Дублінці
The Sisters
“Ithinkitwasoneofthose...peculiarcases....Butit’shardtosay....”
Hebegantopuffagainathispipewithoutgivingushistheory.Myunclesawmestaringandsaidtome:
“Well,soyouroldfriendisgone,you’llbesorrytohear.”
“Who?”saidI.
“FatherFlynn.”
“Ishedead?”
“Mr.Cotterherehasjusttoldus.Hewaspassingbythehouse.”
IknewthatIwasunderobservationsoIcontinuedeatingasifthenewshadnotinterestedme.MyuncleexplainedtooldCotter.
“Theyoungsterandheweregreatfriends.Theoldchaptaughthimagreatdeal,mindyou;andtheysayhehadagreatwishforhim.”
“Godhavemercyonhissoul,”saidmyauntpiously.
OldCotterlookedatmeforawhile.IfeltthathislittlebeadyblackeyeswereexaminingmebutIwouldnotsatisfyhimbylookingupfrommyplate.Hereturnedtohispipeandfinallyspatrudelyintothegrate.
“Iwouldn’tlikechildrenofmine,”hesaid,“tohavetoomuchtosaytoamanlikethat.”
“Howdoyoumean,Mr.Cotter?”askedmyaunt.
“WhatImeanis,”saidoldCotter,“it’sbadforchildren.Myideais:letayoungladrunaboutandplaywithyoungladsofhisownageandnotbe...AmIright,Jack?”
“That’smyprinciple,too,”saidmyuncle.
