Дублінці
Clay
Hewasverynicewithher,andwhenshewasgettingoutattheCanalBridgeshethankedhimandbowed,andhebowedtoherandraisedhishatandsmiledagreeably,andwhileshewasgoingupalongtheterrace,bendinghertinyheadundertherain,shethoughthoweasyitwastoknowagentlemanevenwhenhehasadroptaken.
Everybodysaid:“0,here’sMaria!”whenshecametoJoe’shouse.Joewasthere,havingcomehomefrombusiness,andallthechildrenhadtheirSundaydresseson.Thereweretwobiggirlsinfromnextdoorandgamesweregoingon.Mariagavethebagofcakestotheeldestboy,Alphy,todivideandMrs.Donnellysaiditwastoogoodofhertobringsuchabigbagofcakesandmadeallthechildrensay:
“Thanks,Maria.”
ButMariasaidshehadbroughtsomethingspecialforpapaandmamma,somethingtheywouldbesuretolike,andshebegantolookforherplumcake.ShetriedinDownes’sbagandtheninthepocketsofherwaterproofandthenonthehallstandbutnowherecouldshefindit.Thensheaskedallthechildrenhadanyofthemeatenit—bymistake,ofcourse—butthechildrenallsaidnoandlookedasiftheydidnotliketoeatcakesiftheyweretobeaccusedofstealing.EverybodyhadasolutionforthemysteryandMrs.DonnellysaiditwasplainthatMariahadleftitbehindherinthetram.Maria,rememberinghowconfusedthegentlemanwiththegreyishmoustachehadmadeher,colouredwithshameandvexationanddisappointment.
