Дублинцы
The Dead
MaryJaneglancedatGabrielandMr.Browneandsaidwithashiver:
“Itmakesmefeelcoldtolookatyoutwogentlemenmuffleduplikethat.Iwouldn’tliketofaceyourjourneyhomeatthishour.”
“I’dlikenothingbetterthisminute,”saidMr.Brownestoutly,“thanarattlingfinewalkinthecountryorafastdrivewithagoodspankinggoerbetweentheshafts.”
“Weusedtohaveaverygoodhorseandtrapathome,”saidAuntJuliasadly.
“Thenever-to-be-forgottenJohnny,”saidMaryJane,laughing.
AuntKateandGabriellaughedtoo.
“Why,whatwaswonderfulaboutJohnny?”askedMr.Browne.
“ThelatelamentedPatrickMorkan,ourgrandfather,thatis,”explainedGabriel,“commonlyknowninhislateryearsastheoldgentleman,wasaglue-boiler.”
“O,now,Gabriel,”saidAuntKate,laughing,“hehadastarchmill.”
“Well,glueorstarch,”saidGabriel,“theoldgentlemanhadahorsebythenameofJohnny.AndJohnnyusedtoworkintheoldgentleman’smill,walkingroundandroundinordertodrivethemill.Thatwasallverywell;butnowcomesthetragicpartaboutJohnny.Onefinedaytheoldgentlemanthoughthe’dliketodriveoutwiththequalitytoamilitaryreviewinthepark.”
“TheLordhavemercyonhissoul,”saidAuntKatecompassionately.
“Amen,”saidGabriel.
