Дублінці
A Little Cloud
“Verywell,then,”saidIgnatiusGallaher,“letushaveanotheroneasadeocandoruis—that’sgoodvernacularforasmallwhisky,Ibelieve.”
LittleChandlerorderedthedrinks.Theblushwhichhadrisentohisfaceafewmomentsbeforewasestablishingitself.Atriflemadehimblushatanytime:andnowhefeltwarmandexcited.ThreesmallwhiskieshadgonetohisheadandGallaher’sstrongcigarhadconfusedhismind,forhewasadelicateandabstinentperson.TheadventureofmeetingGallaheraftereightyears,offindinghimselfwithGallaherinCorless’ssurroundedbylightsandnoise,oflisteningtoGallaher’sstoriesandofsharingforabriefspaceGallaher’svagrantandtriumphantlife,upsettheequipoiseofhissensitivenature.Hefeltacutelythecontrastbetweenhisownlifeandhisfriend’sanditseemedtohimunjust.Gallaherwashisinferiorinbirthandeducation.Hewassurethathecoulddosomethingbetterthanhisfriendhadeverdone,orcouldeverdo,somethinghigherthanmeretawdryjournalismifheonlygotthechance.Whatwasitthatstoodinhisway?HisunfortunatetimidityHewishedtovindicatehimselfinsomeway,toasserthismanhood.HesawbehindGallaher’srefusalofhisinvitation.GallaherwasonlypatronisinghimbyhisfriendlinessjustashewaspatronisingIrelandbyhisvisit.
Thebarmanbroughttheirdrinks.LittleChandlerpushedoneglasstowardshisfriendandtookuptheotherboldly.
