Дублінці
A Painful Case
Nosocialrevolution,hetoldher,wouldbelikelytostrikeDublinforsomecenturies.
Sheaskedhimwhydidhenotwriteouthisthoughts.Forwhat,heaskedher,withcarefulscorn.Tocompetewithphrasemongers,incapableofthinkingconsecutivelyforsixtyseconds?Tosubmithimselftothecriticismsofanobtusemiddleclasswhichentrusteditsmoralitytopolicemenanditsfineartstoimpresarios?
HewentoftentoherlittlecottageoutsideDublin;oftentheyspenttheireveningsalone.Littlebylittle,astheirthoughtsentangled,theyspokeofsubjectslessremote.Hercompanionshipwaslikeawarmsoilaboutanexotic.Manytimessheallowedthedarktofalluponthem,refrainingfromlightingthelamp.Thedarkdiscreetroom,theirisolation,themusicthatstillvibratedintheirearsunitedthem.Thisunionexaltedhim,woreawaytheroughedgesofhischaracter,emotionalisedhismentallife.Sometimeshecaughthimselflisteningtothesoundofhisownvoice.Hethoughtthatinhereyeshewouldascendtoanangelicalstature;and,asheattachedtheferventnatureofhiscompanionmoreandmorecloselytohim,heheardthestrangeimpersonalvoicewhichherecognisedashisown,insistingonthesoul’sincurableloneliness.Wecannotgiveourselves,itsaid:weareourown.Theendofthesediscourseswasthatonenightduringwhichshehadshowneverysignofunusualexcitement,Mrs.Sinicocaughtuphishandpassionatelyandpressedittohercheek.
Mr.Duffywasverymuchsurprised.
