Портрет художника в юності
Chapter 2
Thehollowrattleofthewoodendumbbellswasheardasanotherteammadereadytogouponthestage:andinanothermomenttheexcitedprefectwashustlingtheboysthroughthevestrylikeaflockofgeese,flappingthewingsofhissoutanenervouslyandcryingtothelaggardstomakehaste.AlittletroopofNeapolitanpeasantswerepractisingtheirstepsattheendofthechapel,somecirclingtheirarmsabovetheirheads,someswayingtheirbasketsofpapervioletsandcurtsying.Inadarkcornerofthechapelatthegospelsideofthealtarastoutoldladykneltamidhercopiousblackskirts.Whenshestoodupapink-dressedfigure,wearingacurlygoldenwigandanold-fashionedstrawsunbonnet,withblackpencilledeyebrowsandcheeksdelicatelyrougedandpowdered,wasdiscovered.Alowmurmurofcuriosityranroundthechapelatthediscoveryofthisgirlishfigure.Oneoftheprefects,smilingandnoddinghishead,approachedthedarkcornerand,havingbowedtothestoutoldlady,saidpleasantly:
—Isthisabeautifulyoungladyoradollthatyouhavehere,MrsTallon?
Then,bendingdowntopeeratthesmilingpaintedfaceundertheleafofthebonnet,heexclaimed:
—No!UponmywordIbelieveit’slittleBertieTallonafterall!
Stephenathispostbythewindowheardtheoldladyandthepriestlaughtogetherandheardtheboys’murmursofadmirationbehindhimastheypassedforwardtoseethelittleboywhohadtodancethesunbonnetdancebyhimself.
