Дублінці
Counterparts
AlleyneandMissDelacourwerestandingoutsidethecounterandalltheclerkshadturnroundinanticipationofsomething.Themangotupfromhisdesk.Mr.Alleynebeganatiradeofabuse,sayingthattwolettersweremissing.Themanansweredthatheknewnothingaboutthem,thathehadmadeafaithfulcopy.Thetiradecontinued:itwassobitterandviolentthatthemancouldhardlyrestrainhisfistfromdescendingupontheheadofthemanikinbeforehim:
“Iknownothingaboutanyothertwoletters,”hesaidstupidly.
“You—know—nothing.Ofcourseyouknownothing,”saidMr.Alleyne.“Tellme,”headded,glancingfirstforapprovaltotheladybesidehim,“doyoutakemeforafool?Doyouthinkmeanutterfool?”
Themanglancedfromthelady’sfacetothelittleegg-shapedheadandbackagain;and,almostbeforehewasawareofit,histonguehadfoundafelicitousmoment:
“Idon’tthink,sir,”hesaid,“thatthat’safairquestiontoputtome.”
Therewasapauseintheverybreathingoftheclerks.Everyonewasastounded(theauthorofthewitticismnolessthanhisneighbours)andMissDelacour,whowasastoutamiableperson,begantosmilebroadly.Mr.Alleyneflushedtothehueofawildroseandhismouthtwitchedwithadwarfspassion.
