Дублінці
Counterparts
Shelleysaid,sir——”
“Mr.Shelleysaid,sir....KindlyattendtowhatIsayandnottowhatMr.Shelleysays,sir.Youhavealwayssomeexcuseoranotherforshirkingwork.LetmetellyouthatifthecontractisnotcopiedbeforethiseveningI’lllaythematterbeforeMr.Crosbie....Doyouhearmenow?”
“Yes,sir.”
“Doyouhearmenow?...Ayandanotherlittlematter!Imightaswellbetalkingtothewallastalkingtoyou.Understandonceforallthatyougetahalfanhourforyourlunchandnotanhourandahalf.Howmanycoursesdoyouwant,I’dliketoknow....Doyoumindmenow?”
“Yes,sir.”
Mr.Alleynebenthisheadagainuponhispileofpapers.ThemanstaredfixedlyatthepolishedskullwhichdirectedtheaffairsofCrosbie&Alleyne,gaugingitsfragility.Aspasmofragegrippedhisthroatforafewmomentsandthenpassed,leavingafteritasharpsensationofthirst.Themanrecognisedthesensationandfeltthathemusthaveagoodnight’sdrinking.Themiddleofthemonthwaspassedand,ifhecouldgetthecopydoneintime,Mr.Alleynemightgivehimanorderonthecashier.Hestoodstill,gazingfixedlyattheheaduponthepileofpapers.SuddenlyMr.Alleynebegantoupsetallthepapers,searchingforsomething.
