第6章

`IsawthethreeofthemhardatityesterdayatSuffolkStreetcorner。’

`IthinkIknowthelittlegamethey’reat，’saidMrHenchy。`YoumustowetheCityFathersmoneynowadaysifyouwanttobemadeLordMayor。

Thenthey’llmakeyouLordMayor。ByGod！I’mthinkingseriouslyofbecomingaCityFathermyself。Whatdoyouthink？WouldIdoforthejob？’

MrO’Connorlaughed。

`Sofarasowingmoneygoes……’

`DrivingoutoftheMansionHouse，’saidMrHenchy，`inallmyvermin，withJackherestandingupbehindmeinapowderedwig-eh？’

`Andmakemeyourprivatesecretary，John。’

`Yes。AndI`llmakeFatherKeonmyprivatechaplain。We’llhaveafamilyparty。’

`Faith，MrHenchy，’saidtheoldman，`you’dkeepupbetterstylethansomeofthem。IwastalkingonedaytooldKeegan，theporter。"Andhowdoyoulikeyournewmaster，Pat？"saysItohim。"Youhaven’tmuchentertainingnow，"saysI。"Entertaining！"sayshe。"He’dliveonthesmellofanoil-rag。"

Anddoyouknowwhathetoldme？Now，IdeclaretoGod，Ididn’tbelievehim。’

`What？’saidMrHenchyandMrO’Connor。

`Hetoldme："WhatdoyouthinkofaLordMayorofDublinsendingoutforapoundofchopsforhisdinner？How’sthatforhighliving？"sayshe。"Wisha！wisha，"saysI。"Apoundofchops，"sayshe，"comingintotheMansionHouse。""Wisha！"saysI，"whatkindofpeopleisgoingatallnow？"’

Atthispointtherewasaknockatthedoor，andaboyputinhishead。

`Whatisit？’saidtheoldman。

`FromtheBlackEagle，’saidtheboy，walkinginsidewaysanddepositingabasketonthefloorwithanoiseofshakenbottles。

Theoldmanhelpedtheboytotransferthebottlesfromthebaskettothetableandcountedthefulltally。Afterthetransfertheboyputhisbasketonhisarmandasked：

`Anybottles？’

`Whatbottles？’saidtheoldman。

`Won’tyouletusdrinkthemfirst？’saidMrHenchy。

`Iwastoldtoaskforthebottles。’

`Comebacktomorrow，’saidtheoldman。

`Here，boy！’saidMrHenchy，`willyourunovertoO’Farrell’sandaskhimtolendusacorkscrew-forMrHenchy，say。Tellhimwewontkeepitaminute。Leavethebasketthere。’

TheboywentoutandMrHenchybegantorubhishandscheerfully，saying：

`Ah，well，he’snotsobadafterall。He’sasgoodashisword，anyhow。’

`There’snotumblers，’saidtheoldman。

`O，don’tletthattroubleyou，Jack，’saidMrHenchy。`Many’sthegoodmanbeforenowdrankoutofthebottle。’

`Anyway，it’sbetterthannothing，’saidMrO’Connor。

`He’snotabadsort，’saidMrHenchy，`onlyFanninghassuchaloanofhim。Hemeanswell，youknow，inhisowntinpotway。’

Theboycamebackwiththecorkscrew。TheoldmanopenedthreebottlesandwashandingbackthecorkscrewwhenMrHenchysaidtotheboy：

`Wouldyoulikeadrink，boy？’

`Ifyouplease，sir，’saidtheboy。

Theoldmanopenedanotherbottlegrudgingly，andhandedittotheboy。

`Whatageareyou？’heasked。

`Seventeen，’saidtheboy。

Astheoldmansaidnothingfurther，theboytookthebottle，said：

`Here’smybestrespects，sir，toMrHenchy，’drankthecontents，putthebottlebackonthetableandwipedhismouthwithhissleeve。Thenhetookupthecorkscrewandwentoutofthedoorsideways，mutteringsomeformofsalutation。

`That’sthewayitbegins，’saidtheoldman。

`Thethinedgeofthewedge，’saidMrHenchy。

Theoldmandistributedthethreebottleswhichhehadopenedandthemendrankfromthemsimultaneously。Afterhavingdrunkeachplacedhisbottleonthemantelpiecewithinhand’sreachanddrewinalongbreathofsatisfaction。

`Well，Ididagoodday’sworktoday，’saidMrHenchy，afterapause。

`Thatso，John？’

`Yes。IgothimoneortwosurethingsinDawsonStreet，Croftonandmyself。Betweenourselves，youknow，Crofton（he’sadecentchap，ofcourse），buthe’snotworthadamnasacanvasser。Hehasn’tawordtothrowtoadog。HestandsandlooksatthepeoplewhileIdothetalking。’

Heretwomenenteredtheroom。Oneofthemwasaveryfatman，whosebluesergeclothesseemedtobeindangeroffallingfromhisslopingfigure。

Hehadabigfacewhichresembledayoungox’sfaceinexpression，Staringblueeyesandagrizzledmoustache。Theotherman，whowasmuchyoungerandfrailer，hadathin，clean-shavenface。Heworeaveryhighdoublecollarandawide-brimmedbowlerhat。

`Hello，Crofton！’saidMrHenchytothefatman。`Talkofthedevil……

’

`Wheredidtheboozecomefrom？’askedtheyoungman。`Didthecowcalve？’

`O，ofcourse，Lyonsspotsthedrinkfirstthing！’saidMrO’Connor，laughing。

`Isthatthewayyouchapscanvass，’saidMrLyons，`andCroftonandIoutinthecoldandrainlookingforvotes？’

`Why，blastyoursoul，’saidMrHenchy，`I’dgetmorevotesinfiveminutesthanyoutwo’dgetinaweek。’

`Opentwobottlesofstout，Jack，’saidMrO’Connor。

`HowcanI？’saidtheoldman，`whenthere’snocorkscrew？’

`Waitnow，waitnow！’saidMrHenchy，gettingupquickly。`Didyoueverseethislittletrick？’

Hetooktwobottlesfromthetableand，carryingthemtothefire，putthemonthehob。Thenhesatdownagainbythefireandtookanotherdrinkfromhisbottle。MrLyonssatontheedgeofthetable，pushedhishattowardsthenapeofhisneckandbegantoswinghislegs。

`Whichismybottle？’heasked。

`This，lad，’saidMrHenchy。

MrCroftonsatdownonaboxandlookedfixedlyattheotherbottleonthehob。Hewassilentfortworeasons。Thefirstreason，sufficientinitself，wasthathehadnothingtosay；thesecondreasonwasthatheconsideredhiscompanionsbeneathhim。HehadbeenacanvasserforWilkins，theConservative，butwhentheConservativeshadwithdrawntheirmanand，choosingthelesseroftwoevils，giventheirsupporttotheNationalistcandidate，hehadbeenengagedtoworkforMrTierney。

Inafewminutesanapologetic`Pok！’washeardasthecorkflewoutofMrLyons’bottle。MrLyonsjumpedoffthetable，wenttothefire，tookhisbottleandcarrieditbacktothetable。

`Iwasjusttellingthem，Crofton，’saidMrHenchy，`thatwegotagoodfewvotestoday。’

`Whodidyouget？’askedMrLyons。

`Well，IgotParkesforone，andIgotAtkinsonfortwo，andIgotWardofDawsonStreet。Fineoldchapheis，too-regularoldtoff，oldConservative！

"Butisn’tyourcandidateaNationalist？"saidhe。"He’sarespectableman，"saidI。"He’sinfavourofwhateverwillbenefitthiscountry。He’sabigratepayer，"Isaid。"Hehasextensivehousepropertyinthecityandthreeplacesofbusiness，andisn’tittohisownadvantagetokeepdowntherates？He’saprominentandrespectedcitizen，"saidI，"andaPoorLawGuardian，andhedoesn’tbelongtoanyparty，good，bad，orindifferent。"That’sthewaytotalkto’em。’

`AndwhatabouttheaddresstotheKing？’saidMrLyons，afterdrinkingandsmackinghislips。

`Listentome，’saidMrHenchy。`Whatwewantinthiscountry，asI

saidtooldWard，iscapital。TheKing’scomingherewillmeananinfluxofmoneyintothiscountry。ThecitizensofDublinwillbenefitbyit。

Lookatallthefactoriesdownbythequaysthere，idle！Lookatallthemoneythereisinthecountryifweonlyworkedtheoldindustries，themills，theship-buildingyardsandfactories。It’scapitalwewant。’

`Butlookhere，John，’saidMrO’Connor。`WhyshouldwewelcometheKingofEngland？Didn’tParnellhimself……’

`Parnell，’saidMrHenchy，`isdead。Now，here’sthewayIlookatit。

Here’sthischapcometothethroneafterhisoldmotherkeepinghimoutofittillthemanwasgrey。He’samanoftheworld，andhemeanswellbyus。He’sajollyfine，decentfellow，ifyouaskme，andnodamnnonsenseabouthim。Hejustsaystohimself："TheoldoneneverwenttoseethesewildIrish。ByChrist，I’llgomyselfandseewhatthey’relike。"Andarewegoingtoinsultthemanwhenhecomesoverhereonafriendlyvisit？

Eh？Isn’tthatright，Crofton？’

MrCroftonnoddedhishead。

`Butafterallnow，’saidMrLyonsargumentatively，`KingEdward’slife，youknow，isnotthevery……’

`Letbygonesbebygones，’saidMrHenchy。`Iadmirethemanpersonally。

He’sjustanordinaryknockaboutlikeyouandme。He’sfondofhisglassofgrogandhe’sabitofarake，perhaps，andhe’sagoodsportsman。Damnit，can’tweIrishplayfair？’

`That’sallveryfine，’saidMrLyons。`ButlookatthecaseofParnellnow。’

`InthenameofGod，’saidMrHenchy，`where’stheanalogybetweenthetwocases？’

`WhatImean，’saidMrLyons，`iswehaveourideals。Why，now，wouldwewelcomeamanlikethat？DoyouthinknowafterwhathedidParnellwasafitmantoleadus？Andwhy，then，wouldwedoitforEdwardtheSeventh？’

`ThisisParnell’sanniversary，’saidMrO’Connor，`anddon’tletusstirupanybadblood。Weallrespecthimnowthathe’sdeadandgone-

eventheConservatives，’headded，turningtoMrCrofton。

Pok！ThetardycorkflewoutofMrCrofton’sbottle：MrCroftongotupfromhisboxandwenttothefire。Ashereturned-withhiscapturehesaidinadeepvoice：

`Oursideofthehouserespectshim，becausehewasagentleman。’

`Rightyouare，Crofton！’saidMrHenchyfiercely。`Hewastheonlymanthatcouldkeepthatbagofcatsinorder。"Down，yedogs！Liedown，yecurs！"That’sthewayhetreatedthem。Comein，Joe！Comein！’hecalledout，catchingsightofMrHynesinthedoorway。

MrHynescameinslowly。

`Openanotherbottleofstout，Jack，’saidMrHenchy。`O，Iforgotthere’snocorkscrew！Here，showmeonehereandI’llputitatthefire。’

Theoldmanhandedhimanotherbottleandheplaceditonthehob。

`Sitdown，Joe，’saidMrO’Connor，`we’rejusttalkingabouttheChief。’

`Ay，ay！’saidMrHenchy。

MrHynessatonthesideofthetablenearMrLyonsbutsaidnothing。

`There’soneofthem，anyhow，’saidMrHenchy，`thatdidn’trenegehim。

ByGod，I’llsayforyou，Joe！No，byGod，youstucktohimlikeaman！’

`O，Joe，’saidMrO’Connorsuddenly。`Giveusthatthingyouwrote-

doyouremember？Haveyougotitonyou？’

`O，ay！’saidMrHenchy。`Giveusthat。Didyoueverhearthat，Crofton？

Listentothisnow：splendidthing。’

`Goon，’saidMrO’Connor。`Fireaway，Joe。’

MrHynesdidnotseemtorememberatoncethepiecetowhichtheywerealluding，but，afterreflectingawhile，hesaid：

`O，thatthingisit……Sure，that’soldnow。’

`Outwithit，man！’saidMrO’Connor。

`’Sh，’sh，’saidMrHenchy。`Now，Joe！’

MrHyneshesitatedalittlelonger。Thenamidthesilencehetookoffhishat，laiditonthetableandstoodup。Heseemedtoberehearsingthepieceinhismind。Afteraratherlongpauseheannounced：THEDEATHOFPARNELL

6thOctober，1891Heclearedhisthroatonceortwiceandthenbegantorecite：Heisdead。OurUncrownedKingisdead。

O，Erin，mournwithgriefandwoeForheliesdeadwhomthefellgangOfmodernhypocriteslaidlow。

HeliesslainbythecowardhoundsHeraisedtogloryfromthemire；

AndErin’shopesandErin’sdreamsPerishuponhermonarch’spyre。

Inpalace，cabinorincotTheIrishheartwhere’eritbeIsbowedwithwoe-forheisgoneWhowouldhavewroughtherdestiny。

HewouldhavehadhisErinfamed，Thegreenflaggloriouslyunfurled，Herstatesmen，bards，andwarriorsraisedBeforethenationsoftheWorld。

Hedreamed（alas，’twasbutadream！）

OfLiberty：butashestroveToclutchthatidol，treacherySunderedhimfromthethingheloved。

Shameonthecoward，caitiffhandsThatsmotetheirLordorwithalossBetrayedhimtotherabble-routOffawningpriests-nofriendsofhis。

MayeverlastingshameconsumeThememoryofthosewhotriedTobefoulandsmeartheexaltednameOfonewhospurnedtheminhispride。

Hefellasfallthemightyones，Noblyundauntedtothelast，AnddeathhasnowunitedhimWithErin’sheroesofthepast。

Nosoundofstrifedisturbhissleep！

Calmlyherests：nohumanpainOrhighambitionspurshimnowThepeaksofglorytoattain。

Theyhadtheirway：theylaidhimlow。

ButErin，list，hisspiritmayRise，likethePhoenixfromtheflames，Whenbreaksthedawningoftheday，ThedaythatbringsusFreedom’sreign。

AndonthatdaymayErinwellPledgeinthecupsheliftstoJoyOnegrief-thememoryofParnell。MrHynessatdownagainonthetable。Whenhehadfinishedhisrecitationtherewasasilenceandthenaburstofclapping：evenMrLyonsclapped。

Theapplausecontinuedforalittletime。Whenithadceasedalltheauditorsdrankfromtheirbottlesinsilence。

Pok！ThecorkflewoutofMrHynes’bottle，butMrHynesremainedsittingflushedandbareheadedonthetable。Hedidnotseemtohaveheardtheinvitation。

`Goodman，Joel’saidMrO’Connor，takingouthiscigarettepapersandpouchthebettertohidehisemotion。

`Whatdoyouthinkofthat，Crofton？’criedMrHenchy。`Isn’tthatfine？

What？’

MrCroftonsaidthatitwasaveryfinepieceofwriting。

AMother

MrHolohan，assistantsecretaryoftheEireAbuSociety，hadbeenwalkingupanddownDublinfornearlyamonth，withhishandsandpocketsfullofdirtypiecesofpaper，arrangingabouttheseriesofconcerts。

Hehadagameleg，andforthishisfriendscalledhimHoppyHolohan。Hewalkedupanddownconstantly，stoodbythehouratstreetcornersarguingthepoint，andmadenotes；butintheenditwasMrsKearneywhoarrangedeverything。

MissDevlinhadbecomeMrsKearneyoutofspite。Shehadbeeneducatedinahigh-classconvent，whereshehadlearnedFrenchandmusic。Asshewasnaturallypaleandunbendinginmannershemadefewfriendsatschool。

Whenshecametotheageofmarriageshewassentouttomanyhouses，whereherplayingandivorymannersweremuchadmired。Shesatamidthechillycircleofheraccomplishments，waitingforsomesuitortobraveitandofferherabrilliantlife。Buttheyoungmenwhomshemetwereordinaryandshegavethemnoencouragement，tryingtoconsoleherromanticdesiresbyeatingagreatdealofTurkishDelightinsecret。However，whenshedrewnearthelimitandherfriendsbegantoloosentheirtonguesabouther，shesilencedthembymarryingMrKearney，whowasabootmakeronOrmondQuay。

Hewasmucholderthanshe。Hisconversation，whichwasserious，tookplaceatintervalsinhisgreatbrownbeard。Afterthefirstyearofmarriedlife，MrsKearneyperceivedthatsuchamanwouldwearbetterthanaromanticperson，butsheneverputherownromanticideasaway。Hewassober，thrifty，andpious；hewenttothealtareveryfirstFriday，sometimeswithher，oftenerbyhimself。Butsheneverweakenedinherreligionandwasagoodwifetohim。Atsomepartyinastrangehousewhensheliftedhereyebroweversoslightlyhestooduptotakehisleaveand，whenhiscoughtroubledhim，sheputtheeiderdownquiltoverhisfeetandmadeastrongrumpunch。

Forhispart，hewasamodelfather。Bypayingasmallsumeveryweekintoasociety，heensuredforbothhisdaughtersadowryofonehundredpoundseachwhentheycametotheageoftwenty-four。Hesenttheolderdaughter，Kathleen，toagoodconvent，whereshelearnedFrenchandmusic，andafterwardspaidherfeesattheAcademy。EveryyearinthemonthofJulyMrsKearneyfoundoccasiontosaytosomefriend：

`MygoodmanispackingusofftoSkerriesforafewweeks。’

IfitwasnotSkerriesitwasHowthorGreystones。

WhentheIrishRevivalbegantobeappreciableMrsKearneydeterminedtotakeadvantageofherdaughter’snameandbroughtanIrishteachertothehouse。KathleenandhersistersentIrishpicturepostcardstotheirfriendsandthesefriendssentbackotherIrishpicturepostcards。OnspecialSundays，whenMrKearneywentwithhisfamilytothepro-cathedral，alittlecrowdofpeoplewouldassembleaftermassatthecornerofCathedralStreet。

TheywereallfriendsoftheKearneys-musicalfriendsorNationalistfriends，and，whentheyhadplayedeverylittlecounterofgossip，theyshookhandswithoneanotheralltogether，laughingatthecrossingofsomanyhands，andsaidgood-byetooneanotherinIrish。SoonthenameofMissKathleenKearneybegantobeheardoftenonpeople’slips。Peoplesaidthatshewasverycleveratmusicandaverynicegirland，moreover，thatshewasabelieverinthelanguagemovement。MrsKearneywaswellcontentatthis。ThereforeshewasnotsurprisedwhenonedayMrHolohancametoherandproposedthatherdaughtershouldbetheaccompanistataseriesoffourgrandconcertswhichhisSocietywasgoingtogiveintheAncientConcertRooms。Shebroughthimintothedrawing-room，madehimsitdownandbroughtoutthedecanterandthesilverbiscuit-barrel。

Sheenteredheartandsoulintothedetailsoftheenterprise，advisedanddissuaded：andfinallyacontractwasdrawnupbywhichKathleenwastoreceiveeightguineasforherservicesasaccompanistatthefourgrandconcerts。

AsMrHolohanwasanoviceinsuchdelicatemattersasthewordingofbillsandthedisposingofitemsforaprogramme，MrsKearneyhelpedhim。

Shehadtact。Sheknewwhatartistesshouldgointocapitalsandwhatartistesshouldgointosmalltype。SheknewthatthefirsttenorwouldnotliketocomeonafterMrMeade’scomicturn。Tokeeptheaudiencecontinuallydivertedsheslippedthedoubtfulitemsinbetweentheoldfavourites。MrHolohancalledtoseehereverydaytohaveheradviceonsomepoint。Shewasinvariablyfriendlyandadvising-homely，infact。Shepushedthedecantertowardshim，saying：

`Now，helpyourself，MrHolohan！’

Andwhilehewashelpinghimselfshesaid：

`Don’tbeafraid！Don’tbeafraidofit！’

Everythingwentonsmoothly。MrsKearneyboughtsomelovelyblush-pinkcharmeuseinBrownThomas’stoletintothefrontofKathleen’sdress。

Itcostaprettypenny；butthereareoccasionswhenalittleexpenseisjustifiable。Shetookadozenoftwo-shillingticketsforthefinalconcertandsentthemtothosefriendswhocouldnotbetrustedtocomeotherwise。

Sheforgotnothing，and，thankstoher，everythingthatwastobedonewasdone。

TheconcertsweretobeonWednesday，Thursday，Friday，andSaturday。

WhenMrsKearneyarrivedwithherdaughterattheAncientConcertRoomsonWednesdaynightshedidnotlikethelookofthings。Afewyoungmen，wearingbrightbluebadgesintheircoats，stoodidleinthevestibule；

noneofthemworeeveningdress。Shepassedbywithherdaughterandaquickglancethroughtheopendoorofthehallshowedherthecauseofthestewards’idleness。Atfirstshewonderedhadshemistakenthehour。

No，itwastwentyminutestoeight。

Inthedressing-roombehindthestageshewasintroducedtothesecretaryoftheSociety，MrFitzpatrick。Shesmiledandshookhishand。Hewasalittleman，withawhite，vacantface。Shenoticedthatheworehissoftbrownhatcarelesslyonthesideofhisheadandthathisaccentwasflat。

Heheldaprogrammeinhishand，and，whilehewastalkingtoher，hechewedoneendofitintoamoistpulp。Heseemedtobeardisappointmentslightly。

MrHolohancameintothedressing-roomeveryfewminuteswithreportsfromthebox-office。Theartistestalkedamongthemselvesnervously，glancedfromtimetotimeatthemirrorandrolledandunrolledtheirmusic。

Whenitwasnearlyhalfpasteight，thefewpeopleinthehallbegantoexpresstheirdesiretobeentertained。MrFitzpatrickcamein，smiledvacantlyattheroom，andsaid：

`Well，now，ladiesandgentlemen。Isupposewe’dbetteropentheball。’

MrsKearneyrewardedhisveryflatfinalsyllablewithaquickstareofcontempt，andthensaidtoherdaughterencouragingly：

`Areyouready，dear？’

Whenshehadanopportunity，shecalledMrHolohanasideandaskedhimtotellherwhatitmeant。MrHolohandidnotknowwhatitmeant。Hesaidthatthecommitteehadmadeamistakeinarrangingforfourconcerts：fourweretoomany。

`Andtheartistes！’saidMrsKearney。`Ofcoursetheyaredoingtheirbest，butreallytheyarenotgood。’

MrHolohanadmittedthattheartisteswerenogood，butthecommittee，hesaid，haddecidedtoletthefirstthreeconcertsgoastheypleasedandreserveallthetalentforSaturdaynight。MrsKearneysaidnothing，but，asthemediocreitemsfollowedoneanotherontheplatformandthefewpeopleinthehallgrewfewerandfewer，shebegantoregretthatshehadputherselftoanyexpenseforsuchaconcert。Therewassomethingshedidn’tlikeinthelookofthings，andMrFitzpatrick’svacantsmileirritatedherverymuch。However，shesaidnothingandwaitedtoseehowitwouldend。Theconcertexpiredshortlybeforeten，andeveryonewenthomequickly。

TheconcertonThursdaynightwasbetterattended，butMrsKearneysawatoncethatthehousewasfilledwithpaper。Theaudiencebehavedindecorously，asiftheconcertwereaninformaldressrehearsal。MrFitzpatrickseemedtoenjoyhimself；hewasquiteunconsciousthatMrsKearneywastakingangrynoteofhisconduct。Hestoodattheedgeofthescreen，fromtimetotimejuttingouthisheadandexchangingalaughwithtwofriendsinthecornerofthebalcony。Inthecourseoftheevening，MrsKearneylearnedthattheFridayconcertwastobeabandonedandthatthecommitteewasgoingtomoveheavenandearthtosecureabumperhouseonSaturdaynight。

Whensheheardthis，shesoughtoutMrHolohan。Shebuttonholedhimashewaslimpingoutquicklywithaglassoflemonadeforayoungladyandaskedhimwasittrue。Yes，itwastrue。

`But，ofcourse，thatdoesn’talterthecontract，’shesaid。`Thecontractwasforfourconcerts。’

MrHolohanseemedtobeinahurry；headvisedhertospeaktoMrFitzpatrick。

MrsKearneywasnowbeginningtobealarmed。ShecalledMrFitzpatrickawayfromhisscreenandtoldhimthatherdaughterhadsignedforfourconcertsandthat，ofcourse，accordingtothetermsofthecontract，sheshouldreceivethesumoriginallystipulatedfor，whetherthesocietygavethefourconcertsornot。MrFitzpatrick，whodidnotcatchthepointatissueveryquickly，seemedunabletoresolvethedifficultyandsaidthathewouldbringthematterbeforethecommittee。MrsKearney’sangerbegantoflutterinhercheekandshehadallshecoulddotokeepfromasking：

`AndwhoistheCometty，pray？’

Butsheknewthatitwouldnotbeladyliketodothat：soshewassilent。

LittleboysweresentoutintotheprincipalstreetsofDublinearlyonFridaymorningwithbundlesofhandbills。Specialpuffsappearedinalltheeveningpapers，remindingthemusic-lovingpublicofthetreatwhichwasinstoreforitonthefollowingevening。MrsKearneywassomewhatreassured，butshethoughtwelltotellherhusbandpartofhersuspicions。

HelistenedcarefullyandsaidthatperhapsitwouldbebetterifhewentwithheronSaturdaynight。Sheagreed。SherespectedherhusbandinthesamewayassherespectedtheGeneralPostOffice，assomethinglarge，secure，andfixed；andthoughsheknewthesmallnumberofhistalentssheappreciatedhisabstractvalueasamale。Shewasgladthathehadsuggestedcomingwithher。Shethoughtherplansover。

Thenightofthegrandconcertcame。MrsKearney，withherhusbandanddaughter，arrivedattheAncientConcertRoomsthree-quartersofanhourbeforethetimeatwhichtheconcertwastobegin。Byillluckitwasarainyevening。MrsKearneyplacedherdaughter’sclothesandmusicinchargeofherhusbandandwentalloverthebuildinglookingforMrHolohanorMrFitzpatrick。Shecouldfindneither。Sheaskedthestewardswasanymemberofthecommitteeinthehalland，afteragreatdealoftrouble，astewardbroughtoutalittlewomannamedMissBeirne，towhomMrsKearneyexplainedthatshewantedtoseeoneofthesecretaries。MissBeirneexpectedthemanyminuteandaskedcouldshedoanything。MrsKearneylookedsearchinglyattheoldishfacewhichwasscrewedintoanexpressionoftrustfulnessandenthusiasmandanswered：

`No，thankyou！’

Thelittlewomanhopedtheywouldhaveagoodhouse。Shelookedoutattherainuntilthemelancholyofthewetstreeteffacedallthetrustfulnessandenthusiasmfromhertwistedfeatures。Thenshegavealittlesighandsaid：

`Ah，well！Wedidourbest，thedearknows。’

MrsKearneyhadtogobacktothedressing-room。

Theartisteswerearriving。Thebassandthesecondtenorhadalreadycome。Thebass，MrDuggan，wasaslenderyoungmanwithascatteredblackmoustache。Hewasthesonofahallporterinanofficeinthecityand，asaboy，hehadsungprolongedbassnotesintheresoundinghall。

Fromthishumblestatehehadraisedhimselfuntilhehadbecomeafirst-rateartiste。Hehadappearedingrandopera。Onenight，whenanoperaticartistehadfallenill，hehadundertakenthepartofthekingintheoperaofMaritanaattheQueen’sTheatre。Hesanghismusicwithgreatfeelingandvolumeandwaswarmlywelcomedbythegallery；but，unfortunately，hemarredthegoodimpressionbywipinghisnoseinhisglovedhandonceortwiceoutofthoughtlessness。Hewasunassumingandspokelittle。Hesaidyoussosoftlythatitpassedunnoticedandheneverdrankanythingstrongerthanmilk，forhisvoice’ssake。MrBell，thesecondtenor，wasafair-hairedlittlemanwhocompetedeveryyearforprizesattheFeisCeoil。Onhisfourthtrialhehadbeenawardedabronzemedal。Hewasextremelynervousandextremelyjealousofothertenorsandhecoveredhisnervousjealousywithanebullientfriendliness。Itwashishumourtohavepeopleknowwhatanordealaconcertwastohim。

ThereforewhenhesawMrDugganhewentovertohimandasked：

`Areyouinittoo？’

`Yes，’saidMrDuggan。

MrBelllaughedathisfellow-sufferer，heldouthishandandsaid：

`Shake！’

MrsKearneypassedbythesetwoyoungmenandwenttotheedgeofthescreentoviewthehouse。Theseatswerebeingfilleduprapidlyandapleasantnoisecirculatedintheauditorium。Shecamebackandspoketoherhusbandprivately。TheirconversationwasevidentlyaboutKathleen，fortheybothglancedatheroftenasshestoodchattingtooneofherNationalistfriends，MissHealy，thecontralto。Anunknownsolitarywomanwithapalefacewalkedthroughtheroom。Thewomenfollowedwithkeeneyesthefadedbluedresswhichwasstretcheduponameagrebody。SomeonesaidthatshewasMadamGlynn，thesoprano。

`Iwonderwheredidtheydigherup，’saidKathleentoMissHealy。`I’msureIneverheardofher。’

MissHealyhadtosmile。MrHolohanlimpedintothedressing-roomatthatmomentandthetwoyoungladiesaskedhimwhowastheunknownwoman。

MrHolohansaidthatshewasMadamGlynnfromLondon。MadamGlynntookherstandinacorneroftheroom，holdingarollofmusicstifflybeforeherandfromtimetotimechangingthedirectionofherstartledgaze。

Theshadowtookherfadeddressintoshelterbutfellrevengefullyintothelittlecupbehindhercollar-bone。Thenoiseofthehallbecamemoreaudible。ThefirsttenorandthebaritonearrivedtogetherTheywerebothwelldressed，stout，andcomplacent，andtheybroughtabreathofopulenceamongthecompany。

MrsKearneybroughtherdaughterovertothem，andtalkedtothemamiably。

Shewantedtobeongoodtermswiththembut，whileshestrovetobepolite，hereyesfollowedMrHolohaninhislimpinganddeviouscourses。Assoonasshecouldsheexcusedherselfandwentoutafterhim。

`MrHolohan，Iwanttospeaktoyouforamoment，shesaid。’

Theywentdowntoadiscreetpartofthecorridor。MrsKearneyaskedhimwhenwasherdaughtergoingtobepaid。MrHolohansaidthatMrFitzpatrickhadchargeofthat。MrsKearneysaidthatshedidn’tknowanythingaboutMrFitzpatrick。Herdaughterhadsignedacontractforeightguineasandshewouldhavetobepaid。MrHolohansaidthatitwasn’thisbusiness。

`Whyisn’tityourbusiness？’askedMrsKearney。`Didn’tyouyourselfbringherthecontract？Anyway，ifit’snotyourbusiness，it’smybusiness，andImeantoseetoit。’

`You’dbetterspeaktoMrFitzpatrick，’saidMrHolohandistinctly。

`Idon’tknowanythingaboutMrFitzpatrick，’repeatedMrsKearney。

`Ihavemycontract，andIintendtoseethatitiscarriedout。’

Whenshecamebacktothedressing-roomhercheekswereslightlysuffused。

Theroomwaslively。TwomeninoutdoordresshadtakenpossessionofthefireplaceandwerechattingfamiliarlywithMissHealyandthebaritone。

TheyweretheFreemanmanandMrO’MaddenBurke。TheFreemanmanhadcomeintosaythathecouldnotwaitfortheconcertashehadtoreportthelecturewhichanAmericanpriestwasgivingintheMansionHouse。HesaidtheyweretoleavethereportforhimattheFreemanofficeandhewouldseethatitwentin。Hewasagrey-hairedmanwithaplausiblevoiceandcarefulmanners。Heheldanextinguishedcigarinhishandandthearomaofcigarsmokefloatednearhim。Hehadnotintendedtostayamoment，becauseconcertsandartistesboredhimconsiderably，butheremainedleaningagainstthemantelpiece。MissHealystoodinfrontofhim，talkingandlaughing。Hewasoldenoughtosuspectonereasonforherpoliteness，butyoungenoughinspirittoturnthemomenttoaccount。

Thewarmth，fragrance，andcolourofherbodyappealedtohissenses。Hewaspleasantlyconsciousthatthebosomwhichhesawriseandfallslowlybeneathhimroseandfellatthatmomentforhim，thatthelaughterandfragranceandwilfulglanceswerehistribute。Whenhecouldstaynolongerhetookleaveofherregretfully。

`O’MaddenBurkewillwritethenotice，’heexplainedtoMrHolohan，`andI’llseeitin。’

`Thankyouverymuch，MrHendrick，’saidMrHolohan。`You’llseeitin，Iknow。Now，won’tyouhavealittlesomethingbeforeyougo？’

`Idon’tmind，’saidMrHendrick。

Thetwomenwentalongsometortuouspassagesandupadarkstaircaseandcametoasecludedroomwhereoneofthestewardswasuncorkingbottlesforafewgentlemen。OneofthesegentlemenwasMrO’MaddenBurke，whohadfoundouttheroombyinstinct。Hewasasuave，elderlymanwhobalancedhisimposingbody，whenatrest，uponalargesilkumbrella。Hismagniloquentwesternnamewasthemoralumbrellauponwhichhebalancedthefineproblemofhisfinances。Hewaswidelyrespected。

WhileMrHolohanwasentertainingtheFreemanmanMrsKearneywasspeakingsoanimatedlytoherhusbandthathehadtoaskhertolowerhervoice。Theconversationoftheothersinthedressing-roomhadbecomestrained。MrBell，thefirstitem，stoodreadywithhismusicbuttheaccompanistmadenosign。Evidentlysomethingwaswrong。MrKearneylookedstraightbeforehim，strokinghisbeard，whileMrsKearneyspokeintoKathleen’searwithsubduedemphasis。Fromthehallcamesoundsofencouragement，clappingandstampingoffeet。ThefirsttenorandthebaritoneandMissHealystoodtogether，waitingtranquilly，butMrBell’snervesweregreatlyagitatedbecausehewasafraidtheaudiencewouldthinkthathehadcomelate。

MrHolohanandMrO’MaddenBurkecameintotheroom。InamomentMrHolohanperceivedthehush。HewentovertoMrsKearneyandspokewithherearnestly。Whiletheywerespeakingthenoiseinthehallgrewlouder。

MrHolohanbecameveryredandexcited。Hespokevolubly，butMrsKearneysaidcurtlyatintervals：

`Shewon’tgoon。Shemustgethereightguineas。’

MrHolohanpointeddesperatelytowardsthehallwheretheaudiencewasclappingandstamping。HeappealedtoMrKearneyandtoKathleen。ButMrKearneycontinuedtostrokehisbeardandKathleenlookeddown，movingthepointofhernewshoe：itwasnotherfault。MrsKearneyrepeated：

`Shewon’tgoonwithouthermoney。’

AfteraswiftstruggleoftonguesMrHolohanhobbledoutinhaste。Theroomwassilent。WhenthestrainofthesilencehadbecomesomewhatpainfulMissHealysaidtothebaritone：

`HaveyouseenMrsPatCampbellthisweek？’

Thebaritonehadnotseenherbuthehadbeentoldthatshewasveryfine。Theconversationwentnofurther。Thefirsttenorbenthisheadandbegantocountthelinksofthegoldchainwhichwasextendedacrosshiswaist，smilingandhummingrandomnotestoobservetheeffectonthefrontalsinus。FromtimetotimeeveryoneglancedatMrsKearney。

ThenoiseintheauditoriumhadrisentoaclamourwhenMrFitzpatrickburstintotheroom，followedbyMrHolohan，whowaspanting。Theclappingandstampinginthehallwerepunctuatedbywhistling。MrFitzpatrickheldafewbanknotesinhishand。HecountedoutfourintoMrsKearney’shandandsaidshewouldgettheotherhalfattheinterval。MrsKearneysaid：

`Thisisfourshillingsshort。’

ButKathleengatheredinherskirtandsaid：`Now，MrBell，’

tothefirstitem，whowasshakinglikeanaspen。Thesingerandtheaccompanistwentouttogether。Thenoiseinthehalldiedaway。Therewasapauseofafewseconds，andthenthepianowasheard。

ThefirstpartoftheconcertwasverysuccessfulexceptforMadamGlynn’sitem。ThepoorladysangKillarneyinabodilessgaspingvoice，withalltheold-fashionedmannerismsofintonationandpronunciationwhichshebelievedlentelegancetohersinging。Shelookedasifshehadbeenresurrectedfromanoldstage-wardrobeandthecheaperpartsofthehallmadefunofherhighwailingnotes。Thefirsttenorandthecontralto，however，broughtdownthehouse。KathleenplayedaselectionofIrishairswhichwasgenerouslyapplauded。Thefirstpartclosedwithastirringpatrioticrecitationdeliveredbyayoungladywhoarrangedamateurtheatricals。

Itwasdeservedlyapplauded，and，whenitwasended，themenwentoutfortheinterval，content。

Allthistimethedressing-roomwasahiveofexcitement。InonecornerwereMrHolohan，MrFitzpatrick，MissBeirne，twoofthestewards，thebaritone，thebass，andMrO’MaddenBurke。MrO’MaddenBurkesaiditwasthemostscandalousexhibitionhehadeverwitnessed。MissKathleenKearney’smusicalcareerwasendedinDublinafterthat，hesaid。ThebaritonewasaskedwhatdidhethinkofMrsKearney’sconduct。Hedidnotliketosayanything。Hehadbeenpaidhismoneyandwishedtobeatpeacewithmen。

However，hesaidthatMrsKearneymighthavetakentheartistesintoconsideration。Thestewardsandthesecretariesdebatedhotlyastowhatshouldbedonewhentheintervalcame。

`IagreewithMissBeirne，’saidMrO’MaddenBurke。`Payhernothing。’

InanothercorneroftheroomwereMrsKearneyandherhusband，MrBell，MissHealy，andtheyoungladywhohadtorecitethepatrioticpiece。MrsKearneysaidthatthecommitteehadtreatedherscandalously。Shehadsparedneithertroublenorexpenseandthiswashowshewasrepaid。

Theythoughttheyhadonlyagirltodealwithandthat，therefore，theycouldrideroughshodoverher。Butshewouldshowthemtheirmistake。

Theywouldn’thavedaredtohavetreatedherlikethatifshehadbeenaman。Butshewouldseethatherdaughtergotherrights：shewouldn’tbefooled。Iftheydidn’tpayhertothelastfarthingshewouldmakeDublinring。Ofcourseshewassorryforthesakeoftheartistes。Butwhatelsecouldshedo？Sheappealedtothesecondtenor，whosaidhethoughtshehadnotbeenwelltreated。ThensheappealedtoMissHealy。MissHealywantedtojointheothergroup，butshedidnotliketodosobecauseshewasagreatfriendofKathleen’sandtheKearneyshadofteninvitedhertotheirhouse。

AssoonasthefirstpartwasendedMrFitzpatrickandMrHolohanwentovertoMrsKearneyandtoldherthattheotherfourguineaswouldbepaidafterthecommitteemeetingonthefollowingTuesdayandthat，incaseherdaughterdidnotplayforthesecondpart，thecommitteewouldconsiderthecontractbrokenandwouldpaynothing。

`Ihaven’tseenanycommittee，’saidMrsKearneyangrily。`Mydaughterhashercontract。Shewillgetfourpoundseightintoherhandorafootshewon’tputonthatplatform。’

`I’msurprisedatyou，MrsKearney，’saidMrHolohan。`Ineverthoughtyouwouldtreatusthisway。’

`Andwhatwaydidyoutreatme？’askedMrsKearney。

Herfacewasinundatedwithanangrycolourandshelookedasifshewouldattacksomeonewithherhands。

`I’maskingformyrights，’shesaid。

`Youmighthavesomesenseofdecency，’saidMrHolohan。

`MightI，indeed？……AndwhenIaskwhenmydaughterisgoingtobepaidIcan’tgetacivilanswer。’

Shetossedherheadandassumedahaughtyvoice：

`Youmustspeaktothesecretary。It’snotmybusiness。I’magreatfellowfol-the-diddle-I-do。’

`Ithoughtyouwerealady，’saidMrHolohan，walkingawayfromherabruptly。

AfterthatMrsKearney’sconductwascondemnedonallhands：everyoneapprovedofwhatthecommitteehaddone。Shestoodatthedoor，haggardwithrage，arguingwithherhusbandanddaughter，gesticulatingwiththem。

Shewaiteduntilitwastimeforthesecondparttobegininthehopethatthesecretarieswouldapproachher。ButMissHealyhadkindlyconsentedtoplayoneortwoaccompaniments。MrsKearneyhadtostandasidetoallowthebaritoneandhisaccompanisttopassuptotheplatform。Shestoodstillforaninstantlikeanangrystoneimageand，whenthefirstnotesofthesongstruckherear，shecaughtupherdaughter’scloakandsaidtoherhusband：

`Getacab！’

Hewentoutatonce。MrsKearneywrappedthecloakroundherdaughterandfollowedhim。AsshepassedthroughthedoorwayshestoppedandglaredintoMrHolohan’sface。

`I’mnotdonewithyouyet，’shesaid。

`ButI’mdonewithyou，’saidMrHolohan。

Kathleenfollowedhermothermeekly。MrHolohanbegantopaceupanddowntheroominordertocoolhimself，forhefelthisskinonfire。

`That’sanicelady！’hesaid。`O，she’sanicelady！’

`Youdidtheproperthing，Holohan，’saidMrO’MaddenBurke，poiseduponhisumbrellainapproval。