Дублінці
After the Race
ThepartywastodinetogetherthateveninginSegouin’shoteland,meanwhile,Jimmyandhisfriend,whowasstayingwithhim,weretogohometodress.ThecarsteeredoutslowlyforGraftonStreetwhilethetwoyoungmenpushedtheirwaythroughtheknotofgazers.Theywalkednorthwardwithacuriousfeelingofdisappointmentintheexercise,whilethecityhungitspaleglobesoflightabovetheminahazeofsummerevening.
InJimmy’shousethisdinnerhadbeenpronouncedanoccasion.Acertainpridemingledwithhisparents’trepidation,acertaineagerness,also,toplayfastandlooseforthenamesofgreatforeigncitieshaveatleastthisvirtue.Jimmy,too,lookedverywellwhenhewasdressedand,ashestoodinthehallgivingalastequationtothebowsofhisdresstie,hisfathermayhavefeltevencommerciallysatisfiedathavingsecuredforhissonqualitiesoftenunpurchaseable.Hisfather,therefore,wasunusuallyfriendlywithVillonaandhismannerexpressedarealrespectforforeignaccomplishments;butthissubtletyofhishostwasprobablylostupontheHungarian,whowasbeginningtohaveasharpdesireforhisdinner.
Thedinnerwasexcellent,exquisite.Segouin,Jimmydecided,hadaveryrefinedtaste.ThepartywasincreasedbyayoungEnglishmannamedRouthwhomJimmyhadseenwithSegouinatCambridge.Theyoungmensuppedinasnugroomlitbyelectriccandlelamps.Theytalkedvolublyandwithlittlereserve.
