Дублінці
The Dead
Browneledhischargesthitherandinvitedthemall,injest,tosomeladies’punch,hot,strongandsweet.Astheysaidtheynevertookanythingstrong,heopenedthreebottlesoflemonadeforthem.Thenheaskedoneoftheyoungmentomoveaside,and,takingholdofthedecanter,filledoutforhimselfagoodlymeasureofwhisky.Theyoungmeneyedhimrespectfullywhilehetookatrialsip.
“Godhelpme,”hesaid,smiling,“it’sthedoctor’sorders.”
Hiswizenedfacebrokeintoabroadersmile,andthethreeyoungladieslaughedinmusicalechotohispleasantry,swayingtheirbodiestoandfro,withnervousjerksoftheirshoulders.Theboldestsaid:
“O,now,Mr.Browne,I’msurethedoctorneverorderedanythingofthekind.”
Mr.Brownetookanothersipofhiswhiskyandsaid,withsidlingmimicry:
“Well,yousee,I’mlikethefamousMrs.Cassidy,whoisreportedtohavesaid:‘Now,MaryGrimes,ifIdon’ttakeit,makemetakeit,forIfeelIwantit.’”
HishotfacehadleanedforwardalittletooconfidentiallyandhehadassumedaverylowDublinaccentsothattheyoungladies,withoneinstinct,receivedhisspeechinsilence.MissFurlong,whowasoneofMaryJane’spupils,askedMissDalywhatwasthenameoftheprettywaltzshehadplayed;andMr.Browne,seeingthathewasignored,turnedpromptlytothetwoyoungmenwhoweremoreappreciative.
