Портрет художника в юности
Chapter 5
—Whatdoyoumean,Lynchaskedsurlily,bypratingaboutbeautyandtheimaginationinthismiserableGodforsakenisland?Nowondertheartistretiredwithinorbehindhishandiworkafterhavingperpetratedthiscountry.
Therainfellfaster.WhentheypassedthroughthepassagebesideKildarehousetheyfoundmanystudentsshelteringunderthearcadeofthelibrary.Cranly,leaningagainstapillar,waspickinghisteethwithasharpenedmatch,listeningtosomecompanions.Somegirlsstoodneartheentrancedoor.LynchwhisperedtoStephen:
—Yourbelovedishere.
Stephentookhisplacesilentlyonthestepbelowthegroupofstudents,heedlessoftherainwhichfellfast,turninghiseyestowardsherfromtimetotime.Shetoostoodsilentlyamonghercompanions.Shehasnopriesttoflirtwith,hethoughtwithconsciousbitterness,rememberinghowhehadseenherlast.Lynchwasright.Hismindemptiedoftheoryandcourage,lapsedbackintoalistlesspeace.
Heheardthestudentstalkingamongthemselves.Theyspokeoftwofriendswhohadpassedthefinalmedicalexamination,ofthechancesofgettingplacesonoceanliners,ofpoorandrichpractices.
—That’sallabubble.AnIrishcountrypracticeisbetter.
—HyneswastwoyearsinLiverpoolandhesaysthesame.Afrightfulholehesaiditwas.Nothingbutmidwiferycases.