Дублінці
Two Gallants
Iputmyarmroundherandsqueezedherabitthatnight.ThennextSunday,man,Imetherbyappointment.WeventouttoDonnybrookandIbroughtherintoafieldthere.Shetoldmesheusedtogowithadairyman....Itwasfine,man.Cigaretteseverynightshe’dbringmeandpayingthetramoutandback.Andonenightshebroughtmetwobloodyfinecigars—O,therealcheese,youknow,thattheoldfellowusedtosmoke....Iwasafraid,man,she’dgetinthefamilyway.Butshe’suptothedodge.”
“Maybeshethinksyou’llmarryher,”saidLenehan.
“ItoldherIwasoutofajob,”saidCorley.“ItoldherIwasinPim’s.Shedoesn’tknowmyname.Iwastoohairytotellherthat.ButshethinksI’mabitofclass,youknow.”
Lenehanlaughedagain,noiselessly.
“OfallthegoodoneseverIheard,”hesaid,“thatemphaticallytakesthebiscuit.”
Corley’sstrideacknowledgedthecompliment.Theswingofhisburlybodymadehisfriendexecuteafewlightskipsfromthepathtotheroadwayandbackagain.Corleywasthesonofaninspectorofpoliceandhehadinheritedhisfather’sframeandgut.Hewalkedwithhishandsbyhissides,holdinghimselferectandswayinghisheadfromsidetoside.Hisheadwaslarge,globularandoily;itsweatedinallweathers;andhislargeroundhat,setuponitsideways,lookedlikeabulbwhichhadgrownoutofanother.
