Дублінці
Grace
Powerwascarefultoexplaintoherthathewasnotresponsible,thathehadcomeonthescenebythemerestaccident.Mrs.Kernan,rememberingMr.Power’sgoodofficesduringdomesticquarrels,aswellasmanysmall,butopportuneloans,said:
“O,youneedn’ttellmethat,Mr.Power.Iknowyou’reafriendofhis,notlikesomeoftheothershedoesbewith.They’reallrightsolongashehasmoneyinhispockettokeephimoutfromhiswifeandfamily.Nicefriends!Whowashewithtonight,I’dliketoknow?”
Mr.Powershookhisheadbutsaidnothing.
“I’msosorry,”shecontinued,“thatI’venothinginthehousetoofferyou.ButifyouwaitaminuteI’llsendroundtoFogarty’s,atthecorner.”
Mr.Powerstoodup.
“Wewerewaitingforhimtocomehomewiththemoney.Heneverseemstothinkhehasahomeatall.”
“O,now,Mrs.Kernan,”saidMr.Power,“we’llmakehimturnoveranewleaf.I’lltalktoMartin.He’stheman.We’llcomehereoneofthesenightsandtalkitover.”
Shesawhimtothedoor.Thecarmanwasstampingupanddownthefootpath,andswinginghisarmstowarmhimself.
“It’sverykindofyoutobringhimhome,”shesaid.
“Notatall,”saidMr.Power.
Hegotuponthecar.Asitdroveoffheraisedhishattohergaily.
“We’llmakeanewmanofhim,”hesaid.“Good-night,Mrs.
