Дублінці
The Dead
Hebegan:
“LadiesandGentlemen,
“Ithasfallentomylotthisevening,asinyearspast,toperformaverypleasingtaskbutataskforwhichIamafraidmypoorpowersasaspeakerarealltooinadequate.”
“No,no!”saidMr.Browne.
“But,howeverthatmaybe,IcanonlyaskyoutonighttotakethewillforthedeedandtolendmeyourattentionforafewmomentswhileIendeavourtoexpresstoyouinwordswhatmyfeelingsareonthisoccasion.
“LadiesandGentlemen,itisnotthefirsttimethatwehavegatheredtogetherunderthishospitableroof,aroundthishospitableboard.Itisnotthefirsttimethatwehavebeentherecipients—orperhaps,Ihadbettersay,thevictims—ofthehospitalityofcertaingoodladies.”
Hemadeacircleintheairwithhisarmandpaused.EveryonelaughedorsmiledatAuntKateandAuntJuliaandMaryJanewhoallturnedcrimsonwithpleasure.Gabrielwentonmoreboldly:
“Ifeelmorestronglywitheveryrecurringyearthatourcountryhasnotraditionwhichdoesitsomuchhonourandwhichitshouldguardsojealouslyasthatofitshospitality.Itisatraditionthatisuniqueasfarasmyexperiencegoes(andIhavevisitednotafewplacesabroad)amongthemodernnations.Somewouldsay,perhaps,thatwithusitisratherafailingthananythingtobeboastedof.
