Дублинцы

           Atthechapel,ifyouplease!”Whenthelampwaslithebangedhisfistonthetableandshouted:

           “What’sformydinner?”

           “I’mgoing...tocookit,pa,”saidthelittleboy.

           Themanjumpedupfuriouslyandpointedtothefire.

           “Onthatfire!Youletthefireout!ByGod,I’llteachyoutodothatagain!”

           Hetookasteptothedoorandseizedthewalking-stickwhichwasstandingbehindit.

           “I’llteachyoutoletthefireout!”hesaid,rollinguphissleeveinordertogivehisarmfreeplay.

           Thelittleboycried“O,pa!”andranwhimperingroundthetable,butthemanfollowedhimandcaughthimbythecoat.Thelittleboylookedabouthimwildlybut,seeingnowayofescape,felluponhisknees.

           “Now,you’llletthefireoutthenexttime!”saidthemanstrikingathimvigorouslywiththestick.“Takethat,youlittlewhelp!”

           Theboyutteredasquealofpainasthestickcuthisthigh.Heclaspedhishandstogetherintheairandhisvoiceshookwithfright.

           “O,pa!”hecried.“Don’tbeatme,pa!AndI’ll...I’llsayaHailMaryforyou....I’llsayaHailMaryforyou,pa,ifyoudon’tbeatme....I’llsayaHailMary....”