Дублинцы
Two Gallants
ButthememoryofCorley’sslowlyrevolvingheadcalmedhimsomewhat:hewassureCorleywouldpullitoffallright.AllatoncetheideastruckhimthatperhapsCorleyhadseenherhomebyanotherwayandgivenhimtheslip.Hiseyessearchedthestreet:therewasnosignofthem.Yetitwassurelyhalf-an-hoursincehehadseentheclockoftheCollegeofSurgeons.WouldCorleydoathinglikethat?Helithislastcigaretteandbegantosmokeitnervously.Hestrainedhiseyesaseachtramstoppedatthefarcornerofthesquare.Theymusthavegonehomebyanotherway.Thepaperofhiscigarettebrokeandheflungitintotheroadwithacurse.
Suddenlyhesawthemcomingtowardshim.Hestartedwithdelightandkeepingclosetohislamp-posttriedtoreadtheresultintheirwalk.Theywerewalkingquickly,theyoungwomantakingquickshortsteps,whileCorleykeptbesideherwithhislongstride.Theydidnotseemtobespeaking.Anintimationoftheresultprickedhimlikethepointofasharpinstrument.HeknewCorleywouldfail;heknewitwasnogo.
TheyturneddownBaggotStreetandhefollowedthematonce,takingtheotherfootpath.Whentheystoppedhestoppedtoo.Theytalkedforafewmomentsandthentheyoungwomanwentdownthestepsintotheareaofahouse.Corleyremainedstandingattheedgeofthepath,alittledistancefromthefrontsteps.Someminutespassed.Thenthehall-doorwasopenedslowlyandcautiously.Awomancamerunningdownthefrontstepsandcoughed.Corleyturnedandwenttowardsher
