Дублинцы
Ivy Day in the Committee Room
Themother,youknow,shecockshimupwiththisandthat....”
“That’swhatruinschildren,”saidMr.O’Connor.
“Tobesureitis,”saidtheoldman.“Andlittlethanksyougetforit,onlyimpudence.Hetakesth’upperhandofmewheneverheseesI’veasuptaken.What’stheworldcomingtowhensonsspeaksthatwaytotheirfathers?”
“Whatageishe?”saidMr.O’Connor.
“Nineteen,”saidtheoldman.
“Whydon’tyouputhimtosomething?”
“Sure,amn’tIneverdoneatthedrunkenbowsyeversinceheleftschool?‘Iwon’tkeepyou,’Isays.‘Youmustgetajobforyourself.’But,sure,it’sworsewheneverhegetsajob;hedrinksitall.”
Mr.O’Connorshookhisheadinsympathy,andtheoldmanfellsilent,gazingintothefire.Someoneopenedthedooroftheroomandcalledout:
“Hello!IsthisaFreemason’smeeting?”
“Who’sthat?”saidtheoldman.
“Whatareyoudoinginthedark?”askedavoice.
“Isthatyou,Hynes?”askedMr.O’Connor.
“Yes.Whatareyoudoinginthedark?”saidMr.Hynes.advancingintothelightofthefire.
Hewasatall,slenderyoungmanwithalightbrownmoustache.Imminentlittledropsofrainhungatthebrimofhishatandthecollarofhisjacket-coatwasturnedup.
“Well,Mat,”hesaidtoMr.
