Портрет художника в юности
Chapter 5
AtthefirstbendoftheroadIlookedbackandshewasstandingatthedoor.
ThelastwordsofDavin’sstorysanginhismemoryandthefigureofthewomaninthestorystoodforthreflectedinotherfiguresofthepeasantwomenwhomhehadseenstandinginthedoorwaysatClaneasthecollegecarsdroveby,asatypeofherraceandofhisown,abat-likesoulwakingtotheconsciousnessofitselfindarknessandsecrecyandlonelinessand,throughtheeyesandvoiceandgestureofawomanwithoutguile,callingthestrangertoherbed.
Ahandwaslaidonhisarmandayoungvoicecried:
—Ah,gentleman,yourowngirl,sir!Thefirsthandseltoday,gentleman.Buythatlovelybunch.Willyou,gentleman?
Theblueflowerswhichsheliftedtowardshimandheryoungblueeyesseemedtohimatthatinstantimagesofguilelessness,andhehaltedtilltheimagehadvanishedandhesawonlyherraggeddressanddampcoarsehairandhoydenishface.
—Do,gentleman!Don’tforgetyourowngirl,sir!
—Ihavenomoney,saidStephen.
—Buythemlovelyones,willyou,sir?Onlyapenny.
—DidyouhearwhatIsaid?askedStephen,bendingtowardsher.
ItoldyouIhadnomoney.Itellyouagainnow.
—Well,sure,youwillsomeday,sir,pleaseGod,thegirlansweredafteraninstant.
—Possibly,saidStephen,butIdon’tthinkitlikely.