Дублинцы
Grace
Kernan,equallygravely.
“Isupposeyousquaredtheconstable,Jack,”saidMr.M’Coy.
Mr.PowerdidnotrelishtheuseofhisChristianname.Hewasnotstraight-laced,buthecouldnotforgetthatMr.M’CoyhadrecentlymadeacrusadeinsearchofvalisesandportmanteaustoenableMrs.M’Coytofulfilimaginaryengagementsinthecountry.Morethanheresentedthefactthathehadbeenvictimisedheresentedsuchlowplayingofthegame.Heansweredthequestion,therefore,asifMr.Kernanhadaskedit.
ThenarrativemadeMr.Kernanindignant.Hewaskeenlyconsciousofhiscitizenship,wishedtolivewithhiscityontermsmutuallyhonourableandresentedanyaffrontputuponhimbythosewhomhecalledcountrybumpkins.
“Isthiswhatwepayratesfor?”heasked.“Tofeedandclothetheseignorantbostooms...andthey’renothingelse.”
Mr.Cunninghamlaughed.HewasaCastleofficialonlyduringofficehours.
“Howcouldtheybeanythingelse,Tom?”hesaid.
Heassumedathick,provincialaccentandsaidinatoneofcommand:
“65,catchyourcabbage!”
Everyonelaughed.Mr.M’Coy,whowantedtoentertheconversationbyanydoor,pretendedthathehadneverheardthestory.Mr.Cunninghamsaid:
“Itissupposed—theysay,youknow—totakeplaceinthedepotwheretheygetthesethunderingbigcountryfellows,omadhauns,youknow,todrill.