Дублінці
Clay
ShewasveryfondofthatpursebecauseJoehadbroughtittoherfiveyearsbeforewhenheandAlphyhadgonetoBelfastonaWhit-Mondaytrip.Inthepurseweretwohalf-crownsandsomecoppers.Shewouldhavefiveshillingsclearafterpayingtramfare.Whataniceeveningtheywouldhave,allthechildrensinging!OnlyshehopedthatJoewouldn’tcomeindrunk.Hewassodifferentwhenhetookanydrink.
Oftenhehadwantedhertogoandlivewiththem;-butshewouldhavefeltherselfintheway(thoughJoe’swifewaseversonicewithher)andshehadbecomeaccustomedtothelifeofthelaundry.Joewasagoodfellow.ShehadnursedhimandAlphytoo;andJoeusedoftensay:
“MammaismammabutMariaismypropermother.”
Afterthebreak-upathometheboyshadgotherthatpositionintheDublinbyLamplightlaundry,andshelikedit.SheusedtohavesuchabadopinionofProtestantsbutnowshethoughttheywereverynicepeople,alittlequietandserious,butstillverynicepeopletolivewith.Thenshehadherplantsintheconservatoryandshelikedlookingafterthem.Shehadlovelyfernsandwax-plantsand,wheneveranyonecametovisither,shealwaysgavethevisitoroneortwoslipsfromherconservatory.Therewasonethingshedidn’tlikeandthatwasthetractsonthewalks;butthematronwassuchanicepersontodealwith,sogenteel.
Whenthecooktoldhereverythingwasreadyshewentintothewomen’sroomandbegantopullthebigbell.
