Портрет художника в юності

           Hestrucktheflagsagainandtitteredwhilehisheadtrembledwithaslightnervousmovement.ThetallconsumptivestudentandDixonandO’KeeffewerespeakinginIrishanddidnotanswerhim.Then,turningtoCranly,hesaid:

           —Goodevening,particularlytoyou.

           Hemovedtheumbrellainindicationandtitteredagain.Cranly,whowasstillchewingthefig,answeredwithloudmovementsofhisjaws.

           —Good?Yes.Itisagoodevening.

           Thesquatstudentlookedathimseriouslyandshookhisumbrellagentlyandreprovingly.

           —Icansee,hesaid,thatyouareabouttomakeobviousremarks.

           —Um,Cranlyanswered,holdingoutwhatremainedofthehalfchewedfigandjerkingittowardsthesquatstudent’smouthinsignthatheshouldeat.

           Thesquatstudentdidnoteatitbut,indulginghisspecialhumour,saidgravely,stilltitteringandproddinghisphrasewithhisumbrella:

           —Doyouintendthat?

           Hebrokeoff,pointedbluntlytothemunchedpulpofthefig,andsaidloudly:

           —Ialludetothat.

           Um,Cranlysaidasbefore.

           —Doyouintendthatnow,thesquatstudentsaid,asIPSOFACTOor,letussay,assotospeak?

           Dixonturnedasidefromhisgroup,saying:

           —Gogginswaswaitingforyou,Glynn.HehasgoneroundtotheAdelphitolookforyouandMoynihan.