第4章

LittleChandlerorderedthedrinks。Theblushwhichhadrisentohisfaceafewmomentsbeforewasestablishingitself。Atriflemadehimblushatanytime：andnowhefeltwarmandexcited。ThreesmallwhiskieshadgonetohisheadandGallaher’sstrongcigarhadconfusedhismind，forhewasadelicateandabstinentperson。TheadventureofmeetingGallaheraftereightyears，offindinghimselfwithGallaherinCorless’ssurroundedbylightsandnoise，oflisteningtoGallaher’sstoriesandofsharingforabriefspaceGallaher’svagrantandtriumphantlife，upsettheequipoiseofhissensitivenature。Hefeltacutelythecontrastbetweenhisownlifeandhisfriend’s，anditseemedtohimunjust。Gallaherwashisinferiorinbirthandeducation。Hewassurethathecoulddosomethingbetterthanhisfriendhadeverdone，orcouldeverdo，somethinghigherthanmeretawdryjournalismifheonlygotthechance。Whatwasitthatstoodinhisway？Hisunfortunatetimidity！Hewishedtovindicatehimselfinsomeway，toasserthismanhood。HesawbehindGallaher’srefusalofhisinvitation。

GallaherwasonlypatronizinghimbyhisfriendlinessjustashewaspatronizingIrelandbyhisvisit。

Thebarmanbroughttheirdrinks。LittleChandlerpushedoneglasstowardshisfriendandtookuptheotherboldly。

`Whoknows？’hesaid，astheyliftedtheirglasses。`WhenyoucomenextyearImayhavethepleasureofwishinglonglifeandhappinesstoMrandMrsIgnatiusGallaher。’

IgnatiusGallaherintheactofdrinkingclosedoneeyeexpressivelyovertherimofhisglass。Whenhehaddrunkhesmackedhislipsdecisively，setdownhisglassandsaid：

`Nobloomingfearofthat，myboy。I’mgoingtohavemyflingfirstandseeabitoflifeandtheworldbeforeIputmyheadinthesack-

ifIeverdo。’

`Somedayyouwill，’saidLittleChandlercalmly。

IgnatiusGallaherturnedhisorangetieandslate-blueeyesfulluponhisfriend。

`Youthinkso？’hesaid。

`You’llputyourheadinthesack，’repeatedLittleChandlerstoutly，`likeeveryoneelseifyoucanfindthegirl。’

Hehadslightlyemphasizedhistone，andhewasawarethathehadbetrayedhimself；but，thoughthecolourhadheightenedinhischeek，hedidnotflinchfromhisfriends’gaze。IgnatiusGallaherwatchedhimforafewmomentsandthensaid：

`Ifeveritoccurs，youmaybetyourbottomdollarthere’llbenomooningandspooningaboutit。Imeantomarrymoney。She’llhaveagoodfataccountatthebankorshewon’tdoforme。’

LittleChandlershookhishead。

`Why，manalive，’saidIgnatiusGallaher，vehemently，`doyouknowwhatitis？I’veonlytosaythewordandtomorrowIcanhavethewomanandthecash。Youdon’tbelieveit？Well，Iknowit。Therearehundreds-whatamIsaying？-thousandsofrichGermansandJews，rottenwithmoney，that’donlybetooglad……Youwaitawhile，myboy。SeeifIdon’tplaymycardsproperly。WhenIgoaboutathingImeanbusiness，Itellyou。Youjustwait。’

Hetossedhisglasstohismouth，finishedhisdrinkandlaughedloudly。

Thenhelookedthoughtfullybeforehimandsaidinacalmertone：

`ButI’minnohurry。Theycanwait。Idon’tfancytyingmyselfuptoonewoman，youknow。’

Heimitatedwithhismouththeactoftastingandmadeawryface。

`Mustgetabitstale，Ishouldthink，’hesaid。

LittleChandlersatintheroomoffthehall，holdingachildinhisarms。Tosavemoneytheykeptnoservant，butAnnie’syoungsisterMonicacameforanhourorsointhemorningandanhourorSointheeveningtohelp。ButMonicahadgonehomelongago。Itwasaquartertonine。LittleChandlerhadcomehomelateforteaand，moreover，hehadforgottentobringAnniehometheparcelofcoffeefromBewley’s。Ofcourseshewasinabadhumourandgavehimshortanswers。Shesaidshewoulddowithoutanytea，butwhenitcamenearhetimeatwhichtheshopatthecornerclosedshedecidedtogooutherselfforaquarterofapoundofteaandtwopoundsofsugar。Sheputthesleepingchilddeftlyinhisarmsandsaid：

`Here。Don’twakenhim。’

Alittlelampwithawhitechinashadestooduponthetableanditslightfelloveraphotographwhichwasenclosedinaframeofcrumpledhorn。ItwasAnnie’sphotograph。LittleChandlerlookedatit，pausingatthethintightlips。SheworethepalebluesummerblousewhichhehadbroughtherhomeasapresentoneSaturday。Ithadcosthimtenandelevenpence；

butwhatanagonyofnervousnessithadcosthim！Howhehadsufferedthatday，waitingattheshopdooruntiltheshopwasempty，standingatthecounterandtryingtoappearathiseasewhilethegirlpiledladies’blousesbeforehim，payingatthedeskandforgettingtotakeuptheoddpennyofhischange，beingcalledbackbythecashier，andfinally，strivingtohidehisblushesashelefttheshopbyexaminingtheparceltoseeifitwasSecurelytied。WhenhebroughttheblousehomeAnniekissedhimandsaiditwasveryprettyandstylish；butwhensheheardthepriceshethrewtheblouseonthetableandsaiditwasaregularswindletochargetenandelevenpenceforit。Atfirstshewantedtotakeitback，butwhenshetrieditonshewasdelightedwithit，especiallywiththemakeofthesleeves，andkissedhimandsaidhewasverygoodtothinkofher。

Hm！……

Helookedcoldlyintotheeyesofthephotographandtheyansweredcoldly。

Certainlytheywereprettyandthefaceitselfwaspretty。Buthefoundsomethingmeaninit。Whywasitsounconsciousandladylike？Thecomposureofthegyesirritatedhim。Theyrepelledhimanddefiedhim：therewasnopassioninthem，norapture。HethoughtofwhatGallaherhadsaidaboutrichJewesses。ThosedarkOrientaleyes，hethought，howfulltheyareofpassion，ofvoluptuouslonging！……Whyhadhemarriedtheeyesinthephotograph？

Hecaughthimselfupatthequestionandglancednervouslyroundtheroom。Hefoundsomethingmeanintheprettyfurniturewhichhehadboughtforhishouseonthehiresystem。Anniehadchosenitherselfanditremindedhimofher。Ittoowasprimandpretty。Adullresentmentagainsthislifeawokewithinhim。Couldhenotescapefromhislittlehouse？WasittoolateforhimtotrytolivebravelylikeGallaher？CouldhegotoLondon？

Therewasthefurniturestilltobepaidfor。Ifhecouldonlywriteabookandgetitpublished，thatmightopenthewayforhim。

AvolumeofByron’spoemslaybeforehimonthetable。Heopeneditcautiouslywithhislefthandlestheshouldwakenthechildandbegantoreadthefirstpoeminthebook：Hushedarethewindsandstilltheeveninggloom，Note’enaZephyrwandersthroughthegrove，WhilstIreturntoviewmyMargaret’stombAndscatterflowersonthedustIlove。Hepaused。Hefelttherhythmoftheverseabouthimintheroom。Howmelancholyitwas！Couldhe，too，writelikethat，expressthemelancholyofhissoulinverse？Thereweresomanythingshewantedtodescribe：hissensationofafewhoursbeforeonGrattanBridge，forexample。Ifhecouldgetbackagainintothatmood……

Thechildawokeandbegantocry。Heturnedfromthepageandtriedtohushit：butitwouldnotbehushed。Hebegantorockittoandfroinhisarms，butitswailingcrygrewkeener。Herockeditfasterwhilehiseyesbegantoreadthesecondstanza：Withinthisnarrowcellreclinesherclay，Thatclaywhereonce……Itwasuseless。Hecouldn’tread。Hecouldn’tdoanything。Thewailingofthechildpiercedthedrumofhisear。Itwasuseless，useless！Hewasaprisonerforlife。Hisarmstrembledwithangerandsuddenlybendingtothechild’sfaceheshouted：

`Stop！’

Thechildstoppedforaninstant，hadaspasmoffrightandbegantoscream。Hejumpedupfromhischairandwalkedhastilyupanddowntheroomwiththechildinhisarms。itbegantosobpiteously，losingitsbreathforfourorfiveseconds，andthenburstingoutanew。Thethinwallsoftheroomechoedthesound。Hetriedtosootheit，butitsobbedmoreconvulsively。Helookedatthecontractedandquiveringfaceofthechildandbegantobealarmed。Hecountedsevensobswithoutabreakbetweenthemandcaughtthechildtohisbreastinfright。Ifitdied！……

Thedoorwasburstopenandayoungwomanranin，panting。

`Whatisit？Whatisit？’shecried。

Thechild，hearingitsmother’svoice，brokeoutintoaparoxysmofsobbing。

`It’snothing，Annie……it’snothing……Hebegantocry……’

Sheflungherparcelsonthefloorandsnatchedthechildfromhim。

`Whathaveyoudonetohim？’shecried，glaringintohisface。

LittleChandlersustainedforonemomentthegazeofhereyesandhisheartclosedtogetherashemetthehatredinthem。Hebegantostammer：

`It’snothing……He……he……begantocry……Icouldn’t……Ididn’tdoanything……What？’

Givingnoheedtohimshebegantowalkupanddowntheroom，claspingthechildtightlyinherarmsandmurmuring：

`Mylittleman！Mylittlemannie！Was’oufrightened，love？’……Therenow，love！Therenow！……Lambabaun！Mamma’slittlelamboftheworld！……

Therenow！’

LittleChandlerfelthischeekssuffusedwithshameandhestoodbackoutofthelamplight。Helistenedwhiletheparoxysmofthechild’ssobbinggrewlessandless；andtearsofremorsestartedtohiseyes。

Counterparts

Thebellrangfuriouslyand，whenMissParkerwenttothetube，afuriousvoicecalledoutinapiercingNorthofIrelandaccent：

`SendFarringtonhere！’

MissParkerreturnedtohermachine，sayingtoamanwhowaswritingatadesk：

`MrAlleynewantsyouupstairs。’

Themanmuttered`Blasthim！’underhisbreathandpushedbackhischairtostandup。Whenhestooduphewastallandofgreatbulk。

Hehadahangingface，darkwine-coloured，withfaireyebrowsandmoustache：

hiseyesbulgedforwardslightlyandthewhitesofthemweredirty。Heliftedupthecounterand，passingbytheclients，wentoutoftheofficewithaheavystep。

Hewentheavilyupstairsuntilhecametothesecondlanding，whereadoorboreabrassplatewiththeinscriptionMrAlleyne。Herehehalted，puffingwithlabourandvexation，andknocked。Theshrillvoicecried：

`Comein！’

ThemanenteredMrAlleyne’sroom。SimultaneouslyMrAlleyne，alittlemanwearinggold-rimmedglassesonaclean-shavenface，shothisheadupoverapileofdocuments。Theheaditselfwassopinkandhairlessitseemedlikealargeeggreposingonthepapers。MrAlleynedidnotloseamoment：

`Farrington？Whatisthemeaningofthis？WhyhaveIalwaystocomplainofyou？MayIaskyouwhyyouhaven’tmadeacopyofthatcontractbetweenBodleyandKirwan？Itoldyouitmustbereadybyfouro’clock。’

`ButMrShellysaid，sir——’

`MrShellysaid，sir……KindlyattendtowhatIsayandnottowhatMrShellysays，sir。Youhavealwayssomeexcuseoranotherforshirkingwork。LetmetellyouthatifthecontractisnotcopiedbeforethiseveningI’lllaythematterbeforeMrCrosbie……Doyouhearmenow？’

`Yes，sir。’

`Doyouhearmenow？……Ayandanotherlittlematter！Imightaswellbetalkingtothewallastalkingtoyou。Understandonceforallthatyougetahalfanhourforyourlunchandnotanhourandahalf。Howmanycoursesdoyouwant？I’dliketoknow……Doyoumindmenow？’

`Yes，sir。’

MrAlleynebenthisheadagainuponhispileofpapers。ThemanstaredfixedlyatthepolishedskullwhichdirectedtheaffairsofCrosbie&；

Alleyne，gaugingitsfragility。Aspasmofragegrippedhisthroatforafewmomentsandthenpassed，leavingafteritasharpsensationofthirst。

Themanrecognizedthesensationandfeltthathemusthaveagoodnight’sdrinking。Themiddleofthemonthwaspassedand，ifhecouldgetthecopydoneintime，MrAlleynemightgivehimanorderonthecashier。Hestoodstill，gazingfixedlyattheheaduponthepileofpapers。SuddenlyMrAlleynebegantoupsetallthepapers，searchingforsomething。Then，asifhehadbeenunawareoftheman’spresencetillthatmoment，heshotuphisheadagain，saying：

`Eh？Areyougoingtostandthereallday？Uponmyword，Farrington，youtakethingseasy！’

`Iwaswaitingtosee……’

`Verygood，youneedn’twaittosee。Godownstairsanddoyourwork。’

Themanwalkedheavilytowardsthedoorand，ashewentoutoftheroom，heheardMrAlleynecryafterhimthatifthecontractwasnotcopiedbyeveningMrCrosbiewouldhearofthematter。

Hereturnedtohisdeskinthelowerofficeandcountedthesheetswhichremainedtobecopied。Hetookuphispenanddippeditintheink，buthecontinuedtostarestupidlyatthelastwordshehadwritten：InnocaseshallthesaidBernardBodleybe……Theeveningwasfallingandinafewminutestheywouldbelightingthegas：thenhecouldwrite。

Hefeltthathemustslakethethirstinhisthroat。Hestoodupfromhisdeskand，liftingthecounterasbefore，passedoutoftheoffice。Ashewaspassingoutthechiefclerklookedathiminquiringly。

`It’sallright，MrShelly，’saidtheman，pointingwithhisfingertoindicatetheobjectiveofhisjourney。

Thechiefclerkglancedatthehat-rack，but，seeingtherowcomplete，offerednoremark。Assoonashewasonthelandingthemanpulledashepherd’splaidcapoutofhispocket，putitonhisheadandranquicklydownthericketystairs。Fromthestreetdoorhewalkedonfurtivelyontheinnersideofthepathtowardsthecornerandallatoncedivedintoadoorway。

HewasnowsafeinthedarksnugofO’Neill’sshop，and，fillingupthelittlewindowthatlookedintothebarwithhisinflamedface，thecolourofdarkwineordarkmeat，hecalledout：

`Here，Pat，giveusag。p。，likeagoodfellow。’

Thecuratebroughthimaglassofplainporter。Themandrankitatagulpandaskedforacarawayseed。Heputhispennyonthecounterand，leavingthecuratetogropeforitInthegloom，retreatedoutofthesnugasfurtivelyashehadenteredit。

Darkness，accompaniedbyathickfog，wasgainingupontheduskofFebruaryandthelampsinEustaceStreethadbeenlit。Themanwentupbythehousesuntilhereachedthedooroftheoffice，wonderingwhetherhecouldfinishhiscopyintime。Onthestairsamoistpungentodourofperfumessalutedhisnose：evidentlyMissDelacourhadcomewhilehewasoutinO’Neill’s。

Hecrammedhiscapbackagainintohispocketandre-enteredtheoffice，assuminganairofabsent-mindedness。

`MrAlleynehasbeencallingforyou，’saidthechiefclerkseverely。

`Wherewereyou？’

Themanglancedatthetwoclientswhowerestandingatthecounterasiftointimatethattheirpresencepreventedhimfromanswering。Astheclientswerebothmalethechiefclerkallowedhimselfalaugh。

`Iknowthatgame，’hesaid。`Fivetimesinonedayisalittlebit……

Well，youbetterlooksharpandgetacopyofourcorrespondenceintheDelacourcaseforMrAlleyne。’

Thisaddressinthepresenceofthepublic，hisrunupstairs，andtheporterhehadgulpeddownsohastilyconfusedthemanandashesatdownathisdesktogetwhatwasrequired，herealizedhowhopelesswasthetaskoffinishinghiscopyofthecontractbeforehalfpastfive。Thedarkdampnightwascomingandhelongedtospenditinthebars，drinkingwithhisfriendsamidtheglareofgasandtheclatterofglasses。HegotouttheDelacourcorrespondenceandpassedoutoftheoffice。HehopedMrAlleynewouldnotdiscoverthatthelasttwolettersweremissing。

ThemoistpungentperfumelayallthewayuptoMrAlleyne’sroom。MissDelacourwasamiddle-agedwomanofJewishappearance。MrAlleynewassaidtobesweetonheroronhermoney。Shecametotheofficeoftenandstayedalongtimewhenshecame。Shewassittingbesidehisdesknowinanaromaofperfumes，smoothingthehandleofherumbrellaandnoddingthegreatblackfeatherinherhat。MrAlleynehadswivelledhischairroundtofaceherandthrownhisrightfootjauntilyuponhisleftknee。Themanputthecorrespondenceonthedeskandbowedrespectfully，butneitherMrAlleynenorMissDelacourtookanynoticeofhisbow。MrAlleynetappedafingeronthecorrespondenceandthenflickedittowardshimasiftosay：`That’sallright，youcango。’

Themanreturnedtothelowerofficeandsatdownagainathisdesk。

Hestaredintentlyattheincompletephrase：InnocaseshallthesaidBernardBodleybe……andthoughthowstrangeitwasthatthelastthreewordsbeganwiththesameletter。ThechiefclerkbegantohurryMissParker，sayingshewouldneverhavetheletterstypedintimeforpost。Themanlistenedtotheclickingofthemachineforafewminutesandthensettoworktofinishhiscopy。Buthisheadwasnotclearandhismindwanderedawaytotheglareandrattleofthepublic-house。Itwasanightforhotpunches。Hestruggledonwithhiscopy，butwhentheclockstruckfivehehadstillfourteenpagestowrite。Blastit！Hecouldn’tfinishitintime。Helongedtoexecratealoud，tobringhisfistdownonsomethingviolently。HewassoenragedthathewroteBernardBernardinsteadofBernardBodleyandhadtobeginagainonacleansheet。

Hefeltstrongenoughtoclearoutthewholeofficesinglehanded。Hisbodyachedtodosomething，torushOutandrevelinviolence。Alltheindignitiesofhislifeenragedhim。

Couldheaskthecashierprivatelyforanadvance？No，thecashierwasnogood，nodamngood：hewouldn’tgiveanadvance……Heknewwherehewouldmeettheboys：LeonardandO’HalloranandNoseyFlynn。Thebarometerofhisemotionalnaturewassetforaspellofriot。

Hisimaginationhadsoabstractedhimthathisnamewascalledtwicebeforeheanswered。MrAlleyneandMissDelacourwerestandingoutsidethecounterandalltheclerkshadturnedroundinanticipationofsomething。

Themangotupfromhisdesk。MrAlleynebeganatiradeofabuse，sayingthattwolettersweremissing。Themanansweredthatheknewnothingaboutthem，thathehadmadeafaithfulcopy。Thetiradecontinued：itwassobitterandviolentthatthemancouldhardlyrestrainhisfistfromdescendingupontheheadofthemanikinbeforehim。

`Iknownothingaboutanyothertwoletters，’hesaidstupidly。

`You-know-nothing。Ofcourseyouknownothing，’saidMrAlleyne。

`Tellme，’headded，glancingfirstforapprovaltotheladybesidehim，`doyoutakemeforafool？Doyouthinkmeanutterfool？’

Themanglancedfromthelady’sfacetothelittleegg-shapedheadandbackagain；and，almostbeforehewasawareofit，histonguehadfoundafelicitousmoment：

`Idon’tthink，sir，’hesaid，`thatthat’safairquestiontoputtome。’

Therewasapauseintheverybreathingoftheclerks。Everyonewasastounded（theauthorofthewitticismnolessthanhisneighbours）andMissDelacour，whowasastoutamiableperson，begantosmilebroadly。

MrAlleyneflushedtothehueofawildroseandhismouthtwitchedwithadwarf’spassion。Heshookhisfistintheman’sfacetillitseemedtovibrateliketheknobofsomeelectricmachine：

`Youimpertinentruffian！Youimpertinentruffian！I’llmakeshortworkofyou！Waittillyousee！You’llapologizetomeforyourimpertinenceoryou’llquittheofficeinstanter！You’llquitthis，I’mtellingyou，oryou’llapologizetome！’

Hestoodinadoorwayoppositetheoffice，watchingtoseeifthecashierwouldcomeoutalone。Alltheclerkspassedoutandfinallythecashiercameoutwiththechiefclerk。Itwasnousetryingtosayawordtohimwhenhewaswiththechiefclerk。Themanfeltthathispositionwasbadenough。HehadbeenobligedtoofferanabjectapologytoMrAlleyneforhisimpertinence，butheknewwhatahornet’snesttheofficewouldbeforhim。HecouldrememberthewayinwhichMrAlleynehadhoundedlittlePeakeoutoftheofficeinordertomakeroomforhisownnephew。Hefeltsavageandthirstyandrevengeful，annoyedwithhimselfandwitheveryoneelse。MrAlleynewouldnevergivehimanhour’srest；hislifewouldbeahelltohim。Hehadmadeaproperfoolofhimselfthistime。Couldhenotkeephistongueinhischeek？Buttheyhadneverpulledtogetherfromthefirst，heandMrAlleyne，eversincethedayMrAlleynehadoverheardhimmimickinghisNorthofIrelandaccenttoamuseHigginsandMissParker；

thathadbeenthebeginningofit。HemighthavetriedHigginsforthemoney，butsureHigginsneverhadanythingforhimself。Amanwithtwoestablishmentstokeepup，ofcoursehecouldn’t……

Hefelthisgreatbodyagainachingforthecomfortofthepublic-house。

ThefoghadbeguntochillhimandhewonderedcouldhetouchPatinO’Neill’s。

Hecouldnottouchhimformorethanabob-andabobwasnouse。Yethemustgetmoneysomewhereorother：hehadspenthislastpennyfortheg。p。andsoonitwouldbetoolateforgettingmoneyanywhere。Suddenly，ashewasfingeringhiswatchchain，hethoughtofTerryKelly’spawn-officeinFleetStreet。Thatwasthedart！Whydidn’thethinkofitsooner？

HewentthroughthenarrowalleyofTempleBarquickly，mutteringtohimselfthattheycouldallgotohell，becausehewasgoingtohaveagoodnightofit。TheclerkinTerryKelly’ssaidAcrown！buttheconsignorheldoutforsixshillings；andintheendthesixshillingswasallowedhimliterally。Hecameoutofthepawn-officejoyfully，makingalittlecylinderofthecoinsbetweenhisthumbandfingers。InWestmorelandStreetthefootpathswerecrowdedwithyoungmenandwomenreturningfrombusiness，andraggedurchinsranhereandthereyellingoutthenamesoftheeveningeditions。Themanpassedthroughthecrowd，lookingonthespectaclegenerallywithproudsatisfactionandstaringmasterfullyattheoffice-girls。Hisheadwasfullofthenoisesoftram-gongsandswishingtrolleysandhisnosealreadysniffedthecurlingfumesofpunch。Ashewalkedonhepreconsideredthetermsinwhichhewouldnarratetheincidenttotheboys：

`So，Ijustlookedathim-coolly，youknow，andlookedather。ThenIlookedbackathimagain-takingmytimeyouknow。"Idon’tthinkthat’safairquestiontoputtome，"saysI。’

NoseyFlynnwassittingupinhisusualcornerofDavyByrne’sand，whenheheardthestory，hestoodFarringtonahalf-one，sayingitwasassmartathingaseverheheard。Farringtonstoodadrinkinhisturn。

AfterawhileO’HalloranandPaddyLeonardcameinandthestorywasrepeatedtothem。O’Halloranstoodtailorsofmalt，hot，allroundandtoldthestoryoftheretorthehadmadetothechiefclerkwhenhewasinCallan’sofFownes’sStreet；but，astheretortwasafterthemanneroftheliberalshepherdsintheeclogues，hehadtoadmitthatitwasnotascleverasFarrington’sretort。AtthisFarringtontoldtheboystopolishoffthatandhaveanother。

JustastheywerenamingtheirpoisonswhoshouldcomeinbutHiggins！

Ofcoursehehadtojoininwiththeothers。Themenaskedhimtogivehisversionofit，andhedidsowithgreatvivacity，forthesightoffivesmallhotwhiskieswasveryexhilarating。EveryoneroaredlaughingwhenheshowedthewayinwhichMrAlleyneshookhisfistinFarrington’sface。ThenheimitatedFarrington，saying，`Andherewasmynabs，ascoolasyouplease，’whileFarringtonlookedatthecompanyoutofhisheavydirtyeyes，smilingandattimesdrawingforthstraydropsofliquorfromhismoustachewiththeaidofhislowerlip。

Whenthatroundwasovertherewasapause。O’Halloranhadmoney，butneitheroftheothertwoseemedtohaveany；sothewholepartylefttheshopsomewhatregretfully。AtthecornerofDukeStreetHigginsandNoseyFlynnbevelledofftotheleft，whiletheotherthreeturnedbacktowardsthecity。Rainwasdrizzlingdownonthecoldstreetsand，whentheyreachedtheBallastOffice，FarringtonsuggestedtheScotchHouse。Thebarwasfullofmenandloudwiththenoiseoftonguesandglasses。Thethreemenpushedpastthewhiningmatch-sellersatthedoorandformedalittlepartyatthecornerofthecounter。Theybegantoexchangestories。LeonardintroducedthemtoayoungfellownamedWeatherswhowasperformingattheTivoliasanacrobatandknockaboutartiste。Farringtonstoodadrinkallround。WeatherssaidhewouldtakeasmallIrishandApollinaris。Farrington，whohaddefinitenotionsofwhatwaswhat，askedtheboyswouldtheyhaveanApollinaristoo；buttheboystoldTimtomaketheirshot。Thetalkbecametheatrical。O’HalloranstoodaroundandthenFarringtonstoodanotherround，WeathersprotestingthatthehospitalitywastooIrish。Hepromisedtogettheminbehindthescenesandintroducethemtosomenicegirls。

O’HalloransaidthatheandLeonardwouldgo，butthatFarringtonwouldn’tgobecausehewasamarriedman；andFarrington’sheavydirtyeyesleeredatthecompanyintokenthatheunderstoodhewasbeingchaffed。WeathersmadethemallhavejustonelittletinctureathisexpenseandpromisedtomeetthemlateronatMulligan’sinPoolbegStreet。

WhentheScotchHouseclosedtheywentroundtoMulligan’s。TheywentintotheparlouratthebackandO’Halloranorderedsmallhotspecialsallround。Theywereallbeginningtofeelmellow。FarringtonwasjuststandinganotherroundwhenWeatherscameback。MuchtoFarrington’sreliefhedrankaglassofbitterthistime。Fundsweregettinglow，buttheyhadenoughtokeepthemgoing。Presentlytwoyoungwomenwithbighatsandayoungmaninachecksuitcameinandsatatatablecloseby。WeatherssalutedthemandtoldthecompanythattheywereoutoftheTivoli。Farrington’seyeswanderedateverymomentinthedirectionofoneoftheyoungwomen。

Therewassomethingstrikinginherappearance。Animmensescarfofpeacock-bluemuslinwaswoundroundherhatandknottedinagreatbowunderherchin；

andsheworebrightyellowgloves，reachingtotheelbow。Farringtongazedadmiringlyattheplumparmwhichshemovedveryoftenandwithmuchgrace；

andwhen，afteralittletime，sheansweredhisgazeheadmiredstillmoreherlargedarkbrowneyes。Theobliquestaringexpressioninthemfascinatedhim。Sheglancedathimonceortwiceand，whenthepartywasleavingtheroom，shebrushedagainsthischairandsaid`O，pardon！’inaLondonaccent。Hewatchedherleavetheroominthehopethatshewouldlookbackathim，buthewasdisappointed。Hecursedhiswantofmoneyandcursedalltheroundshehadstood，particularlyallthewhiskiesandApollinariswhichhehadstoodtbWeathers。Iftherewasonethingthathehateditwasasponge。Hewassoangrythathelostcountoftheconversationofhisfriends。

WhenPaddyLeonardcalledhimhefoundthattheyweretalkingaboutfeatsofstrength。WeatherswasshowinghisbicepsmuscletothecompanyandboastingsomuchthattheothertwohadcalledonFarringtontoupholdthenationalhonour。Farringtonpulleduphissleeveaccordinglyandshowedhisbicepsmuscletothecompany。Thetwoarmswereexaminedandcomparedandfinallyitwasagreedtohaveatrialofstrength。Thetablewasclearedandthetwomenrestedtheirelbowsonit，claspinghands。WhenPaddyLeonardsaid`Go！’eachwastotrytobringdowntheother’shandontothetable。

Farringtonlookedveryseriousanddetermined。

Thetrialbegan。AfteraboutthirtysecondsWeathersbroughthisopponent’shandslowlydownontothetable。Farrington’sdarkwine-colouredfaceflusheddarkerstillwithangerandhumiliationathavingbeendefeatedbysuchastripling。

`You’renottoputtheweightofyourbodybehindit。Playfair，’hesaid。

`Who’snotplayingfair？’saidtheother。

`Comeonagain。Thetwobestoutofthree。’

Thetrialbeganagain。TheveinsstoodoutonFarrington’sforehead，andthepallorofWeathers’complexionchangedtopeony。Theirhandsandarmstrembledunderthestress。AfteralongstruggleWeathersagainbroughthisopponent’shandslowlyontothetable。Therewasamurmurofapplausefromthespectators。Thecurate，whowasstandingbesidethetable，noddedhisredheadtowardsthevictorandsaidwithstupidfamiliarity：

`Ah！that’stheknack！’

`Whatthehelldoyouknowaboutit？’saidFarringtonfiercely，turningontheman。`Whatdoyouputinyourgabfor？’

`Sh，sh！’saidO’Halloran，observingtheviolentexpressionofFarrington’sface。`Ponyup，boys。We’llhavejustonelittlesmahanmoreandthenwe’llbeoff。’

Averysullen-facedmanstoodatthecornerofO’ConnellBridgewaitingforthelittleSandymounttramtotakehimhome。Hewasfullofsmoulderingangerandrevengefulness。Hefelthumiliatedanddiscontented；hedidnotevenfeeldrunk；andhehadonlytwopenceinhispocket。Hecursedeverything。

Hehaddoneforhimselfintheoffice，pawnedhiswatch，spentallhismoney；andhehadnotevengotdrunk。Hebegantofeelthirstyagainandhelongedtobebackagaininthehot，reekingpublic-house。Hehadlosthisreputationasastrongman，havingbeendefeatedtwicebyamereboy。

Hisheartswelledwithfuryand，whenhethoughtofthewomaninthebighatwhohadbrushedagainsthimandsaidPardon！hisfurynearlychokedhim。

HistramlethimdownatShelbourneRoadandhesteeredhisgreatbodyalongintheshadowofthewallofthebarracks。Heloathedreturningtohishome。Whenhewentinbytheside-doorhefoundthekitchenemptyandthekitchenfirenearlyout。Hebawledupstairs：

`Ada！Ada！’

Hiswifewasalittlesharp-facedwomanwhobulliedherhusbandwhenhewassoberandwasbulliedbyhimwhenhewasdrunk。Theyhadfivechildren。

Alittleboycamerunningdownthestairs。

`Whoisthat？’Saidtheman，peeringthroughthedarkness。

`Me，pa。’

`Whoareyou？Charlie？’

`No，pa。Tom。’

`Where’syourmother？’

`She’soutatthechapel。’

`That’sright……Didshethinkofleavinganydinnerforme？’

`Yes，pa。I——’

`Lightthelamp。Whatdoyoumeanbyhavingtheplaceindarkness？Aretheotherchildreninbed？’

Themansatdownheavilyononeofthechairswhilethelittleboylitthelamp。Hebegantomimichisson’sflataccent，sayinghalftohimself：

`Atthechapel。Atthechapel，ifyouplease！’Whenthelampwaslithebangedhisfistonthetableandshouted：

`What’sformydinner？’

`I’mgoing……tocookit，pa，’saidthelittleboy。Themanjumpedupfuriouslyandpointedtothefire。

`Onthatfire！Youletthefireout！ByGod，I’llteachyoutodothatagain！’

Hetookasteptothedoorandseizedthewalking-stickwhichwasstandingbehindit。

`I’llteachyoutoletthefireout！’hesaid，rollinguphissleeveinordertogivehisarmfreeplay。

Thelittleboycried`O，pa！’andranwhimperingroundthetable，butthemanfollowedhimandcaughthimbythecoat。Thelittleboylookedabouthimwildlybut，seeingnowayofescape，felluponhisknees。

`Now，you’llletthefireoutthenexttime！’saidtheman，strikingathimvigorouslywiththestick。`Takethat，youlittlewhelp！’

Theboyutteredasquealofpainasthestickcuthisthigh。Heclaspedhishandstogetherintheairandhisvoiceshookwithfright。

`O，pa！’hecried。`Don’tbeatme，pa！AndI’ll……I’llsayaHailMaryforyou……I’llsayaHailMaryforyou，pa，ifyoudon’tbeatme……I’llsayaHailMary……’

Clay

Thematronhadgivenherleavetogooutassoonasthewomen’steawasover，andMarialookedforwardtohereveningout。Thekitchenwasspickandspan：thecooksaidyoucouldseeyourselfinthebigcopperboilers。

Thefirewasniceandbrightandononeoftheside-tableswerefourverybigbarmbracks。Thesebarmbracksseemeduncut；butifyouwentcloseryouwouldseethattheyhadbeencutintolongthickevenslicesandwerereadytobehandedroundattea。Mariahadcutthemherself。

Mariawasavery，verysmallpersonindeed，butshehadaverylongnoseandaverylongchin。Shetalkedalittlethroughhernose，alwayssoothingly：`Yes，mydear，’and`No，mydear。’Shewasalwayssentforwhenthewomenquarrelledovertheirtubsandalwayssucceededinmakingpeace。Onedaythematronhadsaidtoher：

`Maria，youareaveritablepeace-maker！’

Andthesub-matronandtwooftheBoardladieshadheardthecompliment。

AndGingerMooneywasalwayssayingwhatshe-wouldn’tdotothedummywhohadchargeoftheironsifitwasn’tforMaria。EveryonewassofondofMaria。

Thewomenwouldhavetheirteaatsixo’clockandshewouldbeabletogetawaybeforeseven。FromBallsbridgetothePillar，twentyminutes；

fromthePillartoDrumcondra，twentyminutes；andtwentyminutestobuythethings。Shewouldbetherebeforeeight。ShetookoutherpursewiththesilverclaspsandreadagainthewordsAPresentfromBelfast。

ShewasveryfondofthatpursebecauseJoehadbroughtittoherfiveyearsbeforewhenheandAlphyhadgonetoBelfastonaWhit-Mondaytrip。

Inthepurseweretwohalf-crownsandsomecoppers。Shewouldhavefiveshillingsclearafterpayingthetramfare。Whataniceeveningtheywouldhave，allthechildrensinging！OnlyshehopedthatJoewouldn’tcomeindrunk。Hewassodifferentwhenhetookanydrink。

Oftenhehadwantedhertogoandlivewiththem；butshewouldhavefeltherselfintheway（thoughJoe’swifewaseversonicewithher）andshehadbecomeaccustomedtothelifeofthelaundry。Joewasagoodfellow。

ShehadnursedhimandAlphytoo；andJoeusedoftentosay：

`Mammaismamma，butMariaismypropermother。’

Afterthebreak-upathometheboyshadgotherthatpositioninthe`DublinbyLamplight’laundry，andshelikedit。SheusedtohavesuchabadopinionofProtestants，butnowshethoughttheywereverynicepeople，alittlequietandserious，butstillverynicepeopletolivewith。Thenshehadherplantsintheconservatoryandshelikedlookingafterthem。

Shehadlovelyfernsandwax-plantsand，wheneveranyonecametovisither，shealwaysgavethevisitoroneortwoslipsfromherconservatory。

Therewasonethingshedidn’tlikeandthatwasthetractsonthewalls；

butthematronwassuchanicepersontodealwith，sogenteel。

Whenthecooktoldhereverythingwasreadyshewentintothewomen’S

roomandbegantopullthebigbell。Inafewminutesthewomenbegantocomeinbytwosandthrees，wipingtheirsteaminghandsintheirpetticoatsandpullingdownthesleevesoftheirblousesovertheirredsteamingarms。

Theysettleddownbeforetheirhugemugswhichthecookandthedummyfilledupwithhottea，alreadymixedwithmilkandsugarinhugetincans。Mariasuperintendedthedistributionofthebarmbrackandsawthateverywomangotherfourslices。Therewasagreatdealoflaughingandjokingduringthemeal。LizzieFlemingsaidMariawassuretogettheringand，thoughFleminghadsaidthatforsomanyHallowEves，Mariahadtolaughandsayshedidn’twantanyringormaneither；andwhenshelaughedhergrey-greeneyessparkledwithdisappointedshynessandthetipofhernosenearlymetthetipofherchin。ThenGingerMooneylifteduphermugofteaandproposedMaria’shealth，whilealltheotherwomenclatteredwiththeirmugsonthetable，andsaidshewassorryshehadn’tasupofportertodrinkitin。AndMarialaughedagaintillthetipofhernosenearlymetthetipofherchinandtillherminutebodynearlyshookitselfasunder，becausesheknewthatMooneymeantwell，thoughofcourseshehadthenotionsofacommonwoman。

Butwasn’tMariagladwhenthewomenhadfinishedtheirteaandthecookandthedummyhadbeguntoclearawaythetea-things！Shewentintoherlittlebedroomand，rememberingthatthenextmorningwasamassmorning，changedthehandofthealarmfromseventosix。Thenshetookoffherworkingskirtandherhouse-bootsandlaidherbestskirtoutonthebedandhertinydress-bootsbesidethefootofthebed。Shechangedherblousetooand，asshestoodbeforethemirror，shethoughtofhowsheusedtodressformassonSundaymorningwhenshewasayounggirl；andshelookedwithquaintaffectionatthediminutivebodywhichshehadsooftenadorned。

Inspiteofitsyearsshefounditanicetidylittlebody。

Whenshegotoutsidethestreetswereshiningwithrainandshewasgladofheroldbrownwaterproof。Thetramwasfullandshehadtositonthelittlestoolattheendofthecar，facingallthepeople，withhertoesbarelytouchingthefloor。Shearrangedinhermindallshewasgoingtodo，andthoughthowmuchbetteritwastobeindependentandtohaveyourownmoneyinyourpocket。Shehopedtheywouldhaveaniceevening。

Shewassuretheywould，butshecouldnothelpthinkingwhatapityitwasAlphyandJoewerenotspeaking。Theywerealwaysfallingoutnow，butwhentheywereboystogethertheyusedtobethebestoffriends；butsuchwaslife。

ShegotoutofhertramatthePillarandferretedherwayquicklyamongthecrowds。ShewentintoDownes’scakeshopbuttheshopwassofullofpeoplethatitwasalongtimebeforeshecouldgetherselfattendedto。

Sheboughtadozenofmixedpennycakes，andatlastcameoutoftheshopladenwithabigbag。Thenshethoughtwhatelsewouldshebuy：shewantedtobuysomethingreallynice。Theywouldbesuretohaveplentyofapplesandnuts。Itwashardtoknowwhattobuyandallshecouldthinkofwascake。Shedecidedtobuysomeplumcake，butDownes’splumcakehadnotenoughalmondicingontopofit，soshewentovertoashopinHenryStreet。

Hereshewasalongtimeinsuitingherself，andthestylishyoungladybehindthecounter，whowasevidentlyalittleannoyedbyher，askedherwasitwedding-cakeshewantedtobuy。ThatmadeMariablushandsmileattheyounglady；buttheyoungladytookitallveryseriouslyandfinallycutathicksliceofplumcake，parcelleditupandsaid：

`Two-and-four，please。’

ShethoughtshewouldhavetostandintheDrumcondratrambecausenoneoftheyoungmenseemedtonoticeher，butanelderlygentlemanmaderoomforher。Hewasastoutgentlemanandheworeabrownhardhat；hehadasquareredfaceandagreyishmoustache。Mariathoughthewasacolonel-lookinggentlemanandshereflectedhowmuchmorepolitehewasthantheyoungmenwhosimplystaredstraightbeforethem。ThegentlemanbegantochatwithheraboutHallowEveandtherainyweather。Hesupposedthebagwasfullofgoodthingsforthelittleonesandsaiditwasonlyrightthattheyoungstersshouldenjoythemselveswhiletheywereyoung。Mariaagreedwithhimandfavouredhimwithdemurenodsandhems。Hewasverynicewithher，andwhenshewasgettingoutattheCanalBridgeshethankedhimandbowed，andhebowedtoherandraisedhishatandsmiledagreeably；andwhileshewasgoingupalongtheterrace，bendinghertinyheadundertherain，shethoughthoweasyitwastoknowagentlemanevenwhenhehasadroptaken。

Everybodysaid：`O，here’sMaria！’whenshecametoJoe’shouse。

Joewasthere，havingcomehomefrombusiness，andallthechildrenhadtheirSundaydresseson。Thereweretwobiggirlsinfromnextdoorandgamesweregoingon。Mariagavethebagofcakestotheeldestboy，Alphy，todivide，andMrsDonnellysaiditwastoogoodofhertobringsuchabigbagofcakes，andmadeallthechildrensay：

`Thanks，Maria。’

ButMariasaidshehadbroughtsomethingspecialforpapaandmamma，somethingtheywouldbesuretolike，andshebegantolookforherplumcake。

ShetriedinDownes’sbagandtheninthepocketsofherwaterproofandthenonthehallstand，butnowherecouldshefindit。Thensheaskedallthechildrenhadanyofthemeatenit-bymistake，ofcourse-butthechildrenallsaidnoandlookedasiftheydidnotliketoeatcakesiftheyweretobeaccusedofstealing。EverybodyhadasolutionforthemysteryandMrsDonnellysaiditwasplainthatMariahadleftitbehindherinthetram。Maria，rememberinghowconfusedthegentlemanwiththegreyishmoustachehadmadeher，colouredwithshameandvexationanddisappointment。

Atthethoughtofthefailureofherlittlesurpriseandofthetwoandfourpenceshehadthrownawayfornothingshenearlycriedoutright。