Дублінці
The Dead
Browneincredulously,“thatachapcangodownthereandputupthereasifitwereahotelandliveonthefatofthelandandthencomeawaywithoutpayinganything?”
“O,mostpeoplegivesomedonationtothemonasterywhentheyleave.”saidMaryJane.
“IwishwehadaninstitutionlikethatinourChurch,”saidMr.Brownecandidly.
Hewasastonishedtohearthatthemonksneverspoke,gotupattwointhemorningandsleptintheircoffins.Heaskedwhattheydiditfor.
“That’stheruleoftheorder,”saidAuntKatefirmly.
“Yes,butwhy?”askedMr.Browne.
AuntKaterepeatedthatitwastherule,thatwasall.Mr.Brownestillseemednottounderstand.FreddyMalinsexplainedtohim,asbesthecould,thatthemonksweretryingtomakeupforthesinscommittedbyallthesinnersintheoutsideworld.TheexplanationwasnotveryclearforMr.Brownegrinnedandsaid:
“Ilikethatideaverymuchbutwouldn’tacomfortablespringbeddothemaswellasacoffin?”
“Thecoffin,”saidMaryJane,“istoremindthemoftheirlastend.”
AsthesubjecthadgrownlugubriousitwasburiedinasilenceofthetableduringwhichMrs.Malinscouldbeheardsayingtoherneighbourinanindistinctundertone:
“Theyareverygoodmen,themonks,verypiousmen.
