Дублінці
A Mother
Shelookedasifshehadbeenresurrectedfromanoldstage-wardrobeandthecheaperpartsofthehallmadefunofherhighwailingnotes.Thefirsttenorandthecontralto,however,broughtdownthehouse.KathleenplayedaselectionofIrishairswhichwasgenerouslyapplauded.Thefirstpartclosedwithastirringpatrioticrecitationdeliveredbyayoungladywhoarrangedamateurtheatricals.Itwasdeservedlyapplauded;and,whenitwasended,themenwentoutfortheinterval,content.
Allthistimethedressing-roomwasahiveofexcitement.InonecornerwereMr.Holohan,Mr.Fitzpatrick,MissBeirne,twoofthestewards,thebaritone,thebass,andMr.O’MaddenBurke.Mr.O’MaddenBurkesaiditwasthemostscandalousexhibitionhehadeverwitnessed.MissKathleenKearney’smusicalcareerwasendedinDublinafterthat,hesaid.ThebaritonewasaskedwhatdidhethinkofMrs.Kearney’sconduct.Hedidnotliketosayanything.Hehadbeenpaidhismoneyandwishedtobeatpeacewithmen.However,hesaidthatMrs.Kearneymighthavetakentheartistesintoconsideration.Thestewardsandthesecretariesdebatedhotlyastowhatshouldbedonewhentheintervalcame.
“IagreewithMissBeirne,”saidMr.O’MaddenBurke.“Payhernothing.”
InanothercorneroftheroomwereMrs.Kearneyandhe:husband,Mr.Bell,MissHealyandtheyoungladywhohadtorecitethepatrioticpiece.Mrs.KearneysaidthattheCommitteehadtreatedherscandalously.
