Дублінці
The Dead
Andthechildren,Gretta,you’renotanxiousaboutthem?”
“0,foronenight,”saidMrs.Conroy.“Besides,Bessiewilllookafterthem.”
“Tobesure,”saidAuntKateagain.“Whatacomfortitistohaveagirllikethat,oneyoucandependon!There’sthatLily,I’msureIdon’tknowwhathascomeoverherlately.She’snotthegirlshewasatall.”
Gabrielwasabouttoaskhisauntsomequestionsonthispoint,butshebrokeoffsuddenlytogazeafterhersister,whohadwandereddownthestairsandwascraningherneckoverthebanisters.
“Now,Iaskyou,”shesaidalmosttestily,“whereisJuliagoing?Julia!Julia!Whereareyougoing?”
Julia,whohadgonehalfwaydownoneflight,camebackandannouncedblandly:
“Here’sFreddy.”
Atthesamemomentaclappingofhandsandafinalflourishofthepianisttoldthatthewaltzhadended.Thedrawing-roomdoorwasopenedfromwithinandsomecouplescameout.AuntKatedrewGabrielasidehurriedlyandwhisperedintohisear:
“Slipdown,Gabriel,likeagoodfellowandseeifhe’sallright,anddon’tlethimupifhe’sscrewed.I’msurehe’sscrewed.I’msureheis.”
Gabrielwenttothestairsandlistenedoverthebanisters.Hecouldheartwopersonstalkinginthepantry.ThenherecognisedFreddyMalins’laugh.Hewentdownthestairsnoisily.
