MrsMercerstooduptogo：shewassorryshecouldn’twaitanylonger，butitwasaftereighto’clockandshedidnotliketobeoutlate，asthenightairwasbadforher。WhenshehadgoneIbegantowalkupanddowntheroom，clenchingmyfists。Myauntsaid：
　　`I’mafraidyoumayputoffyourbazaarforthisnightofOurLord。’
　　Atnineo’clockIheardmyuncle’slatchkeyinthehalldoor。Iheardhimtalkingtohimselfandheardthehallstandrockingwhenithadreceivedtheweightofhisovercoat。Icouldinterpretthesesigns。WhenhewasmidwaythroughhisdinnerIaskedhimtogivemethemoneytogotothebazaar。Hehadforgotten。
　　`Thepeopleareinbedandaftertheirfirstsleepnow，’hesaid。
　　Ididnotsmile。Myauntsaidtohimenergetically：
　　`Can’tyougivehimthemoneyandlethimgo？You’vekepthimlateenoughasitis。’
　　Myunclesaidhewasverysorryhehadforgotten。Hesaidhebelievedintheoldsaying：`AllworkandnoplaymakesJackadullboy。’HeaskedmewhereIwasgoingand，whenItoldhimasecondtime，heaskedmedidIknowTheArab’sFarewelltohisSteed。WhenIleftthekitchenhewasabouttorecitetheopeninglinesofthepiecetomyaunt。
　　IheldaflorintightlyinmyhandasIstrodedownBuckinghamStreettowardsthestation。Thesightofthestreetsthrongedwithbuyersandglaringwithgasrecalledtomethepurposeofmyjourney。Itookmyseatinathird-classcarriageofadesertedtrain。Afteranintolerabledelaythetrainmovedoutofthestationslowly。Itcreptonwardamongruinoushousesandoverthetwinklingriver。AtWestlandRowStationacrowdofpeoplepressedtothecarriagedoors；buttheportersmovedthemback，sayingthatitwasaspecialtrainforthebazaar。Iremainedaloneinthebarecarriage。Inafewminutesthetraindrewupbesideanimprovisedwoodenplatform。Ipassedoutontotheroadandsawbythelighteddialofaclockthatitwastenminutestoten。Infrontofmewasalargebuildingwhichdisplayedthemagicalname。
　　Icouldnotfindanysixpennyentranceand，fearingthatthebazaarwouldbeclosed，Ipassedinquicklythroughaturnstile，handingashillingtoaweary-lookingman。Ifoundmyselfinabighallgirdedathalfitsheightbyagallery。Nearlyallthestallswereclosedandthegreaterpartofthehallwasindarkness。Irecognizedasilencelikethatwhichpervadesachurchafteraservice。Iwalkedintothecentreofthebazaartimidly。Afewpeopleweregatheredaboutthestallswhichwerestillopen。
　　Beforeacurtain，overwhichthewordsCafé；Chantantwerewrittenincolouredlamps，twomenwerecountingmoneyonasalver。Ilistenedtothefallofthecoins。
　　RememberingwithdifficultywhyIhadcome，Iwentovertooneofthestallsandexaminedporcelainvasesandfloweredtea-sets。Atthedoorofthestallayoungladywastalkingandlaughingwithtwoyounggentlemen。
　　IremarkedtheirEnglishaccentsandlistenedvaguelytotheirconversation。
　　`O，Ineversaidsuchathing！’
　　`O，butyoudid！’
　　`O，butIdidn’t！’
　　`Didn’tshesaythat？’
　　`Yes。Iheardher。’
　　`O，there’sa……fib！’
　　Observingme，theyoungladycameoverandaskedmedidIwishtobuyanything。Thetoneofhervoicewasnotencouraging；sheseemedtohavespokentomeoutofasenseofduty。Ilookedhumblyatthegreatjarsthatstoodlikeeasternguardsateithersideofthedarkentrancetothestallandmurmured：
　　`No，thankyou。’
　　Theyoungladychangedthepositionofoneofthevasesandwentbacktothetwoyoungmen。Theybegantotalkofthesamesubject。Onceortwicetheyoungladyglancedatmeoverhershoulder。
　　Ilingeredbeforeherstall，thoughIknewmystaywasuseless，tomakemyinterestinherwaresseemthemorereal。ThenIturnedawayslowlyandwalkeddownthemiddleofthebazaar。Iallowedthetwopenniestofallagainstthesixpenceinmypocket。Iheardavoicecallfromoneendofthegallerythatthelightwasout。Theupperpartofthehallwasnowcompletelydark。
　　GazingupintothedarknessIsawmyselfasacreaturedrivenandderidedbyvanity；andmyeyesburnedwithanguishandanger。
　　Eveline
　　Shesatatthewindowwatchingtheeveninginvadetheavenue。Herheadwasleanedagainstthewindowcurtains，andinhernostrilswastheodourofdustycretonne。Shewastired。
　　Fewpeoplepassed。Themanoutofthelasthousepassedonhiswayhome；
　　sheheardhisfootstepsclackingalongtheconcretepavementandafterwardscrunchingonthecinderpathbeforethenewredhouses。Onetimethereusedtobeafieldthereinwhichtheyusedtoplayeveryeveningwithotherpeople’schildren。ThenamanfromBelfastboughtthefieldandbuilthousesinit-notliketheirlittlebrownhouses，butbrightbrickhouseswithshiningroofs。Thechildrenoftheavenueusedtoplaytogetherinthatfield-theDevines，theWaters，theDunns，littleKeoghthecripple，sheandherbrothersandsisters。Ernest，however，neverplayed：hewastoogrownup。Herfatherusedoftentohunttheminoutofthefieldwithhisblackthornstick；butusuallylittleKeoghusedtokeepnixandcalloutwhenhesawherfathercoming。Stilltheyseemedtohavebeenratherhappythen。Herfatherwasnotsobadthen；andbesides，hermotherwasalive。Thatwasalongtimeago；sheandherbrothersandsisterswereallgrownup；hermotherwasdead。TizzieDunnwasdead，too，andtheWatershadgonebacktoEngland。Everythingchanges。Nowshewasgoingtogoawayliketheothers，toleaveherhome。
　　Home！Shelookedroundtheroom，reviewingallitsfamiliarobjectswhichshehaddustedonceaweekforsomanyyears，wonderingwhereonearthallthedustcamefrom。Perhapsshewouldneverseeagainthosefamiliarobjectsfromwhichshehadneverdreamedofbeingdivided。AndyetduringallthoseyearsshehadneverfoundoutthenameofthepriestwhoseyellowingphotographhungonthewallabovethebrokenharmoniumbesidethecolouredprintofthepromisesmadetoBlessedMargaretMaryAlacoque。Hehadbeenaschoolfriendofherfather。Wheneverheshowedthephotographtoavisitorherfatherusedtopassitwithacasualword：
　　`HeisinMelbournenow。’
　　Shehadconsentedtogoaway，toleaveherhome。Wasthatwise？Shetriedtoweigheachsideofthequestion。Inherhomeanywayshehadshelterandfood；shehadthosewhomshehadknownallherlifeabouther。Ofcourseshehadtoworkhard，bothinthehouseandatbusiness。WhatwouldtheysayofherintheStoreswhentheyfoundoutthatshehadrunawaywithafellow？Sayshewasafool，perhaps；andherplacewouldbefilledupbyadvertisement。MissGavanwouldbeglad。Shehadalwayshadanedgeonher，especiallywhenevertherewerepeoplelistening。
　　`MissHill，don’tyouseetheseladiesarewaiting？’
　　`Looklively，MissHill，please。’
　　ShewouldnotcrymanytearsatleavingtheStores。
　　Butinhernewhome，inadistantunknowncountry，itwouldnotbelikethat。Thenshewouldbemarried-she，Eveline。Peoplewouldtreatherwithrespectthen。Shewouldnotbetreatedashermotherhadbeen。Evennow，thoughshewasovernineteen，shesometimesfeltherselfindangerofherfather’sviolence。SheknewitwasthatthathadgivenherthePalpitations。
　　Whentheyweregrowinguphehadnevergoneforher，likeheusedtogoforHarryandErnest，becauseshewasagirl；butlatterlyhehadbeguntothreatenherandsaywhathewoulddotoheronlyforherdeadmother’ssake。Andnowshehadnobodytoprotecther，ErnestwasdeadandHarry，whowasinthechurchdecoratingbusiness，wasnearlyalwaysdownsomewhereinthecountry。Besides，theinvariablesquabbleformoneyonSaturdaynightshadbeguntowearyherunspeakably。Shealwaysgaveherentirewages-sevenshillings-andHarryalwayssentupwhathecould，butthetroublewastogetanymoneyfromherfather。Hesaidsheusedtosquanderthemoney，thatshehadnohead，thathewasn’tgoingtogiveherhishard-earnedmoneytothrowaboutthestreets，andmuchmore，forhewasusuallyfairlybadonSaturdaynight。IntheendhewouldgiveherthemoneyandaskherhadsheanyintentionofbuyingSunday’sdinner。Thenshehadtorushoutasquicklyasshecouldanddohermarketing，holdingherblackleatherpursetightlyinherhandassheelbowedherwaythroughthecrowdsandreturninghomelateunderherloadofprovisions。Shehadhardworktokeepthehousetogetherandtoseethatthetwoyoungchildrenwhohadbeenlefttoherchargewenttoschoolregularlyandgottheirmealsregularly。
　　Itwashardwork-ahardlife-butnowthatshewasabouttoleaveitshedidnotfinditawhollyundesirablelife。
　　ShewasabouttoexploreanotherlifewithFrank。Frankwasverykind，manly，open-hearted。Shewastogoawaywithhimbythenight-boattobehiswifeandtolivewithhiminBuenosAires，wherehehadahomewaitingforher。Howwellsherememberedthefirsttimeshehadseenhim；hewaslodginginahouseonthemainroadwheresheusedtovisit。Itseemedafewweeksago。Hewasstandingatthegate，hispeakedcappushedbackonhisheadandhishairtumbledforwardoverafaceofbronze。Thentheyhadcometoknoweachother。HeusedtomeetheroutsidetheStoreseveryeveningandseeherhome。HetookhertoseeTheBohemianGirlandshefeltelatedasshesatinanunaccustomedpartofthetheatrewithhimHewasawfullyfondofmusicandsangalittle。Peopleknewthattheywerecourting，and，whenhesangaboutthelassthatlovesasailor，shealwaysfeltpleasantlyconfused。HeusedtocallherPoppensoutoffun。
　　Firstofallithadbeenanexcitementforhertohaveafellowandthenshehadbeguntolikehim。Hehadtalesofdistantcountries。HehadstartedasadeckboyatapoundamonthonashipoftheAllanLinegoingouttoCanada。Hetoldherthenamesoftheshipshehadbeenonandthenamesofthedifferentservices。HehadsailedthroughtheStraitsofMagellanandhetoldherstoriesoftheterriblePatagonians。HehadfallenonhisfeetinBuenosAires，hesaid，andhadcomeovertotheoldcountryjustforaholiday。Ofcourse，herfatherhadfoundouttheaffairandhadforbiddenhertohaveanythingtosaytohim。
　　`Iknowthesesailorchaps，’hesaid。
　　OnedayhehadquarrelledwithFrank，andafterthatshehadtomeetherloversecretly。
　　Theeveningdeepenedintheavenue。Thewhiteoftwolettersinherlapgrewindistinct。OnewastoHarry；theotherwastoherfather。Ernes！
　　hadbeenherfavourite，butshelikedHarrytoo。Herfatherwasbecomingoldlately，shenoticed；hewouldmissher。Sometimeshecouldbeverynice。Notlongbefore，whenshehadbeenlaidupforaday，hehadreadheroutaghoststoryandmadetoastforheratthefire。Anotherday，whentheirmotherwasalive，theyhadallgoneforapicnictotheHillofHowth。Sherememberedherfatherputtingonhermother’sbonnettomakethechildrenlaugh。
　　Hertimewasrunningout，butshecontinuedtositbythewindow，leaningherheadagainstthewindowcurtain，inhalingtheodourofdustycretonne。
　　Downfarintheavenueshecouldhearastreetorganplaying。Sheknewtheair。Strangethatitshouldcomethatverynighttoremindherofthepromisetohermother，herpromisetokeepthehometogetheraslongasshecould。Sherememberedthelastnightofhermother’sillness；shewasagainintheclose，darkroomattheothersideofthehallandoutsidesheheardamelancholyairofItaly。Theorgan-playerhadbeenorderedtogoawayandgivensixpence。Sherememberedherfatherstruttingbackintothesick-roomsaying：
　　`DamnedItalians！comingoverhere！’
　　Asshemusedthepitifulvisionofhermother’slifelaiditsspellontheveryquickofherbeing-thatlifeofcommonplacesacrificesclosinginfinalcraziness。Shetrembledassheheardagainhermother’svoicesayingconstantlywithfoolishinsistence：
　　`DerevaunSeraun！DerevaunSeraun！’
　　Shestoodupinasuddenimpulseofterror。Escape！Shemustescape！
　　Frankwouldsaveher。Hewouldgiveherlife，perhapslove，too。Butshewantedtolive。Whyshouldshebeunhappy？Shehadarighttohappiness。
　　Frankwouldtakeherinhisarms，foldherinhisarms。Hewouldsaveher。
　　ShestoodamongtheswayingcrowdinthestationattheNorthWall。
　　Heheldherhandandsheknewthathewasspeakingtoher，sayingsomethingaboutthepassageoverandoveragain。Thestationwasfullofsoldierswithbrownbaggages。Throughthewidedoorsoftheshedsshecaughtaglimpseoftheblackmassoftheboat，lyinginbesidethequaywall，withilluminedportholes。Sheanswerednothing。Shefelthercheekpaleandcoldand，outofamazeofdistress，sheprayedtoGodtodirecther，toshowherwhatwasherduty。Theboatblewalongmournfulwhistleintothemist。
　　Ifshewent，tomorrowshewouldbeontheseawithFrank，steamingtowardsBuenosAires。Theirpassagehadbeenbooked。Couldshestilldrawbackafterallhehaddoneforher？Herdistressawokeanauseainherbodyandshekeptmovingherlipsinsilentferventprayer。
　　Abellclangeduponherheart。Shefelthimseizeherhand：`Come！’
　　Alltheseasoftheworldtumbledaboutherheart。Hewasdrawingherintothem：hewoulddrownher。Shegrippedwithbothhandsattheironrailing。
　　`Come！’
　　No！No！No！Itwasimpossible。Herhandsclutchedtheironinfrenzy。
　　Amidtheseasshesentacryofanguish。
　　`Eveline！Evvy！’
　　Herushedbeyondthebarrierandcalledtohertofollow。Hewasshoutedattogoon，buthestillcalledtoher。Shesetherwhitefacetohim，passive，likeahelplessanimal。Hereyesgavehimnosignofloveorfarewellorrecognition。
　　AfterTheRace
　　ThecarscamescuddingintowardsDublin，runningevenlylikepelletsinthegrooveoftheNaasRoad。AtthecrestofthehillatInchicoresightseershadgatheredinclumpstowatchthecarscareeringhomeward，andthroughthischannelofpovertyandinactiontheContinentspeditswealthandindustry。Nowandagaintheclumpsofpeopleraisedthecheerofthegratefullyoppressed。Theirsympathy，however，wasforthebluecars-thecarsoftheirfriends，theFrench。
　　TheFrench，moreover，werevirtualvictors。Theirteamhadfinishedsolidly；theyhadbeenplacedsecondandthirdandthedriverofthewinningGermancarwasreportedaBelgian。Eachbluecar，therefore，receivedadoublemeasureofwelcomeasittoppedthecrestofthehill，andeachcheerofwelcomewasacknowledgedwithsmilesandnodsbythoseinthecar。InoneofthesetrimlybuiltcarswasapartyoffouryoungmenwhosespiritsseemedtobeatpresentwellabovethelevelofsuccessfulGallicism：
　　infact，thesefouryoungmenwerealmosthilarious。TheywereCharlesSé；gouin，theownerofthecar；André；Riviè；re，ayoungelectricianofCanadianbirth；ahugeHungariannamedVillonaandaneatlygroomedyoungmannamedDoyle。Sé；gouinwasingoodhumourbecausehehadunexpectedlyreceivedsomeordersinadvance（hewasabouttostartamotorestablishmentinParis）andRiviè；rewasingoodhumourbecausehewastobeappointedmanageroftheestablishment；thesetwoyoungmen（whowerecousins）werealsoingoodhumourbecauseofthesuccessoftheFrenchcars。Villonawasingoodhumourbecausehehadhadaverysatisfactoryluncheon；and，besides，hewasanoptimistbynature。Thefourthmemberoftheparty，however，wastooexcitedtobegenuinelyhappy。
　　Hewasabouttwenty-sixyearsofage，withasoft，light-brownmoustacheandratherinnocent-lookinggreyeyes。Hisfather，whohadbegunlifeasanadvancedNationalist，hadmodifiedhisviewsearly。HehadmadehismoneyasabutcherinKingstown，andbyopeningshopsinDublinandinthesuburbshehadmadehismoneymanytimesover。HehadalsobeenfortunateenoughtosecuresomeofthepolicecontractsandintheendhehadbecomerichenoughtobealludedtointheDublinnewspapersasamerchantprince。
　　HehadsenthissontoEnglandtobeeducatedinabigCatholiccollegeandhadafterwardssenthimtoDublinUniversitytostudylaw。Jimmydidnotstudyveryearnestlyandtooktobadcoursesforawhile。Hehadmoneyandhewaspopular；andhedividedhistimecuriouslybetweenmusicalandmotoringcircles。ThenhehadbeensentforatermtoCambridgetoseealittlelife。Hisfather，remonstrative，butcovertlyproudoftheexcess，hadpaidhisbillsandbroughthimhome。ItwasatCambridgethathehadmetSé；gouin。Theywerenotmuchmorethanacquaintancesasyet，butJimmyfoundgreatpleasureinthesocietyofonewhohadseensomuchoftheworldandwasreputedtoownsomeofthebiggesthotelsinFrance。
　　Suchaperson（ashisfatheragreed）waswellworthknowing，evenifhehadnotbeenthecharmingcompanionhewas。Villonawasentertainingalso-abrilliantpianist-but，unfortunately，verypoor。
　　Thecarranonmerrilywithitscargoofhilariousyouth。Thetwocousinssatonthefrontseat；JimmyandhisHungarianfriendsatbehind。DecidedlyVillonawasinexcellentspirits；hekeptupadeepbasshumofmelodyformilesoftheroad。TheFrenchmenflungtheirlaughterandlightwordsovertheirshoulders，andoftenJimmyhadtostrainforwardtocatchthequickphrase。Thiswasnotaltogetherpleasantforhim，ashehadnearlyalwaystomakeadeftguessatthemeaningandshoutbackasuitableanswerinthefaceofahighwind。Besides，Villona’shummingwouldconfuseeverybody；
　　thenoiseofthecar，too。
　　Rapidmotionthroughspaceelatesone；sodoesnotoriety；sodoesthepossessionofmoney。ThesewerethreegoodreasonsforJimmy’sexcitement。
　　HehadbeenseenbymanyofhisfriendsthatdayinthecompanyoftheseContinentals。AtthecontrolSé；gouinhadpresentedhimtooneoftheFrenchcompetitorsand，inanswertohisconfusedmurmurofcompliment，theswarthyfaceofthedriverhaddisclosedalineofshiningwhiteteeth。
　　Itwaspleasantafterthathonourtoreturntotheprofaneworldofspectatorsamidnudgesandsignificantlooks。Thenastomoney-hereallyhadagreatsumunderhiscontrol。Sé；gouin，perhaps，wouldnotthinkitagreatsum，butJimmywho，inspiteoftemporaryerrors；wasathearttheinheritorofsolidinstincts，knewwellwithwhatdifficultyithadbeengottogether。
　　Thisknowledgehadpreviouslykepthisbillswithinthelimitsofreasonablerecklessness，andifhehadbeensoconsciousofthelabourlatentinmoneywhentherehadbeenquestionmerelyofsomefreakofthehigherintelligence，howmuchmoresonowwhenhewasabouttostakethegreaterpartofhissubstance！Itwasaseriousthingforhim。
　　Ofcourse，theinvestmentwasagoodone，andSé；gouinhadmanagedtogivetheimpressionthatitwasbyafavouroffriendshipthemiteofIrishmoneywastobeincludedinthecapitaloftheconcern。Jimmyhadarespectforhisfather’sshrewdnessinbusinessmatters，andinthiscaseithadbeenhisfatherwhohadfirstsuggestedtheinvestment；moneytobemadeinthemotorbusiness，potsofmoney。Moreover，Sé；gouinhadtheunmistakableairofwealth。Jimmysetouttotranslateintodays’
　　workthatlordlycarinwhichhesat。Howsmoothlyitran！Inwhatstyletheyhadcomecareeringalongthecountryroads！Thejourneylaidamagicalfingeronthegenuinepulseoflifeandgallantlythemachineryofhumannervesstrovetoanswertheboundingcoursesoftheswiftblueanimal。
　　TheydrovedownDameStreet。Thestreetwasbusywithunusualtraffic，loudwiththehornsofmotoristsandthegongsofimpatienttram-drivers。
　　NeartheBankSé；gouindrewupandJimmyandhisfriendalighted。
　　Alittleknotofpeoplecollectedonthefootpathtopayhomagetothesnortingmotor。ThepartywastodinetogetherthateveninginSé；gouin’shoteland，meanwhile，Jimmyandhisfriend，whowasstayingwithhim，weretogohometodress。ThecarsteeredoutslowlyforGraftonStreetwhilethetwoyoungmenpushedtheirwaythroughtheknotofgazers。Theywalkednorthwardwithacuriousfeelingofdisappointmentintheexercise，whilethecityhungitspaleglobesoflightabovetheminahazeofsummerevening。
　　InJimmy’shousethisdinnerhadbeenpronouncedanoccasion。Acertainpridemingledwithhisparents’trepidation，acertaineagerness，also，toplayfastandloose，forthenamesofgreatforeigncitieshaveatleastthisvirtue。Jimmy，too，lookedverywellwhenhewasdressed，andashestoodinthehall，givingalastequationtothebowsofhisdresstie，hisfathermayhavefeltevencommerciallysatisfiedathavingsecuredforhissonqualitiesoftenunpurchasable。Hisfather，therefore，wasunusuallyfriendlywithVillona，andhismannerexpressedarealrespectforforeignaccomplishments；butthissubtletyofhishostwasprobablylostupontheHungarian，whowasbeginningtohaveasharpdesireforhisdinner。
　　Thedinnerwasexcellent，exquisite。Sé；gouin，Jimmydecided，hadaveryrefinedtaste。ThepartywasincreasedbyayoungEnglishmannamedRouthwhomJimmyhadseenwithSé；gouinatCambridge。Theyoungmensuppedinasnugroomlitbyelectriccandlelamps。Theytalkedvolublyandwithlittlereserve。Jimmy，whoseimaginationwaskindling，conceivedthelivelyyouthoftheFrenchmentwinedelegantlyuponthefirmframeworkoftheEnglishman’smanner。Agracefulimageofhis，hethought，andajustone。Headmiredthedexteritywithwhichtheirhostdirectedtheconversation。
　　Thefiveyoungmenhadvarioustastesandtheirtongueshadbeenloosened。
　　Villona，withimmenserespect，begantodiscovertothemildlysurprisedEnglishmanthebeautiesoftheEnglishmadrigal，deploringthelossofoldinstruments。Riviè；re，notwhollyingenuously，undertooktoexplaintoJimmythetriumphoftheFrenchmechanicians。TheresonantvoiceoftheHungarianwasabouttoprevailinridiculeofthespuriouslutesoftheromanticpainterswhenSé；gouinshepherdedhispartyintopolitics。
　　Herewascongenialgroundforall。Jimmy，undergenerousinfluences，felttheburiedzealofhisfatherwaketolifewithinhim：hearousedthetorpidRouthatlast。TheroomgrewdoublyhotandSé；gouin’staskgrewhardereachmoment：therewasevendangerofpersonalspite。ThealerthostatanopportunityliftedhisglasstoHumanity，andwhenthetoasthadbeendrunkhethrewopenawindowsignificantly。
　　Thatnightthecityworethemaskofacapital。ThefiveyoungmenstrolledalongStephen’sGreeninafaintcloudofaromaticsmoke。Theytalkedloudlyandgailyandtheircloaksdangledfromtheirshoulders。Thepeoplemadewayforthem。AtthecornerofGraftonStreetashortfatmanwasputtingtwohandsomeladiesonacarinchargeofanotherfatman。Thecardroveoffandtheshortfatmancaughtsightoftheparty。
　　`André；。’
　　`It’sFarley！’
　　Atorrentoftalkfollowed。FarleywasanAmerican。Nooneknewverywellwhatthetalkwasabout。VillonaandRiviè；rewerethenoisiest，butallthemenwereexcited。Theygotuponacar，squeezingthemselvestogetheramidmuchlaughter。Theydrovebythecrowd，blendednowintosoftcolours，toamusicofmerrybells。TheytookthetrainatWestlandRowandinafewseconds，asitseemedtoJimmy，theywerewalkingoutofKingstownStation。Theticket-collectorsalutedJimmy；hewasanoldman：
　　`Finenight，sir！’
　　Itwasaserenesummernight；theharbourlaylikeadarkenedmirrorattheirfeet。Theyproceededtowardsitwithlinkedarms，singingCadetRousselinchorus，stampingtheirfeetatevery：
　　`Ho！Ho！Hohé；，vraiment！’
　　TheygotintoarowboatattheslipandmadeoutfortheAmerican’syacht。Therewastobesupper，music，cards。Villonasaidwithconviction：
　　`Itisdelightful！’
　　Therewasayachtpianointhecabin。VillonaplayedawaltzforFarleyandRiviè；re，FarleyactingascavalierandRiviè；reaslady。
　　Thenanimpromptusquaredance，themendevisingoriginalfigures。Whatmerriment！Jimmytookhispartwithawill；thiswasseeinglife，atleast。
　　ThenFarleygotoutofbreathandcried`Stop！’Amanbroughtinalightsupper，andtheyoungmensatdowntoitforform’ssake。Theydrank，however：itwasBohemian。TheydrankIreland，England，France，Hungary，theUnitedStatesofAmerica。Jimmymadeaspeech，alongspeech，Villonasaying`Hear！hear！’whenevertherewasapause。Therewasagreatclappingofhandswhenhesatdown。Itmusthavebeenagoodspeech。Farleyclappedhimonthebackandlaughedloudly。Whatjovialfellows！Whatgoodcompanytheywere！
　　Cards！cards！Thetablewascleared。Villonareturnedquietlytohispianoandplayedvoluntariesforthem。Theothermenplayedgameaftergame，flingingthemselvesboldlyintotheadventure。TheydrankthehealthoftheQueenofHeartsandoftheQueenofDiamonds。Jimmyfeltobscurelythelackofanaudience：thewitwasflashing。Playranveryhighandpaperbegantopass。Jimmydidnotknowexactlywhowaswinning，butheknewthathewaslosing。Butitwashisownfault，forhefrequentlymistookhiscardsandtheothermenhadtocalculatehisIOUsforhim。Theyweredevilsoffellows，buthewishedtheywouldstop：itwasgettinglate。
　　SomeonegavethetoastoftheyachtTheBelleofNewport，andthensomeoneproposedonegreatgameforafinish。
　　Thepianohadstopped；Villonamusthavegoneupondeck。Itwasaterriblegame。Theystoppedjustbeforetheendofittodrinkforluck。JimmyunderstoodthatthegamelaybetweenRouthandSé；gouin。Whatexcitement！Jimmywasexcitedtoo；hewouldlose，ofcourse。Howmuchhadhewrittenaway？
　　Themenrosetotheirfeettoplaythelasttricks，talkingandgesticulating。
　　Routhwon。Thecabinshookwiththeyoungmen’scheeringandthecardswerebundledtogether。Theybeganthentogatherinwhattheyhadwon。
　　FarleyandJimmyweretheheaviestlosers。
　　Heknewthathewouldregretitinthemorning，butatpresenthewasgladoftherest，gladofthedarkstuporthatwouldcoveruphisfolly。
　　Heleanedhiselbowsonthetableandrestedhisheadbetweenhishands，countingthebeatsofhistemples。ThecabindooropenedandhesawtheHungarianstandinginashaftofgreylight：
　　`Daybreak，gentlemen！’
　　TwoGallants
　　ThegreywarmeveningofAugusthaddescendeduponthecity，andamildwarmair，amemoryofsummer，circulatedinthestreets。Thestreets，shutteredforthereposeofSunday，swarmedwithagailycolouredcrowd。Likeilluminedpearlsthelampsshonefromthesummitsoftheirtallpolesuponthelivingtexturebelow，which，changingshapeandhueunceasingly，sentupintothewarmgreyeveningairanunchanging，unceasingmurmur。
　　TwoyoungmencamedownthehillofRutlandSquare。Oneofthemwasjustbringingalongmonologuetoaclose。Theother，whowalkedonthevergeofthepathandwasattimesobligedtostepontotheroad，owingtohiscompanion’srudeness，woreanamused，listeningface。Hewassquatandruddy。Ayachtingcapwasshovedfarbackfromhisforehead，andthenarrativetowhichhelistenedmadeconstantwavesofexpressionbreakforthoverhisfacefromthecornersofhisnoseandeyesandmouth。Littlejetsofwheezinglaughterfollowedoneanotheroutofhisconvulsedbody。
　　Hiseyes，twinklingwithcunningenjoyment，glancedateverymomenttowardshiscompanion’sface。Onceortwiceherearrangedthelightwaterproofwhichhehadslungoveroneshoulderintoreadorfashion。Hisbreeches，hiswhiterubbershoes，andhisjauntilyslungwaterproofexpressedyouth。
　　Buthisfigurefellintorotundityatthewaist，hishairwasscantandgrey，andhisface，whenthewavesofexpressionhadpassedoverit，hadaravagedlook。
　　Whenhewasquitesurethatthenarrativehadendedhelaughednoiselesslyforfullyhalfaminute。Thenhesaid：
　　`Well！……Thattakesthebiscuit！’
　　Hisvoiceseemedwinnowedofvigour；andtoenforcehiswordsheaddedwithhumour：
　　`Thattakesthesolitary，unique，and，ifImaysocallit，recherché；biscuit！’
　　Hebecameseriousandsilentwhenhehadsaidthis。Histonguewastired，forhehadbeentalkingalltheafternooninapublic-houseinDorsetStreet。
　　MostpeopleconsideredLenehanaleech，butinspiteofthisreputation，hisadroitnessandeloquencehadalwayspreventedhisfriendsfromforminganygeneralpolicyagainsthim。Hehadabravemannerofcominguptoapartyoftheminabarandofholdinghimselfnimblyatthebordersofthecompanyuntilhewasincludedinaround。Hewasasportingvagrantarmedwithavaststockofstories，limericks，andriddles。Hewasinsensitivetoallkindsofdiscourtesy。Nooneknewhowheachievedthesterntaskofliving，buthisnamewasvaguelyassociatedwithracingtissues。
　　`Andwheredidyoupickherup，Corley？’heasked。
　　Corleyranhistongueswiftlyalonghisupperlip。
　　`Onenight，man，’hesaid，`IwasgoingalongDameStreetandIspottedafinetartunderWaterhouse’sclock，andsaidgoodnight，youknow。Sowewentforawalkroundbythecanal，andshetoldmeshewasaslaveyinahouseinBaggotStreet。Iputmyarmroundherandsqueezedherabitthatnight。ThennextSunday，man，Imetherbyappointment。WewentouttoDonnybrookandIbroughtherintoafieldthere。Shetoldmesheusedtogowithadairyman……Itwasfine，man。Cigaretteseverynightshe’dbringme，andpayingthetramoutandback。Andonenightshebroughtmetwobloodyfinecigars-O，therealcheese，youknownthattheoldfellowusedtosmoke……Iwasafraid，man，she’dgetinthefamilyway。
　　Butshe’suptothedodge。’
　　`Maybeshethinksyou’llmarryher，’saidLenehan。
　　`ItoldherIwasoutofajob，’saidCorley。`ItoldherIwasinPim’s。
　　Shedoesn’tknowmyname。Iwastoohairytotellherthat。ButshethinksI’mabitofclass，youknow。’
　　Lenehanlaughedagain，noiselessly。
　　`OfallthegoodoneseverIheard，’hesaid，`thatemphaticallytakesthebiscuit。’
　　Corley’sstrideacknowledgedthecompliment。Theswingofhisburlybodymadehisfriendexecuteafewlightskipsfromthepathtotheroadwayandbackagain。Corleywasthesonofaninspectorofpolice，andhehadinheritedhisfather’sframeandgait。’Hewalkedwithhishandsbyhissides，holdinghimselferectandswayinghisheadfromsidetoside。Hisheadwaslarge，globular，andoily；itsweatedinallweathers；andhislargeroundhat，setuponitsideways，lookedlikeabulbwhichhadgrownoutofanother。Healwaysstaredstraightbeforehimasifhewereonparade，andwhenhewishedtogazeaftersomeoneinthestreet，itwasnecessaryforhimtomovehisbodyfromthehips。Atpresenthewasabouttown。Wheneveranyjobwasvacantafriendwasalwaysreadytogivehimthehardword。
　　Hewasoftentobeseenwalkingwithpolicemeninplainclothes，talkingearnestly。Heknewtheinnersideofallaffairsandwasfondofdeliveringfinaljudgements。Hespokewithoutlisteningtothespeechofhiscompanions。
　　Hisconversationwasmainlyabouthimself：whathehadsaidtosuchapersonandwhatsuchapersonhadsaidtohim，andwhathehadsaidtosettlethematter。WhenhereportedthesedialoguesheaspiratedthefirstletterofhisnameafterthemannerofFlorentines。
　　Lenehanofferedhisfriendacigarette。AsthetwoyoungmenwalkedonthroughthecrowdCorleyoccasionallyturnedtosmileatsomeofthepassinggirls，butLenehan’sgazewasfixedonthelargefaintmooncircledwithadoublehalo。Hewatchedearnestlythepassingofthegreyweboftwilightacrossitsface。Atlengthhesaid：
　　`Well……tellme，Corley，Isupposeyou’llbeabletopullitoffallright，eh？’
　　Corleyclosedoneeyeexpressivelyasananswer。
　　`Isshegameforthat？’askedLenehandubiously。`Youcanneverknowwomen。’
　　`She’sallright，’saidCorley。`Iknowthewaytogetaroundher，man。
　　She’sabitgoneonme。’
　　`You’rewhatIcallagayLothario，’saidLenehan。`AndtheproperkindofaLothario，too！’
　　Ashadeofmockeryrelievedtheservilityofhismanner。Tosavehimselfhehadthehabitofleavinghisflatteryopentotheinterpretationofraillery。ButCorleyhadnotasubtlemind。
　　`There’snothingtotouchagoodslavey，’heaffirmed。`Takemytipforit。’
　　`Byonewhohastriedthemall，’saidLenehan。
　　`FirstIusedtogowithgirls，youknow，’saidCorley，unbosoming；
　　`girlsofftheSouthCircular。Iusedtotakethemout，man，onthetramsomewhereandpaythetram，ortakethemtoabandoraplayatthetheatre，orbuythemchocolateandsweetsorsomethingthatway。Iusedtospendmoneyonthemrightenough，’headded，inaconvincingtone，asifhewasconsciousofbeingdisbelieved。
　　ButLenehancouldwellbelieveit；henoddedgravely。
　　`Iknowthatgame，’hesaid，`andit’samug’sgame。’
　　`AnddamnthethingIevergotoutofit，’saidCorley。
　　`Dittohere，’saidLenehan。
　　`Onlyoffofoneofthem，’saidCorley。
　　Hemoistenedhisupperlipbyrunninghistonguealongit。Therecollectionbrightenedhiseyes。He，too，gazedatthepalediscofthemoon，nownearlyveiled，andseemedtomeditate。
　　`Shewas……abitofallright，’hesaidregretfully。
　　Hewassilentagain。Thenheadded：
　　`She’sontheturfnow。IsawherdrivingdownEarlStreetonenightwithtwofellowswithheronacar。’
　　`Isupposethat’syourdoing，’saidLenehan。
　　`Therewasothersatherbeforeme，’saidCorleyphilosophically。
　　ThistimeLenehanwasinclinedtodisbelieve。Heshookhisheadtoandfroandsmiled。
　　`Youknowyoucan’tkidme，Corley，’hesaid。
　　`HonesttoGod！’saidCorley。`Didn’tshetellmeherself？’
　　Lenehanmadeatragicgesture。
　　`Basebetrayer！’hesaid。
　　AstheypassedalongtherailingsofTrinityCollege，Lenehanskippedoutintotheroadandpeeredupattheclock。
　　`Twentyafter，’hesaid。
　　`Timeenough，’saidCorley。`She’llbethereallright。Ialwaysletherwaitabit。’
　　Lenehanlaughedquietly。
　　`Ecod！Corley，youknowhowtotakethem，’hesaid。
　　`I’muptoalltheirlittletricks，’Corleyconfessed。
　　`Buttellme，’saidLenehanagain，`areyousureyoucanbringitoffallright？Youknowit’saticklishjob。They’redamncloseonthatpoint。
　　Eh？……What？’
　　Hisbrightsmalleyessearchedhiscompanion’sfaceforreassurance。
　　Corleyswunghisheadtoandfroasiftotossasideaninsistentinsect，andhisbrowsgathered。
　　`I’llpullitoff，’hesaid。`Leaveittome，can’tyou？’
　　Lenehansaidnomore。Hedidnotwishtorufflehisfriend’stemper，tobesenttothedevilandtoldthathisadvicewasnotwanted。Alittletactwasnecessary。ButCorley’sbrowwassoonsmoothagain。Histhoughtswererunninganotherway。
　　`She’safinedecenttart，’hesaid，withappreciation；`that’swhatsheis。’
　　TheywalkedalongNassauStreetandthenturnedintoKildareStreet。
　　Notfarfromtheporchoftheclubaharpiststoodintheroadway，playingtoalittleringoflisteners。Hepluckedatthewiresheedlessly，glancingquicklyfromtimetotimeatthefaceofeachnew-comerandfromtimetotime，wearilyalso，atthesky。Hisharp，too，heedlessthathercoveringshadfallenaboutherknees，seemedwearyalikeoftheeyesofstrangersandofhermaster’shands。OnehandplayedinthebassthemelodyofSilent，OMoyle，whiletheotherhandcareeredinthetrebleaftereachgroupofnotes。Thenotesoftheairsoundeddeepandfull。
　　Thetwoyoungmenwalkedupthestreetwithoutspeaking，themournfulmusicfollowingthem。WhentheyreachedStephen’sGreentheycrossedtheroad。Herethenoiseoftrams，thelights，andthecrowd，releasedthemfromtheirsilence。
　　`Theresheis！’saidCorley。
　　AtthecornerofHumeStreetayoungwomanwasstanding。Sheworeabluedressandawhitesailorhat。Shestoodonthekerbstone，swingingasunshadeinonehand。Lenehangrewlively。
　　`Let’shavealookather，Corley，’hesaid。
　　Corleyglancedsidewaysathisfriend，andanunpleasantgrinappearedonhisface。
　　`Areyoutryingtogetinsideme？’heasked。
　　`Damnit！’saidLenehanboldly，`Idon’twantanintroduction。AllI
　　wantistohavealookather。I’mnotgoingtoeather。’
　　`O……Alookather？’saidCorley，moreamiably。`Well。I’lltellyouwhat。I’llgooverandtalktoherandyoucanpassby。’
　　`Right！’saidLenehan。
　　CorleyhadalreadythrownonelegoverthechainswhenLenehancalledout：
　　`Andafter？Wherewillwemeet？’
　　`Halften，’answeredCorley，bringingoverhisotherleg。
　　`Where？’
　　`CornerofMerrionStreet。We’llbecomingback。’
　　`Workitallrightnow，’saidLenehaninfarewell。
　　Corleydidnotanswer。Hesaunteredacrosstheroadswayinghisheadfromsidetoside。Hisbulk，hiseasypace，andthesolidsoundofhisbootshadsomethingoftheconquerorinthem。Heapproachedtheyoungwomanand，withoutsaluting，beganatoncetoconversewithher。Sheswungherumbrellamorequicklyandexecutedhalfturnsonherheels。Onceortwicewhenhespoketoheratclosequartersshelaughedandbentherhead。
　　Lenehanobservedthemforafewminutes。Thenhewalkedrapidlyalongbesidethechainsatsomedistanceandcrossedtheroadobliquely。AsheapproachedHumeStreetcornerhefoundtheairheavilyscented，andhiseyesmadeaswiftanxiousscrutinyoftheyoungwoman’sappearance。ShehadherSundayfineryon。Herbluesergeskirtwasheldatthewaistbyabeltofblackleather。Thegreatsilverbuckleofherbeltseemedtodepressthecentreofherbody，catchingthelightstuffofherwhiteblouselikeaclip。Sheworeashortblackjacketwithmother-of-pearlbuttons，andaraggedblackboa。Theendsofhertullecollarettehadbeencarefullydisorderedandabigbunchofredflowerswaspinnedinherbosomstemsupwards。Lenehan’seyesnotedapprovinglyherstoutshortmuscularbody。
　　Frankrudehealthglowedinherface，onherfatredcheeksandinherunabashedblueeyes。Herfeatureswereblunt。Shehadbroadnostrils，astragglingmouthwhichlayopeninacontentedleer，andtwoprojectingfrontteeth。AshepassedLenehantookoffhiscap，and，afterabouttenseconds，Corleyreturnedasalutetotheair。Thishedidbyraisinghishandvaguelyandpensivelychangingtheangleofpositionofhishat。
　　LenehanwalkedasfarastheShelbourneHotel，wherehehaltedandwaited。
　　Afterwaitingforalittletimehesawthemcomingtowardshimand，whentheyturnedtotheright，hefollowedthem，steppinglightlyinhiswhiteshoes，downonesideofMerrionSquare。Ashewalkedonslowly，timinghispacetotheirs，hewatchedCorley’sheadwhichturnedateverymomenttowardstheyoungwoman’sfacelikeabigballrevolvingonapivot。HekeptthepairinviewuntilhehadseenthemclimbingthestairsoftheDonnybrooktram；thenheturnedaboutandwentbackthewayhehadcome。
　　Nowthathewasalonehisfacelookedolder。Hisgaietyseemedtoforsakehim，andashecamebytherailingsoftheDuke’sLawnheallowedhishandtorunalongthem。Theairwhichtheharpisthadplayedbegantocontrolhismovements。Hissoftlypaddedfeetplayedthemelodywhilehisfingerssweptascaleofvariationsidlyalongtherailingsaftereachgroupofnotes。
　　HewalkedlistlesslyroundStephen’sGreenandthendownGraftonStreet。