Дублінці
The Dead
“Andhaven’tyouyourownlandtovisit,”continuedMissIvors,“thatyouknownothingof,yourownpeople,andyourowncountry?”
“0,totellyouthetruth,”retortedGabrielsuddenly,“I’msickofmyowncountry,sickofit!”
“Why?”askedMissIvors.
Gabrieldidnotanswerforhisretorthadheatedhim.
“Why?”repeatedMissIvors.
Theyhadtogovisitingtogetherand,ashehadnotansweredher,MissIvorssaidwarmly:
“Ofcourse,you’venoanswer.”
Gabrieltriedtocoverhisagitationbytakingpartinthedancewithgreatenergy.Heavoidedhereyesforhehadseenasourexpressiononherface.Butwhentheymetinthelongchainhewassurprisedtofeelhishandfirmlypressed.Shelookedathimfromunderherbrowsforamomentquizzicallyuntilhesmiled.Then,justasthechainwasabouttostartagain,shestoodontiptoeandwhisperedintohisear:
“WestBriton!”
WhenthelancerswereoverGabrielwentawaytoaremotecorneroftheroomwhereFreddyMalins’motherwassitting.Shewasastoutfeebleoldwomanwithwhitehair.Hervoicehadacatchinitlikeherson’sandshestutteredslightly.ShehadbeentoldthatFreddyhadcomeandthathewasnearlyallright.Gabrielaskedherwhethershehadhadagoodcrossing.ShelivedwithhermarrieddaughterinGlasgowandcametoDublinonavisitonceayear.
