Дублінці

           Kernan,equallygravely.

           “Isupposeyousquaredtheconstable,Jack,”saidMr.M’Coy.

           Mr.PowerdidnotrelishtheuseofhisChristianname.Hewasnotstraight-laced,buthecouldnotforgetthatMr.M’CoyhadrecentlymadeacrusadeinsearchofvalisesandportmanteaustoenableMrs.M’Coytofulfilimaginaryengagementsinthecountry.Morethanheresentedthefactthathehadbeenvictimisedheresentedsuchlowplayingofthegame.Heansweredthequestion,therefore,asifMr.Kernanhadaskedit.

           ThenarrativemadeMr.Kernanindignant.Hewaskeenlyconsciousofhiscitizenship,wishedtolivewithhiscityontermsmutuallyhonourableandresentedanyaffrontputuponhimbythosewhomhecalledcountrybumpkins.

           “Isthiswhatwepayratesfor?”heasked.“Tofeedandclothetheseignorantbostooms...andthey’renothingelse.”

           Mr.Cunninghamlaughed.HewasaCastleofficialonlyduringofficehours.

           “Howcouldtheybeanythingelse,Tom?”hesaid.

           Heassumedathick,provincialaccentandsaidinatoneofcommand:

           “65,catchyourcabbage!”

           Everyonelaughed.Mr.M’Coy,whowantedtoentertheconversationbyanydoor,pretendedthathehadneverheardthestory.Mr.Cunninghamsaid:

           “Itissupposed—theysay,youknow—totakeplaceinthedepotwheretheygetthesethunderingbigcountryfellows,omadhauns,youknow,todrill.