Дублінці
A Little Cloud
Hecountedsevensobswithoutabreakbetweenthemandcaughtthechildtohisbreastinfright.Ifitdied!...
Thedoorwasburstopenandayoungwomanranin,panting.
“Whatisit?Whatisit?”shecried.
Thechild,hearingitsmother’svoice,brokeoutintoaparoxysmofsobbing.
“It’snothing,Annie...it’snothing....Hebegantocry...”
Sheflungherparcelsonthefloorandsnatchedthechildfromhim.
“Whathaveyoudonetohim?”shecried,glaringintohisface.
LittleChandlersustainedforonemomentthegazeofhereyesandhisheartclosedtogetherashemetthehatredinthem.Hebegantostammer:
“It’snothing....He...hebegantocry....Icouldn’t...Ididn’tdoanything....What?”
Givingnoheedtohimshebegantowalkupanddowntheroom,claspingthechildtightlyinherarmsandmurmuring:
“Mylittleman!Mylittlemannie!Was‘oufrightened,love?...Therenow,love!Therenow!...Lambabaun!Mamma’slittlelamboftheworld!...Therenow!”
LittleChandlerfelthischeekssuffusedwithshameandhestoodbackoutofthelamplight.Helistenedwhiletheparoxysmofthechild’ssobbinggrewlessandless;andtearsofremorsestartedtohiseyes.
