Дублінці
The Sisters
Therewasaheavyodourintheroom—theflowers.
Wecrossedourselvesandcameaway.InthelittleroomdownstairswefoundElizaseatedinhisarm-chairinstate.IgropedmywaytowardsmyusualchairinthecornerwhileNanniewenttothesideboardandbroughtoutadecanterofsherryandsomewine-glasses.Shesettheseonthetableandinvitedustotakealittleglassofwine.Then,athersister’sbidding,shefilledoutthesherryintotheglassesandpassedthemtous.ShepressedmetotakesomecreamcrackersalsobutIdeclinedbecauseIthoughtIwouldmaketoomuchnoiseeatingthem.Sheseemedtobesomewhatdisappointedatmyrefusalandwentoverquietlytothesofawhereshesatdownbehindhersister.Noonespoke:weallgazedattheemptyfireplace.
MyauntwaiteduntilElizasighedandthensaid:
“Ah,well,he’sgonetoabetterworld.”
Elizasighedagainandbowedherheadinassent.Myauntfingeredthestemofherwine-glassbeforesippingalittle.
“Didhe...peacefully?”sheasked.
“Oh,quitepeacefully,ma’am,”saidEliza.“Youcouldn’ttellwhenthebreathwentoutofhim.Hehadabeautifuldeath,Godbepraised.”
“Andeverything...?”
“FatherO’RourkewasinwithhimaTuesdayandanointedhimandpreparedhimandall.”
“Heknewthen?”
“Hewasquiteresigned.
