Дублинцы
Two Gallants
Theylookedvacantlyaftersomefiguresinthecrowdandsometimesmadeacriticalremark.OnesaidthathehadseenMacanhourbeforeinWestmorelandStreet.AtthisLenehansaidthathehadbeenwithMacthenightbeforeinEgan’s.TheyoungmanwhohadseenMacinWestmorelandStreetaskedwasittruethatMachadwonabitoverabilliardmatch.Lenehandidnotknow:hesaidthatHolohanhadstoodthemdrinksinEgan’s.
HelefthisfriendsataquartertotenandwentupGeorge’sStreet.HeturnedtotheleftattheCityMarketsandwalkedonintoGraftonStreet.Thecrowdofgirlsandyoungmenhadthinnedandonhiswayupthestreetheheardmanygroupsandcouplesbiddingoneanothergood-night.HewentasfarastheclockoftheCollegeofSurgeons:itwasonthestrokeoften.HesetoffbrisklyalongthenorthernsideoftheGreenhurryingforfearCorleyshouldreturntoosoon.WhenhereachedthecornerofMerrionStreethetookhisstandintheshadowofalampandbroughtoutoneofthecigaretteswhichhehadreservedandlitit.Heleanedagainstthelamp-postandkepthisgazefixedonthepartfromwhichheexpectedtoseeCorleyandtheyoungwomanreturn.
Hismindbecameactiveagain.HewonderedhadCorleymanageditsuccessfully.Hewonderedifhehadaskedheryetorifhewouldleaveittothelast.Hesufferedallthepangsandthrillsofhisfriend’ssituationaswellasthoseofhisown.
