Дублінці
Counterparts
“Fivetimesinonedayisalittlebit...Well,youbetterlooksharpandgetacopyofourcorrespondenceintheDelacourcaseforMr.Alleyne.”
Thisaddressinthepresenceofthepublic,hisrunupstairsandtheporterhehadgulpeddownsohastilyconfusedthemanand,ashesatdownathisdesktogetwhatwasrequired,herealisedhowhopelesswasthetaskoffinishinghiscopyofthecontractbeforehalfpastfive.Thedarkdampnightwascomingandhelongedtospenditinthebars,drinkingwithhisfriendsamidtheglareofgasandtheclatterofglasses.HegotouttheDelacourcorrespondenceandpassedoutoftheoffice.HehopedMr.Alleynewouldnotdiscoverthatthelasttwolettersweremissing.
ThemoistpungentperfumelayallthewayuptoMr.Alleyne’sroom.MissDelacourwasamiddle-agedwomanofJewishappearance.Mr.Alleynewassaidtobesweetonheroronhermoney.Shecametotheofficeoftenandstayedalongtimewhenshecame.Shewassittingbesidehisdesknowinanaromaofperfumes,smoothingthehandleofherumbrellaandnoddingthegreatblackfeatherinherhat.Mr.Alleynehadswivelledhischairroundtofaceherandthrownhisrightfootjauntilyuponhisleftknee.ThemanputthecorrespondenceonthedeskandbowedrespectfullybutneitherMr.AlleynenorMissDelacourtookanynoticeofhisbow.Mr.Alleynetappedafingeronthecorrespondenceandthenflickedittowardshimasiftosay:“That’sallright:youcango.
