Дублінці
The Dead
“Whoisit?”
Julia,whowascarryinginacolumnoftable-napkins,turnedtohersisterandsaid,simply,asifthequestionhadsurprisedher:
“It’sonlyFreddy,Kate,andGabrielwithhim.”
InfactrightbehindherGabrielcouldbeseenpilotingFreddyMalinsacrossthelanding.Thelatter,ayoungmanofaboutforty,wasofGabriel’ssizeandbuild,withveryroundshoulders.Hisfacewasfleshyandpallid,touchedwithcolouronlyatthethickhanginglobesofhisearsandatthewidewingsofhisnose.Hehadcoarsefeatures,abluntnose,aconvexandrecedingbrow,tumidandprotrudedlips.Hisheavy-liddedeyesandthedisorderofhisscantyhairmadehimlooksleepy.HewaslaughingheartilyinahighkeyatastorywhichhehadbeentellingGabrielonthestairsandatthesametimerubbingtheknucklesofhisleftfistbackwardsandforwardsintohislefteye.
“Good-evening,Freddy,”saidAuntJulia.
FreddyMalinsbadetheMissesMorkangood-eveninginwhatseemedanoffhandfashionbyreasonofthehabitualcatchinhisvoiceandthen,seeingthatMr.Brownewasgrinningathimfromthesideboard,crossedtheroomonrathershakylegsandbegantorepeatinanundertonethestoryhehadjusttoldtoGabriel.
“He’snotsobad,ishe?”saidAuntKatetoGabriel.
Gabriel’sbrowsweredarkbutheraisedthemquicklyandanswered:
“O,no,hardlynoticeable.
