Дублінці
Ivy Day in the Committee Room
”
“Well?Howdoeshestand?”
“Hewouldn’tpromise.Hesaid:‘Iwon’ttellanyonewhatwayI’mgoingtovote.’ButIthinkhe’llbeallright.”
“Whyso?”
“Heaskedmewhothenominatorswere;andItoldhim.ImentionedFatherBurke’sname.Ithinkit’llbeallright.”
Mr.Henchybegantosnuffleandtorubhishandsoverthefireataterrificspeed.Thenhesaid:
“FortheloveofGod,Jack,bringusabitofcoal.Theremustbesomeleft.”
Theoldmanwentoutoftheroom.
“It’snogo,”saidMr.Henchy,shakinghishead.“Iaskedthelittleshoeboy,buthesaid:‘Oh,now,Mr.Henchy,whenIseeworkgoingonproperlyIwon’tforgetyou,youmaybesure.’Meanlittletinker!‘Usha,howcouldhebeanythingelse?”
“WhatdidItellyou,Mat?”saidMr.Hynes.“TrickyDickyTierney.”
“0,he’sastrickyastheymake’em,”saidMr.Henchy.“Hehasn’tgotthoselittlepigs’eyesfornothing.Blasthissoul!Couldn’thepayuplikeamaninsteadof:‘O,now,Mr.Henchy,ImustspeaktoMr.Fanning....I’vespentalotofmoney’?Meanlittleschoolboyofhell!Isupposeheforgetsthetimehislittleoldfatherkeptthehand-me-downshopinMary’sLane.”
“Butisthatafact?”askedMr.O’Connor.
“God,yes,”saidMr.Henchy.
