Дублінці
Ivy Day in the Committee Room
Isheapriestatall?”
“Mmmyes,Ibelieveso....Ithinkhe’swhatyoucallblacksheep.Wehaven’tmanyofthem,thankGod!butwehaveafew....He’sanunfortunatemanofsomekind....”
“Andhowdoesheknockitout?”askedMr.O’Connor.
“That’sanothermystery.”
“Isheattachedtoanychapelorchurchorinstitutionor—-”
“No,”saidMr.Henchy,“Ithinkhe’stravellingonhisownaccount....Godforgiveme,”headded,“Ithoughthewasthedozenofstout.”
“Isthereanychanceofadrinkitself?”askedMr.O’Connor.
“I’mdrytoo,”saidtheoldman.
“Iaskedthatlittleshoeboythreetimes,”saidMr.Henchy,“wouldhesendupadozenofstout.Iaskedhimagainnow,buthewasleaningonthecounterinhisshirt-sleeveshavingadeepgosterwithAldermanCowley.”
“Whydidn’tyouremindhim?”saidMr.O’Connor.
“Well,Icouldn’tgooverwhilehewastalkingtoAldermanCowley.IjustwaitedtillIcaughthiseye,andsaid:‘AboutthatlittlematterIwasspeakingtoyouabout....’‘That’llbeallright,Mr.H.,’hesaid.Yerra,surethelittlehop-o’-my-thumbhasforgottenallaboutit.”
“There’ssomedealoninthatquarter,”saidMr.O’Connorthoughtfully.“IsawthethreeofthemhardatityesterdayatSuffolkStreetcorner.
