Дублинцы
Ivy Day in the Committee Room
O’Connor,“howgoesit?”
Mr.O’Connorshookhishead.Theoldmanleftthehearthandafterstumblingabouttheroomreturnedwithtwocandlestickswhichhethrustoneaftertheotherintothefireandcarriedtothetable.Adenudedroomcameintoviewandthefirelostallitscheerfulcolour.Thewallsoftheroomwerebareexceptforacopyofanelectionaddress.Inthemiddleoftheroomwasasmalltableonwhichpaperswereheaped.
Mr.Hynesleanedagainstthemantelpieceandasked:
“Hashepaidyouyet?”
“Notyet,”saidMr.O’Connor.“IhopetoGodhe’llnotleaveusinthelurchtonight.”
Mr.Hyneslaughed.
“O,he’llpayyou.Neverfear,”hesaid.
“Ihopehe’lllooksmartaboutitifhemeansbusiness,”saidMr.O’Connor.
“Whatdoyouthink,Jack?”saidMr.Hynessatiricallytotheoldman.
Theoldmanreturnedtohisseatbythefire,saying:
“Itisn’tbuthehasit,anyway.Notliketheothertinker.”
“Whatothertinker?”saidMr.Hynes.
“Colgan,”saidtheoldmanscornfully.
