Дублінці
Clay
Thenshetookoffherworkingskirtandherhouse-bootsandlaidherbestskirtoutonthebedandhertinydress-bootsbesidethefootofthebed.Shechangedherblousetooand,asshestoodbeforethemirror,shethoughtofhowsheusedtodressformassonSundaymorningwhenshewasayounggirl;andshelookedwithquaintaffectionatthediminutivebodywhichshehadsooftenadorned,Inspiteofitsyearsshefounditanicetidylittlebody.
Whenshegotoutsidethestreetswereshiningwithrainandshewasgladofheroldbrownwaterproof.Thetramwasfullandshehadtositonthelittlestoolattheendofthecar,facingallthepeople,withhertoesbarelytouchingthefloor.Shearrangedinhermindallshewasgoingtodoandthoughthowmuchbetteritwastobeindependentandtohaveyourownmoneyinyourpocket.Shehopedtheywouldhaveaniceevening.ShewassuretheywouldbutshecouldnothelpthinkingwhatapityitwasAlphyandJoewerenotspeaking.Theywerealwaysfallingoutnowbutwhentheywereboystogethertheyusedtobethebestoffriends:butsuchwaslife.
ShegotoutofhertramatthePillarandferretedherwayquicklyamongthecrowds.ShewentintoDownes’scake-shopbuttheshopwassofullofpeoplethatitwasalongtimebeforeshecouldgetherselfattendedto.Sheboughtadozenofmixedpennycakes,andatlastcameoutoftheshopladenwithabigbag.Thenshethoughtwhatelsewouldshebuy:shewantedtobuysomethingreallynice.
