Дублінці
The Boarding House
Theyusedtogoupstairstogetherontiptoe,eachwithacandle,andonthethirdlandingexchangereluctantgoodnights.Theyusedtokiss.Herememberedwellhereyes,thetouchofherhandandhisdelirium....
Butdeliriumpasses.Heechoedherphrase,applyingittohimself:“WhatamItodo?”Theinstinctofthecelibatewarnedhimtoholdback.Butthesinwasthere;evenhissenseofhonourtoldhimthatreparationmustbemadeforsuchasin.
WhilehewassittingwithheronthesideofthebedMarycametothedoorandsaidthatthemissuswantedtoseehimintheparlour.Hestooduptoputonhiscoatandwaistcoat,morehelplessthanever.Whenhewasdressedhewentovertohertocomforther.Itwouldbeallright,neverfear.Helefthercryingonthebedandmoaningsoftly:“OmyGod!”
Goingdownthestairshisglassesbecamesodimmedwithmoisturethathehadtotakethemoffandpolishthem.Helongedtoascendthroughtheroofandflyawaytoanothercountrywherehewouldneverhearagainofhistrouble,andyetaforcepushedhimdownstairsstepbystep.TheimplacablefacesofhisemployerandoftheMadamstareduponhisdiscomfiture.OnthelastflightofstairshepassedJackMooneywhowascomingupfromthepantrynursingtwobottlesofBass.Theysalutedcoldly;andthelover’seyesrestedforasecondortwoonathickbulldogfaceandapairofthickshortarms.
