Дублінці
Ivy Day in the Committee Room
“Didyouneverhearthat?AndthemenusedtogoinonSundaymorningbeforethehouseswereopentobuyawaistcoatoratrousers—moya!ButTrickyDicky’slittleoldfatheralwayshadatrickylittleblackbottleupinacorner.Doyoumindnow?That’sthat.That’swherehefirstsawthelight.”
Theoldmanreturnedwithafewlumpsofcoalwhichheplacedhereandthereonthefire.
“Thatsanicehow-do-you-do,”saidMr.O’Connor.“Howdoesheexpectustoworkforhimifhewon’tstumpup?”
“Ican’thelpit,”saidMr.Henchy.“IexpecttofindthebailiffsinthehallwhenIgohome.”
Mr.Hyneslaughedand,shovinghimselfawayfromthemantelpiecewiththeaidofhisshoulders,madereadytoleave.
“It’llbeallrightwhenKingEddiecomes,”hesaid.“Wellboys,I’moffforthepresent.Seeyoulater.‘Bye,‘bye.”
Hewentoutoftheroomslowly.NeitherMr.Henchynortheoldmansaidanything,but,justasthedoorwasclosing,Mr.O’Connor,whohadbeenstaringmoodilyintothefire,calledoutsuddenly:
“‘Bye,Joe.”
Mr.Henchywaitedafewmomentsandthennoddedinthedirectionofthedoor.
“Tellme,”hesaidacrossthefire,“whatbringsourfriendinhere?Whatdoeshewant?”
“‘Usha,poorJoe!”saidMr.O’Connor,throwingtheendofhiscigaretteintothefire,“he’shardup,liketherestofus.
