Дублінці
Two Gallants
Ontheglassofthewindowweretwoflyinginscriptions:GingerBeerandGingerAle.Acuthamwasexposedonagreatbluedishwhilenearitonaplatelayasegmentofverylightplum-pudding.Heeyedthisfoodearnestlyforsometimeandthen,afterglancingwarilyupanddownthestreet,wentintotheshopquickly.
Hewashungryfor,exceptsomebiscuitswhichhehadaskedtwogrudgingcuratestobringhim,hehadeatennothingsincebreakfast-time.Hesatdownatanuncoveredwoodentableoppositetwowork-girlsandamechanic.Aslatternlygirlwaitedonhim.
“Howmuchisaplateofpeas?”heasked.
“Threehalfpence,sir,”saidthegirl.
“Bringmeaplateofpeas,”hesaid,“andabottleofgingerbeer.”
Hespokeroughlyinordertobeliehisairofgentilityforhisentryhadbeenfollowedbyapauseoftalk.Hisfacewasheated.Toappearnaturalhepushedhiscapbackonhisheadandplantedhiselbowsonthetable.Themechanicandthetwowork-girlsexaminedhimpointbypointbeforeresumingtheirconversationinasubduedvoice.Thegirlbroughthimaplateofgrocer’shotpeas,seasonedwithpepperandvinegar,aforkandhisgingerbeer.Heatehisfoodgreedilyandfounditsogoodthathemadeanoteoftheshopmentally.WhenhehadeatenallthepeashesippedhisgingerbeerandsatforsometimethinkingofCorley’sadventure.
