Дублінці
Clay
Theywouldbesuretohaveplentyofapplesandnuts.Itwashardtoknowwhattobuyandallshecouldthinkofwascake.ShedecidedtobuysomeplumcakebutDownes’splumcakehadnotenoughalmondicingontopofitsoshewentovertoashopinHenryStreet.Hereshewasalongtimeinsuitingherselfandthestylishyoungladybehindthecounter,whowasevidentlyalittleannoyedbyher,askedherwasitwedding-cakeshewantedtobuy.ThatmadeMariablushandsmileattheyounglady;buttheyoungladytookitallveryseriouslyandfinallycutathicksliceofplumcake,parcelleditupandsaid:
“Two-and-four,please.”
ShethoughtshewouldhavetostandintheDrumcondratrambecausenoneoftheyoungmenseemedtonoticeherbutanelderlygentlemanmaderoomforher.Hewasastoutgentlemanandheworeabrownhardhat;hehadasquareredfaceandagreyishmoustache.Mariathoughthewasacolonel-lookinggentlemanandshereflectedhowmuchmorepolitehewasthantheyoungmenwhosimplystaredstraightbeforethem.ThegentlemanbegantochatwithheraboutHallowEveandtherainyweather.Hesupposedthebagwasfullofgoodthingsforthelittleonesandsaiditwasonlyrightthattheyoungstersshouldenjoythemselveswhiletheywereyoung.Mariaagreedwithhimandfavouredhimwithdemurenodsandhems.
