第5章

ButJoesaiditdidn’tmatterandmadehersitdownbythefire。Hewasverynicewithher。Hetoldherallthatwentoninhisoffice，repeatingforherasmartanswerwhichhehadmadetothemanager。MariadidnotunderstandwhyJoelaughedsomuchovertheanswerhehadmade，butshesaidthatthemanagermusthavebeenaveryoverbearingpersontodealwith。Joesaidhewasn’tsobadwhenyouknewhowtotakehim，thathewasadecentsortsolongasyoudidn’trubhimthewrongway。MrsDonnellyplayedthepianoforthechildrenandtheydancedandsang。Thenthetwonext-doorgirlshandedroundthenuts。Nobodycouldfindthenutcrackers，andJoewasnearlygettingcrossoveritandaskedhowdidtheyexpectMariatocracknutswithoutanutcracker。ButMariasaidshedidn’tlikenutsandthattheyweren’ttobotherabouther。ThenJoeaskedwouldshetakeabottleofstout，andMrsDonnellysaidtherewasportwinetoointhehouseifshewouldpreferthat。Mariasaidshewouldrathertheydidn’taskhertotakeanything：butJoeinsisted。

SoMarialethimhavehiswayandtheysatbythefiretalkingoveroldtimesandMariathoughtshewouldputinagoodwordforAlphy。ButJoecriedthatGodmightstrikehimstonedeadifeverhespokeawordtohisbrotheragainandMariasaidshewassorryshehadmentionedthematter。MrsDonnellytoldherhusbanditwasagreatshameforhimtospeakthatwayofhisownfleshandblood，butJoesaidthatAlphywasnobrotherofhisandtherewasnearlybeingarowontheheadofit。ButJoesaidhewouldnotlosehistemperonaccountofthenightitwas，andaskedhiswifetoopensomemorestout。Thetwonext-doorgirlshadarrangedsomeHallowEvegamesandsooneverythingwasmerryagain。MariawasdelightedtoseethechildrensomerryandJoeandhiswifeillsuchgoodspirits。

Thenext-doorgirlsputsomesaucersonthetableandthenledthechildrenuptothetable，blindfold。Onegottheprayer-bookandtheotherthreegotthewater；andwhenoneofthenext-doorgirlsgottheringMrsDonnellyshookherfingerattheblushinggirlasmuchastosay：O，Iknowallaboutit！TheyinsistedthenonblindfoldingMariaandleadingheruptothetabletoseewhatshewouldget；and，whiletheywereputtingonthebandage，Marialaughedandlaughedagaintillthetipofhernosenearlymetthetipofherchin。

Theyledheruptothetableamidlaughingandjoking，andsheputherhandoutintheairasshewastoldtodo。Shemovedherhandabouthereandthereintheairanddescendedononeofthesaucers。Shefeltasoftwetsubstancewithherfingersandwassurprisedthatnobodyspokeortookoffherbandage。Therewasapauseforafewseconds；andthenagreatdealofscufflingandwhispering。Somebodysaidsomethingaboutthegarden，andatlastMrsDonnellysaidsomethingverycrosstooneofthenext-doorgirlsandtoldhertothrowitoutatonce：thatwasnoplay。Mariaunderstoodthatitwaswrongthattimeandsoshehadtodoitoveragain：andthistimeshegottheprayer-book。

AfterthatMrsDonnellyplayedMissMcCloud’sReelforthechildren，andJoemadeMariatakeaglassofwine。Soontheywereallquitemerryagain，andMrsDonnellysaidMariawouldenteraconventbeforetheyearwasoutbecauseshehadgottheprayer-book。MariahadneverseenJoesonicetoheras-hewasthatnight，sofullofpleasanttalkandreminiscences。

Shesaidtheywereallverygoodtoher。

AtlastthechildrengrewtiredandsleepyandJoeaskedMariawouldshenotsingsomelittlesongbeforeshewent，oneoftheoldsongs。MrsDonnellysaid`Doplease，Maria！’andsoMariahadtogetupandstandbesidethepiano。MrsDonnellybadethechildrenbequietandlistentoMaria’ssong。Thensheplayedthepreludeandsaid`Now，Maria！’

andMaria，blushingverymuch，begantosinginatinyquaveringvoice。

Shesang`IDreamtthatIDwelt’，andwhenshecametothesecondverseshesangagain：IdreamtthatIdweltinmarblehallsWithvassalsandserfsatmyside，AndofallwhoassembledwithinthosewallsThatIwasthehopeandthepride。

Ihadrichestoogreattocount，couldboastOfahighancestralname，ButIalsodreamt，whichpleasedmemost，Thatyoulovedmestillthesame。Butnoonetriedtoshowherhermistake；andwhenshehadendedhersongJoewasverymuchmoved。HesaidthattherewasnotimelikethelongagoandnomusicforhimlikepooroldBalfe，whateverotherpeoplemightsay；

andhiseyesfilledupsomuchwithtearsthathecouldnotfindwhathewaslookingforandintheendhehadtoaskhiswifetotellhimwherethecorkscrewwas。

APainfulCase

MrJamesDuffylivedinChapelizodbecausehewishedtoliveasfaraspossiblefromthecityofwhichhewasacitizenandbecausehefoundalltheothersuburbsofDublinmean，modern，andpretentious。Helivedinanoldsombrehouse，andfromhiswindowshecouldlookintothedisuseddistilleryorupwardsalongtheshallowriveronwhichDublinisbuilt。

Theloftywallsofhisuncarpetedroomwerefreefrompictures。Hehadhimselfboughteveryarticleoffurnitureintheroom：ablackironbedstead，anironwash-stand，fourcanechairs，aclothes-rack，acoal-scuttle，afenderandirons，andasquaretableonwhichlayadoubledesk。Abookcasehadbeenmadeinanalcovebymeansofshelvesofwhitewood。Thebedwasclothedwithwhitebedclothesandablackandscarletrugcoveredthefoot。

Alittlehand-mirrorhungabovethewash-standandduringthedayawhite-shadedlampstoodasthesoleornamentofthemantelpiece。Thebooksonthewhitewoodenshelveswerearrangedfrombelowupwardsaccordingtobulk。AcompleteWordsworthstoodatoneendofthelowestshelfandacopyoftheMaynoothCatechism，sewnintotheclothcoverofanotebook，stoodatoneendofthetopshelf。Writingmaterialswerealwaysonthedesk。InthedesklayamanuscripttranslationofHauptmann’sMichaelKramer，thestagedirectionsofwhichwerewritteninpurpleink，andalittlesheafofpapersheldtogetherbyabrasspin。Inthesesheetsasentencewasinscribedfromtimetotimeand，inanironicalmoment，theheadlineofanadvertisementforBileBeanshadbeenpastedontothefirstsheet。Onliftingthelidofthedeskafaintfragranceescaped-thefragranceofnewcedar-woodpencilsorabottleofgumorofanover-ripeapplewhichmighthavebeenleftthereandforgotten。

MrDuffyabhorredanythingwhichbetokenedphysicalormentaldisorder。

Amedievaldoctorwouldhavecalledhimsaturnine。Hisface，whichcarriedtheentiretaleofhisyears，wasofthebrowntintofDublinstreets。

Onhislongandratherlargeheadgrewdryblackhair，andatawnymoustachedidnotquitecoveranunamiablemouth。Hischeekbonesalsogavehisfaceaharshcharacter；buttherewasnoharshnessintheeyeswhich，lookingattheworldfromundertheirtawnyeyebrows，gavetheimpressionofamaneveralerttogreetaredeeminginstinctinothersbutoftendisappointed。

Helivedatalittledistancefromhisbody，regardinghisownactswithdoubtfulside-glances。Hehadanoddautobiographicalhabitwhichledhimtocomposeinhismindfromtimetotimeashortsentenceabouthimselfcontainingasubjectinthethirdpersonandapredicateinthepasttense。

Henevergaveaimstobeggars，andwalkedfirmly，carryingastouthazel。

HehadbeenformanyyearscashierofaprivatebankinBaggotStreet。

EverymorninghecameinfromChapelizodbytram。AtmiddayhewenttoDanBurke’sandtookhislunchabottleoflagerbeerandasmalltrayfulofarrowrootbiscuits。Atfouro’clockhewassetfree。Hedinedinaneating-houseinGeorge’sStreetwherehefelthimselfsafefromthesocietyofDublin’sgildedyouthandwheretherewasacertainplainhonestyinthebilloffare。Hiseveningswerespenteitherbeforehislandlady’spianoorroamingabouttheoutskirtsofthecity。HislikingforMozart’smusicbroughthimsometimestoanoperaoraconcert：theseweretheonlydissipationsofhislife。

Hehadneithercompanionsnorfriends，churchnorcreed。Helivedhisspirituallifewithoutanycommunionwithothers，visitinghisrelativesatChristmasandescortingthemtothecemeterywhentheydied。Heperformedthesetwosocialdutiesforolddignity’ssake，butconcedednothingfurthertotheconventionswhichregulatetheciviclife。Heallowedhimselftothinkthatincertaincircumstanceshewouldrobhisbankbut，asthesecircumstancesneverarose，hisliferolledoutevenly-anadventurelesstale。

OneeveninghefoundhimselfsittingbesidetwoladiesintheRotunda。

Thehouse，thinlypeopledandsilent，gavedistressingprophecyoffailure。

Theladywhosatnexthimlookedroundatthedesertedhouseonceortwiceandthensaid：

`Whatapitythereissuchapoorhousetonight！It’ssohardonpeopletohavetosingtoemptybenches。’

Hetooktheremarkasaninvitationtotalk。Hewassurprisedthatsheseemedsolittleawkward。Whiletheytalkedhetriedtofixherpermanentlyinhismemory。Whenhelearnedthattheyounggirlbesideherwasherdaughterhejudgedhertobeayearorsoyoungerthanhimself。Herface，whichmusthavebeenhandsome，hadremainedintelligent。Itwasanovalfacewithstronglymarkedfeatures。Theeyeswereverydarkblueandsteady。

Theirgazebeganwithadefiantnote，butwasconfusedbywhatseemedadeliberateswoonofthepupilintotheiris，revealingforaninstantatemperamentofgreatsensibility。Thepupilreasserteditselfquickly，thishalf-disclosednaturefellagainunderthereignofprudence，andherastrakhanjacket，mouldingabosomofacertainfullness，struckthenoteofdefiancemoredefinitely。

HemetheragainafewweeksafterwardsataconcertinEarlsfortTerraceandseizedthemomentswhenherdaughter’sattentionwasdivertedtobecomeintimate。Shealludedonceortwicetoherhusband，buthertonewasnotsuchastomaketheallusionawarning。HernamewasMrsSinico。Herhusband’sgreat-great-grandfatherhadcomefromLeghorn。HerhusbandwascaptainofamercantileboatplyingbetweenDublinandHolland；andtheyhadonechild。

Meetingherathirdtimebyaccident，hefoundcouragetomakeanappointment。

Shecame。Thiswasthefirstofmanymeetings；theymetalwaysintheeveningandchosethemostquietquartersfortheirwalkstogether。MrDuffy，however，hadadistasteforunderhandwaysand，findingthattheywerecompelledtomeetstealthily，heforcedhertoaskhimtoherhouse。CaptainSinicoencouragedhisvisits，thinkingthathisdaughter’shandwasinquestion。

Hehaddismissedhiswifesosincerelyfromhisgalleryofpleasuresthathedidnotsuspectthatanyoneelsewouldtakeaninterestinher。Asthehusbandwasoftenawayandthedaughteroutgivingmusiclessons，MrDuffyhadmanyopportunitiesofenjoyingthelady’ssociety。Neitherhenorshehadhadanysuchadventurebeforeandneitherwasconsciousofanyincongruity。

Littlebylittleheentangledhisthoughtswithhers。Helentherbooks，providedherwithideas，sharedhisintellectuallifewithher。Shelistenedtoall。

Sometimesinreturnforhistheoriesshegaveoutsomefactofherownlife。Withalmostmaternalsolicitudesheurgedhimtolethisnatureopentothefull：shebecamehisconfessor。HetoldherthatforsometimehehadassistedatthemeetingsofanIrishSocialistParty，wherehehadfelthimselfauniquefigureamidstascoreofsoberworkmeninagarretlitbyaninefficientoil-lamp。Whenthepartyhaddividedintothreesections，eachunderitsownleaderandinitsowngarret，hehaddiscontinuedhisattendances。Theworkmen’sdiscussions，hesaid，weretootimorous；theinteresttheytookinthequestionofwageswasinordinate。Hefeltthattheywerehard-featuredrealistsandthattheyresentedanexactitudewhichwastheproduceofaleisurenotwithintheirreach。Nosocialrevolution，hetoldher，wouldbelikelytostrikeDublinforsomecenturies。

Sheaskedhimwhydidhenotwriteouthisthoughts。Forwhat？heaskedher，withcarefulscorn。Tocompetewithphrasemongers，incapableofthinkingconsecutivelyforsixtyseconds？Tosubmithimselftothecriticismsofanobtusemiddleclasswhichentrusteditsmoralitytopolicemenanditsfineartstoimpresarios？

HewentoftentoherlittlecottageoutsideDublin；oftentheyspenttheireveningsalone。Littlebylittle，astheirthoughtsentangled，theyspokeofsubjectslessremote。Hercompanionshipwaslikeawarmsoilaboutanexotic。Manytimessheallowedthedarktofalluponthem，refrainingfromlightingthelamp。Thedarkdiscreetroom，theirisolation，themusicthatstillvibratedintheirearsunitedthem。Thisunionexaltedhim，woreawaytheroughedgesofhischaracter，emotionalizedhismentallife。

Sometimeshecaughthimselflisteningtothesoundofhisownvoice。Hethoughtthatinhereyeshewouldascendtoanangelicalstature；and，asheattachedtheferventnatureofhiscompanionmoreandmorecloselytohim，heheardthestrangeimpersonalvoicewhichherecognizedashisown，insistingonthesoul’Sincurableloneliness。Wecannotgiveourselves，itsaid：weareourown。Theendofthesediscourseswasthatonenight，duringwhichshehadshowneverysignofunusualexcitement，MrsSinicocaughtuphishandpassionatelyandpressedittohercheek。

MrDuffywasverymuchsurprised。Herinterpretationofhiswordsdisillusionedhim。Hedidnotvisitherforaweek；thenhewrotetoheraskinghertomeethim。AshedidnotwishtheirlastinterviewtobetroubledbytheinfluenceoftheirruinedconfessionaltheymetinalittlecakeshopneartheParkgate。Itwascoldautumnweather，butinspiteofthecoldtheywanderedupanddowntheroadsoftheParkfornearlythreehours。Theyagreedtobreakofftheirintercourse：everybond，hesaid，isabondtosorrow。WhentheycameoutoftheParktheywalkedinsilencetowardsthetram；buthereshebegantotremblesoviolentlythat，fearinganothercollapseonherpart，hebadehergood-byequicklyandlefther。Afewdayslaterhereceivedaparcelcontaininghisbooksandmusic。

Fouryearspassed。MrDuffyreturnedtohisevenwayoflife。Hisroomstillborewitnessoftheorderlinessofhismind。Somenewpiecesofmusicencumberedthemusic-standinthelowerroomandonhisshelvesstoodtwovolumesbyNietzsche：ThusSpakeZarathustraandTheGayScience。

Hewroteseldominthesheafofpaperswhichlayinhisdesk。Oneofhissentences，writtentwomonthsafterhislastinterviewwithMrsSinico，read：Lovebetweenmanandwomanisimpossiblebecausetheremustnotbesexualintercourse，andfriendshipbetweenmanandwomanisimpossiblebecausetheremustbesexualintercourse。Hekeptawayfromconcertslestheshouldmeether。Hisfatherdied；thejuniorpartnerofthebankretired。

AndstilleverymorninghewentintothecitybytramandeveryeveningwalkedhomefromthecityafterhavingdinedmoderatelyinGeorge’sStreetandreadtheeveningpaperfordessert。

Oneeveningashewasabouttoputamorselofcornedbeefandcabbageintohismouthhishandstopped。Hiseyesfixedthemselvesonaparagraphintheeveningpaperwhichhehadproppedagainstthewater-carafe。Hereplacedthemorseloffoodonhisplateandreadtheparagraphattentively。

Thenhedrankaglassofwater，pushedhisplatetooneside，doubledthepaperdownbeforehimbetweenhiselbowsandreadtheparagraphoverandoveragain。Thecabbagebegantodepositacoldwhitegreaseonhisplate。

Thegirlcameovertohimtoaskwashisdinnernotproperlycooked。Hesaiditwasverygoodandateafewmouthfulsofitwithdifficulty。Thenhepaidhisbillandwentout。

HewalkedalongquicklythroughtheNovembertwilight，hisstouthazelstickstrikingthegroundregularly，thefringeofthebuffMailpeepingoutofaside-pocketofhistightreeferovercoat。OnthelonelyroadwhichleadsfromtheParkgatetoChapelizodheslackenedhispace。

Hisstickstruckthegroundlessemphatically，andhisbreath，issuingirregularly，almostwithasighingsound，condensedinthewintryair。

Whenhereachedhishousehewentupatoncetohisbedroomand，takingthepaperfromhispocket，readtheparagraphagainbythefailinglightofthewindow。Hereaditnotaloud，butmovinghislipsasapriestdoeswhenhereadstheprayersSecreto。Thiswastheparagraph：DEATHOFALADYATSYDNEYPARADE

APAINFULCASE

TodayattheCityofDublinHospitaltheDeputyCoroner（intheabsenceofMrLeverett）heldaninquestonthebodyofMrsEmilySinico，agedforty-threeyears，whowaskilledatSydneyParadeStationyesterdayevening。Theevidenceshowedthatthedeceasedlady，whileattemptingtocrosstheline，wasknockeddownbytheengineoftheteno’clockslowtrainfromKingstown，therebysustaininginjuriesoftheheadandrightsidewhichledtoherdeath。

JamesLennon，driveroftheengine，statedthathehadbeenintheemploymentoftherailwaycompanyforfifteenyears。Onhearingtheguard’swhistlehesetthetraininmotionandasecondortwoafterwardsbroughtittorestinresponsetoloudcries。Thetrainwasgoingslowly。

P。Dunne，railwayporter，statedthatasthetrainwasabouttostartheobservedawomanattemptingtocrossthelines。Herantowardsherandshouted，but，beforehecouldreachher，shewascaughtbythebufferoftheengineandfelltotheground。

Ajuror。`Yousawtheladyfall？’

Witness。`Yes。’

Police-SergeantCrolydeposedthatwhenhearrivedhefoundthedeceasedlyingontheplatformapparentlydead。Heha-thebodytakentothewaiting-roompendingthearrivaloftheambulance。

Constable57corroborated。

DrHalpin，assistanthouse-surgeonoftheCityofDublinHospital，statedthatthedeceasedhadtwolowerribsfracturedandhadsustainedseverecontusionsoftherightshoulder。Therightsideoftheheadhadbeeninjuredinthefall。Theinjurieswerenotsufficienttohavecauseddeathinanormalperson。Death，inhisopinion，hadbeenprobablyduetoshockandsuddenfailureoftheheart’saction。

MrH。B。PattersonFinlay，onbehalfoftherailwaycompany，expressedhisdeepregretattheaccident。Thecompanyhadalwaystakeneveryprecautiontopreventpeoplecrossingthelinesexceptbythebridges，bothbyplacingnoticesineverystationandbytheuseofpatentspringgatesatlevelcrossings。Thedeceasedhadbeeninthehabitofcrossingthelineslateatnightfromplatformtoplatformand，inviewofcertainothercircumstancesofthecase，hedidnotthinktherailwayofficialsweretoblame。

CaptainSinico，ofLeoville，SydneyParade，husbandofthedeceased，alsogaveevidence。Hestatedthatthedeceasedwashiswife。HewasnotinDublinatthetimeoftheaccidentashehadarrivedonlythatmorningfromRotterdam。Theyhadbeenmarriedfortwenty-twoyearsandhadlivedhappilyuntilabouttwoyearsago，whenhiswifebegantoberatherintemperateinherhabits。

MissMarySinicosaidthatoflatehermotherhadbeeninthehabitofgoingoutatnighttobuyspirits。She，witness，hadoftentriedtoreasonwithhermotherandhadinducedhertojoinaLeague。Shewasnotathomeuntilanhouraftertheaccident。

ThejuryreturnedaverdictinaccordancewiththemedicalevidenceandexoneratedLennonfromallblame。

TheDeputy-Coronersaiditwasamostpainfulcase，andexpressedgreatsympathywithCaptainSinicoandhisdaughter。Heurgedontherailwaycompanytotakestrongmeasurestopreventthepossibilityofsimilaraccidentsinthefuture。Noblameattachedtoanyone。MrDuffyraisedhiseyesfromthepaperandgazedoutofhiswindowonthecheerlesseveninglandscape。TheriverlayquietbesidetheemptydistilleryandfromtimetotimealightappearedinsomehouseontheLucanroad。

Whatanend！Thewholenarrativeofherdeathrevoltedhimanditrevoltedhimtothinkthathehadeverspokentoherofwhatheheldsacred。Thethreadbarephrases，theinaneexpressionsofsympathy，thecautiouswordsofareporterwonovertoconcealthedetailsofacommonplacevulgardeathattackedhisstomach。Notmerelyhadshedegradedherself；shehaddegradedhim。Hesawthesqualidtractofhervice，miserableandmalodorous。Hissoul’scompanion！Hethoughtofthehobblingwretcheswhomhehadseencarryingcansandbottlestobefilledbythebarman。

JustGod，whatanend！Evidentlyshehadbeenunfittolive，withoutanystrengthofpurpose，aneasypreytohabits，oneofthewrecksonwhichcivilizationhasbeenreared。Butthatshecouldhavesunksolow！Wasitpossiblehehaddeceivedhimselfsoutterlyabouther？Herememberedheroutburstofthatnightandinterpreteditinaharshersensethanhehadeverdone。Hehadnodifficultynowinapprovingofthecoursehehadtaken。

Asthelightfailedandhismemorybegantowanderhethoughtherhandtouchedhis。Theshockwhichhadfirstattackedhisstomachwasnowattackinghisnerves。Heputonhisovercoatandhatquicklyandwentout。Thecoldairmethimonthethreshold；itcreptintothesleevesofhiscoat。Whenhecametothepublic-houseatChapelizodBridgehewentinandorderedahotpunch。

Theproprietorservedhimobsequiouslybutdidnotventuretotalk。

Therewerefiveorsixworking-menintheshopdiscussingthevalueofagentleman’sestateinCountyKildare。Theydrankatintervalsfromtheirhugepinttumblersandsmoked，spittingoftenonthefloorandsometimesdraggingthesawdustovertheirspitswiththeirheavyboots。MrDuffysatonhisstoolandgazedatthemwithoutseeingorhearingthem。Afterawhiletheywentoutandhecalledforanotherpunch。Hesatalongtimeoverit。Theshopwasveryquiet。TheproprietorsprawledonthecounterreadingtheHeraldandyawning。Nowandagainatramwasheardswishingalongthelonelyroadoutside。

Ashesatthere，livingoverhislifewithherandevokingalternatelythetwoimagesinwhichhenowconceivedher，herealizedthatshewasdead，thatshehadceasedtoexist，thatshehadbecomeamemory。Hebegantofeelillatease。Heaskedhimselfwhatelsecouldhehavedone。Hecouldnothavecarriedonacomedyofdeceptionwithher；hecouldnothavelivedwithheropenly。Hehaddonewhatseemedtohimbest。Howwashetoblame？Nowthatshewasgoneheunderstoodhowlonelyherlifemusthavebeen，sittingnightafternight，aloneinthatroom。Hislifewouldbelonelytoountilhe，too，died，ceasedtoexist，becameamemory-ifanyonerememberedhim。

Itwasafternineo’clockwhenhelefttheshop。Thenightwascoldandgloomy。HeenteredtheParkbythefirstgateandwalkedalongunderthegaunttrees。Hewalkedthroughthebleakalleyswheretheyhadwalkedfouryearsbefore。Sheseemedtobenearhiminthedarkness。Atmomentsheseemedtofeelhervoicetouchhisear，herhandtouchhis。Hestoodstilltolisten。Whyhadhewithheldlifefromher？Whyhadhesentencedhertodeath？Hefelthismoralnaturefallingtopieces。

WhenhegainedthecrestoftheMagazineHillhehaltedandlookedalongtherivertowardsDublin，thelightsofwhichburnedredlyandhospitablyinthecoldnight。Helookeddowntheslopeand，atthebase，intheshadowofthewallofthePark，hesawsomehumanfigureslying。Thosevenalandfurtivelovesfilledhimwithdespair。Hegnawedtherectitudeofhislife；

hefeltthathehadbeenoutcastfromlife’sfeast。Onehumanbeinghadseemedtolovehimandhehaddeniedherlifeandhappiness：hehadsentencedhertoignominy，adeathOfshame。Heknewthattheprostratecreaturesdownbythewallwerewatchinghimandwishedhimgone。Noonewantedhim；

hewasoutcastfromlife’sfeast。Heturnedhiseyestothegreygleamingriver，windingalongtowardsDublin。BeyondtheriverhesawagoodstrainwindingoutofKingsbridgeStation，likeawormwithafieryheadwindingthroughthedarkness，obstinatelyandlaboriously。Itpassedslowlyoutofsight；butstillheheardinhisearsthelaboriousdroneoftheenginereiteratingthesyllablesofhername。

Heturnedbackthewayhehadcome，therhythmoftheenginepoundinginhisears。Hebegantodoubttherealityofwhatmemorytoldhim。Hehaltedunderatreeandallowedtherhythmtodieaway。Hecouldnotfeelhernearhiminthedarknessnorhervoicetouchhisear。Hewaitedforsomeminuteslistening。Hecouldhearnothing：thenightwasperfectlysilent。Helistenedagain：perfectlysilent。Hefeltthathewasalone。

IvyDayInTheCommitteeRoom

OldJackrakedthecinderstogetherwithapieceofcardboardandspreadthemjudiciouslyoverthewhiteningdomeofcoals。Whenthedomewasthinlycoveredhisfacelapsedintodarknessbut，ashesethimselftofanthefireagain，hiscrouchingshadowascendedtheoppositewallandhisfaceslowlyre-emergedintolight。Itwasanoldman’sface，verybonyandhairy。

Themoistblueeyesblinkedatthefireandthemoistmouthfellopenattimes，munchingonceortwicemechanicallywhenitclosed。Whenthecindershadcaughthelaidthepieceofcardboardagainstthewall，sighedandsaid：

`That’sbetternow，MrO’Connor。’

MrO’Connor，agrey-hairedyoungman，whosefacewasdisfiguredbymanyblotchesandpimples，hadjustbroughtthetobaccoforacigaretteintoashapelycylinder，butwhenspokentoheundidhishandiworkmeditatively。

Thenhebegantorollthetobaccoagainmeditativelyandafteramoment’sthoughtdecidedtolickthepaper。

`DidMrTierneysaywhenhe’dbeback？’heaskedinahuskyfalsetto。

`Hedidn’tsay。’

MrO’Connorputhiscigaretteintohismouthandbegantosearchhispockets。Hetookoutapackofthinpasteboardcards。

`I’llgetyouamatch，’saidtheoldman。

`Nevermind，this’lldo，’saidMrO’Connor。

Heselectedoneofthecardsandreadwhatwasprintedonit：MUNICIPALELECTIONS

ROYALEXCHANGEWARD

MrRichardJ。Tierney，P。L。G。，respectfullySolicitsthefavourofyourvoteandinfluenceatthecomingelectionintheRoyalExchangeWard。MrO’ConnorhadbeenengagedbyTierney’sagenttocanvassonepartofthewardbut，astheweatherwasinclementandhisbootsletinthewet，hespentagreatpartofthedaysittingbythefireintheCommitteeRoominWicklowStreetwithJack，theoldcaretaker。Theyhadbeensittingthussincetheshortdayhadgrowndark。ItwasthesixthofOctober，dismalandcoldoutofdoors。

MrO’Connortoreastripoffthecardand，lightingit，lithiscigarette。

Ashedidsotheflamelitupaleafofdarkglossyivyinthelapelofhiscoat。Theoldmanwatchedhimattentivelyandthen，takingupthepieceofcardboardagain，begantofanthefireslowlywhilehiscompanionsmoked。

`Ah，yes，’hesaid，continuing，`it’shardtoknowwhatwaytobringupchildren。Nowwho’dthinkhe’dturnoutlikethat！IsenthimtotheChristianBrothersandIdonewhatIcouldforhim，andtherehegoesboozingabout。Itriedtomakehimsomewhatdecent。’

Hereplacedthecardboardwearily。

`OnlyI’manoldmannowI’dchangehistuneforhim。I’dta&；ethesticktohisbackandbeathimwhileIcouldstandoverhim-asIdonemanyatimebefore。Themotheryouknow，shecockshimupwiththisandthat……’

`That’swhatruinschildren，’saidMrO’Connor。

`Tobesureitis，’saidtheoldman。`Andlittlethanksyougetforit，onlyimpudence。Hetakesth’upperhandofmewheneverheseesI’veasuptaken。What’stheworldcomingtowhensonsspeaksthatwaytotheirfathers？’

`Whatageishe？’saidMrO’Connor。

`Nineteen，’saidtheoldman。

`Whydon’tyouputhimtosomething？’

`Sure，amn’tIneverdoneatthedrunkenbowsyeversinceheleftschool？

"Iwon’tkeepyou，"Isays。"Youmustgetajobforyourself。"But，sureit’sworsewheneverhegetsajob；hedrinksitall。’

MrO’Connorshookhisheadinsympathy，andtheoldmanfellsilent，gazingintothefire。Someoneopenedthedooroftheroomandcalledout：

`Hello！IsthisaFreemasons’meeting？’

`Who’sthat？’saidtheoldman。

`Whatareyoudoinginthedark？’askedavoice。

`Isthatyou，Hynes？’askedMrO’Connor。

`Yes。Whatareyoudoinginthedark？’SaidMrHynes，advancingintothelightofthefire。

Hewasatall，Slenderyoungmanwithalightbrownmoustache。Imminentlittledropsofrainhungatthebrimofhishatandthecollarofhisjacket-coatwasturnedup。

`Well，Mat，’hesaidtoMrO’Connor，`howgoesit？’

MrO’Connorshookhishead。Theoldmanleftthehearth，andafterstumblingabouttheroomreturnedwithtwocandlestickswhichhethrustoneaftertheotherintothefireandcarriedtothetable。Adenudedroomcameintoviewandthefirelostallitscheerfulcolour。Thewallsoftheroomwerebareexceptforacopyofanelectionaddress。Inthemiddleoftheroomwasasmalltableonwhichpaperswereheaped。

MrHynesleanedagainstthemantelpieceandasked：

`Hashepaidyouyet？’

`Notyet，’saidMrO’Connor。`IhopetoGodhe’llnotleaveusinthelurchtonight。’

MrHyneslaughed。

`O，he’llpayyou。Neverfear，’hesaid。

`Ihopehe’lllooksmartaboutitifhemeansbusiness，’saidMrO’Connor。

`Whatdoyouthink，Jack？’saidMrHynessatiricallytotheoldman。

Theoldmanreturnedtohisseatbythefire，saying：

`Itisn’tbuthehasit，anyway。Notliketheothertinker。’

`Whatothertinker？’saidMrHynes。

`Colgan，’saidtheoldmanscornfully。

`ItisbecauseColgan’saworking-manyousaythat？What’sthedifferencebetweenagoodhonestbricklayerandapublican-eh？Hasn’ttheworking-manasgoodarighttobeintheCorporationasanyoneelse-ay，andabetterrightthanthoseshoneensthatarealwayshatinhandbeforeanyfellowwithahandletohisname？Isn’tthatso，Mat？’saidMrHynes，addressingMrO’Connor。

`Ithinkyou’reright，’saidMrO’Connor。

`Onemanisaplainhonestmanwithnohunker-slidingabouthim。Hegoesintorepresentthelabourclasses。Thisfellowyou’reworkingforonlywantstogetsomejoborother。’

`Ofcourse，theworking-classesshouldberepresented，’saidtheoldman。

`Theworking-man，’saidMrHynes，`getsallkicksandnohalfpence。

Butit’slabourproduceseverything。Theworking-manisnotlookingforfatjobsforhissonsandnephewsandcousins。Theworking-manisnotgoingtodragthehonourofDublininthemudtopleaseaGermanmonarch。’

`How’sthat？’saidtheoldman。

`Don’tyouknowtheywanttopresentanaddressofwelcometoEdwardRexifhecomesherenextyear？Whatdowewantkowtowingtoaforeignking？’

`Ourmanwon’tvotefortheaddress，’saidMrO’Connor。`HegoesinontheNationalistticket。’

`Won’the？’saidMrHynes。`Waittillyouseewhetherhewillornot。

Iknowhim。IsitTrickyDickyTierney？’

`ByGod！perhapsyou’reright，Joe，’saidMrO’Connor。`Anyway，Iwishhe’dturnupwiththespondulicks。’

Thethreemenfellsilent。Theoldmanbegantorakemorecinderstogether。

MrHynestookoffhishat，shookitandthenturneddownthecollarofhiscoat，displaying，ashedidso，anivyleafinthelapel。

`Ifthismanwasalive，’hesaid，pointingtotheleaf，`we’dhavenotalkofanaddressofwelcome。’

`That’strue，’saidMrO’Connor。

`Musha，Godbewiththemtimes！’saidtheoldman。`Therewassomelifeinitthen。’

Theroomwassilentagain。Thenabustlinglittlemanwithasnufflingnoseandverycoldearspushedinthedoor。Hewalkedoverquicklytothefire，rubbinghishandsasifheintendedtoproduceasparkfromthem。

`Nomoney，boys，’hesaid。

`Sitdownhere，MrHenchy，’saidtheoldman，offeringhimhischair。

`O，don’tstir，Jack，don’tstir，’saidMrHenchy。

HenoddedcurtlytoMrHynesandsatdownonthechairwhichtheoldmanvacated。

`DidyouserveAungierStreet？’heaskedMrO’Connor。

`Yes，’saidMrO’Connor，beginningtosearchhispocketsformemoranda。

`DidyoucallonGrimes？’

`Idid。’

`Well？Howdoeshestand？’

`Hewouldn’tpromise。Hesaid："Iwon’ttellanyonewhatwayI’mgoingtovote。"ButIthinkhe’llbeallright。’

`Whyso？’

`Heaskedmewhothenominatorswere；andItoldhim，ImentionedFatherBurke’sname。Ithinkit’llbeallright。’

MrHenchybegantosnuffleandtorubhishandsoverthefireataterrificspeed。Thenhesaid：

`FortheloveofGod，Jack，bringusabitofcoal。Theremustbesomeleft。’

Theoldmanwentoutoftheroom。

`It’snogo，’saidMrHenchy，shakinghishead。`Iaskedthelittleshoeboy，buthesaid："O，now，MrHenchy，whenIseetheworkgoingonproperlyIwon’tforgetyou，youmaybesure。"Meanlittletinker！’Usha，howcouldhebeanythingelse？’

`WhatdidItellyou，Mat？’saidMrHynes。`TrickyDickyTierney。’

`O，he’sastrickyastheymake`em，’saidMrHenchy。`Hehasn’tgotthoselittlepig’seyesfornothing。Blasthissoul！Couldn’thepayuplikeamaninsteadof："O，nowMrHenchy，ImustspeaktoMrFanning……

I’vespentalotofmoney。"Meanlittleschoolboyofhell！Isupposeheforgetsthetimehislittleoldfatherkeptthehand-me-downshopinMary’sLane。’

`Butisthatafact？’askedMrO’Connor。

`God，yes，’saidMrHenchy。`Didyouneverhearthat？AndthemenusedtogoinonSundaymorningbeforethehouseswereopentobuyawaistcoatoratrousers-moya！ButTrickyDicky’slittleoldfatheralwayshadatrickylittleblackbottleupinacorner。Doyoumindnow？That’sthat。

That’swherehefirstsawthelight。’

Theoldmanreturnedwithafewlumpsofcoalwhichheplacedhereandthereonthefire。

`That’sanicehow-do-you-do，’saidMrO’Connor。`Howdoesheexpectustoworkforhimifhewon’tstumpup？’

`Ican’thelpit，’saidMrHenchy。`IexpecttofindthebailiffsinthehallwhenIgohome。’

MrHyneslaughedand，shovinghimselfawayfromthemantelpiecewiththeaidofhisshoulders，madereadytoleave。

`It’llbeallrightwhenKingEddiecomes，’hesaid。`Well，boys，I’moffforthepresent。Seeyoulater。`Bye，’bye。’

Hewentoutoftheroomslowly。NeitherMrHenchynortheoldmansaidanything，but，justasthedoorwasclosing，MrO’Connor，whohadbeenstaringmoodilyintothefire，calledoutsuddenly：

`’Bye，Joe。’

MrHenchywaitedafewmomentsandthennoddedinthedirectionofthedoor。

`Tellme，’hesaidacrossthefire，`whatbringsourfriendinhere？

Whatdoeshewant？’

`’Usha，poorJoel’saidMrO’Connor，throwingtheendofhiscigaretteintothefire，`he’shardup，liketherestofus。’

MrHenchysnuffledvigorouslyandspatsocopiouslythathenearlyputoutthefire，whichutteredahissingprotest。

`Totellyoumyprivateandcandidopinion，’hesaid。`Ithinkhe’samanfromtheothercamp。He’saspyofColgan’s，ifyouaskme。Justgoroundandtryandfindouthowthey’regettingon。Theywon’tsuspectyou。Doyoutwig？’

`Ah，poorJoeisadecentskin，’saidMrO’Connor。

`Hisfatherwasadecent，respectableman，’MrHenchyadmitted。`PooroldLarryHynes！Manyagoodturnhedidinhisday！ButI’mgreatlyafraidourfriendisnotnineteencarat。Damnit，Icanunderstandafellowbeinghardup，butwhatIcan’tunderstandisafellowsponging。Couldn’thehavesomesparkofmanhoodabouthim？’

`Hedoesn’tgetawarmwelcomefrommewhenhecomes，saidtheoldman。

`Lethimworkforhisownsideandnotcomespyingaroundhere。’

`Idon’tknow，’saidMrO’Connordubiously，ashetookoutcigarette-papersandtobacco。`IthinkJoeHynesisastraightman。He’sacleverchap，too，withthepen。Doyourememberthatthinghewrote……？’

`Someofthesehillsidersandfeniansareabittoocleverifyouaskme，’saidMrHenchy。`Doyouknowwhatmyprivateandcandidopinionisaboutsomeofthoselittlejokers？IbelievehalfofthemareinthepayoftheCastle。’

`There’snoknowing，’saidtheoldman。

`O，butIknowitforafact，’saidMrHenchy。`They’reCastlehacks……

Idon’tsayHynes……No，damnit，Ithinkhe’sastrokeabovethat……Butthere’sacertainlittlenoblemanwithacock-eye-youknowthepatriotI’malludingto？’

MrO’Connornodded。

`There’salinealdescendantofMajorSirrforyouifyoulike！O，theheart’sbloodofapatriot！That’safellownowthat’dsellhiscountryforfourpence-ay-andgodownonhisbendedkneesandthanktheAlmightyChristhehadacountrytosell。’

Therewasaknockatthedoor。

`Comein！’saidMrHenchy。

Apersonresemblingapoorclergymanorapooractorappearedinthedoorway。Hisblackclothesweretightlybuttonedonhisshortbodyanditwasimpossibletosaywhetherheworeaclergyman’scollaroralayman’s，becausethecollarofhisshabbyfrock-coat，theuncoveredbuttonsofwhichreflectedthecandle-light，wasturnedupabouthisneck。Heworearoundhatofhardblackfelt。Hisface，shiningwithraindrops，hadtheappearanceofdampyellowcheesesavewheretworosyspotsindicatedthecheek-bones。

Heopenedhisverylongmouthsuddenlytoexpressdisappointmentandatthesametimeopenedwidehisverybrightblueeyestoexpresspleasureandsurprise。

`O，FatherKeon！’saidMrHenchy，jumpingupfromhischair。`Isthatyou？Comein！’

`O，no，no，no，’saidFatherKeonquickly，pursinghislipsasifhewereaddressingachild。

`Won’tyoucomeinandsitdown？’

`No，no，no！’saidFatherKeon，speakinginadiscreet，indulgent，velvetyvoice。`Don’tletmedisturbyounow！I’mjustlookingforMrFanning……

’

`He’sroundattheBlackEagle，’saidMrHenchy。`Butwon’tyoucomeinandsitdownaminute？’

`No，no，thankyou。Itwasjustalittlebusinessmatter，saidFatherKeon。`Thankyou，indeed。’

HeretreatedfromthedoorwayandMrHenchy，seizingoneofthecandlesticks，wenttothedoortolighthimdownstairs。

`O，don’ttrouble，Ibeg！’

`No，butthestairsissodark。’

`No，no，Icansee……Thankyou，indeed。’

`Areyourightnow？’

`Allright，thanks……Thanks。’

MrHenchyreturnedwiththecandlestickandputitonthetable。Hesatdownagainatthefire。Therewassilenceforafewmoments。

`Tellme，John，’saidMrO’Connor，lightinghiscigarettewithanotherpasteboardcard。

`Hm？’

`Whatisheexactly？’

`Askmeaneasierone，’saidMrHenchy。

`Fanningandhimselfseemtomeverythick。They’reofteninKavanagh’stogether。Isheapriestatall？’

`Mmmyes，Ibelieveso……Ithinkhe’swhatyoucallablacksheep。Wehaven’tmanyofthem，thankGod！butwehaveafew……He’sanunfortunatemanofsomekind……’

`Andhowdoesheknockitout？’askedMrO’Connor。

`That’sanothermystery。’

`Isheattachedtoanychapelorchurchorinstitutionor——’

`No，’saidMrHenchy，`Ithinkhe’stravellingonhisownaccount……

Godforgiveme，’headded，`Ithoughthewasthedozenofstout。’

`Isthereanychanceofadrinkitself？’askedMrO’Connor。

`I’mdrytoo，’saidtheoldman。

`Iaskedthatlittleshoeboythreetimes，’saidMrHenchy，wouldhesendupadozenofstout。Iaskedhimagainnow，buthewasleaningonthecounterinhisshirt-sleeveshavingadeepgosterwithAldermanCowley。

`Whydidn’tyouremindhim？’saidMrO’Connor。

`Well，Iwouldn’tgooverwhilehewastalkingtoAldermanCowley。I

justwaitedtillIcaughthiseye，andsaid："AboutthatlittlematterIwasspeakingtoyouabout……""That’llbeallright，MrH。，"hesaid。

Yerra，surethelittlehop-o’-my-thumbhasforgottenallaboutit。’

`There’ssomedealoninthatquarter，’saidMrO’Connorthoughtfully。