Дублінці
Grace
Hehadbegunlifeasanobscurefinancierbylendingsmallsumsofmoneytoworkmenatusuriousinterest.Lateronhehadbecomethepartnerofaveryfat,shortgentleman,Mr.Goldberg,intheLiffeyLoanBank.ThoughhehadneverembracedmorethantheJewishethicalcode,hisfellow-Catholics,whenevertheyhadsmartedinpersonorbyproxyunderhisexactions,spokeofhimbitterlyasanIrishJewandanilliterate,andsawdivinedisapprovalofusurymademanifestthroughthepersonofhisidiotson.Atothertimestheyrememberedhisgoodpoints.
“Iwonderwheredidhegoto,”saidMr.Kernan.
Hewishedthedetailsoftheincidenttoremainvague.Hewishedhisfriendstothinktherehadbeensomemistake,thatMr.Harfordandhehadmissedeachother.Hisfriends,whoknewquitewellMr.Harford’smannersindrinkingweresilent.Mr.Powersaidagain:
“All’swellthatendswell.”
Mr.Kernanchangedthesubjectatonce.
“Thatwasadecentyoungchap,thatmedicalfellow,”hesaid.“Onlyforhim——”
“O,onlyforhim,”saidMr.Power,“itmighthavebeenacaseofsevendays,withouttheoptionofafine.”
“Yes,yes,”saidMr.Kernan,tryingtoremember.“Iremembernowtherewasapoliceman.Decentyoungfellow,heseemed.Howdidithappenatall?”
“Ithappenedthatyouwerepeloothered,Tom,”saidMr.Cunninghamgravely.
“Truebill,”saidMr.
