....] (PRONOUN) overcoat. [.....] (PRONOUN) could interpret [.....] (PRONOUN) signs. When [.....] (PRONOUN) was midway through [.....] (PRONOUN) dinner [.....] (PRONOUN) asked [.....] (PRONOUN) to give [.....] (PRONOUN) the money to go to the bazaar. [.....] (PRONOUN) had forgotten.
"The people are in bed and after [.....] (PRONOUN) first sleep now," [.....] (PRONOUN) said.
[.....] (PRONOUN) did not smile. [.....] (PRONOUN) aunt said to [.....] (PRONOUN) energetically:
"Can't [.....] (PRONOUN) give [.....] (PRONOUN) the money and let [.....] (PRONOUN) go? [.....] (PRONOUN) 've kept [.....] (PRONOUN) late enough as it is."
[.....] (PRONOUN) uncle said [.....] (PRONOUN) was very sorry [.....] (PRONOUN) had forgotten. [.....] (PRONOUN) said [.....] (PRONOUN) believed in the old saying: "[.....] (PRONOUN) work and no play makes Jack a dull boy." [.....] (PRONOUN) asked [.....] (PRONOUN) where [.....] (PRONOUN) was going and, when [.....] (PRONOUN) had told [.....] (PRONOUN) a second time [.....] (PRONOUN) asked [.....] (PRONOUN) did [.....] (PRONOUN) know <[.....] (PRONOUN) >The Arab's Farewell to [.....] (PRONOUN) Steed(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) >. When [.....] (PRONOUN) left the kitchen [.....] (PRONOUN) was about to recite the opening lines of the piece to [.....] (PRONOUN) aunt.
[.....] (PRONOUN) held a florin tightly in [.....] (PRONOUN) hand as [.....] (PRONOUN) strode down Buckingham Street towards the station. The sight of the streets thronged with buyers and glaring with gas recalled to [.....] (PRONOUN) the purpose of [.....] (PRONOUN) journey. [.....] (PRONOUN) took [.....] (PRONOUN) 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 houses and over the twinkling river. At Westland Row Station a crowd of people pressed to the carriage doors; but the porters moved [.....] (PRONOUN) back, saying [.....] (PRONOUN) it was a special train for the bazaar. [.....] (PRONOUN) remained alone in the bare carriage. In a [.....] (PRONOUN) minutes the train drew up beside an improvised wooden platform. [.....] (PRONOUN) passed out on to the road and saw by the lighted dial of a clock [.....] (PRONOUN) it was ten minutes to ten. In front of [.....] (PRONOUN) was a large building [.....] (PRONOUN) displayed the magical name.
[.....] (PRONOUN) could not find [.....] (PRONOUN) sixpenny entrance and, fearing [.....] (PRONOUN) the bazaar would be closed, [.....] (PRONOUN) passed in quickly through a turnstile, handing a shilling to a weary-looking man. [.....] (PRONOUN) found [.....] (PRONOUN) in a big hall girdled at half its height by a gallery. Nearly [.....] (PRONOUN) the stalls were closed and the greater part of the hall was in darkness. [.....] (PRONOUN) recognised a silence like [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) pervades a church after a service. [.....] (PRONOUN) walked into the centre of the bazaar timidly. A [.....] (PRONOUN) people were gathered about the stalls [.....] (PRONOUN) were still open. Before a curtain, over [.....] (PRONOUN) the words <[.....] (PRONOUN) >Café Chantant(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) > were written in coloured lamps, two men were counting money on a salver. [.....] (PRONOUN) listened to the fall of the coins.
Remembering with difficulty why [.....] (PRONOUN) had come [.....] (PRONOUN) went over to [.....] (PRONOUN) 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. [.....] (PRONOUN) remarked [.....] (PRONOUN) English accents and listened vaguely to [.....] (PRONOUN) conversation.
"O, [.....] (PRONOUN) never said such a thing!"
"O, but [.....] (PRONOUN) did!"
"O, but [.....] (PRONOUN) didn't!"
"Didn't [.....] (PRONOUN) say [.....] (PRONOUN) ?"
"Yes. [.....] (PRONOUN) heard [.....] (PRONOUN) ."
"O, there's a ... fib!"
Observing [.....] (PRONOUN) the young lady came over and asked [.....] (PRONOUN) did [.....] (PRONOUN) wish to buy [.....] (PRONOUN) . The tone of [.....] (PRONOUN) voice was not encouraging; [.....] (PRONOUN) seemed to have spoken to [.....] (PRONOUN) out of a sense of duty. [.....] (PRONOUN) looked humbly at the great jars [.....] (PRONOUN) stood like eastern guards at [.....] (PRONOUN) side of the dark entrance to the stall and murmured:
"No, thank [.....] (PRONOUN) ."
The young lady changed the position of [.....] (PRONOUN) of the vases and went back to the two young men. [.....] (PRONOUN) began to talk of the same subject. Once or twice the young lady glanced at [.....] (PRONOUN) over [.....] (PRONOUN) shoulder.
[.....] (PRONOUN) lingered before [.....] (PRONOUN) stall, though [.....] (PRONOUN) knew [.....] (PRONOUN) stay was useless, to make [.....] (PRONOUN) interest in [.....] (PRONOUN) wares seem the more real. Then [.....] (PRONOUN) turned away slowly and walked down the middle of the bazaar. [.....] (PRONOUN) allowed the two pennies to fall against the sixpence in [.....] (PRONOUN) pocket. [.....] (PRONOUN) heard a voice call from [.....] (PRONOUN) end of the gallery [.....] (PRONOUN) the light was out. The upper part of the hall was now completely dark.
Gazing up into the darkness [.....] (PRONOUN) saw [.....] (PRONOUN) as a creature driven and derided by vanity; and [.....] (PRONOUN) eyes burned with anguish and anger.
[.....] (PRONOUN) sat at the window watching the evening invade the avenue. [.....] (PRONOUN) head was leaned against the window curtains and in [.....] (PRONOUN) nostrils was the odour of dusty cretonne. [.....] (PRONOUN) was tired.
[.....] (PRONOUN) people passed. The man out of the last house passed on [.....] (PRONOUN) way home; [.....] (PRONOUN) heard [.....] (PRONOUN) footsteps clacking along the concrete pavement and afterwards crunching on the cinder path before the new red houses. [.....] (PRONOUN) time there used to be a field there in [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) 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 [.....] (PRONOUN) little brown houses but bright brick houses with shining roofs. The children of the avenue used to play together in [.....] (PRONOUN) field—the Devines, the Waters, the Dunns, little Keogh the cripple, [.....] (PRONOUN) and [.....] (PRONOUN) brothers and sisters. Ernest, however, never played: [.....] (PRONOUN) was too grown up. [.....] (PRONOUN) father used often to hunt [.....] (PRONOUN) in out of the field with [.....] (PRONOUN) blackthorn stick; but usually little Keogh used to keep <[.....] (PRONOUN) >nix(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) > and call out when [.....] (PRONOUN) saw [.....] (PRONOUN) father coming. Still [.....] (PRONOUN) seemed to have been rather happy then. [.....] (PRONOUN) father was not so bad then; and besides, [.....] (PRONOUN) mother was alive. [.....] (PRONOUN) was a long time ago; [.....] (PRONOUN) and [.....] (PRONOUN) brothers and sisters were [.....] (PRONOUN) grown up; [.....] (PRONOUN) mother was dead. Tizzie Dunn was dead, too, and the Waters had gone back to England. [.....] (PRONOUN) changes. Now [.....] (PRONOUN) was going to go away like the others, to leave [.....] (PRONOUN) home.
Home! [.....] (PRONOUN) looked round the room, reviewing [.....] (PRONOUN) its familiar objects [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) had dusted once a week for so [.....] (PRONOUN) years, wondering where on earth [.....] (PRONOUN) the dust came from. Perhaps [.....] (PRONOUN) would never see again [.....] (PRONOUN) familiar objects from [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) had never dreamed of being divided. And yet during [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) years [.....] (PRONOUN) 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. [.....] (PRONOUN) had been a school friend of [.....] (PRONOUN) father. Whenever [.....] (PRONOUN) showed the photograph to a visitor [.....] (PRONOUN) father used to pass it with a casual word:
"[.....] (PRONOUN) is in Melbourne now."
[.....] (PRONOUN) had consented to go away, to leave [.....] (PRONOUN) home. Was [.....] (PRONOUN) wise? [.....] (PRONOUN) tried to weigh [.....] (PRONOUN) side of the question. In [.....] (PRONOUN) home anyway [.....] (PRONOUN) had shelter and food; [.....] (PRONOUN) had [.....] (PRONOUN) whom [.....] (PRONOUN) had known [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) life about [.....] (PRONOUN) . Of course [.....] (PRONOUN) had to work hard, [.....] (PRONOUN) in the house and at business. [.....] (PRONOUN) would [.....] (PRONOUN) say of [.....] (PRONOUN) in the Stores when [.....] (PRONOUN) found out [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) had run away with a fellow? Say [.....] (PRONOUN) was a fool, perhaps; and [.....] (PRONOUN) place would be filled up by advertisement. Miss Gavan would be glad. [.....] (PRONOUN) had always had an edge on [.....] (PRONOUN) , especially whenever there were people listening.
"Miss Hill, don't [.....] (PRONOUN) see [.....] (PRONOUN) ladies are waiting?"
"Look lively, Miss Hill, please."
[.....] (PRONOUN) would not cry [.....] (PRONOUN) tears at leaving the Stores.
But in [.....] (PRONOUN) new home, in a distant unknown country, it would not be like [.....] (PRONOUN) . Then [.....] (PRONOUN) would be married—[.....] (PRONOUN) , Eveline. People would treat [.....] (PRONOUN) with respect then. [.....] (PRONOUN) would not be treated as [.....] (PRONOUN) mother had been. Even now, though [.....] (PRONOUN) was over nineteen, [.....] (PRONOUN) sometimes felt herself in danger of [.....] (PRONOUN) father's violence. [.....] (PRONOUN) knew it was [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) had given [.....] (PRONOUN) the palpitations. When [.....] (PRONOUN) were growing up [.....] (PRONOUN) had never gone for [.....] (PRONOUN) like [.....] (PRONOUN) used to go for Harry and Ernest, because [.....] (PRONOUN) was a girl; but latterly [.....] (PRONOUN) had begun to threaten [.....] (PRONOUN) and say [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) would do to [.....] (PRONOUN) only for [.....] (PRONOUN) dead mother's sake. And now [.....] (PRONOUN) had [.....] (PRONOUN) to protect [.....] (PRONOUN) . Ernest was dead and Harry, [.....] (PRONOUN) 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 [.....] (PRONOUN) unspeakably. [.....] (PRONOUN) always gave [.....] (PRONOUN) entire wages—seven shillings—and Harry always sent up [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) could but the trouble was to get [.....] (PRONOUN) money from [.....] (PRONOUN) father. [.....] (PRONOUN) said [.....] (PRONOUN) used to squander the money, [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) had no head, [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) wasn't going to give [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) hard-earned money to throw about the streets, and much more, for [.....] (PRONOUN) was usually fairly bad of a Saturday night. In the end [.....] (PRONOUN) would give [.....] (PRONOUN) the money and ask [.....] (PRONOUN) had [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) intention of buying Sunday's dinner. Then [.....] (PRONOUN) had to rush out as quickly as [.....] (PRONOUN) could and do [.....] (PRONOUN) marketing, holding [.....] (PRONOUN) black leather purse tightly in [.....] (PRONOUN) hand as [.....] (PRONOUN) elbowed [.....] (PRONOUN) way through the crowds and returning home late under [.....] (PRONOUN) load of provisions. [.....] (PRONOUN) had hard work to keep the house together and to see [.....] (PRONOUN) the two young children [.....] (PRONOUN) had been left to [.....] (PRONOUN) charge went to school regularly and got [.....] (PRONOUN) meals regularly. It was hard work—a hard life—but now [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) was about to leave it [.....] (PRONOUN) did not find it a wholly undesirable life.
[.....] (PRONOUN) was about to explore another life with Frank. Frank was very kind, manly, open-hearted. [.....] (PRONOUN) was to go away with [.....] (PRONOUN) by the night-boat to be [.....] (PRONOUN) wife and to live with [.....] (PRONOUN) in Buenos Ayres where [.....] (PRONOUN) had a home waiting for [.....] (PRONOUN) . How well [.....] (PRONOUN) remembered the first time [.....] (PRONOUN) had seen [.....] (PRONOUN) ; [.....] (PRONOUN) was lodging in a house on the main road where [.....] (PRONOUN) used to visit. It seemed a [.....] (PRONOUN) weeks ago. [.....] (PRONOUN) was standing at the gate, [.....] (PRONOUN) peaked cap pushed back on [.....] (PRONOUN) head and [.....] (PRONOUN) hair tumbled forward over a face of bronze. Then [.....] (PRONOUN) had come to know [.....] (PRONOUN) other. [.....] (PRONOUN) used to meet [.....] (PRONOUN) outside the Stores every evening and see [.....] (PRONOUN) home. [.....] (PRONOUN) took [.....] (PRONOUN) to see <[.....] (PRONOUN) >The Bohemian Girl(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) > and [.....] (PRONOUN) felt elated as [.....] (PRONOUN) sat in an unaccustomed part of the theatre with [.....] (PRONOUN) . [.....] (PRONOUN) was awfully fond of music and sang a little. People knew [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) were courting and, when [.....] (PRONOUN) sang about the lass [.....] (PRONOUN) loves a sailor, [.....] (PRONOUN) always felt pleasantly confused. [.....] (PRONOUN) used to call [.....] (PRONOUN) Poppens out of fun. First of [.....] (PRONOUN) it had been an excitement for [.....] (PRONOUN) to have a fellow and then [.....] (PRONOUN) had begun to like [.....] (PRONOUN) . [.....] (PRONOUN) had tales of distant countries. [.....] (PRONOUN) had started as a deck boy at a pound a month on a ship of the Allan Line going out to Canada. [.....] (PRONOUN) told [.....] (PRONOUN) the names of the ships [.....] (PRONOUN) had been on and the names of the different services. [.....] (PRONOUN) had sailed through the Straits of Magellan and [.....] (PRONOUN) told [.....] (PRONOUN) stories of the terrible Patagonians. [.....] (PRONOUN) had fallen on [.....] (PRONOUN) feet in Buenos Ayres, [.....] (PRONOUN) said, and had come over to the old country just for a holiday. Of course, [.....] (PRONOUN) father had found out the affair and had forbidden [.....] (PRONOUN) to have [.....] (PRONOUN) to say to [.....] (PRONOUN) .
"[.....] (PRONOUN) know [.....] (PRONOUN) sailor chaps," [.....] (PRONOUN) said.
[.....] (PRONOUN) day [.....] (PRONOUN) had quarrelled with Frank and after [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) had to meet [.....] (PRONOUN) lover secretly.
The evening deepened in the avenue. The white of two letters in [.....] (PRONOUN) lap grew indistinct. [.....] (PRONOUN) was to Harry; the other was to [.....] (PRONOUN) father. Ernest had been [.....] (PRONOUN) favourite but [.....] (PRONOUN) liked Harry too. [.....] (PRONOUN) father was becoming old lately, [.....] (PRONOUN) noticed; [.....] (PRONOUN) would miss [.....] (PRONOUN) . Sometimes [.....] (PRONOUN) could be very nice. Not long before, when [.....] (PRONOUN) had been laid up for a day, [.....] (PRONOUN) had read [.....] (PRONOUN) out a ghost story and made toast for [.....] (PRONOUN) at the fire. Another day, when [.....] (PRONOUN) mother was alive, [.....] (PRONOUN) had [.....] (PRONOUN) gone for a picnic to the Hill of Howth. [.....] (PRONOUN) remembered [.....] (PRONOUN) father putting on [.....] (PRONOUN) mother's bonnet to make the children laugh.
[.....] (PRONOUN) time was running out but [.....] (PRONOUN) continued to sit by the window, leaning [.....] (PRONOUN) head against the window curtain, inhaling the odour of dusty cretonne. Down far in the avenue [.....] (PRONOUN) could hear a street organ playing. [.....] (PRONOUN) knew the air. Strange [.....] (PRONOUN) it should come [.....] (PRONOUN) very night to remind [.....] (PRONOUN) of the promise to [.....] (PRONOUN) mother, [.....] (PRONOUN) promise to keep the home together as long as [.....] (PRONOUN) could. [.....] (PRONOUN) remembered the last night of [.....] (PRONOUN) mother's illness; [.....] (PRONOUN) was again in the close dark room at the other side of the hall and outside [.....] (PRONOUN) heard a melancholy air of Italy. The organ-player had been ordered to go away and given sixpence. [.....] (PRONOUN) remembered [.....] (PRONOUN) father strutting back into the sickroom saying:
"Damned Italians! coming over here!"
As [.....] (PRONOUN) mused the pitiful vision of [.....] (PRONOUN) mother's life laid its spell on the very quick of [.....] (PRONOUN) being—[.....] (PRONOUN) life of commonplace sacrifices closing in final craziness. [.....] (PRONOUN) trembled as [.....] (PRONOUN) heard again [.....] (PRONOUN) mother's voice saying constantly with foolish insistence:
"Derevaun Seraun! Derevaun Seraun!"
[.....] (PRONOUN) stood up in a sudden impulse of terror. Escape! [.....] (PRONOUN) must escape! Frank would save [.....] (PRONOUN) . [.....] (PRONOUN) would give [.....] (PRONOUN) life, perhaps love, too. But [.....] (PRONOUN) wanted to live. Why should [.....] (PRONOUN) be unhappy? [.....] (PRONOUN) had a right to happiness. Frank would take [.....] (PRONOUN) in [.....] (PRONOUN) arms, fold [.....] (PRONOUN) in [.....] (PRONOUN) arms. [.....] (PRONOUN) would save [.....] (PRONOUN) .
[.....] (PRONOUN) stood among the swaying crowd in the station at the North Wall. [.....] (PRONOUN) held [.....] (PRONOUN) hand and [.....] (PRONOUN) knew [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) was speaking to [.....] (PRONOUN) , saying [.....] (PRONOUN) about the passage over and over again. The station was full of soldiers with brown baggages. Through the wide doors of the sheds [.....] (PRONOUN) caught a glimpse of the black mass of the boat, lying in beside the quay wall, with illumined portholes. [.....] (PRONOUN) answered [.....] (PRONOUN) . [.....] (PRONOUN) felt [.....] (PRONOUN) cheek pale and cold and, out of a maze of distress, [.....] (PRONOUN) prayed to God to direct [.....] (PRONOUN) , to show [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) was [.....] (PRONOUN) duty. The boat blew a long mournful whistle into the mist. If [.....] (PRONOUN) went, tomorrow [.....] (PRONOUN) would be on the sea with Frank, steaming towards Buenos Ayres. [.....] (PRONOUN) passage had been booked. Could [.....] (PRONOUN) still draw back after [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) had done for [.....] (PRONOUN) ? [.....] (PRONOUN) distress awoke a nausea in [.....] (PRONOUN) body and [.....] (PRONOUN) kept moving [.....] (PRONOUN) lips in silent fervent prayer.
A bell clanged upon [.....] (PRONOUN) heart. [.....] (PRONOUN) felt [.....] (PRONOUN) seize [.....] (PRONOUN) hand:
"Come!"
[.....] (PRONOUN) the seas of the world tumbled about [.....] (PRONOUN) heart. [.....] (PRONOUN) was drawing [.....] (PRONOUN) into [.....] (PRONOUN) : [.....] (PRONOUN) would drown [.....] (PRONOUN) . [.....] (PRONOUN) gripped with [.....] (PRONOUN) hands at the iron railing.
"Come!"
No! No! No! It was impossible. [.....] (PRONOUN) hands clutched the iron in frenzy. Amid the seas [.....] (PRONOUN) sent a cry of anguish!
"Eveline! Evvy!"
[.....] (PRONOUN) rushed beyond the barrier and called to [.....] (PRONOUN) to follow. [.....] (PRONOUN) was shouted at to go on but [.....] (PRONOUN) still called to [.....] (PRONOUN) . [.....] (PRONOUN) set [.....] (PRONOUN) white face to [.....] (PRONOUN) , passive, like a helpless animal. [.....] (PRONOUN) eyes gave [.....] (PRONOUN) no sign of love or farewell or recognition.
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 [.....] (PRONOUN) 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. [.....] (PRONOUN) sympathy, however, was for the blue cars—the cars of [.....] (PRONOUN) friends, the French.
The French, moreover, were virtual victors. [.....] (PRONOUN) team had finished solidly; [.....] (PRONOUN) had been placed second and third and the driver of the winning German car was reported a Belgian. [.....] (PRONOUN) blue car, therefore, received a double measure of welcome as it topped the crest of the hill and [.....] (PRONOUN) cheer of welcome was acknowledged with smiles and nods by [.....] (PRONOUN) in the car. In [.....] (PRONOUN) of [.....] (PRONOUN) 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, [.....] (PRONOUN) four young men were almost hilarious. [.....] (PRONOUN) were Charles Ségouin, the owner of the car; André Rivière, a young electrician of Canadian birth; a huge Hungarian named Villona and a neatly groomed young man named Doyle. Ségouin was in good humour because [.....] (PRONOUN) had unexpectedly received [.....] (PRONOUN) orders in advance ([.....] (PRONOUN) was about to start a motor establishment in Paris) and Rivière was in good humour because [.....] (PRONOUN) was to be appointed manager of the establishment; [.....] (PRONOUN) two young men ([.....] (PRONOUN) were cousins) were also in good humour because of the success of the French cars. Villona was in good humour because [.....] (PRONOUN) had had a very satisfactory luncheon; and besides [.....] (PRONOUN) was an optimist by nature. The fourth member of the party, however, was too excited to be genuinely happy.
[.....] (PRONOUN) was about twenty-six years of age, with a soft, light brown moustache and rather innocent-looking grey eyes. [.....] (PRONOUN) father, [.....] (PRONOUN) had begun life as an advanced Nationalist, had modified [.....] (PRONOUN) views early. [.....] (PRONOUN) had made [.....] (PRONOUN) money as a butcher in Kingstown and by opening shops in Dublin and in the suburbs [.....] (PRONOUN) had made [.....] (PRONOUN) money [.....] (PRONOUN) times over. [.....] (PRONOUN) had also been fortunate enough to secure [.....] (PRONOUN) of the police contracts and in the end [.....] (PRONOUN) had become rich enough to be alluded to in the Dublin newspapers as a merchant prince. [.....] (PRONOUN) had sent [.....] (PRONOUN) son to England to be educated in a big Catholic college and had afterwards sent [.....] (PRONOUN) to Dublin University to study law. Jimmy did not study very earnestly and took to bad courses for a while. [.....] (PRONOUN) had money and [.....] (PRONOUN) was popular; and [.....] (PRONOUN) divided [.....] (PRONOUN) time curiously between musical and motoring circles. Then [.....] (PRONOUN) had been sent for a term to Cambridge to see a little life. [.....] (PRONOUN) father, remonstrative, but covertly proud of the excess, had paid [.....] (PRONOUN) bills and brought [.....] (PRONOUN) home. It was at Cambridge [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) had met Ségouin. [.....] (PRONOUN) were not much more than acquaintances as yet but Jimmy found great pleasure in the society of [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) had seen so much of the world and was reputed to own [.....] (PRONOUN) of the biggest hotels in France. Such a person (as [.....] (PRONOUN) father agreed) was well worth knowing, even if [.....] (PRONOUN) had not been the charming companion [.....] (PRONOUN) was. Villona was entertaining also—a brilliant pianist—but, unfortunately, very poor.
The car ran on merrily with its cargo of hilarious youth. The two cousins sat on the front seat; Jimmy and [.....] (PRONOUN) Hungarian friend sat behind. Decidedly Villona was in excellent spirits; [.....] (PRONOUN) kept up a deep bass hum of melody for miles of the road. The Frenchmen flung [.....] (PRONOUN) laughter and light words over [.....] (PRONOUN) shoulders and often Jimmy had to strain forward to catch the quick phrase. [.....] (PRONOUN) was not altogether pleasant for [.....] (PRONOUN) , as [.....] (PRONOUN) 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 [.....] (PRONOUN) ; the noise of the car, too.
Rapid motion through space elates [.....] (PRONOUN) ; so does notoriety; so does the possession of money. [.....] (PRONOUN) were three good reasons for Jimmy's excitement. [.....] (PRONOUN) had been seen by [.....] (PRONOUN) of [.....] (PRONOUN) friends [.....] (PRONOUN) day in the company of [.....] (PRONOUN) Continentals. At the control Ségouin had presented [.....] (PRONOUN) to [.....] (PRONOUN) of the French competitors and, in answer to [.....] (PRONOUN) confused murmur of compliment, the swarthy face of the driver had disclosed a line of shining white teeth. It was pleasant after [.....] (PRONOUN) honour to return to the profane world of spectators amid nudges and significant looks. Then as to money—[.....] (PRONOUN) really had a great sum under [.....] (PRONOUN) control. Ségouin, perhaps, would not think it a great sum but Jimmy [.....] (PRONOUN) , in spite of temporary errors, was at heart the inheritor of solid instincts knew well with [.....] (PRONOUN) difficulty it had been got together. [.....] (PRONOUN) knowledge had previously kept [.....] (PRONOUN) bills within the limits of reasonable recklessness, and, if [.....] (PRONOUN) had been so conscious of the labour latent in money when there had been question merely of [.....] (PRONOUN) freak of the higher intelligence, how much more so now when [.....] (PRONOUN) was about to stake the greater part of [.....] (PRONOUN) substance! It was a serious thing for [.....] (PRONOUN) .
Of course, the investment was a good [.....] (PRONOUN) and Ségouin had managed to give the impression [.....] (PRONOUN) 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 [.....] (PRONOUN) father's shrewdness in business matters and in [.....] (PRONOUN) case it had been [.....] (PRONOUN) father [.....] (PRONOUN) had first suggested the investment; money to be made in the motor business, pots of money. Moreover Ségouin had the unmistakable air of wealth. Jimmy set out to translate into days' work [.....] (PRONOUN) lordly car in [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) sat. How smoothly it ran. In [.....] (PRONOUN) style [.....] (PRONOUN) 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.
[.....] (PRONOUN) 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 Ségouin drew up and Jimmy and [.....] (PRONOUN) friend alighted. A little knot of people collected on the footpath to pay homage to the snorting motor. The party was to dine together [.....] (PRONOUN) evening in Ségouin's hotel and, meanwhile, Jimmy and [.....] (PRONOUN) friend, [.....] (PRONOUN) was staying with [.....] (PRONOUN) , were to go home to dress. The car steered out slowly for Grafton Street while the two young men pushed [.....] (PRONOUN) way through the knot of gazers. [.....] (PRONOUN) walked northward with a curious feeling of disappointment in the exercise, while the city hung its pale globes of light above [.....] (PRONOUN) in a haze of summer evening.
In Jimmy's house [.....] (PRONOUN) dinner had been pronounced an occasion. A certain pride mingled with [.....] (PRONOUN) parents' trepidation, a certain eagerness, also, to play fast and loose for the names of great foreign cities have at least [.....] (PRONOUN) virtue. Jimmy, too, looked very well when [.....] (PRONOUN) was dressed and, as [.....] (PRONOUN) stood in the hall giving a last equation to the bows of [.....] (PRONOUN) dress tie, [.....] (PRONOUN) father may have felt even commercially satisfied at having secured for [.....] (PRONOUN) son qualities often unpurchaseable. [.....] (PRONOUN) father, therefore, was unusually friendly with Villona and [.....] (PRONOUN) manner expressed a real respect for foreign accomplishments; but [.....] (PRONOUN) subtlety of [.....] (PRONOUN) host was probably lost upon the Hungarian, [.....] (PRONOUN) was beginning to have a sharp desire for [.....] (PRONOUN) dinner.
The dinner was excellent, exquisite. Ségouin, Jimmy decided, had a very refined taste. The party was increased by a young Englishman named Routh whom Jimmy had seen with Ségouin at Cambridge. The young men supped in a snug room lit by electric candle-lamps. [.....] (PRONOUN) 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 [.....] (PRONOUN) , [.....] (PRONOUN) thought, and a just [.....] (PRONOUN) . [.....] (PRONOUN) admired the dexterity with [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) host directed the conversation. The five young men had various tastes and [.....] (PRONOUN) 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. Rivière, 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 Ségouin shepherded [.....] (PRONOUN) party into politics. Here was congenial ground for [.....] (PRONOUN) . Jimmy, under generous influences, felt the buried zeal of [.....] (PRONOUN) father wake to life within [.....] (PRONOUN) : [.....] (PRONOUN) aroused the torpid Routh at last. The room grew doubly hot and Ségouin's task grew harder [.....] (PRONOUN) moment: there was even danger of personal spite. The alert host at an opportunity lifted [.....] (PRONOUN) glass to Humanity and, when the toast had been drunk, [.....] (PRONOUN) threw open a window significantly.
[.....] (PRONOUN) 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. [.....] (PRONOUN) talked loudly and gaily and [.....] (PRONOUN) cloaks dangled from [.....] (PRONOUN) shoulders. The people made way for [.....] (PRONOUN) . 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.
"André."
"It's Farley!"
A torrent of talk followed. Farley was an American. [.....] (PRONOUN) knew very well [.....] (PRONOUN) the talk was about. Villona and Rivière were the noisiest, but [.....] (PRONOUN) the men were excited. [.....] (PRONOUN) got up on a car, squeezing themselves together amid much laughter. [.....] (PRONOUN) drove by the crowd, blended now into soft colours, to a music of merry bells. [.....] (PRONOUN) took the train at Westland Row and in a [.....] (PRONOUN) seconds, as it seemed to Jimmy, [.....] (PRONOUN) were walking out of Kingstown Station. The ticket-collector saluted Jimmy; [.....] (PRONOUN) was an old man:
"Fine night, sir!"
It was a serene summer night; the harbour lay like a darkened mirror at [.....] (PRONOUN) feet. [.....] (PRONOUN) proceeded towards it with linked arms, singing <[.....] (PRONOUN) >Cadet Roussel(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) > in chorus, stamping [.....] (PRONOUN) feet at every:
<[.....] (PRONOUN) >"Ho! Ho! Hohé, vraiment!"(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) >
[.....] (PRONOUN) 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:
"It is delightful!"
There was a yacht piano in the cabin. Villona played a waltz for Farley and Rivière, Farley acting as cavalier and Rivière as lady. Then an impromptu square dance, the men devising original figures. [.....] (PRONOUN) merriment! Jimmy took [.....] (PRONOUN) part with a will; [.....] (PRONOUN) was seeing life, at least. Then Farley got out of breath and cried <[.....] (PRONOUN) >"Stop!"(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) > A man brought in a light supper, and the young men sat down to it for form's sake. [.....] (PRONOUN) drank, however: it was Bohemian. [.....] (PRONOUN) drank Ireland, England, France, Hungary, the United States of America. Jimmy made a speech, a long speech, Villona saying: <[.....] (PRONOUN) >"Hear! hear!"(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) > whenever there was a pause. There was a great clapping of hands when [.....] (PRONOUN) sat down. It must have been a good speech. Farley clapped [.....] (PRONOUN) on the back and laughed loudly. [.....] (PRONOUN) jovial fellows! [.....] (PRONOUN) good company [.....] (PRONOUN) were!
Cards! cards! The table was cleared. Villona returned quietly to [.....] (PRONOUN) piano and played voluntaries for [.....] (PRONOUN) . The other men played game after game, flinging themselves boldly into the adventure. [.....] (PRONOUN) 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 [.....] (PRONOUN) was winning but [.....] (PRONOUN) knew [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) was losing. But it was [.....] (PRONOUN) own fault for [.....] (PRONOUN) frequently mistook [.....] (PRONOUN) cards and the other men had to calculate [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) .O.U.'s for [.....] (PRONOUN) . [.....] (PRONOUN) were devils of fellows but [.....] (PRONOUN) wished [.....] (PRONOUN) would stop: it was getting late. [.....] (PRONOUN) gave the toast of the yacht <[.....] (PRONOUN) >The Belle of Newport(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) > and then [.....] (PRONOUN) proposed [.....] (PRONOUN) great game for a finish.
The piano had stopped; Villona must have gone up on deck. It was a terrible game. [.....] (PRONOUN) stopped just before the end of it to drink for luck. Jimmy understood [.....] (PRONOUN) the game lay between Routh and Ségouin. [.....] (PRONOUN) excitement! Jimmy was excited too; [.....] (PRONOUN) would lose, of course. How much had [.....] (PRONOUN) written away? The men rose to [.....] (PRONOUN) 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. [.....] (PRONOUN) began then to gather in [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) had won. Farley and Jimmy were the heaviest losers.
[.....] (PRONOUN) knew [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) would regret in the morning but at present [.....] (PRONOUN) was glad of the rest, glad of the dark stupor [.....] (PRONOUN) would cover up [.....] (PRONOUN) folly. [.....] (PRONOUN) leaned [.....] (PRONOUN) elbows on the table and rested [.....] (PRONOUN) head between [.....] (PRONOUN) hands, counting the beats of [.....] (PRONOUN) temples. The cabin door opened and [.....] (PRONOUN) saw the Hungarian standing in a shaft of grey light:
"Daybreak, gentlemen!"
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 [.....] (PRONOUN) tall poles upon the living texture below [.....] (PRONOUN) , changing shape and hue unceasingly, sent up into the warm grey evening air an unchanging unceasing murmur.
Two young men came down the hill of Rutland Square. [.....] (PRONOUN) of [.....] (PRONOUN) was just bringing a long monologue to a close. The other, [.....] (PRONOUN) walked on the verge of the path and was at times obliged to step on to the road, owing to [.....] (PRONOUN) companion's rudeness, wore an amused listening face. [.....] (PRONOUN) was squat and ruddy. A yachting cap was shoved far back from [.....] (PRONOUN) forehead and the narrative to [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) listened made constant waves of expression break forth over [.....] (PRONOUN) face from the corners of [.....] (PRONOUN) nose and eyes and mouth. Little jets of wheezing laughter followed [.....] (PRONOUN) another out of [.....] (PRONOUN) convulsed body. [.....] (PRONOUN) eyes, twinkling with cunning enjoyment, glanced at every moment towards [.....] (PRONOUN) companion's face. Once or twice [.....] (PRONOUN) rearranged the light waterproof [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) had slung over [.....] (PRONOUN) shoulder in toreador fashion. [.....] (PRONOUN) breeches, [.....] (PRONOUN) white rubber shoes and [.....] (PRONOUN) jauntily slung waterproof expressed youth. But [.....] (PRONOUN) figure fell into rotundity at the waist, [.....] (PRONOUN) hair was scant and grey and [.....] (PRONOUN) face, when the waves of expression had passed over it, had a ravaged look.
When [.....] (PRONOUN) was quite sure [.....] (PRONOUN) the narrative had ended [.....] (PRONOUN) laughed noiselessly for fully half a minute. Then [.....] (PRONOUN) said:
"Well!... [.....] (PRONOUN) takes the biscuit!"
[.....] (PRONOUN) voice seemed winnowed of vigour; and to enforce [.....] (PRONOUN) words [.....] (PRONOUN) added with humour:
"[.....] (PRONOUN) takes the solitary, unique, and, if [.....] (PRONOUN) may so call it, <[.....] (PRONOUN) >recherché(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) > biscuit!"
[.....] (PRONOUN) became serious and silent when [.....] (PRONOUN) had said [.....] (PRONOUN) . [.....] (PRONOUN) tongue was tired for [.....] (PRONOUN) had been talking [.....] (PRONOUN) the afternoon in a public-house in Dorset Street. [.....] (PRONOUN) people considered Lenehan a leech but, in spite of [.....] (PRONOUN) reputation, [.....] (PRONOUN) adroitness and eloquence had always prevented [.....] (PRONOUN) friends from forming [.....] (PRONOUN) general policy against [.....] (PRONOUN) . [.....] (PRONOUN) had a brave manner of coming up to a party of [.....] (PRONOUN) in a bar and of holding himself nimbly at the borders of the company until [.....] (PRONOUN) was included in a round. [.....] (PRONOUN) was a sporting vagrant armed with a vast stock of stories, limericks and riddles. [.....] (PRONOUN) was insensitive to [.....] (PRONOUN) kinds of discourtesy. [.....] (PRONOUN) knew how [.....] (PRONOUN) achieved the stern task of living, but [.....] (PRONOUN) name was vaguely associated with racing tissues.
"And where did [.....] (PRONOUN) pick [.....] (PRONOUN) up, Corley?" [.....] (PRONOUN) asked.
Corley ran [.....] (PRONOUN) tongue swiftly along [.....] (PRONOUN) upper lip.
"[.....] (PRONOUN) night, man," [.....] (PRONOUN) said, "[.....] (PRONOUN) was going along Dame Street and [.....] (PRONOUN) spotted a fine tart under Waterhouse's clock and said good-night, [.....] (PRONOUN) know. So [.....] (PRONOUN) went for a walk round by the canal and [.....] (PRONOUN) told [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) was a slavey in a house in Baggot Street. [.....] (PRONOUN) put [.....] (PRONOUN) arm round [.....] (PRONOUN) and squeezed [.....] (PRONOUN) a bit [.....] (PRONOUN) night. Then next Sunday, man, [.....] (PRONOUN) met [.....] (PRONOUN) by appointment. [.....] (PRONOUN) went out to Donnybrook and [.....] (PRONOUN) brought [.....] (PRONOUN) into a field there. [.....] (PRONOUN) told [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) used to go with a dairyman.... It was fine, man. Cigarettes every night [.....] (PRONOUN) 'd bring [.....] (PRONOUN) and paying the tram out and back. And [.....] (PRONOUN) night [.....] (PRONOUN) brought [.....] (PRONOUN) two bloody fine cigars—O, the real cheese, [.....] (PRONOUN) know, [.....] (PRONOUN) the old fellow used to smoke.... [.....] (PRONOUN) was afraid, man, [.....] (PRONOUN) 'd get in the family way. But [.....] (PRONOUN) 's up to the dodge."
"Maybe [.....] (PRONOUN) thinks [.....] (PRONOUN) 'll marry [.....] (PRONOUN) ," said Lenehan.
"[.....] (PRONOUN) told [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) was out of a job," said Corley. "[.....] (PRONOUN) told [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) was in Pim's. [.....] (PRONOUN) doesn't know [.....] (PRONOUN) name. [.....] (PRONOUN) was too hairy to tell [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) . But [.....] (PRONOUN) thinks [.....] (PRONOUN) 'm a bit of class, [.....] (PRONOUN) know."
Lenehan laughed again, noiselessly.
"Of [.....] (PRONOUN) the good ones ever [.....] (PRONOUN) heard," [.....] (PRONOUN) said, "[.....] (PRONOUN) emphatically takes the biscuit."
Corley's stride acknowledged the compliment. The swing of [.....] (PRONOUN) burly body made [.....] (PRONOUN) friend execute a [.....] (PRONOUN) light skips from the path to the roadway and back again. Corley was the son of an inspector of police and [.....] (PRONOUN) had inherited [.....] (PRONOUN) father's frame and gait. [.....] (PRONOUN) walked with [.....] (PRONOUN) hands by [.....] (PRONOUN) sides, holding himself erect and swaying [.....] (PRONOUN) head from side to side. [.....] (PRONOUN) head was large, globular and oily; it sweated in [.....] (PRONOUN) weathers; and [.....] (PRONOUN) large round hat, set upon it sideways, looked like a bulb [.....] (PRONOUN) had grown out of another. [.....] (PRONOUN) always stared straight before [.....] (PRONOUN) as if [.....] (PRONOUN) were on parade and, when [.....] (PRONOUN) wished to gaze after [.....] (PRONOUN) in the street, it was necessary for [.....] (PRONOUN) to move [.....] (PRONOUN) body from the hips. At present [.....] (PRONOUN) was about town. Whenever [.....] (PRONOUN) job was vacant a friend was always ready to give [.....] (PRONOUN) the hard word. [.....] (PRONOUN) was often to be seen walking with policemen in plain clothes, talking earnestly. [.....] (PRONOUN) knew the inner side of [.....] (PRONOUN) affairs and was fond of delivering final judgments. [.....] (PRONOUN) spoke without listening to the speech of [.....] (PRONOUN) companions. [.....] (PRONOUN) conversation was mainly about himself: [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) had said to such a person and [.....] (PRONOUN) such a person had said to [.....] (PRONOUN) and [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) had said to settle the matter. When [.....] (PRONOUN) reported [.....] (PRONOUN) dialogues [.....] (PRONOUN) aspirated the first letter of [.....] (PRONOUN) name after the manner of Florentines.
Lenehan offered [.....] (PRONOUN) friend a cigarette. As the two young men walked on through the crowd Corley occasionally turned to smile at [.....] (PRONOUN) of the passing girls but Lenehan's gaze was fixed on the large faint moon circled with a double halo. [.....] (PRONOUN) watched earnestly the passing of the grey web of twilight across its face. At length [.....] (PRONOUN) said:
"Well ... tell [.....] (PRONOUN) , Corley, [.....] (PRONOUN) suppose [.....] (PRONOUN) 'll be able to pull it off [.....] (PRONOUN) right, eh?"
Corley closed [.....] (PRONOUN) eye expressively as an answer.
"Is [.....] (PRONOUN) game for [.....] (PRONOUN) ?" asked Lenehan dubiously. "[.....] (PRONOUN) can never know women."
"[.....] (PRONOUN) 's [.....] (PRONOUN) right," said Corley. "[.....] (PRONOUN) know the way to get around [.....] (PRONOUN) , man. [.....] (PRONOUN) 's a bit gone on [.....] (PRONOUN) ."
"[.....] (PRONOUN) 're [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) call a gay Lothario," said Lenehan. "And the proper kind of a Lothario, too!"
A shade of mockery relieved the servility of [.....] (PRONOUN) manner. To save himself [.....] (PRONOUN) had the habit of leaving [.....] (PRONOUN) flattery open to the interpretation of raillery. But Corley had not a subtle mind.
"There's [.....] (PRONOUN) to touch a good slavey," [.....] (PRONOUN) affirmed. "Take [.....] (PRONOUN) tip for it."
"By [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) has tried [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) ," said Lenehan.
"First [.....] (PRONOUN) used to go with girls, [.....] (PRONOUN) know," said Corley, unbosoming; "girls off the South Circular. [.....] (PRONOUN) used to take [.....] (PRONOUN) out, man, on the tram somewhere and pay the tram or take [.....] (PRONOUN) to a band or a play at the theatre or buy [.....] (PRONOUN) chocolate and sweets or [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) way. [.....] (PRONOUN) used to spend money on [.....] (PRONOUN) right enough," [.....] (PRONOUN) added, in a convincing tone, as if [.....] (PRONOUN) was conscious of being disbelieved.
But Lenehan could well believe it; [.....] (PRONOUN) nodded gravely.
"[.....] (PRONOUN) know [.....] (PRONOUN) game," [.....] (PRONOUN) said, "and it's a mug's game."
"And damn the thing [.....] (PRONOUN) ever got out of it," said Corley.
"Ditto here," said Lenehan.
"Only off of [.....] (PRONOUN) of [.....] (PRONOUN) ," said Corley.
[.....] (PRONOUN) moistened [.....] (PRONOUN) upper lip by running [.....] (PRONOUN) tongue along it. The recollection brightened [.....] (PRONOUN) eyes. [.....] (PRONOUN) too gazed at the pale disc of the moon, now nearly veiled, and seemed to meditate.
"[.....] (PRONOUN) was ... a bit of [.....] (PRONOUN) right," [.....] (PRONOUN) said regretfully.
[.....] (PRONOUN) was silent again. Then [.....] (PRONOUN) added:
"[.....] (PRONOUN) 's on the turf now. [.....] (PRONOUN) saw [.....] (PRONOUN) driving down Earl Street [.....] (PRONOUN) night with two fellows with [.....] (PRONOUN) on a car."
"[.....] (PRONOUN) suppose [.....] (PRONOUN) 's your doing," said Lenehan.
"There was others at [.....] (PRONOUN) before [.....] (PRONOUN) ," said Corley philosophically.
[.....] (PRONOUN) time Lenehan was inclined to disbelieve. [.....] (PRONOUN) shook [.....] (PRONOUN) head to and fro and smiled.
"[.....] (PRONOUN) know [.....] (PRONOUN) can't kid [.....] (PRONOUN) , Corley," [.....] (PRONOUN) said.
"Honest to God!" said Corley. "Didn't [.....] (PRONOUN) tell [.....] (PRONOUN) herself?"
Lenehan made a tragic gesture.
"Base betrayer!" [.....] (PRONOUN) said.
As [.....] (PRONOUN) passed along the railings of Trinity College, Lenehan skipped out into the road and peered up at the clock.
"Twenty after," [.....] (PRONOUN) said.
"Time enough," said Corley. "[.....] (PRONOUN) 'll be there [.....] (PRONOUN) right. [.....] (PRONOUN) always let [.....] (PRONOUN) wait a bit."
Lenehan laughed quietly.
"Ecod! Corley, [.....] (PRONOUN) know how to take [.....] (PRONOUN) ," [.....] (PRONOUN) said.
"[.....] (PRONOUN) 'm up to [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) little tricks," Corley confessed.
"But tell [.....] (PRONOUN) ," said Lenehan again, "are [.....] (PRONOUN) sure [.....] (PRONOUN) can bring it off [.....] (PRONOUN) right? [.....] (PRONOUN) know it's a ticklish job. [.....] (PRONOUN) 're damn close on [.....] (PRONOUN) point. Eh?... [.....] (PRONOUN) ?"
[.....] (PRONOUN) bright, small eyes searched [.....] (PRONOUN) companion's face for reassurance. Corley swung [.....] (PRONOUN) head to and fro as if to toss aside an insistent insect, and [.....] (PRONOUN) brows gathered.
"[.....] (PRONOUN) 'll pull it off," [.....] (PRONOUN) said. "Leave it to [.....] (PRONOUN) , can't [.....] (PRONOUN) ?"
Lenehan said no more. [.....] (PRONOUN) did not wish to ruffle [.....] (PRONOUN) friend's temper, to be sent to the devil and told [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) advice was not wanted. A little tact was necessary. But Corley's brow was soon smooth again. [.....] (PRONOUN) thoughts were running another way.
"[.....] (PRONOUN) 's a fine decent tart," [.....] (PRONOUN) said, with appreciation; "[.....] (PRONOUN) 's [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) is."
[.....] (PRONOUN) 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. [.....] (PRONOUN) plucked at the wires heedlessly, glancing quickly from time to time at the face of [.....] (PRONOUN) new-comer and from time to time, wearily also, at the sky. [.....] (PRONOUN) harp, too, heedless [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) coverings had fallen about [.....] (PRONOUN) knees, seemed weary alike of the eyes of strangers and of [.....] (PRONOUN) master's hands. [.....] (PRONOUN) hand played in the bass the melody of <[.....] (PRONOUN) >Silent, O Moyle(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) >, while the other hand careered in the treble after [.....] (PRONOUN) group of notes. The notes of the air sounded deep and full.
The two young men walked up the street without speaking, the mournful music following [.....] (PRONOUN) . When [.....] (PRONOUN) reached Stephen's Green [.....] (PRONOUN) crossed the road. Here the noise of trams, the lights and the crowd released [.....] (PRONOUN) from [.....] (PRONOUN) silence.
"There [.....] (PRONOUN) is!" said Corley.
At the corner of Hume Street a young woman was standing. [.....] (PRONOUN) wore a blue dress and a white sailor hat. [.....] (PRONOUN) stood on the curbstone, swinging a sunshade in [.....] (PRONOUN) hand. Lenehan grew lively.
"Let's have a look at [.....] (PRONOUN) , Corley," [.....] (PRONOUN) said.
Corley glanced sideways at [.....] (PRONOUN) friend and an unpleasant grin appeared on [.....] (PRONOUN) face.
"Are [.....] (PRONOUN) trying to get inside [.....] (PRONOUN) ?" [.....] (PRONOUN) asked.
"Damn it!" said Lenehan boldly, "[.....] (PRONOUN) don't want an introduction. [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) want is to have a look at [.....] (PRONOUN) . [.....] (PRONOUN) 'm not going to eat [.....] (PRONOUN) ."
"O.... A look at [.....] (PRONOUN) ?" said Corley, more amiably. "Well ... [.....] (PRONOUN) 'll tell [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) . [.....] (PRONOUN) 'll go over and talk to [.....] (PRONOUN) and [.....] (PRONOUN) can pass by."
"Right!" said Lenehan.
Corley had already thrown [.....] (PRONOUN) leg over the chains when Lenehan called out:
"And after? Where will [.....] (PRONOUN) meet?"
"Half ten," answered Corley, bringing over [.....] (PRONOUN) other leg.
"Where?"
"Corner of Merrion Street. [.....] (PRONOUN) 'll be coming back."
"Work it [.....] (PRONOUN) right now," said Lenehan in farewell.
Corley did not answer. [.....] (PRONOUN) sauntered across the road swaying [.....] (PRONOUN) head from side to side. [.....] (PRONOUN) bulk, [.....] (PRONOUN) easy pace, and the solid sound of [.....] (PRONOUN) boots had [.....] (PRONOUN) of the conqueror in [.....] (PRONOUN) . [.....] (PRONOUN) approached the young woman and, without saluting, began at once to converse with [.....] (PRONOUN) . [.....] (PRONOUN) swung [.....] (PRONOUN) umbrella more quickly and executed half turns on [.....] (PRONOUN) heels. Once or twice when [.....] (PRONOUN) spoke to [.....] (PRONOUN) at close quarters [.....] (PRONOUN) laughed and bent [.....] (PRONOUN) head.
Lenehan observed [.....] (PRONOUN) for a [.....] (PRONOUN) minutes. Then [.....] (PRONOUN) walked rapidly along beside the chains at [.....] (PRONOUN) distance and crossed the road obliquely. As [.....] (PRONOUN) approached Hume Street corner [.....] (PRONOUN) found the air heavily scented and [.....] (PRONOUN) eyes made a swift anxious scrutiny of the young woman's appearance. [.....] (PRONOUN) had [.....] (PRONOUN) Sunday finery on. [.....] (PRONOUN) blue serge skirt was held at the waist by a belt of black leather. The great silver buckle of [.....] (PRONOUN) belt seemed to depress the centre of [.....] (PRONOUN) body, catching the light stuff of [.....] (PRONOUN) white blouse like a clip. [.....] (PRONOUN) wore a short black jacket with mother-of-pearl buttons and a ragged black boa. The ends of [.....] (PRONOUN) tulle collarette had been carefully disordered and a big bunch of red flowers was pinned in [.....] (PRONOUN) bosom, stems upwards. Lenehan's eyes noted approvingly [.....] (PRONOUN) stout short muscular body. Frank rude health glowed in [.....] (PRONOUN) face, on [.....] (PRONOUN) fat red cheeks and in [.....] (PRONOUN) unabashed blue eyes. [.....] (PRONOUN) features were blunt. [.....] (PRONOUN) had broad nostrils, a straggling mouth [.....] (PRONOUN) lay open in a contented leer, and two projecting front teeth. As [.....] (PRONOUN) passed Lenehan took off [.....] (PRONOUN) cap and, after about ten seconds, Corley returned a salute to the air. [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) did by raising [.....] (PRONOUN) hand vaguely and pensively changing the angle of position of [.....] (PRONOUN) hat.
Lenehan walked as far as the Shelbourne Hotel where [.....] (PRONOUN) halted and waited. After waiting for a little time [.....] (PRONOUN) saw [.....] (PRONOUN) coming towards [.....] (PRONOUN) and, when [.....] (PRONOUN) turned to the right, [.....] (PRONOUN) followed [.....] (PRONOUN) , stepping lightly in [.....] (PRONOUN) white shoes, down [.....] (PRONOUN) side of Merrion Square. As [.....] (PRONOUN) walked on slowly, timing [.....] (PRONOUN) pace to theirs, [.....] (PRONOUN) watched Corley's head [.....] (PRONOUN) turned at every moment towards the young woman's face like a big ball revolving on a pivot. [.....] (PRONOUN) kept the pair in view until [.....] (PRONOUN) had seen [.....] (PRONOUN) climbing the stairs of the Donnybrook tram; then [.....] (PRONOUN) turned about and went back the way [.....] (PRONOUN) had come.
Now [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) was alone [.....] (PRONOUN) face looked older. [.....] (PRONOUN) gaiety seemed to forsake [.....] (PRONOUN) and, as [.....] (PRONOUN) came by the railings of the Duke's Lawn, [.....] (PRONOUN) allowed [.....] (PRONOUN) hand to run along [.....] (PRONOUN) . The air [.....] (PRONOUN) the harpist had played began to control [.....] (PRONOUN) movements. [.....] (PRONOUN) softly padded feet played the melody while [.....] (PRONOUN) fingers swept a scale of variations idly along the railings after [.....] (PRONOUN) group of notes.
[.....] (PRONOUN) walked listlessly round Stephen's Green and then down Grafton Street. Though [.....] (PRONOUN) eyes took note of [.....] (PRONOUN) elements of the crowd through [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) passed [.....] (PRONOUN) did so morosely. [.....] (PRONOUN) found trivial [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) was meant to charm [.....] (PRONOUN) and did not answer the glances [.....] (PRONOUN) invited [.....] (PRONOUN) to be bold. [.....] (PRONOUN) knew [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) would have to speak a great deal, to invent and to amuse, and [.....] (PRONOUN) brain and throat were too dry for such a task. The problem of how [.....] (PRONOUN) could pass the hours till [.....] (PRONOUN) met Corley again troubled [.....] (PRONOUN) a little. [.....] (PRONOUN) could think of no way of passing [.....] (PRONOUN) but to keep on walking. [.....] (PRONOUN) turned to the left when [.....] (PRONOUN) came to the corner of Rutland Square and felt more at ease in the dark quiet street, the sombre look of [.....] (PRONOUN) suited [.....] (PRONOUN) mood. [.....] (PRONOUN) paused at last before the window of a poor-looking shop over [.....] (PRONOUN) the words <[.....] (PRONOUN) >Refreshment Bar(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) > were printed in white letters. On the glass of the window were two flying inscriptions: <[.....] (PRONOUN) >Ginger Beer(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) > and <[.....] (PRONOUN) >Ginger Ale(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) >. A cut ham was exposed on a great blue dish while near it on a plate lay a segment of very light plum-pudding. [.....] (PRONOUN) eyed [.....] (PRONOUN) food earnestly for [.....] (PRONOUN) time and then, after glancing warily up and down the street, went into the shop quickly.
[.....] (PRONOUN) was hungry for, except [.....] (PRONOUN) biscuits [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) had asked two grudging curates to bring [.....] (PRONOUN) , [.....] (PRONOUN) had eaten [.....] (PRONOUN) since breakfast-time. [.....] (PRONOUN) sat down at an uncovered wooden table opposite two work-girls and a mechanic. A slatternly girl waited on [.....] (PRONOUN) .
"How much is a plate of peas?" [.....] (PRONOUN) asked.
"Three halfpence, sir," said the girl.
"Bring [.....] (PRONOUN) a plate of peas," [.....] (PRONOUN) said, "and a bottle of ginger beer."
[.....] (PRONOUN) spoke roughly in order to belie [.....] (PRONOUN) air of gentility for [.....] (PRONOUN) entry had been followed by a pause of talk. [.....] (PRONOUN) face was heated. To appear natural [.....] (PRONOUN) pushed [.....] (PRONOUN) cap back on [.....] (PRONOUN) head and planted [.....] (PRONOUN) elbows on the table. The mechanic and the two work-girls examined [.....] (PRONOUN) point by point before resuming [.....] (PRONOUN) conversation in a subdued voice. The girl brought [.....] (PRONOUN) a plate of grocer's hot peas, seasoned with pepper and vinegar, a fork and [.....] (PRONOUN) ginger beer. [.....] (PRONOUN) ate [.....] (PRONOUN) food greedily and found it so good [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) made a note of the shop mentally. When [.....] (PRONOUN) had eaten [.....] (PRONOUN) the peas [.....] (PRONOUN) sipped [.....] (PRONOUN) ginger beer and sat for [.....] (PRONOUN) time thinking of Corley's adventure. In [.....] (PRONOUN) imagination [.....] (PRONOUN) beheld the pair of lovers walking along [.....] (PRONOUN) dark road; [.....] (PRONOUN) heard Corley's voice in deep energetic gallantries and saw again the leer of the young woman's mouth. [.....] (PRONOUN) vision made [.....] (PRONOUN) feel keenly [.....] (PRONOUN) own poverty of purse and spirit. [.....] (PRONOUN) was tired of knocking about, of pulling the devil by the tail, of shifts and intrigues. [.....] (PRONOUN) would be thirty-[.....] (PRONOUN) in November. Would [.....] (PRONOUN) never get a good job? Would [.....] (PRONOUN) never have a home of [.....] (PRONOUN) own? [.....] (PRONOUN) thought how pleasant it would be to have a warm fire to sit by and a good dinner to sit down to. [.....] (PRONOUN) had walked the streets long enough with friends and with girls. [.....] (PRONOUN) knew [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) friends were worth: [.....] (PRONOUN) knew the girls too. Experience had embittered [.....] (PRONOUN) heart against the world. But [.....] (PRONOUN) hope had not left [.....] (PRONOUN) . [.....] (PRONOUN) felt better after having eaten than [.....] (PRONOUN) had felt before, less weary of [.....] (PRONOUN) life, less vanquished in spirit. [.....] (PRONOUN) might yet be able to settle down in [.....] (PRONOUN) snug corner and live happily if [.....] (PRONOUN) could only come across [.....] (PRONOUN) good simple-minded girl with a little of the ready.
[.....] (PRONOUN) paid twopence halfpenny to the slatternly girl and went out of the shop to begin [.....] (PRONOUN) wandering again. [.....] (PRONOUN) went into Capel Street and walked along towards the City Hall. Then [.....] (PRONOUN) turned into Dame Street. At the corner of George's Street [.....] (PRONOUN) met two friends of [.....] (PRONOUN) and stopped to converse with [.....] (PRONOUN) . [.....] (PRONOUN) was glad [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) could rest from [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) walking. [.....] (PRONOUN) friends asked [.....] (PRONOUN) had [.....] (PRONOUN) seen Corley and [.....] (PRONOUN) was the latest. [.....] (PRONOUN) replied [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) had spent the day with Corley. [.....] (PRONOUN) friends talked very little. [.....] (PRONOUN) looked vacantly after [.....] (PRONOUN) figures in the crowd and sometimes made a critical remark. [.....] (PRONOUN) said [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) had seen Mac an hour before in Westmoreland Street. At [.....] (PRONOUN) Lenehan said [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) had been with Mac the night before in Egan's. The young man [.....] (PRONOUN) had seen Mac in Westmoreland Street asked was it true [.....] (PRONOUN) Mac had won a bit over a billiard match. Lenehan did not know: [.....] (PRONOUN) said [.....] (PRONOUN) Holohan had stood [.....] (PRONOUN) drinks in Egan's.
[.....] (PRONOUN) left [.....] (PRONOUN) friends at a quarter to ten and went up George's Street. [.....] (PRONOUN) 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 [.....] (PRONOUN) way up the street [.....] (PRONOUN) heard [.....] (PRONOUN) groups and couples bidding [.....] (PRONOUN) another good-night. [.....] (PRONOUN) went as far as the clock of the College of Surgeons: it was on the stroke of ten. [.....] (PRONOUN) set off briskly along the northern side of the Green hurrying for fear Corley should return too soon. When [.....] (PRONOUN) reached the corner of Merrion Street [.....] (PRONOUN) took [.....] (PRONOUN) stand in the shadow of a lamp and brought out [.....] (PRONOUN) of the cigarettes [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) had reserved and lit it. [.....] (PRONOUN) leaned against the lamp-post and kept [.....] (PRONOUN) gaze fixed on the part from [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) expected to see Corley and the young woman return.
[.....] (PRONOUN) mind became active again. [.....] (PRONOUN) wondered had Corley managed it successfully. [.....] (PRONOUN) wondered if [.....] (PRONOUN) had asked [.....] (PRONOUN) yet or if [.....] (PRONOUN) would leave it to the last. [.....] (PRONOUN) suffered [.....] (PRONOUN) the pangs and thrills of [.....] (PRONOUN) friend's situation as well as [.....] (PRONOUN) of [.....] (PRONOUN) own. But the memory of Corley's slowly revolving head calmed [.....] (PRONOUN) somewhat: [.....] (PRONOUN) was sure Corley would pull it off [.....] (PRONOUN) right. [.....] (PRONOUN) at once the idea struck [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) perhaps Corley had seen [.....] (PRONOUN) home by another way and given [.....] (PRONOUN) the slip. [.....] (PRONOUN) eyes searched the street: there was no sign of [.....] (PRONOUN) . Yet it was surely half-an-hour since [.....] (PRONOUN) had seen the clock of the College of Surgeons. Would Corley do a thing like [.....] (PRONOUN) ? [.....] (PRONOUN) lit [.....] (PRONOUN) last cigarette and began to smoke it nervously. [.....] (PRONOUN) strained [.....] (PRONOUN) eyes as [.....] (PRONOUN) tram stopped at the far corner of the square. [.....] (PRONOUN) must have gone home by another way. The paper of [.....] (PRONOUN) cigarette broke and [.....] (PRONOUN) flung it into the road with a curse.
Suddenly [.....] (PRONOUN) saw [.....] (PRONOUN) coming towards [.....] (PRONOUN) . [.....] (PRONOUN) started with delight and, keeping close to [.....] (PRONOUN) lamp-post, tried to read the result in [.....] (PRONOUN) walk. [.....] (PRONOUN) were walking quickly, the young woman taking quick short steps, while Corley kept beside [.....] (PRONOUN) with [.....] (PRONOUN) long stride. [.....] (PRONOUN) did not seem to be speaking. An intimation of the result pricked [.....] (PRONOUN) like the point of a sharp instrument. [.....] (PRONOUN) knew Corley would fail; [.....] (PRONOUN) knew it was no go.
[.....] (PRONOUN) turned down Baggot Street and [.....] (PRONOUN) followed [.....] (PRONOUN) at once, taking the other footpath. When [.....] (PRONOUN) stopped [.....] (PRONOUN) stopped too. [.....] (PRONOUN) talked for a [.....] (PRONOUN) 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. [.....] (PRONOUN) 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 [.....] (PRONOUN) . [.....] (PRONOUN) broad figure hid hers from view for a [.....] (PRONOUN) seconds and then [.....] (PRONOUN) reappeared running up the steps. The door closed on [.....] (PRONOUN) and Corley began to walk swiftly towards Stephen's Green.
Lenehan hurried on in the same direction. [.....] (PRONOUN) drops of light rain fell. [.....] (PRONOUN) took [.....] (PRONOUN) as a warning and, glancing back towards the house [.....] (PRONOUN) the young woman had entered to see [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) was not observed, [.....] (PRONOUN) ran eagerly across the road. Anxiety and [.....] (PRONOUN) swift run made [.....] (PRONOUN) pant. [.....] (PRONOUN) called out:
"Hallo, Corley!"
Corley turned [.....] (PRONOUN) head to see [.....] (PRONOUN) had called [.....] (PRONOUN) , and then continued walking as before. Lenehan ran after [.....] (PRONOUN) , settling the waterproof on [.....] (PRONOUN) shoulders with [.....] (PRONOUN) hand.
"Hallo, Corley!" [.....] (PRONOUN) cried again.
[.....] (PRONOUN) came level with [.....] (PRONOUN) friend and looked keenly in [.....] (PRONOUN) face. [.....] (PRONOUN) could see [.....] (PRONOUN) there.
"Well?" [.....] (PRONOUN) said. "Did it come off?"
[.....] (PRONOUN) had reached the corner of Ely Place. Still without answering, Corley swerved to the left and went up the side street. [.....] (PRONOUN) features were composed in stern calm. Lenehan kept up with [.....] (PRONOUN) friend, breathing uneasily. [.....] (PRONOUN) was baffled and a note of menace pierced through [.....] (PRONOUN) voice.
"Can't [.....] (PRONOUN) tell [.....] (PRONOUN) ?" [.....] (PRONOUN) said. "Did [.....] (PRONOUN) try [.....] (PRONOUN) ?"
Corley halted at the first lamp and stared grimly before [.....] (PRONOUN) . Then with a grave gesture [.....] (PRONOUN) extended a hand towards the light and, smiling, opened it slowly to the gaze of [.....] (PRONOUN) disciple. A small gold coin shone in the palm.
MRS MOONEY was a butcher's daughter. [.....] (PRONOUN) was a woman [.....] (PRONOUN) was quite able to keep things to herself: a determined woman. [.....] (PRONOUN) had married [.....] (PRONOUN) father's foreman and opened a butcher's shop near Spring Gardens. But as soon as [.....] (PRONOUN) father-in-law was dead Mr Mooney began to go to the devil. [.....] (PRONOUN) drank, plundered the till, ran headlong into debt. It was no use making [.....] (PRONOUN) take the pledge: [.....] (PRONOUN) was sure to break out again a [.....] (PRONOUN) days after. By fighting [.....] (PRONOUN) wife in the presence of customers and by buying bad meat [.....] (PRONOUN) ruined [.....] (PRONOUN) business. [.....] (PRONOUN) night [.....] (PRONOUN) went for [.....] (PRONOUN) wife with the cleaver and [.....] (PRONOUN) had to sleep in a neighbour's house.
After [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) lived apart. [.....] (PRONOUN) went to the priest and got a separation from [.....] (PRONOUN) with care of the children. [.....] (PRONOUN) would give [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) money nor food nor house-room; and so [.....] (PRONOUN) was obliged to enlist himself as a sheriff's man. [.....] (PRONOUN) was a shabby stooped little drunkard with a white face and a white moustache and white eyebrows, pencilled above [.....] (PRONOUN) little eyes, [.....] (PRONOUN) were pink-veined and raw; and [.....] (PRONOUN) day long [.....] (PRONOUN) sat in the bailiff's room, waiting to be put on a job. Mrs Mooney, [.....] (PRONOUN) had taken [.....] (PRONOUN) remained of [.....] (PRONOUN) money out of the butcher business and set up a boarding house in Hardwicke Street, was a big imposing woman. [.....] (PRONOUN) house had a floating population made up of tourists from Liverpool and the Isle of Man and, occasionally, <[.....] (PRONOUN) >artistes(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) > from the music-halls. Its resident population was made up of clerks from the city. [.....] (PRONOUN) governed [.....] (PRONOUN) house cunningly and firmly, knew when to give credit, when to be stern and when to let things pass. [.....] (PRONOUN) the resident young men spoke of [.....] (PRONOUN) as <[.....] (PRONOUN) >The Madam(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) >.
Mrs Mooney's young men paid fifteen shillings a week for board and lodgings (beer or stout at dinner excluded). [.....] (PRONOUN) shared in common tastes and occupations and for [.....] (PRONOUN) reason [.....] (PRONOUN) were very chummy with [.....] (PRONOUN) another. [.....] (PRONOUN) discussed with [.....] (PRONOUN) another the chances of favourites and outsiders. Jack Mooney, the Madam's son, [.....] (PRONOUN) was clerk to a commission agent in Fleet Street, had the reputation of being a hard case. [.....] (PRONOUN) was fond of using soldiers' obscenities: usually [.....] (PRONOUN) came home in the small hours. When [.....] (PRONOUN) met [.....] (PRONOUN) friends [.....] (PRONOUN) had always a good [.....] (PRONOUN) to tell [.....] (PRONOUN) and [.....] (PRONOUN) was always sure to be on to a good thing—[.....] (PRONOUN) is to say, a likely horse or a likely <[.....] (PRONOUN) >artiste(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) >. [.....] (PRONOUN) 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 <[.....] (PRONOUN) >artistes(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) > would oblige; and Sheridan played waltzes and polkas and vamped accompaniments. Polly Mooney, the Madam's daughter, would also sing. [.....] (PRONOUN) sang:
<[.....] (PRONOUN) >[.....] (PRONOUN) 'm a ... naughty girl.
[.....] (PRONOUN) needn't sham:
[.....] (PRONOUN) know [.....] (PRONOUN) am.(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) >
Polly was a slim girl of nineteen; [.....] (PRONOUN) had light soft hair and a small full mouth. [.....] (PRONOUN) eyes, [.....] (PRONOUN) were grey with a shade of green through [.....] (PRONOUN) , had a habit of glancing upwards when [.....] (PRONOUN) spoke with [.....] (PRONOUN) , [.....] (PRONOUN) made [.....] (PRONOUN) look like a little perverse madonna. Mrs Mooney had first sent [.....] (PRONOUN) 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 [.....] (PRONOUN) daughter, [.....] (PRONOUN) had taken [.....] (PRONOUN) daughter home again and set [.....] (PRONOUN) to do housework. As Polly was very lively the intention was to give [.....] (PRONOUN) the run of the young men. Besides, young men like to feel [.....] (PRONOUN) there is a young woman not very far away. Polly, of course, flirted with the young men but Mrs Mooney, [.....] (PRONOUN) was a shrewd judge, knew [.....] (PRONOUN) the young men were only passing the time away: [.....] (PRONOUN) of [.....] (PRONOUN) meant business. Things went on so for a long time and Mrs Mooney began to think of sending Polly back to typewriting when [.....] (PRONOUN) noticed [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) was going on between Polly and [.....] (PRONOUN) of the young men. [.....] (PRONOUN) watched the pair and kept [.....] (PRONOUN) own counsel.
Polly knew [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) was being watched, but still [.....] (PRONOUN) 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 [.....] (PRONOUN) manner and the young man was evidently perturbed. At last, when [.....] (PRONOUN) judged it to be the right moment, Mrs Mooney intervened. [.....] (PRONOUN) dealt with moral problems as a cleaver deals with meat: and in [.....] (PRONOUN) case [.....] (PRONOUN) had made up [.....] (PRONOUN) mind.
It was a bright Sunday morning of early summer, promising heat, but with a fresh breeze blowing. [.....] (PRONOUN) 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 [.....] (PRONOUN) purpose by [.....] (PRONOUN) self-contained demeanour no less than by the little volumes in [.....] (PRONOUN) gloved hands. Breakfast was over in the boarding house and the table of the breakfast-room was covered with plates on [.....] (PRONOUN) 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. [.....] (PRONOUN) made 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, [.....] (PRONOUN) began to reconstruct the interview [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) had had the night before with Polly. Things were as [.....] (PRONOUN) had suspected: [.....] (PRONOUN) had been frank in [.....] (PRONOUN) questions and Polly had been frank in [.....] (PRONOUN) answers. [.....] (PRONOUN) had been somewhat awkward, of course. [.....] (PRONOUN) had been made awkward by [.....] (PRONOUN) 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 [.....] (PRONOUN) kind always made [.....] (PRONOUN) awkward but also because [.....] (PRONOUN) did not wish it to be thought [.....] (PRONOUN) in [.....] (PRONOUN) wise innocence [.....] (PRONOUN) had divined the intention behind [.....] (PRONOUN) mother's tolerance.
Mrs Mooney glanced instinctively at the little gilt clock on the mantelpiece as soon as [.....] (PRONOUN) had become aware through [.....] (PRONOUN) revery [.....] (PRONOUN) the bells of George's Church had stopped ringing. It was seventeen minutes past eleven: [.....] (PRONOUN) would have lots of time to have the matter out with Mr Doran and then catch short twelve at Marlborough Street. [.....] (PRONOUN) was sure [.....] (PRONOUN) would win. To begin with [.....] (PRONOUN) had [.....] (PRONOUN) the weight of social opinion on [.....] (PRONOUN) side: [.....] (PRONOUN) was an outraged mother. [.....] (PRONOUN) had allowed [.....] (PRONOUN) to live beneath [.....] (PRONOUN) roof, assuming [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) was a man of honour, and [.....] (PRONOUN) had simply abused [.....] (PRONOUN) hospitality. [.....] (PRONOUN) was thirty-four or thirty-five years of age, so [.....] (PRONOUN) youth could not be pleaded as [.....] (PRONOUN) excuse; nor could ignorance be [.....] (PRONOUN) excuse since [.....] (PRONOUN) was a man [.....] (PRONOUN) had seen [.....] (PRONOUN) of the world. [.....] (PRONOUN) had simply taken advantage of Polly's youth and inexperience: [.....] (PRONOUN) was evident. The question was: [.....] (PRONOUN) reparation would [.....] (PRONOUN) make?
There must be reparation made in such cases. It is [.....] (PRONOUN) very well for the man: [.....] (PRONOUN) can go [.....] (PRONOUN) ways as if [.....] (PRONOUN) had happened, having had [.....] (PRONOUN) moment of pleasure, but the girl has to bear the brunt. [.....] (PRONOUN) mothers would be content to patch up such an affair for a sum of money; [.....] (PRONOUN) had known cases of it. But [.....] (PRONOUN) would not do so. For [.....] (PRONOUN) only [.....] (PRONOUN) reparation could make up for the loss of [.....] (PRONOUN) daughter's honour: marriage.
[.....] (PRONOUN) counted [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) cards again before sending Mary up to Mr Doran's room to say [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) wished to speak with [.....] (PRONOUN) . [.....] (PRONOUN) felt sure [.....] (PRONOUN) would win. [.....] (PRONOUN) 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 [.....] (PRONOUN) task would have been much harder. [.....] (PRONOUN) did not think [.....] (PRONOUN) would face publicity. [.....] (PRONOUN) the lodgers in the house knew [.....] (PRONOUN) of the affair; details had been invented by [.....] (PRONOUN) . Besides, [.....] (PRONOUN) had been employed for thirteen years in a great Catholic wine-merchant's office and publicity would mean for [.....] (PRONOUN) , perhaps, the loss of [.....] (PRONOUN) job. Whereas if [.....] (PRONOUN) agreed [.....] (PRONOUN) might be well. [.....] (PRONOUN) knew [.....] (PRONOUN) had a good screw for [.....] (PRONOUN) thing and [.....] (PRONOUN) suspected [.....] (PRONOUN) had a bit of stuff put by.
Nearly the half-hour! [.....] (PRONOUN) stood up and surveyed herself in the pier-glass. The decisive expression of [.....] (PRONOUN) great florid face satisfied [.....] (PRONOUN) and [.....] (PRONOUN) thought of [.....] (PRONOUN) mothers [.....] (PRONOUN) knew [.....] (PRONOUN) could not get [.....] (PRONOUN) daughters off [.....] (PRONOUN) hands.
Mr Doran was very anxious indeed [.....] (PRONOUN) Sunday morning. [.....] (PRONOUN) had made two attempts to shave but [.....] (PRONOUN) hand had been so unsteady [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) had been obliged to desist. Three days' reddish beard fringed [.....] (PRONOUN) jaws and every two or three minutes a mist gathered on [.....] (PRONOUN) glasses so [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) had to take [.....] (PRONOUN) off and polish [.....] (PRONOUN) with [.....] (PRONOUN) pocket-handkerchief. The recollection of [.....] (PRONOUN) confession of the night before was a cause of acute pain to [.....] (PRONOUN) ; the priest had drawn out every ridiculous detail of the affair and in the end had so magnified [.....] (PRONOUN) sin [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) was almost thankful at being afforded a loophole of reparation. The harm was done. [.....] (PRONOUN) could [.....] (PRONOUN) do now but marry [.....] (PRONOUN) or run away? [.....] (PRONOUN) could not brazen it out. The affair would be sure to be talked of and [.....] (PRONOUN) employer would be certain to hear of it. Dublin is such a small city: [.....] (PRONOUN) knows [.....] (PRONOUN) else's business. [.....] (PRONOUN) felt [.....] (PRONOUN) heart leap warmly in [.....] (PRONOUN) throat as [.....] (PRONOUN) heard in [.....] (PRONOUN) excited imagination old Mr Leonard calling out in [.....] (PRONOUN) rasping voice: "Send Mr Doran here, please."
[.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) long years of service gone for [.....] (PRONOUN) ! [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) industry and diligence thrown away! As a young man [.....] (PRONOUN) had sown [.....] (PRONOUN) wild oats, of course; [.....] (PRONOUN) had boasted of [.....] (PRONOUN) free-thinking and denied the existence of God to [.....] (PRONOUN) companions in public-houses. But [.....] (PRONOUN) was [.....] (PRONOUN) passed and done with ... nearly. [.....] (PRONOUN) still bought a copy of <[.....] (PRONOUN) >Reynolds's Newspaper(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) > every week but [.....] (PRONOUN) attended to [.....] (PRONOUN) religious duties and for nine-tenths of the year lived a regular life. [.....] (PRONOUN) had money enough to settle down on; it was not [.....] (PRONOUN) . But the family would look down on [.....] (PRONOUN) . First of [.....] (PRONOUN) there was [.....] (PRONOUN) disreputable father and then [.....] (PRONOUN) mother's boarding house was beginning to get a certain fame. [.....] (PRONOUN) had a notion [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) was being had. [.....] (PRONOUN) could imagine [.....] (PRONOUN) friends talking of the affair and laughing. [.....] (PRONOUN) <[.....] (PRONOUN) >was(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) > a little vulgar; sometimes [.....] (PRONOUN) said "[.....] (PRONOUN) seen" and "If [.....] (PRONOUN) had've known." But [.....] (PRONOUN) would grammar matter if [.....] (PRONOUN) really loved [.....] (PRONOUN) ? [.....] (PRONOUN) could not make up [.....] (PRONOUN) mind whether to like [.....] (PRONOUN) or despise [.....] (PRONOUN) for [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) had done. Of course [.....] (PRONOUN) had done it too. [.....] (PRONOUN) instinct urged [.....] (PRONOUN) to remain free, not to marry. Once [.....] (PRONOUN) are married [.....] (PRONOUN) are done for, it said.
While [.....] (PRONOUN) was sitting helplessly on the side of the bed in shirt and trousers [.....] (PRONOUN) tapped lightly at [.....] (PRONOUN) door and entered. [.....] (PRONOUN) told [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) , [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) had made a clean breast of it to [.....] (PRONOUN) mother and [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) mother would speak with [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) morning. [.....] (PRONOUN) cried and threw [.....] (PRONOUN) arms round [.....] (PRONOUN) neck, saying:
"O Bob! Bob! [.....] (PRONOUN) am [.....] (PRONOUN) to do? [.....] (PRONOUN) am [.....] (PRONOUN) to do at [.....] (PRONOUN) ?"
[.....] (PRONOUN) would put an end to herself, [.....] (PRONOUN) said.
[.....] (PRONOUN) comforted [.....] (PRONOUN) feebly, telling [.....] (PRONOUN) not to cry, [.....] (PRONOUN) it would be [.....] (PRONOUN) right, never fear. [.....] (PRONOUN) felt against [.....] (PRONOUN) shirt the agitation of [.....] (PRONOUN) bosom.
It was not altogether [.....] (PRONOUN) fault [.....] (PRONOUN) it had happened. [.....] (PRONOUN) remembered well, with the curious patient memory of the celibate, the first casual caresses [.....] (PRONOUN) dress, [.....] (PRONOUN) breath, [.....] (PRONOUN) fingers had given [.....] (PRONOUN) . Then late [.....] (PRONOUN) night as [.....] (PRONOUN) was undressing for bed [.....] (PRONOUN) had tapped at [.....] (PRONOUN) door, timidly. [.....] (PRONOUN) wanted to relight [.....] (PRONOUN) candle at [.....] (PRONOUN) for hers had been blown out by a gust. It was [.....] (PRONOUN) bath night. [.....] (PRONOUN) wore a loose open combing-jacket of printed flannel. [.....] (PRONOUN) white instep shone in the opening of [.....] (PRONOUN) furry slippers and the blood glowed warmly behind [.....] (PRONOUN) perfumed skin. From [.....] (PRONOUN) hands and wrists too as [.....] (PRONOUN) lit and steadied [.....] (PRONOUN) candle a faint perfume arose.
On nights when [.....] (PRONOUN) came in very late it was [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) warmed up [.....] (PRONOUN) dinner. [.....] (PRONOUN) scarcely knew [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) was eating, feeling [.....] (PRONOUN) beside [.....] (PRONOUN) alone, at night, in the sleeping house. And [.....] (PRONOUN) thoughtfulness! If the night was anyway cold or wet or windy there was sure to be a little tumbler of punch ready for [.....] (PRONOUN) . Perhaps [.....] (PRONOUN) could be happy together....
[.....] (PRONOUN) used to go upstairs together on tiptoe, [.....] (PRONOUN) with a candle, and on the third landing exchange reluctant good-nights. [.....] (PRONOUN) used to kiss. [.....] (PRONOUN) remembered well [.....] (PRONOUN) eyes, the touch of [.....] (PRONOUN) hand and [.....] (PRONOUN) delirium....
But delirium passes. [.....] (PRONOUN) echoed [.....] (PRONOUN) phrase, applying it to himself: <[.....] (PRONOUN) >"[.....] (PRONOUN) am [.....] (PRONOUN) to do?"(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) > The instinct of the celibate warned [.....] (PRONOUN) to hold back. But the sin was there; even [.....] (PRONOUN) sense of honour told [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) reparation must be made for such a sin.
While [.....] (PRONOUN) was sitting with [.....] (PRONOUN) on the side of the bed Mary came to the door and said [.....] (PRONOUN) the missus wanted to see [.....] (PRONOUN) in the parlour. [.....] (PRONOUN) stood up to put on [.....] (PRONOUN) coat and waistcoat, more helpless than ever. When [.....] (PRONOUN) was dressed [.....] (PRONOUN) went over to [.....] (PRONOUN) to comfort [.....] (PRONOUN) . It would be [.....] (PRONOUN) right, never fear. [.....] (PRONOUN) left [.....] (PRONOUN) crying on the bed and moaning softly: <[.....] (PRONOUN) >"O [.....] (PRONOUN) God!"(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) >
Going down the stairs [.....] (PRONOUN) glasses became so dimmed with moisture [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) had to take [.....] (PRONOUN) off and polish [.....] (PRONOUN) . [.....] (PRONOUN) longed to ascend through the roof and fly away to another country where [.....] (PRONOUN) would never hear again of [.....] (PRONOUN) trouble, and yet a force pushed [.....] (PRONOUN) downstairs step by step. The implacable faces of [.....] (PRONOUN) employer and of the Madam stared upon [.....] (PRONOUN) discomfiture. On the last flight of stairs [.....] (PRONOUN) passed Jack Mooney [.....] (PRONOUN) was coming up from the pantry nursing two bottles of <[.....] (PRONOUN) >Bass(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) >. [.....] (PRONOUN) 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 [.....] (PRONOUN) reached the foot of the staircase [.....] (PRONOUN) glanced up and saw Jack regarding [.....] (PRONOUN) from the door of the return-room.
Suddenly [.....] (PRONOUN) remembered the night when [.....] (PRONOUN) of the music-hall <[.....] (PRONOUN) >artistes(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) >, 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. [.....] (PRONOUN) tried to quiet [.....] (PRONOUN) . The music-hall <[.....] (PRONOUN) >artiste(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) >, a little paler than usual, kept smiling and saying [.....] (PRONOUN) there was no harm meant: but Jack kept shouting at [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) if [.....] (PRONOUN) fellow tried [.....] (PRONOUN) sort of a game on with <[.....] (PRONOUN) >[.....] (PRONOUN) (PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) > sister [.....] (PRONOUN) 'd bloody well put [.....] (PRONOUN) teeth down [.....] (PRONOUN) throat, so [.....] (PRONOUN) would.
Polly sat for a little time on the side of the bed, crying. Then [.....] (PRONOUN) dried [.....] (PRONOUN) eyes and went over to the looking-glass. [.....] (PRONOUN) dipped the end of the towel in the water-jug and refreshed [.....] (PRONOUN) eyes with the cool water. [.....] (PRONOUN) looked at herself in profile and readjusted a hairpin above [.....] (PRONOUN) ear. Then [.....] (PRONOUN) went back to the bed again and sat at the foot. [.....] (PRONOUN) regarded the pillows for a long time and the sight of [.....] (PRONOUN) awakened in [.....] (PRONOUN) mind secret amiable memories. [.....] (PRONOUN) rested the nape of [.....] (PRONOUN) neck against the cool iron bed-rail and fell into a reverie. There was no longer [.....] (PRONOUN) perturbation visible on [.....] (PRONOUN) face.
[.....] (PRONOUN) waited on patiently, almost cheerfully, without alarm, [.....] (PRONOUN) memories gradually giving place to hopes and visions of the future. [.....] (PRONOUN) hopes and visions were so intricate [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) no longer saw the white pillows on [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) gaze was fixed or remembered [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) was waiting for [.....] (PRONOUN) .
At last [.....] (PRONOUN) heard [.....] (PRONOUN) mother calling. [.....] (PRONOUN) started to [.....] (PRONOUN) feet and ran to the banisters.
"Polly! Polly!"
"Yes, mamma?"
"Come down, dear. Mr Doran wants to speak to [.....] (PRONOUN) ."
Then [.....] (PRONOUN) remembered [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) had been waiting for.
EIGHT years before [.....] (PRONOUN) had seen [.....] (PRONOUN) friend off at the North Wall and wished [.....] (PRONOUN) godspeed. Gallaher had got on. [.....] (PRONOUN) could tell [.....] (PRONOUN) at once by [.....] (PRONOUN) travelled air, [.....] (PRONOUN) well-cut tweed suit, and fearless accent. [.....] (PRONOUN) fellows had talents like [.....] (PRONOUN) and fewer still could remain unspoiled by such success. Gallaher's heart was in the right place and [.....] (PRONOUN) had deserved to win. It was [.....] (PRONOUN) to have a friend like [.....] (PRONOUN) .
Little Chandler's thoughts ever since lunch-time had been of [.....] (PRONOUN) meeting with Gallaher, of Gallaher's invitation and of the great city London where Gallaher lived. [.....] (PRONOUN) was called Little Chandler because, though [.....] (PRONOUN) was but slightly under the average stature, [.....] (PRONOUN) gave [.....] (PRONOUN) the idea of being a little man. [.....] (PRONOUN) hands were white and small, [.....] (PRONOUN) frame was fragile, [.....] (PRONOUN) voice was quiet and [.....] (PRONOUN) manners were refined. [.....] (PRONOUN) took the greatest care of [.....] (PRONOUN) fair silken hair and moustache and used perfume discreetly on [.....] (PRONOUN) handkerchief. The half-moons of [.....] (PRONOUN) nails were perfect and when [.....] (PRONOUN) smiled [.....] (PRONOUN) caught a glimpse of a row of childish white teeth.
As [.....] (PRONOUN) sat at [.....] (PRONOUN) desk in the King's Inns [.....] (PRONOUN) thought [.....] (PRONOUN) changes [.....] (PRONOUN) eight years had brought. The friend whom [.....] (PRONOUN) had known under a shabby and necessitous guise had become a brilliant figure on the London Press. [.....] (PRONOUN) turned often from [.....] (PRONOUN) 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 [.....] (PRONOUN) drowsed on the benches; it flickered upon [.....] (PRONOUN) the moving figures—on the children [.....] (PRONOUN) ran screaming along the gravel paths and on [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) passed through the gardens. [.....] (PRONOUN) watched the scene and thought of life; and (as always happened when [.....] (PRONOUN) thought of life) [.....] (PRONOUN) became sad. A gentle melancholy took possession of [.....] (PRONOUN) . [.....] (PRONOUN) felt how useless it was to struggle against fortune, [.....] (PRONOUN) being the burden of wisdom [.....] (PRONOUN) the ages had bequeathed to [.....] (PRONOUN) .
[.....] (PRONOUN) remembered the books of poetry upon [.....] (PRONOUN) shelves at home. [.....] (PRONOUN) had bought [.....] (PRONOUN) in [.....] (PRONOUN) bachelor days and [.....] (PRONOUN) an evening, as [.....] (PRONOUN) sat in the little room off the hall, [.....] (PRONOUN) had been tempted to take [.....] (PRONOUN) down from the bookshelf and read out [.....] (PRONOUN) to [.....] (PRONOUN) wife. But shyness had always held [.....] (PRONOUN) back; and so the books had remained on [.....] (PRONOUN) shelves. At times [.....] (PRONOUN) repeated lines to himself and [.....] (PRONOUN) consoled [.....] (PRONOUN) .
When [.....] (PRONOUN) hour had struck [.....] (PRONOUN) stood up and took leave of [.....] (PRONOUN) desk and of [.....] (PRONOUN) fellow-clerks punctiliously. [.....] (PRONOUN) 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. [.....] (PRONOUN) 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 [.....] (PRONOUN) no thought. [.....] (PRONOUN) picked [.....] (PRONOUN) way deftly through [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) minute vermin-like life and under the shadow of the gaunt spectral mansions in [.....] (PRONOUN) the old nobility of Dublin had roystered. No memory of the past touched [.....] (PRONOUN) , for [.....] (PRONOUN) mind was full of a present joy.
[.....] (PRONOUN) had never been in Corless's but [.....] (PRONOUN) knew the value of the name. [.....] (PRONOUN) knew [.....] (PRONOUN) people went there after the theatre to eat oysters and drink liqueurs; and [.....] (PRONOUN) had heard [.....] (PRONOUN) the waiters there spoke French and German. Walking swiftly by at night [.....] (PRONOUN) had seen cabs drawn up before the door and richly dressed ladies, escorted by cavaliers, alight and enter quickly. [.....] (PRONOUN) wore noisy dresses and [.....] (PRONOUN) wraps. [.....] (PRONOUN) faces were powdered and [.....] (PRONOUN) caught up [.....] (PRONOUN) dresses, when [.....] (PRONOUN) touched earth, like alarmed Atalantas. [.....] (PRONOUN) had always passed without turning [.....] (PRONOUN) head to look. It was [.....] (PRONOUN) habit to walk swiftly in the street even by day and whenever [.....] (PRONOUN) found himself in the city late at night [.....] (PRONOUN) hurried on [.....] (PRONOUN) way apprehensively and excitedly. Sometimes, however, [.....] (PRONOUN) courted the causes of [.....] (PRONOUN) fear. [.....] (PRONOUN) chose the darkest and narrowest streets and, as [.....] (PRONOUN) walked boldly forward, the silence [.....] (PRONOUN) was spread about [.....] (PRONOUN) footsteps troubled [.....] (PRONOUN) , the wandering silent figures troubled [.....] (PRONOUN) ; and at times a sound of low fugitive laughter made [.....] (PRONOUN) tremble like a leaf.
[.....] (PRONOUN) turned to the right towards Capel Street. Ignatius Gallaher on the London Press! [.....] (PRONOUN) would have thought it possible eight years before? Still, now [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) reviewed the past, Little Chandler could remember [.....] (PRONOUN) signs of future greatness in [.....] (PRONOUN) friend. People used to say [.....] (PRONOUN) Ignatius Gallaher was wild. Of course, [.....] (PRONOUN) did mix with a rakish set of fellows at [.....] (PRONOUN) time, drank freely and borrowed money on [.....] (PRONOUN) sides. In the end [.....] (PRONOUN) had got mixed up in [.....] (PRONOUN) shady affair, [.....] (PRONOUN) money transaction: at least, [.....] (PRONOUN) was [.....] (PRONOUN) version of [.....] (PRONOUN) flight. But [.....] (PRONOUN) denied [.....] (PRONOUN) talent. There was always a certain ... [.....] (PRONOUN) in Ignatius Gallaher [.....] (PRONOUN) impressed [.....] (PRONOUN) in spite of yourself. Even when [.....] (PRONOUN) was out at elbows and at [.....] (PRONOUN) wits' end for money [.....] (PRONOUN) kept up a bold face. Little Chandler remembered (and the remembrance brought a slight flush of pride to [.....] (PRONOUN) cheek) [.....] (PRONOUN) of Ignatius Gallaher's sayings when [.....] (PRONOUN) was in a tight corner:
"Half time now, boys," [.....] (PRONOUN) used to say light-heartedly. "Where's [.....] (PRONOUN) considering cap?"
[.....] (PRONOUN) was Ignatius Gallaher [.....] (PRONOUN) out; and, damn it, [.....] (PRONOUN) couldn't but admire [.....] (PRONOUN) for it.
Little Chandler quickened [.....] (PRONOUN) pace. For the first time in [.....] (PRONOUN) life [.....] (PRONOUN) felt himself superior to the people [.....] (PRONOUN) passed. For the first time [.....] (PRONOUN) soul revolted against the dull inelegance of Capel Street. There was no doubt about it: if [.....] (PRONOUN) wanted to succeed [.....] (PRONOUN) had to go away. [.....] (PRONOUN) could do [.....] (PRONOUN) in Dublin. As [.....] (PRONOUN) crossed Grattan Bridge [.....] (PRONOUN) looked down the river towards the lower quays and pitied the poor stunted houses. [.....] (PRONOUN) seemed to [.....] (PRONOUN) a band of tramps, huddled together along the riverbanks, [.....] (PRONOUN) old coats covered with dust and soot, stupefied by the panorama of sunset and waiting for the first chill of night bid [.....] (PRONOUN) arise, shake themselves and begone. [.....] (PRONOUN) wondered whether [.....] (PRONOUN) could write a poem to express [.....] (PRONOUN) idea. Perhaps Gallaher might be able to get it into [.....] (PRONOUN) London paper for [.....] (PRONOUN) . Could [.....] (PRONOUN) write [.....] (PRONOUN) original? [.....] (PRONOUN) was not sure [.....] (PRONOUN) idea [.....] (PRONOUN) wished to express but the thought [.....] (PRONOUN) a poetic moment had touched [.....] (PRONOUN) took life within [.....] (PRONOUN) like an infant hope. [.....] (PRONOUN) stepped onward bravely.
Every step brought [.....] (PRONOUN) nearer to London, farther from [.....] (PRONOUN) own sober inartistic life. A light began to tremble on the horizon of [.....] (PRONOUN) mind. [.....] (PRONOUN) was not so old—thirty-two. [.....] (PRONOUN) temperament might be said to be just at the point of maturity. There were so [.....] (PRONOUN) different moods and impressions [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) wished to express in verse. [.....] (PRONOUN) felt [.....] (PRONOUN) within [.....] (PRONOUN) . [.....] (PRONOUN) tried to weigh [.....] (PRONOUN) soul to see if it was a poet's soul. Melancholy was the dominant note of [.....] (PRONOUN) temperament, [.....] (PRONOUN) thought, but it was a melancholy tempered by recurrences of faith and resignation and simple joy. If [.....] (PRONOUN) could give expression to it in a book of poems perhaps men would listen. [.....] (PRONOUN) would never be popular: [.....] (PRONOUN) saw [.....] (PRONOUN) . [.....] (PRONOUN) could not sway the crowd but [.....] (PRONOUN) might appeal to a little circle of kindred minds. The English critics, perhaps, would recognise [.....] (PRONOUN) as [.....] (PRONOUN) of the Celtic school by reason of the melancholy tone of [.....] (PRONOUN) poems; besides [.....] (PRONOUN) , [.....] (PRONOUN) would put in allusions. [.....] (PRONOUN) began to invent sentences and phrases from the notice [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) book would get. <[.....] (PRONOUN) >"Mr Chandler has the gift of easy and graceful verse." ... "A wistful sadness pervades [.....] (PRONOUN) poems." ... "The Celtic note."(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) > It was a pity [.....] (PRONOUN) name was not more Irish-looking. Perhaps it would be better to insert [.....] (PRONOUN) mother's name before the surname: Thomas Malone Chandler, or better still: T. Malone Chandler. [.....] (PRONOUN) would speak to Gallaher about it.
[.....] (PRONOUN) pursued [.....] (PRONOUN) revery so ardently [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) passed [.....] (PRONOUN) street and had to turn back. As [.....] (PRONOUN) came near Corless's [.....] (PRONOUN) former agitation began to overmaster [.....] (PRONOUN) and [.....] (PRONOUN) halted before the door in indecision. Finally [.....] (PRONOUN) opened the door and entered.
The light and noise of the bar held [.....] (PRONOUN) at the doorways for a [.....] (PRONOUN) moments. [.....] (PRONOUN) looked about [.....] (PRONOUN) , but [.....] (PRONOUN) sight was confused by the shining of [.....] (PRONOUN) red and green wine-glasses The bar seemed to [.....] (PRONOUN) to be full of people and [.....] (PRONOUN) felt [.....] (PRONOUN) the people were observing [.....] (PRONOUN) curiously. [.....] (PRONOUN) glanced quickly to right and left (frowning slightly to make [.....] (PRONOUN) errand appear serious), but when [.....] (PRONOUN) sight cleared a little [.....] (PRONOUN) saw [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) had turned to look at [.....] (PRONOUN) : and there, sure enough, was Ignatius Gallaher leaning with [.....] (PRONOUN) back against the counter and [.....] (PRONOUN) feet planted far apart.
"Hallo, Tommy, old hero, here [.....] (PRONOUN) are! [.....] (PRONOUN) is it to be? [.....] (PRONOUN) will [.....] (PRONOUN) have? [.....] (PRONOUN) 'm taking whisky: better stuff than [.....] (PRONOUN) get across the water. Soda? Lithia? No mineral? [.....] (PRONOUN) 'm the same. Spoils the flavour.... Here, <[.....] (PRONOUN) >garçon(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) >, bring [.....] (PRONOUN) two halves of malt whisky, like a good fellow.... Well, and how have [.....] (PRONOUN) been pulling along since [.....] (PRONOUN) saw [.....] (PRONOUN) last? Dear God, how old [.....] (PRONOUN) 're getting! Do [.....] (PRONOUN) see [.....] (PRONOUN) signs of aging in [.....] (PRONOUN) —eh, [.....] (PRONOUN) ? A little grey and thin on the top—[.....] (PRONOUN) ?"
Ignatius Gallaher took off [.....] (PRONOUN) hat and displayed a large closely cropped head. [.....] (PRONOUN) face was heavy, pale and clean-shaven. [.....] (PRONOUN) eyes, [.....] (PRONOUN) were of bluish slate-colour, relieved [.....] (PRONOUN) unhealthy pallor and shone out plainly above the vivid orange tie [.....] (PRONOUN) wore. Between [.....] (PRONOUN) rival features the lips appeared very long and shapeless and colourless. [.....] (PRONOUN) bent [.....] (PRONOUN) head and felt with two sympathetic fingers the thin hair at the crown. Little Chandler shook [.....] (PRONOUN) head as a denial. Ignatius Galaher put on [.....] (PRONOUN) hat again.
"It pulls [.....] (PRONOUN) down," [.....] (PRONOUN) said. "Press life. Always hurry and scurry, looking for copy and sometimes not finding it: and then, always to have [.....] (PRONOUN) new in your stuff. Damn proofs and printers, [.....] (PRONOUN) say, for a [.....] (PRONOUN) days. [.....] (PRONOUN) 'm deuced glad, [.....] (PRONOUN) can tell [.....] (PRONOUN) , to get back to the old country. Does a fellow good, a bit of a holiday. [.....] (PRONOUN) feel a ton better since [.....] (PRONOUN) landed again in dear dirty Dublin.... Here [.....] (PRONOUN) are, Tommy. Water? Say when."
Little Chandler allowed [.....] (PRONOUN) whisky to be very much diluted.
"[.....] (PRONOUN) don't know [.....] (PRONOUN) 's good for [.....] (PRONOUN) , [.....] (PRONOUN) boy," said Ignatius Gallaher. "[.....] (PRONOUN) drink [.....] (PRONOUN) neat."
"[.....] (PRONOUN) drink very little as a rule," said Little Chandler modestly. "An odd half-[.....] (PRONOUN) or so when [.....] (PRONOUN) meet [.....] (PRONOUN) of the old crowd: [.....] (PRONOUN) 's [.....] (PRONOUN) ."
"Ah, well," said Ignatius Gallaher, cheerfully, "here's to [.....] (PRONOUN) and to old times and old acquaintance."
[.....] (PRONOUN) clinked glasses and drank the toast.
"[.....] (PRONOUN) met [.....] (PRONOUN) of the old gang today," said Ignatius Gallaher. "O'Hara seems to be in a bad way. [.....] (PRONOUN) 's [.....] (PRONOUN) doing?"
"[.....] (PRONOUN) ," said Little Chandler. "[.....] (PRONOUN) 's gone to the dogs."
"But Hogan has a good sit, hasn't [.....] (PRONOUN) ?"
"Yes; [.....] (PRONOUN) 's in the Land Commission."
"[.....] (PRONOUN) met [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) night in London and [.....] (PRONOUN) seemed to be very flush.... Poor O'Hara! Boose, [.....] (PRONOUN) suppose?"
"Other things, too," said Little Chandler shortly.
Ignatius Gallaher laughed.
"Tommy," [.....] (PRONOUN) said, "[.....] (PRONOUN) see [.....] (PRONOUN) haven't changed an atom. [.....] (PRONOUN) 're the very same serious person [.....] (PRONOUN) used to lecture [.....] (PRONOUN) on Sunday mornings when [.....] (PRONOUN) had a sore head and a fur on [.....] (PRONOUN) tongue. [.....] (PRONOUN) 'd want to knock about a bit in the world. Have [.....] (PRONOUN) never been anywhere even for a trip?"
"[.....] (PRONOUN) 've been to the Isle of Man," said Little Chandler.
Ignatius Gallaher laughed.
"The Isle of Man!" [.....] (PRONOUN) said. "Go to London or Paris: Paris, for choice. [.....] (PRONOUN) 'd do [.....] (PRONOUN) good."
"Have [.....] (PRONOUN) seen Paris?"
"[.....] (PRONOUN) should think [.....] (PRONOUN) have! [.....] (PRONOUN) 've knocked about there a little."
"And is it really so beautiful as [.....] (PRONOUN) say?" asked Little Chandler.
[.....] (PRONOUN) sipped a little of [.....] (PRONOUN) drink while Ignatius Gallaher finished [.....] (PRONOUN) boldly.
"Beautiful?" said Ignatius Gallaher, pausing on the word and on the flavour of [.....] (PRONOUN) drink. "It's not so beautiful, [.....] (PRONOUN) know. Of course, it is beautiful.... But it's the life of Paris; [.....] (PRONOUN) 's the thing. Ah, there's no city like Paris for gaiety, movement, excitement...."
Little Chandler finished [.....] (PRONOUN) whisky and, after [.....] (PRONOUN) trouble, succeeded in catching the barman's eye. [.....] (PRONOUN) ordered the same again.
"[.....] (PRONOUN) 've been to the Moulin Rouge," Ignatius Gallaher continued when the barman had removed [.....] (PRONOUN) glasses, "and [.....] (PRONOUN) 've been to [.....] (PRONOUN) the Bohemian cafés. Hot stuff! Not for a pious chap like [.....] (PRONOUN) , Tommy."
Little Chandler said [.....] (PRONOUN) until the barman returned with two glasses: then [.....] (PRONOUN) touched [.....] (PRONOUN) friend's glass lightly and reciprocated the former toast. [.....] (PRONOUN) was beginning to feel somewhat disillusioned. Gallaher's accent and way of expressing himself did not please [.....] (PRONOUN) . There was [.....] (PRONOUN) vulgar in [.....] (PRONOUN) friend [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) 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 [.....] (PRONOUN) new gaudy manner. And, after [.....] (PRONOUN) , Gallaher had lived, [.....] (PRONOUN) had seen the world. Little Chandler looked at [.....] (PRONOUN) friend enviously.
"[.....] (PRONOUN) in Paris is gay," said Ignatius Gallaher. "[.....] (PRONOUN) believe in enjoying life—and don't [.....] (PRONOUN) think [.....] (PRONOUN) 're right? If [.....] (PRONOUN) want to enjoy yourself properly [.....] (PRONOUN) must go to Paris. And, mind [.....] (PRONOUN) , [.....] (PRONOUN) 've a great feeling for the Irish there. When [.....] (PRONOUN) heard [.....] (PRONOUN) was from Ireland [.....] (PRONOUN) were ready to eat [.....] (PRONOUN) , man."
Little Chandler took four or five sips from [.....] (PRONOUN) glass.
"Tell [.....] (PRONOUN) ," [.....] (PRONOUN) said, "is it true [.....] (PRONOUN) Paris is so ... immoral as [.....] (PRONOUN) say?"
Ignatius Gallaher made a catholic gesture with [.....] (PRONOUN) right arm.
"Every place is immoral," [.....] (PRONOUN) said. "Of course [.....] (PRONOUN) do find spicy bits in Paris. Go to [.....] (PRONOUN) of the students' balls, for instance. [.....] (PRONOUN) 's lively, if [.....] (PRONOUN) like, when the <[.....] (PRONOUN) >cocottes(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) > begin to let themselves loose. [.....] (PRONOUN) know [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) are, [.....] (PRONOUN) suppose?"
"[.....] (PRONOUN) 've heard of [.....] (PRONOUN) ," said Little Chandler.
Ignatius Gallaher drank off [.....] (PRONOUN) whisky and shook [.....] (PRONOUN) head.
"Ah," [.....] (PRONOUN) said, "[.....] (PRONOUN) may say [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) like. There's no woman like the Parisienne—for style, for go."
"Then it is an immoral city," said Little Chandler, with timid insistence—"[.....] (PRONOUN) mean, compared with London or Dublin?"
"London!" said Ignatius Gallaher. "It's six of [.....] (PRONOUN) and half-a-dozen of the other. [.....] (PRONOUN) ask Hogan, [.....] (PRONOUN) boy. [.....] (PRONOUN) showed [.....] (PRONOUN) a bit about London when [.....] (PRONOUN) was over there. [.....] (PRONOUN) 'd open your eye.... [.....] (PRONOUN) say, Tommy, don't make punch of [.....] (PRONOUN) whisky: liquor up."
"No, really...."
"O, come on, another [.....] (PRONOUN) won't do [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) harm. [.....] (PRONOUN) is it? The same again, [.....] (PRONOUN) suppose?"
"Well ... [.....] (PRONOUN) right."
"<[.....] (PRONOUN) >François(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) >, the same again.... Will [.....] (PRONOUN) smoke, Tommy?"
Ignatius Gallaher produced [.....] (PRONOUN) cigar-case. The two friends lit [.....] (PRONOUN) cigars and puffed at [.....] (PRONOUN) in silence until [.....] (PRONOUN) drinks were served.
"[.....] (PRONOUN) 'll tell [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) opinion," said Ignatius Gallaher, emerging after [.....] (PRONOUN) time from the clouds of smoke in [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) had taken refuge, "it's a rum world. Talk of immorality! [.....] (PRONOUN) 've heard of cases—[.....] (PRONOUN) am [.....] (PRONOUN) saying?—[.....] (PRONOUN) 've known [.....] (PRONOUN) : cases of ... immorality...."
Ignatius Gallaher puffed thoughtfully at [.....] (PRONOUN) cigar and then, in a calm historian's tone, [.....] (PRONOUN) proceeded to sketch for [.....] (PRONOUN) friend [.....] (PRONOUN) pictures of the corruption [.....] (PRONOUN) was rife abroad. [.....] (PRONOUN) summarised the vices of [.....] (PRONOUN) capitals and seemed inclined to award the palm to Berlin. [.....] (PRONOUN) things [.....] (PRONOUN) could not vouch for ([.....] (PRONOUN) friends had told [.....] (PRONOUN) ), but of others [.....] (PRONOUN) had had personal experience. [.....] (PRONOUN) spared [.....] (PRONOUN) rank nor caste. [.....] (PRONOUN) revealed [.....] (PRONOUN) of the secrets of religious houses on the Continent and described [.....] (PRONOUN) of the practices [.....] (PRONOUN) were fashionable in high society and ended by telling, with details, a story about an English duchess—a story [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) knew to be true. Little Chandler was astonished.
"Ah, well," said Ignatius Gallaher, "here [.....] (PRONOUN) are in old jog-along Dublin where [.....] (PRONOUN) is known of such things."
"How dull [.....] (PRONOUN) must find it," said Little Chandler, "after [.....] (PRONOUN) the other places [.....] (PRONOUN) 've seen!"
"Well," said Ignatius Gallaher, "it's a relaxation to come over here, [.....] (PRONOUN) know. And, after [.....] (PRONOUN) , it's the old country, as [.....] (PRONOUN) say, isn't it? [.....] (PRONOUN) can't help having a certain feeling for it. [.....] (PRONOUN) 's human nature.... But tell [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) about yourself. Hogan told [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) had ... tasted the joys of connubial bliss. Two years ago, wasn't it?"
Little Chandler blushed and smiled.
"Yes," [.....] (PRONOUN) said. "[.....] (PRONOUN) was married last May twelve months."
"[.....] (PRONOUN) hope it's not too late in the day to offer [.....] (PRONOUN) best wishes," said Ignatius Gallaher. "[.....] (PRONOUN) didn't know your address or [.....] (PRONOUN) 'd have done so at the time."
[.....] (PRONOUN) extended [.....] (PRONOUN) hand, [.....] (PRONOUN) Little Chandler took.
"Well, Tommy," [.....] (PRONOUN) said, "[.....] (PRONOUN) wish [.....] (PRONOUN) and yours every joy in life, old chap, and tons of money, and may [.....] (PRONOUN) never die till [.....] (PRONOUN) shoot [.....] (PRONOUN) . And [.....] (PRONOUN) 's the wish of a sincere friend, an old friend. [.....] (PRONOUN) know [.....] (PRONOUN) ?"
"[.....] (PRONOUN) know [.....] (PRONOUN) ," said Little Chandler.
"[.....] (PRONOUN) youngsters?" said Ignatius Gallaher.
Little Chandler blushed again.
"[.....] (PRONOUN) have [.....] (PRONOUN) child," [.....] (PRONOUN) said.
"Son or daughter?"
"A little boy."
Ignatius Gallaher slapped [.....] (PRONOUN) friend sonorously on the back.
"Bravo," [.....] (PRONOUN) said, "[.....] (PRONOUN) wouldn't doubt [.....] (PRONOUN) , Tommy."
Little Chandler smiled, looked confusedly at [.....] (PRONOUN) glass and bit [.....] (PRONOUN) lower lip with three childishly white front teeth.
"[.....] (PRONOUN) hope [.....] (PRONOUN) 'll spend an evening with [.....] (PRONOUN) ," [.....] (PRONOUN) said, "before [.....] (PRONOUN) go back. [.....] (PRONOUN) wife will be delighted to meet [.....] (PRONOUN) . [.....] (PRONOUN) can have a little music and——"
"Thanks awfully, old chap," said Ignatius Gallaher, "[.....] (PRONOUN) 'm sorry [.....] (PRONOUN) didn't meet earlier. But [.....] (PRONOUN) must leave tomorrow night."
"Tonight, perhaps...?"
"[.....] (PRONOUN) 'm awfully sorry, old man. [.....] (PRONOUN) see [.....] (PRONOUN) 'm over here with another fellow, clever young chap [.....] (PRONOUN) is too, and [.....] (PRONOUN) arranged to go to a little card-party. Only for [.....] (PRONOUN) ...."
"O, in [.....] (PRONOUN) case...."
"But [.....] (PRONOUN) knows?" said Ignatius Gallaher considerately. "Next year [.....] (PRONOUN) may take a little skip over here now [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) 've broken the ice. It's only a pleasure deferred."
"Very well," said Little Chandler, "the next time [.....] (PRONOUN) come [.....] (PRONOUN) must have an evening together. [.....] (PRONOUN) 's agreed now, isn't it?"
"Yes, [.....] (PRONOUN) 's agreed," said Ignatius Gallaher. "Next year if [.....] (PRONOUN) come, <[.....] (PRONOUN) >parole d'honneur(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) >."
"And to clinch the bargain," said Little Chandler, "[.....] (PRONOUN) 'll just have [.....] (PRONOUN) more now."
Ignatius Gallaher took out a large gold watch and looked at it.
"Is it to be the last?" [.....] (PRONOUN) said. "Because [.....] (PRONOUN) know, [.....] (PRONOUN) have an a.p."
"O, yes, positively," said Little Chandler.
"Very well, then," said Ignatius Gallaher, "let [.....] (PRONOUN) have another [.....] (PRONOUN) as a <[.....] (PRONOUN) >deoc an doruis(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) >—[.....] (PRONOUN) 's good vernacular for a small whisky, [.....] (PRONOUN) believe."
Little Chandler ordered the drinks. The blush [.....] (PRONOUN) had risen to [.....] (PRONOUN) face a [.....] (PRONOUN) moments before was establishing itself. A trifle made [.....] (PRONOUN) blush at [.....] (PRONOUN) time: and now [.....] (PRONOUN) felt warm and excited. Three small whiskies had gone to [.....] (PRONOUN) head and Gallaher's strong cigar had confused [.....] (PRONOUN) mind, for [.....] (PRONOUN) 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 [.....] (PRONOUN) sensitive nature. [.....] (PRONOUN) felt acutely the contrast between [.....] (PRONOUN) own life and [.....] (PRONOUN) friend's and it seemed to [.....] (PRONOUN) unjust. Gallaher was [.....] (PRONOUN) inferior in birth and education. [.....] (PRONOUN) was sure [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) could do [.....] (PRONOUN) better than [.....] (PRONOUN) friend had ever done, or could ever do, [.....] (PRONOUN) higher than mere tawdry journalism if [.....] (PRONOUN) only got the chance. [.....] (PRONOUN) was it [.....] (PRONOUN) stood in [.....] (PRONOUN) way? [.....] (PRONOUN) unfortunate timidity! [.....] (PRONOUN) wished to vindicate himself in [.....] (PRONOUN) way, to assert [.....] (PRONOUN) manhood. [.....] (PRONOUN) saw behind Gallaher's refusal of [.....] (PRONOUN) invitation. Gallaher was only patronising [.....] (PRONOUN) by [.....] (PRONOUN) friendliness just as [.....] (PRONOUN) was patronising Ireland by [.....] (PRONOUN) visit.
The barman brought [.....] (PRONOUN) drinks. Little Chandler pushed [.....] (PRONOUN) glass towards [.....] (PRONOUN) friend and took up the other boldly.
"[.....] (PRONOUN) knows?" [.....] (PRONOUN) said, as [.....] (PRONOUN) lifted [.....] (PRONOUN) glasses. "When [.....] (PRONOUN) come next year [.....] (PRONOUN) may have the pleasure of wishing long life and happiness to Mr and Mrs Ignatius Gallaher."
Ignatius Gallaher in the act of drinking closed [.....] (PRONOUN) eye expressively over the rim of [.....] (PRONOUN) glass. When [.....] (PRONOUN) had drunk [.....] (PRONOUN) smacked [.....] (PRONOUN) lips decisively, set down [.....] (PRONOUN) glass and said:
"No blooming fear of [.....] (PRONOUN) , [.....] (PRONOUN) boy. [.....] (PRONOUN) 'm going to have [.....] (PRONOUN) fling first and see a bit of life and the world before [.....] (PRONOUN) put [.....] (PRONOUN) head in the sack—if [.....] (PRONOUN) ever do."
"[.....] (PRONOUN) day [.....] (PRONOUN) will," said Little Chandler calmly.
Ignatius Gallaher turned [.....] (PRONOUN) orange tie and slate-blue eyes full upon [.....] (PRONOUN) friend.
"[.....] (PRONOUN) think so?" [.....] (PRONOUN) said.
"[.....] (PRONOUN) 'll put your head in the sack," repeated Little Chandler stoutly, "like [.....] (PRONOUN) else if [.....] (PRONOUN) can find the girl."
[.....] (PRONOUN) had slightly emphasised [.....] (PRONOUN) tone and [.....] (PRONOUN) was aware [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) had betrayed himself; but, though the colour had heightened in [.....] (PRONOUN) cheek, [.....] (PRONOUN) did not flinch from [.....] (PRONOUN) friend's gaze. Ignatius Gallaher watched [.....] (PRONOUN) for a [.....] (PRONOUN) moments and then said:
"If ever it occurs, [.....] (PRONOUN) may bet your bottom dollar there'll be no mooning and spooning about it. [.....] (PRONOUN) mean to marry money. [.....] (PRONOUN) 'll have a good fat account at the bank or [.....] (PRONOUN) won't do for [.....] (PRONOUN) ."
Little Chandler shook [.....] (PRONOUN) head.
"Why, man alive," said Ignatius Gallaher, vehemently, "do [.....] (PRONOUN) know [.....] (PRONOUN) it is? [.....] (PRONOUN) 've only to say the word and tomorrow [.....] (PRONOUN) can have the woman and the cash. [.....] (PRONOUN) don't believe it? Well, [.....] (PRONOUN) know it. There are hundreds—[.....] (PRONOUN) am [.....] (PRONOUN) saying?—thousands of rich Germans and Jews, rotten with money, [.....] (PRONOUN) 'd only be too glad.... [.....] (PRONOUN) wait a while [.....] (PRONOUN) boy. See if [.....] (PRONOUN) don't play [.....] (PRONOUN) cards properly. When [.....] (PRONOUN) go about a thing [.....] (PRONOUN) mean business, [.....] (PRONOUN) tell [.....] (PRONOUN) . [.....] (PRONOUN) just wait."
[.....] (PRONOUN) tossed [.....] (PRONOUN) glass to [.....] (PRONOUN) mouth, finished [.....] (PRONOUN) drink and laughed loudly. Then [.....] (PRONOUN) looked thoughtfully before [.....] (PRONOUN) and said in a calmer tone:
"But [.....] (PRONOUN) 'm in no hurry. [.....] (PRONOUN) can wait. [.....] (PRONOUN) don't fancy tying [.....] (PRONOUN) up to [.....] (PRONOUN) woman, [.....] (PRONOUN) know."
[.....] (PRONOUN) imitated with [.....] (PRONOUN) mouth the act of tasting and made a wry face.
"Must get a bit stale, [.....] (PRONOUN) should think," [.....] (PRONOUN) said.
Little Chandler sat in the room off the hall, holding a child in [.....] (PRONOUN) arms. To save money [.....] (PRONOUN) 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, [.....] (PRONOUN) had forgotten to bring Annie home the parcel of coffee from Bewley's. Of course [.....] (PRONOUN) was in a bad humour and gave [.....] (PRONOUN) short answers. [.....] (PRONOUN) said [.....] (PRONOUN) would do without [.....] (PRONOUN) tea but when it came near the time at [.....] (PRONOUN) the shop at the corner closed [.....] (PRONOUN) decided to go out herself for a quarter of a pound of tea and two pounds of sugar. [.....] (PRONOUN) put the sleeping child deftly in [.....] (PRONOUN) arms and said:
"Here. Don't waken [.....] (PRONOUN) ."
A little lamp with a white china shade stood upon the table and its light fell over a photograph [.....] (PRONOUN) was enclosed in a frame of crumpled horn. It was Annie's photograph. Little Chandler looked at it, pausing at the thin tight lips. [.....] (PRONOUN) wore the pale blue summer blouse [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) had brought [.....] (PRONOUN) home as a present [.....] (PRONOUN) Saturday. It had cost [.....] (PRONOUN) ten and elevenpence; but [.....] (PRONOUN) an agony of nervousness it had cost [.....] (PRONOUN) ! How [.....] (PRONOUN) had suffered [.....] (PRONOUN) day, waiting at the shop door until the shop was empty, standing at the counter and trying to appear at [.....] (PRONOUN) ease while the girl piled ladies' blouses before [.....] (PRONOUN) , paying at the desk and forgetting to take up the odd penny of [.....] (PRONOUN) change, being called back by the cashier, and finally, striving to hide [.....] (PRONOUN) blushes as [.....] (PRONOUN) left the shop by examining the parcel to see if it was securely tied. When [.....] (PRONOUN) brought the blouse home Annie kissed [.....] (PRONOUN) and said it was very pretty and stylish; but when [.....] (PRONOUN) heard the price [.....] (PRONOUN) threw the blouse on the table and said it was a regular swindle to charge ten and elevenpence for it. At first [.....] (PRONOUN) wanted to take it back but when [.....] (PRONOUN) tried it on [.....] (PRONOUN) was delighted with it, especially with the make of the sleeves, and kissed [.....] (PRONOUN) and said [.....] (PRONOUN) was very good to think of [.....] (PRONOUN) .
Hm!...
[.....] (PRONOUN) looked coldly into the eyes of the photograph and [.....] (PRONOUN) answered coldly. Certainly [.....] (PRONOUN) were pretty and the face itself was pretty. But [.....] (PRONOUN) found [.....] (PRONOUN) mean in it. Why was it so unconscious and ladylike? The composure of the eyes irritated [.....] (PRONOUN) . [.....] (PRONOUN) repelled [.....] (PRONOUN) and defied [.....] (PRONOUN) : there was no passion in [.....] (PRONOUN) , no rapture. [.....] (PRONOUN) thought of [.....] (PRONOUN) Gallaher had said about rich Jewesses. [.....] (PRONOUN) dark Oriental eyes, [.....] (PRONOUN) thought, how full [.....] (PRONOUN) are of passion, of voluptuous longing!... Why had [.....] (PRONOUN) married the eyes in the photograph?
[.....] (PRONOUN) caught himself up at the question and glanced nervously round the room. [.....] (PRONOUN) found [.....] (PRONOUN) mean in the pretty furniture [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) had bought for [.....] (PRONOUN) house on the hire system. Annie had chosen it herself and it reminded [.....] (PRONOUN) of [.....] (PRONOUN) . It too was prim and pretty. A dull resentment against [.....] (PRONOUN) life awoke within [.....] (PRONOUN) . Could [.....] (PRONOUN) not escape from [.....] (PRONOUN) little house? Was it too late for [.....] (PRONOUN) to try to live bravely like Gallaher? Could [.....] (PRONOUN) go to London? There was the furniture still to be paid for. If [.....] (PRONOUN) could only write a book and get it published, [.....] (PRONOUN) might open the way for [.....] (PRONOUN) .
A volume of Byron's poems lay before [.....] (PRONOUN) on the table. [.....] (PRONOUN) opened it cautiously with [.....] (PRONOUN) left hand lest [.....] (PRONOUN) should waken the child and began to read the first poem in the book:
<[.....] (PRONOUN) >Hushed are the winds and still the evening gloom,
Not e'en a Zephyr wanders through the grove,
Whilst [.....] (PRONOUN) return to view [.....] (PRONOUN) Margaret's tomb
And scatter flowers on the dust [.....] (PRONOUN) love.(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) >
[.....] (PRONOUN) paused. [.....] (PRONOUN) felt the rhythm of the verse about [.....] (PRONOUN) in the room. How melancholy it was! Could [.....] (PRONOUN) , too, write like [.....] (PRONOUN) , express the melancholy of [.....] (PRONOUN) soul in verse? There were so [.....] (PRONOUN) things [.....] (PRONOUN) wanted to describe: [.....] (PRONOUN) sensation of a [.....] (PRONOUN) hours before on Grattan Bridge, for example. If [.....] (PRONOUN) could get back again into [.....] (PRONOUN) mood....
The child awoke and began to cry. [.....] (PRONOUN) turned from the page and tried to hush it: but it would not be hushed. [.....] (PRONOUN) began to rock it to and fro in [.....] (PRONOUN) arms but its wailing cry grew keener. [.....] (PRONOUN) rocked it faster while [.....] (PRONOUN) eyes began to read the second stanza:
<[.....] (PRONOUN) >Within [.....] (PRONOUN) narrow cell reclines [.....] (PRONOUN) clay,
[.....] (PRONOUN) clay where once....(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) >
It was useless. [.....] (PRONOUN) couldn't read. [.....] (PRONOUN) couldn't do [.....] (PRONOUN) . The wailing of the child pierced the drum of [.....] (PRONOUN) ear. It was useless, useless! [.....] (PRONOUN) was a prisoner for life. [.....] (PRONOUN) arms trembled with anger and suddenly bending to the child's face [.....] (PRONOUN) shouted:
"Stop!"
The child stopped for an instant, had a spasm of fright and began to scream. [.....] (PRONOUN) jumped up from [.....] (PRONOUN) chair and walked hastily up and down the room with the child in [.....] (PRONOUN) 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. [.....] (PRONOUN) tried to soothe it but it sobbed more convulsively. [.....] (PRONOUN) looked at the contracted and quivering face of the child and began to be alarmed. [.....] (PRONOUN) counted seven sobs without a break between [.....] (PRONOUN) and caught the child to [.....] (PRONOUN) breast in fright. If it died!...
The door was burst open and a young woman ran in, panting.
"[.....] (PRONOUN) is it? [.....] (PRONOUN) is it?" [.....] (PRONOUN) cried.
The child, hearing its mother's voice, broke out into a paroxysm of sobbing.
"It's [.....] (PRONOUN) , Annie ... it's [.....] (PRONOUN) .... [.....] (PRONOUN) began to cry...."
[.....] (PRONOUN) flung [.....] (PRONOUN) parcels on the floor and snatched the child from [.....] (PRONOUN) .
"[.....] (PRONOUN) have [.....] (PRONOUN) done to [.....] (PRONOUN) ?" [.....] (PRONOUN) cried, glaring into [.....] (PRONOUN) face.
Little Chandler sustained for [.....] (PRONOUN) moment the gaze of [.....] (PRONOUN) eyes and [.....] (PRONOUN) heart closed together as [.....] (PRONOUN) met the hatred in [.....] (PRONOUN) . [.....] (PRONOUN) began to stammer:
"It's [.....] (PRONOUN) .... [.....] (PRONOUN) ... [.....] (PRONOUN) began to cry.... [.....] (PRONOUN) couldn't ... [.....] (PRONOUN) didn't do [.....] (PRONOUN) .... [.....] (PRONOUN) ?"
Giving no heed to [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) began to walk up and down the room, clasping the child tightly in [.....] (PRONOUN) arms and murmuring:
"[.....] (PRONOUN) little man! [.....] (PRONOUN) little mannie! Was 'ou frightened, love?... There now, love! There now!... Lambabaun! Mamma's little lamb of the world!... There now!"
Little Chandler felt [.....] (PRONOUN) cheeks suffused with shame and [.....] (PRONOUN) stood back out of the lamplight. [.....] (PRONOUN) listened while the paroxysm of the child's sobbing grew less and less; and tears of remorse started to [.....] (PRONOUN) eyes.
THE bell rang furiously and, when Miss Parker went to the tube, a furious voice called out in a piercing North of Ireland accent:
"Send Farrington here!"
Miss Parker returned to [.....] (PRONOUN) machine, saying to a man [.....] (PRONOUN) was writing at a desk:
"Mr Alleyne wants [.....] (PRONOUN) upstairs."
The man muttered "<[.....] (PRONOUN) >Blast(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) > [.....] (PRONOUN) !" under [.....] (PRONOUN) breath and pushed back [.....] (PRONOUN) chair to stand up. When [.....] (PRONOUN) stood up [.....] (PRONOUN) was tall and of great bulk. [.....] (PRONOUN) had a hanging face, dark wine-coloured, with fair eyebrows and moustache: [.....] (PRONOUN) eyes bulged forward slightly and the whites of [.....] (PRONOUN) were dirty. [.....] (PRONOUN) lifted up the counter and, passing by the clients, went out of the office with a heavy step.
[.....] (PRONOUN) went heavily upstairs until [.....] (PRONOUN) came to the second landing, where a door bore a brass plate with the inscription <[.....] (PRONOUN) >Mr Alleyne(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) >. Here [.....] (PRONOUN) halted, puffing with labour and vexation, and knocked. The shrill voice cried:
"Come in!"
The man entered Mr Alleyne's room. Simultaneously Mr Alleyne, a little man wearing gold-rimmed glasses on a clean-shaven face, shot [.....] (PRONOUN) 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:
"Farrington? [.....] (PRONOUN) is the meaning of [.....] (PRONOUN) ? Why have [.....] (PRONOUN) always to complain of [.....] (PRONOUN) ? May [.....] (PRONOUN) ask [.....] (PRONOUN) why [.....] (PRONOUN) haven't made a copy of [.....] (PRONOUN) contract between Bodley and Kirwan? [.....] (PRONOUN) told [.....] (PRONOUN) it must be ready by four o'clock."
"But Mr Shelley said, sir——"
"<[.....] (PRONOUN) >Mr Shelley said, sir....(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) > Kindly attend to [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) say and not to [.....] (PRONOUN) <[.....] (PRONOUN) >Mr Shelley says, sir(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) >. [.....] (PRONOUN) have always [.....] (PRONOUN) excuse or another for shirking work. Let [.....] (PRONOUN) tell [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) if the contract is not copied before [.....] (PRONOUN) evening [.....] (PRONOUN) 'll lay the matter before Mr Crosbie.... Do [.....] (PRONOUN) hear [.....] (PRONOUN) now?"
"Yes, sir."
"Do [.....] (PRONOUN) hear [.....] (PRONOUN) now?... Ay and another little matter! [.....] (PRONOUN) might as well be talking to the wall as talking to [.....] (PRONOUN) . Understand once for [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) get a half an hour for your lunch and not an hour and a half. How [.....] (PRONOUN) courses do [.....] (PRONOUN) want, [.....] (PRONOUN) 'd like to know.... Do [.....] (PRONOUN) mind [.....] (PRONOUN) , now?"
"Yes, sir."
Mr Alleyne bent [.....] (PRONOUN) head again upon [.....] (PRONOUN) pile of papers. The man stared fixedly at the polished skull [.....] (PRONOUN) directed the affairs of Crosbie & Alleyne, gauging its fragility. A spasm of rage gripped [.....] (PRONOUN) throat for a [.....] (PRONOUN) moments and then passed, leaving after it a sharp sensation of thirst. The man recognised the sensation and felt [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) must have a good night's drinking. The middle of the month was passed and, if [.....] (PRONOUN) could get the copy done in time, Mr Alleyne might give [.....] (PRONOUN) an order on the cashier. [.....] (PRONOUN) stood still, gazing fixedly at the head upon the pile of papers. Suddenly Mr Alleyne began to upset [.....] (PRONOUN) the papers, searching for [.....] (PRONOUN) . Then, as if [.....] (PRONOUN) had been unaware of the man's presence till [.....] (PRONOUN) moment, [.....] (PRONOUN) shot up [.....] (PRONOUN) head again, saying:
"Eh? Are [.....] (PRONOUN) going to stand there [.....] (PRONOUN) day? Upon [.....] (PRONOUN) word, Farrington, [.....] (PRONOUN) take things easy!"
"[.....] (PRONOUN) was waiting to see...."
"Very good, [.....] (PRONOUN) needn't wait to see. Go downstairs and do your work."
The man walked heavily towards the door and, as [.....] (PRONOUN) went out of the room, [.....] (PRONOUN) heard Mr Alleyne cry after [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) if the contract was not copied by evening Mr Crosbie would hear of the matter.
[.....] (PRONOUN) returned to [.....] (PRONOUN) desk in the lower office and counted the sheets [.....] (PRONOUN) remained to be copied. [.....] (PRONOUN) took up [.....] (PRONOUN) pen and dipped it in the ink but [.....] (PRONOUN) continued to stare stupidly at the last words [.....] (PRONOUN) had written: <[.....] (PRONOUN) >In no case shall the said Bernard Bodley be....(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) > The evening was falling and in a [.....] (PRONOUN) minutes [.....] (PRONOUN) would be lighting the gas: then [.....] (PRONOUN) could write. [.....] (PRONOUN) felt [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) must slake the thirst in [.....] (PRONOUN) throat. [.....] (PRONOUN) stood up from [.....] (PRONOUN) desk and, lifting the counter as before, passed out of the office. As [.....] (PRONOUN) was passing out the chief clerk looked at [.....] (PRONOUN) inquiringly.
"It's [.....] (PRONOUN) right, Mr Shelley," said the man, pointing with [.....] (PRONOUN) finger to indicate the objective of [.....] (PRONOUN) journey.
The chief clerk glanced at the hat-rack but, seeing the row complete, offered no remark. As soon as [.....] (PRONOUN) was on the landing the man pulled a shepherd's plaid cap out of [.....] (PRONOUN) pocket, put it on [.....] (PRONOUN) head and ran quickly down the rickety stairs. From the street door [.....] (PRONOUN) walked on furtively on the inner side of the path towards the corner and [.....] (PRONOUN) at once dived into a doorway. [.....] (PRONOUN) was now safe in the dark snug of O'Neill's shop, and filling up the little window [.....] (PRONOUN) looked into the bar with [.....] (PRONOUN) inflamed face, the colour of dark wine or dark meat, [.....] (PRONOUN) called out:
"Here, Pat, give [.....] (PRONOUN) a g.p., like a good fellow."
The curate brought [.....] (PRONOUN) a glass of plain porter. The man drank it at a gulp and asked for a caraway seed. [.....] (PRONOUN) put [.....] (PRONOUN) penny on the counter and, leaving the curate to grope for it in the gloom, retreated out of the snug as furtively as [.....] (PRONOUN) had entered it.
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 [.....] (PRONOUN) reached the door of the office, wondering whether [.....] (PRONOUN) could finish [.....] (PRONOUN) copy in time. On the stairs a moist pungent odour of perfumes saluted [.....] (PRONOUN) nose: evidently Miss Delacour had come while [.....] (PRONOUN) was out in O'Neill's. [.....] (PRONOUN) crammed [.....] (PRONOUN) cap back again into [.....] (PRONOUN) pocket and re-entered the office, assuming an air of absent-mindedness.
"Mr Alleyne has been calling for [.....] (PRONOUN) ," said the chief clerk severely. "Where were [.....] (PRONOUN) ?"
The man glanced at the two clients [.....] (PRONOUN) were standing at the counter as if to intimate [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) presence prevented [.....] (PRONOUN) from answering. As the clients were [.....] (PRONOUN) male the chief clerk allowed himself a laugh.
"[.....] (PRONOUN) know [.....] (PRONOUN) game," [.....] (PRONOUN) said. "Five times in [.....] (PRONOUN) day is a little bit.... Well, [.....] (PRONOUN) better look sharp and get a copy of [.....] (PRONOUN) correspondence in the Delacour case for Mr Alleyne."
[.....] (PRONOUN) address in the presence of the public, [.....] (PRONOUN) run upstairs and the porter [.....] (PRONOUN) had gulped down so hastily confused the man and, as [.....] (PRONOUN) sat down at [.....] (PRONOUN) desk to get [.....] (PRONOUN) was required, [.....] (PRONOUN) realised how hopeless was the task of finishing [.....] (PRONOUN) copy of the contract before half past five. The dark damp night was coming and [.....] (PRONOUN) longed to spend it in the bars, drinking with [.....] (PRONOUN) friends amid the glare of gas and the clatter of glasses. [.....] (PRONOUN) got out the Delacour correspondence and passed out of the office. [.....] (PRONOUN) hoped Mr Alleyne would not discover [.....] (PRONOUN) the last two letters were missing.
The moist pungent perfume lay [.....] (PRONOUN) 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 [.....] (PRONOUN) or on [.....] (PRONOUN) money. [.....] (PRONOUN) came to the office often and stayed a long time when [.....] (PRONOUN) came. [.....] (PRONOUN) was sitting beside [.....] (PRONOUN) desk now in an aroma of perfumes, smoothing the handle of [.....] (PRONOUN) umbrella and nodding the great black feather in [.....] (PRONOUN) hat. Mr Alleyne had swivelled [.....] (PRONOUN) chair round to face [.....] (PRONOUN) and thrown [.....] (PRONOUN) right foot jauntily upon [.....] (PRONOUN) left knee. The man put the correspondence on the desk and bowed respectfully but [.....] (PRONOUN) Mr Alleyne nor Miss Delacour took [.....] (PRONOUN) notice of [.....] (PRONOUN) bow. Mr Alleyne tapped a finger on the correspondence and then flicked it towards [.....] (PRONOUN) as if to say: <[.....] (PRONOUN) >"[.....] (PRONOUN) 's [.....] (PRONOUN) right: [.....] (PRONOUN) can go."(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) >
The man returned to the lower office and sat down again at [.....] (PRONOUN) desk. [.....] (PRONOUN) stared intently at the incomplete phrase: <[.....] (PRONOUN) >In no case shall the said Bernard Bodley be(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) > ... and thought how strange it was [.....] (PRONOUN) the last three words began with the same letter. The chief clerk began to hurry Miss Parker, saying [.....] (PRONOUN) would never have the letters typed in time for post. The man listened to the clicking of the machine for a [.....] (PRONOUN) minutes and then set to work to finish [.....] (PRONOUN) copy. But [.....] (PRONOUN) head was not clear and [.....] (PRONOUN) mind wandered away to the glare and rattle of the public-house. It was a night for hot punches. [.....] (PRONOUN) struggled on with [.....] (PRONOUN) copy, but when the clock struck five [.....] (PRONOUN) had still fourteen pages to write. Blast it! [.....] (PRONOUN) couldn't finish it in time. [.....] (PRONOUN) longed to execrate aloud, to bring [.....] (PRONOUN) fist down on [.....] (PRONOUN) violently. [.....] (PRONOUN) was so enraged [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) wrote <[.....] (PRONOUN) >Bernard Bernard(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) > instead of <[.....] (PRONOUN) >Bernard Bodley(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) > and had to begin again on a clean sheet.
[.....] (PRONOUN) felt strong enough to clear out the whole office singlehanded. [.....] (PRONOUN) body ached to do [.....] (PRONOUN) , to rush out and revel in violence. [.....] (PRONOUN) the indignities of [.....] (PRONOUN) life enraged [.....] (PRONOUN) .... Could [.....] (PRONOUN) ask the cashier privately for an advance? No, the cashier was no good, no damn good: [.....] (PRONOUN) wouldn't give an advance.... [.....] (PRONOUN) knew where [.....] (PRONOUN) would meet the boys: Leonard and O'Halloran and Nosey Flynn. The barometer of [.....] (PRONOUN) emotional nature was set for a spell of riot.
[.....] (PRONOUN) imagination had so abstracted [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) name was called twice before [.....] (PRONOUN) answered. Mr Alleyne and Miss Delacour were standing outside the counter and [.....] (PRONOUN) the clerks had turn round in anticipation of [.....] (PRONOUN) . The man got up from [.....] (PRONOUN) desk. Mr Alleyne began a tirade of abuse, saying [.....] (PRONOUN) two letters were missing. The man answered [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) knew [.....] (PRONOUN) about [.....] (PRONOUN) , [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) had made a faithful copy. The tirade continued: it was so bitter and violent [.....] (PRONOUN) the man could hardly restrain [.....] (PRONOUN) fist from descending upon the head of the manikin before [.....] (PRONOUN) :
"[.....] (PRONOUN) know [.....] (PRONOUN) about [.....] (PRONOUN) other two letters," [.....] (PRONOUN) said stupidly.
"<[.....] (PRONOUN) >[.....] (PRONOUN) —know—[.....] (PRONOUN) (PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) >. Of course [.....] (PRONOUN) know [.....] (PRONOUN) ," said Mr Alleyne. "Tell [.....] (PRONOUN) ," [.....] (PRONOUN) added, glancing first for approval to the lady beside [.....] (PRONOUN) , "do [.....] (PRONOUN) take [.....] (PRONOUN) for a fool? Do [.....] (PRONOUN) think [.....] (PRONOUN) an utter fool?"
The man glanced from the lady's face to the little egg-shaped head and back again; and, almost before [.....] (PRONOUN) was aware of it, [.....] (PRONOUN) tongue had found a felicitous moment:
"[.....] (PRONOUN) don't think, sir," [.....] (PRONOUN) said, "[.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) 's a fair question to put to [.....] (PRONOUN) ."
There was a pause in the very breathing of the clerks. [.....] (PRONOUN) was astounded (the author of the witticism no less than [.....] (PRONOUN) neighbours) and Miss Delacour, [.....] (PRONOUN) was a stout amiable person, began to smile broadly. Mr Alleyne flushed to the hue of a wild rose and [.....] (PRONOUN) mouth twitched with a dwarf's passion. [.....] (PRONOUN) shook [.....] (PRONOUN) fist in the man's face till it seemed to vibrate like the knob of [.....] (PRONOUN) electric machine:
"[.....] (PRONOUN) impertinent ruffian! [.....] (PRONOUN) impertinent ruffian! [.....] (PRONOUN) 'll make short work of [.....] (PRONOUN) ! Wait till [.....] (PRONOUN) see! [.....] (PRONOUN) 'll apologise to [.....] (PRONOUN) for your impertinence or [.....] (PRONOUN) 'll quit the office instanter! [.....] (PRONOUN) 'll quit [.....] (PRONOUN) , [.....] (PRONOUN) 'm telling [.....] (PRONOUN) , or [.....] (PRONOUN) 'll apologise to [.....] (PRONOUN) !"
[.....] (PRONOUN) stood in a doorway opposite the office watching to see if the cashier would come out alone. [.....] (PRONOUN) the clerks passed out and finally the cashier came out with the chief clerk. It was no use trying to say a word to [.....] (PRONOUN) when [.....] (PRONOUN) was with the chief clerk. The man felt [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) position was bad enough. [.....] (PRONOUN) had been obliged to offer an abject apology to Mr Alleyne for [.....] (PRONOUN) impertinence but [.....] (PRONOUN) knew [.....] (PRONOUN) a hornet's nest the office would be for [.....] (PRONOUN) . [.....] (PRONOUN) could remember the way in [.....] (PRONOUN) Mr Alleyne had hounded little Peake out of the office in order to make room for [.....] (PRONOUN) own nephew. [.....] (PRONOUN) felt savage and thirsty and revengeful, annoyed with himself and with [.....] (PRONOUN) else. Mr Alleyne would never give [.....] (PRONOUN) an hour's rest; [.....] (PRONOUN) life would be a hell to [.....] (PRONOUN) . [.....] (PRONOUN) had made a proper fool of himself [.....] (PRONOUN) time. Could [.....] (PRONOUN) not keep [.....] (PRONOUN) tongue in [.....] (PRONOUN) cheek? But [.....] (PRONOUN) had never pulled together from the first, [.....] (PRONOUN) and Mr Alleyne, ever since the day Mr Alleyne had overheard [.....] (PRONOUN) mimicking [.....] (PRONOUN) North of Ireland accent to amuse Higgins and Miss Parker: [.....] (PRONOUN) had been the beginning of it. [.....] (PRONOUN) might have tried Higgins for the money, but sure Higgins never had [.....] (PRONOUN) for himself. A man with two establishments to keep up, of course [.....] (PRONOUN) couldn't....
[.....] (PRONOUN) felt [.....] (PRONOUN) great body again aching for the comfort of the public-house. The fog had begun to chill [.....] (PRONOUN) and [.....] (PRONOUN) wondered could [.....] (PRONOUN) touch Pat in O'Neill's. [.....] (PRONOUN) could not touch [.....] (PRONOUN) for more than a bob—and a bob was no use. Yet [.....] (PRONOUN) must get money somewhere or other: [.....] (PRONOUN) had spent [.....] (PRONOUN) last penny for the g.p. and soon it would be too late for getting money anywhere. Suddenly, as [.....] (PRONOUN) was fingering [.....] (PRONOUN) watch-chain, [.....] (PRONOUN) thought of Terry Kelly's pawn-office in Fleet Street. [.....] (PRONOUN) was the dart! Why didn't [.....] (PRONOUN) think of it sooner?
[.....] (PRONOUN) went through the narrow alley of Temple Bar quickly, muttering to himself [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) could [.....] (PRONOUN) go to hell because [.....] (PRONOUN) was going to have a good night of it. The clerk in Terry Kelly's said <[.....] (PRONOUN) >A crown!(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) > but the consignor held out for six shillings; and in the end the six shillings was allowed [.....] (PRONOUN) literally. [.....] (PRONOUN) came out of the pawn-office joyfully, making a little cylinder, of the coins between [.....] (PRONOUN) 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. [.....] (PRONOUN) head was full of the noises of tram-gongs and swishing trolleys and [.....] (PRONOUN) nose already sniffed the curling fumes of punch. As [.....] (PRONOUN) walked on [.....] (PRONOUN) preconsidered the terms in [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) would narrate the incident to the boys:
"So, [.....] (PRONOUN) just looked at [.....] (PRONOUN) —coolly, [.....] (PRONOUN) know, and looked at [.....] (PRONOUN) . Then [.....] (PRONOUN) looked back at [.....] (PRONOUN) again—taking [.....] (PRONOUN) time, [.....] (PRONOUN) know. '[.....] (PRONOUN) don't think [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) 's a fair question to put to [.....] (PRONOUN) ,' says [.....] (PRONOUN) ."
Nosey Flynn was sitting up in [.....] (PRONOUN) usual corner of Davy Byrne's and, when [.....] (PRONOUN) heard the story, [.....] (PRONOUN) stood Farrington a half-[.....] (PRONOUN) , saying it was as smart a thing as ever [.....] (PRONOUN) heard. Farrington stood a drink in [.....] (PRONOUN) turn. After a while O'Halloran and Paddy Leonard came in and the story was repeated to [.....] (PRONOUN) . O'Halloran stood tailors of malt, hot, [.....] (PRONOUN) round and told the story of the retort [.....] (PRONOUN) had made to the chief clerk when [.....] (PRONOUN) was in Callan's of Fownes's Street; but, as the retort was after the manner of the liberal shepherds in the eclogues, [.....] (PRONOUN) had to admit [.....] (PRONOUN) it was not as clever as Farrington's retort. At [.....] (PRONOUN) Farrington told the boys to polish off [.....] (PRONOUN) and have another.
Just as [.....] (PRONOUN) were naming [.....] (PRONOUN) poisons [.....] (PRONOUN) should come in but Higgins! Of course [.....] (PRONOUN) had to join in with the others. The men asked [.....] (PRONOUN) to give [.....] (PRONOUN) version of it, and [.....] (PRONOUN) did so with great vivacity for the sight of five small hot whiskies was very exhilarating. [.....] (PRONOUN) roared laughing when [.....] (PRONOUN) showed the way in [.....] (PRONOUN) Mr Alleyne shook [.....] (PRONOUN) fist in Farrington's face. Then [.....] (PRONOUN) imitated Farrington, saying, <[.....] (PRONOUN) >"And here was [.....] (PRONOUN) nabs, as cool as [.....] (PRONOUN) please,"(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) > while Farrington looked at the company out of [.....] (PRONOUN) heavy dirty eyes, smiling and at times drawing forth stray drops of liquor from [.....] (PRONOUN) moustache with the aid of [.....] (PRONOUN) lower lip.
When [.....] (PRONOUN) round was over there was a pause. O'Halloran had money but [.....] (PRONOUN) of the other two seemed to have [.....] (PRONOUN) ; 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 [.....] (PRONOUN) 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 match-sellers at the door and formed a little party at the corner of the counter. [.....] (PRONOUN) began to exchange stories. Leonard introduced [.....] (PRONOUN) to a young fellow named Weathers [.....] (PRONOUN) was performing at the Tivoli as an acrobat and knockabout <[.....] (PRONOUN) >artiste(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) >. Farrington stood a drink [.....] (PRONOUN) round. Weathers said [.....] (PRONOUN) would take a small Irish and Apollinaris. Farrington, [.....] (PRONOUN) had definite notions of [.....] (PRONOUN) was [.....] (PRONOUN) , asked the boys would [.....] (PRONOUN) 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 [.....] (PRONOUN) the hospitality was too Irish. [.....] (PRONOUN) promised to get [.....] (PRONOUN) in behind the scenes and introduce [.....] (PRONOUN) to [.....] (PRONOUN) nice girls. O'Halloran said [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) and Leonard would go, but [.....] (PRONOUN) Farrington wouldn't go because [.....] (PRONOUN) was a married man; and Farrington's heavy dirty eyes leered at the company in token [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) understood [.....] (PRONOUN) was being chaffed. Weathers made [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) have just [.....] (PRONOUN) little tincture at [.....] (PRONOUN) expense and promised to meet [.....] (PRONOUN) later on at Mulligan's in Poolbeg Street.
When the Scotch House closed [.....] (PRONOUN) went round to Mulligan's. [.....] (PRONOUN) went into the parlour at the back and O'Halloran ordered small hot specials [.....] (PRONOUN) round. [.....] (PRONOUN) were [.....] (PRONOUN) beginning to feel mellow. Farrington was just standing another round when Weathers came back. Much to Farrington's relief [.....] (PRONOUN) drank a glass of bitter [.....] (PRONOUN) time. Funds were getting low but [.....] (PRONOUN) had enough to keep [.....] (PRONOUN) 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 [.....] (PRONOUN) and told the company [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) were out of the Tivoli. Farrington's eyes wandered at every moment in the direction of [.....] (PRONOUN) of the young women. There was [.....] (PRONOUN) striking in [.....] (PRONOUN) appearance. An immense scarf of peacock-blue muslin was wound round [.....] (PRONOUN) hat and knotted in a great bow under [.....] (PRONOUN) chin; and [.....] (PRONOUN) wore bright yellow gloves, reaching to the elbow. Farrington gazed admiringly at the plump arm [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) moved very often and with much grace; and when, after a little time, [.....] (PRONOUN) answered [.....] (PRONOUN) gaze [.....] (PRONOUN) admired still more [.....] (PRONOUN) large dark brown eyes. The oblique staring expression in [.....] (PRONOUN) fascinated [.....] (PRONOUN) . [.....] (PRONOUN) glanced at [.....] (PRONOUN) once or twice and, when the party was leaving the room, [.....] (PRONOUN) brushed against [.....] (PRONOUN) chair and said <[.....] (PRONOUN) >"O, pardon!"(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) > in a London accent. [.....] (PRONOUN) watched [.....] (PRONOUN) leave the room in the hope [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) would look back at [.....] (PRONOUN) , but [.....] (PRONOUN) was disappointed. [.....] (PRONOUN) cursed [.....] (PRONOUN) want of money and cursed [.....] (PRONOUN) the rounds [.....] (PRONOUN) had stood, particularly [.....] (PRONOUN) the whiskies and Apollinaris [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) had stood to Weathers. If there was [.....] (PRONOUN) thing [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) hated it was a sponge. [.....] (PRONOUN) was so angry [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) lost count of the conversation of [.....] (PRONOUN) friends.
When Paddy Leonard called [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) found [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) were talking about feats of strength. Weathers was showing [.....] (PRONOUN) biceps muscle to the company and boasting so much [.....] (PRONOUN) the other two had called on Farrington to uphold the national honour. Farrington pulled up [.....] (PRONOUN) sleeve accordingly and showed [.....] (PRONOUN) 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 [.....] (PRONOUN) elbows on it, clasping hands. When Paddy Leonard said <[.....] (PRONOUN) >"Go!"(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) > [.....] (PRONOUN) was to try to bring down the other's hand on to the table. Farrington looked very serious and determined.
The trial began. After about thirty seconds Weathers brought [.....] (PRONOUN) 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.
"[.....] (PRONOUN) 're not to put the weight of your body behind it. Play fair," [.....] (PRONOUN) said.
"[.....] (PRONOUN) 's not playing fair?" said the other.
"Come on again. The two best out of three."
The trial began again. The veins stood out on Farrington's forehead, and the pallor of Weathers' complexion changed to peony. [.....] (PRONOUN) hands and arms trembled under the stress. After a long struggle Weathers again brought [.....] (PRONOUN) opponent's hand slowly on to the table. There was a murmur of applause from the spectators. The curate, [.....] (PRONOUN) was standing beside the table, nodded [.....] (PRONOUN) red head towards the victor and said with stupid familiarity:
"Ah! [.....] (PRONOUN) 's the knack!"
"[.....] (PRONOUN) the hell do [.....] (PRONOUN) know about it?" said Farrington fiercely, turning on the man. "[.....] (PRONOUN) do [.....] (PRONOUN) put in your gab for?"
"Sh, sh!" said O'Halloran, observing the violent expression of Farrington's face. "Pony up, boys. [.....] (PRONOUN) 'll have just [.....] (PRONOUN) little smahan more and then [.....] (PRONOUN) 'll be off."
A very sullen-faced man stood at the corner of O'Connell Bridge waiting for the little Sandymount tram to take [.....] (PRONOUN) home. [.....] (PRONOUN) was full of smouldering anger and revengefulness. [.....] (PRONOUN) felt humiliated and discontented; [.....] (PRONOUN) did not even feel drunk; and [.....] (PRONOUN) had only twopence in [.....] (PRONOUN) pocket. [.....] (PRONOUN) cursed [.....] (PRONOUN) . [.....] (PRONOUN) had done for himself in the office, pawned [.....] (PRONOUN) watch, spent [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) money; and [.....] (PRONOUN) had not even got drunk. [.....] (PRONOUN) began to feel thirsty again and [.....] (PRONOUN) longed to be back again in the hot reeking public-house. [.....] (PRONOUN) had lost [.....] (PRONOUN) reputation as a strong man, having been defeated twice by a mere boy. [.....] (PRONOUN) heart swelled with fury and, when [.....] (PRONOUN) thought of the woman in the big hat [.....] (PRONOUN) had brushed against [.....] (PRONOUN) and said <[.....] (PRONOUN) >Pardon!(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) > [.....] (PRONOUN) fury nearly choked [.....] (PRONOUN) .
[.....] (PRONOUN) tram let [.....] (PRONOUN) down at Shelbourne Road and [.....] (PRONOUN) steered [.....] (PRONOUN) great body along in the shadow of the wall of the barracks. [.....] (PRONOUN) loathed returning to [.....] (PRONOUN) home. When [.....] (PRONOUN) went in by the side-door [.....] (PRONOUN) found the kitchen empty and the kitchen fire nearly out. [.....] (PRONOUN) bawled upstairs:
"Ada! Ada!"
[.....] (PRONOUN) wife was a little sharp-faced woman [.....] (PRONOUN) bullied [.....] (PRONOUN) husband when [.....] (PRONOUN) was sober and was bullied by [.....] (PRONOUN) when [.....] (PRONOUN) was drunk. [.....] (PRONOUN) had five children. A little boy came running down the stairs.
"[.....] (PRONOUN) is [.....] (PRONOUN) ?" said the man, peering through the darkness.
"[.....] (PRONOUN) , pa."
"[.....] (PRONOUN) are [.....] (PRONOUN) ? Charlie?"
"No, pa. Tom."
"Where's your mother?"
"[.....] (PRONOUN) 's out at the chapel."
"[.....] (PRONOUN) 's right.... Did [.....] (PRONOUN) think of leaving [.....] (PRONOUN) dinner for [.....] (PRONOUN) ?"
"Yes, pa. [.....] (PRONOUN) ——"
"Light the lamp. [.....] (PRONOUN) do [.....] (PRONOUN) mean by having the place in darkness? Are the other children in bed?"
The man sat down heavily on [.....] (PRONOUN) of the chairs while the little boy lit the lamp. [.....] (PRONOUN) began to mimic [.....] (PRONOUN) son's flat accent, saying half to himself: <[.....] (PRONOUN) >"At the chapel. At the chapel, if [.....] (PRONOUN) please!"(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) > When the lamp was lit [.....] (PRONOUN) banged [.....] (PRONOUN) fist on the table and shouted:
"[.....] (PRONOUN) 's for [.....] (PRONOUN) dinner?"
"[.....] (PRONOUN) 'm going ... to cook it, pa," said the little boy.
The man jumped up furiously and pointed to the fire.
"On [.....] (PRONOUN) fire! [.....] (PRONOUN) let the fire out! By God, [.....] (PRONOUN) 'll teach [.....] (PRONOUN) to do [.....] (PRONOUN) again!"
[.....] (PRONOUN) took a step to the door and seized the walking-stick [.....] (PRONOUN) was standing behind it.
"[.....] (PRONOUN) 'll teach [.....] (PRONOUN) to let the fire out!" [.....] (PRONOUN) said, rolling up [.....] (PRONOUN) sleeve in order to give [.....] (PRONOUN) arm free play.
The little boy cried <[.....] (PRONOUN) >"O, pa!"(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) > and ran whimpering round the table, but the man followed [.....] (PRONOUN) and caught [.....] (PRONOUN) by the coat. The little boy looked about [.....] (PRONOUN) wildly but, seeing no way of escape, fell upon [.....] (PRONOUN) knees.
"Now, [.....] (PRONOUN) 'll let the fire out the next time!" said the man striking at [.....] (PRONOUN) vigorously with the stick. "Take [.....] (PRONOUN) , [.....] (PRONOUN) little whelp!"
The boy uttered a squeal of pain as the stick cut [.....] (PRONOUN) thigh. [.....] (PRONOUN) clasped [.....] (PRONOUN) hands together in the air and [.....] (PRONOUN) voice shook with fright.
"O, pa!" [.....] (PRONOUN) cried. "Don't beat [.....] (PRONOUN) , pa! And [.....] (PRONOUN) 'll ... [.....] (PRONOUN) 'll say a <[.....] (PRONOUN) >Hail Mary(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) > for [.....] (PRONOUN) .... [.....] (PRONOUN) 'll say a <[.....] (PRONOUN) >Hail Mary(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) > for [.....] (PRONOUN) , pa, if [.....] (PRONOUN) don't beat [.....] (PRONOUN) .... [.....] (PRONOUN) 'll say a <[.....] (PRONOUN) >Hail Mary(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) >...."
THE matron had given [.....] (PRONOUN) leave to go out as soon as the women's tea was over and Maria looked forward to [.....] (PRONOUN) evening out. The kitchen was spick and span: the cook said [.....] (PRONOUN) could see yourself in the big copper boilers. The fire was nice and bright and on [.....] (PRONOUN) of the side-tables were four very big barmbracks. [.....] (PRONOUN) barmbracks seemed uncut; but if [.....] (PRONOUN) went closer [.....] (PRONOUN) would see [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) had been cut into long thick even slices and were ready to be handed round at tea. Maria had cut [.....] (PRONOUN) herself.
Maria was a very, very small person indeed but [.....] (PRONOUN) had a very long nose and a very long chin. [.....] (PRONOUN) talked a little through [.....] (PRONOUN) nose, always soothingly: <[.....] (PRONOUN) >"Yes, [.....] (PRONOUN) dear,"(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) > and <[.....] (PRONOUN) >"No, [.....] (PRONOUN) dear."(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) > [.....] (PRONOUN) was always sent for when the women quarrelled over [.....] (PRONOUN) tubs and always succeeded in making peace. [.....] (PRONOUN) day the matron had said to [.....] (PRONOUN) :
"Maria, [.....] (PRONOUN) are a veritable peace-maker!"
And the sub-matron and two of the Board ladies had heard the compliment. And Ginger Mooney was always saying [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) wouldn't do to the dummy [.....] (PRONOUN) had charge of the irons if it wasn't for Maria. [.....] (PRONOUN) was so fond of Maria.
The women would have [.....] (PRONOUN) tea at six o'clock and [.....] (PRONOUN) 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. [.....] (PRONOUN) would be there before eight. [.....] (PRONOUN) took out [.....] (PRONOUN) purse with the silver clasps and read again the words <[.....] (PRONOUN) >A Present from Belfast(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) >. [.....] (PRONOUN) was very fond of [.....] (PRONOUN) purse because Joe had brought it to [.....] (PRONOUN) five years before when [.....] (PRONOUN) and Alphy had gone to Belfast on a Whit-Monday trip. In the purse were two half-crowns and [.....] (PRONOUN) coppers. [.....] (PRONOUN) would have five shillings clear after paying tram fare. [.....] (PRONOUN) a nice evening [.....] (PRONOUN) would have, [.....] (PRONOUN) the children singing! Only [.....] (PRONOUN) hoped [.....] (PRONOUN) Joe wouldn't come in drunk. [.....] (PRONOUN) was so different when [.....] (PRONOUN) took [.....] (PRONOUN) drink.
Often [.....] (PRONOUN) had wanted [.....] (PRONOUN) to go and live with [.....] (PRONOUN) ; but [.....] (PRONOUN) would have felt herself in the way (though Joe's wife was ever so nice with [.....] (PRONOUN) ) and [.....] (PRONOUN) had become accustomed to the life of the laundry. Joe was a good fellow. [.....] (PRONOUN) had nursed [.....] (PRONOUN) and Alphy too; and Joe used often say:
"Mamma is mamma but Maria is [.....] (PRONOUN) proper mother."
After the break-up at home the boys had got [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) position in the <[.....] (PRONOUN) >Dublin by Lamplight(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) > laundry, and [.....] (PRONOUN) liked it. [.....] (PRONOUN) used to have such a bad opinion of Protestants but now [.....] (PRONOUN) thought [.....] (PRONOUN) were very nice people, a little quiet and serious, but still very nice people to live with. Then [.....] (PRONOUN) had [.....] (PRONOUN) plants in the conservatory and [.....] (PRONOUN) liked looking after [.....] (PRONOUN) . [.....] (PRONOUN) had lovely ferns and wax-plants and, whenever [.....] (PRONOUN) came to visit [.....] (PRONOUN) , [.....] (PRONOUN) always gave the visitor [.....] (PRONOUN) or two slips from [.....] (PRONOUN) conservatory. There was [.....] (PRONOUN) thing [.....] (PRONOUN) didn't like and [.....] (PRONOUN) was the tracts on the walks; but the matron was such a nice person to deal with, so genteel.
When the cook told [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) was ready [.....] (PRONOUN) went into the women's room and began to pull the big bell. In a [.....] (PRONOUN) minutes the women began to come in by twos and threes, wiping [.....] (PRONOUN) steaming hands in [.....] (PRONOUN) petticoats and pulling down the sleeves of [.....] (PRONOUN) blouses over [.....] (PRONOUN) red steaming arms. [.....] (PRONOUN) settled down before [.....] (PRONOUN) huge mugs [.....] (PRONOUN) 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 [.....] (PRONOUN) every woman got [.....] (PRONOUN) 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 [.....] (PRONOUN) for so [.....] (PRONOUN) Hallow Eves, Maria had to laugh and say [.....] (PRONOUN) didn't want [.....] (PRONOUN) ring or man [.....] (PRONOUN) ; and when [.....] (PRONOUN) laughed [.....] (PRONOUN) grey-green eyes sparkled with disappointed shyness and the tip of [.....] (PRONOUN) nose nearly met the tip of [.....] (PRONOUN) chin. Then Ginger Mooney lifted up [.....] (PRONOUN) mug of tea and proposed Maria's health while [.....] (PRONOUN) the other women clattered with [.....] (PRONOUN) mugs on the table, and said [.....] (PRONOUN) was sorry [.....] (PRONOUN) hadn't a sup of porter to drink it in. And Maria laughed again till the tip of [.....] (PRONOUN) nose nearly met the tip of [.....] (PRONOUN) chin and till [.....] (PRONOUN) minute body nearly shook itself asunder because [.....] (PRONOUN) knew [.....] (PRONOUN) Mooney meant well though, of course, [.....] (PRONOUN) had the notions of a common woman.
But wasn't Maria glad when the women had finished [.....] (PRONOUN) tea and the cook and the dummy had begun to clear away the tea-things! [.....] (PRONOUN) went into [.....] (PRONOUN) little bedroom and, remembering [.....] (PRONOUN) the next morning was a mass morning, changed the hand of the alarm from seven to six. Then [.....] (PRONOUN) took off [.....] (PRONOUN) working skirt and [.....] (PRONOUN) house-boots and laid [.....] (PRONOUN) best skirt out on the bed and [.....] (PRONOUN) tiny dress-boots beside the foot of the bed. [.....] (PRONOUN) changed [.....] (PRONOUN) blouse too and, as [.....] (PRONOUN) stood before the mirror, [.....] (PRONOUN) thought of how [.....] (PRONOUN) used to dress for mass on Sunday morning when [.....] (PRONOUN) was a young girl; and [.....] (PRONOUN) looked with quaint affection at the diminutive body [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) had so often adorned. In spite of its years [.....] (PRONOUN) found it a nice tidy little body.
When [.....] (PRONOUN) got outside the streets were shining with rain and [.....] (PRONOUN) was glad of [.....] (PRONOUN) old brown waterproof. The tram was full and [.....] (PRONOUN) had to sit on the little stool at the end of the car, facing [.....] (PRONOUN) the people, with [.....] (PRONOUN) toes barely touching the floor. [.....] (PRONOUN) arranged in [.....] (PRONOUN) mind [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) was going to do and thought how much better it was to be independent and to have your own money in your pocket. [.....] (PRONOUN) hoped [.....] (PRONOUN) would have a nice evening. [.....] (PRONOUN) was sure [.....] (PRONOUN) would but [.....] (PRONOUN) could not help thinking [.....] (PRONOUN) a pity it was Alphy and Joe were not speaking. [.....] (PRONOUN) were always falling out now but when [.....] (PRONOUN) were boys together [.....] (PRONOUN) used to be the best of friends: but such was life.
[.....] (PRONOUN) got out of [.....] (PRONOUN) tram at the Pillar and ferreted [.....] (PRONOUN) way quickly among the crowds. [.....] (PRONOUN) went into Downes's cake-shop but the shop was so full of people [.....] (PRONOUN) it was a long time before [.....] (PRONOUN) could get herself attended to. [.....] (PRONOUN) bought a dozen of mixed penny cakes, and at last came out of the shop laden with a big bag. Then [.....] (PRONOUN) thought [.....] (PRONOUN) else would [.....] (PRONOUN) buy: [.....] (PRONOUN) wanted to buy [.....] (PRONOUN) really nice. [.....] (PRONOUN) would be sure to have plenty of apples and nuts. It was hard to know [.....] (PRONOUN) to buy and [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) could think of was cake. [.....] (PRONOUN) decided to buy [.....] (PRONOUN) plumcake but Downes's plumcake had not enough almond icing on top of it so [.....] (PRONOUN) went over to a shop in Henry Street. Here [.....] (PRONOUN) was a long time in suiting herself and the stylish young lady behind the counter, [.....] (PRONOUN) was evidently a little annoyed by [.....] (PRONOUN) , asked [.....] (PRONOUN) was it wedding-cake [.....] (PRONOUN) wanted to buy. [.....] (PRONOUN) made Maria blush and smile at the young lady; but the young lady took it [.....] (PRONOUN) very seriously and finally cut a thick slice of plumcake, parcelled it up and said:
"Two-and-four, please."
[.....] (PRONOUN) thought [.....] (PRONOUN) would have to stand in the Drumcondra tram because [.....] (PRONOUN) of the young men seemed to notice [.....] (PRONOUN) but an elderly gentleman made room for [.....] (PRONOUN) . [.....] (PRONOUN) was a stout gentleman and [.....] (PRONOUN) wore a brown hard hat; [.....] (PRONOUN) had a square red face and a greyish moustache. Maria thought [.....] (PRONOUN) was a colonel-looking gentleman and [.....] (PRONOUN) reflected how much more polite [.....] (PRONOUN) was than the young men [.....] (PRONOUN) simply stared straight before [.....] (PRONOUN) . The gentleman began to chat with [.....] (PRONOUN) about Hallow Eve and the rainy weather. [.....] (PRONOUN) supposed the bag was full of good things for the little ones and said it was only right [.....] (PRONOUN) the youngsters should enjoy themselves while [.....] (PRONOUN) were young. Maria agreed with [.....] (PRONOUN) and favoured [.....] (PRONOUN) with demure nods and hems. [.....] (PRONOUN) was very nice with [.....] (PRONOUN) , and when [.....] (PRONOUN) was getting out at the Canal Bridge [.....] (PRONOUN) thanked [.....] (PRONOUN) and bowed, and [.....] (PRONOUN) bowed to [.....] (PRONOUN) and raised [.....] (PRONOUN) hat and smiled agreeably, and while [.....] (PRONOUN) was going up along the terrace, bending [.....] (PRONOUN) tiny head under the rain, [.....] (PRONOUN) thought how easy it was to know a gentleman even when [.....] (PRONOUN) has a drop taken.
[.....] (PRONOUN) said: <[.....] (PRONOUN) >"O, here's Maria!"(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) > when [.....] (PRONOUN) came to Joe's house. Joe was there, having come home from business, and [.....] (PRONOUN) the children had [.....] (PRONOUN) 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 [.....] (PRONOUN) to bring such a big bag of cakes and made [.....] (PRONOUN) the children say:
"Thanks, Maria."
But Maria said [.....] (PRONOUN) had brought [.....] (PRONOUN) special for papa and mamma, [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) would be sure to like, and [.....] (PRONOUN) began to look for [.....] (PRONOUN) plumcake. [.....] (PRONOUN) tried in Downes's bag and then in the pockets of [.....] (PRONOUN) waterproof and then on the hallstand but nowhere could [.....] (PRONOUN) find it. Then [.....] (PRONOUN) asked [.....] (PRONOUN) the children had [.....] (PRONOUN) of [.....] (PRONOUN) eaten it—by mistake, of course—but the children [.....] (PRONOUN) said no and looked as if [.....] (PRONOUN) did not like to eat cakes if [.....] (PRONOUN) were to be accused of stealing. [.....] (PRONOUN) had a solution for the mystery and Mrs Donnelly said it was plain [.....] (PRONOUN) Maria had left it behind [.....] (PRONOUN) in the tram. Maria, remembering how confused the gentleman with the greyish moustache had made [.....] (PRONOUN) , coloured with shame and vexation and disappointment. At the thought of the failure of [.....] (PRONOUN) little surprise and of the two and fourpence [.....] (PRONOUN) had thrown away for [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) nearly cried outright.
But Joe said it didn't matter and made [.....] (PRONOUN) sit down by the fire. [.....] (PRONOUN) was very nice with [.....] (PRONOUN) . [.....] (PRONOUN) told [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) went on in [.....] (PRONOUN) office, repeating for [.....] (PRONOUN) a smart answer [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) had made to the manager. Maria did not understand why Joe laughed so much over the answer [.....] (PRONOUN) had made but [.....] (PRONOUN) said [.....] (PRONOUN) the manager must have been a very overbearing person to deal with. Joe said [.....] (PRONOUN) wasn't so bad when [.....] (PRONOUN) knew how to take [.....] (PRONOUN) , [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) was a decent sort so long as [.....] (PRONOUN) didn't rub [.....] (PRONOUN) the wrong way. Mrs Donnelly played the piano for the children and [.....] (PRONOUN) danced and sang. Then the two next-door girls handed round the nuts. [.....] (PRONOUN) could find the nutcrackers and Joe was nearly getting cross over it and asked how did [.....] (PRONOUN) expect Maria to crack nuts without a nutcracker. But Maria said [.....] (PRONOUN) didn't like nuts and [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) weren't to bother about [.....] (PRONOUN) . Then Joe asked would [.....] (PRONOUN) take a bottle of stout and Mrs Donnelly said there was port wine too in the house if [.....] (PRONOUN) would prefer [.....] (PRONOUN) . Maria said [.....] (PRONOUN) would rather [.....] (PRONOUN) didn't ask [.....] (PRONOUN) to take [.....] (PRONOUN) : but Joe insisted.
So Maria let [.....] (PRONOUN) have [.....] (PRONOUN) way and [.....] (PRONOUN) sat by the fire talking over old times and Maria thought [.....] (PRONOUN) would put in a good word for Alphy. But Joe cried [.....] (PRONOUN) God might strike [.....] (PRONOUN) stone dead if ever [.....] (PRONOUN) spoke a word to [.....] (PRONOUN) brother again and Maria said [.....] (PRONOUN) was sorry [.....] (PRONOUN) had mentioned the matter. Mrs Donnelly told [.....] (PRONOUN) husband it was a great shame for [.....] (PRONOUN) to speak [.....] (PRONOUN) way of [.....] (PRONOUN) own flesh and blood but Joe said [.....] (PRONOUN) Alphy was no brother of [.....] (PRONOUN) and there was nearly being a row on the head of it. But Joe said [.....] (PRONOUN) would not lose [.....] (PRONOUN) temper on account of the night it was and asked [.....] (PRONOUN) wife to open [.....] (PRONOUN) more stout. The two next-door girls had arranged [.....] (PRONOUN) Hallow Eve games and soon [.....] (PRONOUN) was merry again. Maria was delighted to see the children so merry and Joe and [.....] (PRONOUN) wife in such good spirits. The next-door girls put [.....] (PRONOUN) saucers on the table and then led the children up to the table, blindfold. [.....] (PRONOUN) got the prayer-book and the other three got the water; and when [.....] (PRONOUN) of the next-door girls got the ring Mrs Donnelly shook [.....] (PRONOUN) finger at the blushing girl as much as to say: <[.....] (PRONOUN) >O, [.....] (PRONOUN) know [.....] (PRONOUN) about it!(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) > [.....] (PRONOUN) insisted then on blindfolding Maria and leading [.....] (PRONOUN) up to the table to see [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) would get; and, while [.....] (PRONOUN) were putting on the bandage, Maria laughed and laughed again till the tip of [.....] (PRONOUN) nose nearly met the tip of [.....] (PRONOUN) chin.
[.....] (PRONOUN) led [.....] (PRONOUN) up to the table amid laughing and joking and [.....] (PRONOUN) put [.....] (PRONOUN) hand out in the air as [.....] (PRONOUN) was told to do. [.....] (PRONOUN) moved [.....] (PRONOUN) hand about here and there in the air and descended on [.....] (PRONOUN) of the saucers. [.....] (PRONOUN) felt a soft wet substance with [.....] (PRONOUN) fingers and was surprised [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) spoke or took off [.....] (PRONOUN) bandage. There was a pause for a [.....] (PRONOUN) seconds; and then a great deal of scuffling and whispering. [.....] (PRONOUN) said [.....] (PRONOUN) about the garden, and at last Mrs Donnelly said [.....] (PRONOUN) very cross to [.....] (PRONOUN) of the next-door girls and told [.....] (PRONOUN) to throw it out at once: [.....] (PRONOUN) was no play. Maria understood [.....] (PRONOUN) it was wrong [.....] (PRONOUN) time and so [.....] (PRONOUN) had to do it over again: and [.....] (PRONOUN) time [.....] (PRONOUN) got the prayer-book.
After [.....] (PRONOUN) Mrs Donnelly played Miss McCloud's Reel for the children and Joe made Maria take a glass of wine. Soon [.....] (PRONOUN) were [.....] (PRONOUN) quite merry again and Mrs Donnelly said Maria would enter a convent before the year was out because [.....] (PRONOUN) had got the prayer-book. Maria had never seen Joe so nice to [.....] (PRONOUN) as [.....] (PRONOUN) was [.....] (PRONOUN) night, so full of pleasant talk and reminiscences. [.....] (PRONOUN) said [.....] (PRONOUN) were [.....] (PRONOUN) very good to [.....] (PRONOUN) .
At last the children grew tired and sleepy and Joe asked Maria would [.....] (PRONOUN) not sing [.....] (PRONOUN) little song before [.....] (PRONOUN) went, [.....] (PRONOUN) of the old songs. Mrs Donnelly said <[.....] (PRONOUN) >"Do, please, Maria!"(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) > 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 [.....] (PRONOUN) played the prelude and said <[.....] (PRONOUN) >"Now, Maria!"(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) > and Maria, blushing very much began to sing in a tiny quavering voice. [.....] (PRONOUN) sang <[.....] (PRONOUN) >[.....] (PRONOUN) Dreamt [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) Dwelt(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) >, and when [.....] (PRONOUN) came to the second verse [.....] (PRONOUN) sang again:
<[.....] (PRONOUN) >[.....] (PRONOUN) dreamt [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) dwelt in marble halls
With vassals and serfs at [.....] (PRONOUN) side
And of [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) assembled within [.....] (PRONOUN) walls
[.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) was the hope and the pride.
[.....] (PRONOUN) had riches too great to count, could boast
Of a high ancestral name,
But [.....] (PRONOUN) also dreamt, [.....] (PRONOUN) pleased [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) ,
[.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) loved [.....] (PRONOUN) still the same.(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) >
But [.....] (PRONOUN) tried to show [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) mistake; and when [.....] (PRONOUN) had ended [.....] (PRONOUN) song Joe was very much moved. [.....] (PRONOUN) said [.....] (PRONOUN) there was no time like the long ago and no music for [.....] (PRONOUN) like poor old Balfe, whatever other people might say; and [.....] (PRONOUN) eyes filled up so much with tears [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) could not find [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) was looking for and in the end [.....] (PRONOUN) had to ask [.....] (PRONOUN) wife to tell [.....] (PRONOUN) where the corkscrew was.
MR JAMES DUFFY lived in Chapelizod because [.....] (PRONOUN) wished to live as far as possible from the city of [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) was a citizen and because [.....] (PRONOUN) found [.....] (PRONOUN) the other suburbs of Dublin mean, modern and pretentious. [.....] (PRONOUN) lived in an old sombre house and from [.....] (PRONOUN) windows [.....] (PRONOUN) could look into the disused distillery or upwards along the shallow river on [.....] (PRONOUN) Dublin is built. The lofty walls of [.....] (PRONOUN) uncarpeted room were free from pictures. [.....] (PRONOUN) 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 [.....] (PRONOUN) 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 [.....] (PRONOUN) end of the lowest shelf and a copy of the <[.....] (PRONOUN) >Maynooth Catechism(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) >, sewn into the cloth cover of a notebook, stood at [.....] (PRONOUN) end of the top shelf. Writing materials were always on the desk. In the desk lay a manuscript translation of Hauptmann's <[.....] (PRONOUN) >Michael Kramer(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) >, the stage directions of [.....] (PRONOUN) were written in purple ink, and a little sheaf of papers held together by a brass pin. In [.....] (PRONOUN) sheets a sentence was inscribed from time to time and, in an ironical moment, the headline of an advertisement for <[.....] (PRONOUN) >Bile Beans(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) > 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 [.....] (PRONOUN) might have been left there and forgotten.
Mr Duffy abhorred [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) betokened physical or mental disorder. A mediæval doctor would have called [.....] (PRONOUN) saturnine. [.....] (PRONOUN) face, [.....] (PRONOUN) carried the entire tale of [.....] (PRONOUN) years, was of the brown tint of Dublin streets. On [.....] (PRONOUN) long and rather large head grew dry black hair and a tawny moustache did not quite cover an unamiable mouth. [.....] (PRONOUN) cheekbones also gave [.....] (PRONOUN) face a harsh character; but there was no harshness in the eyes [.....] (PRONOUN) , looking at the world from under [.....] (PRONOUN) tawny eyebrows, gave the impression of a man ever alert to greet a redeeming instinct in others but often disappointed. [.....] (PRONOUN) lived at a little distance from [.....] (PRONOUN) body, regarding [.....] (PRONOUN) own acts with doubtful side-glances. [.....] (PRONOUN) had an odd autobiographical habit [.....] (PRONOUN) led [.....] (PRONOUN) to compose in [.....] (PRONOUN) mind from time to time a short sentence about himself containing a subject in the third person and a predicate in the past tense. [.....] (PRONOUN) never gave alms to beggars and walked firmly, carrying a stout hazel.
[.....] (PRONOUN) had been for [.....] (PRONOUN) years cashier of a private bank in Baggot Street. Every morning [.....] (PRONOUN) came in from Chapelizod by tram. At midday [.....] (PRONOUN) went to Dan Burke's and took [.....] (PRONOUN) lunch—a bottle of lager beer and a small trayful of arrowroot biscuits. At four o'clock [.....] (PRONOUN) was set free. [.....] (PRONOUN) dined in an eating-house in George's Street where [.....] (PRONOUN) felt himself safe from the society of Dublin's gilded youth and where there was a certain plain honesty in the bill of fare. [.....] (PRONOUN) evenings were spent [.....] (PRONOUN) before [.....] (PRONOUN) landlady's piano or roaming about the outskirts of the city. [.....] (PRONOUN) liking for Mozart's music brought [.....] (PRONOUN) sometimes to an opera or a concert: [.....] (PRONOUN) were the only dissipations of [.....] (PRONOUN) life.
[.....] (PRONOUN) had [.....] (PRONOUN) companions nor friends, church nor creed. [.....] (PRONOUN) lived [.....] (PRONOUN) spiritual life without [.....] (PRONOUN) communion with others, visiting [.....] (PRONOUN) relatives at Christmas and escorting [.....] (PRONOUN) to the cemetery when [.....] (PRONOUN) died. [.....] (PRONOUN) performed [.....] (PRONOUN) two social duties for old dignity's sake but conceded [.....] (PRONOUN) further to the conventions [.....] (PRONOUN) regulate the civic life. [.....] (PRONOUN) allowed himself to think [.....] (PRONOUN) in certain circumstances [.....] (PRONOUN) would rob [.....] (PRONOUN) bank but, as [.....] (PRONOUN) circumstances never arose, [.....] (PRONOUN) life rolled out evenly—an adventureless tale.
[.....] (PRONOUN) evening [.....] (PRONOUN) found himself sitting beside two ladies in the Rotunda. The house, thinly peopled and silent, gave distressing prophecy of failure. The lady [.....] (PRONOUN) sat next [.....] (PRONOUN) looked round at the deserted house once or twice and then said:
"[.....] (PRONOUN) a pity there is such a poor house tonight! It's so hard on people to have to sing to empty benches."
[.....] (PRONOUN) took the remark as an invitation to talk. [.....] (PRONOUN) was surprised [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) seemed so little awkward. While [.....] (PRONOUN) talked [.....] (PRONOUN) tried to fix [.....] (PRONOUN) permanently in [.....] (PRONOUN) memory. When [.....] (PRONOUN) learned [.....] (PRONOUN) the young girl beside [.....] (PRONOUN) was [.....] (PRONOUN) daughter [.....] (PRONOUN) judged [.....] (PRONOUN) to be a year or so younger than himself. [.....] (PRONOUN) face, [.....] (PRONOUN) must have been handsome, had remained intelligent. It was an oval face with strongly marked features. The eyes were very dark blue and steady. [.....] (PRONOUN) gaze began with a defiant note but was confused by [.....] (PRONOUN) seemed a deliberate swoon of the pupil into the iris, revealing for an instant a temperament of great sensibility. The pupil reasserted itself quickly, [.....] (PRONOUN) half-disclosed nature fell again under the reign of prudence, and [.....] (PRONOUN) astrakhan jacket, moulding a bosom of a certain fullness, struck the note of defiance more definitely.
[.....] (PRONOUN) met [.....] (PRONOUN) again a [.....] (PRONOUN) weeks afterwards at a concert in Earlsfort Terrace and seized the moments when [.....] (PRONOUN) daughter's attention was diverted to become intimate. [.....] (PRONOUN) alluded once or twice to [.....] (PRONOUN) husband but [.....] (PRONOUN) tone was not such as to make the allusion a warning. [.....] (PRONOUN) name was Mrs Sinico. [.....] (PRONOUN) husband's great-great-grandfather had come from Leghorn. [.....] (PRONOUN) husband was captain of a mercantile boat plying between Dublin and Holland; and [.....] (PRONOUN) had [.....] (PRONOUN) child.
Meeting [.....] (PRONOUN) a third time by accident [.....] (PRONOUN) found courage to make an appointment. [.....] (PRONOUN) came. [.....] (PRONOUN) was the first of [.....] (PRONOUN) meetings; [.....] (PRONOUN) met always in the evening and chose the [.....] (PRONOUN) quiet quarters for [.....] (PRONOUN) walks together. Mr Duffy, however, had a distaste for underhand ways and, finding [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) were compelled to meet stealthily, [.....] (PRONOUN) forced [.....] (PRONOUN) to ask [.....] (PRONOUN) to [.....] (PRONOUN) house. Captain Sinico encouraged [.....] (PRONOUN) visits, thinking [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) daughter's hand was in question. [.....] (PRONOUN) had dismissed [.....] (PRONOUN) wife so sincerely from [.....] (PRONOUN) gallery of pleasures [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) did not suspect [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) else would take an interest in [.....] (PRONOUN) . As the husband was often away and the daughter out giving music lessons Mr Duffy had [.....] (PRONOUN) opportunities of enjoying the lady's society. [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) nor [.....] (PRONOUN) had had [.....] (PRONOUN) such adventure before and [.....] (PRONOUN) was conscious of [.....] (PRONOUN) incongruity. Little by little [.....] (PRONOUN) entangled [.....] (PRONOUN) thoughts with hers. [.....] (PRONOUN) lent [.....] (PRONOUN) books, provided [.....] (PRONOUN) with ideas, shared [.....] (PRONOUN) intellectual life with [.....] (PRONOUN) . [.....] (PRONOUN) listened to [.....] (PRONOUN) .
Sometimes in return for [.....] (PRONOUN) theories [.....] (PRONOUN) gave out [.....] (PRONOUN) fact of [.....] (PRONOUN) own life. With almost maternal solicitude [.....] (PRONOUN) urged [.....] (PRONOUN) to let [.....] (PRONOUN) nature open to the full: [.....] (PRONOUN) became [.....] (PRONOUN) confessor. [.....] (PRONOUN) told [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) for [.....] (PRONOUN) time [.....] (PRONOUN) had assisted at the meetings of an Irish Socialist Party where [.....] (PRONOUN) 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, [.....] (PRONOUN) under its own leader and in its own garret, [.....] (PRONOUN) had discontinued [.....] (PRONOUN) attendances. The workmen's discussions, [.....] (PRONOUN) said, were too timorous; the interest [.....] (PRONOUN) took in the question of wages was inordinate. [.....] (PRONOUN) felt [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) were hard-featured realists and [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) resented an exactitude [.....] (PRONOUN) was the produce of a leisure not within [.....] (PRONOUN) reach. No social revolution, [.....] (PRONOUN) told [.....] (PRONOUN) , would be likely to strike Dublin for [.....] (PRONOUN) centuries.
[.....] (PRONOUN) asked [.....] (PRONOUN) why did [.....] (PRONOUN) not write out [.....] (PRONOUN) thoughts. For [.....] (PRONOUN) , [.....] (PRONOUN) asked [.....] (PRONOUN) , 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 [.....] (PRONOUN) entrusted its morality to policemen and its fine arts to impresarios?
[.....] (PRONOUN) went often to [.....] (PRONOUN) little cottage outside Dublin; often [.....] (PRONOUN) spent [.....] (PRONOUN) evenings alone. Little by little, as [.....] (PRONOUN) thoughts entangled, [.....] (PRONOUN) spoke of subjects less remote. [.....] (PRONOUN) companionship was like a warm soil about an exotic. [.....] (PRONOUN) times [.....] (PRONOUN) allowed the dark to fall upon [.....] (PRONOUN) , refraining from lighting the lamp. The dark discreet room, [.....] (PRONOUN) isolation, the music [.....] (PRONOUN) still vibrated in [.....] (PRONOUN) ears united [.....] (PRONOUN) . [.....] (PRONOUN) union exalted [.....] (PRONOUN) , wore away the rough edges of [.....] (PRONOUN) character, emotionalised [.....] (PRONOUN) mental life. Sometimes [.....] (PRONOUN) caught himself listening to the sound of [.....] (PRONOUN) own voice. [.....] (PRONOUN) thought [.....] (PRONOUN) in [.....] (PRONOUN) eyes [.....] (PRONOUN) would ascend to an angelical stature; and, as [.....] (PRONOUN) attached the fervent nature of [.....] (PRONOUN) companion more and more closely to [.....] (PRONOUN) , [.....] (PRONOUN) heard the strange impersonal voice [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) recognised as [.....] (PRONOUN) own, insisting on the soul's incurable loneliness. [.....] (PRONOUN) cannot give [.....] (PRONOUN) , it said: [.....] (PRONOUN) are [.....] (PRONOUN) own. The end of [.....] (PRONOUN) discourses was [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) night during [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) had shown every sign of unusual excitement, Mrs Sinico caught up [.....] (PRONOUN) hand passionately and pressed it to [.....] (PRONOUN) cheek.
Mr Duffy was very much surprised. [.....] (PRONOUN) interpretation of [.....] (PRONOUN) words disillusioned [.....] (PRONOUN) . [.....] (PRONOUN) did not visit [.....] (PRONOUN) for a week, then [.....] (PRONOUN) wrote to [.....] (PRONOUN) asking [.....] (PRONOUN) to meet [.....] (PRONOUN) . As [.....] (PRONOUN) did not wish [.....] (PRONOUN) last interview to be troubled by the influence of [.....] (PRONOUN) ruined confessional [.....] (PRONOUN) met in a little cakeshop near the Parkgate. It was cold autumn weather but in spite of the cold [.....] (PRONOUN) wandered up and down the roads of the Park for nearly three hours. [.....] (PRONOUN) agreed to break off [.....] (PRONOUN) intercourse: every bond, [.....] (PRONOUN) said, is a bond to sorrow. When [.....] (PRONOUN) came out of the Park [.....] (PRONOUN) walked in silence towards the tram; but here [.....] (PRONOUN) began to tremble so violently [.....] (PRONOUN) , fearing another collapse on [.....] (PRONOUN) part, [.....] (PRONOUN) bade [.....] (PRONOUN) good-bye quickly and left [.....] (PRONOUN) . A [.....] (PRONOUN) days later [.....] (PRONOUN) received a parcel containing [.....] (PRONOUN) books and music.
Four years passed. Mr Duffy returned to [.....] (PRONOUN) even way of life. [.....] (PRONOUN) room still bore witness of the orderliness of [.....] (PRONOUN) mind. [.....] (PRONOUN) new pieces of music encumbered the music-stand in the lower room and on [.....] (PRONOUN) shelves stood two volumes by Nietzsche: <[.....] (PRONOUN) >Thus Spake Zarathustra(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) > and <[.....] (PRONOUN) >The Gay Science(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) >. [.....] (PRONOUN) wrote seldom in the sheaf of papers [.....] (PRONOUN) lay in [.....] (PRONOUN) desk. [.....] (PRONOUN) of [.....] (PRONOUN) sentences, written two months after [.....] (PRONOUN) 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. [.....] (PRONOUN) kept away from concerts lest [.....] (PRONOUN) should meet [.....] (PRONOUN) . [.....] (PRONOUN) father died; the junior partner of the bank retired. And still every morning [.....] (PRONOUN) 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.
[.....] (PRONOUN) evening as [.....] (PRONOUN) was about to put a morsel of corned beef and cabbage into [.....] (PRONOUN) mouth [.....] (PRONOUN) hand stopped. [.....] (PRONOUN) eyes fixed themselves on a paragraph in the evening paper [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) had propped against the water-carafe. [.....] (PRONOUN) replaced the morsel of food on [.....] (PRONOUN) plate and read the paragraph attentively. Then [.....] (PRONOUN) drank a glass of water, pushed [.....] (PRONOUN) plate to [.....] (PRONOUN) side, doubled the paper down before [.....] (PRONOUN) between [.....] (PRONOUN) elbows and read the paragraph over and over again. The cabbage began to deposit a cold white grease on [.....] (PRONOUN) plate. The girl came over to [.....] (PRONOUN) to ask was [.....] (PRONOUN) dinner not properly cooked. [.....] (PRONOUN) said it was very good and ate a [.....] (PRONOUN) mouthfuls of it with difficulty. Then [.....] (PRONOUN) paid [.....] (PRONOUN) bill and went out.
[.....] (PRONOUN) walked along quickly through the November twilight, [.....] (PRONOUN) stout hazel stick striking the ground regularly, the fringe of the buff <[.....] (PRONOUN) >Mail(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) > peeping out of a side-pocket of [.....] (PRONOUN) tight reefer overcoat. On the lonely road [.....] (PRONOUN) leads from the Parkgate to Chapelizod [.....] (PRONOUN) slackened [.....] (PRONOUN) pace. [.....] (PRONOUN) stick struck the ground less emphatically and [.....] (PRONOUN) breath, issuing irregularly, almost with a sighing sound, condensed in the wintry air. When [.....] (PRONOUN) reached [.....] (PRONOUN) house [.....] (PRONOUN) went up at once to [.....] (PRONOUN) bedroom and, taking the paper from [.....] (PRONOUN) pocket, read the paragraph again by the failing light of the window. [.....] (PRONOUN) read it not aloud, but moving [.....] (PRONOUN) lips as a priest does when [.....] (PRONOUN) reads the prayers <[.....] (PRONOUN) >Secreto(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) >. [.....] (PRONOUN) was the paragraph:
DEATH OF A LADY AT SYDNEY PARADE
A PAINFUL CASE
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, [.....] (PRONOUN) was killed at Sydney Parade Station yesterday evening. The evidence showed [.....] (PRONOUN) 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 [.....] (PRONOUN) led to [.....] (PRONOUN) death.
James Lennon, driver of the engine, stated [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) had been in the employment of the railway company for fifteen years. On hearing the guard's whistle [.....] (PRONOUN) 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. Dunne, railway porter, stated [.....] (PRONOUN) as the train was about to start [.....] (PRONOUN) observed a woman attempting to cross the lines. [.....] (PRONOUN) ran towards [.....] (PRONOUN) and shouted, but, before [.....] (PRONOUN) could reach [.....] (PRONOUN) , [.....] (PRONOUN) was caught by the buffer of the engine and fell to the ground.
<[.....] (PRONOUN) >A juror(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) >. "[.....] (PRONOUN) saw the lady fall?"
<[.....] (PRONOUN) >Witness(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) >. "Yes."
Police Sergeant Croly deposed [.....] (PRONOUN) when [.....] (PRONOUN) arrived [.....] (PRONOUN) found the deceased lying on the platform apparently dead. [.....] (PRONOUN) had the body taken to the waiting-room pending the arrival of the ambulance.
Constable 57E corroborated.
Dr Halpin, assistant house surgeon of the City of Dublin Hospital, stated [.....] (PRONOUN) 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 [.....] (PRONOUN) opinion, had been probably due to shock and sudden failure of the heart's action.
Mr H. B. Patterson Finlay, on behalf of the railway company, expressed [.....] (PRONOUN) deep regret at the accident. The company had always taken every precaution to prevent people crossing the lines except by the bridges, [.....] (PRONOUN) 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, [.....] (PRONOUN) did not think the railway officials were to blame.
Captain Sinico, of Leoville, Sydney Parade, husband of the deceased, also gave evidence. [.....] (PRONOUN) stated [.....] (PRONOUN) the deceased was [.....] (PRONOUN) wife. [.....] (PRONOUN) was not in Dublin at the time of the accident as [.....] (PRONOUN) had arrived only [.....] (PRONOUN) morning from Rotterdam. [.....] (PRONOUN) had been married for twenty-two years and had lived happily until about two years ago when [.....] (PRONOUN) wife began to be rather intemperate in [.....] (PRONOUN) habits.
Miss Mary Sinico said [.....] (PRONOUN) of late [.....] (PRONOUN) mother had been in the habit of going out at night to buy spirits. [.....] (PRONOUN) , witness, had often tried to reason with [.....] (PRONOUN) mother and had induced [.....] (PRONOUN) to join a league. [.....] (PRONOUN) 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 [.....] (PRONOUN) blame.
The Deputy Coroner said it was a [.....] (PRONOUN) painful case, and expressed great sympathy with Captain Sinico and [.....] (PRONOUN) daughter. [.....] (PRONOUN) urged on the railway company to take strong measures to prevent the possibility of similar accidents in the future. No blame attached to [.....] (PRONOUN) .
Mr Duffy raised [.....] (PRONOUN) eyes from the paper and gazed out of [.....] (PRONOUN) window on the cheerless evening landscape. The river lay quiet beside the empty distillery and from time to time a light appeared in [.....] (PRONOUN) house on the Lucan road. [.....] (PRONOUN) an end! The whole narrative of [.....] (PRONOUN) death revolted [.....] (PRONOUN) and it revolted [.....] (PRONOUN) to think [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) had ever spoken to [.....] (PRONOUN) of [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) 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 [.....] (PRONOUN) stomach. Not merely had [.....] (PRONOUN) degraded herself; [.....] (PRONOUN) had degraded [.....] (PRONOUN) . [.....] (PRONOUN) saw the squalid tract of [.....] (PRONOUN) vice, miserable and malodorous. [.....] (PRONOUN) soul's companion! [.....] (PRONOUN) thought of the hobbling wretches whom [.....] (PRONOUN) had seen carrying cans and bottles to be filled by the barman. Just God, [.....] (PRONOUN) an end! Evidently [.....] (PRONOUN) had been unfit to live, without [.....] (PRONOUN) strength of purpose, an easy prey to habits, [.....] (PRONOUN) of the wrecks on [.....] (PRONOUN) civilisation has been reared. But [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) could have sunk so low! Was it possible [.....] (PRONOUN) had deceived himself so utterly about [.....] (PRONOUN) ? [.....] (PRONOUN) remembered [.....] (PRONOUN) outburst of [.....] (PRONOUN) night and interpreted it in a harsher sense than [.....] (PRONOUN) had ever done. [.....] (PRONOUN) had no difficulty now in approving of the course [.....] (PRONOUN) had taken.
As the light failed and [.....] (PRONOUN) memory began to wander [.....] (PRONOUN) thought [.....] (PRONOUN) hand touched [.....] (PRONOUN) . The shock [.....] (PRONOUN) had first attacked [.....] (PRONOUN) stomach was now attacking [.....] (PRONOUN) nerves. [.....] (PRONOUN) put on [.....] (PRONOUN) overcoat and hat quickly and went out. The cold air met [.....] (PRONOUN) on the threshold; it crept into the sleeves of [.....] (PRONOUN) coat. When [.....] (PRONOUN) came to the public-house at Chapelizod Bridge [.....] (PRONOUN) went in and ordered a hot punch.
The proprietor served [.....] (PRONOUN) 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. [.....] (PRONOUN) drank at intervals from [.....] (PRONOUN) huge pint tumblers and smoked, spitting often on the floor and sometimes dragging the sawdust over [.....] (PRONOUN) spits with [.....] (PRONOUN) heavy boots. Mr Duffy sat on [.....] (PRONOUN) stool and gazed at [.....] (PRONOUN) , without seeing or hearing [.....] (PRONOUN) . After a while [.....] (PRONOUN) went out and [.....] (PRONOUN) called for another punch. [.....] (PRONOUN) sat a long time over it. The shop was very quiet. The proprietor sprawled on the counter reading the <[.....] (PRONOUN) >Herald(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) > and yawning. Now and again a tram was heard swishing along the lonely road outside.
As [.....] (PRONOUN) sat there, living over [.....] (PRONOUN) life with [.....] (PRONOUN) and evoking alternately the two images in [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) now conceived [.....] (PRONOUN) , [.....] (PRONOUN) realised [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) was dead, [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) had ceased to exist, [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) had become a memory. [.....] (PRONOUN) began to feel ill at ease. [.....] (PRONOUN) asked himself [.....] (PRONOUN) else could [.....] (PRONOUN) have done. [.....] (PRONOUN) could not have carried on a comedy of deception with [.....] (PRONOUN) ; [.....] (PRONOUN) could not have lived with [.....] (PRONOUN) openly. [.....] (PRONOUN) had done [.....] (PRONOUN) seemed to [.....] (PRONOUN) best. How was [.....] (PRONOUN) to blame? Now [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) was gone [.....] (PRONOUN) understood how lonely [.....] (PRONOUN) life must have been, sitting night after night alone in [.....] (PRONOUN) room. [.....] (PRONOUN) life would be lonely too until [.....] (PRONOUN) , too, died, ceased to exist, became a memory—if [.....] (PRONOUN) remembered [.....] (PRONOUN) .
It was after nine o'clock when [.....] (PRONOUN) left the shop. The night was cold and gloomy. [.....] (PRONOUN) entered the Park by the first gate and walked along under the gaunt trees. [.....] (PRONOUN) walked through the bleak alleys where [.....] (PRONOUN) had walked four years before. [.....] (PRONOUN) seemed to be near [.....] (PRONOUN) in the darkness. At moments [.....] (PRONOUN) seemed to feel [.....] (PRONOUN) voice touch [.....] (PRONOUN) ear, [.....] (PRONOUN) hand touch [.....] (PRONOUN) . [.....] (PRONOUN) stood still to listen. Why had [.....] (PRONOUN) withheld life from [.....] (PRONOUN) ? Why had [.....] (PRONOUN) sentenced [.....] (PRONOUN) to death? [.....] (PRONOUN) felt [.....] (PRONOUN) moral nature falling to pieces.
When [.....] (PRONOUN) gained the crest of the Magazine Hill [.....] (PRONOUN) halted and looked along the river towards Dublin, the lights of [.....] (PRONOUN) burned redly and hospitably in the cold night. [.....] (PRONOUN) looked down the slope and, at the base, in the shadow of the wall of the Park, [.....] (PRONOUN) saw [.....] (PRONOUN) human figures lying. [.....] (PRONOUN) venal and furtive loves filled [.....] (PRONOUN) with despair. [.....] (PRONOUN) gnawed the rectitude of [.....] (PRONOUN) life; [.....] (PRONOUN) felt [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) had been outcast from life's feast. [.....] (PRONOUN) human being had seemed to love [.....] (PRONOUN) and [.....] (PRONOUN) had denied [.....] (PRONOUN) life and happiness: [.....] (PRONOUN) had sentenced [.....] (PRONOUN) to ignominy, a death of shame. [.....] (PRONOUN) knew [.....] (PRONOUN) the prostrate creatures down by the wall were watching [.....] (PRONOUN) and wished [.....] (PRONOUN) gone. [.....] (PRONOUN) wanted [.....] (PRONOUN) ; [.....] (PRONOUN) was outcast from life's feast. [.....] (PRONOUN) turned [.....] (PRONOUN) eyes to the grey gleaming river, winding along towards Dublin. Beyond the river [.....] (PRONOUN) 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 [.....] (PRONOUN) heard in [.....] (PRONOUN) ears the laborious drone of the engine reiterating the syllables of [.....] (PRONOUN) name.
[.....] (PRONOUN) turned back the way [.....] (PRONOUN) had come, the rhythm of the engine pounding in [.....] (PRONOUN) ears. [.....] (PRONOUN) began to doubt the reality of [.....] (PRONOUN) memory told [.....] (PRONOUN) . [.....] (PRONOUN) halted under a tree and allowed the rhythm to die away. [.....] (PRONOUN) could not feel [.....] (PRONOUN) near [.....] (PRONOUN) in the darkness nor [.....] (PRONOUN) voice touch [.....] (PRONOUN) ear. [.....] (PRONOUN) waited for [.....] (PRONOUN) minutes listening. [.....] (PRONOUN) could hear [.....] (PRONOUN) : the night was perfectly silent. [.....] (PRONOUN) listened again: perfectly silent. [.....] (PRONOUN) felt [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) was alone.
OLD JACK raked the cinders together with a piece of cardboard and spread [.....] (PRONOUN) judiciously over the whitening dome of coals. When the dome was thinly covered [.....] (PRONOUN) face lapsed into darkness but, as [.....] (PRONOUN) set himself to fan the fire again, [.....] (PRONOUN) crouching shadow ascended the opposite wall and [.....] (PRONOUN) face slowly re-emerged 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 [.....] (PRONOUN) laid the piece of cardboard against the wall, sighed and said:
"[.....] (PRONOUN) 's better now, Mr O'Connor."
Mr O'Connor, a grey-haired young man, whose face was disfigured by [.....] (PRONOUN) blotches and pimples, had just brought the tobacco for a cigarette into a shapely cylinder but when spoken to [.....] (PRONOUN) undid [.....] (PRONOUN) handiwork meditatively. Then [.....] (PRONOUN) began to roll the tobacco again meditatively and after a moment's thought decided to lick the paper.
"Did Mr Tierney say when [.....] (PRONOUN) 'd be back?" [.....] (PRONOUN) asked in a husky falsetto.
"[.....] (PRONOUN) didn't say."
Mr O'Connor put [.....] (PRONOUN) cigarette into [.....] (PRONOUN) mouth and began to search [.....] (PRONOUN) pockets. [.....] (PRONOUN) took out a pack of thin pasteboard cards.
"[.....] (PRONOUN) 'll get [.....] (PRONOUN) a match," said the old man.
"Never mind, [.....] (PRONOUN) 'll do," said Mr O'Connor.
[.....] (PRONOUN) selected [.....] (PRONOUN) of the cards and read [.....] (PRONOUN) was printed on it:
MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS
—————
ROYAL EXCHANGE WARD
—————
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.
—————
Mr O'Connor had been engaged by Tierney's agent to canvass [.....] (PRONOUN) part of the ward but, as the weather was inclement and [.....] (PRONOUN) boots let in the wet, [.....] (PRONOUN) spent a great part of the day sitting by the fire in the Committee Room in Wicklow Street with Jack, the old caretaker. [.....] (PRONOUN) had been sitting thus since the short day had grown dark. It was the sixth of October, dismal and cold out of doors.
Mr O'Connor tore a strip off the card and, lighting it, lit [.....] (PRONOUN) cigarette. As [.....] (PRONOUN) did so the flame lit up a leaf of dark glossy ivy in the lapel of [.....] (PRONOUN) coat. The old man watched [.....] (PRONOUN) attentively and then, taking up the piece of cardboard again, began to fan the fire slowly while [.....] (PRONOUN) companion smoked.
"Ah, yes," [.....] (PRONOUN) said, continuing, "it's hard to know [.....] (PRONOUN) way to bring up children. Now [.....] (PRONOUN) 'd think [.....] (PRONOUN) 'd turn out like [.....] (PRONOUN) ! [.....] (PRONOUN) sent [.....] (PRONOUN) to the Christian Brothers and [.....] (PRONOUN) done [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) could for [.....] (PRONOUN) , and there [.....] (PRONOUN) goes boosing about. [.....] (PRONOUN) tried to make [.....] (PRONOUN) someway decent."
[.....] (PRONOUN) replaced the cardboard wearily.
"Only [.....] (PRONOUN) 'm an old man now [.....] (PRONOUN) 'd change [.....] (PRONOUN) tune for [.....] (PRONOUN) . [.....] (PRONOUN) 'd take the stick to [.....] (PRONOUN) back and beat [.....] (PRONOUN) while [.....] (PRONOUN) could stand over [.....] (PRONOUN) —as [.....] (PRONOUN) done [.....] (PRONOUN) a time before. The mother, [.....] (PRONOUN) know, [.....] (PRONOUN) cocks [.....] (PRONOUN) up with [.....] (PRONOUN) and [.....] (PRONOUN) ...."
"[.....] (PRONOUN) 's [.....] (PRONOUN) ruins children," said Mr O'Connor.
"To be sure it is," said the old man. "And little thanks [.....] (PRONOUN) get for it, only impudence. [.....] (PRONOUN) takes th'upper hand of [.....] (PRONOUN) whenever [.....] (PRONOUN) sees [.....] (PRONOUN) 've a sup taken. [.....] (PRONOUN) 's the world coming to when sons speaks [.....] (PRONOUN) way to [.....] (PRONOUN) father?"
"[.....] (PRONOUN) age is [.....] (PRONOUN) ?" said Mr O'Connor.
"Nineteen," said the old man.
"Why don't [.....] (PRONOUN) put [.....] (PRONOUN) to [.....] (PRONOUN) ?"
"Sure, amn't [.....] (PRONOUN) never done at the drunken bowsy ever since [.....] (PRONOUN) left school? '[.....] (PRONOUN) won't keep [.....] (PRONOUN) ,' [.....] (PRONOUN) says. '[.....] (PRONOUN) must get a job for yourself.' But, sure, it's worse whenever [.....] (PRONOUN) gets a job; [.....] (PRONOUN) drinks it [.....] (PRONOUN) ."
Mr O'Connor shook [.....] (PRONOUN) head in sympathy, and the old man fell silent, gazing into the fire. [.....] (PRONOUN) opened the door of the room and called out:
"Hello! Is [.....] (PRONOUN) a Freemasons' meeting?"
"[.....] (PRONOUN) 's [.....] (PRONOUN) ?" said the old man.
"[.....] (PRONOUN) are [.....] (PRONOUN) doing in the dark?" asked a voice.
"Is [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) , Hynes?" asked Mr O'Connor.
"Yes. [.....] (PRONOUN) are [.....] (PRONOUN) doing in the dark?" said Mr Hynes. advancing into the light of the fire.
[.....] (PRONOUN) was a tall, slender young man with a light brown moustache. Imminent little drops of rain hung at the brim of [.....] (PRONOUN) hat and the collar of [.....] (PRONOUN) jacket-coat was turned up.
"Well, Mat," [.....] (PRONOUN) said to Mr O'Connor, "how goes it?"
Mr O'Connor shook [.....] (PRONOUN) head. The old man left the hearth and, after stumbling about the room returned with two candlesticks [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) thrust [.....] (PRONOUN) after the other into the fire and carried to the table. A denuded room came into view and the fire lost [.....] (PRONOUN) 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 [.....] (PRONOUN) papers were heaped.
Mr Hynes leaned against the mantelpiece and asked:
"Has [.....] (PRONOUN) paid [.....] (PRONOUN) yet?"
"Not yet," said Mr O'Connor. "[.....] (PRONOUN) hope to God [.....] (PRONOUN) 'll not leave [.....] (PRONOUN) in the lurch tonight."
Mr Hynes laughed.
"O, [.....] (PRONOUN) 'll pay [.....] (PRONOUN) . Never fear," [.....] (PRONOUN) said.
"[.....] (PRONOUN) hope [.....] (PRONOUN) 'll look smart about it if [.....] (PRONOUN) means business," said Mr O'Connor.
"[.....] (PRONOUN) do [.....] (PRONOUN) think, Jack?" said Mr Hynes satirically to the old man.
The old man returned to [.....] (PRONOUN) seat by the fire, saying:
"It isn't but [.....] (PRONOUN) has it, anyway. Not like the other tinker."
"[.....] (PRONOUN) other tinker?" said Mr Hynes.
"Colgan," said the old man scornfully.
"It is because Colgan's a working-man [.....] (PRONOUN) say [.....] (PRONOUN) ? [.....] (PRONOUN) '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 [.....] (PRONOUN) else—ay, and a better right than [.....] (PRONOUN) shoneens [.....] (PRONOUN) are always hat in hand before [.....] (PRONOUN) fellow with a handle to [.....] (PRONOUN) name? Isn't [.....] (PRONOUN) so, Mat?" said Mr Hynes, addressing Mr O'Connor.
"[.....] (PRONOUN) think [.....] (PRONOUN) 're right," said Mr O'Connor.
"[.....] (PRONOUN) man is a plain honest man with no hunker-sliding about [.....] (PRONOUN) . [.....] (PRONOUN) goes in to represent the labour classes. [.....] (PRONOUN) fellow [.....] (PRONOUN) 're working for only wants to get [.....] (PRONOUN) job or other."
"Of course, the working-classes should be represented," said the old man.
"The working-man," said Mr Hynes, "gets [.....] (PRONOUN) kicks and no halfpence. But it's labour produces [.....] (PRONOUN) . The working-man is not looking for fat jobs for [.....] (PRONOUN) 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."
"How's [.....] (PRONOUN) ?" said the old man.
"Don't [.....] (PRONOUN) know [.....] (PRONOUN) want to present an address of welcome to Edward Rex if [.....] (PRONOUN) comes here next year? [.....] (PRONOUN) do [.....] (PRONOUN) want kowtowing to a foreign king?"
"[.....] (PRONOUN) man won't vote for the address," said Mr O'Connor. "[.....] (PRONOUN) goes in on the Nationalist ticket."
"Won't [.....] (PRONOUN) ?" said Mr Hynes. "Wait till [.....] (PRONOUN) see whether [.....] (PRONOUN) will or not. [.....] (PRONOUN) know [.....] (PRONOUN) . Is it Tricky Dicky Tierney?"
"By God! perhaps [.....] (PRONOUN) 're right, Joe," said Mr O'Connor. "Anyway, [.....] (PRONOUN) wish [.....] (PRONOUN) 'd turn up with the spondulics."
The three men fell silent. The old man began to rake more cinders together. Mr Hynes took off [.....] (PRONOUN) hat, shook it and then turned down the collar of [.....] (PRONOUN) coat, displaying, as [.....] (PRONOUN) did so, an ivy leaf in the lapel.
"If [.....] (PRONOUN) man was alive," [.....] (PRONOUN) said, pointing to the leaf, "[.....] (PRONOUN) 'd have no talk of an address of welcome."
"[.....] (PRONOUN) 's true," said Mr O'Connor.
"Musha, God be with [.....] (PRONOUN) times!" said the old man. "There was [.....] (PRONOUN) life in it then."
The room was silent again. Then a bustling little man with a snuffling nose and very cold ears pushed in the door. [.....] (PRONOUN) walked over quickly to the fire, rubbing [.....] (PRONOUN) hands as if [.....] (PRONOUN) intended to produce a spark from [.....] (PRONOUN) .
"No money, boys," [.....] (PRONOUN) said.
"Sit down here, Mr Henchy," said the old man, offering [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) chair.
"O, don't stir, Jack, don't stir," said Mr Henchy.
[.....] (PRONOUN) nodded curtly to Mr Hynes and sat down on the chair [.....] (PRONOUN) the old man vacated.
"Did [.....] (PRONOUN) serve Aungier Street?" [.....] (PRONOUN) asked Mr O'Connor.
"Yes," said Mr O'Connor, beginning to search [.....] (PRONOUN) pockets for memoranda.
"Did [.....] (PRONOUN) call on Grimes?"
"[.....] (PRONOUN) did."
"Well? How does [.....] (PRONOUN) stand?"
"[.....] (PRONOUN) wouldn't promise. [.....] (PRONOUN) said: '[.....] (PRONOUN) won't tell [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) way [.....] (PRONOUN) 'm going to vote.' But [.....] (PRONOUN) think [.....] (PRONOUN) 'll be [.....] (PRONOUN) right."
"Why so?"
"[.....] (PRONOUN) asked [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) the nominators were; and [.....] (PRONOUN) told [.....] (PRONOUN) . [.....] (PRONOUN) mentioned Father Burke's name. [.....] (PRONOUN) think it'll be [.....] (PRONOUN) right."
Mr Henchy began to snuffle and to rub [.....] (PRONOUN) hands over the fire at a terrific speed. Then [.....] (PRONOUN) said:
"For the love of God, Jack, bring [.....] (PRONOUN) a bit of coal. There must be [.....] (PRONOUN) left."
The old man went out of the room.
"It's no go," said Mr Henchy, shaking [.....] (PRONOUN) head. "[.....] (PRONOUN) asked the little shoeboy, but [.....] (PRONOUN) said: 'Oh, now, Mr Henchy, when [.....] (PRONOUN) see work going on properly [.....] (PRONOUN) won't forget [.....] (PRONOUN) , [.....] (PRONOUN) may be sure.' Mean little tinker! 'Usha, how could [.....] (PRONOUN) be [.....] (PRONOUN) else?"
"[.....] (PRONOUN) did [.....] (PRONOUN) tell [.....] (PRONOUN) , Mat?" said Mr Hynes. "Tricky Dicky Tierney."
"O, [.....] (PRONOUN) 's as tricky as [.....] (PRONOUN) make 'em," said Mr Henchy. "[.....] (PRONOUN) hasn't got [.....] (PRONOUN) little pigs' eyes for [.....] (PRONOUN) . Blast [.....] (PRONOUN) soul! Couldn't [.....] (PRONOUN) pay up like a man instead of: 'O, now, Mr Henchy, [.....] (PRONOUN) must speak to Mr Fanning.... [.....] (PRONOUN) 've spent a lot of money'? Mean little shoeboy of hell! [.....] (PRONOUN) suppose [.....] (PRONOUN) forgets the time [.....] (PRONOUN) little old father kept the hand-[.....] (PRONOUN) -down shop in Mary's Lane."
"But is [.....] (PRONOUN) a fact?" asked Mr O'Connor.
"God, yes," said Mr Henchy. "Did [.....] (PRONOUN) never hear [.....] (PRONOUN) ? 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 [.....] (PRONOUN) mind now? [.....] (PRONOUN) 's [.....] (PRONOUN) . [.....] (PRONOUN) 's where [.....] (PRONOUN) first saw the light."
The old man returned with a [.....] (PRONOUN) lumps of coal [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) placed here and there on the fire.
"Thats a nice how-do-[.....] (PRONOUN) -do," said Mr O'Connor. "How does [.....] (PRONOUN) expect [.....] (PRONOUN) to work for [.....] (PRONOUN) if [.....] (PRONOUN) won't stump up?"
"[.....] (PRONOUN) can't help it," said Mr Henchy. "[.....] (PRONOUN) expect to find the bailiffs in the hall when [.....] (PRONOUN) go home."
Mr Hynes laughed and, shoving himself away from the mantelpiece with the aid of [.....] (PRONOUN) shoulders, made ready to leave.
"It'll be [.....] (PRONOUN) right when King Eddie comes," [.....] (PRONOUN) said. "Well boys, [.....] (PRONOUN) 'm off for the present. See [.....] (PRONOUN) later. 'Bye, 'bye."
[.....] (PRONOUN) went out of the room slowly. [.....] (PRONOUN) Mr Henchy nor the old man said [.....] (PRONOUN) but, just as the door was closing, Mr O'Connor, [.....] (PRONOUN) had been staring moodily into the fire, called out suddenly:
"'Bye, Joe."
Mr Henchy waited a [.....] (PRONOUN) moments and then nodded in the direction of the door.
"Tell [.....] (PRONOUN) ," [.....] (PRONOUN) said across the fire, "[.....] (PRONOUN) brings [.....] (PRONOUN) friend in here? [.....] (PRONOUN) does [.....] (PRONOUN) want?"
"'Usha, poor Joe!" said Mr O'Connor, throwing the end of [.....] (PRONOUN) cigarette into the fire, "[.....] (PRONOUN) 's hard up, like the rest of [.....] (PRONOUN) ."
Mr Henchy snuffled vigorously and spat so copiously [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) nearly put out the fire, [.....] (PRONOUN) uttered a hissing protest.
"To tell [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) private and candid opinion," [.....] (PRONOUN) said, "[.....] (PRONOUN) think [.....] (PRONOUN) 's a man from the other camp. [.....] (PRONOUN) 's a spy of Colgan's, if [.....] (PRONOUN) ask [.....] (PRONOUN) . Just go round and try and find out how [.....] (PRONOUN) 're getting on. [.....] (PRONOUN) won't suspect [.....] (PRONOUN) . Do [.....] (PRONOUN) twig?"
"Ah, poor Joe is a decent skin," said Mr O'Connor.
"[.....] (PRONOUN) father was a decent respectable man," Mr Henchy admitted. "Poor old Larry Hynes! [.....] (PRONOUN) a good turn [.....] (PRONOUN) did in [.....] (PRONOUN) day! But [.....] (PRONOUN) 'm greatly afraid [.....] (PRONOUN) friend is not nineteen carat. Damn it, [.....] (PRONOUN) can understand a fellow being hard up, but [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) can't understand is a fellow sponging. Couldn't [.....] (PRONOUN) have [.....] (PRONOUN) spark of manhood about [.....] (PRONOUN) ?"
"[.....] (PRONOUN) doesn't get a warm welcome from [.....] (PRONOUN) when [.....] (PRONOUN) comes," said the old man. "Let [.....] (PRONOUN) work for [.....] (PRONOUN) own side and not come spying around here."
"[.....] (PRONOUN) don't know," said Mr O'Connor dubiously, as [.....] (PRONOUN) took out cigarette-papers and tobacco. "[.....] (PRONOUN) think Joe Hynes is a straight man. [.....] (PRONOUN) 's a clever chap, too, with the pen. Do [.....] (PRONOUN) remember [.....] (PRONOUN) thing [.....] (PRONOUN) wrote...?"
"[.....] (PRONOUN) of [.....] (PRONOUN) hillsiders and fenians are a bit too clever if [.....] (PRONOUN) ask [.....] (PRONOUN) ," said Mr Henchy. "Do [.....] (PRONOUN) know [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) private and candid opinion is about [.....] (PRONOUN) of [.....] (PRONOUN) little jokers? [.....] (PRONOUN) believe half of [.....] (PRONOUN) are in the pay of the Castle."
"There's no knowing," said the old man.
"O, but [.....] (PRONOUN) know it for a fact," said Mr Henchy. "[.....] (PRONOUN) 're Castle hacks.... [.....] (PRONOUN) don't say Hynes.... No, damn it, [.....] (PRONOUN) think [.....] (PRONOUN) 's a stroke above [.....] (PRONOUN) .... But there's a certain little nobleman with a cock-eye—[.....] (PRONOUN) know the patriot [.....] (PRONOUN) 'm alluding to?"
Mr O'Connor nodded.
"There's a lineal descendant of Major Sirr for [.....] (PRONOUN) if [.....] (PRONOUN) like! O, the heart's blood of a patriot! [.....] (PRONOUN) 's a fellow now [.....] (PRONOUN) 'd sell [.....] (PRONOUN) country for fourpence—ay—and go down on [.....] (PRONOUN) bended knees and thank the Almighty Christ [.....] (PRONOUN) had a country to sell."
There was a knock at the door.
"Come in!" said Mr Henchy.
A person resembling a poor clergyman or a poor actor appeared in the doorway. [.....] (PRONOUN) black clothes were tightly buttoned on [.....] (PRONOUN) short body and it was impossible to say whether [.....] (PRONOUN) wore a clergyman's collar or a layman's, because the collar of [.....] (PRONOUN) shabby frock-coat, the uncovered buttons of [.....] (PRONOUN) reflected the candlelight, was turned up about [.....] (PRONOUN) neck. [.....] (PRONOUN) wore a round hat of hard black felt. [.....] (PRONOUN) face, shining with raindrops, had the appearance of damp yellow cheese save where two rosy spots indicated the cheekbones. [.....] (PRONOUN) opened [.....] (PRONOUN) very long mouth suddenly to express disappointment and at the same time opened wide [.....] (PRONOUN) very bright blue eyes to express pleasure and surprise.
"O Father Keon!" said Mr Henchy, jumping up from [.....] (PRONOUN) chair. "Is [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) ? Come in!"
"O, no, no, no!" said Father Keon quickly, pursing [.....] (PRONOUN) lips as if [.....] (PRONOUN) were addressing a child.
"Won't [.....] (PRONOUN) come in and sit down?"
"No, no, no!" said Father Keon, speaking in a discreet indulgent velvety voice. "Don't let [.....] (PRONOUN) disturb [.....] (PRONOUN) now! [.....] (PRONOUN) 'm just looking for Mr Fanning...."
"[.....] (PRONOUN) 's round at the <[.....] (PRONOUN) >Black Eagle(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) >," said Mr Henchy. "But won't [.....] (PRONOUN) come in and sit down a minute?"
"No, no, thank [.....] (PRONOUN) . It was just a little business matter," said Father Keon. "Thank [.....] (PRONOUN) , indeed."
[.....] (PRONOUN) retreated from the doorway and Mr Henchy, seizing [.....] (PRONOUN) of the candlesticks, went to the door to light [.....] (PRONOUN) downstairs.
"O, don't trouble, [.....] (PRONOUN) beg!"
"No, but the stairs is so dark."
"No, no, [.....] (PRONOUN) can see.... Thank [.....] (PRONOUN) , indeed."
"Are [.....] (PRONOUN) right now?"
"[.....] (PRONOUN) right, thanks.... Thanks."
Mr Henchy returned with the candlestick and put it on the table. [.....] (PRONOUN) sat down again at the fire. There was silence for a [.....] (PRONOUN) moments.
"Tell [.....] (PRONOUN) , John," said Mr O'Connor, lighting [.....] (PRONOUN) cigarette with another pasteboard card.
"Hm?"
"[.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) is exactly?"
"Ask [.....] (PRONOUN) an easier [.....] (PRONOUN) ," said Mr Henchy.
"Fanning and himself seem to [.....] (PRONOUN) very thick. [.....] (PRONOUN) 're often in Kavanagh's together. Is [.....] (PRONOUN) a priest at [.....] (PRONOUN) ?"
"Mmmyes, [.....] (PRONOUN) believe so.... [.....] (PRONOUN) think [.....] (PRONOUN) 's [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) call a black sheep. [.....] (PRONOUN) haven't [.....] (PRONOUN) of [.....] (PRONOUN) , thank God! but [.....] (PRONOUN) have a [.....] (PRONOUN) .... [.....] (PRONOUN) 's an unfortunate man of [.....] (PRONOUN) kind...."
"And how does [.....] (PRONOUN) knock it out?" asked Mr O'Connor.
"[.....] (PRONOUN) 's another mystery."
"Is [.....] (PRONOUN) attached to [.....] (PRONOUN) chapel or church or institution or——"
"No," said Mr Henchy, "[.....] (PRONOUN) think [.....] (PRONOUN) 's travelling on [.....] (PRONOUN) own account.... God forgive [.....] (PRONOUN) ," [.....] (PRONOUN) added, "[.....] (PRONOUN) thought [.....] (PRONOUN) was the dozen of stout."
"Is there [.....] (PRONOUN) chance of a drink itself?" asked Mr O'Connor.
"[.....] (PRONOUN) 'm dry too," said the old man.
"[.....] (PRONOUN) asked [.....] (PRONOUN) little shoeboy three times," said Mr Henchy, "would [.....] (PRONOUN) send up a dozen of stout. [.....] (PRONOUN) asked [.....] (PRONOUN) again now, but [.....] (PRONOUN) was leaning on the counter in [.....] (PRONOUN) shirt-sleeves having a deep goster with Alderman Cowley."
"Why didn't [.....] (PRONOUN) remind [.....] (PRONOUN) ?" said Mr O'Connor.
"Well, [.....] (PRONOUN) couldn't go over while [.....] (PRONOUN) was talking to Alderman Cowley. [.....] (PRONOUN) just waited till [.....] (PRONOUN) caught [.....] (PRONOUN) eye, and said: 'About [.....] (PRONOUN) little matter [.....] (PRONOUN) was speaking to [.....] (PRONOUN) about....' '[.....] (PRONOUN) 'll be [.....] (PRONOUN) right, Mr H.,' [.....] (PRONOUN) said. Yerra, sure the little hop-o'-[.....] (PRONOUN) -thumb has forgotten [.....] (PRONOUN) about it."
"There's [.....] (PRONOUN) deal on in [.....] (PRONOUN) quarter," said Mr O'Connor thoughtfully. "[.....] (PRONOUN) saw the three of [.....] (PRONOUN) hard at it yesterday at Suffolk Street corner."
"[.....] (PRONOUN) think [.....] (PRONOUN) know the little game [.....] (PRONOUN) 're at," said Mr Henchy. "[.....] (PRONOUN) must owe the City Fathers money nowadays if [.....] (PRONOUN) want to be made Lord Mayor. Then [.....] (PRONOUN) 'll make [.....] (PRONOUN) Lord Mayor. By God! [.....] (PRONOUN) 'm thinking seriously of becoming a City Father [.....] (PRONOUN) . [.....] (PRONOUN) do [.....] (PRONOUN) think? Would [.....] (PRONOUN) do for the job?"
Mr O'Connor laughed.
"So far as owing money goes...."
"Driving out of the Mansion House," said Mr Henchy, "in [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) vermin, with Jack here standing up behind [.....] (PRONOUN) in a powdered wig—eh?"
"And make [.....] (PRONOUN) your private secretary, John."
"Yes. And [.....] (PRONOUN) 'll make Father Keon [.....] (PRONOUN) private chaplain. [.....] (PRONOUN) 'll have a family party."
"Faith, Mr Henchy," said the old man, "[.....] (PRONOUN) 'd keep up better style than [.....] (PRONOUN) of [.....] (PRONOUN) . [.....] (PRONOUN) was talking [.....] (PRONOUN) day to old Keegan, the porter. 'And how do [.....] (PRONOUN) like your new master, Pat?' says [.....] (PRONOUN) to [.....] (PRONOUN) . '[.....] (PRONOUN) haven't much entertaining now,' says [.....] (PRONOUN) . 'Entertaining!' says [.....] (PRONOUN) . '[.....] (PRONOUN) 'd live on the smell of an oil-rag.' And do [.....] (PRONOUN) know [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) told [.....] (PRONOUN) ? Now, [.....] (PRONOUN) declare to God [.....] (PRONOUN) didn't believe [.....] (PRONOUN) ."
"[.....] (PRONOUN) ?" said Mr Henchy and Mr O'Connor.
"[.....] (PRONOUN) told [.....] (PRONOUN) : '[.....] (PRONOUN) do [.....] (PRONOUN) think of a Lord Mayor of Dublin sending out for a pound of chops for [.....] (PRONOUN) dinner? How's [.....] (PRONOUN) for high living?' says [.....] (PRONOUN) . 'Wisha! wisha,' says [.....] (PRONOUN) . 'A pound of chops,' says [.....] (PRONOUN) , 'coming into the Mansion House.' 'Wisha!' says [.....] (PRONOUN) , '[.....] (PRONOUN) kind of people is going at [.....] (PRONOUN) now?'"
At [.....] (PRONOUN) point there was a knock at the door, and a boy put in [.....] (PRONOUN) head.
"[.....] (PRONOUN) is it?" said the old man.
"From the <[.....] (PRONOUN) >Black Eagle(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) >," said the boy, walking in sideways and depositing a basket on the floor with a noise of shaken bottles.
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 [.....] (PRONOUN) basket on [.....] (PRONOUN) arm and asked:
"[.....] (PRONOUN) bottles?"
"[.....] (PRONOUN) bottles?" said the old man.
"Won't [.....] (PRONOUN) let [.....] (PRONOUN) drink [.....] (PRONOUN) first?" said Mr Henchy.
"[.....] (PRONOUN) was told to ask for the bottles."
"Come back tomorrow," said the old man.
"Here, boy!" said Mr Henchy, "will [.....] (PRONOUN) run over to O'Farrell's and ask [.....] (PRONOUN) to lend [.....] (PRONOUN) a corkscrew—for Mr Henchy, say. Tell [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) won't keep it a minute. Leave the basket there."
The boy went out and Mr Henchy began to rub [.....] (PRONOUN) hands cheerfully, saying:
"Ah, well, [.....] (PRONOUN) 's not so bad after [.....] (PRONOUN) . [.....] (PRONOUN) 's as good as [.....] (PRONOUN) word, anyhow."
"There's no tumblers," said the old man.
"O, don't let [.....] (PRONOUN) trouble [.....] (PRONOUN) , Jack," said Mr Henchy. "[.....] (PRONOUN) 's the good man before now drank out of the bottle."
"Anyway, it's better than [.....] (PRONOUN) ," said Mr O'Connor.
"[.....] (PRONOUN) 's not a bad sort," said Mr Henchy, "only Fanning has such a loan of [.....] (PRONOUN) . [.....] (PRONOUN) means well, [.....] (PRONOUN) know, in [.....] (PRONOUN) own tinpot way."
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:
"Would [.....] (PRONOUN) like a drink, boy?"
"If [.....] (PRONOUN) please, sir," said the boy.
The old man opened another bottle grudgingly, and handed it to the boy.
"[.....] (PRONOUN) age are [.....] (PRONOUN) ?" [.....] (PRONOUN) asked.
"Seventeen," said the boy.
As the old man said [.....] (PRONOUN) further, the boy took the bottle and said: "Here's [.....] (PRONOUN) best respects, sir," to Mr Henchy, drank the contents, put the bottle back on the table and wiped [.....] (PRONOUN) mouth with [.....] (PRONOUN) sleeve. Then [.....] (PRONOUN) took up the corkscrew and went out of the door sideways, muttering [.....] (PRONOUN) form of salutation.
"[.....] (PRONOUN) 's the way it begins," said the old man.
"The thin edge of the wedge," said Mr Henchy.
The old man distributed the three bottles [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) had opened and the men drank from [.....] (PRONOUN) simultaneously. After having drunk [.....] (PRONOUN) placed [.....] (PRONOUN) bottle on the mantelpiece within hand's reach and drew in a long breath of satisfaction.
"Well, [.....] (PRONOUN) did a good day's work today," said Mr Henchy, after a pause.
"[.....] (PRONOUN) so, John?"
"Yes. [.....] (PRONOUN) got [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) or two sure things in Dawson Street, Crofton and [.....] (PRONOUN) . Between [.....] (PRONOUN) , [.....] (PRONOUN) know, Crofton ([.....] (PRONOUN) 's a decent chap, of course), but [.....] (PRONOUN) 's not worth a damn as a canvasser. [.....] (PRONOUN) hasn't a word to throw to a dog. [.....] (PRONOUN) stands and looks at the people while [.....] (PRONOUN) do the talking."
Here two men entered the room. [.....] (PRONOUN) of [.....] (PRONOUN) was a very fat man whose blue serge clothes seemed to be in danger of falling from [.....] (PRONOUN) sloping figure. [.....] (PRONOUN) had a big face [.....] (PRONOUN) resembled a young ox's face in expression, staring blue eyes and a grizzled moustache. The other man, [.....] (PRONOUN) was much younger and frailer, had a thin, clean-shaven face. [.....] (PRONOUN) wore a very high double collar and a wide-brimmed bowler hat.
"Hello, Crofton!" said Mr Henchy to the fat man. "Talk of the devil...."
"Where did the boose come from?" asked the young man. "Did the cow calve?"
"O, of course, Lyons spots the drink first thing!" said Mr O'Connor, laughing.
"Is [.....] (PRONOUN) the way [.....] (PRONOUN) chaps canvass," said Mr Lyons, "and Crofton and [.....] (PRONOUN) out in the cold and rain looking for votes?"
"Why, blast your soul," said Mr Henchy, "[.....] (PRONOUN) 'd get more votes in five minutes than [.....] (PRONOUN) two'd get in a week."
"Open two bottles of stout, Jack," said Mr O'Connor.
"How can [.....] (PRONOUN) ?" said the old man, "when there's no corkscrew?"
"Wait now, wait now!" said Mr Henchy, getting up quickly. "Did [.....] (PRONOUN) ever see [.....] (PRONOUN) little trick?"
[.....] (PRONOUN) took two bottles from the table and, carrying [.....] (PRONOUN) to the fire, put [.....] (PRONOUN) on the hob. Then [.....] (PRONOUN) sat down again by the fire and took another drink from [.....] (PRONOUN) bottle. Mr Lyons sat on the edge of the table, pushed [.....] (PRONOUN) hat towards the nape of [.....] (PRONOUN) neck and began to swing [.....] (PRONOUN) legs.
"[.....] (PRONOUN) is [.....] (PRONOUN) bottle?" [.....] (PRONOUN) asked.
"[.....] (PRONOUN) lad," said Mr Henchy.
Mr Crofton sat down on a box and looked fixedly at the other bottle on the hob. [.....] (PRONOUN) was silent for two reasons. The first reason, sufficient in itself, was [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) had [.....] (PRONOUN) to say; the second reason was [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) considered [.....] (PRONOUN) companions beneath [.....] (PRONOUN) . [.....] (PRONOUN) had been a canvasser for Wilkins, the Conservative, but when the Conservatives had withdrawn [.....] (PRONOUN) man and, choosing the lesser of two evils, given [.....] (PRONOUN) support to the Nationalist candidate, [.....] (PRONOUN) had been engaged to work for Mr Tierney.
In a [.....] (PRONOUN) 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 [.....] (PRONOUN) bottle and carried it back to the table.
"[.....] (PRONOUN) was just telling [.....] (PRONOUN) , Crofton," said Mr Henchy, "[.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) got a good [.....] (PRONOUN) votes today."
"[.....] (PRONOUN) did [.....] (PRONOUN) get?" asked Mr Lyons.
"Well, [.....] (PRONOUN) got Parkes for [.....] (PRONOUN) , and [.....] (PRONOUN) got Atkinson for two, and got Ward of Dawson Street. Fine old chap [.....] (PRONOUN) is, too—regular old toff, old Conservative! 'But isn't your candidate a Nationalist?' said [.....] (PRONOUN) . '[.....] (PRONOUN) 's a respectable man,' said [.....] (PRONOUN) . '[.....] (PRONOUN) 's in favour of whatever will benefit [.....] (PRONOUN) country. [.....] (PRONOUN) 's a big ratepayer,' [.....] (PRONOUN) said. '[.....] (PRONOUN) has extensive house property in the city and three places of business and isn't it to [.....] (PRONOUN) own advantage to keep down the rates? [.....] (PRONOUN) 's a prominent and respected citizen,' said [.....] (PRONOUN) , 'and a Poor Law Guardian, and [.....] (PRONOUN) doesn't belong to [.....] (PRONOUN) party, good, bad, or indifferent.' [.....] (PRONOUN) 's the way to talk to 'em."
"And [.....] (PRONOUN) about the address to the King?" said Mr Lyons, after drinking and smacking [.....] (PRONOUN) lips.
"Listen to [.....] (PRONOUN) ," said Mr Henchy. "[.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) want in [.....] (PRONOUN) country, as [.....] (PRONOUN) said to old Ward, is capital. The King's coming here will mean an influx of money into [.....] (PRONOUN) country. The citizens of Dublin will benefit by it. Look at [.....] (PRONOUN) the factories down by the quays there, idle! Look at [.....] (PRONOUN) the money there is in the country if [.....] (PRONOUN) only worked the old industries, the mills, the ship-building yards and factories. It's capital [.....] (PRONOUN) want."
"But look here, John," said Mr O'Connor. "Why should [.....] (PRONOUN) welcome the King of England? Didn't Parnell himself...."
"Parnell," said Mr Henchy, "is dead. Now, here's the way [.....] (PRONOUN) look at it. Here's [.....] (PRONOUN) chap come to the throne after [.....] (PRONOUN) old mother keeping [.....] (PRONOUN) out of it till the man was grey. [.....] (PRONOUN) 's a man of the world, and [.....] (PRONOUN) means well by [.....] (PRONOUN) . [.....] (PRONOUN) 's a jolly fine decent fellow, if [.....] (PRONOUN) ask [.....] (PRONOUN) , and no damn nonsense about [.....] (PRONOUN) . [.....] (PRONOUN) just says to himself: 'The old [.....] (PRONOUN) never went to see [.....] (PRONOUN) wild Irish. By Christ, [.....] (PRONOUN) 'll go [.....] (PRONOUN) and see [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) 're like.' And are [.....] (PRONOUN) going to insult the man when [.....] (PRONOUN) comes over here on a friendly visit? Eh? Isn't [.....] (PRONOUN) right, Crofton?"
Mr Crofton nodded [.....] (PRONOUN) head.
"But after [.....] (PRONOUN) now," said Mr Lyons argumentatively, "King Edward's life, [.....] (PRONOUN) know, is not the very...."
"Let bygones be bygones," said Mr Henchy. "[.....] (PRONOUN) admire the man personally. [.....] (PRONOUN) 's just an ordinary knockabout like [.....] (PRONOUN) and [.....] (PRONOUN) . [.....] (PRONOUN) 's fond of [.....] (PRONOUN) glass of grog and [.....] (PRONOUN) 's a bit of a rake, perhaps, and [.....] (PRONOUN) 's a good sportsman. Damn it, can't [.....] (PRONOUN) Irish play fair?"
"[.....] (PRONOUN) 's [.....] (PRONOUN) very fine," said Mr Lyons. "But look at the case of Parnell now."
"In the name of God," said Mr Henchy, "where's the analogy between the two cases?"
"[.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) mean," said Mr Lyons, "is [.....] (PRONOUN) have [.....] (PRONOUN) ideals. Why, now, would [.....] (PRONOUN) welcome a man like [.....] (PRONOUN) ? Do [.....] (PRONOUN) think now after [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) did Parnell was a fit man to lead [.....] (PRONOUN) ? And why, then, would [.....] (PRONOUN) do it for Edward the Seventh?"
"[.....] (PRONOUN) is Parnell's anniversary," said Mr O'Connor, "and don't let [.....] (PRONOUN) stir up [.....] (PRONOUN) bad blood. [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) respect [.....] (PRONOUN) now [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) 's dead and gone—even the Conservatives," [.....] (PRONOUN) added, turning to Mr Crofton.
Pok! The tardy cork flew out of Mr Crofton's bottle. Mr Crofton got up from [.....] (PRONOUN) box and went to the fire. As [.....] (PRONOUN) returned with [.....] (PRONOUN) capture [.....] (PRONOUN) said in a deep voice:
"[.....] (PRONOUN) side of the house respects [.....] (PRONOUN) , because [.....] (PRONOUN) was a gentleman."
"Right [.....] (PRONOUN) are, Crofton!" said Mr Henchy fiercely. "[.....] (PRONOUN) was the only man [.....] (PRONOUN) could keep [.....] (PRONOUN) bag of cats in order. 'Down, ye dogs! Lie down, ye curs!' [.....] (PRONOUN) 's the way [.....] (PRONOUN) treated [.....] (PRONOUN) . Come in, Joe! Come in!" [.....] (PRONOUN) called out, catching sight of Mr Hynes in the doorway.
Mr Hynes came in slowly.
"Open another bottle of stout, Jack," said Mr Henchy. "O, [.....] (PRONOUN) forgot there's no corkscrew! Here, show [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) here and [.....] (PRONOUN) 'll put it at the fire."
The old man handed [.....] (PRONOUN) another bottle and [.....] (PRONOUN) placed it on the hob.
"Sit down, Joe," said Mr O'Connor, "[.....] (PRONOUN) 're just talking about the Chief."
"Ay, ay!" said Mr Henchy.
Mr Hynes sat on the side of the table near Mr Lyons but said [.....] (PRONOUN) .
"There's [.....] (PRONOUN) of [.....] (PRONOUN) , anyhow," said Mr Henchy, "[.....] (PRONOUN) didn't renege [.....] (PRONOUN) . By God, [.....] (PRONOUN) 'll say for [.....] (PRONOUN) , Joe! No, by God, [.....] (PRONOUN) stuck to [.....] (PRONOUN) like a man!"
"O, Joe," said Mr O'Connor suddenly. "Give [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) thing [.....] (PRONOUN) wrote—do [.....] (PRONOUN) remember? Have [.....] (PRONOUN) got it on [.....] (PRONOUN) ?"
"O, ay!" said Mr Henchy. "Give [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) . Did [.....] (PRONOUN) ever hear [.....] (PRONOUN) , Crofton? Listen to [.....] (PRONOUN) now: splendid thing."
"Go on," said Mr O'Connor. "Fire away, Joe."
Mr Hynes did not seem to remember at once the piece to [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) were alluding but, after reflecting a while, [.....] (PRONOUN) said:
"O, [.....] (PRONOUN) thing is it.... Sure, [.....] (PRONOUN) 's old now."
"Out with it, man!" said Mr O'Connor.
"'Sh, 'sh," said Mr Henchy. "Now, Joe!"
Mr Hynes hesitated a little longer. Then amid the silence [.....] (PRONOUN) took off [.....] (PRONOUN) hat, laid it on the table and stood up. [.....] (PRONOUN) seemed to be rehearsing the piece in [.....] (PRONOUN) mind. After a rather long pause [.....] (PRONOUN) announced:
THE DEATH OF PARNELL
<[.....] (PRONOUN) >6th October(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) > 1891
[.....] (PRONOUN) cleared [.....] (PRONOUN) throat once or twice and then began to recite:
[.....] (PRONOUN) is dead. [.....] (PRONOUN) Uncrowned King is dead.
O, Erin, mourn with grief and woe
For [.....] (PRONOUN) lies dead whom the fell gang
Of modern hypocrites laid low.
[.....] (PRONOUN) lies slain by the coward hounds
[.....] (PRONOUN) raised to glory from the mire;
And Erin's hopes and Erin's dreams
Perish upon [.....] (PRONOUN) monarch's pyre.
In palace, cabin or in cot
The Irish heart where'er it be
Is bowed with woe—for [.....] (PRONOUN) is gone
[.....] (PRONOUN) would have wrought [.....] (PRONOUN) destiny.
[.....] (PRONOUN) would have had [.....] (PRONOUN) Erin famed,
The green flag gloriously unfurled,
[.....] (PRONOUN) statesmen, bards and warriors raised
Before the nations of the World.
[.....] (PRONOUN) dreamed (alas, 'twas but a dream!)
Of Liberty: but as [.....] (PRONOUN) strove
To clutch [.....] (PRONOUN) idol, treachery
Sundered [.....] (PRONOUN) from the thing [.....] (PRONOUN) loved.
Shame on the coward, caitiff hands
[.....] (PRONOUN) smote [.....] (PRONOUN) Lord or with a kiss
Betrayed [.....] (PRONOUN) to the rabble-rout
Of fawning priests—no friends of [.....] (PRONOUN) .
May everlasting shame consume
The memory of [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) tried
To befoul and smear the exalted name
Of [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) spurned [.....] (PRONOUN) in [.....] (PRONOUN) pride.
[.....] (PRONOUN) fell as fall the mighty ones,
Nobly undaunted to the last,
And death has now united [.....] (PRONOUN)
With Erin's heroes of the past.
No sound of strife disturb [.....] (PRONOUN) sleep!
Calmly [.....] (PRONOUN) rests: no human pain
Or high ambition spurs [.....] (PRONOUN) now
The peaks of glory to attain.
[.....] (PRONOUN) had [.....] (PRONOUN) way: [.....] (PRONOUN) laid [.....] (PRONOUN) low.
But Erin, list, [.....] (PRONOUN) spirit may
Rise, like the Phœnix from the flames,
When breaks the dawning of the day,
The day [.....] (PRONOUN) brings [.....] (PRONOUN) Freedom's reign.
And on [.....] (PRONOUN) day may Erin well
Pledge in the cup [.....] (PRONOUN) lifts to Joy
[.....] (PRONOUN) grief—the memory of Parnell.
Mr Hynes sat down again on the table. When [.....] (PRONOUN) had finished [.....] (PRONOUN) 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 [.....] (PRONOUN) the auditors drank from [.....] (PRONOUN) bottles in silence.
Pok! The cork flew out of Mr Hynes' bottle, but Mr Hynes remained sitting flushed and bareheaded on the table. [.....] (PRONOUN) did not seem to have heard the invitation.
"Good man, Joe!" said Mr O'Connor, taking out [.....] (PRONOUN) cigarette papers and pouch the better to hide [.....] (PRONOUN) emotion.
"[.....] (PRONOUN) do [.....] (PRONOUN) think of [.....] (PRONOUN) , Crofton?" cried Mr Henchy. "Isn't [.....] (PRONOUN) fine? [.....] (PRONOUN) ?"
Mr Crofton said [.....] (PRONOUN) it was a very fine piece of writing.
MR HOLOHAN, assistant secretary of the <[.....] (PRONOUN) >Eire Abu(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) > Society, had been walking up and down Dublin for nearly a month, with [.....] (PRONOUN) hands and pockets full of dirty pieces of paper, arranging about the series of concerts. [.....] (PRONOUN) had a game leg and for [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) friends called [.....] (PRONOUN) Hoppy Holohan. [.....] (PRONOUN) 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 [.....] (PRONOUN) arranged [.....] (PRONOUN) .
Miss Devlin had become Mrs Kearney out of spite. [.....] (PRONOUN) had been educated in a high-class convent, where [.....] (PRONOUN) had learned French and music. As [.....] (PRONOUN) was naturally pale and unbending in manner [.....] (PRONOUN) made [.....] (PRONOUN) friends at school. When [.....] (PRONOUN) came to the age of marriage [.....] (PRONOUN) was sent out to [.....] (PRONOUN) houses where [.....] (PRONOUN) playing and ivory manners were much admired. [.....] (PRONOUN) sat amid the chilly circle of [.....] (PRONOUN) accomplishments, waiting for [.....] (PRONOUN) suitor to brave it and offer [.....] (PRONOUN) a brilliant life. But the young men whom [.....] (PRONOUN) met were ordinary and [.....] (PRONOUN) gave [.....] (PRONOUN) no encouragement, trying to console [.....] (PRONOUN) romantic desires by eating a great deal of Turkish Delight in secret. However, when [.....] (PRONOUN) drew near the limit and [.....] (PRONOUN) friends began to loosen [.....] (PRONOUN) tongues about [.....] (PRONOUN) , [.....] (PRONOUN) silenced [.....] (PRONOUN) by marrying Mr Kearney, [.....] (PRONOUN) was a bootmaker on Ormond Quay.
[.....] (PRONOUN) was much older than [.....] (PRONOUN) . [.....] (PRONOUN) conversation, [.....] (PRONOUN) was serious, took place at intervals in [.....] (PRONOUN) great brown beard. After the first year of married life, Mrs Kearney perceived [.....] (PRONOUN) such a man would wear better than a romantic person, but [.....] (PRONOUN) never put [.....] (PRONOUN) own romantic ideas away. [.....] (PRONOUN) was sober, thrifty and pious; [.....] (PRONOUN) went to the altar every first Friday, sometimes with [.....] (PRONOUN) , oftener by himself. But [.....] (PRONOUN) never weakened in [.....] (PRONOUN) religion and was a good wife to [.....] (PRONOUN) . At [.....] (PRONOUN) party in a strange house when [.....] (PRONOUN) lifted [.....] (PRONOUN) eyebrow ever so slightly [.....] (PRONOUN) stood up to take [.....] (PRONOUN) leave and, when [.....] (PRONOUN) cough troubled [.....] (PRONOUN) , [.....] (PRONOUN) put the eider-down quilt over [.....] (PRONOUN) feet and made a strong rum punch. For [.....] (PRONOUN) part, [.....] (PRONOUN) was a model father. By paying a small sum every week into a society, [.....] (PRONOUN) ensured for [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) daughters a dowry of [.....] (PRONOUN) hundred pounds [.....] (PRONOUN) when [.....] (PRONOUN) came to the age of twenty-four. [.....] (PRONOUN) sent the elder daughter, Kathleen, to a good convent, where [.....] (PRONOUN) learned French and music, and afterward paid [.....] (PRONOUN) fees at the Academy. Every year in the month of July Mrs Kearney found occasion to say to [.....] (PRONOUN) friend:
"[.....] (PRONOUN) good man is packing [.....] (PRONOUN) off to Skerries for a [.....] (PRONOUN) weeks."
If it was not Skerries it was Howth or Greystones.
When the Irish Revival began to be appreciable Mrs Kearney determined to take advantage of [.....] (PRONOUN) daughter's name and brought an Irish teacher to the house. Kathleen and [.....] (PRONOUN) sister sent Irish picture postcards to [.....] (PRONOUN) friends and [.....] (PRONOUN) friends sent back other Irish picture postcards. On special Sundays, when Mr Kearney went with [.....] (PRONOUN) family to the pro-cathedral, a little crowd of people would assemble after mass at the corner of Cathedral Street. [.....] (PRONOUN) were [.....] (PRONOUN) friends of the Kearneys—musical friends or Nationalist friends; and, when [.....] (PRONOUN) had played every little counter of gossip, [.....] (PRONOUN) shook hands with [.....] (PRONOUN) another [.....] (PRONOUN) together, laughing at the crossing of so [.....] (PRONOUN) hands, and said good-bye to [.....] (PRONOUN) another in Irish. Soon the name of Miss Kathleen Kearney began to be heard often on people's lips. People said [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) was very clever at music and a very nice girl and, moreover, [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) was a believer in the language movement. Mrs Kearney was well content at [.....] (PRONOUN) . Therefore [.....] (PRONOUN) was not surprised when [.....] (PRONOUN) day Mr Holohan came to [.....] (PRONOUN) and proposed [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) daughter should be the accompanist at a series of four grand concerts [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) Society was going to give in the Antient Concert Rooms. [.....] (PRONOUN) brought [.....] (PRONOUN) into the drawing-room, made [.....] (PRONOUN) sit down and brought out the decanter and the silver biscuit-barrel. [.....] (PRONOUN) entered heart and soul into the details of the enterprise, advised and dissuaded; and finally a contract was drawn up by [.....] (PRONOUN) Kathleen was to receive eight guineas for [.....] (PRONOUN) services as accompanist at the four grand concerts.
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 [.....] (PRONOUN) . [.....] (PRONOUN) had tact. [.....] (PRONOUN) knew [.....] (PRONOUN) <[.....] (PRONOUN) >artistes(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) > should go into capitals and [.....] (PRONOUN) <[.....] (PRONOUN) >artistes(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) > should go into small type. [.....] (PRONOUN) knew [.....] (PRONOUN) the first tenor would not like to come on after Mr Meade's comic turn. To keep the audience continually diverted [.....] (PRONOUN) slipped the doubtful items in between the old favourites. Mr Holohan called to see [.....] (PRONOUN) every day to have [.....] (PRONOUN) advice on [.....] (PRONOUN) point. [.....] (PRONOUN) was invariably friendly and advising—homely, in fact. [.....] (PRONOUN) pushed the decanter towards [.....] (PRONOUN) , saying:
"Now, help yourself, Mr Holohan!"
And while [.....] (PRONOUN) was helping himself [.....] (PRONOUN) said:
"Don't be afraid! Don't be afraid of it!"
[.....] (PRONOUN) went on smoothly. Mrs Kearney bought [.....] (PRONOUN) 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. [.....] (PRONOUN) took a dozen of two-shilling tickets for the final concert and sent [.....] (PRONOUN) to [.....] (PRONOUN) friends [.....] (PRONOUN) could not be trusted to come otherwise. [.....] (PRONOUN) forgot [.....] (PRONOUN) and, thanks to [.....] (PRONOUN) , [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) was to be done was done.
The concerts were to be on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. When Mrs Kearney arrived with [.....] (PRONOUN) daughter at the Antient Concert Rooms on Wednesday night [.....] (PRONOUN) did not like the look of things. A [.....] (PRONOUN) young men, wearing bright blue badges in [.....] (PRONOUN) coats, stood idle in the vestibule; [.....] (PRONOUN) of [.....] (PRONOUN) wore evening dress. [.....] (PRONOUN) passed by with [.....] (PRONOUN) daughter and a quick glance through the open door of the hall showed [.....] (PRONOUN) the cause of the stewards' idleness. At first [.....] (PRONOUN) wondered had [.....] (PRONOUN) mistaken the hour. No, it was twenty minutes to eight.
In the dressing-room behind the stage [.....] (PRONOUN) was introduced to the secretary of the Society, Mr Fitzpatrick. [.....] (PRONOUN) smiled and shook [.....] (PRONOUN) hand. [.....] (PRONOUN) was a little man, with a white vacant face. [.....] (PRONOUN) noticed [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) wore [.....] (PRONOUN) soft brown hat carelessly on the side of [.....] (PRONOUN) head and [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) accent was flat. [.....] (PRONOUN) held a programme in [.....] (PRONOUN) hand and, while [.....] (PRONOUN) was talking to [.....] (PRONOUN) , [.....] (PRONOUN) chewed [.....] (PRONOUN) end of it into a moist pulp. [.....] (PRONOUN) seemed to bear disappointments lightly. Mr Holohan came into the dressing-room every [.....] (PRONOUN) minutes with reports from the box-office. The <[.....] (PRONOUN) >artistes(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) > talked among themselves nervously, glanced from time to time at the mirror and rolled and unrolled [.....] (PRONOUN) music. When it was nearly half-past eight, the [.....] (PRONOUN) people in the hall began to express [.....] (PRONOUN) desire to be entertained. Mr Fitzpatrick came in, smiled vacantly at the room, and said:
"Well now, ladies and gentlemen. [.....] (PRONOUN) suppose [.....] (PRONOUN) 'd better open the ball."
Mrs Kearney rewarded [.....] (PRONOUN) very flat final syllable with a quick stare of contempt, and then said to [.....] (PRONOUN) daughter encouragingly:
"Are [.....] (PRONOUN) ready, dear?"
When [.....] (PRONOUN) had an opportunity, [.....] (PRONOUN) called Mr Holohan aside and asked [.....] (PRONOUN) to tell [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) it meant. Mr Holohan did not know [.....] (PRONOUN) it meant. [.....] (PRONOUN) said [.....] (PRONOUN) the Committee had made a mistake in arranging for four concerts: four was too [.....] (PRONOUN) .
"And the <[.....] (PRONOUN) >artistes(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) >!" said Mrs Kearney. "Of course [.....] (PRONOUN) are doing [.....] (PRONOUN) best, but really [.....] (PRONOUN) are not good."
Mr Holohan admitted [.....] (PRONOUN) the <[.....] (PRONOUN) >artistes(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) > were no good but the Committee, [.....] (PRONOUN) said, had decided to let the first three concerts go as [.....] (PRONOUN) pleased and reserve [.....] (PRONOUN) the talent for Saturday night. Mrs Kearney said [.....] (PRONOUN) , but, as the mediocre items followed [.....] (PRONOUN) another on the platform and the [.....] (PRONOUN) people in the hall grew fewer and fewer, [.....] (PRONOUN) began to regret [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) had put herself to [.....] (PRONOUN) expense for such a concert. There was [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) didn't like in the look of things and Mr Fitzpatrick's vacant smile irritated [.....] (PRONOUN) very much. However, [.....] (PRONOUN) said [.....] (PRONOUN) and waited to see how it would end. The concert expired shortly before ten, and [.....] (PRONOUN) went home quickly.
The concert on Thursday night was better attended, but Mrs Kearney saw at once [.....] (PRONOUN) 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; [.....] (PRONOUN) was quite unconscious [.....] (PRONOUN) Mrs Kearney was taking angry note of [.....] (PRONOUN) conduct. [.....] (PRONOUN) stood at the edge of the screen, from time to time jutting out [.....] (PRONOUN) head and exchanging a laugh with two friends in the corner of the balcony. In the course of the evening, Mrs Kearney learned [.....] (PRONOUN) the Friday concert was to be abandoned and [.....] (PRONOUN) the Committee was going to move heaven and earth to secure a bumper house on Saturday night. When [.....] (PRONOUN) heard [.....] (PRONOUN) , [.....] (PRONOUN) sought out Mr Holohan. [.....] (PRONOUN) buttonholed [.....] (PRONOUN) as [.....] (PRONOUN) was limping out quickly with a glass of lemonade for a young lady and asked [.....] (PRONOUN) was it true. Yes, it was true.
"But, of course, [.....] (PRONOUN) doesn't alter the contract," [.....] (PRONOUN) said. "The contract was for four concerts."
Mr Holohan seemed to be in a hurry; [.....] (PRONOUN) advised [.....] (PRONOUN) to speak to Mr Fitzpatrick. Mrs Kearney was now beginning to be alarmed. [.....] (PRONOUN) called Mr Fitzpatrick away from [.....] (PRONOUN) screen and told [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) daughter had signed for four concerts and [.....] (PRONOUN) , of course, according to the terms of the contract, [.....] (PRONOUN) should receive the sum originally stipulated for, whether the society gave the four concerts or not. Mr Fitzpatrick, [.....] (PRONOUN) did not catch the point at issue very quickly, seemed unable to resolve the difficulty and said [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) would bring the matter before the Committee. Mrs Kearney's anger began to flutter in [.....] (PRONOUN) cheek and [.....] (PRONOUN) had [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) could do to keep from asking:
"And [.....] (PRONOUN) is the <[.....] (PRONOUN) >Cometty(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) > pray?"
But [.....] (PRONOUN) knew [.....] (PRONOUN) it would not be ladylike to do [.....] (PRONOUN) : so [.....] (PRONOUN) was silent.
Little boys were sent out into the principal streets of Dublin early on Friday morning with bundles of handbills. Special puffs appeared in [.....] (PRONOUN) the evening papers, reminding the music-loving public of the treat [.....] (PRONOUN) was in store for it on the following evening. Mrs Kearney was somewhat reassured, but [.....] (PRONOUN) thought well to tell [.....] (PRONOUN) husband part of [.....] (PRONOUN) suspicions. [.....] (PRONOUN) listened carefully and said [.....] (PRONOUN) perhaps it would be better if [.....] (PRONOUN) went with [.....] (PRONOUN) on Saturday night. [.....] (PRONOUN) agreed. [.....] (PRONOUN) respected [.....] (PRONOUN) husband in the same way as [.....] (PRONOUN) respected the General Post Office, as [.....] (PRONOUN) large, secure and fixed; and though [.....] (PRONOUN) knew the small number of [.....] (PRONOUN) talents [.....] (PRONOUN) appreciated [.....] (PRONOUN) abstract value as a male. [.....] (PRONOUN) was glad [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) had suggested coming with [.....] (PRONOUN) . [.....] (PRONOUN) thought [.....] (PRONOUN) plans over.
The night of the grand concert came. Mrs Kearney, with [.....] (PRONOUN) husband and daughter, arrived at the Antient Concert Rooms three-quarters of an hour before the time at [.....] (PRONOUN) the concert was to begin. By ill luck it was a rainy evening. Mrs Kearney placed [.....] (PRONOUN) daughter's clothes and music in charge of [.....] (PRONOUN) husband and went [.....] (PRONOUN) over the building looking for Mr Holohan or Mr Fitzpatrick. [.....] (PRONOUN) could find [.....] (PRONOUN) . [.....] (PRONOUN) asked the stewards was [.....] (PRONOUN) 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 [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) wanted to see [.....] (PRONOUN) of the secretaries. Miss Beirne expected [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) minute and asked could [.....] (PRONOUN) do [.....] (PRONOUN) . Mrs Kearney looked searchingly at the oldish face [.....] (PRONOUN) was screwed into an expression of trustfulness and enthusiasm and answered:
"No, thank [.....] (PRONOUN) !"
The little woman hoped [.....] (PRONOUN) would have a good house. [.....] (PRONOUN) looked out at the rain until the melancholy of the wet street effaced [.....] (PRONOUN) the trustfulness and enthusiasm from [.....] (PRONOUN) twisted features. Then [.....] (PRONOUN) gave a little sigh and said:
"Ah, well! [.....] (PRONOUN) did [.....] (PRONOUN) best, the dear knows."
Mrs Kearney had to go back to the dressing-room.
The <[.....] (PRONOUN) >artistes(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) > 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. [.....] (PRONOUN) was the son of a hall porter in an office in the city and, as a boy, [.....] (PRONOUN) had sung prolonged bass notes in the resounding hall. From [.....] (PRONOUN) humble state [.....] (PRONOUN) had raised himself until [.....] (PRONOUN) had become a first-rate <[.....] (PRONOUN) >artiste(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) >. [.....] (PRONOUN) had appeared in grand opera. [.....] (PRONOUN) night, when an operatic <[.....] (PRONOUN) >artiste(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) > had fallen ill, [.....] (PRONOUN) had undertaken the part of the king in the opera of <[.....] (PRONOUN) >Maritana(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) > at the Queen's Theatre. [.....] (PRONOUN) sang [.....] (PRONOUN) music with great feeling and volume and was warmly welcomed by the gallery; but, unfortunately, [.....] (PRONOUN) marred the good impression by wiping [.....] (PRONOUN) nose in [.....] (PRONOUN) gloved hand once or twice out of thoughtlessness. [.....] (PRONOUN) was unassuming and spoke little. [.....] (PRONOUN) said <[.....] (PRONOUN) >yous(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) > so softly [.....] (PRONOUN) it passed unnoticed and [.....] (PRONOUN) never drank [.....] (PRONOUN) stronger than milk for [.....] (PRONOUN) voice's sake. Mr Bell, the second tenor, was a fair-haired little man [.....] (PRONOUN) competed every year for prizes at the Feis Ceoil. On [.....] (PRONOUN) fourth trial [.....] (PRONOUN) had been awarded a bronze medal. [.....] (PRONOUN) was extremely nervous and extremely jealous of other tenors and [.....] (PRONOUN) covered [.....] (PRONOUN) nervous jealousy with an ebullient friendliness. It was [.....] (PRONOUN) humour to have people know [.....] (PRONOUN) an ordeal a concert was to [.....] (PRONOUN) . Therefore when [.....] (PRONOUN) saw Mr Duggan [.....] (PRONOUN) went over to [.....] (PRONOUN) and asked:
"Are [.....] (PRONOUN) in it too?"
"Yes," said Mr Duggan.
Mr Bell laughed at [.....] (PRONOUN) fellow-sufferer, held out [.....] (PRONOUN) hand and said:
"Shake!"
Mrs Kearney passed by [.....] (PRONOUN) 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. [.....] (PRONOUN) came back and spoke to [.....] (PRONOUN) husband privately. [.....] (PRONOUN) conversation was evidently about Kathleen for [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) glanced at [.....] (PRONOUN) often as [.....] (PRONOUN) stood chatting to [.....] (PRONOUN) of [.....] (PRONOUN) 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 [.....] (PRONOUN) was stretched upon a meagre body. [.....] (PRONOUN) said [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) was Madam Glynn, the soprano.
"[.....] (PRONOUN) wonder where did [.....] (PRONOUN) dig [.....] (PRONOUN) up," said Kathleen to Miss Healy. "[.....] (PRONOUN) 'm sure [.....] (PRONOUN) never heard of [.....] (PRONOUN) ."
Miss Healy had to smile. Mr Holohan limped into the dressing-room at [.....] (PRONOUN) moment and the two young ladies asked [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) was the unknown woman. Mr Holohan said [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) was Madam Glynn from London. Madam Glynn took [.....] (PRONOUN) stand in a corner of the room, holding a roll of music stiffly before [.....] (PRONOUN) and from time to time changing the direction of [.....] (PRONOUN) startled gaze. The shadow took [.....] (PRONOUN) faded dress into shelter but fell revengefully into the little cup behind [.....] (PRONOUN) collar-bone. The noise of the hall became more audible. The first tenor and the baritone arrived together. [.....] (PRONOUN) were [.....] (PRONOUN) well dressed, stout and complacent and [.....] (PRONOUN) brought a breath of opulence among the company.
Mrs Kearney brought [.....] (PRONOUN) daughter over to [.....] (PRONOUN) , and talked to [.....] (PRONOUN) amiably. [.....] (PRONOUN) wanted to be on good terms with [.....] (PRONOUN) but, while [.....] (PRONOUN) strove to be polite, [.....] (PRONOUN) eyes followed Mr Holohan in [.....] (PRONOUN) limping and devious courses. As soon as [.....] (PRONOUN) could [.....] (PRONOUN) excused herself and went out after [.....] (PRONOUN) .
"Mr Holohan, [.....] (PRONOUN) want to speak to [.....] (PRONOUN) for a moment," [.....] (PRONOUN) said.
[.....] (PRONOUN) went down to a discreet part of the corridor. Mrs Kearney asked [.....] (PRONOUN) when was [.....] (PRONOUN) daughter going to be paid. Mr Holohan said [.....] (PRONOUN) Mr Fitzpatrick had charge of [.....] (PRONOUN) . Mrs Kearney said [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) didn't know [.....] (PRONOUN) about Mr Fitzpatrick. [.....] (PRONOUN) daughter had signed a contract for eight guineas and [.....] (PRONOUN) would have to be paid. Mr Holohan said [.....] (PRONOUN) it wasn't [.....] (PRONOUN) business.
"Why isn't it your business?" asked Mrs Kearney. "Didn't [.....] (PRONOUN) yourself bring [.....] (PRONOUN) the contract? Anyway, if it's not your business it's [.....] (PRONOUN) business and [.....] (PRONOUN) mean to see to it."
"[.....] (PRONOUN) 'd better speak to Mr Fitzpatrick," said Mr Holohan distantly.
"[.....] (PRONOUN) don't know [.....] (PRONOUN) about Mr Fitzpatrick," repeated Mrs Kearney. "[.....] (PRONOUN) have [.....] (PRONOUN) contract, and [.....] (PRONOUN) intend to see [.....] (PRONOUN) it is carried out."
When [.....] (PRONOUN) came back to the dressing-room [.....] (PRONOUN) 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. [.....] (PRONOUN) were the <[.....] (PRONOUN) >Freeman(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) > man and Mr O'Madden Burke. The <[.....] (PRONOUN) >Freeman(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) > man had come in to say [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) could not wait for the concert as [.....] (PRONOUN) had to report the lecture [.....] (PRONOUN) an American priest was giving in the Mansion House. [.....] (PRONOUN) said [.....] (PRONOUN) were to leave the report for [.....] (PRONOUN) at the <[.....] (PRONOUN) >Freeman(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) > office and [.....] (PRONOUN) would see [.....] (PRONOUN) it went in. [.....] (PRONOUN) was a grey-haired man, with a plausible voice and careful manners. [.....] (PRONOUN) held an extinguished cigar in [.....] (PRONOUN) hand and the aroma of cigar smoke floated near [.....] (PRONOUN) . [.....] (PRONOUN) had not intended to stay a moment because concerts and <[.....] (PRONOUN) >artistes(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) > bored [.....] (PRONOUN) considerably but [.....] (PRONOUN) remained leaning against the mantelpiece. Miss Healy stood in front of [.....] (PRONOUN) , talking and laughing. [.....] (PRONOUN) was old enough to suspect [.....] (PRONOUN) reason for [.....] (PRONOUN) politeness but young enough in spirit to turn the moment to account. The warmth, fragrance and colour of [.....] (PRONOUN) body appealed to [.....] (PRONOUN) senses. [.....] (PRONOUN) was pleasantly conscious [.....] (PRONOUN) the bosom [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) saw rise and fall slowly beneath [.....] (PRONOUN) rose and fell at [.....] (PRONOUN) moment for [.....] (PRONOUN) , [.....] (PRONOUN) the laughter and fragrance and wilful glances were [.....] (PRONOUN) tribute. When [.....] (PRONOUN) could stay no longer [.....] (PRONOUN) took leave of [.....] (PRONOUN) regretfully.
"O'Madden Burke will write the notice," [.....] (PRONOUN) explained to Mr Holohan, "and [.....] (PRONOUN) 'll see it in."
"Thank [.....] (PRONOUN) very much, Mr Hendrick," said Mr Holohan, "[.....] (PRONOUN) 'll see it in, [.....] (PRONOUN) know. Now, won't [.....] (PRONOUN) have a little [.....] (PRONOUN) before [.....] (PRONOUN) go?"
"[.....] (PRONOUN) don't mind," said Mr Hendrick.
The two men went along [.....] (PRONOUN) tortuous passages and up a dark staircase and came to a secluded room where [.....] (PRONOUN) of the stewards was uncorking bottles for a [.....] (PRONOUN) gentlemen. [.....] (PRONOUN) of [.....] (PRONOUN) gentlemen was Mr O'Madden Burke, [.....] (PRONOUN) had found out the room by instinct. [.....] (PRONOUN) was a suave, elderly man [.....] (PRONOUN) balanced [.....] (PRONOUN) imposing body, when at rest, upon a large silk umbrella. [.....] (PRONOUN) magniloquent western name was the moral umbrella upon [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) balanced the fine problem of [.....] (PRONOUN) finances. [.....] (PRONOUN) was widely respected.
While Mr Holohan was entertaining the <[.....] (PRONOUN) >Freeman(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) > man Mrs Kearney was speaking so animatedly to [.....] (PRONOUN) husband [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) had to ask [.....] (PRONOUN) to lower [.....] (PRONOUN) voice. The conversation of the others in the dressing-room had become strained. Mr Bell, the first item, stood ready with [.....] (PRONOUN) music but the accompanist made no sign. Evidently [.....] (PRONOUN) was wrong. Mr Kearney looked straight before [.....] (PRONOUN) , stroking [.....] (PRONOUN) 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 [.....] (PRONOUN) was afraid the audience would think [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) had come late.
Mr Holohan and Mr O'Madden Burke came into the room. In a moment Mr Holohan perceived the hush. [.....] (PRONOUN) went over to Mrs Kearney and spoke with [.....] (PRONOUN) earnestly. While [.....] (PRONOUN) were speaking the noise in the hall grew louder. Mr Holohan became very red and excited. [.....] (PRONOUN) spoke volubly, but Mrs Kearney said curtly at intervals:
"[.....] (PRONOUN) won't go on. [.....] (PRONOUN) must get [.....] (PRONOUN) eight guineas."
Mr Holohan pointed desperately towards the hall where the audience was clapping and stamping. [.....] (PRONOUN) appealed to Mr Kearney and to Kathleen. But Mr Kearney continued to stroke [.....] (PRONOUN) beard and Kathleen looked down, moving the point of [.....] (PRONOUN) new shoe: it was not [.....] (PRONOUN) fault. Mrs Kearney repeated:
"[.....] (PRONOUN) won't go on without [.....] (PRONOUN) money."
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:
"Have [.....] (PRONOUN) seen Mrs Pat Campbell [.....] (PRONOUN) week?"
The baritone had not seen [.....] (PRONOUN) but [.....] (PRONOUN) had been told [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) was very fine. The conversation went no further. The first tenor bent [.....] (PRONOUN) head and began to count the links of the gold chain [.....] (PRONOUN) was extended across [.....] (PRONOUN) waist, smiling and humming random notes to observe the effect on the frontal sinus. From time to time [.....] (PRONOUN) glanced at Mrs Kearney.
The noise in the auditorium had risen to a clamour when Mr Fitzpatrick burst into the room, followed by Mr Holohan, [.....] (PRONOUN) was panting. The clapping and stamping in the hall were punctuated by whistling. Mr Fitzpatrick held a [.....] (PRONOUN) banknotes in [.....] (PRONOUN) hand. [.....] (PRONOUN) counted out four into Mrs Kearney's hand and said [.....] (PRONOUN) would get the other half at the interval. Mrs Kearney said:
"[.....] (PRONOUN) is four shillings short."
But Kathleen gathered in [.....] (PRONOUN) skirt and said: <[.....] (PRONOUN) >"Now, Mr Bell,"(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) > to the first item, [.....] (PRONOUN) 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 [.....] (PRONOUN) seconds: and then the piano was heard.
The first part of the concert was very successful except for Madam Glynn's item. The poor lady sang <[.....] (PRONOUN) >Killarney(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) > in a bodiless gasping voice, with [.....] (PRONOUN) the old-fashioned mannerisms of intonation and pronunciation [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) believed lent elegance to [.....] (PRONOUN) singing. [.....] (PRONOUN) looked as if [.....] (PRONOUN) had been resurrected from an old stage-wardrobe and the cheaper parts of the hall made fun of [.....] (PRONOUN) high wailing notes. The first tenor and the contralto, however, brought down the house. Kathleen played a selection of Irish airs [.....] (PRONOUN) was generously applauded. The first part closed with a stirring patriotic recitation delivered by a young lady [.....] (PRONOUN) arranged amateur theatricals. It was deservedly applauded; and, when it was ended, the men went out for the interval, content.
[.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) time the dressing-room was a hive of excitement. In [.....] (PRONOUN) 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 [.....] (PRONOUN) scandalous exhibition [.....] (PRONOUN) had ever witnessed. Miss Kathleen Kearney's musical career was ended in Dublin after [.....] (PRONOUN) , [.....] (PRONOUN) said. The baritone was asked [.....] (PRONOUN) did [.....] (PRONOUN) think of Mrs Kearney's conduct. [.....] (PRONOUN) did not like to say [.....] (PRONOUN) . [.....] (PRONOUN) had been paid [.....] (PRONOUN) money and wished to be at peace with men. However, [.....] (PRONOUN) said [.....] (PRONOUN) Mrs Kearney might have taken the <[.....] (PRONOUN) >artistes(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) > into consideration. The stewards and the secretaries debated hotly as to [.....] (PRONOUN) should be done when the interval came.
"[.....] (PRONOUN) agree with Miss Beirne," said Mr O'Madden Burke. "Pay [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) ."
In another corner of the room were Mrs Kearney and [.....] (PRONOUN) husband, Mr Bell, Miss Healy and the young lady [.....] (PRONOUN) had to recite the patriotic piece. Mrs Kearney said [.....] (PRONOUN) the Committee had treated [.....] (PRONOUN) scandalously. [.....] (PRONOUN) had spared [.....] (PRONOUN) trouble nor expense and [.....] (PRONOUN) was how [.....] (PRONOUN) was repaid.
[.....] (PRONOUN) thought [.....] (PRONOUN) had only a girl to deal with and [.....] (PRONOUN) , therefore, [.....] (PRONOUN) could ride roughshod over [.....] (PRONOUN) . But [.....] (PRONOUN) would show [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) mistake. [.....] (PRONOUN) wouldn't have dared to have treated [.....] (PRONOUN) like [.....] (PRONOUN) if [.....] (PRONOUN) had been a man. But [.....] (PRONOUN) would see [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) daughter got [.....] (PRONOUN) rights: [.....] (PRONOUN) wouldn't be fooled. If [.....] (PRONOUN) didn't pay [.....] (PRONOUN) to the last farthing [.....] (PRONOUN) would make Dublin ring. Of course [.....] (PRONOUN) was sorry for the sake of the <[.....] (PRONOUN) >artistes(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) >. But [.....] (PRONOUN) else could [.....] (PRONOUN) do? [.....] (PRONOUN) appealed to the second tenor [.....] (PRONOUN) said [.....] (PRONOUN) thought [.....] (PRONOUN) had not been well treated. Then [.....] (PRONOUN) appealed to Miss Healy. Miss Healy wanted to join the other group but [.....] (PRONOUN) did not like to do so because [.....] (PRONOUN) was a great friend of Kathleen's and the Kearneys had often invited [.....] (PRONOUN) to [.....] (PRONOUN) house.
As soon as the first part was ended Mr Fitzpatrick and Mr Holohan went over to Mrs Kearney and told [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) the other four guineas would be paid after the Committee meeting on the following Tuesday and [.....] (PRONOUN) , in case [.....] (PRONOUN) daughter did not play for the second part, the Committee would consider the contract broken and would pay [.....] (PRONOUN) .
"[.....] (PRONOUN) haven't seen [.....] (PRONOUN) Committee," said Mrs Kearney angrily. "[.....] (PRONOUN) daughter has [.....] (PRONOUN) contract. [.....] (PRONOUN) will get four pounds eight into [.....] (PRONOUN) hand or a foot [.....] (PRONOUN) won't put on [.....] (PRONOUN) platform."
"[.....] (PRONOUN) 'm surprised at [.....] (PRONOUN) , Mrs Kearney," said Mr Holohan. "[.....] (PRONOUN) never thought [.....] (PRONOUN) would treat [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) way."
"And [.....] (PRONOUN) way did [.....] (PRONOUN) treat [.....] (PRONOUN) ?" asked Mrs Kearney.
[.....] (PRONOUN) face was inundated with an angry colour and [.....] (PRONOUN) looked as if [.....] (PRONOUN) would attack [.....] (PRONOUN) with [.....] (PRONOUN) hands.
"[.....] (PRONOUN) 'm asking for [.....] (PRONOUN) rights." [.....] (PRONOUN) said.
"[.....] (PRONOUN) might have [.....] (PRONOUN) sense of decency," said Mr Holohan.
"Might [.....] (PRONOUN) , indeed?... And when [.....] (PRONOUN) ask when [.....] (PRONOUN) daughter is going to be paid [.....] (PRONOUN) can't get a civil answer."
[.....] (PRONOUN) tossed [.....] (PRONOUN) head and assumed a haughty voice:
"[.....] (PRONOUN) must speak to the secretary. It's not [.....] (PRONOUN) business. [.....] (PRONOUN) 'm a great fellow fol-the-diddle-[.....] (PRONOUN) -do."
"[.....] (PRONOUN) thought [.....] (PRONOUN) were a lady," said Mr Holohan, walking away from [.....] (PRONOUN) abruptly.
After [.....] (PRONOUN) Mrs Kearney's conduct was condemned on [.....] (PRONOUN) hands: [.....] (PRONOUN) approved of [.....] (PRONOUN) the Committee had done. [.....] (PRONOUN) stood at the door, haggard with rage, arguing with [.....] (PRONOUN) husband and daughter, gesticulating with [.....] (PRONOUN) . [.....] (PRONOUN) waited until it was time for the second part to begin in the hope [.....] (PRONOUN) the secretaries would approach [.....] (PRONOUN) . But Miss Healy had kindly consented to play [.....] (PRONOUN) or two accompaniments. Mrs Kearney had to stand aside to allow the baritone and [.....] (PRONOUN) accompanist to pass up to the platform. [.....] (PRONOUN) stood still for an instant like an angry stone image and, when the first notes of the song struck [.....] (PRONOUN) ear, [.....] (PRONOUN) caught up [.....] (PRONOUN) daughter's cloak and said to [.....] (PRONOUN) husband:
"Get a cab!"
[.....] (PRONOUN) went out at once. Mrs Kearney wrapped the cloak round [.....] (PRONOUN) daughter and followed [.....] (PRONOUN) . As [.....] (PRONOUN) passed through the doorway [.....] (PRONOUN) stopped and glared into Mr Holohan's face.
"[.....] (PRONOUN) 'm not done with [.....] (PRONOUN) yet," [.....] (PRONOUN) said.
"But [.....] (PRONOUN) 'm done with [.....] (PRONOUN) ," said Mr Holohan.
Kathleen followed [.....] (PRONOUN) mother meekly. Mr Holohan began to pace up and down the room, in order to cool himself for [.....] (PRONOUN) felt [.....] (PRONOUN) skin on fire.
"[.....] (PRONOUN) 's a nice lady!" [.....] (PRONOUN) said. "O, [.....] (PRONOUN) 's a nice lady!"
"[.....] (PRONOUN) did the proper thing, Holohan," said Mr O'Madden Burke, poised upon [.....] (PRONOUN) umbrella in approval.
TWO gentlemen [.....] (PRONOUN) were in the lavatory at the time tried to lift [.....] (PRONOUN) up: but [.....] (PRONOUN) was quite helpless. [.....] (PRONOUN) lay curled up at the foot of the stairs down [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) had fallen. [.....] (PRONOUN) succeeded in turning [.....] (PRONOUN) over. [.....] (PRONOUN) hat had rolled a [.....] (PRONOUN) yards away and [.....] (PRONOUN) clothes were smeared with the filth and ooze of the floor on [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) had lain, face downwards. [.....] (PRONOUN) eyes were closed and [.....] (PRONOUN) breathed with a grunting noise. A thin stream of blood trickled from the corner of [.....] (PRONOUN) mouth.
[.....] (PRONOUN) two gentlemen and [.....] (PRONOUN) of the curates carried [.....] (PRONOUN) up the stairs and laid [.....] (PRONOUN) down again on the floor of the bar. In two minutes [.....] (PRONOUN) was surrounded by a ring of men. The manager of the bar asked [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) was and [.....] (PRONOUN) was with [.....] (PRONOUN) . [.....] (PRONOUN) knew [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) was but [.....] (PRONOUN) of the curates said [.....] (PRONOUN) had served the gentleman with a small rum.
"Was [.....] (PRONOUN) by himself?" asked the manager.
"No, sir. There was two gentlemen with [.....] (PRONOUN) ."
"And where are [.....] (PRONOUN) ?"
[.....] (PRONOUN) knew; a voice said:
"Give [.....] (PRONOUN) air. [.....] (PRONOUN) 's fainted."
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.
[.....] (PRONOUN) collar was unfastened and [.....] (PRONOUN) necktie undone. [.....] (PRONOUN) opened [.....] (PRONOUN) eyes for an instant, sighed and closed [.....] (PRONOUN) again. [.....] (PRONOUN) of gentlemen [.....] (PRONOUN) had carried [.....] (PRONOUN) upstairs held a dinged silk hat in [.....] (PRONOUN) hand. The manager asked repeatedly did [.....] (PRONOUN) know [.....] (PRONOUN) the injured man was or where had [.....] (PRONOUN) friends gone. The door of the bar opened and an immense constable entered. A crowd [.....] (PRONOUN) had followed [.....] (PRONOUN) down the laneway collected outside the door, struggling to look in through the glass panels.
The manager at once began to narrate [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) knew. The constable, a young man with thick immobile features, listened. [.....] (PRONOUN) moved [.....] (PRONOUN) head slowly to right and left and from the manager to the person on the floor, as if [.....] (PRONOUN) feared to be the victim of [.....] (PRONOUN) delusion. Then [.....] (PRONOUN) drew off [.....] (PRONOUN) glove, produced a small book from [.....] (PRONOUN) waist, licked the lead of [.....] (PRONOUN) pencil and made ready to indite. [.....] (PRONOUN) asked in a suspicious provincial accent:
"[.....] (PRONOUN) is the man? [.....] (PRONOUN) 's [.....] (PRONOUN) name and address?"
A young man in a cycling-suit cleared [.....] (PRONOUN) way through the ring of bystanders. [.....] (PRONOUN) 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 [.....] (PRONOUN) 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 [.....] (PRONOUN) seconds [.....] (PRONOUN) opened [.....] (PRONOUN) eyes and looked about [.....] (PRONOUN) . [.....] (PRONOUN) looked at the circle of faces and then, understanding, strove to rise to [.....] (PRONOUN) feet.
"[.....] (PRONOUN) 're [.....] (PRONOUN) right now?" asked the young man in the cycling-suit.
"Sha, 's [.....] (PRONOUN) ," said the injured man, trying to stand up.
[.....] (PRONOUN) was helped to [.....] (PRONOUN) feet. The manager said [.....] (PRONOUN) about a hospital and [.....] (PRONOUN) of the bystanders gave advice. The battered silk hat was placed on the man's head. The constable asked:
"Where do [.....] (PRONOUN) live?"
The man, without answering, began to twirl the ends of [.....] (PRONOUN) moustache. [.....] (PRONOUN) made light of [.....] (PRONOUN) accident. It was [.....] (PRONOUN) , [.....] (PRONOUN) said: only a little accident. [.....] (PRONOUN) spoke very thickly.
"Where do [.....] (PRONOUN) live?" repeated the constable.
The man said [.....] (PRONOUN) were to get a cab for [.....] (PRONOUN) . 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, [.....] (PRONOUN) called out:
"Hallo, Tom, old man! [.....] (PRONOUN) 's the trouble?"
"Sha, 's [.....] (PRONOUN) ," said the man.
The new-comer surveyed the deplorable figure before [.....] (PRONOUN) and then turned to the constable, saying:
"It's [.....] (PRONOUN) right, constable. [.....] (PRONOUN) 'll see [.....] (PRONOUN) home."
The constable touched [.....] (PRONOUN) helmet and answered:
"[.....] (PRONOUN) right, Mr Power!"
"Come now, Tom," said Mr Power, taking [.....] (PRONOUN) friend by the arm. "No bones broken. [.....] (PRONOUN) ? Can [.....] (PRONOUN) walk?"
The young man in the cycling-suit took the man by the other arm and the crowd divided.
"How did [.....] (PRONOUN) get yourself into [.....] (PRONOUN) mess?" asked Mr Power.
"The gentleman fell down the stairs," said the young man.
"[.....] (PRONOUN) ' 'ery 'uch o'liged to [.....] (PRONOUN) , sir," said the injured man.
"Not at [.....] (PRONOUN) ."
"'ant [.....] (PRONOUN) have a little...?"
"Not now. Not now."
The three men left the bar and the crowd sifted through the doors into the laneway. The manager brought the constable to the stairs to inspect the scene of the accident. [.....] (PRONOUN) agreed [.....] (PRONOUN) the gentleman must have missed [.....] (PRONOUN) footing. The customers returned to the counter and a curate set about removing the traces of blood from the floor.
When [.....] (PRONOUN) came out into Grafton Street, Mr Power whistled for an outsider. The injured man said again as well as [.....] (PRONOUN) could:
"[.....] (PRONOUN) ' 'ery 'uch o'liged to [.....] (PRONOUN) , sir. [.....] (PRONOUN) hope [.....] (PRONOUN) 'll 'eet again. 'y na'e is Kernan."
The shock and the incipient pain had partly sobered [.....] (PRONOUN) .
"Don't mention it," said the young man.
[.....] (PRONOUN) shook hands. Mr Kernan was hoisted on to the car and, while Mr Power was giving directions to the carman, [.....] (PRONOUN) expressed [.....] (PRONOUN) gratitude to the young man and regretted [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) could not have a little drink together.
"Another time," said the young man.
The car drove off towards Westmoreland Street. As it passed Ballast Office the clock showed half-past nine. A keen east wind hit [.....] (PRONOUN) , blowing from the mouth of the river. Mr Kernan was huddled together with cold. [.....] (PRONOUN) friend asked [.....] (PRONOUN) to tell how the accident had happened.
"[.....] (PRONOUN) 'an't, 'an," [.....] (PRONOUN) answered, "'y 'ongue is hurt."
"Show."
The other leaned over the well of the car and peered into Mr Kernan's mouth but [.....] (PRONOUN) could not see. [.....] (PRONOUN) struck a match and, sheltering it in the shell of [.....] (PRONOUN) hands, peered again into the mouth [.....] (PRONOUN) 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.
"[.....] (PRONOUN) 's ugly," said Mr Power.
"Sha, 's [.....] (PRONOUN) ," said Mr Kernan, closing [.....] (PRONOUN) mouth and pulling the collar of [.....] (PRONOUN) filthy coat across [.....] (PRONOUN) neck.
Mr Kernan was a commercial traveller of the old school [.....] (PRONOUN) believed in the dignity of its calling. [.....] (PRONOUN) had never been seen in the city without a silk hat of [.....] (PRONOUN) decency and a pair of gaiters. By grace of [.....] (PRONOUN) two articles of clothing, [.....] (PRONOUN) said, a man could always pass muster. [.....] (PRONOUN) carried on the tradition of [.....] (PRONOUN) Napoleon, the great Blackwhite, whose memory [.....] (PRONOUN) evoked at times by legend and mimicry. Modern business methods had spared [.....] (PRONOUN) only so far as to allow [.....] (PRONOUN) a little office in Crowe Street on the window blind of [.....] (PRONOUN) was written the name of [.....] (PRONOUN) firm with the address—London, E.C. On the mantelpiece of [.....] (PRONOUN) little office a little leaden battalion of canisters was drawn up and on the table before the window stood four or five china bowls [.....] (PRONOUN) were usually half full of a black liquid. From [.....] (PRONOUN) bowls Mr Kernan tasted tea. [.....] (PRONOUN) took a mouthful, drew it up, saturated [.....] (PRONOUN) palate with it and then spat it forth into the grate. Then [.....] (PRONOUN) paused to judge.
Mr Power, a much younger man, was employed in the Royal Irish Constabulary Office in Dublin Castle. The arc of [.....] (PRONOUN) social rise intersected the arc of [.....] (PRONOUN) friend's decline, but Mr Kernan's decline was mitigated by the fact [.....] (PRONOUN) certain of [.....] (PRONOUN) friends [.....] (PRONOUN) had known [.....] (PRONOUN) at [.....] (PRONOUN) highest point of success still esteemed [.....] (PRONOUN) as a character. Mr Power was [.....] (PRONOUN) of [.....] (PRONOUN) friends. [.....] (PRONOUN) inexplicable debts were a byword in [.....] (PRONOUN) circle; [.....] (PRONOUN) was a debonair young man.
The car halted before a small house on the Glasnevin road and Mr Kernan was helped into the house. [.....] (PRONOUN) wife put [.....] (PRONOUN) to bed while Mr Power sat downstairs in the kitchen asking the children where [.....] (PRONOUN) went to school and [.....] (PRONOUN) book [.....] (PRONOUN) were in. The children—two girls and a boy, conscious of [.....] (PRONOUN) father's helplessness and of [.....] (PRONOUN) mother's absence, began [.....] (PRONOUN) horseplay with [.....] (PRONOUN) . [.....] (PRONOUN) was surprised at [.....] (PRONOUN) manners and at [.....] (PRONOUN) accents, and [.....] (PRONOUN) brow grew thoughtful. After a while Mrs Kernan entered the kitchen, exclaiming:
"Such a sight! O, [.....] (PRONOUN) 'll do for himself [.....] (PRONOUN) day and [.....] (PRONOUN) 's the holy alls of it. [.....] (PRONOUN) 's been drinking since Friday."
Mr Power was careful to explain to [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) was not responsible, [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) had come on the scene by the merest accident. Mrs Kernan, remembering Mr Power's good offices during domestic quarrels, as well as [.....] (PRONOUN) small, but opportune loans, said:
"O, [.....] (PRONOUN) needn't tell [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) , Mr Power. [.....] (PRONOUN) know [.....] (PRONOUN) 're a friend of [.....] (PRONOUN) , not like [.....] (PRONOUN) of the others [.....] (PRONOUN) does be with. [.....] (PRONOUN) 're [.....] (PRONOUN) right so long as [.....] (PRONOUN) has money in [.....] (PRONOUN) pocket to keep [.....] (PRONOUN) out from [.....] (PRONOUN) wife and family. Nice friends! [.....] (PRONOUN) was [.....] (PRONOUN) with tonight, [.....] (PRONOUN) 'd like to know?"
Mr Power shook [.....] (PRONOUN) head but said [.....] (PRONOUN) .
"[.....] (PRONOUN) 'm so sorry," [.....] (PRONOUN) continued, "[.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) 've [.....] (PRONOUN) in the house to offer [.....] (PRONOUN) . But if [.....] (PRONOUN) wait a minute [.....] (PRONOUN) 'll send round to Fogarty's at the corner."
Mr Power stood up.
"[.....] (PRONOUN) were waiting for [.....] (PRONOUN) to come home with the money. [.....] (PRONOUN) never seems to think [.....] (PRONOUN) has a home at [.....] (PRONOUN) ."
"O, now, Mrs Kernan," said Mr Power, "[.....] (PRONOUN) 'll make [.....] (PRONOUN) turn over a new leaf. [.....] (PRONOUN) 'll talk to Martin. [.....] (PRONOUN) 's the man. [.....] (PRONOUN) 'll come here [.....] (PRONOUN) of [.....] (PRONOUN) nights and talk it over."
[.....] (PRONOUN) saw [.....] (PRONOUN) to the door. The carman was stamping up and down the footpath, and swinging [.....] (PRONOUN) arms to warm himself.
"It's very kind of [.....] (PRONOUN) to bring [.....] (PRONOUN) home," [.....] (PRONOUN) said.
"Not at [.....] (PRONOUN) ," said Mr Power.
[.....] (PRONOUN) got up on the car. As it drove off [.....] (PRONOUN) raised [.....] (PRONOUN) hat to [.....] (PRONOUN) gaily.
"[.....] (PRONOUN) 'll make a new man of [.....] (PRONOUN) ," [.....] (PRONOUN) said. "Good-night, Mrs Kernan."
Mrs Kernan's puzzled eyes watched the car till it was out of sight. Then [.....] (PRONOUN) withdrew [.....] (PRONOUN) , went into the house and emptied [.....] (PRONOUN) husband's pockets.
[.....] (PRONOUN) was an active, practical woman of middle age. Not long before [.....] (PRONOUN) had celebrated [.....] (PRONOUN) silver wedding and renewed [.....] (PRONOUN) intimacy with [.....] (PRONOUN) husband by waltzing with [.....] (PRONOUN) to Mr Power's accompaniment. In [.....] (PRONOUN) days of courtship Mr Kernan had seemed to [.....] (PRONOUN) a not ungallant figure: and [.....] (PRONOUN) still hurried to the chapel door whenever a wedding was reported and, seeing the bridal pair, recalled with vivid pleasure how [.....] (PRONOUN) had passed out of the Star of the Sea Church in Sandymount, leaning on the arm of a jovial well-fed man, [.....] (PRONOUN) was dressed smartly in a frock-coat and lavender trousers and carried a silk hat gracefully balanced upon [.....] (PRONOUN) other arm. After three weeks [.....] (PRONOUN) had found a wife's life irksome and, later on, when [.....] (PRONOUN) was beginning to find it unbearable, [.....] (PRONOUN) had become a mother. The part of mother presented to [.....] (PRONOUN) no insuperable difficulties and for twenty-five years [.....] (PRONOUN) had kept house shrewdly for [.....] (PRONOUN) husband. [.....] (PRONOUN) two eldest sons were launched. [.....] (PRONOUN) was in a draper's shop in Glasgow and the other was clerk to a tea-merchant in Belfast. [.....] (PRONOUN) were good sons, wrote regularly and sometimes sent home money. The other children were still at school.
Mr Kernan sent a letter to [.....] (PRONOUN) office next day and remained in bed. [.....] (PRONOUN) made beef-tea for [.....] (PRONOUN) and scolded [.....] (PRONOUN) roundly. [.....] (PRONOUN) accepted [.....] (PRONOUN) frequent intemperance as part of the climate, healed [.....] (PRONOUN) dutifully whenever [.....] (PRONOUN) was sick and always tried to make [.....] (PRONOUN) eat a breakfast. There were worse husbands. [.....] (PRONOUN) had never been violent since the boys had grown up and [.....] (PRONOUN) knew [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) would walk to the end of Thomas Street and back again to book even a small order.
Two nights after [.....] (PRONOUN) friends came to see [.....] (PRONOUN) . [.....] (PRONOUN) brought [.....] (PRONOUN) up to [.....] (PRONOUN) bedroom, the air of [.....] (PRONOUN) was impregnated with a personal odour, and gave [.....] (PRONOUN) chairs at the fire. Mr Kernan's tongue, the occasional stinging pain of [.....] (PRONOUN) had made [.....] (PRONOUN) somewhat irritable during the day, became more polite. [.....] (PRONOUN) sat propped up in the bed by pillows and the little colour in [.....] (PRONOUN) puffy cheeks made [.....] (PRONOUN) resemble warm cinders. [.....] (PRONOUN) apologised to [.....] (PRONOUN) guests for the disorder of the room, but at the same time looked at [.....] (PRONOUN) a little proudly, with a veteran's pride.
[.....] (PRONOUN) was quite unconscious [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) was the victim of a plot [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) friends, Mr Cunningham, Mr M'Coy and Mr Power had disclosed to Mrs Kernan in the parlour. The idea had been Mr Power's but its development was entrusted to Mr Cunningham. Mr Kernan came of Protestant stock and, though [.....] (PRONOUN) had been converted to the Catholic faith at the time of [.....] (PRONOUN) marriage, [.....] (PRONOUN) had not been in the pale of the Church for twenty years. [.....] (PRONOUN) was fond, moreover, of giving side-thrusts at Catholicism.
Mr Cunningham was the very man for such a case. [.....] (PRONOUN) was an elder colleague of Mr Power. [.....] (PRONOUN) own domestic life was not very happy. People had great sympathy with [.....] (PRONOUN) for it was known [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) had married an unpresentable woman [.....] (PRONOUN) was an incurable drunkard. [.....] (PRONOUN) had set up house for [.....] (PRONOUN) six times; and [.....] (PRONOUN) time [.....] (PRONOUN) had pawned the furniture on [.....] (PRONOUN) .
[.....] (PRONOUN) had respect for poor Martin Cunningham. [.....] (PRONOUN) was a thoroughly sensible man, influential and intelligent. [.....] (PRONOUN) 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. [.....] (PRONOUN) was well informed. [.....] (PRONOUN) friends bowed to [.....] (PRONOUN) opinions and considered [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) face was like Shakespeare's.
When the plot had been disclosed to [.....] (PRONOUN) , Mrs Kernan had said:
"[.....] (PRONOUN) leave it [.....] (PRONOUN) in your hands, Mr Cunningham."
After a quarter of a century of married life, [.....] (PRONOUN) had very [.....] (PRONOUN) illusions left. Religion for [.....] (PRONOUN) was a habit and [.....] (PRONOUN) suspected [.....] (PRONOUN) a man of [.....] (PRONOUN) husband's age would not change greatly before death. [.....] (PRONOUN) was tempted to see a curious appropriateness in [.....] (PRONOUN) accident and, but [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) did not wish to seem bloody-minded, [.....] (PRONOUN) would have told the gentlemen [.....] (PRONOUN) 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. [.....] (PRONOUN) beliefs were not extravagant. [.....] (PRONOUN) believed steadily in the Sacred Heart as the [.....] (PRONOUN) generally useful of [.....] (PRONOUN) Catholic devotions and approved of the sacraments. [.....] (PRONOUN) faith was bounded by [.....] (PRONOUN) kitchen but, if [.....] (PRONOUN) was put to it, [.....] (PRONOUN) could believe also in the banshee and in the Holy Ghost.
The gentlemen began to talk of the accident. Mr Cunningham said [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) had once known a similar case. A man of seventy had bitten off a piece of [.....] (PRONOUN) tongue during an epileptic fit and the tongue had filled in again so [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) could see a trace of the bite.
"Well, [.....] (PRONOUN) 'm not seventy," said the invalid.
"God forbid," said Mr Cunningham.
"It doesn't pain [.....] (PRONOUN) now?" asked Mr M'Coy.
Mr M'Coy had been at [.....] (PRONOUN) time a tenor of [.....] (PRONOUN) reputation. [.....] (PRONOUN) wife, [.....] (PRONOUN) had been a soprano, still taught young children to play the piano at low terms. [.....] (PRONOUN) line of life had not been the shortest distance between two points and for short periods [.....] (PRONOUN) had been driven to live by [.....] (PRONOUN) wits. [.....] (PRONOUN) had been a clerk in the Midland Railway, a canvasser for advertisements for <[.....] (PRONOUN) >The Irish Times(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) > and for <[.....] (PRONOUN) >The Freeman's Journal(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) >, a town traveller for a coal firm on commission, a private inquiry agent, a clerk in the office of the Sub-Sheriff and [.....] (PRONOUN) had recently become secretary to the City Coroner. [.....] (PRONOUN) new office made [.....] (PRONOUN) professionally interested in Mr Kernan's case.
"Pain? Not much," answered Mr Kernan. "But it's so sickening. [.....] (PRONOUN) feel as if [.....] (PRONOUN) wanted to retch off."
"[.....] (PRONOUN) 's the boose," said Mr Cunningham firmly.
"No," said Mr Kernan. "[.....] (PRONOUN) think [.....] (PRONOUN) caught a cold on the car. There's [.....] (PRONOUN) keeps coming into [.....] (PRONOUN) throat, phlegm or——"
"Mucus." said Mr M'Coy.
"It keeps coming like from down in [.....] (PRONOUN) throat; sickening thing."
"Yes, yes," said Mr M'Coy, "[.....] (PRONOUN) 's the thorax."
[.....] (PRONOUN) looked at Mr Cunningham and Mr Power at the same time with an air of challenge. Mr Cunningham nodded [.....] (PRONOUN) head rapidly and Mr Power said:
"Ah, well, [.....] (PRONOUN) 's well [.....] (PRONOUN) ends well."
"[.....] (PRONOUN) 'm very much obliged to [.....] (PRONOUN) , old man," said the invalid.
Mr Power waved [.....] (PRONOUN) hand.
"[.....] (PRONOUN) other two fellows [.....] (PRONOUN) was with——"
"[.....] (PRONOUN) were [.....] (PRONOUN) with?" asked Mr Cunningham.
"A chap. [.....] (PRONOUN) don't know [.....] (PRONOUN) name. Damn it now, [.....] (PRONOUN) 's [.....] (PRONOUN) name? Little chap with sandy hair...."
"And [.....] (PRONOUN) else?"
"Harford."
"Hm," said Mr Cunningham.
When Mr Cunningham made [.....] (PRONOUN) remark, people were silent. It was known [.....] (PRONOUN) the speaker had secret sources of information. In [.....] (PRONOUN) case the monosyllable had a moral intention. Mr Harford sometimes formed [.....] (PRONOUN) of a little detachment [.....] (PRONOUN) left the city shortly after noon on Sunday with the purpose of arriving as soon as possible at [.....] (PRONOUN) public-house on the outskirts of the city where its members duly qualified themselves as <[.....] (PRONOUN) >bona fide(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) > travellers. But [.....] (PRONOUN) fellow-travellers had never consented to overlook [.....] (PRONOUN) origin. [.....] (PRONOUN) had begun life as an obscure financier by lending small sums of money to workmen at usurious interest. Later on [.....] (PRONOUN) had become the partner of a very fat short gentleman, Mr Goldberg, in the Liffey Loan Bank. Though [.....] (PRONOUN) had never embraced more than the Jewish ethical code [.....] (PRONOUN) fellow-Catholics, whenever [.....] (PRONOUN) had smarted in person or by proxy under [.....] (PRONOUN) exactions, spoke of [.....] (PRONOUN) bitterly as an Irish Jew and an illiterate and saw divine disapproval of usury made manifest through the person of [.....] (PRONOUN) idiot son. At other times [.....] (PRONOUN) remembered [.....] (PRONOUN) good points.
"[.....] (PRONOUN) wonder where did [.....] (PRONOUN) go to," said Mr Kernan.
[.....] (PRONOUN) wished the details of the incident to remain vague. [.....] (PRONOUN) wished [.....] (PRONOUN) friends to think there had been [.....] (PRONOUN) mistake, [.....] (PRONOUN) Mr Harford and [.....] (PRONOUN) had missed [.....] (PRONOUN) other. [.....] (PRONOUN) friends, [.....] (PRONOUN) knew quite well Mr Harford's manners in drinking, were silent. Mr Power said again:
"[.....] (PRONOUN) 's well [.....] (PRONOUN) ends well."
Mr Kernan changed the subject at once.
"[.....] (PRONOUN) was a decent young chap, [.....] (PRONOUN) medical fellow," [.....] (PRONOUN) said. "Only for [.....] (PRONOUN) ——"
"O, only for [.....] (PRONOUN) ," said Mr Power, "it might have been a case of seven days, without the option of a fine."
"Yes, yes," said Mr Kernan, trying to remember. "[.....] (PRONOUN) remember now there was a policeman. Decent young fellow, [.....] (PRONOUN) seemed. How did it happen at [.....] (PRONOUN) ?"
"It happened [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) were peloothered, Tom," said Mr Cunningham gravely.
"True bill," said Mr Kernan, equally gravely.
"[.....] (PRONOUN) suppose [.....] (PRONOUN) squared the constable, Jack," said Mr M'Coy.
Mr Power did not relish the use of [.....] (PRONOUN) Christian name. [.....] (PRONOUN) was not straight-laced, but [.....] (PRONOUN) could not forget [.....] (PRONOUN) 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 [.....] (PRONOUN) resented the fact [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) had been victimised [.....] (PRONOUN) resented such low playing of the game. [.....] (PRONOUN) answered the question, therefore, as if Mr Kernan had asked it.
The narrative made Mr Kernan indignant. [.....] (PRONOUN) was keenly conscious of [.....] (PRONOUN) citizenship, wished to live with [.....] (PRONOUN) city on terms mutually honourable and resented [.....] (PRONOUN) affront put upon [.....] (PRONOUN) by [.....] (PRONOUN) whom [.....] (PRONOUN) called country bumpkins.
"Is [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) pay rates for?" [.....] (PRONOUN) asked. "To feed and clothe [.....] (PRONOUN) ignorant bostooms ... and [.....] (PRONOUN) 're [.....] (PRONOUN) else."
Mr Cunningham laughed. [.....] (PRONOUN) was a Castle official only during office hours.
"How could [.....] (PRONOUN) be [.....] (PRONOUN) else, Tom?" [.....] (PRONOUN) said.
[.....] (PRONOUN) assumed a thick provincial accent and said in a tone of command:
"65, catch your cabbage!"
[.....] (PRONOUN) laughed. Mr M'Coy, [.....] (PRONOUN) wanted to enter the conversation by [.....] (PRONOUN) door, pretended [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) had never heard the story. Mr Cunningham said:
"It is supposed—[.....] (PRONOUN) say, [.....] (PRONOUN) know—to take place in the depot where [.....] (PRONOUN) get [.....] (PRONOUN) thundering big country fellows, omadhauns, [.....] (PRONOUN) know, to drill. The sergeant makes [.....] (PRONOUN) stand in a row against the wall and hold up [.....] (PRONOUN) plates."
[.....] (PRONOUN) illustrated the story by grotesque gestures.
"At dinner, [.....] (PRONOUN) know. Then [.....] (PRONOUN) has a bloody big bowl of cabbage before [.....] (PRONOUN) on the table and a bloody big spoon like a shovel. [.....] (PRONOUN) 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 [.....] (PRONOUN) plates: 65, <[.....] (PRONOUN) >catch your cabbage(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) >."
[.....] (PRONOUN) laughed again: but Mr Kernan was somewhat indignant still. [.....] (PRONOUN) talked of writing a letter to the papers.
"[.....] (PRONOUN) yahoos coming up here," [.....] (PRONOUN) said, "think [.....] (PRONOUN) can boss the people. [.....] (PRONOUN) needn't tell [.....] (PRONOUN) , Martin, [.....] (PRONOUN) kind of men [.....] (PRONOUN) are."
Mr Cunningham gave a qualified assent.
"It's like [.....] (PRONOUN) else in [.....] (PRONOUN) world," [.....] (PRONOUN) said. "[.....] (PRONOUN) get [.....] (PRONOUN) bad ones and [.....] (PRONOUN) get [.....] (PRONOUN) good ones."
"O yes, [.....] (PRONOUN) get [.....] (PRONOUN) good ones, [.....] (PRONOUN) admit," said Mr Kernan, satisfied.
"It's better to have [.....] (PRONOUN) to say to [.....] (PRONOUN) ," said Mr M'Coy. "[.....] (PRONOUN) 's [.....] (PRONOUN) opinion!"
Mrs Kernan entered the room and, placing a tray on the table, said:
"Help yourselves, gentlemen."
Mr Power stood up to officiate, offering [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) chair. [.....] (PRONOUN) declined it, saying [.....] (PRONOUN) was ironing downstairs, and, after having exchanged a nod with Mr Cunningham behind Mr Power's back, prepared to leave the room. [.....] (PRONOUN) husband called out to [.....] (PRONOUN) :
"And have [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) for [.....] (PRONOUN) , duckie?"
"O, [.....] (PRONOUN) ! The back of [.....] (PRONOUN) hand to [.....] (PRONOUN) !" said Mrs Kernan tartly.
[.....] (PRONOUN) husband called after [.....] (PRONOUN) :
"[.....] (PRONOUN) for poor little hubby!"
[.....] (PRONOUN) assumed such a comical face and voice [.....] (PRONOUN) the distribution of the bottles of stout took place amid general merriment.
The gentlemen drank from [.....] (PRONOUN) glasses, set the glasses again on the table and paused. Then Mr Cunningham turned towards Mr Power and said casually:
"On Thursday night, [.....] (PRONOUN) said, Jack."
"Thursday, yes," said Mr Power.
"Righto!" said Mr Cunningham promptly.
"[.....] (PRONOUN) can meet in M'Auley's," said Mr M'Coy. "[.....] (PRONOUN) 'll be the [.....] (PRONOUN) convenient place."
"But [.....] (PRONOUN) mustn't be late," said Mr Power earnestly, "because it is sure to be crammed to the doors."
"[.....] (PRONOUN) can meet at half-seven," said Mr M'Coy.
"Righto!" said Mr Cunningham.
"Half-seven at M'Auley's be it!"
There was a short silence. Mr Kernan waited to see whether [.....] (PRONOUN) would be taken into [.....] (PRONOUN) friends' confidence. Then [.....] (PRONOUN) asked:
"[.....] (PRONOUN) 's in the wind?"
"O, it's [.....] (PRONOUN) ," said Mr Cunningham. "It's only a little matter [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) 're arranging about for Thursday."
"The opera, is it?" said Mr Kernan.
"No, no," said Mr Cunningham in an evasive tone, "it's just a little ... spiritual matter."
"O," said Mr Kernan.
There was silence again. Then Mr Power said, point blank:
"To tell [.....] (PRONOUN) the truth, Tom, [.....] (PRONOUN) 're going to make a retreat."
"Yes, [.....] (PRONOUN) 's it," said Mr Cunningham, "Jack and [.....] (PRONOUN) and M'Coy here—[.....] (PRONOUN) 're [.....] (PRONOUN) going to wash the pot."
[.....] (PRONOUN) uttered the metaphor with a certain homely energy and, encouraged by [.....] (PRONOUN) own voice, proceeded:
"[.....] (PRONOUN) see, [.....] (PRONOUN) may as well [.....] (PRONOUN) admit [.....] (PRONOUN) 're a nice collection of scoundrels, [.....] (PRONOUN) and [.....] (PRONOUN) . [.....] (PRONOUN) say, [.....] (PRONOUN) and [.....] (PRONOUN) ," [.....] (PRONOUN) added with gruff charity and turning to Mr Power. "Own up now!"
"[.....] (PRONOUN) own up," said Mr Power.
"And [.....] (PRONOUN) own up," said Mr M'Coy.
"So [.....] (PRONOUN) 're going to wash the pot together," said Mr Cunningham.
A thought seemed to strike [.....] (PRONOUN) . [.....] (PRONOUN) turned suddenly to the invalid and said:
"D'ye know [.....] (PRONOUN) , Tom, has just occurred to [.....] (PRONOUN) ? [.....] (PRONOUN) night join in and [.....] (PRONOUN) 'd have a four-handed reel."
"Good idea," said Mr Power. "The four of [.....] (PRONOUN) together."
Mr Kernan was silent. The proposal conveyed very little meaning to [.....] (PRONOUN) mind but, understanding [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) spiritual agencies were about to concern themselves on [.....] (PRONOUN) behalf, [.....] (PRONOUN) thought [.....] (PRONOUN) owed it to [.....] (PRONOUN) dignity to show a stiff neck. [.....] (PRONOUN) took no part in the conversation for a long while but listened, with an air of calm enmity, while [.....] (PRONOUN) friends discussed the Jesuits.
"[.....] (PRONOUN) haven't such a bad opinion of the Jesuits," [.....] (PRONOUN) said, intervening at length. "[.....] (PRONOUN) 're an educated order. [.....] (PRONOUN) believe [.....] (PRONOUN) mean well too."
"[.....] (PRONOUN) 're the grandest order in the Church, Tom," said Mr Cunningham, with enthusiasm. "The General of the Jesuits stands next to the Pope."
"There's no mistake about it," said Mr M'Coy, "if [.....] (PRONOUN) want a thing well done and no flies about it [.....] (PRONOUN) go to a Jesuit. [.....] (PRONOUN) 're the boyos have influence. [.....] (PRONOUN) 'll tell [.....] (PRONOUN) a case in point...."
"The Jesuits are a fine body of men," said Mr Power.
"It's a curious thing," said Mr Cunningham, "about the Jesuit Order. Every other order of the Church had to be reformed at [.....] (PRONOUN) time or other but the Jesuit Order was never once reformed. It never fell away."
"Is [.....] (PRONOUN) so?" asked Mr M'Coy.
"[.....] (PRONOUN) 's a fact," said Mr Cunningham. "[.....] (PRONOUN) 's history."
"Look at [.....] (PRONOUN) church, too," said Mr Power. "Look at the congregation [.....] (PRONOUN) have."
"The Jesuits cater for the upper classes," said Mr M'Coy.
"Of course," said Mr Power.
"Yes," said Mr Kernan. "[.....] (PRONOUN) 's why [.....] (PRONOUN) have a feeling for [.....] (PRONOUN) . It's [.....] (PRONOUN) of [.....] (PRONOUN) secular priests, ignorant, bumptious——"
"[.....] (PRONOUN) 're [.....] (PRONOUN) good men," said Mr Cunningham, "[.....] (PRONOUN) in [.....] (PRONOUN) own way. The Irish priesthood is honoured [.....] (PRONOUN) the world over."
"O yes," said Mr Power.
"Not like [.....] (PRONOUN) of the other priesthoods on the continent," said Mr M'Coy, "unworthy of the name."
"Perhaps [.....] (PRONOUN) 're right," said Mr Kernan, relenting.
"Of course [.....] (PRONOUN) 'm right," said Mr Cunningham. "[.....] (PRONOUN) haven't been in the world [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) time and seen [.....] (PRONOUN) sides of it without being a judge of character."
The gentlemen drank again, [.....] (PRONOUN) following another's example. Mr Kernan seemed to be weighing [.....] (PRONOUN) in [.....] (PRONOUN) mind. [.....] (PRONOUN) was impressed. [.....] (PRONOUN) had a high opinion of Mr Cunningham as a judge of character and as a reader of faces. [.....] (PRONOUN) asked for particulars.
"O, it's just a retreat, [.....] (PRONOUN) know," said Mr Cunningham. "Father Purdon is giving it. It's for business men, [.....] (PRONOUN) know."
"[.....] (PRONOUN) won't be too hard on [.....] (PRONOUN) , Tom," said Mr Power persuasively.
"Father Purdon? Father Purdon?" said the invalid.
"O, [.....] (PRONOUN) must know [.....] (PRONOUN) , Tom," said Mr Cunningham stoutly. "Fine jolly fellow! [.....] (PRONOUN) 's a man of the world like [.....] (PRONOUN) ."
"Ah, ... yes. [.....] (PRONOUN) think [.....] (PRONOUN) know [.....] (PRONOUN) . Rather red face; tall."
"[.....] (PRONOUN) 's the man."
"And tell [.....] (PRONOUN) , Martin.... Is [.....] (PRONOUN) a good preacher?"
"Munno.... It's not exactly a sermon, [.....] (PRONOUN) know. It's just kind of a friendly talk, [.....] (PRONOUN) know, in a common-sense way."
Mr Kernan deliberated. Mr M'Coy said:
"Father Tom Burke, [.....] (PRONOUN) was the boy!"
"O, Father Tom Burke," said Mr Cunningham, "[.....] (PRONOUN) was a born orator. Did [.....] (PRONOUN) ever hear [.....] (PRONOUN) , Tom?"
"Did [.....] (PRONOUN) ever hear [.....] (PRONOUN) !" said the invalid, nettled. "Rather! [.....] (PRONOUN) heard [.....] (PRONOUN) ...."
"And yet [.....] (PRONOUN) say [.....] (PRONOUN) wasn't much of a theologian," said Mr Cunningham.
"Is [.....] (PRONOUN) so?" said Mr M'Coy.
"O, of course, [.....] (PRONOUN) wrong, [.....] (PRONOUN) know. Only sometimes, [.....] (PRONOUN) say, [.....] (PRONOUN) didn't preach [.....] (PRONOUN) was quite orthodox."
"Ah! ... [.....] (PRONOUN) was a splendid man," said Mr M'Coy.
"[.....] (PRONOUN) heard [.....] (PRONOUN) once," Mr Kernan continued. "[.....] (PRONOUN) forget the subject of [.....] (PRONOUN) discourse now. Crofton and [.....] (PRONOUN) were in the back of the ... pit, [.....] (PRONOUN) know ... the——"
"The body," said Mr Cunningham.
"Yes, in the back near the door. [.....] (PRONOUN) forget now [.....] (PRONOUN) .... O yes, it was on the Pope, the late Pope. [.....] (PRONOUN) remember it well. Upon [.....] (PRONOUN) word it was magnificent, the style of the oratory. And [.....] (PRONOUN) voice! God! hadn't [.....] (PRONOUN) a voice! <[.....] (PRONOUN) >The Prisoner of the Vatican(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) >, [.....] (PRONOUN) called [.....] (PRONOUN) . [.....] (PRONOUN) remember Crofton saying to [.....] (PRONOUN) when [.....] (PRONOUN) came out——"
"But [.....] (PRONOUN) 's an Orangeman, Crofton, isn't [.....] (PRONOUN) ?" said Mr Power.
"'Course [.....] (PRONOUN) is," said Mr Kernan, "and a damned decent Orangeman too. [.....] (PRONOUN) went into Butler's in Moore Street—faith, [.....] (PRONOUN) was genuinely moved, tell [.....] (PRONOUN) the God's truth—and [.....] (PRONOUN) remember well [.....] (PRONOUN) very words. <[.....] (PRONOUN) >Kernan(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) >, [.....] (PRONOUN) said, <[.....] (PRONOUN) >[.....] (PRONOUN) worship at different altars(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) >, [.....] (PRONOUN) said, <[.....] (PRONOUN) >but [.....] (PRONOUN) belief is the same(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) >. Struck [.....] (PRONOUN) as very well put."
"There's a good deal in [.....] (PRONOUN) ," said Mr Power. "There used always to be crowds of Protestants in the chapel where Father Tom was preaching."
"There's not much difference between [.....] (PRONOUN) ," said Mr M'Coy.
"[.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) believe in——"
[.....] (PRONOUN) hesitated for a moment.
"... in the Redeemer. Only [.....] (PRONOUN) don't believe in the Pope and in the mother of God."
"But, of course," said Mr Cunningham quietly and effectively, "[.....] (PRONOUN) religion is <[.....] (PRONOUN) >the(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) > religion, the old, original faith."
"Not a doubt of it," said Mr Kernan warmly.
Mrs Kernan came to the door of the bedroom and announced:
"Here's a visitor for [.....] (PRONOUN) !"
"[.....] (PRONOUN) is it?"
"Mr Fogarty."
"O, come in! come in!"
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. [.....] (PRONOUN) had failed in business in a licensed house in the city because [.....] (PRONOUN) financial condition had constrained [.....] (PRONOUN) to tie himself to second-class distillers and brewers. [.....] (PRONOUN) had opened a small shop on Glasnevin Road where, [.....] (PRONOUN) flattered himself, [.....] (PRONOUN) manners would ingratiate [.....] (PRONOUN) with the housewives of the district. [.....] (PRONOUN) bore himself with a certain grace, complimented little children and spoke with a neat enunciation. [.....] (PRONOUN) was not without culture.
Mr Fogarty brought a gift with [.....] (PRONOUN) , a half-pint of special whisky. [.....] (PRONOUN) inquired politely for Mr Kernan, placed [.....] (PRONOUN) gift on the table and sat down with the company on equal terms. Mr Kernan appreciated the gift [.....] (PRONOUN) the more since [.....] (PRONOUN) was aware [.....] (PRONOUN) there was a small account for groceries unsettled between [.....] (PRONOUN) and Mr Fogarty. [.....] (PRONOUN) said:
"[.....] (PRONOUN) wouldn't doubt [.....] (PRONOUN) , old man. Open [.....] (PRONOUN) , Jack, will [.....] (PRONOUN) ?"
Mr Power again officiated. Glasses were rinsed and five small measures of whisky were poured out. [.....] (PRONOUN) new influence enlivened the conversation. Mr Fogarty, sitting on a small area of the chair, was specially interested.
"Pope Leo XIII.," said Mr Cunningham, "was [.....] (PRONOUN) of the lights of the age. [.....] (PRONOUN) great idea, [.....] (PRONOUN) know, was the union of the Latin and Greek Churches. [.....] (PRONOUN) was the aim of [.....] (PRONOUN) life."
"[.....] (PRONOUN) often heard [.....] (PRONOUN) was [.....] (PRONOUN) of the [.....] (PRONOUN) intellectual men in Europe," said Mr Power. "[.....] (PRONOUN) mean, apart from [.....] (PRONOUN) being Pope."
"So [.....] (PRONOUN) was," said Mr Cunningham, "if not <[.....] (PRONOUN) >the(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) > [.....] (PRONOUN) so. [.....] (PRONOUN) motto, [.....] (PRONOUN) know, as Pope, was <[.....] (PRONOUN) >Lux upon Lux—Light upon Light(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) >."
"No, no," said Mr Fogarty eagerly. "[.....] (PRONOUN) think [.....] (PRONOUN) 're wrong there. It was <[.....] (PRONOUN) >Lux in Tenebris(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) >, [.....] (PRONOUN) think—<[.....] (PRONOUN) >Light in Darkness(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) >."
"O yes," said Mr M'Coy, "<[.....] (PRONOUN) >Tenebrae(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) >."
"Allow [.....] (PRONOUN) ," said Mr Cunningham positively, "it was <[.....] (PRONOUN) >Lux upon Lux(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) >. And Pius IX. [.....] (PRONOUN) predecessor's motto was <[.....] (PRONOUN) >Crux upon Crux(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) >—[.....] (PRONOUN) is, <[.....] (PRONOUN) >Cross upon Cross(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) >—to show the difference between [.....] (PRONOUN) two pontificates."
The inference was allowed. Mr Cunningham continued.
"Pope Leo, [.....] (PRONOUN) know, was a great scholar and a poet."
"[.....] (PRONOUN) had a strong face," said Mr Kernan.
"Yes," said Mr Cunningham. "[.....] (PRONOUN) wrote Latin poetry."
"Is [.....] (PRONOUN) so?" said Mr Fogarty.
Mr M'Coy tasted [.....] (PRONOUN) whisky contentedly and shook [.....] (PRONOUN) head with a double intention, saying:
"[.....] (PRONOUN) 's no joke, [.....] (PRONOUN) can tell [.....] (PRONOUN) ."
"[.....] (PRONOUN) didn't learn [.....] (PRONOUN) , Tom," said Mr Power, following Mr M'Coy's example, "when [.....] (PRONOUN) went to the penny-a-week school."
"There was [.....] (PRONOUN) a good man went to the penny-a-week school with a sod of turf under [.....] (PRONOUN) oxter," said Mr Kernan sententiously. "The old system was the best: plain honest education. [.....] (PRONOUN) of your modern trumpery...."
"Quite right," said Mr Power.
"No superfluities," said Mr Fogarty.
[.....] (PRONOUN) enunciated the word and then drank gravely.
"[.....] (PRONOUN) remember reading," said Mr Cunningham, "[.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) of Pope Leo's poems was on the invention of the photograph—in Latin, of course."
"On the photograph!" exclaimed Mr Kernan.
"Yes," said Mr Cunningham.
[.....] (PRONOUN) also drank from [.....] (PRONOUN) glass.
"Well, [.....] (PRONOUN) know," said Mr M'Coy, "isn't the photograph wonderful when [.....] (PRONOUN) come to think of it?"
"O, of course," said Mr Power, "great minds can see things."
"As the poet says: <[.....] (PRONOUN) >Great minds are very near to madness(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) >," said Mr Fogarty.
Mr Kernan seemed to be troubled in mind. [.....] (PRONOUN) made an effort to recall the Protestant theology on [.....] (PRONOUN) thorny points and in the end addressed Mr Cunningham.
"Tell [.....] (PRONOUN) , Martin," [.....] (PRONOUN) said. "Weren't [.....] (PRONOUN) of the popes—of course, not [.....] (PRONOUN) present man, or [.....] (PRONOUN) predecessor, but [.....] (PRONOUN) of the old popes—not exactly ... [.....] (PRONOUN) know ... up to the knocker?"
There was a silence. Mr Cunningham said
"O, of course, there were [.....] (PRONOUN) bad lots.... But the astonishing thing is [.....] (PRONOUN) . Not [.....] (PRONOUN) of [.....] (PRONOUN) , not the biggest drunkard, not the [.....] (PRONOUN) ... out-and-out ruffian, not [.....] (PRONOUN) of [.....] (PRONOUN) ever preached <[.....] (PRONOUN) >ex cathedra(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) > a word of false doctrine. Now isn't [.....] (PRONOUN) an astonishing thing?"
"[.....] (PRONOUN) is," said Mr Kernan.
"Yes, because when the Pope speaks <[.....] (PRONOUN) >ex cathedra(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) >," Mr Fogarty explained, "[.....] (PRONOUN) is infallible."
"Yes," said Mr Cunningham.
"O, [.....] (PRONOUN) know about the infallibility of the Pope. [.....] (PRONOUN) remember [.....] (PRONOUN) was younger then.... Or was it [.....] (PRONOUN) ——?"
Mr Fogarty interrupted. [.....] (PRONOUN) took up the bottle and helped the others to a little more. Mr M'Coy, seeing [.....] (PRONOUN) there was not enough to go round, pleaded [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) had not finished [.....] (PRONOUN) first measure. The others accepted under protest. The light music of whisky falling into glasses made an agreeable interlude.
"[.....] (PRONOUN) 's [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) were saying, Tom?" asked Mr M'Coy.
"Papal infallibility," said Mr Cunningham, "[.....] (PRONOUN) was the greatest scene in the whole history of the Church."
"How was [.....] (PRONOUN) , Martin?" asked Mr Power.
Mr Cunningham held up two thick fingers.
"In the sacred college, [.....] (PRONOUN) know, of cardinals and archbishops and bishops there were two men [.....] (PRONOUN) held out against it while the others were [.....] (PRONOUN) for it. The whole conclave except [.....] (PRONOUN) two was unanimous. No! [.....] (PRONOUN) wouldn't have it!"
"Ha!" said Mr M'Coy.
"And [.....] (PRONOUN) were a German cardinal by the name of Dolling ... or Dowling ... or——"
"Dowling was no German, and [.....] (PRONOUN) 's a sure five," said Mr Power, laughing.
"Well, [.....] (PRONOUN) great German cardinal, whatever [.....] (PRONOUN) name was, was [.....] (PRONOUN) ; and the other was John MacHale."
"[.....] (PRONOUN) ?" cried Mr Kernan. "Is it John of Tuam?"
"Are [.....] (PRONOUN) sure of [.....] (PRONOUN) now?" asked Mr Fogarty dubiously. "[.....] (PRONOUN) thought it was [.....] (PRONOUN) Italian or American."
"John of Tuam," repeated Mr Cunningham, "was the man."
[.....] (PRONOUN) drank and the other gentlemen followed [.....] (PRONOUN) lead. Then [.....] (PRONOUN) resumed:
"There [.....] (PRONOUN) were at it, [.....] (PRONOUN) the cardinals and bishops and archbishops from [.....] (PRONOUN) the ends of the earth and [.....] (PRONOUN) two fighting dog and devil until at last the Pope himself stood up and declared infallibility a dogma of the Church <[.....] (PRONOUN) >ex cathedra(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) >. On the very moment John MacHale, [.....] (PRONOUN) had been arguing and arguing against it, stood up and shouted out with the voice of a lion: '<[.....] (PRONOUN) >Credo!(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) >'"
"<[.....] (PRONOUN) >[.....] (PRONOUN) believe!(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) >" said Mr Fogarty.
"<[.....] (PRONOUN) >Credo!(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) >" said Mr Cunningham. "[.....] (PRONOUN) showed the faith [.....] (PRONOUN) had. [.....] (PRONOUN) submitted the moment the Pope spoke."
"And [.....] (PRONOUN) about Dowling?" asked Mr M'Coy.
"The German cardinal wouldn't submit. [.....] (PRONOUN) left the church."
Mr Cunningham's words had built up the vast image of the church in the minds of [.....] (PRONOUN) hearers. [.....] (PRONOUN) deep raucous voice had thrilled [.....] (PRONOUN) as it uttered the word of belief and submission. When Mrs Kernan came into the room drying [.....] (PRONOUN) hands [.....] (PRONOUN) came into a solemn company. [.....] (PRONOUN) did not disturb the silence, but leaned over the rail at the foot of the bed.
"[.....] (PRONOUN) once saw John MacHale," said Mr Kernan, "and [.....] (PRONOUN) 'll never forget it as long as [.....] (PRONOUN) live."
[.....] (PRONOUN) turned towards [.....] (PRONOUN) wife to be confirmed.
"[.....] (PRONOUN) often told [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) ?"
Mrs Kernan nodded.
"It was at the unveiling of Sir John Gray's statue. Edmund Dwyer Gray was speaking, blathering away, and here was [.....] (PRONOUN) old fellow, crabbed-looking old chap, looking at [.....] (PRONOUN) from under [.....] (PRONOUN) bushy eyebrows."
Mr Kernan knitted [.....] (PRONOUN) brows and, lowering [.....] (PRONOUN) head like an angry bull, glared at [.....] (PRONOUN) wife.
"God!" [.....] (PRONOUN) exclaimed, resuming [.....] (PRONOUN) natural face, "[.....] (PRONOUN) never saw such an eye in a man's head. It was as much as to say: <[.....] (PRONOUN) >[.....] (PRONOUN) have [.....] (PRONOUN) properly taped, [.....] (PRONOUN) lad(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) >. [.....] (PRONOUN) had an eye like a hawk."
"[.....] (PRONOUN) of the Grays was [.....] (PRONOUN) good," said Mr Power.
There was a pause again. Mr Power turned to Mrs Kernan and said with abrupt joviality:
"Well, Mrs Kernan, [.....] (PRONOUN) 're going to make your man here a good holy pious and God-fearing Roman Catholic."
[.....] (PRONOUN) swept [.....] (PRONOUN) arm round the company inclusively.
"[.....] (PRONOUN) 're [.....] (PRONOUN) going to make a retreat together and confess [.....] (PRONOUN) sins—and God knows [.....] (PRONOUN) want it badly."
"[.....] (PRONOUN) don't mind," said Mr Kernan, smiling a little nervously.
Mrs Kernan thought it would be wiser to conceal [.....] (PRONOUN) satisfaction. So [.....] (PRONOUN) said:
"[.....] (PRONOUN) pity the poor priest [.....] (PRONOUN) has to listen to your tale."
Mr Kernan's expression changed.
"If [.....] (PRONOUN) doesn't like it," [.....] (PRONOUN) said bluntly, "[.....] (PRONOUN) can ... do the other thing. [.....] (PRONOUN) 'll just tell [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) little tale of woe. [.....] (PRONOUN) 'm not such a bad fellow——"
Mr Cunningham intervened promptly.
"[.....] (PRONOUN) 'll [.....] (PRONOUN) renounce the devil," [.....] (PRONOUN) said, "together, not forgetting [.....] (PRONOUN) works and pomps."
"Get behind [.....] (PRONOUN) , Satan!" said Mr Fogarty, laughing and looking at the others.
Mr Power said [.....] (PRONOUN) . [.....] (PRONOUN) felt completely out-generalled. But a pleased expression flickered across [.....] (PRONOUN) face.
"[.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) have to do," said Mr Cunningham, "is to stand up with lighted candles in [.....] (PRONOUN) hands and renew [.....] (PRONOUN) baptismal vows."
"O, don't forget the candle, Tom," said Mr M'Coy, "whatever [.....] (PRONOUN) do."
"[.....] (PRONOUN) ?" said Mr Kernan. "Must [.....] (PRONOUN) have a candle?"
"O yes," said Mr Cunningham.
"No, damn it [.....] (PRONOUN) ," said Mr Kernan sensibly, "[.....] (PRONOUN) draw the line there. [.....] (PRONOUN) 'll do the job right enough. [.....] (PRONOUN) 'll do the retreat business and confession, and ... [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) business. But ... no candles! No, damn it [.....] (PRONOUN) , [.....] (PRONOUN) bar the candles!"
[.....] (PRONOUN) shook [.....] (PRONOUN) head with farcical gravity.
"Listen to [.....] (PRONOUN) !" said [.....] (PRONOUN) wife.
"[.....] (PRONOUN) bar the candles," said Mr Kernan, conscious of having created an effect on [.....] (PRONOUN) audience and continuing to shake [.....] (PRONOUN) head to and fro. "[.....] (PRONOUN) bar the magic-lantern business."
[.....] (PRONOUN) laughed heartily.
"There's a nice Catholic for [.....] (PRONOUN) !" said [.....] (PRONOUN) wife.
"No candles!" repeated Mr Kernan obdurately. "[.....] (PRONOUN) 's off!"
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 [.....] (PRONOUN) found seating accommodation. The gentlemen were [.....] (PRONOUN) 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 [.....] (PRONOUN) trousers slightly above [.....] (PRONOUN) knees and laid [.....] (PRONOUN) hats in security. [.....] (PRONOUN) sat well back and gazed formally at the distant speck of red light [.....] (PRONOUN) was suspended before the high altar.
In [.....] (PRONOUN) 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 [.....] (PRONOUN) 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, [.....] (PRONOUN) had tried unsuccessfully to make comic remarks. As [.....] (PRONOUN) had not been well received [.....] (PRONOUN) had desisted. Even [.....] (PRONOUN) was sensible of the decorous atmosphere and even [.....] (PRONOUN) began to respond to the religious stimulus. In a whisper Mr Cunningham drew Mr Kernan's attention to Mr Harford, the moneylender, [.....] (PRONOUN) sat [.....] (PRONOUN) distance off, and to Mr Fanning, the registration agent and mayor maker of the city, [.....] (PRONOUN) was sitting immediately under the pulpit beside [.....] (PRONOUN) 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, [.....] (PRONOUN) was up for the job in the Town Clerk's office. Farther in front sat Mr Hendrick, the chief reporter of <[.....] (PRONOUN) >The Freeman's Journal(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) >, and poor O'Carroll, an old friend of Mr Kernan's, [.....] (PRONOUN) had been at [.....] (PRONOUN) time a considerable commercial figure. Gradually, as [.....] (PRONOUN) recognised familiar faces, Mr Kernan began to feel more at home. [.....] (PRONOUN) hat, [.....] (PRONOUN) had been rehabilitated by [.....] (PRONOUN) wife, rested upon [.....] (PRONOUN) knees. Once or twice [.....] (PRONOUN) pulled down [.....] (PRONOUN) cuffs with [.....] (PRONOUN) hand while [.....] (PRONOUN) held the brim of [.....] (PRONOUN) hat lightly, but firmly, with the other hand.
A powerful-looking figure, the upper part of [.....] (PRONOUN) was draped with a white surplice, was observed to be struggling into the pulpit. Simultaneously the congregation unsettled, produced handkerchiefs and knelt upon [.....] (PRONOUN) 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.
Father Purdon knelt down, turned towards the red speck of light and, covering [.....] (PRONOUN) face with [.....] (PRONOUN) hands, prayed. After an interval, [.....] (PRONOUN) uncovered [.....] (PRONOUN) face and rose. The congregation rose also and settled again on its benches. Mr Kernan restored [.....] (PRONOUN) hat to its original position on [.....] (PRONOUN) knee and presented an attentive face to the preacher. The preacher turned back [.....] (PRONOUN) wide sleeve of [.....] (PRONOUN) surplice with an elaborate large gesture and slowly surveyed the array of faces. Then [.....] (PRONOUN) said:
<[.....] (PRONOUN) >"For the children of [.....] (PRONOUN) world are wiser in [.....] (PRONOUN) generation than the children of light. Wherefore make unto yourselves friends out of the mammon of iniquity so [.....] (PRONOUN) when [.....] (PRONOUN) die [.....] (PRONOUN) may receive [.....] (PRONOUN) into everlasting dwellings."(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) >
Father Purdon developed the text with resonant assurance. It was [.....] (PRONOUN) of the [.....] (PRONOUN) difficult texts in [.....] (PRONOUN) the Scriptures, [.....] (PRONOUN) said, to interpret properly. It was a text [.....] (PRONOUN) might seem to the casual observer at variance with the lofty morality elsewhere preached by Jesus Christ. But, [.....] (PRONOUN) told [.....] (PRONOUN) hearers, the text had seemed to [.....] (PRONOUN) specially adapted for the guidance of [.....] (PRONOUN) whose lot it was to lead the life of the world and [.....] (PRONOUN) yet wished to lead [.....] (PRONOUN) life not in the manner of worldlings. It was a text for business men and professional men. Jesus Christ, with [.....] (PRONOUN) divine understanding of every cranny of [.....] (PRONOUN) human nature, understood [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) men were not called to the religious life, [.....] (PRONOUN) by far the vast majority were forced to live in the world and, to a certain extent, for the world: and in [.....] (PRONOUN) sentence [.....] (PRONOUN) designed to give [.....] (PRONOUN) a word of counsel, setting before [.....] (PRONOUN) as exemplars in the religious life [.....] (PRONOUN) very worshippers of Mammon [.....] (PRONOUN) were of [.....] (PRONOUN) men the least solicitous in matters religious.
[.....] (PRONOUN) told [.....] (PRONOUN) hearers [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) was there [.....] (PRONOUN) evening for no terrifying, no extravagant purpose; but as a man of the world speaking to [.....] (PRONOUN) fellow-men. [.....] (PRONOUN) came to speak to business men and [.....] (PRONOUN) would speak to [.....] (PRONOUN) in a businesslike way. If [.....] (PRONOUN) might use the metaphor, [.....] (PRONOUN) said, [.....] (PRONOUN) was [.....] (PRONOUN) spiritual accountant; and [.....] (PRONOUN) wished [.....] (PRONOUN) and every [.....] (PRONOUN) of [.....] (PRONOUN) hearers to open [.....] (PRONOUN) books, the books of [.....] (PRONOUN) spiritual life, and see if [.....] (PRONOUN) tallied accurately with conscience.
Jesus Christ was not a hard taskmaster. [.....] (PRONOUN) understood [.....] (PRONOUN) little failings, understood the weakness of [.....] (PRONOUN) poor fallen nature, understood the temptations of [.....] (PRONOUN) life. [.....] (PRONOUN) might have had, [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) had from time to time, [.....] (PRONOUN) temptations: [.....] (PRONOUN) might have, [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) had, [.....] (PRONOUN) failings. But [.....] (PRONOUN) thing only, [.....] (PRONOUN) said, [.....] (PRONOUN) would ask of [.....] (PRONOUN) hearers. And [.....] (PRONOUN) was: to be straight and manly with God. If [.....] (PRONOUN) accounts tallied in every point to say:
"Well, [.....] (PRONOUN) have verified [.....] (PRONOUN) accounts. [.....] (PRONOUN) find [.....] (PRONOUN) well."
But if, as might happen, there were [.....] (PRONOUN) discrepancies, to admit the truth, to be frank and say like a man:
"Well, [.....] (PRONOUN) have looked into [.....] (PRONOUN) accounts. [.....] (PRONOUN) find [.....] (PRONOUN) wrong and [.....] (PRONOUN) wrong. But, with God's grace, [.....] (PRONOUN) will rectify [.....] (PRONOUN) and [.....] (PRONOUN) . [.....] (PRONOUN) will set right [.....] (PRONOUN) accounts."
LILY, the caretaker's daughter, was literally run off [.....] (PRONOUN) feet. Hardly had [.....] (PRONOUN) brought [.....] (PRONOUN) gentleman into the little pantry behind the office on the ground floor and helped [.....] (PRONOUN) off with [.....] (PRONOUN) overcoat than the wheezy hall-door bell clanged again and [.....] (PRONOUN) had to scamper along the bare hallway to let in another guest. It was well for [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) had not to attend to the ladies also. But Miss Kate and Miss Julia had thought of [.....] (PRONOUN) 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 [.....] (PRONOUN) other to the head of the stairs, peering down over the banisters and calling down to Lily to ask [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) had come.
It was always a great affair, the Misses Morkan's annual dance. [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) knew [.....] (PRONOUN) came to it, members of the family, old friends of the family, the members of Julia's choir, [.....] (PRONOUN) of Kate's pupils [.....] (PRONOUN) were grown up enough, and even [.....] (PRONOUN) 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 [.....] (PRONOUN) could remember; ever since Kate and Julia, after the death of [.....] (PRONOUN) brother Pat, had left the house in Stoney Batter and taken Mary Jane, [.....] (PRONOUN) only niece, to live with [.....] (PRONOUN) in the dark gaunt house on Usher's Island, the upper part of [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) had rented from Mr Fulham, the corn-factor on the ground floor. [.....] (PRONOUN) was a good thirty years ago if it was a day. Mary Jane, [.....] (PRONOUN) was then a little girl in short clothes, was now the main prop of the household, for [.....] (PRONOUN) had the organ in Haddington Road. [.....] (PRONOUN) had been through the Academy and gave a pupils' concert every year in the upper room of the Antient Concert Rooms. [.....] (PRONOUN) of [.....] (PRONOUN) pupils belonged to the better-class families on the Kingstown and Dalkey line. Old as [.....] (PRONOUN) were, [.....] (PRONOUN) aunts also did [.....] (PRONOUN) share. Julia, though [.....] (PRONOUN) 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 [.....] (PRONOUN) . Though [.....] (PRONOUN) life was modest [.....] (PRONOUN) believed in eating well; the best of [.....] (PRONOUN) : diamond-bone sirloins, three-shilling tea and the best bottled stout. But Lily seldom made a mistake in the orders so [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) got on well with [.....] (PRONOUN) three mistresses. [.....] (PRONOUN) were fussy, [.....] (PRONOUN) was [.....] (PRONOUN) . But the only thing [.....] (PRONOUN) would not stand was back answers.
Of course [.....] (PRONOUN) 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 [.....] (PRONOUN) wife. Besides [.....] (PRONOUN) were dreadfully afraid [.....] (PRONOUN) Freddy Malins might turn up screwed. [.....] (PRONOUN) would not wish for worlds [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) of Mary Jane's pupils should see [.....] (PRONOUN) under the influence; and when [.....] (PRONOUN) was like [.....] (PRONOUN) it was sometimes very hard to manage [.....] (PRONOUN) . Freddy Malins always came late but [.....] (PRONOUN) wondered [.....] (PRONOUN) could be keeping Gabriel: and [.....] (PRONOUN) was [.....] (PRONOUN) brought [.....] (PRONOUN) every two minutes to the banisters to ask Lily had Gabriel or Freddy come.
"O, Mr Conroy," said Lily to Gabriel when [.....] (PRONOUN) opened the door for [.....] (PRONOUN) , "Miss Kate and Miss Julia thought [.....] (PRONOUN) were never coming. Good-night, Mrs Conroy."
"[.....] (PRONOUN) 'll engage [.....] (PRONOUN) did," said Gabriel, "but [.....] (PRONOUN) forget [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) wife here takes three mortal hours to dress herself."
[.....] (PRONOUN) stood on the mat, scraping the snow from [.....] (PRONOUN) goloshes, while Lily led [.....] (PRONOUN) wife to the foot of the stairs and called out:
"Miss Kate, here's Mrs Conroy."
Kate and Julia came toddling down the dark stairs at once. [.....] (PRONOUN) of [.....] (PRONOUN) kissed Gabriel's wife, said [.....] (PRONOUN) must be perished alive and asked was Gabriel with [.....] (PRONOUN) .
"Here [.....] (PRONOUN) am as right as the mail, Aunt Kate! Go on up. [.....] (PRONOUN) 'll follow," called out Gabriel from the dark.
[.....] (PRONOUN) continued scraping [.....] (PRONOUN) 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 [.....] (PRONOUN) overcoat and like toecaps on the toes of [.....] (PRONOUN) goloshes; and, as the buttons of [.....] (PRONOUN) overcoat slipped with a squeaking noise through the snow-stiffened frieze, a cold, fragrant air from out-of-doors escaped from crevices and folds.
"Is it snowing again, Mr Conroy?" asked Lily.
[.....] (PRONOUN) had preceded [.....] (PRONOUN) into the pantry to help [.....] (PRONOUN) off with [.....] (PRONOUN) overcoat. Gabriel smiled at the three syllables [.....] (PRONOUN) had given [.....] (PRONOUN) surname and glanced at [.....] (PRONOUN) . [.....] (PRONOUN) was a slim, growing girl, pale in complexion and with hay-coloured hair. The gas in the pantry made [.....] (PRONOUN) look still paler. Gabriel had known [.....] (PRONOUN) when [.....] (PRONOUN) was a child and used to sit on the lowest step nursing a rag doll.
"Yes, Lily," [.....] (PRONOUN) answered, "and [.....] (PRONOUN) think [.....] (PRONOUN) 're in for a night of it."
[.....] (PRONOUN) looked up at the pantry ceiling, [.....] (PRONOUN) 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, [.....] (PRONOUN) was folding [.....] (PRONOUN) overcoat carefully at the end of a shelf.
"Tell [.....] (PRONOUN) , Lily," [.....] (PRONOUN) said in a friendly tone, "do [.....] (PRONOUN) still go to school?"
"O no, sir," [.....] (PRONOUN) answered. "[.....] (PRONOUN) 'm done schooling [.....] (PRONOUN) year and more."
"O, then," said Gabriel gaily, "[.....] (PRONOUN) suppose [.....] (PRONOUN) 'll be going to your wedding [.....] (PRONOUN) of [.....] (PRONOUN) fine days with your young man, eh?"
The girl glanced back at [.....] (PRONOUN) over [.....] (PRONOUN) shoulder and said with great bitterness:
"The men [.....] (PRONOUN) is now is only [.....] (PRONOUN) palaver and [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) can get out of [.....] (PRONOUN) ."
Gabriel coloured as if [.....] (PRONOUN) felt [.....] (PRONOUN) had made a mistake and, without looking at [.....] (PRONOUN) , kicked off [.....] (PRONOUN) goloshes and flicked actively with [.....] (PRONOUN) muffler at [.....] (PRONOUN) patent-leather shoes.
[.....] (PRONOUN) was a stout tallish young man. The high colour of [.....] (PRONOUN) cheeks pushed upwards even to [.....] (PRONOUN) forehead where it scattered itself in a [.....] (PRONOUN) formless patches of pale red; and on [.....] (PRONOUN) hairless face there scintillated restlessly the polished lenses and the bright gilt rims of the glasses [.....] (PRONOUN) screened [.....] (PRONOUN) delicate and restless eyes. [.....] (PRONOUN) glossy black hair was parted in the middle and brushed in a long curve behind [.....] (PRONOUN) ears where it curled slightly beneath the groove left by [.....] (PRONOUN) hat.
When [.....] (PRONOUN) had flicked lustre into [.....] (PRONOUN) shoes [.....] (PRONOUN) stood up and pulled [.....] (PRONOUN) waistcoat down more tightly on [.....] (PRONOUN) plump body. Then [.....] (PRONOUN) took a coin rapidly from [.....] (PRONOUN) pocket.
"O Lily," [.....] (PRONOUN) said, thrusting it into [.....] (PRONOUN) hands, "it's Christmas-time, isn't it? Just ... here's a little...."
[.....] (PRONOUN) walked rapidly towards the door.
"O no, sir!" cried the girl, following [.....] (PRONOUN) . "Really, sir, [.....] (PRONOUN) wouldn't take it."
"Christmas-time! Christmas-time!" said Gabriel, almost trotting to the stairs and waving [.....] (PRONOUN) hand to [.....] (PRONOUN) in deprecation.
The girl, seeing [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) had gained the stairs, called out after [.....] (PRONOUN) :
"Well, thank [.....] (PRONOUN) , sir."
[.....] (PRONOUN) waited outside the drawing-room door until the waltz should finish, listening to the skirts [.....] (PRONOUN) swept against it and to the shuffling of feet. [.....] (PRONOUN) was still discomposed by the girl's bitter and sudden retort. It had cast a gloom over [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) tried to dispel by arranging [.....] (PRONOUN) cuffs and the bows of [.....] (PRONOUN) tie. [.....] (PRONOUN) then took from [.....] (PRONOUN) waistcoat pocket a little paper and glanced at the headings [.....] (PRONOUN) had made for [.....] (PRONOUN) speech. [.....] (PRONOUN) was undecided about the lines from Robert Browning for [.....] (PRONOUN) feared [.....] (PRONOUN) would be above the heads of [.....] (PRONOUN) hearers. [.....] (PRONOUN) quotation [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) would recognise from Shakespeare or from the Melodies would be better. The indelicate clacking of the men's heels and the shuffling of [.....] (PRONOUN) soles reminded [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) grade of culture differed from [.....] (PRONOUN) . [.....] (PRONOUN) would only make himself ridiculous by quoting poetry to [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) could not understand. [.....] (PRONOUN) would think [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) was airing [.....] (PRONOUN) superior education. [.....] (PRONOUN) would fail with [.....] (PRONOUN) just as [.....] (PRONOUN) had failed with the girl in the pantry. [.....] (PRONOUN) had taken up a wrong tone. [.....] (PRONOUN) whole speech was a mistake from first to last, an utter failure.
Just then [.....] (PRONOUN) aunts and [.....] (PRONOUN) wife came out of the ladies' dressing-room. [.....] (PRONOUN) aunts were two small plainly dressed old women. Aunt Julia was an inch or so the taller. [.....] (PRONOUN) hair, drawn low over the tops of [.....] (PRONOUN) ears, was grey; and grey also, with darker shadows, was [.....] (PRONOUN) large flaccid face. Though [.....] (PRONOUN) was stout in build and stood erect [.....] (PRONOUN) slow eyes and parted lips gave [.....] (PRONOUN) the appearance of a woman [.....] (PRONOUN) did not know where [.....] (PRONOUN) was or where [.....] (PRONOUN) was going. Aunt Kate was more vivacious. [.....] (PRONOUN) face, healthier than [.....] (PRONOUN) sister's, was [.....] (PRONOUN) puckers and creases, like a shrivelled red apple, and [.....] (PRONOUN) hair, braided in the same old-fashioned way, had not lost its ripe nut colour.
[.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) kissed Gabriel frankly. [.....] (PRONOUN) was [.....] (PRONOUN) favourite nephew, the son of [.....] (PRONOUN) dead elder sister, Ellen, [.....] (PRONOUN) had married T. J. Conroy of the Port and Docks.
"Gretta tells [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) 're not going to take a cab back to Monkstown tonight, Gabriel," said Aunt Kate.
"No," said Gabriel, turning to [.....] (PRONOUN) wife, "[.....] (PRONOUN) had quite enough of [.....] (PRONOUN) last year, hadn't [.....] (PRONOUN) ? Don't [.....] (PRONOUN) remember, Aunt Kate, [.....] (PRONOUN) a cold Gretta got out of it? Cab windows rattling [.....] (PRONOUN) the way, and the east wind blowing in after [.....] (PRONOUN) passed Merrion. Very jolly it was. Gretta caught a dreadful cold."
Aunt Kate frowned severely and nodded [.....] (PRONOUN) head at every word.
"Quite right, Gabriel, quite right," [.....] (PRONOUN) said. "[.....] (PRONOUN) can't be too careful."
"But as for Gretta there," said Gabriel, "[.....] (PRONOUN) 'd walk home in the snow if [.....] (PRONOUN) were let."
Mrs Conroy laughed.
"Don't mind [.....] (PRONOUN) , Aunt Kate," [.....] (PRONOUN) said. "[.....] (PRONOUN) 's really an awful bother, [.....] (PRONOUN) with green shades for Tom's eyes at night and making [.....] (PRONOUN) do the dumb-bells, and forcing Eva to eat the stirabout. The poor child! And [.....] (PRONOUN) simply hates the sight of it!... O, but [.....] (PRONOUN) 'll never guess [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) makes [.....] (PRONOUN) wear now!"
[.....] (PRONOUN) broke out into a peal of laughter and glanced at [.....] (PRONOUN) husband, whose admiring and happy eyes had been wandering from [.....] (PRONOUN) dress to [.....] (PRONOUN) face and hair. The two aunts laughed heartily too, for Gabriel's solicitude was a standing joke with [.....] (PRONOUN) .
"Goloshes!" said Mrs Conroy. "[.....] (PRONOUN) 's the latest. Whenever it's wet underfoot [.....] (PRONOUN) must put on [.....] (PRONOUN) goloshes. Tonight even [.....] (PRONOUN) wanted [.....] (PRONOUN) to put [.....] (PRONOUN) on, but [.....] (PRONOUN) wouldn't. The next thing [.....] (PRONOUN) 'll buy [.....] (PRONOUN) will be a diving suit."
Gabriel laughed nervously and patted [.....] (PRONOUN) tie reassuringly while Aunt Kate nearly doubled herself, so heartily did [.....] (PRONOUN) enjoy the joke. The smile soon faded from Aunt Julia's face and [.....] (PRONOUN) mirthless eyes were directed towards [.....] (PRONOUN) nephew's face. After a pause [.....] (PRONOUN) asked:
"And [.....] (PRONOUN) are goloshes, Gabriel?"
"Goloshes, Julia!" exclaimed [.....] (PRONOUN) sister "Goodness [.....] (PRONOUN) , don't [.....] (PRONOUN) know [.....] (PRONOUN) goloshes are? [.....] (PRONOUN) wear [.....] (PRONOUN) over your ... over your boots, Gretta, isn't it?"
"Yes," said Mrs Conroy. "Guttapercha things. [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) have a pair now. Gabriel says [.....] (PRONOUN) wears [.....] (PRONOUN) on the continent."
"O, on the continent," murmured Aunt Julia, nodding [.....] (PRONOUN) head slowly.
Gabriel knitted [.....] (PRONOUN) brows and said, as if [.....] (PRONOUN) were slightly angered:
"It's [.....] (PRONOUN) very wonderful but Gretta thinks it very funny because [.....] (PRONOUN) says the word reminds [.....] (PRONOUN) of Christy Minstrels."
"But tell [.....] (PRONOUN) , Gabriel," said Aunt Kate, with brisk tact. "Of course, [.....] (PRONOUN) 've seen about the room. Gretta was saying...."
"O, the room is [.....] (PRONOUN) right," replied Gabriel. "[.....] (PRONOUN) 've taken [.....] (PRONOUN) in the Gresham."
"To be sure," said Aunt Kate, "by far the best thing to do. And the children, Gretta, [.....] (PRONOUN) 're not anxious about [.....] (PRONOUN) ?"
"O, for [.....] (PRONOUN) night," said Mrs Conroy. "Besides, Bessie will look after [.....] (PRONOUN) ."
"To be sure," said Aunt Kate again. "[.....] (PRONOUN) a comfort it is to have a girl like [.....] (PRONOUN) , [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) can depend on! There's [.....] (PRONOUN) Lily, [.....] (PRONOUN) 'm sure [.....] (PRONOUN) don't know [.....] (PRONOUN) has come over [.....] (PRONOUN) lately. [.....] (PRONOUN) 's not the girl [.....] (PRONOUN) was at [.....] (PRONOUN) ."
Gabriel was about to ask [.....] (PRONOUN) aunt [.....] (PRONOUN) questions on [.....] (PRONOUN) point but [.....] (PRONOUN) broke off suddenly to gaze after [.....] (PRONOUN) sister [.....] (PRONOUN) had wandered down the stairs and was craning [.....] (PRONOUN) neck over the banisters.
"Now, [.....] (PRONOUN) ask [.....] (PRONOUN) ," [.....] (PRONOUN) said almost testily, "where is Julia going? Julia! Julia! Where are [.....] (PRONOUN) going?"
Julia, [.....] (PRONOUN) had gone half way down [.....] (PRONOUN) flight, came back and announced blandly:
"Here's Freddy."
At the same moment a clapping of hands and a final flourish of the pianist told [.....] (PRONOUN) the waltz had ended. The drawing-room door was opened from within and [.....] (PRONOUN) couples came out. Aunt Kate drew Gabriel aside hurriedly and whispered into [.....] (PRONOUN) ear:
"Slip down, Gabriel, like a good fellow and see if [.....] (PRONOUN) 's [.....] (PRONOUN) right, and don't let [.....] (PRONOUN) up if [.....] (PRONOUN) 's screwed. [.....] (PRONOUN) 'm sure [.....] (PRONOUN) 's screwed. [.....] (PRONOUN) 'm sure [.....] (PRONOUN) is."
Gabriel went to the stairs and listened over the banisters. [.....] (PRONOUN) could hear two persons talking in the pantry. Then [.....] (PRONOUN) recognised Freddy Malins' laugh. [.....] (PRONOUN) went down the stairs noisily.
"It's such a relief," said Aunt Kate to Mrs Conroy, "[.....] (PRONOUN) Gabriel is here. [.....] (PRONOUN) always feel easier in [.....] (PRONOUN) mind when [.....] (PRONOUN) 's here.... Julia, there's Miss Daly and Miss Power will take [.....] (PRONOUN) refreshment. Thanks for your beautiful waltz, Miss Daly. It made lovely time."
A tall wizen-faced man, with a stiff grizzled moustache and swarthy skin, [.....] (PRONOUN) was passing out with [.....] (PRONOUN) partner said:
"And may [.....] (PRONOUN) have [.....] (PRONOUN) refreshment, too, Miss Morkan?"
"Julia," said Aunt Kate summarily, "and here's Mr Browne and Miss Furlong. Take [.....] (PRONOUN) in, Julia, with Miss Daly and Miss Power."
"[.....] (PRONOUN) 'm the man for the ladies," said Mr Browne, pursing [.....] (PRONOUN) lips until [.....] (PRONOUN) moustache bristled and smiling in [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) wrinkles. "[.....] (PRONOUN) know, Miss Morkan, the reason [.....] (PRONOUN) are so fond of [.....] (PRONOUN) is——"
[.....] (PRONOUN) did not finish [.....] (PRONOUN) sentence, but, seeing [.....] (PRONOUN) 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 [.....] (PRONOUN) 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 [.....] (PRONOUN) corner two young men were standing, drinking hop-bitters.
Mr Browne led [.....] (PRONOUN) charges thither and invited [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) , in jest, to [.....] (PRONOUN) ladies' punch, hot, strong and sweet. As [.....] (PRONOUN) said [.....] (PRONOUN) never took [.....] (PRONOUN) strong [.....] (PRONOUN) opened three bottles of lemonade for [.....] (PRONOUN) . Then [.....] (PRONOUN) asked [.....] (PRONOUN) 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 [.....] (PRONOUN) respectfully while [.....] (PRONOUN) took a trial sip.
"God help [.....] (PRONOUN) ," [.....] (PRONOUN) said, smiling, "it's the doctor's orders."
[.....] (PRONOUN) wizened face broke into a broader smile, and the three young ladies laughed in musical echo to [.....] (PRONOUN) pleasantry, swaying [.....] (PRONOUN) bodies to and fro, with nervous jerks of [.....] (PRONOUN) shoulders. The boldest said:
"O, now, Mr Browne, [.....] (PRONOUN) 'm sure the doctor never ordered [.....] (PRONOUN) of the kind."
Mr Browne took another sip of [.....] (PRONOUN) whisky and said, with sidling mimicry:
"Well, [.....] (PRONOUN) see, [.....] (PRONOUN) 'm like the famous Mrs Cassidy, [.....] (PRONOUN) is reported to have said: 'Now, Mary Grimes, if [.....] (PRONOUN) don't take it, make [.....] (PRONOUN) take it, for [.....] (PRONOUN) feel [.....] (PRONOUN) want it.'"
[.....] (PRONOUN) hot face had leaned forward a little too confidentially and [.....] (PRONOUN) had assumed a very low Dublin accent so [.....] (PRONOUN) the young ladies, with [.....] (PRONOUN) instinct, received [.....] (PRONOUN) speech in silence. Miss Furlong, [.....] (PRONOUN) was [.....] (PRONOUN) of Mary Jane's pupils, asked Miss Daly [.....] (PRONOUN) was the name of the pretty waltz [.....] (PRONOUN) had played; and Mr Browne, seeing [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) was ignored, turned promptly to the two young men [.....] (PRONOUN) were more appreciative.
A red-faced young woman, dressed in pansy, came into the room, excitedly clapping [.....] (PRONOUN) hands and crying:
"Quadrilles! Quadrilles!"
Close on [.....] (PRONOUN) heels came Aunt Kate, crying:
"Two gentlemen and three ladies, Mary Jane!"
"O, here's Mr Bergin and Mr Kerrigan," said Mary Jane. "Mr Kerrigan, will [.....] (PRONOUN) take Miss Power? Miss Furlong, may [.....] (PRONOUN) get [.....] (PRONOUN) a partner, Mr Bergin. O, [.....] (PRONOUN) 'll just do now."
"Three ladies, Mary Jane," said Aunt Kate.
The two young gentlemen asked the ladies if [.....] (PRONOUN) might have the pleasure, and Mary Jane turned to Miss Daly.
"O, Miss Daly, [.....] (PRONOUN) 're really awfully good, after playing for the last two dances, but really [.....] (PRONOUN) 're so short of ladies tonight."
"[.....] (PRONOUN) don't mind in the least, Miss Morkan."
"But [.....] (PRONOUN) 've a nice partner for [.....] (PRONOUN) , Mr Bartell D'Arcy, the tenor. [.....] (PRONOUN) 'll get [.....] (PRONOUN) to sing later on. [.....] (PRONOUN) Dublin is raving about [.....] (PRONOUN) ."
"Lovely voice, lovely voice!" said Aunt Kate.
As the piano had twice begun the prelude to the first figure Mary Jane led [.....] (PRONOUN) recruits quickly from the room. [.....] (PRONOUN) had hardly gone when Aunt Julia wandered slowly into the room, looking behind [.....] (PRONOUN) at [.....] (PRONOUN) .
"[.....] (PRONOUN) is the matter, Julia?" asked Aunt Kate anxiously. "[.....] (PRONOUN) is it?"
Julia, [.....] (PRONOUN) was carrying in a column of table-napkins, turned to [.....] (PRONOUN) sister and said, simply, as if the question had surprised [.....] (PRONOUN) :
"It's only Freddy, Kate, and Gabriel with [.....] (PRONOUN) ."
In fact right behind [.....] (PRONOUN) 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. [.....] (PRONOUN) face was fleshy and pallid, touched with colour only at the thick hanging lobes of [.....] (PRONOUN) ears and at the wide wings of [.....] (PRONOUN) nose. [.....] (PRONOUN) had coarse features, a blunt nose, a convex and receding brow, tumid and protruded lips. [.....] (PRONOUN) heavy-lidded eyes and the disorder of [.....] (PRONOUN) scanty hair made [.....] (PRONOUN) look sleepy. [.....] (PRONOUN) was laughing heartily in a high key at a story [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) had been telling Gabriel on the stairs and at the same time rubbing the knuckles of [.....] (PRONOUN) left fist backwards and forwards into [.....] (PRONOUN) left eye.
"Good-evening, Freddy," said Aunt Julia.
Freddy Malins bade the Misses Morkan good-evening in [.....] (PRONOUN) seemed an offhand fashion by reason of the habitual catch in [.....] (PRONOUN) voice and then, seeing [.....] (PRONOUN) Mr Browne was grinning at [.....] (PRONOUN) from the sideboard, crossed the room on rather shaky legs and began to repeat in an undertone the story [.....] (PRONOUN) had just told to Gabriel.
"[.....] (PRONOUN) 's not so bad, is [.....] (PRONOUN) ?" said Aunt Kate to Gabriel.
Gabriel's brows were dark but [.....] (PRONOUN) raised [.....] (PRONOUN) quickly and answered:
"O, no, hardly noticeable."
"Now, isn't [.....] (PRONOUN) a terrible fellow!" [.....] (PRONOUN) said. "And [.....] (PRONOUN) poor mother made [.....] (PRONOUN) take the pledge on New Year's Eve. But come on, Gabriel, into the drawing-room."
Before leaving the room with Gabriel [.....] (PRONOUN) signalled to Mr Browne by frowning and shaking [.....] (PRONOUN) forefinger in warning to and fro. Mr Browne nodded in answer and, when [.....] (PRONOUN) had gone, said to Freddy Malins:
"Now, then, Teddy, [.....] (PRONOUN) 'm going to fill [.....] (PRONOUN) out a good glass of lemonade just to buck [.....] (PRONOUN) up."
Freddy Malins, [.....] (PRONOUN) was nearing the climax of [.....] (PRONOUN) story, waved the offer aside impatiently but Mr Browne, having first called Freddy Malins' attention to a disarray in [.....] (PRONOUN) dress, filled out and handed [.....] (PRONOUN) a full glass of lemonade. Freddy Malins' left hand accepted the glass mechanically, [.....] (PRONOUN) right hand being engaged in the mechanical readjustment of [.....] (PRONOUN) dress. Mr Browne, whose face was once more wrinkling with mirth, poured out for himself a glass of whisky while Freddy Malins exploded, before [.....] (PRONOUN) had well reached the climax of [.....] (PRONOUN) story, in a kink of high-pitched bronchitic laughter and, setting down [.....] (PRONOUN) untasted and overflowing glass, began to rub the knuckles of [.....] (PRONOUN) left fist backwards and forwards into [.....] (PRONOUN) left eye, repeating words of [.....] (PRONOUN) last phrase as well as [.....] (PRONOUN) fit of laughter would allow [.....] (PRONOUN) .
Gabriel could not listen while Mary Jane was playing [.....] (PRONOUN) Academy piece, full of runs and difficult passages, to the hushed drawing-room. [.....] (PRONOUN) liked music but the piece [.....] (PRONOUN) was playing had no melody for [.....] (PRONOUN) and [.....] (PRONOUN) doubted whether it had [.....] (PRONOUN) melody for the other listeners, though [.....] (PRONOUN) had begged Mary Jane to play [.....] (PRONOUN) . Four young men, [.....] (PRONOUN) 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 [.....] (PRONOUN) minutes. The only persons [.....] (PRONOUN) seemed to follow the music were Mary Jane herself, [.....] (PRONOUN) hands racing along the key-board or lifted from it at the pauses like [.....] (PRONOUN) of a priestess in momentary imprecation, and Aunt Kate standing at [.....] (PRONOUN) elbow to turn the page.
Gabriel's eyes, irritated by the floor, [.....] (PRONOUN) glittered with beeswax under the heavy chandelier, wandered to the wall above the piano. A picture of the balcony scene in <[.....] (PRONOUN) >Romeo and Juliet(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) > hung there and beside it was a picture of the two murdered princes in the Tower [.....] (PRONOUN) Aunt Julia had worked in red, blue and brown wools when [.....] (PRONOUN) was a girl. Probably in the school [.....] (PRONOUN) had gone to as girls [.....] (PRONOUN) kind of work had been taught for [.....] (PRONOUN) year. [.....] (PRONOUN) mother had worked for [.....] (PRONOUN) 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 [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) mother had had no musical talent though Aunt Kate used to call [.....] (PRONOUN) the brains carrier of the Morkan family. [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) and Julia had always seemed a little proud of [.....] (PRONOUN) serious and matronly sister. [.....] (PRONOUN) photograph stood before the pierglass. [.....] (PRONOUN) held an open book on [.....] (PRONOUN) knees and was pointing out [.....] (PRONOUN) in it to Constantine [.....] (PRONOUN) , dressed in a man-o'-war suit, lay at [.....] (PRONOUN) feet. It was [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) had chosen the name of [.....] (PRONOUN) sons for [.....] (PRONOUN) was very sensible of the dignity of family life. Thanks to [.....] (PRONOUN) , Constantine was now senior curate in Balbrigan and, thanks to [.....] (PRONOUN) , Gabriel himself had taken [.....] (PRONOUN) degree in the Royal University. A shadow passed over [.....] (PRONOUN) face as [.....] (PRONOUN) remembered [.....] (PRONOUN) sullen opposition to [.....] (PRONOUN) marriage. [.....] (PRONOUN) slighting phrases [.....] (PRONOUN) had used still rankled in [.....] (PRONOUN) memory; [.....] (PRONOUN) had once spoken of Gretta as being country cute and [.....] (PRONOUN) was not true of Gretta at [.....] (PRONOUN) . It was Gretta [.....] (PRONOUN) had nursed [.....] (PRONOUN) during [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) last long illness in [.....] (PRONOUN) house at Monkstown.
[.....] (PRONOUN) knew [.....] (PRONOUN) Mary Jane must be near the end of [.....] (PRONOUN) piece for [.....] (PRONOUN) was playing again the opening melody with runs of scales after every bar and while [.....] (PRONOUN) waited for the end the resentment died down in [.....] (PRONOUN) 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 [.....] (PRONOUN) music nervously, [.....] (PRONOUN) escaped from the room. The [.....] (PRONOUN) vigorous clapping came from the four young men in the doorway [.....] (PRONOUN) had gone away to the refreshment-room at the beginning of the piece but had come back when the piano had stopped.
Lancers were arranged. Gabriel found himself partnered with Miss Ivors. [.....] (PRONOUN) was a frank-mannered talkative young lady, with a freckled face and prominent brown eyes. [.....] (PRONOUN) did not wear a low-cut bodice and the large brooch [.....] (PRONOUN) was fixed in the front of [.....] (PRONOUN) collar bore on it an Irish device and motto.
When [.....] (PRONOUN) had taken [.....] (PRONOUN) places [.....] (PRONOUN) said abruptly:
"[.....] (PRONOUN) have a crow to pluck with [.....] (PRONOUN) ."
"With [.....] (PRONOUN) ?" said Gabriel.
[.....] (PRONOUN) nodded [.....] (PRONOUN) head gravely.
"[.....] (PRONOUN) is it?" asked Gabriel, smiling at [.....] (PRONOUN) solemn manner.
"[.....] (PRONOUN) is G. C.?" answered Miss Ivors, turning [.....] (PRONOUN) eyes upon [.....] (PRONOUN) .
Gabriel coloured and was about to knit [.....] (PRONOUN) brows, as if [.....] (PRONOUN) did not understand, when [.....] (PRONOUN) said bluntly:
"O, innocent Amy! [.....] (PRONOUN) have found out [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) write for <[.....] (PRONOUN) >The Daily Express(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) >. Now, aren't [.....] (PRONOUN) ashamed of yourself?"
"Why should [.....] (PRONOUN) be ashamed of [.....] (PRONOUN) ?" asked Gabriel, blinking [.....] (PRONOUN) eyes and trying to smile.
"Well, [.....] (PRONOUN) 'm ashamed of [.....] (PRONOUN) ," said Miss Ivors frankly. "To say [.....] (PRONOUN) 'd write for a paper like [.....] (PRONOUN) . [.....] (PRONOUN) didn't think [.....] (PRONOUN) were a West Briton."
A look of perplexity appeared on Gabriel's face. It was true [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) wrote a literary column every Wednesday in <[.....] (PRONOUN) >The Daily Express(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) >, for [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) was paid fifteen shillings. But [.....] (PRONOUN) did not make [.....] (PRONOUN) a West Briton surely. The books [.....] (PRONOUN) received for review were almost more welcome than the paltry cheque. [.....] (PRONOUN) loved to feel the covers and turn over the pages of newly printed books. Nearly every day when [.....] (PRONOUN) teaching in the college was ended [.....] (PRONOUN) used to wander down the quays to the second-hand booksellers, to Hickey's on Bachelor's Walk, to Webb's or Massey's on Aston's Quay, or to O'Clohissey's in the by-street. [.....] (PRONOUN) did not know how to meet [.....] (PRONOUN) charge. [.....] (PRONOUN) wanted to say [.....] (PRONOUN) literature was above politics. But [.....] (PRONOUN) were friends of [.....] (PRONOUN) years' standing and [.....] (PRONOUN) careers had been parallel, first at the university and then as teachers: [.....] (PRONOUN) could not risk a grandiose phrase with [.....] (PRONOUN) . [.....] (PRONOUN) continued blinking [.....] (PRONOUN) eyes and trying to smile and murmured lamely [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) saw [.....] (PRONOUN) political in writing reviews of books.
When [.....] (PRONOUN) turn to cross had come [.....] (PRONOUN) was still perplexed and inattentive. Miss Ivors promptly took [.....] (PRONOUN) hand in a warm grasp and said in a soft friendly tone:
"Of course, [.....] (PRONOUN) was only joking. Come, [.....] (PRONOUN) cross now."
When [.....] (PRONOUN) were together again [.....] (PRONOUN) spoke of the University question and Gabriel felt more at ease. A friend of hers had shown [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) review of Browning's poems. [.....] (PRONOUN) was how [.....] (PRONOUN) had found out the secret: but [.....] (PRONOUN) liked the review immensely. Then [.....] (PRONOUN) said suddenly:
"O, Mr Conroy, will [.....] (PRONOUN) come for an excursion to the Aran Isles [.....] (PRONOUN) summer? [.....] (PRONOUN) 're going to stay there a whole month. It will be splendid out in the Atlantic. [.....] (PRONOUN) ought to come. Mr Clancy is coming, and Mr Kilkelly and Kathleen Kearney. It would be splendid for Gretta too if [.....] (PRONOUN) 'd come. [.....] (PRONOUN) 's from Connacht, isn't [.....] (PRONOUN) ?"
"[.....] (PRONOUN) people are," said Gabriel shortly.
"But [.....] (PRONOUN) will come, won't [.....] (PRONOUN) ?" said Miss Ivors, laying [.....] (PRONOUN) warm hand eagerly on [.....] (PRONOUN) arm.
"The fact is," said Gabriel, "[.....] (PRONOUN) have just arranged to go——"
"Go where?" asked Miss Ivors.
"Well, [.....] (PRONOUN) know, every year [.....] (PRONOUN) go for a cycling tour with [.....] (PRONOUN) fellows and so——"
"But where?" asked Miss Ivors.
"Well, [.....] (PRONOUN) usually go to France or Belgium or perhaps Germany," said Gabriel awkwardly.
"And why do [.....] (PRONOUN) go to France and Belgium," said Miss Ivors, "instead of visiting your own land?"
"Well," said Gabriel, "it's partly to keep in touch with the languages and partly for a change."
"And haven't [.....] (PRONOUN) your own language to keep in touch with—Irish?" asked Miss Ivors.
"Well," said Gabriel, "if it comes to [.....] (PRONOUN) , [.....] (PRONOUN) know, Irish is not [.....] (PRONOUN) language."
[.....] (PRONOUN) neighbours had turned to listen to the cross-examination. Gabriel glanced right and left nervously and tried to keep [.....] (PRONOUN) good humour under the ordeal [.....] (PRONOUN) was making a blush invade [.....] (PRONOUN) forehead.
"And haven't [.....] (PRONOUN) your own land to visit," continued Miss Ivors, "[.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) know [.....] (PRONOUN) of, your own people, and your own country?"
"O, to tell [.....] (PRONOUN) the truth," retorted Gabriel suddenly, "[.....] (PRONOUN) 'm sick of [.....] (PRONOUN) own country, sick of it!"
"Why?" asked Miss Ivors.
Gabriel did not answer for [.....] (PRONOUN) retort had heated [.....] (PRONOUN) .
"Why?" repeated Miss Ivors.
[.....] (PRONOUN) had to go visiting together and, as [.....] (PRONOUN) had not answered [.....] (PRONOUN) , Miss Ivors said warmly:
"Of course, [.....] (PRONOUN) 've no answer."
Gabriel tried to cover [.....] (PRONOUN) agitation by taking part in the dance with great energy. [.....] (PRONOUN) avoided [.....] (PRONOUN) eyes for [.....] (PRONOUN) had seen a sour expression on [.....] (PRONOUN) face. But when [.....] (PRONOUN) met in the long chain [.....] (PRONOUN) was surprised to feel [.....] (PRONOUN) hand firmly pressed. [.....] (PRONOUN) looked at [.....] (PRONOUN) from under [.....] (PRONOUN) brows for a moment quizzically until [.....] (PRONOUN) smiled. Then, just as the chain was about to start again, [.....] (PRONOUN) stood on tiptoe and whispered into [.....] (PRONOUN) ear:
"West Briton!"
When the lancers were over Gabriel went away to a remote corner of the room where Freddy Malins' mother was sitting. [.....] (PRONOUN) was a stout feeble old woman with white hair. [.....] (PRONOUN) voice had a catch in it like [.....] (PRONOUN) son's and [.....] (PRONOUN) stuttered slightly. [.....] (PRONOUN) had been told [.....] (PRONOUN) Freddy had come and [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) was nearly [.....] (PRONOUN) right. Gabriel asked [.....] (PRONOUN) whether [.....] (PRONOUN) had had a good crossing. [.....] (PRONOUN) lived with [.....] (PRONOUN) married daughter in Glasgow and came to Dublin on a visit once a year. [.....] (PRONOUN) answered placidly [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) had had a beautiful crossing and [.....] (PRONOUN) the captain had been [.....] (PRONOUN) attentive to [.....] (PRONOUN) . [.....] (PRONOUN) spoke also of the beautiful house [.....] (PRONOUN) daughter kept in Glasgow, and of [.....] (PRONOUN) the friends [.....] (PRONOUN) had there. While [.....] (PRONOUN) tongue rambled on Gabriel tried to banish from [.....] (PRONOUN) mind [.....] (PRONOUN) memory of the unpleasant incident with Miss Ivors. Of course the girl or woman, or whatever [.....] (PRONOUN) was, was an enthusiast but there was a time for [.....] (PRONOUN) things. Perhaps [.....] (PRONOUN) ought not to have answered [.....] (PRONOUN) like [.....] (PRONOUN) . But [.....] (PRONOUN) had no right to call [.....] (PRONOUN) a West Briton before people, even in joke. [.....] (PRONOUN) had tried to make [.....] (PRONOUN) ridiculous before people, heckling [.....] (PRONOUN) and staring at [.....] (PRONOUN) with [.....] (PRONOUN) rabbit's eyes.
[.....] (PRONOUN) saw [.....] (PRONOUN) wife making [.....] (PRONOUN) way towards [.....] (PRONOUN) through the waltzing couples. When [.....] (PRONOUN) reached [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) said into [.....] (PRONOUN) ear:
"Gabriel, Aunt Kate wants to know won't [.....] (PRONOUN) carve the goose as usual. Miss Daly will carve the ham and [.....] (PRONOUN) 'll do the pudding."
"[.....] (PRONOUN) right," said Gabriel.
"[.....] (PRONOUN) 's sending in the younger ones first as soon as [.....] (PRONOUN) waltz is over so [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) 'll have the table to [.....] (PRONOUN) ."
"Were [.....] (PRONOUN) dancing?" asked Gabriel.
"Of course [.....] (PRONOUN) was. Didn't [.....] (PRONOUN) see [.....] (PRONOUN) ? [.....] (PRONOUN) row had [.....] (PRONOUN) with Molly Ivors?"
"No row. Why? Did [.....] (PRONOUN) say so?"
"[.....] (PRONOUN) like [.....] (PRONOUN) . [.....] (PRONOUN) 'm trying to get [.....] (PRONOUN) Mr D'Arcy to sing. [.....] (PRONOUN) 's full of conceit, [.....] (PRONOUN) think."
"There was no row," said Gabriel moodily, "only [.....] (PRONOUN) wanted [.....] (PRONOUN) to go for a trip to the west of Ireland and [.....] (PRONOUN) said [.....] (PRONOUN) wouldn't."
[.....] (PRONOUN) wife clasped [.....] (PRONOUN) hands excitedly and gave a little jump.
"O, do go, Gabriel," [.....] (PRONOUN) cried. "[.....] (PRONOUN) 'd love to see Galway again."
"[.....] (PRONOUN) can go if [.....] (PRONOUN) like," said Gabriel coldly.
[.....] (PRONOUN) looked at [.....] (PRONOUN) for a moment, then turned to Mrs Malins and said:
"There's a nice husband for [.....] (PRONOUN) , Mrs Malins."
While [.....] (PRONOUN) was threading [.....] (PRONOUN) way back across the room Mrs Malins, without adverting to the interruption, went on to tell Gabriel [.....] (PRONOUN) beautiful places there were in Scotland and beautiful scenery. [.....] (PRONOUN) son-in-law brought [.....] (PRONOUN) every year to the lakes and [.....] (PRONOUN) used to go fishing. [.....] (PRONOUN) son-in-law was a splendid fisher. [.....] (PRONOUN) day [.....] (PRONOUN) caught a beautiful big fish and the man in the hotel cooked it for [.....] (PRONOUN) dinner.
Gabriel hardly heard [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) said. Now [.....] (PRONOUN) supper was coming near [.....] (PRONOUN) began to think again about [.....] (PRONOUN) speech and about the quotation. When [.....] (PRONOUN) saw Freddy Malins coming across the room to visit [.....] (PRONOUN) mother Gabriel left the chair free for [.....] (PRONOUN) 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. [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) 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!
[.....] (PRONOUN) ran over the headings of [.....] (PRONOUN) speech: Irish hospitality, sad memories, the Three Graces, Paris, the quotation from Browning. [.....] (PRONOUN) repeated to himself a phrase [.....] (PRONOUN) had written in [.....] (PRONOUN) review: "[.....] (PRONOUN) feels [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) is listening to a thought-tormented music." Miss Ivors had praised the review. Was [.....] (PRONOUN) sincere? Had [.....] (PRONOUN) really [.....] (PRONOUN) life of [.....] (PRONOUN) own behind [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) propagandism? There had never been [.....] (PRONOUN) ill-feeling between [.....] (PRONOUN) until [.....] (PRONOUN) night. It unnerved [.....] (PRONOUN) to think [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) would be at the supper-table, looking up at [.....] (PRONOUN) while [.....] (PRONOUN) spoke with [.....] (PRONOUN) critical quizzing eyes. Perhaps [.....] (PRONOUN) would not be sorry to see [.....] (PRONOUN) fail in [.....] (PRONOUN) speech. An idea came into [.....] (PRONOUN) mind and gave [.....] (PRONOUN) courage. [.....] (PRONOUN) would say, alluding to Aunt Kate and Aunt Julia: "Ladies and Gentlemen, the generation [.....] (PRONOUN) is now on the wane among [.....] (PRONOUN) may have had its faults but for [.....] (PRONOUN) part [.....] (PRONOUN) think it had certain qualities of hospitality, of humour, of humanity, [.....] (PRONOUN) the new and very serious and hypereducated generation [.....] (PRONOUN) is growing up around [.....] (PRONOUN) seems to [.....] (PRONOUN) to lack." Very good: [.....] (PRONOUN) was [.....] (PRONOUN) for Miss Ivors. [.....] (PRONOUN) did [.....] (PRONOUN) care [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) aunts were only two ignorant old women?
A murmur in the room attracted [.....] (PRONOUN) attention. Mr Browne was advancing from the door, gallantly escorting Aunt Julia, [.....] (PRONOUN) leaned upon [.....] (PRONOUN) arm, smiling and hanging [.....] (PRONOUN) head. An irregular musketry of applause escorted [.....] (PRONOUN) 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 [.....] (PRONOUN) voice fairly into the room, gradually ceased. Gabriel recognised the prelude. It was [.....] (PRONOUN) of an old song of Aunt Julia's—<[.....] (PRONOUN) >Arrayed for the Bridal(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) >. [.....] (PRONOUN) voice, strong and clear in tone, attacked with great spirit the runs [.....] (PRONOUN) embellish the air and though [.....] (PRONOUN) sang very rapidly [.....] (PRONOUN) 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 [.....] (PRONOUN) the others at the close of the song and loud applause was borne in from the invisible supper-table. It sounded so genuine [.....] (PRONOUN) a little colour struggled into Aunt Julia's face as [.....] (PRONOUN) bent to replace in the music-stand the old leather-bound songbook [.....] (PRONOUN) had [.....] (PRONOUN) initials on the cover. Freddy Malins, [.....] (PRONOUN) had listened with [.....] (PRONOUN) head perched sideways to hear [.....] (PRONOUN) better, was still applauding when [.....] (PRONOUN) else had ceased and talking animatedly to [.....] (PRONOUN) mother [.....] (PRONOUN) nodded [.....] (PRONOUN) head gravely and slowly in acquiescence. At last, when [.....] (PRONOUN) could clap no more, [.....] (PRONOUN) stood up suddenly and hurried across the room to Aunt Julia whose hand [.....] (PRONOUN) seized and held in [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) hands, shaking it when words failed [.....] (PRONOUN) or the catch in [.....] (PRONOUN) voice proved too much for [.....] (PRONOUN) .
"[.....] (PRONOUN) was just telling [.....] (PRONOUN) mother," [.....] (PRONOUN) said, "[.....] (PRONOUN) never heard [.....] (PRONOUN) sing so well, never. No, [.....] (PRONOUN) never heard your voice so good as it is tonight. Now! Would [.....] (PRONOUN) believe [.....] (PRONOUN) now? [.....] (PRONOUN) 's the truth. Upon [.....] (PRONOUN) word and honour [.....] (PRONOUN) 's the truth. [.....] (PRONOUN) never heard your voice sound so fresh and so ... so clear and fresh, never."
Aunt Julia smiled broadly and murmured [.....] (PRONOUN) about compliments as [.....] (PRONOUN) released [.....] (PRONOUN) hand from [.....] (PRONOUN) grasp. Mr Browne extended [.....] (PRONOUN) open hand towards [.....] (PRONOUN) and said to [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) were near [.....] (PRONOUN) in the manner of a showman introducing a prodigy to an audience:
"Miss Julia Morkan, [.....] (PRONOUN) latest discovery!"
[.....] (PRONOUN) was laughing very heartily at [.....] (PRONOUN) himself when Freddy Malins turned to [.....] (PRONOUN) and said:
"Well, Browne, if [.....] (PRONOUN) 're serious [.....] (PRONOUN) might make a worse discovery. [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) can say is [.....] (PRONOUN) never heard [.....] (PRONOUN) sing half so well as long as [.....] (PRONOUN) am coming here. And [.....] (PRONOUN) 's the honest truth."
"[.....] (PRONOUN) did [.....] (PRONOUN) ," said Mr Browne. "[.....] (PRONOUN) think [.....] (PRONOUN) voice has greatly improved."
Aunt Julia shrugged [.....] (PRONOUN) shoulders and said with meek pride:
"Thirty years ago [.....] (PRONOUN) hadn't a bad voice as voices go."
"[.....] (PRONOUN) often told Julia," said Aunt Kate emphatically, "[.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) was simply thrown away in [.....] (PRONOUN) choir. But [.....] (PRONOUN) never would be said by [.....] (PRONOUN) ."
[.....] (PRONOUN) turned as if to appeal to the good sense of the others against a refractory child while Aunt Julia gazed in front of [.....] (PRONOUN) , a vague smile of reminiscence playing on [.....] (PRONOUN) face.
"No," continued Aunt Kate, "[.....] (PRONOUN) wouldn't be said or led by [.....] (PRONOUN) , slaving there in [.....] (PRONOUN) choir night and day, night and day. Six o'clock on Christmas morning! And [.....] (PRONOUN) for [.....] (PRONOUN) ?"
"Well, isn't it for the honour of God, Aunt Kate?" asked Mary Jane, twisting round on the piano-stool and smiling.
Aunt Kate turned fiercely on [.....] (PRONOUN) niece and said:
"[.....] (PRONOUN) know [.....] (PRONOUN) about the honour of God, Mary Jane, but [.....] (PRONOUN) think it's not at [.....] (PRONOUN) honourable for the pope to turn out the women out of the choirs [.....] (PRONOUN) have slaved there [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) lives and put little whipper-snappers of boys over [.....] (PRONOUN) heads. [.....] (PRONOUN) 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."
[.....] (PRONOUN) had worked herself into a passion and would have continued in defence of [.....] (PRONOUN) sister for it was a sore subject with [.....] (PRONOUN) but Mary Jane, seeing [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) the dancers had come back, intervened pacifically:
"Now, Aunt Kate, [.....] (PRONOUN) 're giving scandal to Mr Browne [.....] (PRONOUN) is of the other persuasion."
Aunt Kate turned to Mr Browne, [.....] (PRONOUN) was grinning at [.....] (PRONOUN) allusion to [.....] (PRONOUN) religion, and said hastily:
"O, [.....] (PRONOUN) don't question the pope's being right. [.....] (PRONOUN) 'm only a stupid old woman and [.....] (PRONOUN) wouldn't presume to do such a thing. But there's such a thing as common everyday politeness and gratitude. And if [.....] (PRONOUN) were in Julia's place [.....] (PRONOUN) 'd tell [.....] (PRONOUN) Father Healey straight up to [.....] (PRONOUN) face...."
"And besides, Aunt Kate," said Mary Jane, "[.....] (PRONOUN) really are [.....] (PRONOUN) hungry and when [.....] (PRONOUN) are hungry [.....] (PRONOUN) are [.....] (PRONOUN) very quarrelsome."
"And when [.....] (PRONOUN) are thirsty [.....] (PRONOUN) are also quarrelsome," added Mr Browne.
"So [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) had better go to supper," said Mary Jane, "and finish the discussion afterwards."
On the landing outside the drawing-room Gabriel found [.....] (PRONOUN) wife and Mary Jane trying to persuade Miss Ivors to stay for supper. But Miss Ivors, [.....] (PRONOUN) had put on [.....] (PRONOUN) hat and was buttoning [.....] (PRONOUN) cloak, would not stay. [.....] (PRONOUN) did not feel in the least hungry and [.....] (PRONOUN) had already overstayed [.....] (PRONOUN) time.
"But only for ten minutes, Molly," said Mrs Conroy. "[.....] (PRONOUN) won't delay [.....] (PRONOUN) ."
"To take a pick itself," said Mary Jane, "after [.....] (PRONOUN) your dancing."
"[.....] (PRONOUN) really couldn't," said Miss Ivors.
"[.....] (PRONOUN) am afraid [.....] (PRONOUN) didn't enjoy yourself at [.....] (PRONOUN) ," said Mary Jane hopelessly.
"Ever so much, [.....] (PRONOUN) assure [.....] (PRONOUN) ," said Miss Ivors, "but [.....] (PRONOUN) really must let [.....] (PRONOUN) run off now."
"But how can [.....] (PRONOUN) get home?" asked Mrs Conroy.
"O, it's only two steps up the quay."
Gabriel hesitated a moment and said:
"If [.....] (PRONOUN) will allow [.....] (PRONOUN) , Miss Ivors, [.....] (PRONOUN) 'll see [.....] (PRONOUN) home if [.....] (PRONOUN) are really obliged to go."
But Miss Ivors broke away from [.....] (PRONOUN) .
"[.....] (PRONOUN) won't hear of it," [.....] (PRONOUN) cried. "For goodness' sake go in to your suppers and don't mind [.....] (PRONOUN) . [.....] (PRONOUN) 'm quite well able to take care of [.....] (PRONOUN) ."
"Well, [.....] (PRONOUN) 're the comical girl, Molly," said Mrs Conroy frankly.
"<[.....] (PRONOUN) >Beannacht libh(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) >," cried Miss Ivors, with a laugh, as [.....] (PRONOUN) ran down the staircase.
Mary Jane gazed after [.....] (PRONOUN) , a moody puzzled expression on [.....] (PRONOUN) face, while Mrs Conroy leaned over the banisters to listen for the hall-door. Gabriel asked himself was [.....] (PRONOUN) the cause of [.....] (PRONOUN) abrupt departure. But [.....] (PRONOUN) did not seem to be in ill humour: [.....] (PRONOUN) had gone away laughing. [.....] (PRONOUN) stared blankly down the staircase.
At the moment Aunt Kate came toddling out of the supper-room, almost wringing [.....] (PRONOUN) hands in despair.
"Where is Gabriel?" [.....] (PRONOUN) cried. "Where on earth is Gabriel? There's [.....] (PRONOUN) waiting in there, stage to let, and [.....] (PRONOUN) to carve the goose!"
"Here [.....] (PRONOUN) am, Aunt Kate!" cried Gabriel, with sudden animation, "ready to carve a flock of geese, if necessary."
A fat brown goose lay at [.....] (PRONOUN) 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 [.....] (PRONOUN) was a round of spiced beef. Between [.....] (PRONOUN) 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 [.....] (PRONOUN) lay bunches of purple raisins and peeled almonds, a companion dish on [.....] (PRONOUN) 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 [.....] (PRONOUN) stood [.....] (PRONOUN) tall celery stalks. In the centre of the table there stood, as sentries to a fruit-stand [.....] (PRONOUN) upheld a pyramid of oranges and American apples, two squat old-fashioned decanters of cut glass, [.....] (PRONOUN) 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 [.....] (PRONOUN) uniforms, the first two black, with brown and red labels, the third and smallest squad white, with transverse green sashes.
Gabriel took [.....] (PRONOUN) seat boldly at the head of the table and, having looked to the edge of the carver, plunged [.....] (PRONOUN) fork firmly into the goose. [.....] (PRONOUN) felt quite at ease now for [.....] (PRONOUN) was an expert carver and liked [.....] (PRONOUN) better than to find himself at the head of a well-laden table.
"Miss Furlong, [.....] (PRONOUN) shall [.....] (PRONOUN) send [.....] (PRONOUN) ?" [.....] (PRONOUN) asked. "A wing or a slice of the breast?"
"Just a small slice of the breast."
"Miss Higgins, [.....] (PRONOUN) for [.....] (PRONOUN) ?"
"O, [.....] (PRONOUN) at [.....] (PRONOUN) , Mr Conroy."
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. [.....] (PRONOUN) was Mary Jane's idea and [.....] (PRONOUN) had also suggested apple sauce for the goose but Aunt Kate had said [.....] (PRONOUN) plain roast goose without [.....] (PRONOUN) apple sauce had always been good enough for [.....] (PRONOUN) and [.....] (PRONOUN) hoped [.....] (PRONOUN) might never eat worse. Mary Jane waited on [.....] (PRONOUN) pupils and saw [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) 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 [.....] (PRONOUN) had finished the first round without serving himself. [.....] (PRONOUN) protested loudly so [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) compromised by taking a long draught of stout for [.....] (PRONOUN) had found the carving hot work. Mary Jane settled down quietly to [.....] (PRONOUN) supper but Aunt Kate and Aunt Julia were still toddling round the table, walking on [.....] (PRONOUN) other's heels, getting in [.....] (PRONOUN) other's way and giving [.....] (PRONOUN) other unheeded orders. Mr Browne begged of [.....] (PRONOUN) to sit down and eat [.....] (PRONOUN) suppers and so did Gabriel but [.....] (PRONOUN) said [.....] (PRONOUN) were time enough so [.....] (PRONOUN) , at last, Freddy Malins stood up and, capturing Aunt Kate, plumped [.....] (PRONOUN) down on [.....] (PRONOUN) chair amid general laughter.
When [.....] (PRONOUN) had been well served Gabriel said, smiling:
"Now, if [.....] (PRONOUN) wants a little more of [.....] (PRONOUN) vulgar people call stuffing let [.....] (PRONOUN) or [.....] (PRONOUN) speak."
A chorus of voices invited [.....] (PRONOUN) to begin [.....] (PRONOUN) own supper and Lily came forward with three potatoes [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) had reserved for [.....] (PRONOUN) .
"Very well," said Gabriel amiably, as [.....] (PRONOUN) took another preparatory draught, "kindly forget [.....] (PRONOUN) existence, ladies and gentlemen, for a [.....] (PRONOUN) minutes."
[.....] (PRONOUN) set to [.....] (PRONOUN) supper and took no part in the conversation with [.....] (PRONOUN) the table covered Lily's removal of the plates. The subject of talk was the opera company [.....] (PRONOUN) 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 [.....] (PRONOUN) had a rather vulgar style of production. Freddy Malins said there was a negro chieftain singing in the second part of the Gaiety pantomime [.....] (PRONOUN) had [.....] (PRONOUN) of the finest tenor voices [.....] (PRONOUN) had ever heard.
"Have [.....] (PRONOUN) heard [.....] (PRONOUN) ?" [.....] (PRONOUN) asked Mr Bartell D'Arcy across the table.
"No," answered Mr Bartell D'Arcy carelessly.
"Because," Freddy Malins explained, "now [.....] (PRONOUN) 'd be curious to hear your opinion of [.....] (PRONOUN) . [.....] (PRONOUN) think [.....] (PRONOUN) has a grand voice."
"It takes Teddy to find out the really good things," said Mr Browne familiarly to the table.
"And why couldn't [.....] (PRONOUN) have a voice too?" asked Freddy Malins sharply. "Is it because [.....] (PRONOUN) 's only a black?"
[.....] (PRONOUN) answered [.....] (PRONOUN) question and Mary Jane led the table back to the legitimate opera. [.....] (PRONOUN) of [.....] (PRONOUN) pupils had given [.....] (PRONOUN) a pass for <[.....] (PRONOUN) >Mignon(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) >. Of course it was very fine, [.....] (PRONOUN) said, but it made [.....] (PRONOUN) think of poor Georgina Burns. Mr Browne could go back farther still, to the old Italian companies [.....] (PRONOUN) used to come to Dublin—Tietjens, Ilma de Murzka, Campanini, the great Trebelli, Giuglini, Ravelli, Aramburo. [.....] (PRONOUN) were the days, [.....] (PRONOUN) said, when there was [.....] (PRONOUN) like singing to be heard in Dublin. [.....] (PRONOUN) told too of how the top gallery of the old Royal used to be packed night after night, of how [.....] (PRONOUN) night an Italian tenor had sung five encores to <[.....] (PRONOUN) >Let [.....] (PRONOUN) like a Soldier fall(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) >, introducing a high C every time, and of how the gallery boys would sometimes in [.....] (PRONOUN) enthusiasm unyoke the horses from the carriage of [.....] (PRONOUN) great <[.....] (PRONOUN) >prima donna(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) > and pull [.....] (PRONOUN) themselves through the streets to [.....] (PRONOUN) hotel. Why did [.....] (PRONOUN) never play the grand old operas now, [.....] (PRONOUN) asked, <[.....] (PRONOUN) >Dinorah, Lucrezia Borgia?(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) > Because [.....] (PRONOUN) could not get the voices to sing [.....] (PRONOUN) : [.....] (PRONOUN) was why.
"Oh, well," said Mr Bartell D'Arcy, "[.....] (PRONOUN) presume there are as good singers today as there were then."
"Where are [.....] (PRONOUN) ?" asked Mr Browne defiantly.
"In London, Paris, Milan," said Mr Bartell D'Arcy warmly. "[.....] (PRONOUN) suppose Caruso, for example, is quite as good, if not better than [.....] (PRONOUN) of the men [.....] (PRONOUN) have mentioned."
"Maybe so," said Mr Browne. "But [.....] (PRONOUN) may tell [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) doubt it strongly."
"O, [.....] (PRONOUN) 'd give [.....] (PRONOUN) to hear Caruso sing," said Mary Jane.
"For [.....] (PRONOUN) ," said Aunt Kate, [.....] (PRONOUN) had been picking a bone, "there was only [.....] (PRONOUN) tenor. To please [.....] (PRONOUN) , [.....] (PRONOUN) mean. But [.....] (PRONOUN) suppose [.....] (PRONOUN) of [.....] (PRONOUN) ever heard of [.....] (PRONOUN) ."
"[.....] (PRONOUN) was [.....] (PRONOUN) , Miss Morkan?" asked Mr Bartell D'Arcy politely.
"[.....] (PRONOUN) name," said Aunt Kate, "was Parkinson. [.....] (PRONOUN) heard [.....] (PRONOUN) when [.....] (PRONOUN) was in [.....] (PRONOUN) prime and [.....] (PRONOUN) think [.....] (PRONOUN) had then the purest tenor voice [.....] (PRONOUN) was ever put into a man's throat."
"Strange," said Mr Bartell D'Arcy. "[.....] (PRONOUN) never even heard of [.....] (PRONOUN) ."
"Yes, yes, Miss Morkan is right," said Mr Browne. "[.....] (PRONOUN) remember hearing of old Parkinson but [.....] (PRONOUN) 's too far back for [.....] (PRONOUN) ."
"A beautiful pure sweet mellow English tenor," said Aunt Kate with enthusiasm.
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 [.....] (PRONOUN) were held up by Mary Jane, [.....] (PRONOUN) replenished [.....] (PRONOUN) with raspberry or orange jelly or with blancmange and jam. The pudding was of Aunt Julia's making and [.....] (PRONOUN) received praises for it from [.....] (PRONOUN) quarters. [.....] (PRONOUN) herself said [.....] (PRONOUN) it was not quite brown enough.
"Well, [.....] (PRONOUN) hope, Miss Morkan," said Mr Browne, "[.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) 'm brown enough for [.....] (PRONOUN) because, [.....] (PRONOUN) know, [.....] (PRONOUN) 'm [.....] (PRONOUN) brown."
[.....] (PRONOUN) the gentlemen, except Gabriel, ate [.....] (PRONOUN) of the pudding out of compliment to Aunt Julia. As Gabriel never ate sweets the celery had been left for [.....] (PRONOUN) . Freddy Malins also took a stalk of celery and ate it with [.....] (PRONOUN) pudding. [.....] (PRONOUN) had been told [.....] (PRONOUN) celery was a capital thing for the blood and [.....] (PRONOUN) was just then under doctor's care. Mrs Malins, [.....] (PRONOUN) had been silent [.....] (PRONOUN) through the supper, said [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) 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 [.....] (PRONOUN) never asked for a penny-piece from [.....] (PRONOUN) guests.
"And do [.....] (PRONOUN) mean to say," asked Mr Browne incredulously, "[.....] (PRONOUN) 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 [.....] (PRONOUN) ?"
"O, [.....] (PRONOUN) people give [.....] (PRONOUN) donation to the monastery when [.....] (PRONOUN) leave." said Mary Jane.
"[.....] (PRONOUN) wish [.....] (PRONOUN) had an institution like [.....] (PRONOUN) in [.....] (PRONOUN) Church," said Mr Browne candidly.
[.....] (PRONOUN) was astonished to hear [.....] (PRONOUN) the monks never spoke, got up at two in the morning and slept in [.....] (PRONOUN) coffins. [.....] (PRONOUN) asked [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) did it for.
"[.....] (PRONOUN) 's the rule of the order," said Aunt Kate firmly.
"Yes, but why?" asked Mr Browne.
Aunt Kate repeated [.....] (PRONOUN) it was the rule, [.....] (PRONOUN) was [.....] (PRONOUN) . Mr Browne still seemed not to understand. Freddy Malins explained to [.....] (PRONOUN) , as best [.....] (PRONOUN) could, [.....] (PRONOUN) the monks were trying to make up for the sins committed by [.....] (PRONOUN) the sinners in the outside world. The explanation was not very clear for Mr Browne grinned and said:
"[.....] (PRONOUN) like [.....] (PRONOUN) idea very much but wouldn't a comfortable spring bed do [.....] (PRONOUN) as well as a coffin?"
"The coffin," said Mary Jane, "is to remind [.....] (PRONOUN) of [.....] (PRONOUN) last end."
As the subject had grown lugubrious it was buried in a silence of the table during [.....] (PRONOUN) Mrs Malins could be heard saying to [.....] (PRONOUN) neighbour in an indistinct undertone:
"[.....] (PRONOUN) are very good men, the monks, very pious men."
The raisins and almonds and figs and apples and oranges and chocolates and sweets were now passed about the table and Aunt Julia invited [.....] (PRONOUN) the guests to have [.....] (PRONOUN) port or sherry. At first Mr Bartell D'Arcy refused to take [.....] (PRONOUN) but [.....] (PRONOUN) of [.....] (PRONOUN) neighbours nudged [.....] (PRONOUN) and whispered [.....] (PRONOUN) to [.....] (PRONOUN) upon [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) allowed [.....] (PRONOUN) 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, [.....] (PRONOUN) three, looked down at the tablecloth. [.....] (PRONOUN) coughed once or twice and then a [.....] (PRONOUN) gentlemen patted the table gently as a signal for silence. The silence came and Gabriel pushed back [.....] (PRONOUN) chair.
The patting at once grew louder in encouragement and then ceased altogether. Gabriel leaned [.....] (PRONOUN) ten trembling fingers on the tablecloth and smiled nervously at the company. Meeting a row of upturned faces [.....] (PRONOUN) raised [.....] (PRONOUN) eyes to the chandelier. The piano was playing a waltz tune and [.....] (PRONOUN) 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 [.....] (PRONOUN) flashed westward over the white field of Fifteen Acres.
[.....] (PRONOUN) began:
"Ladies and Gentlemen,
"It has fallen to [.....] (PRONOUN) lot [.....] (PRONOUN) evening, as in years past, to perform a very pleasing task but a task for [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) am afraid [.....] (PRONOUN) poor powers as a speaker are [.....] (PRONOUN) too inadequate."
"No, no!" said Mr Browne.
"But, however [.....] (PRONOUN) may be, [.....] (PRONOUN) can only ask [.....] (PRONOUN) tonight to take the will for the deed and to lend [.....] (PRONOUN) your attention for a [.....] (PRONOUN) moments while [.....] (PRONOUN) endeavour to express to [.....] (PRONOUN) in words [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) feelings are on [.....] (PRONOUN) occasion.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, it is not the first time [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) have gathered together under [.....] (PRONOUN) hospitable roof, around [.....] (PRONOUN) hospitable board. It is not the first time [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) have been the recipients—or perhaps, [.....] (PRONOUN) had better say, the victims—of the hospitality of certain good ladies."
[.....] (PRONOUN) made a circle in the air with [.....] (PRONOUN) arm and paused. [.....] (PRONOUN) laughed or smiled at Aunt Kate and Aunt Julia and Mary Jane [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) turned crimson with pleasure. Gabriel went on more boldly:
"[.....] (PRONOUN) feel more strongly with every recurring year [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) country has no tradition [.....] (PRONOUN) does it so much honour and [.....] (PRONOUN) it should guard so jealously as [.....] (PRONOUN) of its hospitality. It is a tradition [.....] (PRONOUN) is unique as far as [.....] (PRONOUN) experience goes (and [.....] (PRONOUN) have visited not a [.....] (PRONOUN) places abroad) among the modern nations. [.....] (PRONOUN) would say, perhaps, [.....] (PRONOUN) with [.....] (PRONOUN) it is rather a failing than [.....] (PRONOUN) to be boasted of. But granted even [.....] (PRONOUN) , it is, to [.....] (PRONOUN) mind, a princely failing, and [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) trust will long be cultivated among [.....] (PRONOUN) . Of [.....] (PRONOUN) thing, at least, [.....] (PRONOUN) am sure. As long as [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) roof shelters the good ladies aforesaid—and [.....] (PRONOUN) wish from [.....] (PRONOUN) heart it may do so for [.....] (PRONOUN) and [.....] (PRONOUN) a long year to come—the tradition of genuine warm-hearted courteous Irish hospitality, [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) forefathers have handed down to [.....] (PRONOUN) and [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) in turn must hand down to [.....] (PRONOUN) descendants, is still alive among [.....] (PRONOUN) ."
A hearty murmur of assent ran round the table. It shot through Gabriel's mind [.....] (PRONOUN) Miss Ivors was not there and [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) had gone away discourteously: and [.....] (PRONOUN) said with confidence in himself:
"Ladies and Gentlemen,
"A new generation is growing up in [.....] (PRONOUN) midst, a generation actuated by new ideas and new principles. It is serious and enthusiastic for [.....] (PRONOUN) new ideas and its enthusiasm, even when it is misdirected, is, [.....] (PRONOUN) believe, in the main sincere. But [.....] (PRONOUN) are living in a sceptical and, if [.....] (PRONOUN) may use the phrase, a thought-tormented age: and sometimes [.....] (PRONOUN) fear [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) new generation, educated or hypereducated as it is, will lack [.....] (PRONOUN) qualities of humanity, of hospitality, of kindly humour [.....] (PRONOUN) belonged to an older day. Listening tonight to the names of [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) great singers of the past it seemed to [.....] (PRONOUN) , [.....] (PRONOUN) must confess, [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) were living in a less spacious age. [.....] (PRONOUN) days might, without exaggeration, be called spacious days: and if [.....] (PRONOUN) are gone beyond recall let [.....] (PRONOUN) hope, at least, [.....] (PRONOUN) in gatherings such as [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) shall still speak of [.....] (PRONOUN) with pride and affection, still cherish in [.....] (PRONOUN) hearts the memory of [.....] (PRONOUN) dead and gone great ones whose fame the world will not willingly let die."
"Hear, hear!" said Mr Browne loudly.
"But yet," continued Gabriel, [.....] (PRONOUN) voice falling into a softer inflection, "there are always in gatherings such as [.....] (PRONOUN) sadder thoughts [.....] (PRONOUN) will recur to [.....] (PRONOUN) minds: thoughts of the past, of youth, of changes, of absent faces [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) miss here tonight. [.....] (PRONOUN) path through life is strewn with [.....] (PRONOUN) such sad memories: and were [.....] (PRONOUN) to brood upon [.....] (PRONOUN) always [.....] (PRONOUN) could not find the heart to go on bravely with [.....] (PRONOUN) work among the living. [.....] (PRONOUN) have [.....] (PRONOUN) of [.....] (PRONOUN) living duties and living affections [.....] (PRONOUN) claim, and rightly claim, [.....] (PRONOUN) strenuous endeavours.
"Therefore, [.....] (PRONOUN) will not linger on the past. [.....] (PRONOUN) will not let [.....] (PRONOUN) gloomy moralising intrude upon [.....] (PRONOUN) here tonight. Here [.....] (PRONOUN) are gathered together for a brief moment from the bustle and rush of [.....] (PRONOUN) everyday routine. [.....] (PRONOUN) are met here as friends, in the spirit of good-fellowship, as colleagues, also to a certain extent, in the true spirit of <[.....] (PRONOUN) >camaraderie(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) >, and as the guests of—[.....] (PRONOUN) shall [.....] (PRONOUN) call [.....] (PRONOUN) ?—the Three Graces of the Dublin musical world."
The table burst into applause and laughter at [.....] (PRONOUN) allusion. Aunt Julia vainly asked [.....] (PRONOUN) of [.....] (PRONOUN) neighbours in turn to tell [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) Gabriel had said.
"[.....] (PRONOUN) says [.....] (PRONOUN) are the Three Graces, Aunt Julia," said Mary Jane.
Aunt Julia did not understand but [.....] (PRONOUN) looked up, smiling, at Gabriel, [.....] (PRONOUN) continued in the same vein:
"Ladies and Gentlemen,
"[.....] (PRONOUN) will not attempt to play tonight the part [.....] (PRONOUN) Paris played on another occasion. [.....] (PRONOUN) will not attempt to choose between [.....] (PRONOUN) . The task would be an invidious [.....] (PRONOUN) and [.....] (PRONOUN) beyond [.....] (PRONOUN) poor powers. For when [.....] (PRONOUN) view [.....] (PRONOUN) in turn, whether it be [.....] (PRONOUN) chief hostess herself, whose good heart, whose too good heart, has become a byword with [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) know [.....] (PRONOUN) , or [.....] (PRONOUN) sister, [.....] (PRONOUN) seems to be gifted with perennial youth and whose singing must have been a surprise and a revelation to [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) tonight, or, last but not least, when [.....] (PRONOUN) consider [.....] (PRONOUN) youngest hostess, talented, cheerful, hard-working and the best of nieces, [.....] (PRONOUN) confess, Ladies and Gentlemen, [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) do not know to [.....] (PRONOUN) of [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) should award the prize."
Gabriel glanced down at [.....] (PRONOUN) aunts and, seeing the large smile on Aunt Julia's face and the tears [.....] (PRONOUN) had risen to Aunt Kate's eyes, hastened to [.....] (PRONOUN) close. [.....] (PRONOUN) raised [.....] (PRONOUN) glass of port gallantly, while every member of the company fingered a glass expectantly, and said loudly:
"Let [.....] (PRONOUN) toast [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) three together. Let [.....] (PRONOUN) drink to [.....] (PRONOUN) health, wealth, long life, happiness and prosperity and may [.....] (PRONOUN) long continue to hold the proud and self-won position [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) hold in [.....] (PRONOUN) profession and the position of honour and affection [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) hold in [.....] (PRONOUN) hearts."
[.....] (PRONOUN) the guests stood up, glass in hand, and turning towards the three seated ladies, sang in unison, with Mr Browne as leader:
For [.....] (PRONOUN) are jolly gay fellows,
For [.....] (PRONOUN) are jolly gay fellows,
For [.....] (PRONOUN) are jolly gay fellows,
[.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) can deny.
Aunt Kate was making frank use of [.....] (PRONOUN) handkerchief and even Aunt Julia seemed moved. Freddy Malins beat time with [.....] (PRONOUN) pudding-fork and the singers turned towards [.....] (PRONOUN) another, as if in melodious conference, while [.....] (PRONOUN) sang with emphasis:
Unless [.....] (PRONOUN) tells a lie,
Unless [.....] (PRONOUN) tells a lie.
Then, turning once more towards [.....] (PRONOUN) hostesses, [.....] (PRONOUN) sang:
For [.....] (PRONOUN) are jolly gay fellows,
For [.....] (PRONOUN) are jolly gay fellows,
For [.....] (PRONOUN) are jolly gay fellows,
[.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) can deny.
The acclamation [.....] (PRONOUN) followed was taken up beyond the door of the supper-room by [.....] (PRONOUN) of the other guests and renewed time after time, Freddy Malins acting as officer with [.....] (PRONOUN) fork on high.
The piercing morning air came into the hall where [.....] (PRONOUN) were standing so [.....] (PRONOUN) Aunt Kate said:
"Close the door, [.....] (PRONOUN) . Mrs Malins will get [.....] (PRONOUN) death of cold."
"Browne is out there, Aunt Kate," said Mary Jane.
"Browne is everywhere," said Aunt Kate, lowering [.....] (PRONOUN) voice.
Mary Jane laughed at [.....] (PRONOUN) tone.
"Really," [.....] (PRONOUN) said archly, "[.....] (PRONOUN) is very attentive."
"[.....] (PRONOUN) has been laid on here like the gas," said Aunt Kate in the same tone, "[.....] (PRONOUN) during the Christmas."
[.....] (PRONOUN) laughed herself [.....] (PRONOUN) time good-humouredly and then added quickly:
"But tell [.....] (PRONOUN) to come in, Mary Jane, and close the door. [.....] (PRONOUN) hope to goodness [.....] (PRONOUN) didn't hear [.....] (PRONOUN) ."
At [.....] (PRONOUN) moment the hall-door was opened and Mr Browne came in from the doorstep, laughing as if [.....] (PRONOUN) heart would break. [.....] (PRONOUN) was dressed in a long green overcoat with mock astrakhan cuffs and collar and wore on [.....] (PRONOUN) head an oval fur cap. [.....] (PRONOUN) pointed down the snow-covered quay from where the sound of shrill prolonged whistling was borne in.
"Teddy will have [.....] (PRONOUN) the cabs in Dublin out," [.....] (PRONOUN) said.
Gabriel advanced from the little pantry behind the office, struggling into [.....] (PRONOUN) overcoat and, looking round the hall, said:
"Gretta not down yet?"
"[.....] (PRONOUN) 's getting on [.....] (PRONOUN) things, Gabriel," said Aunt Kate.
"[.....] (PRONOUN) 's playing up there?" asked Gabriel.
"[.....] (PRONOUN) . [.....] (PRONOUN) 're [.....] (PRONOUN) gone."
"O no, Aunt Kate," said Mary Jane. "Bartell D'Arcy and Miss O'Callaghan aren't gone yet."
"[.....] (PRONOUN) is fooling at the piano anyhow," said Gabriel.
Mary Jane glanced at Gabriel and Mr Browne and said with a shiver:
"It makes [.....] (PRONOUN) feel cold to look at [.....] (PRONOUN) two gentlemen muffled up like [.....] (PRONOUN) . [.....] (PRONOUN) wouldn't like to face your journey home at [.....] (PRONOUN) hour."
"[.....] (PRONOUN) 'd like [.....] (PRONOUN) better [.....] (PRONOUN) 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."
"[.....] (PRONOUN) used to have a very good horse and trap at home," said Aunt Julia sadly.
"The never-to-be-forgotten Johnny," said Mary Jane, laughing.
Aunt Kate and Gabriel laughed too.
"Why, [.....] (PRONOUN) was wonderful about Johnny?" asked Mr Browne.
"The late lamented Patrick Morkan, [.....] (PRONOUN) grandfather, [.....] (PRONOUN) is," explained Gabriel, "commonly known in [.....] (PRONOUN) later years as the old gentleman, was a glue-boiler."
"O now, Gabriel," said Aunt Kate, laughing, "[.....] (PRONOUN) had a starch mill."
"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. [.....] (PRONOUN) was [.....] (PRONOUN) very well; but now comes the tragic part about Johnny. [.....] (PRONOUN) fine day the old gentleman thought [.....] (PRONOUN) 'd like to drive out with the quality to a military review in the park."
"The Lord have mercy on [.....] (PRONOUN) soul," said Aunt Kate compassionately.
"Amen," said Gabriel. "So the old gentleman, as [.....] (PRONOUN) said, harnessed Johnny and put on [.....] (PRONOUN) very best tall hat and [.....] (PRONOUN) very best stock collar and drove out in grand style from [.....] (PRONOUN) ancestral mansion somewhere near Back Lane, [.....] (PRONOUN) think."
[.....] (PRONOUN) laughed, even Mrs Malins, at Gabriel's manner and Aunt Kate said:
"O now, Gabriel, [.....] (PRONOUN) didn't live in Back Lane, really. Only the mill was there."
"Out from the mansion of [.....] (PRONOUN) forefathers," continued Gabriel, "[.....] (PRONOUN) drove with Johnny. And [.....] (PRONOUN) went on beautifully until Johnny came in sight of King Billy's statue: and whether [.....] (PRONOUN) fell in love with the horse King Billy sits on or whether [.....] (PRONOUN) thought [.....] (PRONOUN) was back again in the mill, anyhow [.....] (PRONOUN) began to walk round the statue."
Gabriel paced in a circle round the hall in [.....] (PRONOUN) goloshes amid the laughter of the others.
"Round and round [.....] (PRONOUN) went," said Gabriel, "and the old gentleman, [.....] (PRONOUN) was a very pompous old gentleman, was highly indignant. 'Go on, sir! [.....] (PRONOUN) do [.....] (PRONOUN) mean, sir? Johnny! Johnny! [.....] (PRONOUN) extraordinary conduct! Can't understand the horse!'"
The peal of laughter [.....] (PRONOUN) 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 [.....] (PRONOUN) hat well back on [.....] (PRONOUN) head and [.....] (PRONOUN) shoulders humped with cold, was puffing and steaming after [.....] (PRONOUN) exertions.
"[.....] (PRONOUN) could only get [.....] (PRONOUN) cab," [.....] (PRONOUN) said.
"O, [.....] (PRONOUN) 'll find another along the quay," said Gabriel.
"Yes," said Aunt Kate. "Better not keep Mrs Malins standing in the draught."
Mrs Malins was helped down the front steps by [.....] (PRONOUN) son and Mr Browne and, after [.....] (PRONOUN) manœuvres, hoisted into the cab. Freddy Malins clambered in after [.....] (PRONOUN) and spent a long time settling [.....] (PRONOUN) on the seat, Mr Browne helping [.....] (PRONOUN) with advice. At last [.....] (PRONOUN) 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 [.....] (PRONOUN) rug over [.....] (PRONOUN) knees, and bent down for the address. The confusion grew greater and the cabman was directed differently by Freddy Malins and Mr Browne, [.....] (PRONOUN) of whom had [.....] (PRONOUN) 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 [.....] (PRONOUN) was speechless with laughter. [.....] (PRONOUN) popped [.....] (PRONOUN) head in and out of the window every moment to the great danger of [.....] (PRONOUN) hat, and told [.....] (PRONOUN) mother how the discussion was progressing, till at last Mr Browne shouted to the bewildered cabman above the din of [.....] (PRONOUN) 's laughter:
"Do [.....] (PRONOUN) know Trinity College?"
"Yes, sir," said the cabman.
"Well, drive bang up against Trinity College gates," said Mr Browne, "and then [.....] (PRONOUN) 'll tell [.....] (PRONOUN) where to go. [.....] (PRONOUN) understand now?"
"Yes, sir," said the cabman.
"Make like a bird for Trinity College."
"Right, sir," said the cabman.
The horse was whipped up and the cab rattled off along the quay amid a chorus of laughter and adieus.
Gabriel had not gone to the door with the others. [.....] (PRONOUN) 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. [.....] (PRONOUN) could not see [.....] (PRONOUN) face but [.....] (PRONOUN) could see the terracotta and salmon-pink panels of [.....] (PRONOUN) skirt [.....] (PRONOUN) the shadow made appear black and white. It was [.....] (PRONOUN) wife. [.....] (PRONOUN) was leaning on the banisters, listening to [.....] (PRONOUN) . Gabriel was surprised at [.....] (PRONOUN) stillness and strained [.....] (PRONOUN) ear to listen also. But [.....] (PRONOUN) could hear little save the noise of laughter and dispute on the front steps, a [.....] (PRONOUN) chords struck on the piano and a [.....] (PRONOUN) notes of a man's voice singing.
[.....] (PRONOUN) stood still in the gloom of the hall, trying to catch the air [.....] (PRONOUN) the voice was singing and gazing up at [.....] (PRONOUN) wife. There was grace and mystery in [.....] (PRONOUN) attitude as if [.....] (PRONOUN) were a symbol of [.....] (PRONOUN) . [.....] (PRONOUN) asked himself [.....] (PRONOUN) is a woman standing on the stairs in the shadow, listening to distant music, a symbol of. If [.....] (PRONOUN) were a painter [.....] (PRONOUN) would paint [.....] (PRONOUN) in [.....] (PRONOUN) attitude. [.....] (PRONOUN) blue felt hat would show off the bronze of [.....] (PRONOUN) hair against the darkness and the dark panels of [.....] (PRONOUN) skirt would show off the light ones. <[.....] (PRONOUN) >Distant Music(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) > [.....] (PRONOUN) would call the picture if [.....] (PRONOUN) were a painter.
The hall-door was closed; and Aunt Kate, Aunt Julia and Mary Jane came down the hall, still laughing.
"Well, isn't Freddy terrible?" said Mary Jane. "[.....] (PRONOUN) 's really terrible."
Gabriel said [.....] (PRONOUN) but pointed up the stairs towards where [.....] (PRONOUN) wife was standing. Now [.....] (PRONOUN) the hall-door was closed the voice and the piano could be heard more clearly. Gabriel held up [.....] (PRONOUN) hand for [.....] (PRONOUN) to be silent. The song seemed to be in the old Irish tonality and the singer seemed uncertain [.....] (PRONOUN) of [.....] (PRONOUN) words and of [.....] (PRONOUN) voice. The voice, made plaintive by distance and by the singer's hoarseness, faintly illuminated the cadence of the air with words expressing grief:
O, the rain falls on [.....] (PRONOUN) heavy locks
And the dew wets [.....] (PRONOUN) skin,
[.....] (PRONOUN) babe lies cold....
"O," exclaimed Mary Jane. "It's Bartell D'Arcy singing and [.....] (PRONOUN) wouldn't sing [.....] (PRONOUN) the night. O, [.....] (PRONOUN) 'll get [.....] (PRONOUN) to sing a song before [.....] (PRONOUN) goes."
"O do, Mary Jane," said Aunt Kate.
Mary Jane brushed past the others and ran to the staircase, but before [.....] (PRONOUN) reached it the singing stopped and the piano was closed abruptly.
"O, [.....] (PRONOUN) a pity!" [.....] (PRONOUN) cried. "Is [.....] (PRONOUN) coming down, Gretta?"
Gabriel heard [.....] (PRONOUN) wife answer yes and saw [.....] (PRONOUN) come down towards [.....] (PRONOUN) . A [.....] (PRONOUN) steps behind [.....] (PRONOUN) were Mr Bartell D'Arcy and Miss O'Callaghan.
"O, Mr D'Arcy," cried Mary Jane, "it's downright mean of [.....] (PRONOUN) to break off like [.....] (PRONOUN) when [.....] (PRONOUN) were [.....] (PRONOUN) in raptures listening to [.....] (PRONOUN) ."
"[.....] (PRONOUN) have been at [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) the evening," said Miss O'Callaghan, "and Mrs Conroy too and [.....] (PRONOUN) told [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) had a dreadful cold and couldn't sing."
"O, Mr D'Arcy," said Aunt Kate, "now [.....] (PRONOUN) was a great fib to tell."
"Can't [.....] (PRONOUN) see [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) 'm as hoarse as a crow?" said Mr D'Arcy roughly.
[.....] (PRONOUN) went into the pantry hastily and put on [.....] (PRONOUN) overcoat. The others, taken aback by [.....] (PRONOUN) rude speech, could find [.....] (PRONOUN) to say. Aunt Kate wrinkled [.....] (PRONOUN) brows and made signs to the others to drop the subject. Mr D'Arcy stood swathing [.....] (PRONOUN) neck carefully and frowning.
"It's the weather," said Aunt Julia, after a pause.
"Yes, [.....] (PRONOUN) has colds," said Aunt Kate readily, "[.....] (PRONOUN) ."
"[.....] (PRONOUN) say," said Mary Jane, "[.....] (PRONOUN) haven't had snow like it for thirty years; and [.....] (PRONOUN) read [.....] (PRONOUN) morning in the newspapers [.....] (PRONOUN) the snow is general [.....] (PRONOUN) over Ireland."
"[.....] (PRONOUN) love the look of snow," said Aunt Julia sadly.
"So do [.....] (PRONOUN) ," said Miss O'Callaghan. "[.....] (PRONOUN) think Christmas is never really Christmas unless [.....] (PRONOUN) have the snow on the ground."
"But poor Mr D'Arcy doesn't like the snow," said Aunt Kate, smiling.
Mr D'Arcy came from the pantry, fully swathed and buttoned, and in a repentant tone told [.....] (PRONOUN) the history of [.....] (PRONOUN) cold. [.....] (PRONOUN) gave [.....] (PRONOUN) advice and said it was a great pity and urged [.....] (PRONOUN) to be very careful of [.....] (PRONOUN) throat in the night air. Gabriel watched [.....] (PRONOUN) wife, [.....] (PRONOUN) did not join in the conversation. [.....] (PRONOUN) was standing right under the dusty fanlight and the flame of the gas lit up the rich bronze of [.....] (PRONOUN) hair, [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) had seen [.....] (PRONOUN) drying at the fire a [.....] (PRONOUN) days before. [.....] (PRONOUN) was in the same attitude and seemed unaware of the talk about [.....] (PRONOUN) . At last [.....] (PRONOUN) turned towards [.....] (PRONOUN) and Gabriel saw [.....] (PRONOUN) there was colour on [.....] (PRONOUN) cheeks and [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) eyes were shining. A sudden tide of joy went leaping out of [.....] (PRONOUN) heart.
"Mr D'Arcy," [.....] (PRONOUN) said, "[.....] (PRONOUN) is the name of [.....] (PRONOUN) song [.....] (PRONOUN) were singing?"
"It's called <[.....] (PRONOUN) >The Lass of Aughrim(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) >," said Mr D'Arcy, "but [.....] (PRONOUN) couldn't remember it properly. Why? Do [.....] (PRONOUN) know it?"
"<[.....] (PRONOUN) >The Lass of Aughrim(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) >," [.....] (PRONOUN) repeated. "[.....] (PRONOUN) couldn't think of the name."
"It's a very nice air," said Mary Jane. "[.....] (PRONOUN) 'm sorry [.....] (PRONOUN) were not in voice tonight."
"Now, Mary Jane," said Aunt Kate, "don't annoy Mr D'Arcy. [.....] (PRONOUN) won't have [.....] (PRONOUN) annoyed."
Seeing [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) were ready to start [.....] (PRONOUN) shepherded [.....] (PRONOUN) to the door, where good-night was said:
"Well, good-night, Aunt Kate, and thanks for the pleasant evening."
"Good-night, Gabriel. Good-night, Gretta!"
"Good-night, Aunt Kate, and thanks ever so much. Good-night, Aunt Julia."
"O, good-night, Gretta, [.....] (PRONOUN) didn't see [.....] (PRONOUN) ."
"Good-night, Mr D'Arcy. Good-night, Miss O'Callaghan."
"Good-night, Miss Morkan."
"Good-night, again."
"Good-night, [.....] (PRONOUN) . Safe home."
"Good-night. Good-night."
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.
[.....] (PRONOUN) was walking on before [.....] (PRONOUN) with Mr Bartell D'Arcy, [.....] (PRONOUN) shoes in a brown parcel tucked under [.....] (PRONOUN) arm and [.....] (PRONOUN) hands holding [.....] (PRONOUN) skirt up from the slush. [.....] (PRONOUN) had no longer [.....] (PRONOUN) grace of attitude but Gabriel's eyes were still bright with happiness. The blood went bounding along [.....] (PRONOUN) veins; and the thoughts went rioting through [.....] (PRONOUN) brain, proud, joyful, tender, valorous.
[.....] (PRONOUN) was walking on before [.....] (PRONOUN) so lightly and so erect [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) longed to run after [.....] (PRONOUN) noiselessly, catch [.....] (PRONOUN) by the shoulders and say [.....] (PRONOUN) foolish and affectionate into [.....] (PRONOUN) ear. [.....] (PRONOUN) seemed to [.....] (PRONOUN) so frail [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) longed to defend [.....] (PRONOUN) against [.....] (PRONOUN) and then to be alone with [.....] (PRONOUN) . Moments of [.....] (PRONOUN) secret life together burst like stars upon [.....] (PRONOUN) memory. A heliotrope envelope was lying beside [.....] (PRONOUN) breakfast-cup and [.....] (PRONOUN) was caressing it with [.....] (PRONOUN) hand. Birds were twittering in the ivy and the sunny web of the curtain was shimmering along the floor: [.....] (PRONOUN) could not eat for happiness. [.....] (PRONOUN) were standing on the crowded platform and [.....] (PRONOUN) was placing a ticket inside the warm palm of [.....] (PRONOUN) glove. [.....] (PRONOUN) was standing with [.....] (PRONOUN) in the cold, looking in through a grated window at a man making bottles in a roaring furnace. It was very cold. [.....] (PRONOUN) face, fragrant in the cold air, was quite close to [.....] (PRONOUN) ; and suddenly [.....] (PRONOUN) called out to the man at the furnace:
"Is the fire hot, sir?"
But the man could not hear with the noise of the furnace. It was just as well. [.....] (PRONOUN) might have answered rudely.
A wave of yet more tender joy escaped from [.....] (PRONOUN) heart and went coursing in warm flood along [.....] (PRONOUN) arteries. Like the tender fire of stars moments of [.....] (PRONOUN) life together, [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) knew of or would ever know of, broke upon and illumined [.....] (PRONOUN) memory. [.....] (PRONOUN) longed to recall to [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) moments, to make [.....] (PRONOUN) forget the years of [.....] (PRONOUN) dull existence together and remember only [.....] (PRONOUN) moments of ecstasy. For the years, [.....] (PRONOUN) felt, had not quenched [.....] (PRONOUN) soul or hers. [.....] (PRONOUN) children, [.....] (PRONOUN) writing, [.....] (PRONOUN) household cares had not quenched [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) souls' tender fire. In [.....] (PRONOUN) letter [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) had written to [.....] (PRONOUN) then [.....] (PRONOUN) had said: "Why is it [.....] (PRONOUN) words like [.....] (PRONOUN) seem to [.....] (PRONOUN) so dull and cold? Is it because there is no word tender enough to be your name?"
Like distant music [.....] (PRONOUN) words [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) had written years before were borne towards [.....] (PRONOUN) from the past. [.....] (PRONOUN) longed to be alone with [.....] (PRONOUN) . When the others had gone away, when [.....] (PRONOUN) and [.....] (PRONOUN) were in [.....] (PRONOUN) room in the hotel, then [.....] (PRONOUN) would be alone together. [.....] (PRONOUN) would call [.....] (PRONOUN) softly:
"Gretta!"
Perhaps [.....] (PRONOUN) would not hear at once: [.....] (PRONOUN) would be undressing. Then [.....] (PRONOUN) in [.....] (PRONOUN) voice would strike [.....] (PRONOUN) . [.....] (PRONOUN) would turn and look at [.....] (PRONOUN) ....
At the corner of Winetavern Street [.....] (PRONOUN) met a cab. [.....] (PRONOUN) was glad of its rattling noise as it saved [.....] (PRONOUN) from conversation. [.....] (PRONOUN) was looking out of the window and seemed tired. The others spoke only a [.....] (PRONOUN) words, pointing out [.....] (PRONOUN) building or street. The horse galloped along wearily under the murky morning sky, dragging [.....] (PRONOUN) old rattling box after [.....] (PRONOUN) heels, and Gabriel was again in a cab with [.....] (PRONOUN) , galloping to catch the boat, galloping to [.....] (PRONOUN) honeymoon.
As the cab drove across O'Connell Bridge Miss O'Callaghan said:
"[.....] (PRONOUN) say [.....] (PRONOUN) never cross O'Connell Bridge without seeing a white horse."
"[.....] (PRONOUN) see a white man [.....] (PRONOUN) time," said Gabriel.
"Where?" asked Mr Bartell D'Arcy.
Gabriel pointed to the statue, on [.....] (PRONOUN) lay patches of snow. Then [.....] (PRONOUN) nodded familiarly to it and waved [.....] (PRONOUN) hand.
"Good-night, Dan," [.....] (PRONOUN) said gaily.
When the cab drew up before the hotel, Gabriel jumped out and, in spite of Mr Bartell D'Arcy's protest, paid the driver. [.....] (PRONOUN) gave the man a shilling over [.....] (PRONOUN) fare. The man saluted and said:
"A prosperous New Year to [.....] (PRONOUN) , sir."
"The same to [.....] (PRONOUN) ," said Gabriel cordially.
[.....] (PRONOUN) leaned for a moment on [.....] (PRONOUN) arm in getting out of the cab and while standing at the curbstone, bidding the others good-night. [.....] (PRONOUN) leaned lightly on [.....] (PRONOUN) arm, as lightly as when [.....] (PRONOUN) had danced with [.....] (PRONOUN) a [.....] (PRONOUN) hours before. [.....] (PRONOUN) had felt proud and happy then, happy [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) was [.....] (PRONOUN) , proud of [.....] (PRONOUN) grace and wifely carriage. But now, after the kindling again of so [.....] (PRONOUN) memories, the first touch of [.....] (PRONOUN) body, musical and strange and perfumed, sent through [.....] (PRONOUN) a keen pang of lust. Under cover of [.....] (PRONOUN) silence [.....] (PRONOUN) pressed [.....] (PRONOUN) arm closely to [.....] (PRONOUN) side; and, as [.....] (PRONOUN) stood at the hotel door, [.....] (PRONOUN) felt [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) had escaped from [.....] (PRONOUN) lives and duties, escaped from home and friends and run away together with wild and radiant hearts to a new adventure.
An old man was dozing in a great hooded chair in the hall. [.....] (PRONOUN) lit a candle in the office and went before [.....] (PRONOUN) to the stairs. [.....] (PRONOUN) followed [.....] (PRONOUN) in silence, [.....] (PRONOUN) feet falling in soft thuds on the thickly carpeted stairs. [.....] (PRONOUN) mounted the stairs behind the porter, [.....] (PRONOUN) head bowed in the ascent, [.....] (PRONOUN) frail shoulders curved as with a burden, [.....] (PRONOUN) skirt girt tightly about [.....] (PRONOUN) . [.....] (PRONOUN) could have flung [.....] (PRONOUN) arms about [.....] (PRONOUN) hips and held [.....] (PRONOUN) still, for [.....] (PRONOUN) arms were trembling with desire to seize [.....] (PRONOUN) and only the stress of [.....] (PRONOUN) nails against the palms of [.....] (PRONOUN) hands held the wild impulse of [.....] (PRONOUN) body in check. The porter halted on the stairs to settle [.....] (PRONOUN) guttering candle. [.....] (PRONOUN) halted too on the steps below [.....] (PRONOUN) . In the silence Gabriel could hear the falling of the molten wax into the tray and the thumping of [.....] (PRONOUN) own heart against [.....] (PRONOUN) ribs.
The porter led [.....] (PRONOUN) along a corridor and opened a door. Then [.....] (PRONOUN) set [.....] (PRONOUN) unstable candle down on a toilet-table and asked at [.....] (PRONOUN) hour [.....] (PRONOUN) were to be called in the morning.
"Eight," said Gabriel.
The porter pointed to the tap of the electric-light and began a muttered apology but Gabriel cut [.....] (PRONOUN) short.
"[.....] (PRONOUN) don't want [.....] (PRONOUN) light. [.....] (PRONOUN) have light enough from the street. And [.....] (PRONOUN) say," [.....] (PRONOUN) added, pointing to the candle, "[.....] (PRONOUN) might remove [.....] (PRONOUN) handsome article, like a good man."
The porter took up [.....] (PRONOUN) candle again, but slowly for [.....] (PRONOUN) was surprised by such a novel idea. Then [.....] (PRONOUN) mumbled good-night and went out. Gabriel shot the lock to.
A ghostly light from the street lamp lay in a long shaft from [.....] (PRONOUN) window to the door. Gabriel threw [.....] (PRONOUN) overcoat and hat on a couch and crossed the room towards the window. [.....] (PRONOUN) looked down into the street in order [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) emotion might calm a little. Then [.....] (PRONOUN) turned and leaned against a chest of drawers with [.....] (PRONOUN) back to the light. [.....] (PRONOUN) had taken off [.....] (PRONOUN) hat and cloak and was standing before a large swinging mirror, unhooking [.....] (PRONOUN) waist. Gabriel paused for a [.....] (PRONOUN) moments, watching [.....] (PRONOUN) , and then said:
"Gretta!"
[.....] (PRONOUN) turned away from the mirror slowly and walked along the shaft of light towards [.....] (PRONOUN) . [.....] (PRONOUN) face looked so serious and weary [.....] (PRONOUN) the words would not pass Gabriel's lips. No, it was not the moment yet.
"[.....] (PRONOUN) looked tired," [.....] (PRONOUN) said.
"[.....] (PRONOUN) am a little," [.....] (PRONOUN) answered.
"[.....] (PRONOUN) don't feel ill or weak?"
"No, tired: [.....] (PRONOUN) 's [.....] (PRONOUN) ."
[.....] (PRONOUN) went on to the window and stood there, looking out. Gabriel waited again and then, fearing [.....] (PRONOUN) diffidence was about to conquer [.....] (PRONOUN) , [.....] (PRONOUN) said abruptly:
"By the way, Gretta!"
"[.....] (PRONOUN) is it?"
"[.....] (PRONOUN) know [.....] (PRONOUN) poor fellow Malins?" [.....] (PRONOUN) said quickly.
"Yes. [.....] (PRONOUN) about [.....] (PRONOUN) ?"
"Well, poor fellow, [.....] (PRONOUN) 's a decent sort of chap after [.....] (PRONOUN) ," continued Gabriel in a false voice. "[.....] (PRONOUN) gave [.....] (PRONOUN) back [.....] (PRONOUN) sovereign [.....] (PRONOUN) lent [.....] (PRONOUN) , and [.....] (PRONOUN) didn't expect it, really. It's a pity [.....] (PRONOUN) wouldn't keep away from [.....] (PRONOUN) Browne, because [.....] (PRONOUN) 's not a bad fellow, really."
[.....] (PRONOUN) was trembling now with annoyance. Why did [.....] (PRONOUN) seem so abstracted? [.....] (PRONOUN) did not know how [.....] (PRONOUN) could begin. Was [.....] (PRONOUN) annoyed, too, about [.....] (PRONOUN) ? If [.....] (PRONOUN) would only turn to [.....] (PRONOUN) or come to [.....] (PRONOUN) of [.....] (PRONOUN) own accord! To take [.....] (PRONOUN) as [.....] (PRONOUN) was would be brutal. No, [.....] (PRONOUN) must see [.....] (PRONOUN) ardour in [.....] (PRONOUN) eyes first. [.....] (PRONOUN) longed to be master of [.....] (PRONOUN) strange mood.
"When did [.....] (PRONOUN) lend [.....] (PRONOUN) the pound?" [.....] (PRONOUN) asked, after a pause.
Gabriel strove to restrain himself from breaking out into brutal language about the sottish Malins and [.....] (PRONOUN) pound. [.....] (PRONOUN) longed to cry to [.....] (PRONOUN) from [.....] (PRONOUN) soul, to crush [.....] (PRONOUN) body against [.....] (PRONOUN) , to overmaster [.....] (PRONOUN) . But [.....] (PRONOUN) said:
"O, at Christmas, when [.....] (PRONOUN) opened [.....] (PRONOUN) little Christmas-card shop in Henry Street."
[.....] (PRONOUN) was in such a fever of rage and desire [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) did not hear [.....] (PRONOUN) come from the window. [.....] (PRONOUN) stood before [.....] (PRONOUN) for an instant, looking at [.....] (PRONOUN) strangely. Then, suddenly raising herself on tiptoe and resting [.....] (PRONOUN) hands lightly on [.....] (PRONOUN) shoulders, [.....] (PRONOUN) kissed [.....] (PRONOUN) .
"[.....] (PRONOUN) are a very generous person, Gabriel," [.....] (PRONOUN) said.
Gabriel, trembling with delight at [.....] (PRONOUN) sudden kiss and at the quaintness of [.....] (PRONOUN) phrase, put [.....] (PRONOUN) hands on [.....] (PRONOUN) hair and began smoothing it back, scarcely touching it with [.....] (PRONOUN) fingers. The washing had made it fine and brilliant. [.....] (PRONOUN) heart was brimming over with happiness. Just when [.....] (PRONOUN) was wishing for it [.....] (PRONOUN) had come to [.....] (PRONOUN) of [.....] (PRONOUN) own accord. Perhaps [.....] (PRONOUN) thoughts had been running with [.....] (PRONOUN) . Perhaps [.....] (PRONOUN) had felt the impetuous desire [.....] (PRONOUN) was in [.....] (PRONOUN) , and then the yielding mood had come upon [.....] (PRONOUN) . Now [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) had fallen to [.....] (PRONOUN) so easily, [.....] (PRONOUN) wondered why [.....] (PRONOUN) had been so diffident.
[.....] (PRONOUN) stood, holding [.....] (PRONOUN) head between [.....] (PRONOUN) hands. Then, slipping [.....] (PRONOUN) arm swiftly about [.....] (PRONOUN) body and drawing [.....] (PRONOUN) towards [.....] (PRONOUN) , [.....] (PRONOUN) said softly:
"Gretta, dear, [.....] (PRONOUN) are [.....] (PRONOUN) thinking about?"
[.....] (PRONOUN) did not answer nor yield wholly to [.....] (PRONOUN) arm. [.....] (PRONOUN) said again, softly:
"Tell [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) it is, Gretta. [.....] (PRONOUN) think [.....] (PRONOUN) know [.....] (PRONOUN) is the matter. Do [.....] (PRONOUN) know?"
[.....] (PRONOUN) did not answer at once. Then [.....] (PRONOUN) said in an outburst of tears:
"O, [.....] (PRONOUN) am thinking about [.....] (PRONOUN) song, <[.....] (PRONOUN) >The Lass of Aughrim(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) >."
[.....] (PRONOUN) broke loose from [.....] (PRONOUN) and ran to the bed and, throwing [.....] (PRONOUN) arms across the bed-rail, hid [.....] (PRONOUN) face. Gabriel stood stock-still for a moment in astonishment and then followed [.....] (PRONOUN) . As [.....] (PRONOUN) passed in the way of the cheval-glass [.....] (PRONOUN) caught sight of himself in full length, [.....] (PRONOUN) broad, well-filled shirt-front, the face whose expression always puzzled [.....] (PRONOUN) when [.....] (PRONOUN) saw it in a mirror and [.....] (PRONOUN) glimmering gilt-rimmed eyeglasses. [.....] (PRONOUN) halted a [.....] (PRONOUN) paces from [.....] (PRONOUN) and said:
"[.....] (PRONOUN) about the song? Why does [.....] (PRONOUN) make [.....] (PRONOUN) cry?"
[.....] (PRONOUN) raised [.....] (PRONOUN) head from [.....] (PRONOUN) arms and dried [.....] (PRONOUN) eyes with the back of [.....] (PRONOUN) hand like a child. A kinder note than [.....] (PRONOUN) had intended went into [.....] (PRONOUN) voice.
"Why, Gretta?" [.....] (PRONOUN) asked.
"[.....] (PRONOUN) am thinking about a person long ago [.....] (PRONOUN) used to sing [.....] (PRONOUN) song."
"And [.....] (PRONOUN) was the person long ago?" asked Gabriel, smiling.
"It was a person [.....] (PRONOUN) used to know in Galway when [.....] (PRONOUN) was living with [.....] (PRONOUN) grandmother," [.....] (PRONOUN) said.
The smile passed away from Gabriel's face. A dull anger began to gather again at the back of [.....] (PRONOUN) mind and the dull fires of [.....] (PRONOUN) lust began to glow angrily in [.....] (PRONOUN) veins.
"[.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) were in love with?" [.....] (PRONOUN) asked ironically.
"It was a young boy [.....] (PRONOUN) used to know," [.....] (PRONOUN) answered, "named Michael Furey. [.....] (PRONOUN) used to sing [.....] (PRONOUN) song, <[.....] (PRONOUN) >The Lass of Aughrim(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) >. [.....] (PRONOUN) was very delicate."
Gabriel was silent. [.....] (PRONOUN) did not wish [.....] (PRONOUN) to think [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) was interested in [.....] (PRONOUN) delicate boy.
"[.....] (PRONOUN) can see [.....] (PRONOUN) so plainly," [.....] (PRONOUN) said after a moment. "Such eyes as [.....] (PRONOUN) had: big, dark eyes! And such an expression in [.....] (PRONOUN) —an expression!"
"O then, [.....] (PRONOUN) were in love with [.....] (PRONOUN) ?" said Gabriel.
"[.....] (PRONOUN) used to go out walking with [.....] (PRONOUN) ," [.....] (PRONOUN) said, "when [.....] (PRONOUN) was in Galway."
A thought flew across Gabriel's mind.
"Perhaps [.....] (PRONOUN) was why [.....] (PRONOUN) wanted to go to Galway with [.....] (PRONOUN) Ivors girl?" [.....] (PRONOUN) said coldly.
[.....] (PRONOUN) looked at [.....] (PRONOUN) and asked in surprise:
"[.....] (PRONOUN) for?"
[.....] (PRONOUN) eyes made Gabriel feel awkward. [.....] (PRONOUN) shrugged [.....] (PRONOUN) shoulders and said:
"How do [.....] (PRONOUN) know? To see [.....] (PRONOUN) , perhaps."
[.....] (PRONOUN) looked away from [.....] (PRONOUN) along the shaft of light towards the window in silence.
"[.....] (PRONOUN) is dead," [.....] (PRONOUN) said at length. "[.....] (PRONOUN) died when [.....] (PRONOUN) was only seventeen. Isn't it a terrible thing to die so young as [.....] (PRONOUN) ?"
"[.....] (PRONOUN) was [.....] (PRONOUN) ?" asked Gabriel, still ironically.
"[.....] (PRONOUN) was in the gasworks," [.....] (PRONOUN) said.
Gabriel felt humiliated by the failure of [.....] (PRONOUN) irony and by the evocation of [.....] (PRONOUN) figure from the dead, a boy in the gasworks. While [.....] (PRONOUN) had been full of memories of [.....] (PRONOUN) secret life together, full of tenderness and joy and desire, [.....] (PRONOUN) had been comparing [.....] (PRONOUN) in [.....] (PRONOUN) mind with another. A shameful consciousness of [.....] (PRONOUN) own person assailed [.....] (PRONOUN) . [.....] (PRONOUN) saw himself as a ludicrous figure, acting as a pennyboy for [.....] (PRONOUN) aunts, a nervous, well-meaning sentimentalist, orating to vulgarians and idealising [.....] (PRONOUN) own clownish lusts, the pitiable fatuous fellow [.....] (PRONOUN) had caught a glimpse of in the mirror. Instinctively [.....] (PRONOUN) turned [.....] (PRONOUN) back more to the light lest [.....] (PRONOUN) might see the shame [.....] (PRONOUN) burned upon [.....] (PRONOUN) forehead.
[.....] (PRONOUN) tried to keep up [.....] (PRONOUN) tone of cold interrogation, but [.....] (PRONOUN) voice when [.....] (PRONOUN) spoke was humble and indifferent.
"[.....] (PRONOUN) suppose [.....] (PRONOUN) were in love with [.....] (PRONOUN) Michael Furey, Gretta," [.....] (PRONOUN) said.
"[.....] (PRONOUN) was great with [.....] (PRONOUN) at [.....] (PRONOUN) time," [.....] (PRONOUN) said.
[.....] (PRONOUN) voice was veiled and sad. Gabriel, feeling now how vain it would be to try to lead [.....] (PRONOUN) whither [.....] (PRONOUN) had purposed, caressed [.....] (PRONOUN) of [.....] (PRONOUN) hands and said, also sadly:
"And [.....] (PRONOUN) did [.....] (PRONOUN) die of so young, Gretta? Consumption, was it?"
"[.....] (PRONOUN) think [.....] (PRONOUN) died for [.....] (PRONOUN) ," [.....] (PRONOUN) answered.
A vague terror seized Gabriel at [.....] (PRONOUN) answer as if, at [.....] (PRONOUN) hour when [.....] (PRONOUN) had hoped to triumph, [.....] (PRONOUN) impalpable and vindictive being was coming against [.....] (PRONOUN) , gathering forces against [.....] (PRONOUN) in its vague world. But [.....] (PRONOUN) shook himself free of it with an effort of reason and continued to caress [.....] (PRONOUN) hand. [.....] (PRONOUN) did not question [.....] (PRONOUN) again for [.....] (PRONOUN) felt [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) would tell [.....] (PRONOUN) of herself. [.....] (PRONOUN) hand was warm and moist: it did not respond to [.....] (PRONOUN) touch but [.....] (PRONOUN) continued to caress it just as [.....] (PRONOUN) had caressed [.....] (PRONOUN) first letter to [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) spring morning.
"It was in the winter," [.....] (PRONOUN) said, "about the beginning of the winter when [.....] (PRONOUN) was going to leave [.....] (PRONOUN) grandmother's and come up here to the convent. And [.....] (PRONOUN) was ill at the time in [.....] (PRONOUN) lodgings in Galway and wouldn't be let out and [.....] (PRONOUN) people in Oughterard were written to. [.....] (PRONOUN) was in decline, [.....] (PRONOUN) said, or [.....] (PRONOUN) like [.....] (PRONOUN) . [.....] (PRONOUN) never knew rightly."
[.....] (PRONOUN) paused for a moment and sighed.
"Poor fellow," [.....] (PRONOUN) said. "[.....] (PRONOUN) was very fond of [.....] (PRONOUN) and [.....] (PRONOUN) was such a gentle boy. [.....] (PRONOUN) used to go out together, walking, [.....] (PRONOUN) know, Gabriel, like the way [.....] (PRONOUN) do in the country. [.....] (PRONOUN) was going to study singing only for [.....] (PRONOUN) health. [.....] (PRONOUN) had a very good voice, poor Michael Furey."
"Well; and then?" asked Gabriel.
"And then when it came to the time for [.....] (PRONOUN) to leave Galway and come up to the convent [.....] (PRONOUN) was much worse and [.....] (PRONOUN) wouldn't be let see [.....] (PRONOUN) so [.....] (PRONOUN) wrote [.....] (PRONOUN) a letter saying [.....] (PRONOUN) was going up to Dublin and would be back in the summer and hoping [.....] (PRONOUN) would be better then."
[.....] (PRONOUN) paused for a moment to get [.....] (PRONOUN) voice under control and then went on:
"Then the night before [.....] (PRONOUN) left [.....] (PRONOUN) was in [.....] (PRONOUN) grandmother's house in Nuns' Island, packing up, and [.....] (PRONOUN) heard gravel thrown up against the window. The window was so wet [.....] (PRONOUN) couldn't see so [.....] (PRONOUN) ran downstairs as [.....] (PRONOUN) was and slipped out the back into the garden and there was the poor fellow at the end of the garden, shivering."
"And did [.....] (PRONOUN) not tell [.....] (PRONOUN) to go back?" asked Gabriel.
"[.....] (PRONOUN) implored of [.....] (PRONOUN) to go home at once and told [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) would get [.....] (PRONOUN) death in the rain. But [.....] (PRONOUN) said [.....] (PRONOUN) did not want to live. [.....] (PRONOUN) can see [.....] (PRONOUN) eyes as well as well! [.....] (PRONOUN) was standing at the end of the wall where there was a tree."
"And did [.....] (PRONOUN) go home?" asked Gabriel.
"Yes, [.....] (PRONOUN) went home. And when [.....] (PRONOUN) was only a week in the convent [.....] (PRONOUN) died and [.....] (PRONOUN) was buried in Oughterard where [.....] (PRONOUN) people came from. O, the day [.....] (PRONOUN) heard [.....] (PRONOUN) , [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) was dead!"
[.....] (PRONOUN) stopped, choking with sobs and, overcome by emotion, flung herself face downward on the bed, sobbing in the quilt. Gabriel held [.....] (PRONOUN) hand for a moment longer, irresolutely, and then, shy of intruding on [.....] (PRONOUN) grief, let it fall gently and walked quietly to the window.
[.....] (PRONOUN) was fast asleep.
Gabriel, leaning on [.....] (PRONOUN) elbow, looked for a [.....] (PRONOUN) moments unresentfully on [.....] (PRONOUN) tangled hair and half-open mouth, listening to [.....] (PRONOUN) deep-drawn breath. So [.....] (PRONOUN) had had [.....] (PRONOUN) romance in [.....] (PRONOUN) life: a man had died for [.....] (PRONOUN) sake. It hardly pained [.....] (PRONOUN) now to think how poor a part [.....] (PRONOUN) , [.....] (PRONOUN) husband, had played in [.....] (PRONOUN) life. [.....] (PRONOUN) watched [.....] (PRONOUN) while [.....] (PRONOUN) slept as though [.....] (PRONOUN) and [.....] (PRONOUN) had never lived together as man and wife. [.....] (PRONOUN) curious eyes rested long upon [.....] (PRONOUN) face and on [.....] (PRONOUN) hair: and, as [.....] (PRONOUN) thought of [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) must have been then, in [.....] (PRONOUN) time of [.....] (PRONOUN) first girlish beauty, a strange, friendly pity for [.....] (PRONOUN) entered [.....] (PRONOUN) soul. [.....] (PRONOUN) did not like to say even to himself [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) face was no longer beautiful but [.....] (PRONOUN) knew [.....] (PRONOUN) it was no longer the face for [.....] (PRONOUN) Michael Furey had braved death.
Perhaps [.....] (PRONOUN) had not told [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) the story. [.....] (PRONOUN) eyes moved to the chair over [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) had thrown [.....] (PRONOUN) of [.....] (PRONOUN) clothes. A petticoat string dangled to the floor. [.....] (PRONOUN) boot stood upright, its limp upper fallen down: the fellow of it lay upon its side. [.....] (PRONOUN) wondered at [.....] (PRONOUN) riot of emotions of an hour before. From [.....] (PRONOUN) had it proceeded? From [.....] (PRONOUN) aunt's supper, from [.....] (PRONOUN) 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! [.....] (PRONOUN) , too, would soon be a shade with the shade of Patrick Morkan and [.....] (PRONOUN) horse. [.....] (PRONOUN) had caught [.....] (PRONOUN) haggard look upon [.....] (PRONOUN) face for a moment when [.....] (PRONOUN) was singing <[.....] (PRONOUN) >Arrayed for the Bridal(PRONOUN) '">[.....] (PRONOUN) >. Soon, perhaps, [.....] (PRONOUN) would be sitting in [.....] (PRONOUN) same drawing-room, dressed in black, [.....] (PRONOUN) silk hat on [.....] (PRONOUN) knees. The blinds would be drawn down and Aunt Kate would be sitting beside [.....] (PRONOUN) , crying and blowing [.....] (PRONOUN) nose and telling [.....] (PRONOUN) how Julia had died. [.....] (PRONOUN) would cast about in [.....] (PRONOUN) mind for [.....] (PRONOUN) words [.....] (PRONOUN) might console [.....] (PRONOUN) , and would find only lame and useless ones. Yes, yes: [.....] (PRONOUN) would happen very soon.
The air of the room chilled [.....] (PRONOUN) shoulders. [.....] (PRONOUN) stretched himself cautiously along under the sheets and lay down beside [.....] (PRONOUN) wife. [.....] (PRONOUN) by [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) were [.....] (PRONOUN) becoming shades. Better pass boldly into [.....] (PRONOUN) other world, in the full glory of [.....] (PRONOUN) passion, than fade and wither dismally with age. [.....] (PRONOUN) thought of how [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) lay beside [.....] (PRONOUN) had locked in [.....] (PRONOUN) heart for so [.....] (PRONOUN) years [.....] (PRONOUN) image of [.....] (PRONOUN) lover's eyes when [.....] (PRONOUN) had told [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) [.....] (PRONOUN) did not wish to live.
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