Дублінці
A Mother
Hehadnotintendedtostayamomentbecauseconcertsandartistesboredhimconsiderablybutheremainedleaningagainstthemantelpiece.MissHealystoodinfrontofhim,talkingandlaughing.Hewasoldenoughtosuspectonereasonforherpolitenessbutyoungenoughinspirittoturnthemomenttoaccount.Thewarmth,fragranceandcolourofherbodyappealedtohissenses.Hewaspleasantlyconsciousthatthebosomwhichhesawriseandfallslowlybeneathhimroseandfellatthatmomentforhim,thatthelaughterandfragranceandwilfulglanceswerehistribute.Whenhecouldstaynolongerhetookleaveofherregretfully.
“O’MaddenBurkewillwritethenotice,”heexplainedtoMr.Holohan,“andI’llseeitin.”
“Thankyouverymuch,Mr.Hendrick,”saidMr.Holohan.you’llseeitin,Iknow.Now,won’tyouhavealittlesomethingbeforeyougo?”
“Idon’tmind,”saidMr.Hendrick.
Thetwomenwentalongsometortuouspassagesandupadarkstaircaseandcametoasecludedroomwhereoneofthestewardswasuncorkingbottlesforafewgentlemen.OneofthesegentlemenwasMr.O’MaddenBurke,whohadfoundouttheroombyinstinct.Hewasasuave,elderlymanwhobalancedhisimposingbody,whenatrest,uponalargesilkumbrella.Hismagniloquentwesternnamewasthemoralumbrellauponwhichhebalancedthefineproblemofhisfinances.Hewaswidelyrespected.
WhileMr.HolohanwasentertainingtheFreemanmanMrs.
