第8章

`TheGermancardinalwouldn’tsubmit。HelefttheChurch。’

MrCunningham’swordshadbuiltupthevastimageoftheChurchinthemindsofhishearers。Hisdeep，raucousvoicehadthrilledthemasitutteredthewordofbeliefandsubmission。WhenMrsKernancameintotheroom，dryingherhands，shecameintoasolemncompany。Shedidnotdisturbthesilence，butleanedovertherailatthefootofthebed。

`IoncesawJohnMacHale，’saidMrKernan，`andI’llneverforgetitaslongasIlive。’

Heturnedtowardshiswifetobeconfirmed。

`Ioftentoldyouthat？’

MrsKernannodded。

`ItwasattheunveilingofSirJohnGray’sstatue。EdmundDwyerGraywasspeaking，blatheringaway，andherewasthisoldfellow，crabbed-lookingoldchap，lookingathimfromunderhisbushyeyebrows。’

MrKernanknittedhisbrowsand，loweringhisheadlikeanangrybull，glaredathiswife。

`God！’heexclaimed，resuminghisnaturalface，`Ineversawsuchaneyeinaman’shead。Itwasasmuchastosay：Ihaveyouproperlytaped，mylad。Hehadaneyelikeahawk。’

`NoneoftheGrayswasanygood，’saidMrPower。

Therewasapauseagain。MrPowerturnedtoMrsKernanandsaidwithabruptjoviality：

`Well，MrsKernan，we’regoingtomakeyourmanhereagoodholypiousandGod-fearingRomanCatholic。’

Heswepthisarmroundthecompanyinclusively。

`We’reallgoingtomakearetreattogetherandconfessoursins-andGodknowswewantitbadly。’

`Idon’tmind，’saidMrKernan，smilingalittlenervously。

MrsKernanthoughtitwouldbewisertoconcealhersatisfaction。Soshesaid：

`Ipitythepoorpriestthathastolistentoyourtale。’

MrKernan’sexpressionchanged。

`Ifhedoesn’tlikeit，’hesaidbluntly，`hecan……dotheotherthing。

I’lljusttellhimmylittletaleofwoe。I’mnotsuchabadfellow——’

MrCunninghamintervenedpromptly。

`We’llallrenouncethedevil，’hesaid，`together，notforgettinghisworksandpomps。’

`Getbehindme，Satan！’saidMrFogarty，laughingandlookingattheothers。

MrPowersaidnothing。Hefeltcompletelyout-generalled。Butapleasedexpressionflickeredacrosshisface。

`Allwehavetodo，’saidMrCunningham，`istostandupwithlightedcandlesinourhandsandrenewourbaptismalvows。’

`O，don’tforgetthecandle，Tom，’saidMrM’Coy，`whateveryoudo。’

`What？’saidMrKernan。`MustIhaveacandle？’

`Oyes，’saidMrCunningham。

`No，damnitall，’saidMrKernansensibly，`Idrawthelinethere。

I’lldothejobrightenough。I’lldotheretreatbusinessandconfession，and……allthatbusiness。But……nocandles！No，damnitall，Ibarthecandles！’

Heshookhisheadwithfarcicalgravity。

`Listentothat！’saidhiswife。

`Ibarthecandles，’saidMrKernan，consciousofhavingcreatedaneffectonhisaudienceandcontinuingtoshakehisheadtoandfro。`I

barthemagic-lanternbusiness。’

Everyonelaughedheartily。

`There’saniceCatholicforyou！’saidhiswife。

`Nocandles！’repeatedMrKernanobdurately。`That’soff！’

ThetranseptoftheJesuitChurchinGardinerStreetwasalmostfull；

andstillateverymomentgentlemenenteredfromthesidedoorand，directedbythelay-brother，walkedontiptoealongtheaislesuntiltheyfoundseatingaccommodation。Thegentlemenwereallwelldressedandorderly。

Thelightofthelampsofthechurchfelluponanassemblyofblackclothesandwhitecollars，relievedhereandtherebytweeds，ondarkmottledpillarsofgreenmarbleandonlugubriouscanvases。Thegentlemensatinthebenches，havinghitchedtheirtrousersslightlyabovetheirkneesandlaidtheirhatsinsecurity。Theysatwellbackandgazedformallyatthedistantspeckofredlightwhichwassuspendedbeforethehighaltar。

InoneofthebenchesnearthepulpitsatMrCunninghamandMrKernan。

InthebenchbehindsatMrM’Coyalone：andinthebenchbehindhimsatMrPowerandMrFogarty。MrM’Coyhadtriedunsuccessfullytofindaplaceinthebenchwiththeothers，and，whenthepartyhadsettleddownintheformofaquincunx，hehadtriedunsuccessfullytomakecomicremarks。

Asthesehadnotbeenwellreceived，hehaddesisted。Evenhewassensibleofthedecorousatmosphereandevenhebegantorespondtothereligiousstimulus。Inawhisper，MrCunninghamdrewMrKernan’sattentiontoMrHarford，themoneylender，whosatsomedistanceoff，andtoMrFanning，theregistrationagentandmayor-makerofthecity，whowassittingimmediatelyunderthepulpitbesideoneofthenewlyelectedcouncillorsoftheward。

TotherightsatoldMichaelGrimes，theownerofthreepawnbroker’sshops，andDanHogan’snephew，whowasupforthejobintheTownClerk’soffice。

FartherinfrontsatMrHendrick，thechiefreporterofTheFreeman’sJournal，andpoorO’Carroll，anoldfriendofMrKernan’s，whohadbeenatonetimeaconsiderablecommercialfigure。Gradually，asherecognizedfamiliarfaces，MrKernanbegantofeelmoreathome。Hishat，whichhadbeenrehabilitatedbyhiswife，resteduponhisknees。Onceortwicehepulleddownhiscuffswithonehandwhileheheldthebrimofhishatlightly，butfirmly，withtheotherhand。

Apowerful-lookingfigure，theupperpartofwhichwasdrapedwithawhitesurplice，wasobservedtobestrugglingupintothepulpit。Simultaneouslythecongregationunsettled，producedhandkerchiefsandkneltuponthemwithcare。MrKernanfollowedthegeneralexample。Thepriest’sfigurenowstooduprightinthepulpit，two-thirdsofitsbulk，crownedbyamassiveredface，appearingabovethebalustrade。

FatherPurdonkneltdown，turnedtowardstheredspeckoflightand，coveringhisfacewithhishands，prayed。Afteraninterval，heuncoveredhisfaceandrose。Thecongregationrosealsoandsettledagainonitsbenches。MrKernanrestoredhishattoitsoriginalpositiononhiskneeandpresentedanattentivefacetothepreacher。Thepreacherturnedbackeachwidesleeveofhissurplicewithanelaboratelargegestureandslowlysurveyedthearrayoffaces。Thenhesaid：

`Forthechildrenofthisworldarewiserintheirgenerationthanthechildrenoflight。Whereforemakeuntoyourselvesfriendsoutofthemammonofiniquitysothatwhenyoudietheymayreceiveyouintoeverlastingdwellings。’

FatherPurdondevelopedthetextwithresonantassurance。ItwasoneofthemostdifficulttextsinalltheScriptures，hesaid，tointerpretproperly。ItwasatextwhichmightseemtothecasualobserveratvariancewiththeloftymoralityelsewherepreachedbyJesusChrist。But，hetoldhishearers，thetexthadseemedtohimspeciallyadaptedfortheguidanceofthosewhoselotitwastoleadthelifeoftheworldandwhoyetwishedtoleadthatlifenotinthemannerofworldlings。Itwasatextforbusinessmenandprofessionalmen。JesusChrist，withHisdivineunderstandingofeverycrannyofourhumannature，understoodthatallmenwerenotcalledtothereligiouslife，thatbyfarthevastmajoritywereforcedtoliveintheworld，and，toacertainextent，fortheworld：andinthissentenceHedesignedtogivethemawordofcounsel，settingbeforethemasexemplarsinthereligiouslifethoseveryworshippersofMammonwhowereofallmentheleastsolicitousinmattersreligious。

Hetoldhishearersthathewastherethateveningfornoterrifying，noextravagantpurpose；butasamanoftheworldspeakingtohisfellow-men。

Hecametospeaktobusinessmenandhewouldspeaktotheminabusiness-likeway。Ifhemightusethemetaphor，hesaid，hewastheirspiritualaccountant；

andhewishedeachandeveryoneofhishearerstoopenhisbooks，thebooksofhisspirituallife，andseeiftheytalliedaccuratelywithconscience。

JesusChristwasnotahardtaskmaster。Heunderstoodourlittlefailings，understoodtheweaknessofourpoorfallennature，understoodthetemptationsofthislife。Wemighthavehad，weallhadfromtimetotime，ourtemptations：

wemighthave，weallhad，ourfailings。Butonethingonly，hesaid，hewouldaskofhishearers。Andthatwas：tobestraightandmanlywithGod。

Iftheiraccountstalliedineverypointtosay：

`Well，Ihaveverifiedmyaccounts。Ifindallwell。’

Butif，asmighthappen，thereweresomediscrepancies，toadmitthetruth，tobefrankandsaylikeaman：

`Well，Ihavelookedintomyaccounts。Ifindthiswrongandthiswrong。

But，withGod’sgrace，Iwillrectifythisandthis。Iwillsetrightmyaccounts。’

TheDead

Lily，thecaretaker’sdaughter，wasliterallyrunoffherfeet。Hardlyhadshebroughtonegentlemanintothelittlepantrybehindtheofficeonthegroundfloorandhelpedhimoffwithhisovercoat，thanthewheezyhall-doorbellclangedagainandshehadtoscamperalongthebarehallwaytoletinanotherguest。Itwaswellforhershehadnottoattendtotheladiesalso。ButMissKateandMissJuliahadthoughtofthatandhadconvertedthebathroomupstairsintoaladies’dressing-room。MissKateandMissJuliawerethere，gossipingandlaughingandfussing，walkingaftereachothertotheheadofthestairs，peeringdownoverthebanistersandcallingdowntoLilytoaskherwhohadcome。

Itwasalwaysagreataffair，theMissesMorkan’sannualdance。Everybodywhoknewthemcametoit，membersofthefamily，oldfriendsofthefamily，themembersofJulia’schoir，anyofKate’spupilsthatweregrownupenough，andevensomeofMaryJane’spupilstoo。Neveroncehaditfallenflat。

Foryearsandyearsithadgoneoffinsplendidstyle，aslongasanyonecouldremember：eversinceKateandJulia，afterthedeathoftheirbrotherPat，hadleftthehouseinStoneyBatterandtakenMaryJane，theironlyniece，tolivewiththeminthedark，gaunthouseonUsher’sIsland，theupperpartofwhichtheyhadrentedfromMrFulham，thecorn-factoronthegroundfloor。Thatwasagoodthirtyyearsagoifitwasaday。MaryJane，whowasthenalittlegirlinshortclothes，wasnowthemainpropofthehousehold，forshehadtheorganinHaddingtonRoad。ShehadbeenthroughtheAcademyandgaveapupils’concerteveryyearintheupperroomoftheAncientConcertRooms。Manyofherpupilsbelongedtothebetter-classfamiliesontheKingstownandDalkeyline。Oldastheywere，herauntsalsodidtheirshare。Julia，thoughshewasquitegrey，wasstilltheleadingsopranoinAdamandEve’s，andKate，beingtoofeebletogoaboutmuch，gavemusiclessonstobeginnersontheoldsquarepianointhebackroom。

Lily，thecaretaker’sdaughter，didhousemaid’sworkforthem。Thoughtheirlifewasmodest，theybelievedineatingwell；thebestofeverything：

diamond-bonesirloins，three-shillingteaandthebestbottledstout。ButLilyseldommadeamistakeintheorders，sothatshegotonwellwithherthreemistresses。Theywerefussy，thatwasall。Buttheonlythingtheywouldnotstandwasbackanswers。

Ofcourse，theyhadgoodreasontobefussyonsuchanight。Andthenitwaslongafterteno’clockandyettherewasnosignofGabrielandhiswife。BesidestheyweredreadfullyafraidthatFreddyMalinsmightturnupscrewed。TheywouldnotwishforworldsthatanyofMaryJane’spupilsshouldseehimundertheinfluence；andwhenhewaslikethatitwassometimesveryhardtomanagehim。FreddyMalinsalwayscamelate，buttheywonderedwhatcouldbekeepingGabriel：andthatwaswhatbroughtthemeverytwominutestothebanisterstoaskLilyhadGabrielorFreddycome。

`O，MrConroy，’saidLilytoGabrielwhensheopenedthedoorforhim，`MissKateandMissJuliathoughtyouwerenevercoming。Goodnight，MrsConroy。’

`I’llengagetheydid，’saidGabriel，`buttheyforgetthatmywifeheretakesthreemortalhourstodressherself。’

Hestoodonthemat，scrapingthesnowfromhisgoloshes，whileLilyledhiswifetothefootofthestairsandcalledout：

`MissKate，here’sMrsConroy。’

KateandJuliacametoddlingdownthedarkstairsatonce。BothofthemkissedGabriel’swife，saidshemustbeperishedalive，andaskedwasGabrielwithher。

`HereIamasrightasthemail，AuntKate！Goonup。I’llfollow，’

calledoutGabrielfromthedark。

Hecontinuedscrapinghisfeetvigorouslywhilethethreewomenwentupstairs，laughing，totheladies’dressing-room。Alightfringeofsnowlaylikeacapeontheshouldersofhisovercoatandliketoecapsonthetoesofhisgoloshes；and，asthebuttonsofhisovercoatslippedwithasqueakingnoisethroughthesnow-stiffenedfrieze，acold，fragrantairfromout-of-doorsescapedfromcrevicesandfolds。

`Isitsnowingagain，MrConroy？’askedLily。

Shehadprecededhimintothepantrytohelphimoffwithhisovercoat。

Gabrielsmiledatthethreesyllablesshehadgivenhissurnameandglancedather。Shewasaslim，growinggirl，paleincomplexionandwithhay-colouredhair。Thegasinthepantrymadeherlookstillpaler。Gabrielhadknownherwhenshewasachildandusedtositontheloweststepnursingaragdoll。

`Yes，Lily，’heanswered，`andIthinkwe’reinforanightofit。’

Helookedupatthepantryceiling，whichwasshakingwiththestampingandshufflingoffeetonthefloorabove，listenedforamomenttothepianoandthenglancedatthegirl，whowasfoldinghisovercoatcarefullyattheendofashelf。

`Tellme，Lily，’hesaidinafriendlytone，`doyoustillgotoschool？’

`Ono，sir，’sheanswered。`I’mdoneschoolingthisyearandmore。’

`O，then，’saidGabrielgaily，`Isupposewe’llbegoingtoyourweddingoneofthesefinedayswithyouryoungman，eh？’

Thegirlglancedbackathimoverhershoulderandsaidwithgreatbitterness：

`Thementhatisnowisonlyallpalaverandwhattheycangetoutofyou。’

Gabrielcoloured，asifhefelthehadmadeamistake，and，withoutlookingather，kickedoffhisgoloshesandflickedactivelywithhismufflerathispatent-leathershoes。

Hewasastout，tallishyoungman。Thehighcolourofhischeekspushedupwardseventohisforehead，whereitscattereditselfinafewformlesspatchesofpalered；andonhishairlessfacetherescintillatedrestlesslythepolishedlensesandthebrightgiltrimsoftheglasseswhichscreenedhisdelicateandrestlesseyes。Hisglossyblackhairwaspartedinthemiddleandbrushedinalongcurvebehindhisearswhereitcurledslightlybeneaththegrooveleftbyhishat。

Whenhehadflickedlustreintohisshoeshestoodupandpulledhiswaistcoatdownmoretightlyonhisplumpbody。Thenhetookacoinrapidlyfromhispocket。

`OLily，’hesaid，thrustingitintoherhands，`it’sChristmastime，isn’tit？Just……here’salittle……’

Hewalkedrapidlytowardsthedoor。

`Ono，sir！’criedthegirl，followinghim。`Really，sir，Iwouldn’ttakeit。’

`Christmas-time！Christmas-time！’saidGabriel，almosttrottingtothestairsandwavinghishandtoherindeprecation。

Thegirl，seeingthathehadgainedthestairs，calledoutafterhim：

`Well，thankyou，sir。’

Hewaitedoutsidethedrawing-roomdooruntilthewaltzshouldfinish，listeningtotheskirtsthatsweptagainstitandtotheshufflingoffeet。

Hewasstilldiscomposedbythegirl’sbitterandsuddenretort。Ithadcastagloomoverhimwhichhetriedtodispelbyarranginghiscuffsandthebowsofhistie。Hethentookfromhiswaistcoatpocketalittlepaperandglancedattheheadingshehadmadeforhisspeech。HewasundecidedaboutthelinesfromRobertBrowning，forhefearedtheywouldbeabovetheheadsofhishearers。SomequotationthattheywouldrecognizefromShakespeareorfromtheMelodieswouldbebetter。Theindelicateclackingofthemen’sheelsandtheshufflingoftheirsolesremindedhimthattheirgradeofculturedifferedfromhis。Hewouldonlymakehimselfridiculousbyquotingpoetrytothemwhichtheycouldnotunderstand。Theywouldthinkthathewasairinghissuperioreducation。Hewouldfailwiththemjustashehadfailedwiththegirlinthepantry。Hehadtakenupawrongtone。

Hiswholespeechwasamistakefromfirsttolast，anutterfailure。

Justthenhisauntsandhiswifecameoutoftheladies’dressing-room。

Hisauntsweretwosmall，plainlydressedoldwomen。AuntJuliawasaninchorsothetaller。Herhair，drawnlowoverthetopsofherears，wasgrey；andgreyalso，withdarkershadows，washerlargeflaccidface。Thoughshewasstoutinbuildandstooderect，hersloweyesandpartedlipsgavehertheappearanceofawomanwhodidnotknowwhereshewasorwhereshewasgoing。AuntKatewasmorevivacious。Herface，healthierthanhersister’s，wasallpuckersandcreases，likeashrivelledredapple，andherhair，braidedinthesameold-fashionedway，hadnotlostitsripenutcolour。

TheybothkissedGabrielfrankly。Hewastheirfavouritenephew，thesonoftheirdeadeldersister，Ellen，whohadmarriedT。J。ConroyofthePortandDocks。

`Grettatellsmeyou’renotgoingtotakeacabbacktoMonkstowntonight，Gabriel，’saidAuntKate。

`No，’saidGabriel，turningtohiswife，`wehadquiteenoughofthatlastyear，hadn’twe？Don’tyouremember，AuntKate，whatacoldGrettagotoutofit？Cabwindowsrattlingalltheway，andtheeastwindblowinginafterwepassedMerrion。Veryjollyitwas。Grettacaughtadreadfulcold。’

AuntKatefrownedseverelyandnoddedherheadateveryword。

`Quiteright，Gabriel，quiteright，’shesaid。`Youcan’tbetoocareful。’

`ButasforGrettathere，’saidGabriel，`she’dwalkhomeinthesnowifshewerelet。’

MrsConroylaughed。

`Don’tmindhim，AuntKate，’shesaid。`He’sreallyanawfulbother，whatwithgreenshadesforTom’seyesatnightandmakinghimdothedumb-bells，andforcingEvatoeatthestirabout。Thepoorchild！Andshesimplyhatesthesightofit！……O，butyou’llneverguesswhathemakesmewearnow！’

Shebrokeoutintoapealoflaughterandglancedatherhusband，whoseadmiringandhappyeyeshadbeenwanderingfromherdresstoherfaceandhair。Thetwoauntslaughedheartily，too，forGabriel’ssolicitudewasastandingjokewiththem。

`Goloshes！’saidMrsConroy。`That’sthelatest。Wheneverit’swetunderfootImustputonmygoloshes。Tonighteven，hewantedmetoputthemon，butIwouldn’t。Thenextthinghe’llbuymewillbeadivingsuit。’

Gabriellaughednervouslyandpattedhistiereassuringly，whileAuntKatenearlydoubledherself，soheartilydidsheenjoythejoke。ThesmilesoonfadedfromAuntJulia’sfaceandhermirthlesseyesweredirectedtowardshernephew’sface。Afterapausesheasked：

`Andwhataregoloshes，Gabriel？’

`Goloshes，Julia！’exclaimedhersister。`Goodnessme，don’tyouknowwhatgoloshesare？Youwearthemoveryour……overyourboots，Gretta，isn’tit？’

`Yes，’saidMrsConroy。`Gutta-perchathings。Webothhaveapairnow。

GabrielsayseveryonewearsthemontheContinent。’

`O，ontheContinent，’murmuredAuntJulia，noddingherheadslowly。

Gabrielknittedhisbrowsandsaid，asifhewereslightlyangered：

`It’snothingverywonderful，butGrettathinksitveryfunny，becauseshesaysthewordremindsherofChristyMinstrels。’

`Buttellme，Gabriel，’saidAuntKate，withbrisktact。`Ofcourse，you’veseenabouttheroom。Grettawassaying……’

`O，theroomisallright，’repliedGabriel。`I’vetakenoneintheGresham。’

`Tobesure，’saidAuntKate，`byfarthebestthingtodo。Andthechildren，Gretta，you’renotanxiousaboutthem？’

`O，foronenight，’saidMrsConroy。`Besides，Bessiewilllookafterthem。’

`Tobesure，’saidAuntKateagain。`Whatacomfortitistohaveagirllikethat，oneyoucandependon！There’sthatLily，I’msureIdon’tknowwhathascomeoverherlately。She’snotthegirlshewasatall。’

Gabrielwasabouttoaskhisauntsomequestionsonthispoint，butshebrokeoffsuddenlytogazeafterhersister，whohadwandereddownthestairsandwascraningherneckoverthebanisters。

`Now，Iaskyou，’shesaidalmosttestily，`whereisJuliagoing？Julia！

Julia！Whereareyougoing？’

Julia，whohadgonehalf-waydownoneflight，camebackandannouncedblandly：

`Here’sFreddy。’

Atthesamemomentaclappingofhandsandafinalflourishofthepianisttoldthatthewaltzhadended。Thedrawing-roomdoorwasopenedfromwithinandsomecouplescameout。AuntKatedrewGabrielasidehurriedlyandwhisperedintohisear：

`Slipdown，Gabriel，likeagoodfellowandseeifhe’sallright，anddon’tlethimupifhe’sscrewed。I’msurehe’sscrewed。I’msureheis。’

Gabrielwenttothestairsandlistenedoverthebanisters。Hecouldheartwopersonstalkinginthepantry。ThenherecognizedFreddyMalins’

laugh。Hewentdownthestairsnoisily。

`It’ssucharelief，’saidAuntKatetoMrsConroy，`thatGabrielishere。Ialwaysfeeleasierinmymindwhenhe’shere……Julia，there’sMissDalyandMissPowerwilltakesomerefreshment。Thanksforyourbeautifulwaltz，MissDaly。Itmadelovelytime。’

Atallwizen-facedman，withastiffgrizzledmoustacheandswarthyskin，whowaspassingoutwithhispartner，said：

`Andmaywehavesomerefreshment，too，MissMorkan？’

`Julia，’saidAuntKatesummarily，`andhere’sMrBrowneandMissFurlong。

Takethemin，Julia，withMissDalyandMissPower。’

`I’mthemanfortheladies，’saidMrBrowne，pursinghislipsuntilhismoustachebristled，andsmilinginallhiswrinkles。`Youknow，MissMorkan，thereasontheyaresofondofmeis——’

Hedidnotfinishhissentence，but，seeingthatAuntKatewasoutofearshot，atonceledthethreeyoungladiesintothebackroom。Themiddleoftheroomwasoccupiedbytwosquaretablesplacedendtoend，andontheseAuntJuliaandthecaretakerwerestraighteningandsmoothingalargecloth。Onthesideboardwerearrayeddishesandplates，andglassesandbundlesofknivesandforksandspoons。ThetopoftheclosedSquarepianoservedalsoasasideboardforviandsandsweets。Atasmallersideboardinonecornertwoyoungmenwerestanding，drinkinghop-bitters。

MrBrowneledhischargesthitherandinvitedthemall，injest，tosomeladies’punch，hot，strong，andsweet。Astheysaidtheynevertookanythingstrong，heopenedthreebottlesoflemonadeforthem。Thenheaskedoneoftheyoungmentomoveaside，and，takingholdofthedecanter，filledoutforhimselfagoodlymeasureofwhisky。Theyoungmeneyedhimrespectfullywhilehetookatrialsip。

`Godhelpme，’hesaid，smiling，`it’sthedoctor’sorder。’

Hiswizenedfacebrokeintoabroadersmile，andthethreeyoungladieslaughedinmusicalechotohispleasantry，swayingtheirbodiestoandfro，withnervousjerksoftheirshoulders。Theboldestsaid：

`O，now，MrBrowne，I’msurethedoctorneverorderedanythingofthekind。’

MrBrownetookanothersipofhiswhiskyandsaid，withsidlingmimicry：

`Well，yousee，I’mthefamousMrsCassidy，whoisreportedtohavesaid："Now，MaryGrimes，ifIdon’ttakeit，makemetakeit，forIfeelIwantit。"’

HishotfacehadleanedforwardalittletooconfidentiallyandhehadassumedaverylowDublinaccent，sothattheyoungladies，withoneinstinct，receivedhisspeechinsilence。MissFurlong，whowasoneofMaryJane’spupils，askedMissDalywhatwasthenameoftheprettywaltzshehadplayed；

andMrBrowne，seeingthathewasignored，turnedpromptlytothetwoyoungmen，whoweremoreappreciative。

Ared-facedyoungwoman，dressedinpansy，cameintotheroom，excitedlyclappingherhandsandcrying：

`Quadrilles！Quadrilles！’

CloseonherheelscameAuntKate，crying：

`Twogentlemenandthreeladies，MaryJane！’

`O，here’sMrBerginandMrKerrigan，’saidMaryJane。`MrKerrigan，willyoutakeMissPower？MissFurlong，mayIgetyouapartner，MrBergin。

O，that’lljustdonow。’

`Threeladies，MaryJane，’saidAuntKate。

Thetwoyounggentlemenaskedtheladiesiftheymighthavethepleasure，andMaryJaneturnedtoMissDaly。

`O，MissDaly，you’rereallyawfullygood，afterplayingforthelasttwodances，butreallywe’resoshortofladiestonight。’

`Idon’tmindintheleast，MissMorkan。’

`ButI’veanicepartnerforyou，MrBartellD’Arcy，thetenor。I’llgethimtosinglateron。AllDublinisravingabouthim。’

`Lovelyvoice，lovelyvoice！’saidAuntKate。

AsthepianohadtwicebegunthepreludetothefirstfigureMaryJaneledherrecruitsquicklyfromtheroom。TheyhadhardlygonewhenAuntJuliawanderedslowlyintotheroom，lookingbehindheratsomething。

`Whatisthematter，Julia？’askedAuntKateanxiously。`Whoisit？’

Julia，whowascarryinginacolumnoftable-napkins，turnedtohersisterandsaid，simply，asifthequestionhadsurprisedher：

`It’sonlyFreddy，Kate，andGabrielwithhim。’

Infact，rightbehindherGabrielcouldbeseenpilotingFreddyMalinsacrossthelanding。Thelatter，ayoungmanofaboutforty，wasofGabriel’ssizeandbuild，withveryroundshoulders。Hisfacewasfleshyandpallid，touchedwithcolouronlyatthethickhanginglobesofhisearsandatthewidewingsofhisnose。Hehadcoarsefeatures，abluntnose，aconvexandrecedingbrow，tumidandprotrudedlips。Hisheavy-liddedeyesandthedisorderofhisscantyhairmadehimlooksleepy。HewaslaughingheartilyinahighkeyatastorywhichhehadbeentellingGabrielonthestairsandatthesametimerubbingtheknucklesofhisleftfistbackwardsandforwardsintohislefteye。

`Goodevening，Freddy，’saidAuntJulia。

FreddyMalinsbadetheMissesMorkangoodeveninginwhatseemedanoff-handfashionbyreasonofthehabitualcatchinhisvoiceandthen，seeingthatMrBrownewasgrinningathimfromthesideboard，crossedtheroomonrathershakylegsandbegantorepeatinanundertonethestoryhehadjusttoldtoGabriel。

`He’snotsobad，ishe？’saidAuntKatetoGabriel。

Gabriel’sbrowsweredark，butheraisedthemquicklyandanswered：

`O，no，hardlynoticeable。’

`Now，isn’theaterriblefellow！’shesaid。`AndhispoormothermadehimtakethepledgeonNewYear’sEve。Butcomeon，Gabriel，intothedrawing-room。’

BeforeleavingtheroomwithGabrielshesignalledtoMrBrownebyfrowningandshakingherforefingerinwarningtoandfro。MrBrownenoddedinanswerand，whenshehadgone，saidtoFreddyMalins：

`Now，then，Teddy，I’mgoingtofillyououtagoodglassoflemonadejusttobuckyouup。’

FreddyMalins，whowasnearingtheclimaxofhisstory，wavedtheofferasideimpatiently，butMrBrowne，havingfirstcalledFreddyMalins’attentiontoadisarrayinhisdress，filledoutandhandedhimafullglassoflemonade。

FreddyMalins’lefthandacceptedtheglassmechanically，hisrighthandbeingengagedinthemechanicalreadjustmentofhisdress。MrBrowne，whosefacewasoncemorewrinklingwithmirth，pouredoutforhimselfaglassofwhiskywhileFreddyMalinsexploded，beforehehadwellreachedtheclimaxofhisstory，inakinkofhigh-pitchedbronchiticlaughterand，settingdownhisuntastedandoverflowingglass，begantoruntheknucklesofhisleftfistbackwardsandforwardsintohislefteye，repeatingwordsofhislastphraseaswellashisfitoflaughterwouldallowhim。

GabrielcouldnotlistenwhileMaryJanewasplayingherAcademypiece，fullofrunsanddifficultpassages，tothehusheddrawing-room。Helikedmusic，butthepieceshewasplayinghadnomelodyforhimandhedoubtedwhetherithadanymelodyfortheotherlisteners，thoughtheyhadbeggedMaryJanetoplaysomething。Fouryoungmen，whohadcomefromtherefreshment-roomtostandinthedoorwayatthesoundofthepiano，hadgoneawayquietlyincouplesafterafewminutes。TheonlypersonswhoseemedtofollowthemusicwereMaryJaneherself，herhandsracingalongthekeyboardorliftedfromitatthepauseslikethoseofapriestessinmomentaryimprecation，andAuntKatestandingatherelbowtoturnthepage。

Gabriel’seyes，irritatedbythefloor，whichglitteredwithbeeswaxundertheheavychandelier，wanderedtothewallabovethepiano。ApictureofthebalconysceneinRomeoandJuliethungthereandbesideitwasapictureofthetwomurderedprincesintheTowerwhichAuntJuliahadworkedinred，blue，andbrownwoolswhenshewasagirl。Probablyintheschooltheyhadgonetoasgirlsthatkindofworkhadbeentaughtforoneyear。Hismotherhadworkedforhimasabirthdaypresentawaistcoatofpurpletabinet，withlittlefoxes’headsuponit，linedwithbrownsatinandhavingroundmulberrybuttons。Itwasstrangethathismotherhadhadnomusicaltalent，thoughAuntKateusedtocallherthebrainscarrieroftheMorkanfamily。BothsheandJuliahadalwaysseemedalittleproudoftheirseriousandmatronlysister。Herphotographstoodbeforethepier-glass。

ShehadanopenbookonherkneesandwaspointingoutsomethinginittoConstantinewho，dressedinaman-o’-warsuit，layatherfeet。Itwasshewhohadchosenthenamesofhersons，forshewasverysensibleofthedignityoffamilylife。Thankstoher，ConstantinewasnowseniorcurateinBalbrigganand，thankstoher，GabrielhimselfhadtakenhisdegreeintheRoyalUniversity。Ashadowpassedoverhisfaceasherememberedhersullenoppositiontohismarriage。Someslightingphrasesshehadusedstillrankledinhismemory；onceshehadspokenofGrettaasbeingcountrycuteandthatwasnottrueofGrettaatall。ItwasGrettawhohadnursedherduringallherlastlongillnessintheirhouseatMonkstown。

HeknewthatMaryJanemustbeneartheendofherpiece，forshewasplayingagaintheopeningmelodywithrunsofscalesaftereverybar，andwhilehewaitedfortheendtheresentmentdieddowninhisheart。Thepieceendedwithatrillofoctavesinthetrebleandafinaldeepoctaveinthebass。GreatapplausegreetedMaryJaneas，blushingandrollinguphermusicnervously，sheescapedfromtheroom。Themostvigorousclappingcamefromthefouryoungmeninthedoorwaywhohadgoneawaytotherefreshment-roomatthebeginningofthepiecebuthadcomebackwhenthepianohadstopped。

Lancerswerearranged。GabrielfoundhimselfpartneredwithMissIvors。

Shewasafrank-mannered，talkativeyounglady，withafreckledfaceandprominentbrowneyes。Shedidnotwearalow-cutbodice，andthelargebroochwhichwasfixedinthefrontofhercollarboreonitanIrishdeviceandmotto。

Whentheyhadtakentheirplacesshesaidabruptly：

`Ihaveacrowtopluckwithyou。’

`Withme？’saidGabriel。

Shenoddedherheadgravely。

`Whatisit？’askedGabriel，smilingathersolemnmanner。

`WhoisG。C。？’answeredMissIvors，turninghereyesuponhim。

Gabrielcolouredandwasabouttoknithisbrows，asifhedidnotunderstand，whenshesaidbluntly：

`O，innocentAmy！IhavefoundoutthatyouwriteforTheDailyExpress。

Now，aren’tyouashamedofyourself？’

`WhyshouldIbeashamedofmyself？’askedGabriel，blinkinghiseyesandtryingtosmile。

`Well，I’mashamedofyou，’saidMissIvorsfrankly。`Tosayyou’dwriteforapaperlikethat。Ididn’tthinkyouwereaWestBriton。’

AlookofperplexityappearedonGabriel’sface。ItwastruethathewrotealiterarycolumneveryWednesdayinTheDailyExpress，forwhichhewaspaidfifteenshillings。ButthatdidnotmakehimaWestBritonsurely。Thebookshereceivedforreviewwerealmostmorewelcomethanthepaltrycheque。Helovedtofeelthecoversandturnoverthepagesofnewlyprintedbooks。Nearlyeverydaywhenhisteachinginthecollegewasendedheusedtowanderdownthequaystothesecond-handbooksellers，toHickey’sonBachelor’sWalk，toWebb’sorMassey’sonAston’sQuay，ortoO’Clohissey’sintheby-street。Hedidnotknowhowtomeethercharge。

Hewantedtosaythatliteraturewasabovepolitics。Buttheywerefriendsofmanyyears’standingandtheircareershadbeenparallel，firstattheUniversityandthenasteachers：hecouldnotriskagrandiosephrasewithher。Hecontinuedblinkinghiseyesandtryingtosmileandmurmuredlamelythathesawnothingpoliticalinwritingreviewsofbooks。

Whentheirturntocrosshadcomehewasstillperplexedandinattentive。

MissIvorspromptlytookhishandinawarmgraspandsaidinasoftfriendlytone：

`Ofcourse，Iwasonlyjoking。Come，wecrossnow。’

WhentheyweretogetheragainshespokeoftheUniversityquestionandGabrielfeltmoreatease。AfriendofhershadshownherhisreviewofBrowning’spoems。Thatwashowshehadfoundoutthesecret：butshelikedthereviewimmensely。

Thenshesaidsuddenly：

`O，MrConroy，willyoucomeforanexcursiontotheAranIslesthissummer？We’regoingtostaythereawholemonth。ItwillbesplendidoutintheAtlantic。Yououghttocome。MrClancyiscoming，andMrKilkellyandKathleenKearney。ItwouldbesplendidforGrettatooifshe’dcome。

She’sfromConnacht，isn’tshe？’

`Herpeopleare，’saidGabrielshortly。

`Butyouwillcome，won’tyou？’saidMissIvors，layingherwarmhandeagerlyonhisarm。

`Thefactis，’saidGabriel，`Ihavejustarrangedtogo——’

`Gowhere？’askedMissIvors。

`Well，youknow，everyyearIgoforacyclingtourwithsomefellowsandso——’

`Butwhere？’askedMissIvors。

`Well，weusuallygotoFranceorBelgiumorperhapsGermany，’saidGabrielawkwardly。

`AndwhydoyougotoFranceandBelgium，’saidMissIvors，`insteadofvisitingyourownland？’

`Well，’saidGabriel，`it’spartlytokeepintouchwiththelanguagesandpartlyforachange。’

`Andhaven’tyouyourownlanguagetokeepintouchwith-Irish？’askedMissIvors。

`Well，’saidGabriel，`ifitcomestothat，youknow，Irishisnotmylanguage。’

Theirneighbourshadturnedtolistentothecross-examination。Gabrielglancedrightandleftnervouslyandtriedtokeephisgoodhumourundertheordeal，whichwasmakingablushinvadehisforehead。

`Andhaven’tyouyourownlandtovisit，’continuedMissIvors，`thatyouknownothingof，yourownpeople，andyourowncountry？’

`O，totellyouthetruth，’retortedGabrielsuddenly，`I’msickofmyowncountry，sickofit！’

`Why？’askedMissIvors。

Gabrieldidnotanswer，forhisretorthadheatedhim。

`Why？’repeatedMissIvors。

Theyhadtogovisitingtogetherand，ashehadnotansweredher，MissIvorssaidwarmly：

`Ofcourse，you’venoanswer。’

Gabrieltriedtocoverhisagitationbytakingpartinthedancewithgreatenergy。Heavoidedhereyes，forhehadseenasourexpressiononherface。Butwhentheymetinthelongchainhewassurprisedtofeelhishandfirmlypressed。Shelookedathimfromunderherbrowsforamomentquizzicallyuntilhesmiled。Then，justasthechainwasabouttostartagain，shestoodontiptoeandwhisperedintohisear：

`WestBriton！’

WhenthelancerswereoverGabrielwentawaytoaremotecorneroftheroomwhereFreddyMalins’motherwassitting。Shewasastout，feebleoldwomanwithwhitehair。Hervoicehadacatchinitlikeherson’sandshestutteredslightly。ShehadbeentoldthatFreddyhadcomeandthathewasnearlyallright。Gabrielaskedherwhethershehadhadagoodcrossing。

ShelivedwithhermarrieddaughterinGlasgowandcametoDublinonavisitonceayear。Sheansweredplacidlythatshehadhadabeautifulcrossingandthatthecaptainhadbeenmostattentivetoher。ShespokealsoofthebeautifulhouseherdaughterkeptinGlasgow，andofallthefriendstheyhadthere。WhilehertonguerambledonGabrieltriedtobanishfromhismindallmemoryoftheunpleasantincidentwithMissIvors。Ofcoursethegirl，orwoman，orwhatevershewas，wasanenthusiast，buttherewasatimeforallthings。Perhapsheoughtnottohaveansweredherlikethat。

ButshehadnorighttocallhimaWestBritonbeforepeople，eveninjoke。

Shehadtriedtomakehimridiculousbeforepeople，hecklinghimandstaringathimwithherrabbit’seyes。

Hesawhiswifemakingherwaytowardshimthroughthewaltzingcouples。

Whenshereachedhimshesaidintohisear：

`Gabriel，AuntKatewantstoknowwon’tyoucarvethegooseasusual。

MissDalywillcarvethehamandI’lldothepudding。’

`Allright，’saidGabriel。

`She’ssendingintheyoungeronesfirstassoonasthiswaltzisoversothatwe’llhavethetabletoourselves。’

`Wereyoudancing？’askedGabriel。

`OfcourseIwas。Didn’tyouseeme？WhatrowhadyouwithMollyIvors？’

`Norow。Why？Didshesayso？’

`Somethinglikethat。I’mtryingtogetthatMrD’Arcytosing。He’sfullofconceit，Ithink。’

`Therewasnorow，’saidGabrielmoodily，`onlyshewantedmetogoforatriptothewestofIrelandandIsaidIwouldn’t。’

Hiswifeclaspedherhandsexcitedlyandgavealittlejump。

`O，dogo，Gabriel，’shecried。`I’dlovetoseeGalwayagain。’

`Youcangoifyoulike，’saidGabrielcoldly。

Shelookedathimforamoment，thenturnedtoMrsMalinsandsaid：

`There’sanicehusbandforyou，MrsMalins。’

WhileshewasthreadingherwaybackacrosstheroomMrsMalins，withoutadvertingtotheinterruption，wentontotellGabrielwhatbeautifulplacestherewereinScotlandandbeautifulscenery。Herson-in-lawbroughtthemeveryyeartothelakesandtheyusedtogofishing。Herson-in-lawwasasplendidfisher。Onedayhecaughtabeautifulbigfishandthemaninthehotelcookeditfortheirdinner。

Gabrielhardlyheardwhatshesaid。Nowthatsupperwascomingnearhebegantothinkagainabouthisspeechandaboutthequotation。WhenhesawFreddyMalinscomingacrosstheroomtovisithismotherGabrielleftthechairfreeforhimandretiredintotheembrasureofthewindow。

Theroomhadalreadyclearedandfromthebackroomcametheclatterofplatesandknives。Thosewhostillremainedinthedrawing-roomseemedtiredofdancingandwereconversingquietlyinlittlegroups。Gabriel’swarm，tremblingfingerstappedthecoldpaneofthewindow。Howcoolitmustbeoutside！Howpleasantitwouldbetowalkoutalone，firstalongbytheriverandthenthroughthepark！ThesnowwouldbelyingonthebranchesofthetreesandformingabrightcaponthetopoftheWellingtonMonument。Howmuchmorepleasantitwouldbetherethanatthesupper-table！

Heranovertheheadingsofhisspeech：Irishhospitality，sadmemories，theThreeGraces，Paris，thequotationfromBrowning。Herepeatedtohimselfaphrasehehadwritteninhisreview：`Onefeelsthatoneislisteningtoathought-tormentedmusic。’MissIvorshadpraisedthereview。Wasshesincere？Hadshereallyanylifeofherownbehindallherpropagandism？

Therehadneverbeenanyill-feelingbetweenthemuntilthatnight。Itunnervedhimtothinkthatshewouldbeatthesupper-table，lookingupathim，whilehespoke，withhercriticalquizzingeyes。Perhapsshewouldnotbesorrytoseehimfailinhisspeech。Anideacameintohismindandgavehimcourage。Hewouldsay，alludingtoAuntKateandAuntJulia：

`LadiesandGentlemen，thegenerationwhichisnowonthewaneamongusmayhavehaditsfaults，butformypartIthinkithadcertainqualitiesofhospitality，ofhumour，ofhumanity，whichthenewandveryseriousandhyper-educatedgenerationthatisgrowinguparoundusseemstometolack。’Verygood：thatwasoneforMissIvors。Whatdidhecarethathisauntswereonlytwoignorantoldwomen？

Amurmurintheroomattractedhisattention。MrBrownewasadvancingfromthedoor，gallantlyescortingAuntJulia，wholeaneduponhisarm，smilingandhangingherhead。Anirregularmusketryofapplauseescortedheralsoasfarasthepianoandthen，asMaryJaneseatedherselfonthestool，andAuntJulia，nolongersmiling，halfturnedsoastopitchhervoicefairlyintotheroom，graduallyceased。Gabrielrecognizedtheprelude。

ItwasthatofanoldsongofAuntJulia’s-`ArrayedfortheBridal’。

Hervoice，strongandclearintone，attackedwithgreatspirittherunswhichembellishtheair，andthoughshesangveryrapidlyshedidnotmisseventhesmallestofthegracenotes。Tofollowthevoice，withoutlookingatthesinger’sface，wastofeelandsharetheexcitementofswiftandsecureflight。Gabrielapplaudedloudlywithalltheothersatthecloseofthesong，andloudapplausewasborneinfromtheinvisiblesupper-table。

ItsoundedsogenuinethatalittlecolourstruggledintoAuntJulia’sfaceasshebenttoreplaceinthemusic-standtheoldleather-boundsong-bookthathadherinitialsonthecover。FreddyMalins，whohadlistenedwithhisheadperchedsidewaystohearherbetter，wasstillapplaudingwheneveryoneelsehadceasedandtalkinganimatedlytohismother，whonoddedherheadgravelyandslowlyinacquiescence。Atlast，whenhecouldclapnomore，hestoodupsuddenlyandhurriedacrosstheroomtoAuntJuliawhosehandheseizedandheldinbothhishands，shakingitwhenwordsfailedhimorthecatchinhisvoiceprovedtoomuchforhim。

`Iwasjusttellingmymother，’hesaid，`Ineverheardyousingsowell，never。No，Ineverheardyourvoicesogoodasitistonight。Now！

Wouldyoubelievethatnow？That’sthetruth。Uponmywordandhonourthat’sthetruth。Ineverheardyourvoicesoundsofreshandso……soclearandfresh，never。’

AuntJuliasmiledbroadlyandmurmuredsomethingaboutcomplimentsasshereleasedherhandfromhisgrasp。MrBrowneextendedhisopenhandtowardsherandsaidtothosewhowerenearhiminthemannerofashowmanintroducingaprodigytoanaudience：

`MissJuliaMorkan，mylatestdiscovery！’

HewaslaughingveryheartilyatthishimselfwhenFreddyMalinsturnedtohimandsaid：

`Well，Browne，ifyou’reseriousyoumightmakeaworsediscovery。AllIcansayisIneverheardhersinghalfsowellaslongasIamcominghere。Andthat’sthehonesttruth。’

`NeitherdidI，’saidMrBrowne。`Ithinkhervoicehasgreatlyimproved。’

AuntJuliashruggedhershouldersandsaidwithmeekpride：

`ThirtyyearsagoIhadn’tabadvoiceasvoicesgo。’

`IoftentoldJulia，’saidAuntKateemphatically，`thatshewassimplythrownawayinthatchoir。Butsheneverwouldbesaidbyme。’

Sheturnedasiftoappealtothegoodsenseoftheothersagainstarefractorychild，whileAuntJuliagazedinfrontofher，avaguesmileofreminiscenceplayingonherface。

`No，’continuedAuntKate，`shewouldn’tbesaidorledbyanyone，slavingthereinthatchoirnightandday，nightandday。Sixo’clockonChristmasmorning！Andallforwhat？’

`Well，isn’titforthehonourofGod，AuntKate？’askedMaryJane，twistingroundonthepiano-stoolandsmiling。