Дублінці
A Mother
”
“Andwhatwaydidyoutreatme?”askedMrs.Kearney.
Herfacewasinundatedwithanangrycolourandshelookedasifshewouldattacksomeonewithherhands.
“I’maskingformyrights.”shesaid.
Youmighthavesomesenseofdecency,”saidMr.Holohan.
“MightI,indeed?...AndwhenIaskwhenmydaughterisgoingtobepaidIcan’tgetacivilanswer.”
Shetossedherheadandassumedahaughtyvoice:
“Youmustspeaktothesecretary.It’snotmybusiness.I’magreatfellowfol-the-diddle-I-do.”
“Ithoughtyouwerealady,”saidMr.Holohan,walkingawayfromherabruptly.
AfterthatMrs.Kearney’sconductwascondemnedonallhands:everyoneapprovedofwhatthecommitteehaddone.Shestoodatthedoor,haggardwithrage,arguingwithherhusbandanddaughter,gesticulatingwiththem.Shewaiteduntilitwastimeforthesecondparttobegininthehopethatthesecretarieswouldapproachher.ButMissHealyhadkindlyconsentedtoplayoneortwoaccompaniments.Mrs.Kearneyhadtostandasidetoallowthebaritoneandhisaccompanisttopassuptotheplatform.Shestoodstillforaninstantlikeanangrystoneimageand,whenthefirstnotesofthesongstruckherear,shecaughtupherdaughter’scloakandsaidtoherhusband:
“Getacab!”
Hewentoutatonce.Mrs
