Дублинцы

           Sheacceptedhisfrequentintemperanceaspartoftheclimate,healedhimdutifullywheneverhewassickandalwaystriedtomakehimeatabreakfast.Therewereworsehusbands.Hehadneverbeenviolentsincetheboyshadgrownup,andsheknewthathewouldwalktotheendofThomasStreetandbackagaintobookevenasmallorder.

           Twonightsafter,hisfriendscametoseehim.Shebroughtthemuptohisbedroom,theairofwhichwasimpregnatedwithapersonalodour,andgavethemchairsatthefire.Mr.Kernan’stongue,theoccasionalstingingpainofwhichhadmadehimsomewhatirritableduringtheday,becamemorepolite.Hesatproppedupinthebedbypillowsandthelittlecolourinhispuffycheeksmadethemresemblewarmcinders.Heapologisedtohisguestsforthedisorderoftheroom,butatthesametimelookedatthemalittleproudly,withaveteran’spride.

           Hewasquiteunconsciousthathewasthevictimofaplotwhichhisfriends,Mr.Cunningham,Mr.M’CoyandMr.PowerhaddisclosedtoMrs.Kernanintheparlour.TheideabeenMr.Power’s,butitsdevelopmentwasentrustedtoMr.Cunningham.Mr.KernancameofProtestantstockand,thoughhehadbeenconvertedtotheCatholicfaithatthetimeofhismarriage,hehadnotbeeninthepaleoftheChurchfortwentyyears.Hewasfond,moreover,ofgivingside-thrustsatCatholicism.

           Mr.Cunninghamwastheverymanforsuchacase.HewasaneldercolleagueofMr.Power.Hisowndomesticlifewasveryhappy.