Дублінці
Ivy Day in the Committee Room
‘He’sarespectableman,’saidI.‘He’sinfavourofwhateverwillbenefitthiscountry.He’sabigratepayer,’Isaid.‘Hehasextensivehousepropertyinthecityandthreeplacesofbusinessandisn’tittohisownadvantagetokeepdowntherates?He’saprominentandrespectedcitizen,’saidI,‘andaPoorLawGuardian,andhedoesn’tbelongtoanyparty,good,bad,orindifferent.’That’sthewaytotalkto’em.”
“AndwhatabouttheaddresstotheKing?”saidMr.Lyons,afterdrinkingandsmackinghislips.
“Listentome,”saidMr.Henchy.“Whatwewantinthuscountry,asIsaidtooldWard,iscapital.TheKing’scomingherewillmeananinfluxofmoneyintothiscountry.ThecitizensofDublinwillbenefitbyit.Lookatallthefactoriesdownbythequaysthere,idle!Lookatallthemoneythereisinthecountryifweonlyworkedtheoldindustries,themills,theship-buildingyardsandfactories.It’scapitalwewant.”
“Butlookhere,John,”saidMr.O’Connor.“WhyshouldwewelcometheKingofEngland?Didn’tParnellhimself...”
“Parnell,”saidMr.Henchy,“isdead.Now,here’sthewayIlookatit.Here’sthischapcometothethroneafterhisoldmotherkeepinghimoutofittillthemanwasgrey.He’samanoftheworld,andhemeanswellbyus.He’sajollyfinedecentfellow,ifyouaskme,andnodamnnonsenseabouthim.Hejustsaystohimself:‘TheoldoneneverwenttoseethesewildIrish.
