Дублінці
A Mother
Kearneywasnowbeginningtobealarmed.ShecalledMr.Fitzpatrickawayfromhisscreenandtoldhimthatherdaughterhadsignedforfourconcertsandthat,ofcourse,accordingtothetermsofthecontract,sheshouldreceivethesumoriginallystipulatedfor,whetherthesocietygavethefourconcertsornot.Mr.Fitzpatrick,whodidnotcatchthepointatissueveryquickly,seemedunabletoresolvethedifficultyandsaidthathewouldbringthematterbeforethecommittee.Mrs.Kearney’sangerbegantoflutterinhercheekandshehadallshecoulddotokeepfromasking:
“AndwhoistheComettypray?”
Butsheknewthatitwouldnotbeladyliketodothat:soshewassilent.
LittleboysweresentoutintotheprincipalstreetsofDublinearlyonFridaymorningwithbundlesofhandbills.Specialpuffsappearedinalltheeveningpapers,remindingthemusiclovingpublicofthetreatwhichwasinstoreforitonthefollowingevening.Mrs.Kearneywassomewhatreassured,butbethoughtwelltotellherhusbandpartofhersuspicions.HelistenedcarefullyandsaidthatperhapsitwouldbebetterifhewentwithheronSaturdaynight.Sheagreed.SherespectedherhusbandinthesamewayassherespectedtheGeneralPostOffice,assomethinglarge,secureandfixed;andthoughsheknewthesmallnumberofhistalentssheappreciatedhisabstractvalueasamale.Shewasgladthathehadsuggestedcomingwithher.Shethoughtherplansover.
Thenightofthegrandconcertcame.Mrs.
