第7章

Grace

Twogentlemenwhowereinthelavatoryatthetimetriedtolifthimup：

buthewasquitehelpless。Helaycurledupatthefootofthestairsdownwhichhehadfallen。Theysucceededinturninghimover。Hishathadrolledafewyardsawayandhisclothesweresmearedwiththefilthandoozeoftheflooronwhichhehadlain，facedownwards。Hiseyeswereclosedandhebreathedwithagruntingnoise。Athinstreamofbloodtrickledfromthecornerofhismouth。

Thesetwogentlemenandoneofthecuratescarriedhimupthestairsandlaidhimdownagainonthefloorofthebar。Intwominuteshewassurroundedbyaringofmen。Themanagerofthebaraskedeveryonewhohewasandwhowaswithhim。Nooneknewwhohewas，butoneofthecuratessaidhehadservedthegentlemanwithasmallrum。

`Washebyhimself？’askedthemanager。

`No，sir。Therewastwogentlemenwithhim。’

`Andwherearethey？’

Nooneknew；avoicesaid：

`Givehimair。He’sfainted。’

Theringofonlookersdistendedandclosedagainelastically。Adarkmedalofbloodhadformeditselfneartheman’sheadonthetessellatedfloor。Themanager，alarmedbythegreypalloroftheman’sface，sentforapoliceman。

Hiscollarwasunfastenedandhisnecktieundone。Heopenedhiseyesforaninstant，sighedandclosedthemagain。Oneofthegentlemenwhohadcarriedhimupstairsheldadingedsilkhatinhishand。Themanageraskedrepeatedlydidnooneknowwhotheinjuredmanwasorwherehadhisfriendsgone。Thedoorofthebaropenedandanimmenseconstableentered。

Acrowdwhichhadfollowedhimdownthelanewaycollectedoutsidethedoor，strugglingtolookinthroughtheglasspanels。

Themanageratoncebegantonarratewhatheknew。Theconstable，ayoungmanwiththickimmobilefeatures，listened。Hemovedhisheadslowlytorightandleftandfromthemanagertothepersononthefloor，asifhefearedtobethevictimofsomedelusion。Thenhedrewoffhisglove，producedasmallbookfromhiswaist，lickedtheleadofhispencilandmadereadytoindite。Heaskedinasuspiciousprovincialaccent：

`Whoistheman？What’shisnameandaddress？’

Ayoungmaninacycling-suitclearedhiswaythroughtheringofbystanders。

Hekneltdownpromptlybesidetheinjuredmanandcalledforwater。Theconstablekneltdownalsotohelp。Theyoungmanwashedthebloodfromtheinjuredman’smouthandthencalledforsomebrandy。Theconstablerepeatedtheorderinanauthoritativevoiceuntilacuratecamerunningwiththeglass。Thebrandywasforceddowntheman’sthroat。Inafewsecondsheopenedhiseyesandlookedabouthim。Helookedatthecircleoffacesandthen，understanding，strovetorisetohisfeet。

`You’reallrightnow？’askedtheyoungmaninthecyclingsuit。

`Sha，’snothing，’saidtheinjuredman，tryingtostandup。

Hewashelpedtohisfeet。Themanagersaidsomethingaboutahospitalandsomeofthebystandersgaveadvice。Thebatteredsilkhatwasplacedontheman’shead。Theconstableasked：

`Wheredoyoulive？’

Theman，withoutanswering，begantotwirltheendsofhismoustache。

Hemadelightofhisaccident。Itwasnothing，hesaid：onlyalittleaccident。

Hespokeverythickly。

`Wheredoyoulive？’repeatedtheconstable。

Themansaidtheyweretogetacabforhim。Whilethepointwasbeingdebatedatallagilegentlemanoffaircomplexion，wearingalongyellowulster，camefromthefarendofthebar。Seeingthespectacle，hecalledout：

`Hallo，Tom，oldman！What’sthetrouble？’

`Sha，’snothing，’saidtheman。

Thenewcomersurveyedthedeplorablefigurebeforehimandthenturnedtotheconstable，saying：

`It’sallright，constable。I’llseehimhome。’

Theconstabletouchedhishelmetandanswered：

`Allright，MrPower！’

`Comenow，Tom，’saidMrPower，takinghisfriendbythearm。`Nobonesbroken：What？Canyouwalk？’

Theyoungmaninthecycling-suittookthemanbytheotherarmandthecrowddivided。

`Howdidyougetyourselfintothismess？’askedMrPower。

`Thegentlemanfelldownthestairs，’saidtheyoungman。

`I’’ery’ucho’ligedtoyou，sir，’saidtheinjuredman。

`Notatall。’

`’an’twehavealittle……？’

`Notnow。Notnow。’

Thethreemenleftthebarandthecrowdsiftedthroughthedoorsintothelaneway。Themanagerbroughttheconstabletothestairstoinspectthesceneoftheaccident。Theyagreedthatthegentlemanmusthavemissedhisfooting。Thecustomersreturnedtothecounter，andacuratesetaboutremovingthetracesofbloodfromthefloor。

WhentheycameoutintoGraftonStreet，MrPowerwhistledforanoutsider。

Theinjuredmansaidagainaswellashecould：

`I’’ery’ucho’ligedtoyou，sir。Ihopewe’ll’eetagain。’yna’eisKernan。’

Theshockandtheincipientpainhadpartlysoberedhim。

`Don’tmentionit，’saidtheyoungman。

Theyshookhands。MrKernanwashoistedontothecarand，whileMrPowerwasgivingdirectionstothecarman，heexpressedhisgratitudetotheyoungmanandregrettedthattheycouldnothavealittledrinktogether。

`Anothertime，’saidtheyoungman。

ThecardroveofftowardsWestmorelandStreet。AsitpassedtheBallastOfficetheclockshowedhalfpastnine。Akeeneastwindhitthem，blowingfromthemouthoftheriver。MrKernanwashuddledtogetherwithcold。

Hisfriendaskedhimtotellhowtheaccidenthadhappened。

`I’an’t’an，’heanswered，`’y’ongueishurt。’

`Show。’

TheotherleanedoverthewheelofthecarandpeeredintoMrKernan’smouthbuthecouldnotsee。Hestruckamatchand，shelteringitintheshellofhishands，peeredagainintothemouthwhichMrKernanopenedobediently。Theswayingmovementofthecarbroughtthematchtoandfromtheopenedmouth。Thelowerteethandgumswerecoveredwithclottedbloodandaminutepieceofthetongueseemedtohavebeenbittenoff。Thematchwasblownout。

`That’sugly，’saidMrPower。

`Sha，’snothing，’saidMrKernan，closinghismouthandpullingthecollarofhisfilthycoatacrosshisneck。

MrKernanwasacommercialtravelleroftheoldschoolwhichbelievedinthedignityofitscalling。Hehadneverbeenseeninthecitywithoutasilkhatofsomedecencyandapairofgaiters。Bygraceofthesetwoarticlesofclothing，hesaid，amancouldalwayspassmuster。HecarriedonthetraditionofhisNapoleon，thegreatBlackwhite，whosememoryheevokedattimesbylegendandmimicry。ModernbusinessmethodshadsparedhimonlysofarastoallowhimalittleofficeinCroweStreet，onthewindowblindofwhichwaswrittenthenameofhisfirmwiththeaddress-London，EC。Onthemantelpieceofthislittleofficealittleleadenbattalionofcanisterswasdrawnupandonthetablebeforethewindowstoodfourorfivechinabowlswhichwereusuallyhalffullofablackliquid。FromthesebowlsMrKernantastedtea。Hetookamouthful，drewitup，saturatedhispalatewithitandthenspatitforthintothegrate。

Thenhepausedtojudge。

MrPower，amuchyoungerman，wasemployedintheRoyalIrishConstabularyOfficeinDublinCastle。Thearcofhissocialriseintersectedthearcofhisfriend’sdecline，butMrKernan’sdeclinewasmitigatedbythefactthatcertainofthosefriendswhohadknownhimathishighestpointofsuccessstillesteemedhimasacharacter。MrPowerwasoneofthesefriends。

Hisinexplicabledebtswereabywordinhiscircle；hewasadebonairyoungman。

ThecarhaltedbeforeasmallhouseontheGlasnevinRoadandMrKernanwashelpedintothehouse。Hiswifeputhimtobed，whileMrPowersatdownstairsinthekitchenaskingthechildrenwheretheywenttoschoolandwhatbooktheywerein。Thechildren-twogirlsandaboy，consciousoftheirfather’shelplessnessandoftheirmother’sabsence，begansomehorseplaywithhim。Hewassurprisedattheirmannersandattheiraccents，andhisbrowgrewthoughtful。AfterawhileMrsKernanenteredthekitchen，exclaiming：

`Suchasight！Oh，he’lldoforhimselfonedayandthat’stheholyallsofit。He’sbeendrinkingsinceFriday。’

MrPowerwascarefultoexplaintoherthathewasnotresponsible，thathehadcomeonthescenebythemerestaccident。MrsKernan，rememberingMrPower’sgoodofficesduringdomesticquarrels，aswellasmanysmall，butopportuneloans，said：

`O，youneedn’ttellmethat，MrPower。Iknowyou’reafriendofhis，notlikesomeoftheothershedoesbewith。They’reallrightsolongashehasmoneyinhispockettokeephimoutfromhiswifeandfamily。

Nicefriends！Whowashewithtonight，I’dliketoknow？’

MrPowershookhisheadbutsaidnothing。

`I’msosorry，’shecontinued，`thatI’venothinginthehousetoofferyou。ButifyouwaitaminuteI’llsendroundtoFogarty’s，atthecorner。’

MrPowerstoodup。

`Wewerewaitingforhimtocomehomewiththemoney。Heneverseemstothinkhehasahomeatall。’

`O，now，MrsKernan，’saidMrPower，`we’llmakehimturnoveranewleaf。I’lltalktoMartin。He’stheman。We’llcomehereoneofthesenightsandtalkitover。’

Shesawhimtothedoor。Thecarmanwasstampingupanddownthefootpath，andswinginghisarmstowarmhimself。

`It’sverykindofyoutobringhimhome，’shesaid。

`Notatall，’saidMrPower。

Hegotuponthecar。Asitdroveoffheraisedhishattohergaily。

`We’llmakeanewmanofhim，’hesaid。`Goodnight，MrsKernan。’

MrsKernan’spuzzledeyeswatchedthecartillitwasoutofsight。

Thenshewithdrewthem，wentintothehouseandemptiedherhusband’spockets。

Shewasanactive，practicalwomanofmiddleage。NotlongbeforeshehadcelebratedhersilverweddingandrenewedherintimacywithherhusbandbywaltzingwithhimtoMrPower’saccompaniment。Inherdaysofcourtship，MrKernanhadseemedtoheranotungallantfigure：andshestillhurriedtothechapeldoorwheneveraweddingwasreportedand，seeingthebridalpair，recalledwithvividpleasurehowshehadpassedoutoftheStaroftheSeaChurchinSandymount，leaningonthearmofajovialwell-fedman，whowasdressedsmartlyinafrock-coatandlavendertrousersandcarriedasilkhatgracefullybalanceduponhisotherarm。Afterthreeweeksshehadfoundawife’slifeirksomeand，lateron，whenshewasbeginningtofinditunbearable，shehadbecomeamother。Thepartofmotherpresentedtohernoinsuperabledifficultiesandfortwenty-fiveyearsshehadkepthouseshrewdlyforherhusband。Hertwoeldestsonswerelaunched。Onewasinadraper’sshopinGlasgowandtheotherwasclerktoatea-merchantinBelfast。Theyweregoodsons，wroteregularlyandsometimessenthomemoney。Theotherchildrenwerestillatschool。

MrKernansentalettertohisofficenextdayandremainedinbed。

Shemadebeef-teaforhimandscoldedhimroundly。Sheacceptedhisfrequentintemperanceaspartoftheclimate，healedhimdutifullywheneverhewassickandalwaystriedtomakehimeatabreakfast。Therewereworsehusbands。

Hehadneverbeenviolentsincetheboyshadgrownup，andsheknewthathewouldwalktotheendofThomasStreetandbackagaintobookevenasmallorder。

Twonightsafter，hisfriendscametoseehim。Shebroughtthemuptohisbedroom，theairofwhichwasimpregnatedwithapersonalodour，andgavethemchairsatthefire。MrKernan’stongue，theoccasionalstingingpainofwhichhadmadehimsomewhatirritableduringtheday，becamemorepolite。Hesatproppedupinthebedbypillowsandthelittlecolourinhispuffycheeksmadethemresemblewarmcinders。Heapologizedtohisguestsforthedisorderoftheroom，butatthesametimelookedatthemalittleproudly，withaveteran’spride。

Hewasquiteunconsciousthathewasthevictimofaplotwhichhisfriends，MrCunningham，MrM’Coy，andMrPowerhaddisclosedtoMrsKernanintheparlour。TheideahadbeenMrPower’s，butitsdevelopmentwasentrustedtoMrCunningham。MrKernancameofProtestantstock，and，thoughhehadbeenconvertedtotheCatholicfaithatthetimeofhismarriage，hehadnotbeeninthepaleoftheChurchfortwentyyears。Hewasfond，moreover，ofgivingside-thrustsatCatholicism。

MrCunninghamwastheverymanforsuchacase。HewasaneldercolleagueofMrPower。Hisowndomesticlifewasnotveryhappy。Peoplehadgreatsympathywithhim，foritwasknownthathehadmarriedanunpresentablewomanwhowasanincurabledrunkard。Hehadsetuphouseforhersixtimes；

andeachtimeshehadpawnedthefurnitureonhim。

EveryonehadrespectforpoorMartinCunningham。Hewasathoroughlysensibleman，influentialandintelligent。Hisbladeofhumanknowledge，naturalastutenessparticularizedbylongassociationwithcasesinthepolicecourts，hadbeentemperedbybriefimmersionsinthewatersofgeneralphilosophy。Hewaswellinformed。HisfriendsbowedtohisopinionsandconsideredthathisfacewaslikeShakespeare’s。

Whentheplothadbeendisclosedtoher，MrsKernanhadsaid：

`Ileaveitallinyourhands，MrCunningham。’

Afteraquarterofacenturyofmarriedlife，shehadveryfewillusionsleft。Religionforherwasahabit，andshesuspectedthatamanofherhusband’sagewouldnotchangegreatlybeforedeath。Shewastemptedtoseeacuriousappropriatenessinhisaccidentand，butthatshedidnotwishtoseembloody-minded，shewouldhavetoldthegentlementhatMrKernan’stonguewouldnotsufferbybeingshortened。However，MrCunninghamwasacapableman；andreligionwasreligion。Theschememightdogoodand，atleast，itcoulddonoharm。Herbeliefswerenotextravagant。ShebelievedsteadilyintheSacredHeartasthemostgenerallyusefulofallCatholicdevotionsandapprovedofthesacraments。Herfaithwasboundedbyherkitchen，but，ifshewasputtoit，shecouldbelievealsointhebansheeandintheHolyGhost。

Thegentlemenbegantotalkoftheaccident。MrCunninghamsaidthathehadonceknownasimilarcase。Amanofseventyhadbittenoffapieceofhistongueduringanepilepticfitandthetonguehadfilledinagain，sothatnoonecouldseeatraceofthebite。

`Well，I’mnotseventy，’saidtheinvalid。

`Godforbid，’saidMrCunningham。

`Itdoesn’tpainyounow？’askedMrM’Coy。

MrM’Coyhadbeenatonetimeatenorofsomereputation。Hiswife，whohadbeenasoprano，stilltaughtyoungchildrentoplaythepianoatlowterms。Hislineoflifehadnotbeentheshortestdistancebetweentwopointsandforshortperiodshehadbeendriventolivebyhiswits。

HehadbeenaclerkintheMidlandRailway，acanvasserforadvertisementsforTheIrishTimesandforTheFreeman’sJournal，atowntravellerforacoalfirmoncommission，aprivateinquiryagent，aclerkintheofficeoftheSub-Sheriff，andhehadrecentlybecomesecretarytotheCityCoroner。HisnewofficemadehimprofessionallyinterestedinMrKernan’scase。

`Pain？Notmuch，’answeredMrKernan。`Butit’ssosickening。IfeelasifIwantedtoretchoff。’

`That’sthebooze，’saidMrCunninghamfirmly。

`No，’saidMrKernan。`IthinkIcaughtcoldonthecar。There’ssomethingkeepscomingintomythroat，phlegmor——’

`Mucus，’saidMrM’Coy。

`Itkeepscominglikefromdowninmythroat；sickeningthing。’

`Yes，yes，’saidMrM’Coy，`that’sthethorax。’

HelookedatMrCunninghamandMrPoweratthesametimewithanairofchallenge。MrCunninghamnoddedhisheadrapidlyandMrPowersaid：

`Ahwell，all’swellthatendswell。’

`I’mverymuchobligedtoyou，oldman，’saidtheinvalid。

MrPowerwavedhishand。

`ThoseothertwofellowsIwaswith——’

`Whowereyouwith？’askedMrCunningham。

`Achap。Idon’tknowhisname。Damnitnow，what’shisname？Littlechapwithsandyhair……’

`Andwhoelse？’

`Harford。’

`Hm，’saidMrCunningham。

WhenMrCunninghammadethatremark，peopleweresilent。Itwasknownthatthespeakerhadsecretsourcesofinformation。Inthiscasethemonosyllablehadamoralintention。MrHarfordsometimesformedoneofalittledetachmentwhichleftthecityshortlyafternoononSundaywiththepurposeofarrivingassoonaspossibleatsomepublic-houseontheoutskirtsofthecitywhereitsmembersdulyqualifiedthemselvesasbona-fidetravellers。Buthisfellow-travellershadneverconsentedtooverlookhisorigin。Hehadbegunlifeasanobscurefinancierbylendingsmallsumsofmoneytoworkmenatusuriousinterest。Lateronhehadbecomethepartnerofaveryfat，shortgentleman，MrGoldberg，intheLiffeyLoanBank。ThoughhehadneverembracedmorethantheJewishethicalcode，hisfellow-Catholics，whenevertheyhadsmartedinpersonorbyproxyunderhisexactions，spokeofhimbitterlyasanIrishJewandanilliterate，andsawdivinedisapprovalofusurymademanifestthroughthepersonofhisidiotson。Atothertimestheyrememberedhisgoodpoints。

`Iwonderwheredidhegoto，’saidMrKernan。

Hewishedthedetailsoftheincidenttoremainvague。Hewishedhisfriendstothinktherehadbeensomemistake，thatMrHarfordandhehadmissedeachother。Hisfriends，whoknewquitewellMrHarford’smannersindrinking，weresilent。MrPowersaidagain：

`All’swellthatendswell。’

MrKernanchangedthesubjectatonce。

`Thatwasadecentyoungchap，thatmedicalfellow，’hesaid。`Onlyforhim——’

`O，onlyforhim，’saidMrPower，`itmighthavebeenacaseofsevendays，withouttheoptionofafine。’

`Yes，yes，’saidMrKernan，tryingtoremember。`Iremembernowtherewasapoliceman。Decentyoungfellow，heseemed。Howdidithappenatall？’

`Ithappenedthatyouwerepeloothered，Tom，’saidMrCunninghamgravely。

`Truebill，’saidMrKernan，equallygravely。

`Isupposeyousquaredtheconstable，Jack，’saidMrM’Coy。

MrPowerdidnotrelishtheuseofhisChristianname。Hewasnotstrait-laced，buthecouldnotforgetthatMrM’CoyhadrecentlymadeacrusadeinsearchofvalisesandportmanteauxtoenableMrsM’Coytofulfilimaginaryengagementsinthecountry。Morethanheresentedthefactthathehadbeenvictimized，heresentedsuchlowplayingofthegame。Heansweredthequestion，therefore，asifMrKernanhadaskedit。

ThenarrativemadeMrKernanindignant。Hewaskeenlyconsciousofhiscitizenship，wishedtolivewithhiscityontermsmutuallyhonourableandresentedanyaffrontputuponhimbythosewhomhecalledcountrybumpkins。

`Isthiswhatwepayratesfor？’heasked。`Tofeedandclothetheseignorantbostooms……andthey’renothingelse。’

MrCunninghamlaughed。HewasaCastleofficialonlyduringofficehours。

`Howcouldtheybeanythingelse，Tom？’hesaid。

Heassumedathick，provincialaccentandsaidinatoneofcommand：

`65，catchyourcabbage！’

Everyonelaughed。MrM’Coy，whowantedtoentertheconversationbyanydoor，pretendedthathehadneverheardthestory；MrCunninghamsaid：

`Itissupposed-theysay，youknow-totakeplaceinthedepotwheretheygetthesethunderingbigcountryfellows，omadhauns，youknow，todrill。Thesergeantmakesthemstandinarowagainstthewallandholduptheirplates。’Heillustratedthestorybygrotesquegestures。

`Atdinner，youknow。Thenhehasabloodybigbowlofcabbagebeforehimonthetableandabloodybigspoonlikeashovel。Hetakesupawadofcabbageonthespoonandpegsitacrosstheroomandthepoordevilshavetotryandcatchitontheirplates：65，catchyourcabbage。’

Everyonelaughedagain：butMrKernanwassomewhatindignantstill。

Hetalkedofwritingalettertothepapers。

`Theseyahooscominguphere，’hesaid，`thinktheycanbossthepeople。

Ineedn’ttellyou，Martin，whatkindofmentheyare。’

MrCunninghamgaveaqualifiedassent。

`It’slikeeverythingelseinthisworld，’hesaid。`Yougetsomebadonesandyougetsomegoodones。’

`Oyes，yougetsomegoodones，Iadmit，’saidMrKernan，satisfied。

`It’sbettertohavenothingtosaytothem，’saidMrM’Coy。`That’smyopinion！’

MrsKernanenteredtheroomand，placingatrayonthetable，said：

`Helpyourselves，gentlemen。’

MrPowerstooduptoofficiate，offeringherhischair。Shedeclinedit，sayingshewasironingdownstairs，and，afterhavingexchangedanodwithMrCunninghambehindMrPower’sback，preparedtoleavetheroom。

Herhusbandcalledouttoher：

`Andhaveyounothingforme，duckie？’

`O，you！Thebackofmyhandtoyou！’saidMrsKernantartly。

Herhusbandcalledafterher：

`Nothingforpoorlittlehubby！’

Heassumedsuchacomicalfaceandvoicethatthedistributionofthebottlesofstouttookplaceamidgeneralmerriment。

Thegentlemendrankfromtheirglasses，settheglassesagainonthetableandpaused。ThenMrCunninghamturnedtowardsMrPowerandsaidcasually：

`OnThursdaynight，yousaid，Jack？’

`Thursday，yes，’saidMrPower。

`Righto！’saidMrCunninghampromptly。

`WecanmeetinM’Auley’s，’saidMrM’Coy。`That’llbethemostconvenientplace。’

`Butwemustn’tbelate，’saidMrPowerearnestly，`becauseitissuretobecrammedtothedoors。’

`Wecanmeetathalf-seven，’saidMrM’Coy。

`Righto！’saidMrCunningham。

`Half-sevenatM’Auley’sbeit！’

Therewasashortsilence。MrKernanwaitedtoseewhetherhewouldbetakenintohisfriends’confidence。Thenheasked：

`What’sinthewind？’

`O，it’snothing，’saidMrCunningham。`It’sonlyalittlematterthatwe’rearrangingaboutforThursday。’

`Theopera，isit？’saidMrKernan。

`No，no，’saidMrCunninghaminanevasivetone，`it’sjustalittle……

spiritualmatter。’

`O，’saidMrKernan。

Therewassilenceagain。ThenMrPowersaid，point-blank：

`Totellyouthetruth，Tom，we’regoingtomakearetreat。’

`Yes，that’sit，’saidMrCunningham，`JackandIandM’Coyhere-we’reallgoingtowashthepot。’

Heutteredthemetaphorwithacertainhomelyenergyand，encouragedbyhisownvoice，proceeded：

`Yousee，wemayaswellalladmitwe’reanicecollectionofscoundrels，oneandall。Isay，oneandall，’headdedwithgruffcharityandturningtoMrPower。`Ownupnow！’

`Iownup，’saidMrPower。

`AndIownup，’saidMrM’Coy。

`Sowe’regoingtowashthepottogether，’saidMrCunningham。

Athoughtseemedtostrikehim。Heturnedsuddenlytotheinvalidandsaid：

`D’yeknowwhat，Tom，hasjustoccurredtome？Youmightjoininandwe’dhaveafour-handedreel。’

`Goodidea，’saidMrPower。`Thefourofustogether。’

MrKernanwassilent。Theproposalconveyedverylittlemeaningtohismind，but，understandingthatsomespiritualagencieswereabouttoconcernthemselvesonhisbehalf，hethoughtheowedittohisdignitytoshowastiffneck。Hetooknopartintheconversationforalongwhile，butlistened，withanairofcalmenmity，whilehisfriendsdiscussedtheJesuits。

`Ihaven’tsuchabadopinionoftheJesuits，’hesaid，interveningatlength。`They’reaneducatedorder。Ibelievetheymeanwell，too。’

`They’rethegrandestorderintheChurch，Tom，’saidMrCunningham，withenthusiasm。`TheGeneraloftheJesuitsstandsnexttothePope。’

`There’snomistakeaboutit，’saidMrM’Coy，`ifyouwantathingwelldoneandnofliesabout，yougotoaJesuit。They’retheboyoshaveinfluence。

I`Iltellyouacaseinpoint……’

`TheJesuitsareafinebodyofmen，’saidMrPower。

`It’sacuriousthing，’saidMrCunningham，`abouttheJesuitOrder。

EveryotherorderoftheChurchhadtobereformedatsometimeorother，buttheJesuitOrderwasneveroncereformed。Itneverfellaway。’

`Isthatso？’askedMrM’Coy。

`That’safact，’saidMrCunningham。`That’shistory。’

`Lookattheirchurch，too，’saidMrPower。`Lookatthecongregationtheyhave。’

`TheJesuitscaterfortheupperclasses，’saidMrM’Coy。

`Ofcourse，’saidMrPower。

`Yes，’saidMrKernan。`That’swhyIhaveafeelingforthem。It’ssomeofthosesecularpriests，ignorant，bumptious——’

`They’reallgoodmen，’saidMrCunningham，`eachinhisownway。TheIrishpriesthoodishonouredalltheworldover。’

`Oyes，’saidMrPower。

`NotlikesomeoftheotherpriesthoodsontheContinent，saidMrM`Coy，`unworthyofthename。’`Perhapsyou’reright，’saidMrKernan，relenting。

`OfcourseI’mright，’saidMrCunningham。`Ihaven’tbeenintheworldallthistimeandseenmostsidesofitwithoutbeingajudgeofcharacter。’

Thegentlemendrankagain，onefollowinganother’sexample。MrKernanseemedtobeweighingsomethinginhismind。Hewasimpressed。HehadahighopinionofMrCunninghamasajudgeofcharacterandasareaderoffaces。Heaskedforparticulars。

`O，it’sjustaretreat，youknow，’saidMrCunningham。`FatherPurdonisgivingit。It’sforbusinessmen，youknow。’

`Hewon’tbetoohardonus，Tom，’saidMrPowerpersuasively。

`FatherPurdon？FatherPurdon？’saidtheinvalid。

`O，youmustknowhim，Tom，’saidMrCunningham，stoutly。`Fine，jollyfellow！He’samanoftheworldlikeourselves。’

`Ah……yes。IthinkIknowhim。Ratherredface；tall。’

`That’stheman。’

`Andtellme，Martin……Isheagoodpreacher？’

`Munno……It’snotexactlyasermon，youknow。It’sjustakindofafriendlytalk，youknow，inacommon-senseway。’

MrKernandeliberated。MrM’Coysaid：

`FatherTomBurke，thatwastheboy！’

`O，FatherTomBurke，’saidMrCunningham，`thatwasabornorator。

Didyoueverhearhim，Tom？’

`DidIeverhearhim！’saidtheinvalid，nettled。`Rather！Iheardhim……

’

`Andyettheysayhewasn’tmuchofatheologian，’saidMrCunningham。

`Isthatso？’saidMrM’Coy。

`O，ofcourse，nothingwrong，youknow。Onlysometimes，theysay，hedidn’tpreachwhatwasquiteorthodox。’

`Ah！……hewasasplendidman，’saidMrM’Coy。

`Iheardhimonce，’MrKernancontinued。`Iforgetthesubjectofhisdiscoursenow。CroftonandIwereinthebackofthe……pit，youknow……

the——’

`Thebody，’saidMrCunningham。

`Yes，inthebacknearthedoor。Iforgotnowwhat……Oyes，itwasonthePope，thelatePope。Irememberitwell。Uponmyworditwasmagnificent，thestyleoftheoratory。Andhisvoice！God！hadn’theavoice！ThePrisoneroftheVatican，hecalledhim。IrememberCroftonsayingtomewhenwecameout——’

`Buthe’sanOrangeman，Crofton，isn’the？’saidMrPower。

`’Courseheis，’saidMrKernan，`andadamneddecentOrangeman，too。

WewentintoButler’sinMooreStreetfaith，Iwasgenuinelymoved，tellyoutheGod’struth-andIrememberwellhisverywords。Kernan，hesaid，weworshipatdifferentaltars，hesaid，butourbeliefisthesame。Struckmeasverywellput。’

`There’sagooddealinthat，’saidMrPower。`ThereusedalwaysbecrowdsofProtestantsinthechapelwhereFatherTomwaspreaching。’

`There’snotmuchdifferencebetweenus，’saidMrM’Coy。`Webothbelievein——’

Hehesitatedforamoment。

`……intheRedeemer。Onlytheydon’tbelieveinthePopeandinthemotherofGod。’

`But，ofcourse，’saidMrCunninghamquietlyandeffectively，`ourreligionisthereligion，theold，originalfaith。’

`Notadoubtofit，’saidMrKernanwarmly。

MrsKernancametothedoorofthebedroomandannounced：

`Here’savisitorforyou！’

`Whoisit？’

`MrFogarty。’

`O，comein！comein！’

Apale，ovalfacecameforwardintothelight。Thearchofitsfairtrailingmoustachewasrepeatedinthefaireyebrowsloopedabovepleasantlyastonishedeyes。MrFogartywasamodestgrocer。Hehadfailedinbusinessinalicensedhouseinthecitybecausehisfinancialconditionhadconstrainedhimtotiehimselftosecond-classdistillersandbrewers。HehadopenedasmallshoponGlasnevinRoadwhere，heflatteredhimself，hismannerswouldingratiatehimwiththehousewivesofthedistrict。Heborehimselfwithacertaingrace，complimentedlittlechildrenandspokewithaneatenunciation。Hewasnotwithoutculture。

MrFogartybroughtagiftwithhim，ahalf-pintofspecialwhisky。HeinquiredpolitelyforMrKernan，placedhisgiftonthetableandsatdownwiththecompanyonequalterms。MrKernanappreciatedthegiftallthemoresincehewasawarethattherewasasmallaccountforgroceriesunsettledbetweenhimandMrFogarty。Hesaid：

`Iwouldn’tdoubtyou，oldman。Openthat，Jack，willyou？’

MrPoweragainofficiated。Glasseswererinsedandfivesmallmeasuresofwhiskywerepouredout。Thisnewinfluenceenlivenedtheconversation。

MrFogarty，sittingonasmallareaofthechair，wasspeciallyinterested。

`PopeLeoXIII，’saidMrCunningham，`wasoneofthelightsoftheage。

Hisgreatidea，youknow，wastheunionoftheLatinandGreekChurches。

Thatwastheaimofhislife。’

`IoftenheardhewasoneofthemostintellectualmeninEurope，’saidMrPower。`Imean，apartfromhisbeingPope。’

`Sohewas，’saidMrCunningham，`ifnotthemostso。Hismotto，youknow，asPope，wasLuxuponLux-lightuponlight。’

`No，no，’saidMrFogartyeagerly。`Ithinkyou’rewrongthere。ItwasLuxinTenebris，Ithink-LightinDarkness。’

`Oyes，’saidMrM’Coy，`Tenebrae。’

`Allowme，’saidMrCunninghampositively，`itwasLuxuponLux。

AndPiusIXhispredecessor’smottowasCruxuponCrux-thatis，CrossuponCross-toshowthedifferencebetweentheirtwopontificates。’

Theinferencewasallowed。MrCunninghamcontinued。

`PopeLeo，youknow，wasagreatscholarandapoet。’

`Hehadastrongface，’saidMrKernan。

`Yes，’saidMrCunningham。`HewroteLatinpoetry。’

`Isthatso？’saidMrFogarty。

MrM’Coytastedhiswhiskycontentedlyandshookhisheadwithadoubleintention，saying：

`That’snojoke，Icantellyou。’

`Wedidn’tlearnthat，Tom，’saidMrPower，followingMrM’Coy’sexample，`whenwewenttothepenny-a-weekschool。’

`Therewasmanyagoodmanwenttothepenny-a-weekschoolwithasodofturfunderhisoxter，’saidMrKernansententiously。`Theoldsystemwasthebest：plainhonesteducation。Noneofyourmoderntrumpery……’

`Quiteright，’saidMrPower。

`Nosuperfluities，’saidMrFogarty。

Heenunciatedthewordandthendrankgravely。

`Irememberreading，’saidMrCunningham，`thatoneofPopeLeo’spoemswasontheinventionofthephotographinLatin，ofcourse。’

`Onthephotograph！’exclaimedMrKernan。

`Yes，’saidMrCunningham。

Healsodrankfromhisglass。

`Well，youknow，’saidMrM’Coy，`isn’tthephotographwonderfulwhenyoucometothinkofit？’

`O，ofcourse，’saidMrPower，`greatmindscanseethings。’

`Asthepoetsays：Greatmindsareveryneartomadness，’saidMrFogarty。

MrKernanseemedtobetroubledinmind。HemadeanefforttorecalltheProtestanttheologyonsomethornypointsandintheendaddressedMrCunningham。

`Tellme，Martin，’hesaid。`Weren’tsomeofthePopes-ofcourse，notourpresentman，orhispredecessor，butsomeoftheoldPopes-notexactly……youknow……uptotheknocker？’

Therewasasilence。MrCunninghamsaid：

`O，ofcourse，thereweresomebadlots……Buttheastonishingthingisthis。Notoneofthem，notthebiggestdrunkard，notthemost……out-and-outruffian，notoneofthemeverpreachedexcathedraawordoffalsedoctrine。Nowisn’tthatanastonishingthing？’

`Thatis，’saidMrKernan。

`Yes，becausewhenthePopespeaksexcathedra，’MrFogartyexplained，`heisinfallible。’

`Yes，’saidMrCunningham。

`O，IknowabouttheinfallibilityofthePope。IrememberIwasyoungerthen……Orwasitthat-？’

MrFogartyinterrupted。Hetookupthebottleandhelpedtheotherstoalittlemore。MrM’Coy，seeingthattherewasnotenoughtogoround，pleadedthathehadnotfinishedhisfirstmeasure。Theothersacceptedunderprotest。Thelightmusicofwhiskyfallingintoglassesmadeanagreeableinterlude。

`What’sthatyouweresaying，Tom？’askedMrM’Coy。

`Papalinfallibility，’saidMrCunningham，`thatwasthegreatestsceneinthewholehistoryoftheChurch。’

`Howwasthat，Martin？’askedMrPower。

MrCunninghamhelduptwothickfingers。

`Inthesacredcollege，youknow，ofcardinalsandarchbishopsandbishopsthereweretwomenwhoheldoutagainstitwhiletheotherswereallforit。Thewholeconclaveexceptthesetwowasunanimous。No！Theywouldn’thaveit！’

`Ha！’saidMrM’Coy。

`AndtheywereaGermancardinalbythenameofDolling……orDowling……

or——’

`DowlingwasnoGerman，andthat’sasurefive，’saidMrPower，laughing。

`Well，thisgreatGermancardinal，whateverhisnamewas，wasone；andtheotherwasJohnMacHale。’

`What？’criedMrKernan。`IsitJohnofTuam？’

`Areyousureofthatnow？’askedMrFogartydubiously。`IthoughtitwassomeItalianorAmerican。’

`JohnofTuam，’repeatedMrCunningham，`wastheman。’

Hedrankandtheothergentlemenfollowedhislead。Thenheresumed：

`Theretheywereatit，allthecardinalsandbishopsandarchbishopsfromalltheendsoftheearthandthesetwofightingdoganddeviluntilatlastthePopehimselfstoodupanddeclaredinfallibilityadogmaoftheChurchexcathedra。OntheverymomentJohnMacHale，whohadbeenarguingandarguingagainstit，stoodupandshoutedoutwiththevoiceofalion："Credo！"’

`Ibelieve！’saidMrFogarty。

`Credo！’saidMrCunningham。`Thatshowedthefaithhehad。HesubmittedthemomentthePopespoke。’

`AndwhataboutDowling？’askedMrM’Coy。