Дублінці
Ivy Day in the Committee Room
ByChrist,I’llgomyselfandseewhatthey’relike.’Andarewegoingtoinsultthemanwhenhecomesoverhereonafriendlyvisit?Eh?Isn’tthatright,Crofton?”
Mr.Croftonnoddedhishead.
“Butafterallnow,”saidMr.Lyonsargumentatively,“KingEdward’slife,youknow,isnotthevery...”
“Letbygonesbebygones,”saidMr.Henchy.“Iadmirethemanpersonally.He’sjustanordinaryknockaboutlikeyouandme.He’sfondofhisglassofgrogandhe’sabitofarake,perhaps,andhe’sagoodsportsman.Damnit,can’tweIrishplayfair?”
“That’sallveryfine,”saidMr.Lyons.“ButlookatthecaseofParnellnow.”
“InthenameofGod,”saidMr.Henchy,“where’stheanalogybetweenthetwocases?”
“WhatImean,”saidMr.Lyons,“iswehaveourideals.Why,now,wouldwewelcomeamanlikethat?DoyouthinknowafterwhathedidParnellwasafitmantoleadus?Andwhy,then,wouldwedoitforEdwardtheSeventh?”
“ThisisParnell’sanniversary,”saidMr.O’Connor,“anddon’tletusstirupanybadblood.Weallrespecthimnowthathe’sdeadandgone—eventheConservatives,”headded,turningtoMr.Crofton.
Pok!ThetardycorkflewoutofMr.Crofton’sbottle.Mr.Croftongotupfromhisboxandwenttothefire.
