Дублінці
An Encounter
Hesaidthattherewasnothinginthisworldhewouldlikesowellasthat.Hedescribedtomehowhewouldwhipsuchaboyasifhewereunfoldingsomeelaboratemystery.Hewouldlovethat,hesaid,betterthananythinginthisworld;andhisvoice,asheledmemonotonouslythroughthemystery,grewalmostaffectionateandseemedtopleadwithmethatIshouldunderstandhim.
Iwaitedtillhismonologuepausedagain.ThenIstoodupabruptly.LestIshouldbetraymyagitationIdelayedafewmomentspretendingtofixmyshoeproperlyandthen,sayingthatIwasobligedtogo,Ibadehimgood-day.Iwentuptheslopecalmlybutmyheartwasbeatingquicklywithfearthathewouldseizemebytheankles.WhenIreachedthetopoftheslopeIturnedroundand,withoutlookingathim,calledloudlyacrossthefield:
“Murphy!”
MyvoicehadanaccentofforcedbraveryinitandIwasashamedofmypaltrystratagem.IhadtocallthenameagainbeforeMahonysawmeandhallooedinanswer.Howmyheartbeatashecamerunningacrossthefieldtome!Heranasiftobringmeaid.AndIwaspenitent;forinmyheartIhadalwaysdespisedhimalittle.
