Дублінці
Two Gallants
”
“You’rewhatIcallagayLothario,”saidLenehan.“AndtheproperkindofaLothario,too!”
Ashadeofmockeryrelievedtheservilityofhismanner.Tosavehimselfhehadthehabitofleavinghisflatteryopentotheinterpretationofraillery.ButCorleyhadnotasubtlemind.
“There’snothingtotouchagoodslavey,”heaffirmed.“Takemytipforit.”
“Byonewhohastriedthemall,”saidLenehan.
“FirstIusedtogowithgirls,youknow,”saidCorley,unbosoming;“girlsofftheSouthCircular.Iusedtotakethemout,man,onthetramsomewhereandpaythetramortakethemtoabandoraplayatthetheatreorbuythemchocolateandsweetsorsomethingthatway.Iusedtospendmoneyonthemrightenough,”headded,inaconvincingtone,asifhewasconsciousofbeingdisbelieved.
ButLenehancouldwellbelieveit;henoddedgravely.
“Iknowthatgame,”hesaid,“andit’samug’sgame.”
“AnddamnthethingIevergotoutofit,”saidCorley.
“Dittohere,”saidLenehan.
“Onlyoffofoneofthem,”saidCorley.
Hemoistenedhisupperlipbyrunninghistonguealongit.Therecollectionbrightenedhiseyes.Hetoogazedatthepalediscofthemoon,nownearlyveiled,andseemedtomeditate.
Shewas...abitofallright,”hesaidregretfully.
Hewassilentagain.
