Дублінці
Two Gallants
Hisbroadfigurehidhersfromviewforafewsecondsandthenshereappearedrunningupthesteps.ThedoorclosedonherandCorleybegantowalkswiftlytowardsStephen’sGreen.
Lenehanhurriedoninthesamedirection.Somedropsoflightrainfell.Hetookthemasawarningand,glancingbacktowardsthehousewhichtheyoungwomanhadenteredtoseethathewasnotobserved,heraneagerlyacrosstheroad.Anxietyandhisswiftrunmadehimpant.Hecalledout:
“Hallo,Corley!”
Corleyturnedhisheadtoseewhohadcalledhim,andthencontinuedwalkingasbefore.Lenehanranafterhim,settlingthewaterproofonhisshoulderswithonehand.
“Hallo,Corley!”hecriedagain.
Hecamelevelwithhisfriendandlookedkeenlyinhisface.Hecouldseenothingthere.
“Well?”hesaid.“Diditcomeoff?”
TheyhadreachedthecornerofElyPlace.Stillwithoutanswering,Corleyswervedtotheleftandwentupthesidestreet.Hisfeatureswerecomposedinsterncalm.Lenehankeptupwithhisfriend,breathinguneasily.Hewasbaffledandanoteofmenacepiercedthroughhisvoice.
“Can’tyoutellus?”hesaid.“Didyoutryher?”
Corleyhaltedatthefirstlampandstaredgrimlybeforehim.Thenwithagravegestureheextendedahandtowardsthelightand,smiling,openeditslowlytothegazeofhisdisciple.Asmallgoldcoinshoneinthepalm.
