Дублінці
The Sisters
Itwasaftersunset;butthewindow-panesofthehousesthatlookedtothewestreflectedthetawnygoldofagreatbankofclouds.Nanniereceivedusinthehall;and,asitwouldhavebeenunseemlytohaveshoutedather,myauntshookhandswithherforall.Theoldwomanpointedupwardsinterrogativelyand,onmyaunt’snodding,proceededtotoilupthenarrowstaircasebeforeus,herbowedheadbeingscarcelyabovethelevelofthebanister-rail.Atthefirstlandingshestoppedandbeckonedusforwardencouraginglytowardstheopendoorofthedead-room.Myauntwentinandtheoldwoman,seeingthatIhesitatedtoenter,begantobeckontomeagainrepeatedlywithherhand.
Iwentinontiptoe.Theroomthroughthelaceendoftheblindwassuffusedwithduskygoldenlightamidwhichthecandleslookedlikepalethinflames.Hehadbeencoffined.Nanniegavetheleadandwethreekneltdownatthefootofthebed.IpretendedtopraybutIcouldnotgathermythoughtsbecausetheoldwoman’smutteringsdistractedme.Inoticedhowclumsilyherskirtwashookedatthebackandhowtheheelsofherclothbootsweretroddendownalltooneside.Thefancycametomethattheoldpriestwassmilingashelaythereinhiscoffin.
Butno.WhenweroseandwentuptotheheadofthebedIsawthathewasnotsmiling.Therehelay,solemnandcopious,vestedasforthealtar,hislargehandslooselyretainingachalice.Hisfacewasverytruculent,greyandmassive,withblackcavernousnostrilsandcircledbyascantywhitefur.
