Дублінці
A Mother
Kearneywasspeakingsoanimatedlytoherhusbandthathehadtoaskhertolowerhervoice.Theconversationoftheothersinthedressing-roomhadbecomestrained.Mr.Bell,thefirstitem,stoodreadywithhismusicbuttheaccompanistmadenosign.Evidentlysomethingwaswrong.Mr.Kearneylookedstraightbeforehim,strokinghisbeard,whileMrs.KearneyspokeintoKathleen’searwithsubduedemphasis.Fromthehallcamesoundsofencouragement,clappingandstampingoffeet.ThefirsttenorandthebaritoneandMissHealystoodtogether,waitingtranquilly,butMr.Bell’snervesweregreatlyagitatedbecausehewasafraidtheaudiencewouldthinkthathehadcomelate.
Mr.HolohanandMr.O’MaddenBurkecameintotheroomInamomentMr.Holohanperceivedthehush.HewentovertoMrs.Kearneyandspokewithherearnestly.Whiletheywerespeakingthenoiseinthehallgrewlouder.Mr.Holohanbecameveryredandexcited.Hespokevolubly,butMrs.Kearneysaidcurtlyatintervals:
“Shewon’tgoon.Shemustgethereightguineas.”
Mr.Holohanpointeddesperatelytowardsthehallwheretheaudiencewasclappingandstamping.HeappealedtoMrKearneyandtoKathleen.ButMr.KearneycontinuedtostrokehisbeardandKathleenlookeddown,movingthepointofhernewshoe:itwasnotherfault.Mrs.Kearneyrepeated:
“Shewon’tgoonwithouthermoney.”
AfteraswiftstruggleoftonguesMr.Holohanhobbledoutinhaste.Theroomwassilent.
