Дублінці
After the Race
ThenFarleygotoutofbreathandcried“Stop!”Amanbroughtinalightsupper,andtheyoungmensatdowntoitforform’ssake.Theydrank,however:itwasBohemian.TheydrankIreland,England,France,Hungary,theUnitedStatesofAmerica.Jimmymadeaspeech,alongspeech,Villonasaying:“Hear!hear!”whenevertherewasapause.Therewasagreatclappingofhandswhenhesatdown.Itmusthavebeenagoodspeech.Farleyclappedhimonthebackandlaughedloudly.Whatjovialfellows!Whatgoodcompanytheywere!
Cards!cards!Thetablewascleared.Villonareturnedquietlytohispianoandplayedvoluntariesforthem.Theothermenplayedgameaftergame,flingingthemselvesboldlyintotheadventure.TheydrankthehealthoftheQueenofHeartsandoftheQueenofDiamonds.Jimmyfeltobscurelythelackofanaudience:thewitwasflashing.Playranveryhighandpaperbegantopass.Jimmydidnotknowexactlywhowaswinningbutheknewthathewaslosing.ButitwashisownfaultforhefrequentlymistookhiscardsandtheothermenhadtocalculatehisI.O.U.‘sforhim.Theyweredevilsoffellowsbuthewishedtheywouldstop:itwasgettinglate.SomeonegavethetoastoftheyachtTheBelleofNewportandthensomeoneproposedonegreatgameforafinish.
Thepianohadstopped;Villonamusthavegoneupondeck.Itwasaterriblegame.Theystoppedjustbeforetheendofittodrinkforluck.JimmyunderstoodthatthegamelaybetweenRouthandSegouin
