Дублінці

           Kernan.”

           Mrs.Kernan’spuzzledeyeswatchedthecartillitwasoutofsight.Thenshewithdrewthem,wentintothehouseandemptiedherhusband’spockets.

           Shewasanactive,practicalwomanofmiddleage.NotlongbeforeshehadcelebratedhersilverweddingandrenewedherintimacywithherhusbandbywaltzingwithhimtoMr.Power’saccompaniment.Inherdaysofcourtship,Mr.Kernanhadseemedtoheranotungallantfigure:andshestillhurriedtothechapeldoorwheneveraweddingwasreportedand,seeingthebridalpair,recalledwithvividpleasurehowshehadpassedoutoftheStaroftheSeaChurchinSandymount,leaningonthearmofajovialwell-fedman,whowasdressedsmartlyinafrock-coatandlavendertrousersandcarriedasilkhatgracefullybalanceduponhisotherarm.Afterthreeweeksshehadfoundawife’slifeirksomeand,lateron,whenshewasbeginningtofinditunbearable,shehadbecomeamother.Thepartofmotherpresentedtohernoinsuperabledifficultiesandfortwenty-fiveyearsshehadkepthouseshrewdlyforherhusband.Hertwoeldestsonswerelaunched.Onewasinadraper’sshopinGlasgowandtheotherwasclerktoatea-merchantinBelfast.Theyweregoodsons,wroteregularlyandsometimessenthomemoney.Theotherchildrenwerestillatschool.

           Mr.Kernansentalettertohisofficenextdayandremainedinbed.Shemadebeef-teaforhimandscoldedhimroundly.