Thoughhiseyestooknoteofmanyelementsofthecrowdthroughwhichhepassed，theydidsomorosely。Hefoundtrivialallthatwasmeanttocharmhim，anddidnotanswertheglanceswhichinvitedhimtobebold。Heknewthathewouldhavetospeakagreatdeal，toinventandtoamuse，andhisbrainandthroatweretoodryforsuchatask。TheproblemofhowhecouldpassthehourstillhemetCorleyagaintroubledhimalittle。Hecouldthinkofnowayofpassingthembuttokeeponwalking。HeturnedtotheleftwhenhecametothecornerofRutlandSquare，andfeltmoreateaseinthedarkquietstreet，thesombrelookofwhichsuitedhismood。Hepausedatlastbeforethewindowofapoor-lookingshopoverwhichthewordsRefreshmentBarwereprintedinwhiteletters。Ontheglassofthewindowweretwoflyinginscriptions：GingerBeerandGingerAle。ACuthamwasexposedonagreatbluedish，whilenearitonaplatelayasegmentofverylightplum-pudding。Heeyedthisfoodearnestlyforsometime，andthen，afterglancingwarilyupanddownthestreet，wentintotheshopquickly。
　　Hewashungry，for，exceptsomebiscuitswhichhehadaskedtwogrudgingcuratestobringhim，hehadeatennothingsincebreakfast-time。Hesatdownatanuncoveredwoodentableoppositetwowork-girlsandamechanic。
　　Aslatternlygirlwaitedonhim。
　　`Howmuchisaplateofpeas？’heasked。
　　`Threehalfpence，sir，’saidthegirl。
　　`Bringmeaplateofpeas，’hesaid，`andabottleofgingerbeer。’
　　Hespokeroughlyinordertobeliehisairofgentility，forhisentryhadbeenfollowedbyapauseoftalk。Hisfacewasheated。Toappearnaturalhepushedhiscapbackonhisheadandplantedhiselbowsonthetable。
　　Themechanicandthetwowork-girlsexaminedhimpointbypointbeforeresumingtheirconversationinasubduedvoice。Thegirlbroughthimaplateofgrocer’shotpeas，seasonedwithpepperandvinegar，afork，andhisgingerbeer。Heatehisfoodgreedilyandfounditsogoodthathemadeanoteoftheshopmentally。WhenhehadeatenallthepeashesippedhisgingerbeerandsatforsometimethinkingofCorley’sadventure。Inhisimaginationhebeheldthepairofloverswalkingalongsomedarkroad；
　　heheardCorley’svoiceindeepenergeticgallantries，andsawagaintheleeroftheyoungwoman’smouth。Thisvisionmadehimfeelkeenlyhisownpovertyofpurseandspirit。Hewastiredofknockingabout，ofpullingthedevilbythetail，ofshiftsandintrigues。Hewouldbethirty-oneinNovember。Wouldhenevergetagoodjob？Wouldheneverhaveahomeofhisown？Hethoughthowpleasantitwouldbetohaveawarmfiretositbyandagooddinnertositdownto。Hehadwalkedthestreetslongenoughwithfriendsandwithgirls。Heknewwhatthosefriendswereworth：
　　heknewthegirlstoo。Experiencehadembitteredhisheartagainsttheworld。Butallhopehadnotlefthim。Hefeltbetterafterhavingeatenthanhehadfeltbefore，lesswearyofhislife，lessvanquishedinspirit。
　　Hemightyetbeabletosettledowninsomesnugcornerandlivehappilyifhecouldonlycomeacrosssomegoodsimple-mindedgirlwithalittleoftheready。
　　Hepaidtwopencehalfpennytotheslatternlygirl，andwentoutoftheshoptobeginhiswanderingagain。HewentintoCapelStreetandwalkedalongtowardstheCityHall。ThenheturnedintoDameStreet。AtthecornerofGeorge’sStreethemettwofriendsofhis，andstoppedtoconversewiththem。Hewasgladthathecouldrestfromallhiswalking。HisfriendsaskedhimhadheseenCorley，andwhatwasthelatest。HerepliedthathehadspentthedaywithCorley。Hisfriendstalkedverylittle。Theylookedvacantlyaftersomefiguresinthecrowd，andsometimesmadeacriticalremark。OnesaidthathehadseenMacanhourbeforeinWestmorelandStreet。
　　AtthisLenehansaidthathehadbeenwithMacthenightbeforeinEgan’s。
　　TheyoungmanwhohadseenMacinWestmorelandStreetaskedwasittruethatMachadwonabitoverabilliardsmatch。Lenehandidnotknow：hesaidthatHolohanhadstoodthemdrinksinEgan’s。
　　HelefthisfriendsataquartertotenandwentupGeorge’sStreet。
　　HeturnedtotheleftattheCityMarketsandwalkedonintoGraftonStreet。
　　Thecrowdofgirlsandyoungmenhadthinned，andonhiswayupthestreetheheardmanygroupsandcouplesbiddingoneanothergoodnight。HewentasfarastheclockoftheCollegeofSurgeons：itwasonthestrokeoften。HesetoffbrisklyalongthenorthernsideoftheGreen，hurryingforfearCorleyshouldreturntoosoon。WhenhereachedthecornerofMerrionStreethetookhisstandintheshadowofalamp，andbroughtoutoneofthecigaretteswhichhehadreservedandlitit。Heleanedagainstthelamp-postandkepthisgazefixedonthepartfromwhichheexpectedtoseeCorleyandtheyoungwomanreturn。
　　Hismindbecameactiveagain。HewonderedhadCorleymanageditsuccessfully。
　　Hewonderedifhehadaskedheryetorifhewouldleaveittothelast。
　　Hesufferedallthepangsandthrillsofhisfriend’ssituationaswellasthoseofhisown。ButthememoryofCorley’sslowlyrevolvingheadcalmedhimsomewhat：hewassureCorleywouldpullitoffallright。AllatoncetheideastruckhimthatperhapsCorleyhadseenherhomebyanotherway，andgivenhimtheslip。Hiseyessearchedthestreet：therewasnosignofthem。YetitwassurelyhalfanhoursincehehadseentheclockoftheCollegeofSurgeons。WouldCorleydoathinglikethat？HelithisFastcigaretteandbegantosmokeitnervously。Hestrainedhiseyesaseachtramstoppedatthefarcornerofthesquare。Theymusthavegonehomebyanotherway。Thepaperofhiscigarettebrokeandheflungitintotheroadwithacurse。
　　Suddenlyhesawthemcomingtowardshim。Hestartedwithdelight，andkeepingclosetohislamp-posttriedtoreadtheresultintheirwalk。
　　Theywerewalkingquickly，theyoungwomantakingquickshortsteps，whileCorleykeptbesideherwithhislongstride。Theydidnotseemtobespeaking。
　　Anintimationoftheresultprickedhimlikethepointofasharpinstrument。
　　HeknewCorleywouldfail；heknewitwasnogo。
　　TheyturneddownBaggotStreet，andhefollowedthematonce，takingtheotherfootpath。Whentheystoppedhestoppedtoo。Theytalkedforafewmoments，andthentheyoungwomanwentdownthestepsintotheareaofahouse。Corleyremainedstandingattheedgeofthepath，alittledistancefromthefrontsteps。Someminutespassed。Thenthehall-doorwasopenedslowlyandcautiously。Awomancamerunningdownthefrontstepsandcoughed。Corleyturnedandwenttowardsher。Hisbroadfigurehidhersfromviewforafewsecondsandthenshereappeared，runningupthesteps。
　　Thedoorclosedonher，andCorleybegantowalkswiftlytowardsStephen’sGreen。
　　Lenehanhurriedoninthesamedirection。Somedropsoflightrainfell。
　　Hetookthemasawarning，andglancingbacktowardsthehousewhichtheyoungwomanhadenteredtoseethathewasnotobserved，heraneagerlyacrosstheroad。Anxietyandhisswiftrunmadehimpant。Hecalledout：
　　`Hallo，Corley！’
　　Corleyturnedhisheadtoseewhohadcalledhim，andthencontinuedwalkingasbefore。Lenehanranafterhim，settlingthewaterproofonhisshoulderswithonehand。
　　`Hallo，Corley！’hecriedagain。
　　Hecamelevelwithhisfriendandlookedkeenlyinhisface。Hecouldseenothingthere。
　　`Well？’hesaid。`Diditcomeoff？’
　　TheyhadreachedthecornerofElyPlace。Stillwithoutanswering，Corleyswervedtotheleftandwentupthesidestreet。Hisfeatureswerecomposedinsterncalm。Lenehankeptupwithhisfriend，breathinguneasily。Hewasbaffled，andanoteofmenacepiercedthroughhisvoice。
　　`Can’tyoutellus？’hesaid。`Didyoutryher？’
　　Corleyhaltedatthefirstlampandstaredgrimlybeforehim。Thenwithagravegestureheextendedahandtowardsthelightand，smiling，openeditslowlytothegazeofhisdisciple。Asmallgoldcoinshoneinthepalm。
　　TheBoardingHouse
　　MrsMooneywasabutcher’sdaughter。Shewasawomanwhowasquiteabletokeepthingstoherself：adeterminedwoman。Shehadmarriedherfather’sforeman，andopenedabutcher’sshopnearSpringGardens。Butassoonashisfather-in-lawwasdeadMrMooneybegantogotothedevil。Hedrank，plunderedthetill，ranheadlongintodebt。Itwasnousemakinghimtakethepledge：hewassuretobreakoutagainafewdaysafter。Byfightinghiswifeinthepresenceofcustomersandbybuyingbadmeatheruinedhisbusiness。Onenighthewentforhiswifewiththecleaver，andshehadtosleepinaneighbour’shouse。
　　Afterthattheylivedapart。Shewenttothepriestandgotaseparationfromhim，withcareofthechildren。Shewouldgivehimneithermoneynorfoodnorhouse-room；andsohewasobligedtoenlisthimselfasasheriff’sman。Hewasashabbystoopedlittledrunkardwithawhitefaceandawhitemoustacheandwhiteeyebrows，pencilledabovehislittleeyes，whichwerepink-veinedandraw；andalldaylonghesatinthebailiff’sroom，waitingtobeputonajob。MrsMooney，whohadtakenwhatremainedofhermoneyoutofthebutcherbusinessandsetupaboardinghouseinHardwickeStreet，wasabigimposingwoman。HerhousehadafloatingpopulationmadeupoftouristsfromLiverpoolandtheIsleofManand，occasionally，artistesfromthemusichalls。Itsresidentpopulationwasmadeupofclerksfromthecity。Shegovernedthehousecunninglyandfirmly，knewwhentogivecredit，whentobesternandwhentoletthingspass。AlltheresidentyoungmenspokeofherasTheMadam。
　　MrsMooney’syoungmenpaidfifteenshillingsaweekforboardandlodgings（beerorstoutatdinnerexcluded）。Theysharedincommontastesandoccupationsandforthisreasontheywereverychummywithoneanother。Theydiscussedwithoneanotherthechancesoffavouritesandoutsiders。JackMooney，theMadam’sson，whowasclerktoacommissionagentinFleetStreet，hadthereputationofbeingahardcase。Hewasfondofusingsoldiers’obscenities：
　　usuallyhecamehomeinthesmallhours。Whenhemethisfriendshehadalwaysagoodonetotellthem，andhewasalwayssuretobeontoagoodthing-thatistosay，alikelyhorseoralikelyartiste。Hewasalsohandywiththemitsandsangcomicsongs。OnSundaynightstherewouldoftenbeareunioninMrsMooney’sfrontdrawing-room。Themusic-hallartisteswouldoblige；andSheridanplayedwaltzesandpolkasandvampedaccompaniments。
　　PollyMooney，theMadam’sdaughter，wouldalsosing。Shesang：I’ma……naughtygirlYouneedn’tsham：
　　YouknowIam。Pollywasaslimgirlofnineteen；shehadlightsofthairandasmallfullmouth。Hereyes，whichweregreywithashadeofgreenthroughthem，hadahabitofglancingupwardswhenshespokewithanyone，whichmadeherlooklikealittleperversemadonna。MrsMooneyhadfirstsentherdaughtertobeatypistinacorn-factor’soffice，butasadisreputablesheriff’smanusedtocomeeveryotherdaytotheoffice，askingtobeallowedtosayawordtohisdaughter，shehadtakenherdaughterhomeagainandsethertodohousework。AsPollywasverylively，theintentionwastogivehertherunoftheyoungmen。Besides，youngmenliketofeelthatthereisayoungwomannotveryfaraway。Polly，ofcourse，flirtedwiththeyoungmen，butMrsMooney，whowasashrewdjudge，knewthattheyoungmenwereonlypassingthetimeaway：noneofthemmeantbusiness。
　　Thingswentonsoforalongtime，andMrsMooneybegantothinkofsendingPollybacktotypewriting，whenshenoticedthatsomethingwasgoingonbetweenPollyandoneoftheyoungmen。Shewatchedthepairandkeptherowncounsel。
　　Pollyknewthatshewasbeingwatched，butstillhermother’spersistentsilencecouldnotbemisunderstood。Therehadbeennoopencomplicitybetweenmotheranddaughter，noopenunderstanding，butthoughpeopleinthehousebegantotalkoftheaffair，stillMrsMooneydidnotintervene。Pollybegantogrowalittlestrangeinhermanner，andtheyoungmanwasevidentlyperturbed。Atlast，whenshejudgedittobetherightmoment，MrsMooneyintervened。Shedealtwithmoralproblemsasacleaverdealswithmeat：
　　andinthiscaseshehadmadeuphermind。
　　ItwasabrightSundaymorningofearlysummer，promisingheat，butwithafreshbreezeblowing。Allthewindowsoftheboardinghousewereopenandthelacecurtainsballoonedgentlytowardsthestreetbeneaththeraisedsashes。ThebelfryofGeorge’sChurchsentoutconstantpeals，andworshippers，singlyoringroups，traversedthelittlecircusbeforethechurch，revealingtheirpurposebytheirself-containeddemeanournolessthanbythelittlevolumesintheirglovedhands。Breakfastwasoverintheboardinghouse，andthetableofthebreakfast-roomwascoveredwithplatesonwhichlayyellowstreaksofeggswithmorselsofbacon-fatandbacon-rind。MrsMooneysatinthestrawarm-chairandwatchedtheservantMaryremovethebreakfastthings。ShemadeMarycollectthecrustsandpiecesofbrokenbreadtohelptomakeTuesday’sbread-pudding。Whenthetablewascleared，thebrokenbreadcollected，thesugarandbuttersafeunderlockandkey，shebegantoreconstructtheinterviewwhichshehadhadthenightbeforewithPolly。Thingswereasshehadsuspected：shehadbeenfrankinherquestionsandPollyhadbeenfrankinheranswers。
　　Bothhadbeensomewhatewkward，ofcourse。Shehadbeenmadeawkwardbyhernotwishingtoreceivethenewsintoocavalierafashionortoseemtohaveconnived，andPollyhadbeenmadeawkwardnotmerelybecauseallusionsofthatkindalwaysmadeherawkward，butalsobecauseshedidnotwishittobethoughtthatinherwiseinnocenceshehaddivinedtheintentionbehindhermother’stolerance。
　　MrsMooneyglancedinstinctivelyatthelittlegiltclockonthemantelpieceassoonasshehadbecomeawarethroughherreveriethatthebellsofGeorge’sChurchhadstoppedringing。Itwasseventeenminutespasteleven：shewouldhavelotsoftimetohavethematteroutwithMrDoranandthencatchshorttwelveatMarlboroughStreet。Shewassureshewouldwin。Tobeginwith，shehadalltheweightofsocialopiniononherside：shewasanoutragedmother。Shehadallowedhimtolivebeneathherroof，assumingthathewasamanofhonour，andhehadsimplyabusedherhospitality。Hewasthirty-fourorthirty-fiveyearsofage，sothatyouthcouldnotbepleadedashisexcuse；norcouldignorancebehisexcuse，sincehewasamanwhohadseensomethingoftheworld。HehadsimplytakenadvantageofPolly’syouthandinexperience：thatwasevident。Thequestionwas：Whatreparationwouldhemake？
　　Theremustbereparationmadeinsuchacase。Itisallverywellfortheman：hecangohiswaysasifnothinghadhappened，havinghadhismomentofpleasure，butthegirlhastobearthebrunt。Somemotherswouldbecontenttopatchupsuchanaffairforasumofmoney：shehadknowncasesofit。Butshewouldnotdoso。Forheronlyonereparationcouldmakeupforthelossofherdaughter’shonour：marriage。
　　ShecountedallhercardsagainbeforesendingMaryuptoMrDoran’sroomtosaythatshewishedtospeakwithhim。Shefeltsureshewouldwin。Hewasaseriousyoungman，notrakishorloud-voicedliketheothers。
　　IfithadbeenMrSheridanorMrMeadeorBantamLyons，hertaskwouldhavebeenmuchharder。Shedidnotthinkhewouldfacepublicity。Allthelodgersinthehouseknewsomethingoftheaffair；detailshadbeeninventedbysome。Besides，hehadbeenemployedforthirteenyearsinagreatCatholicwine-merchant’soffice，andpublicitywouldmeanforhim，perhaps，thelossofhisjob。Whereasifheagreedallmightbewell。Sheknewhehadagoodscrewforonething，andshesuspectedhehadabitofstuffputby。
　　Nearlythehalf-hour！Shestoodupandsurveyedherselfinthepier-glass。
　　Thedecisiveexpressionofhergreatfloridfacesatisfiedher，andshethoughtofsomemotherssheknewwhocouldnotgettheirdaughtersofftheirhands。
　　MrDoranwasveryanxiousindeedthisSundaymorning。Hehadmadetwoattemptstoshave，buthishandhadbeensounsteadythathehadbeenobligedtodesist。Threedays’reddishbeardfringedhisjaws，andeverytwoorthreeminutesamistgatheredonhisglassessothathehadtotakethemoffandpolishthemwithhispocket-handkerchief。Therecollectionofhisconfessionofthenightbeforewasacauseofacutepaintohim；thepriesthaddrawnouteveryridiculousdetailoftheaffair，andintheendhadsomagnifiedhissinthathewasalmostthankfulatbeingaffordedaloopholeofreparation。Theharmwasdone。Whatcouldhedonowbutmarryherorrunaway？Hecouldnotbrazenitout。Theaffairwouldbesuretobetalkedof，andhisemployerwouldbecertaintohearofit。Dublinissuchasmallcity：everyoneknowseveryoneelse’sbusiness。HefelthisheartleapwarmlyinhisthroatasheheardinhisexcitedimaginationoldMrLeonardcallingoutinhisraspingvoice：`SendMrDoranhere，please。’
　　Allhislongyearsofservicegonefornothing！Allhisindustryanddiligencethrownaway！Asayoungmanhehadsownhiswildoats，ofcourse；
　　hehadboastedofhisfree-thinkinganddeniedtheexistenceofGodtohiscompanionsinpublic-houses。Butthatwasallpassedanddonewith……
　　nearly。HestillboughtacopyofReynoldsNewspapereveryweek，butheattendedtohisreligiousduties，andfornine-tenthsoftheyearlivedaregularlife。Hehadmoneyenoughtosettledownon；itwasnotthat。Butthefamilywouldlookdownonher。Firstofalltherewasherdisreputablefather，andthenhermother’sboardinghousewasbeginningtogetacertainfame。Hehadanotionthathewasbeinghad。Hecouldimaginehisfriendstalkingoftheaffairandlaughing。Shewasalittlevulgar；sometimesshesaid`Iseen’and`IfIhad’veknown。’Butwhatwouldgrammarmatterifhereallylovedher？Hecouldnotmakeuphismindwhethertolikeherordespiseherforwhatshehaddone。Ofcoursehehaddoneittoo。Hisinstincturgedhimtoremainfree，nottomarry。
　　Onceyouaremarriedyouaredonefor，itsaid。
　　Whilehewassittinghelplesslyonthesideofthebedinshirtandtrousers，shetappedlightlyathisdoorandentered。Shetoldhimall，thatshehadmadeacleanbreastofittohermotherandthathermotherwouldspeakwithhimthatmorning。Shecriedandthrewherarmsroundhisneck，saying：
　　`OBob！Bob！WhatamItodo？WhatamItodoatall？’
　　Shewouldputanendtoherself，shesaid。
　　Hecomfortedherfeebly，tellinghernottocry，thatitwouldbeallright，neverfear。Hefeltagainsthisshirttheagitationofherbosom。
　　Itwasnotaltogetherhisfaultthatithadhappened。Herememberedwell，withthecuriouspatientmemoryofthecelibate，thefirstcasualcaressesherdress，herbreath，herfingershadgivenhim。Thenlateonenightashewasundressingforbedshehadtappedathisdoor，timidly。
　　Shewantedtorelighthercandleathis，forhershadbeenblownoutbyagust。Itwasherbathnight。Sheworealooseopencombing-jacketofprintedflannel。Herwhiteinstepshoneintheopeningofherfurryslippersandthebloodglowedwarmlybehindherperfumedskin。Fromherhandsandwriststooasshelitandsteadiedhercandleafaintperfumearose。
　　Onnightswhenhecameinverylateitwasshewhowarmeduphisdinner。
　　Hescarcelyknewwhathewaseating，feelingherbesidehimalone，atnight，inthesleepinghouse。Andherthoughtfulness！Ifthenightwasanywaycoldorwetorwindytherewassuretobealittletumblerofpunchreadyforhim。Perhapstheycouldbehappytogether……
　　Theyusedtogoupstairstogetherontiptoe，eachwithacandle，andonthethirdlandingexchangereluctantgoodnights。Theyusedtokiss。
　　Herememberedwellhereyes，thetouchofherhandandhisdelirium……
　　Butdeliriumpasses。Heechoedherphrase，applyingittohimself：`WhatamItodo？’Theinstinctofthecelibatewarnedhimtoholdback。
　　Butthesinwasthere；evenhissenseofhonourtoldhimthatreparationmustbemadeforsuchasin。
　　WhilehewassittingwithheronthesideofthebedMarycametothedoorandsaidthatthemissuswantedtoseehimintheparlour。Hestooduptoputonhiscoatandwaistcoat，morehelplessthanever。Whenhewasdressedhewentovertohertocomforther。Itwouldbeallright，neverfear。Helefthercryingonthebedandmoaningsoftly：`0myGod！’
　　Goingdownthestairshisglassesbecamesodimmedwithmoisturethathehadtotakethemoffandpolishthem。Helongedtoascendthroughtheroofandflyawaytoanothercountrywherehewouldneverhearagainofhistrouble，andyetaforcepushedhimdownstairsstepbystep。TheimplacablefacesofhisemployerandoftheMadamstareduponhisdiscomfiture。OnthelastflightofstairshepassedJackMooney，whowascomingupfromthepantrynursingtwobottlesofBass。Theysalutedcoldly；andthelover’seyesrestedforasecondortwoonathickbulldogfaceandapairofthickshortarms。WhenhereachedthefootofthestaircaseheglancedupandsawJackregardinghimfromthedoorofthereturn-room。
　　Suddenlyherememberedthenightwhenoneofthemusic-hallartistes，alittleblondLondoner，hadmadearatherfreeallusiontoPolly。ThereunionhadbeenalmostbrokenuponaccountofJack’sviolence。Everyonetriedtoquiethim。Themusic-hallartiste，alittlepalerthanusual，keptsmilingandsayingthattherewasnoharmmeant；butJackkeptshoutingathimthatifanyfellowtriedthatsortofagameonwithhissisterhe’dbloodywellputhisteethdownhisthroat：sohewould。
　　Pollysatforalittletimeonthesideofthebed，crying。Thenshedriedhereyesandwentovertothelooking-glass。Shedippedtheendofthetowelinthewater-jugandrefreshedhereyeswiththecoolwater。
　　Shelookedatherselfinprofileandreadjustedahairpinaboveherear。
　　Thenshewentbacktothebedagainandsatatthefoot。Sheregardedthepillowsforalongtime，andthesightofthemawakenedinhermindsecret，amiablememories。Sherestedthenapeofherneckagainstthecoolironbedrailandfellintoareverie。Therewasnolongeranyperturbationvisibleonherface。
　　Shewaitedonpatiently，almostcheerfully，withoutalarm，hermemoriesgraduallygivingplacetohopesandvisionsofthefuture。Herhopesandvisionsweresointricatethatshenolongersawthewhitepillowsonwhichhergazewasfixed，orrememberedthatshewaswaitingforanything。
　　Atlastsheheardhermothercalling。Shestartedtoherfeetandrantothebanisters。
　　`Polly！Polly！’
　　`Yes，mamma？’
　　`Comedown，dear。MrDoranwantstospeaktoyou。’
　　Thensherememberedwhatshehadbeenwaitingfor。
　　ALittleCloud
　　EightyearsbeforehehadseenhisfriendoffattheNorthWallandwishedhimGod-speed。Gallaherhadgoton。Youcouldtellthatatoncebyhistravelledair，hiswell-cuttweedsuit，andfearlessaccent。Fewfellowshadtalentslikehis，andfewerstillcouldremainunspoiledbysuchsuccess。
　　Gallaher’sheartwasintherightplaceandhehaddeservedtowin。Itwassomethingtohaveafriendlikethat。
　　LittleChandler’sthoughtseversincelunch-timehadbeenofhismeetingwithGallaher，ofGallaher’sinvitation，andofthegreatcityLondonwhereGallaherlived。HewascalledLittleChandlerbecause，thoughhewasbutslightlyundertheaveragestature，hegaveonetheideaofbeingalittleman。Hishandswerewhiteandsmall，hisframewasfragile，hisvoicewasquietandhismannerswererefined。Hetookthegreatestcareofhisfairsilkenhairandmoustache，andusedperfumediscreetlyonhishandkerchief。
　　Thehalf-moonsofhisnailswereperfect，andwhenhesmiledyoucaughtaglimpseofarowofchildishwhiteteeth。
　　AchesatathisdeskintheKing’sInnshethoughtwhatchangesthoseeightyearshadbrought。ThefriendwhomhehadknownunderashabbyandnecessitousguisehadbecomeabrilliantfigureontheLondonPress。Heturnedoftenfromhistiresomewritingtogazeoutoftheofficewindow。
　　Theglowofalateautumnsunsetcoveredthegrassplotsandwalks。Itcastashowerofkindlygoldendustontheuntidynursesanddecrepitoldmenwhodrowsedonthebenches；itflickereduponallthemovingfigures-onthechildrenwhoranscreamingalongthegravelpathsandoneveryonewhopassedthroughthegardens。Hewatchedthesceneandthoughtoflife；
　　and（asalwayshappenedwhenhethoughtoflife）hebecamesad。Agentlemelancholytookpossessionofhim。Hefelthowuselessitwastostruggleagainstfortune，thisbeingtheburdenofwisdomwhichtheageshadbequeathedtohim。
　　Herememberedthebooksofpoetryuponhisshelvesathome。Hehadboughttheminhisbachelordaysandmanyanevening，ashesatinthelittleroomoffthehall，hehadbeentemptedtotakeonedownfromthebookshelfandreadoutsomethingtohiswife。Butshynesshadalwaysheldhimback；
　　andsothebookshadremainedontheirshelves。Attimesherepeatedlinestohimselfandthisconsoledhim。
　　Whenhishourhadstruckhestoodupandtookleaveofhisdeskandofhisfellow-clerkspunctiliously。HeemergedfromunderthefeudalarchoftheKing’sInns，aneatmodestfigure，andwalkedswiftlydownHenriettaStreet。Thegoldensunsetwaswaningandtheairhadgrownsharp。Ahordeofgrimychildrenpopulatedthestreet。Theystoodorranintheroadway，orcrawledupthestepsbeforethegapingdoors，orsquattedlikemiceuponthethresholds。LittleChandlergavethemnothought。Hepickedhiswaydeftlythroughallthatminutevermin-likelifeandundertheshadowofthegauntspectralmansionsinwhichtheoldnobilityofDublinhadroistered。Nomemoryofthepasttouchedhim，forhismindwasfullofapresentjoy。
　　HehadneverbeeninCorless’s，butheknewthevalueofthename。Heknewthatpeoplewentthereafterthetheatretoeatoystersanddrinkliqueurs；andhehadheardthatthewaiterstherespokeFrenchandGerman。
　　Walkingswiftlybyatnighthehadseencabsdrawnupbeforethedoorandrichly-dressedladies，escortedbycavaliers，alightandenterquickly。
　　Theyworenoisydressesandmanywraps。Theirfaceswerepowderedandtheycaughtuptheirdresses，whentheytouchedearth，likealarmedAtalantas。
　　Hehadalwayspassedwithoutturninghisheadtolook。Itwashishabittowalkswiftlyinthestreetevenbyday，andwheneverhefoundhimselfinthecitylateatnighthehurriedonhiswayapprehensivelyandexcitedly。
　　Sometimes，however，hecourtedthecausesofhisfear。Hechosethedarkestandnarroweststreetsand，ashewalkedboldlyforward，thesilencethatwasspreadabouthisfootstepstroubledhim；thewandering，silentfigurestroubledhim；andattimesasoundoflowfugitivelaughtermadehimtremblelikealeaf。
　　HeturnedtotherighttowardsCapelStreet。IgnatiusGallaherontheLondonPress！Whowouldhavethoughtitpossibleeightyearsbefore？Still，nowthathereviewedthepast，LittleChandlercouldremembermanysignsoffuturegreatnessinhisfriend。PeopleusedtosaythatIgnatiusGallaherwaswild。Ofcourse，hedidmixwitharakishsetoffellowsatthattime；
　　drankfreelyandborrowedmoneyonallsides。Intheendhehadgotmixedupinsomeshadyaffair，somemoneytransaction：atleast，thatwasoneversionofhisflight。Butnobodydeniedhimtalent。Therewasalwaysacertain……somethinginIgnatiusGallaherthatimpressedyouinspiteofyourself。Evenwhenhewasoutatelbowsandathiswits’endformoneyhekeptupaboldface。LittleChandlerremembered（andtheremembrancebroughtaslightflushofpridetohischeek）oneofIgnatiusGallaher’ssayingswhenhewasinatightcorner：
　　`Half-timenow，boys，’heusedtosaylight-heartedly。`Where’smyconsideringcap？’
　　ThatwasIgnatiusGallaherallout；and，damnit，youcouldn’tbutadmirehimforit。
　　LittleChandlerquickenedhispace。Forthefirsttimeinhislifehefelthimselfsuperiortothepeoplehepassed。ForthefirsttimehissoulrevoltedagainstthedullineleganceofCapelStreet。Therewasnodoubtaboutit：ifyouwantedtosucceedyouhadtogoaway。YoucoulddonothinginDublin。AshecrossedGrattanBridgehelookeddowntherivertowardsthelowerquaysandpitiedthepoorstuntedhouses。Theyseemedtohimabandoftramps，huddledtogetheralongtheriver-banks，theiroldcoatscoveredwithdustandsoot，stupefiedbythepanoramaofsunsetandwaitingforthefirstchillofnighttobidthemarise，shakethemselvesandbegone。
　　Hewonderedwhetherhecouldwriteapoemtoexpresshisidea。PerhapsGallahermightbeabletogetitintosomeLondonpaperforhim。Couldhewritesomethingoriginal？Hewasnotsurewhatideahewishedtoexpress，butthethoughtthatapoeticmomenthadtouchedhimtooklifewithinhimlikeaninfanthope。Hesteppedonwardbravely。
　　EverystepbroughthimnearertoLondon，fartherfromhisownsoberinartisticlife。Alightbegantotrembleonthehorizonofhismind。Hewasnotsoold-thirty-two。Histemperamentmightbesaidtobejustatthepointofmaturity。Thereweresomanydifferentmoodsandimpressionsthathewishedtoexpressinverse。Hefeltthemwithinhim。Hetriedtoweighhissoultoseeifitwasapoet’ssoul。Melancholywasthedominantnoteofhistemperament，hethought，butitwasamelancholytemperedbyrecurrencesoffaithandresignationandsimplejoy。Ifhecouldgiveexpressiontoitinabookofpoemsperhapsmenwouldlisten。Hewouldneverbepopular：
　　hesawthat。Hecouldnotswaythecrowd，buthemightappealtoalittlecircleofkindredminds。TheEnglishcritics，perhaps，wouldrecognizehimasoneoftheCelticschoolbyreasonofthemelancholytoneofhispoems；besidesthat，hewouldputinallusions。Hebegantoinventsentencesandphrasesfromthenoticewhichhisbookwouldget。`MrChandlerhasthegiftofeasyandgracefulverse’……`Awistfulsadnesspervadesthesepoems’……`TheCelticnote’。ItwasapityhisnamewasnotmoreIrish-looking。
　　Perhapsitwouldbebettertoinserthismother’snamebeforethesurname：
　　ThomasMaloneChandler；orbetterstill：T。MaloneChandler。HewouldspeaktoGallaheraboutit。
　　Hepursuedhisreveriesoardentlythathepassedhisstreetandhadtoturnback。AshecamenearCorless’shisformeragitationbegantoovermasterhimandhehaltedbeforethedoorinindecision。Finallyheopenedthedoorandentered。
　　Thelightandnoiseofthebarheldhimatthedoorwayforafewmoments。
　　Helookedabouthim，buthissightwasconfusedbytheshiningofmanyredandgreenwine-glasses。Thebarseemedtohimtobefullofpeopleandhefeltthatthepeoplewereobservinghimcuriously。Heglancedquicklytorightandleft（frowningslightlytomakehiserrandappearserious），butwhenhissightclearedalittlehesawthatnobodyhadturnedtolookathim：andthere，Sureenough，wasIgnatiusGallaherleaningwithhisbackagainstthecounterandhisfeetplantedfarapart。
　　`Hallo，Tommy，oldhero，hereyouare！Whatisittobe？Whatwillyouhave？I’mtakingwhisky：betterstuffthanwegetacrossthewater。Soda？
　　Lithia？Nomineral？I’mthesame。Spoilstheflavour……Here，garç；on，bringustwohalvesofmaltwhisky，likeagoodfellow……Well，andhowhaveyoubeenpullingalongsinceIsawyoulast？DearGod，howoldwe’regetting！Doyouseeanysignsofageinginme-eh，what？Alittlegreyandthinonthetop-what？’
　　IgnatiusGallahertookoffhishatanddisplayedalargeclosely-croppedhead。Hisfacewasheavy，pale，andclean-shaven。Hiseyes，whichwereofbluishslate-colour，relievedhisunhealthypallorandshoneoutplainlyabovethevividorangetiehewore。Betweentheserivalfeaturesthelipsappearedverylongandshapelessandcolourless。Hebenthisheadandfeltwithtwosympatheticfingersthethinhairatthecrown。LittleChandlershookhisheadasadenial。IgnatiusGallaherputonhishatagain。
　　`Itpullsyoudown，’hesaid。`Presslife。Alwayshurryandscurry，lookingforcopyandsometimesnotfindingit：andthen，alwaystohavesomethingnewinyourstuff。Damnproofsandprinters，Isay，forafewdays。I’mdeucedglad，Icantellyou，togetbacktotheoldcountry。
　　Doesafellowgood，abitofaholiday。IfeelatonbettersinceIlandedagainindear，dirtyDublin……Hereyouare，Tommy。Water？Saywhen。’
　　LittleChandlerallowedhiswhiskytobeverymuchdiluted。
　　`Youdon’tknowwhat’sgoodforyou，myboy，’saidIgnatiusGallaher。
　　`Idrinkmineneat。’
　　`Idrinkverylittleasarule，’saidLittleChandlermodestly。`Anoddhalf-oneorsowhenImeetanyoftheoldcrowd：that’sall。’
　　`Ahwell，’saidIgnatiusGallahercheerfully，`here’stousandtooldtimesandoldacquaintance。’
　　Theyclinkedglassesanddrankthetoast。
　　`Imetsomeoftheoldgangtoday，’saidIgnatiusGallaher。`O’Haraseemstobeinabadway。What’shedoing？’
　　`Nothing，’saidLittleChandler。`He’sgonetothedogs。’
　　`ButHoganhasagoodsit，hasn’the？’
　　`Yes，be’sintheLandCommission。’
　　`ImethimonenightinLondonandheseemedtobeveryflush……PoorO’Hara！Booze，Isuppose？’
　　`Otherthings，too，’saidLittleChandlershortly。
　　IgnatiusGallaherlaughed。
　　`Tommy，’hesaid，`Iseeyouhaven’tchangedanatom。You’retheverysameseriouspersonthatusedtolecturemeonSundaymorningswhenIhadasoreheadandafuronmytongue。You’dwanttoknockaboutabitintheworld。Haveyouneverbeenanywhereevenforatrip？’
　　`I’vebeentotheIsleofMan，’saidLittleChandler。
　　IgnatiusGallaherlaughed。
　　`TheIsleofMan！’hesaid。`GotoLondonorParis：Paris，forchoice。
　　That’ddoyougood。’
　　`HaveyouseenParis？’
　　`IshouldthinkIhave！I’veknockedabouttherealittle。’
　　`Andisitreallysobeautifulastheysay？’askedLittleChandler。
　　HesippedalittleofhisdrinkwhileIgnatiusGallaherfinishedhisboldly。
　　`Beautiful？’saidIgnatiusGallaher，pausingonthewordandontheflavourofhisdrink。`It’snotsobeautiful，youknow。Ofcourseitisbeautiful……Butit’sthelifeofParis；that’sthething。Ah，there’snocitylikeParisforgaiety，movement，excitement……’
　　LittleChandlerfinishedhiswhiskyand，aftersometrouble，succeededincatchingthebarman’seye。Heorderedthesameagain。
　　`I’vebeentotheMoulinRouge，’IgnatiusGallahercontinuedwhenthebarmanhadremovedtheirglasses，`andI’vebeentoalltheBohemiancafé；s。
　　Hotstuff！Notforapiouschaplikeyou，Tommy。’
　　LittleChandlersaidnothinguntilthebarmanreturnedwithtwoglasses：
　　thenhetouchedhisfriend’sglasslightlyandreciprocatedtheformertoast。Hewasbeginningtofeelsomewhatdisillusioned。Gallaher’saccentandwayofexpressinghimselfdidnotpleasehim。Therewassomethingvulgarinhisfriendwhichliehadnotobservedbefore。ButperhapsitwasonlytheresultoflivinginLondonamidthebustleandcompetitionofthePress。
　　Theoldpersonalcharmwasstillthereunderthisnewgaudymanner。And，afterall，Gallaherhadlived，hehadseentheworld。LittleChandlerlookedathisfriendenviously。
　　`EverythinginParisisgay，’saidIgnatiusGallaher。`Theybelieveinenjoyinglife-anddon’tyouthinkthey’reright？IfyouwanttoenjoyyourselfproperlyyoumustgotoParis。And，mindyou，they’veagreatfeelingfortheIrishthere。WhentheyheardIwasfromIrelandtheywerereadytoeatme，man。’
　　LittleChandlertookfourorfivesipsfromhisglass。
　　`Tellme，’hesaid，`isittruethatParisisso……immoralastheysay？’
　　IgnatiusGallahermadeacatholicgesturewithhisrightarm。
　　`Everyplaceisimmoral，’hesaid。`OfcourseyoudofindspicybitsinParis。Gotooneofthestudents’balls，forinstance。That’slively，ifyoulike，whenthecocottesbegintoletthemselvesloose。Youknowwhattheyare，Isuppose？’
　　`I’veheardofthem，’saidLittleChandler。
　　IgnatiusGallaherdrankoffhiswhiskyandshookhishead。
　　`Ah，’hesaid，`youmaysaywhatyoulike。There’snowomanliketheParisienne-forstyle，forgo。’
　　`Thenitisanimmoralcity，’saidLittleChandler，withtimidinsistence-`Imean，comparedwithLondonorDublin？’
　　`London！’saidIgnatiusGallaher。`It’ssixofoneandhalfadozenoftheother。YouaskHogan，myboy。IshowedhimabitaboutLondonwhenhewasoverthere。He’dopenyoureye……Isay，Tommy，don’tmakepunchofthatwhisky：liquorup。’
　　`No，really。’
　　`O，comeon，anotheronewon’tdoyouanyharm。Whatisit？Thesameagain，Isuppose？’
　　`Well……allright。’
　　`Franç；ois，thesameagain……Willyousmoke，Tommy？’
　　IgnatiusGallaherproducedhiscigar-case。Thetwofriendslittheircigarsandpuffedattheminsilenceuntiltheirdrinkswereserved。
　　`I’lltellyoumyopinion，’saidIgnatiusGallaher，emergingaftersometimefromthecloudsofsmokeinwhichhehadtakenrefuge，`it’sarumworld。Talkofimmorality！I’veheardofcases-whatamIsaying？-I’veknownthem：casesof……immorality……’
　　IgnatiusGallaherpuffedthoughtfullyathiscigarandthen，inacalmhistorian’stone，heproceededtosketchforhisfriendsomepicturesofthecorruptionwhichwasrifeabroad。HesummarizedthevicesofmanycapitalsandseemedinclinedtoawardthepalmtoBerlin。Somethingshecouldnotvouchfor（hisfriendshadtoldhim），butofothershehadhadpersonalexperience。Hesparedneitherranknorcaste。HerevealedmanyofthesecretsofreligioushousesontheContinentanddescribedsomeofthepracticeswhichwerefashionableinhighsociety，andendedbytelling，withdetails，astoryaboutanEnglishduchess-astorywhichheknewtobetrue。Littlechandlerwasastonished。
　　`Ah，well，’saidIgnatiusGallaher，`hereweareinoldjog-alongDublinwherenothingisknownofsuchthings。’
　　`Howdullyoumustfindit，’saidLittleChandler，`afteralltheotherplacesyou’veseen！’
　　`Well，’saidIgnatiusGallaher，`it’sarelaxationtocomeoverhere，youknow。And，afterall，it’stheoldcountry，astheysay，isn’tit？
　　Youcan’thelphavingacertainfeelingforit。That’shumannature……
　　Buttellmesomethingaboutyourself。Hogantoldmeyouhad……tastedthejoysofconnubialbliss。Twoyearsago，wasn’tit？’
　　LittleChandlerblushedandsmiled。
　　`Yes，’hesaid。`IwasmarriedlastMaytwelvemonths。’
　　`Ihopeit’snottoolateinthedaytooffermybestwishes，’saidIgnatiusGallaher。`Ididn’tknowyouraddressorI’dhavedonesoatthetime。’
　　Heextendedhishand，whichLittleChandlertook。
　　`Well，Tommy，’hesaid，`Iwishyouandyourseveryjoyinlife，oldchap，andtonsofmoney，andmayyouneverdietillIshootyou。Andthat’sthewishofasincerefriend，anoldfriend。Youknowthat？’
　　`Iknowthat，’saidLittleChandler。
　　`Anyyoungsters？’saidIgnatiusGallaher。
　　LittleChandlerblushedagain。
　　`Wehaveonechild，’hesaid。
　　`Sonordaughter？’
　　`Alittleboy。’
　　IgnatiusGallaherslappedhisfriendsonorouslyontheback。
　　`Bravo，’hesaid，`Iwouldn’tdoubtyou，Tommy。’
　　LittleChandlersmiled，lookedconfusedlyathisglassandbithislowerlipwiththreechildishlywhitefrontteeth。
　　`Ihopeyou’llspendaneveningwithus，’hesaid，`beforeyougoback。
　　Mywifewillbedelightedtomeetyou。Wecanhavealittlemusicand——’
　　`Thanksawfully，oldchap，’saidIgnatiusGallaher，`I’msorrywedidn’tmeetearlier。ButImustleavetomorrownight。’
　　`Tonight，perhaps……？`
　　`I’mawfullysorry，oldman。YouseeI’moverherewithanotherfellow，cleveryoungchapheistoo，andwearrangedtogotoalittlecard-party。
　　Onlyforthat……’
　　`O，inthatcase……’
　　`Butwhoknows？’saidIgnatiusGallaherconsiderately。`NextyearI
　　maytakealittleskipoverherenowthatI’vebrokentheice。It’sonlyapleasuredeferred。’
　　`Verywell，’saidLittleChandler，`thenexttimeyoucomewemusthaveaneveningtogether。That’sagreednow，isn’tit？’
　　`Yes，that’sagreed，’saidIgnatiusGallaher。`NextyearifIcome，paroled’honneur。’
　　`Andtoclinchthebargain，’saidLittleChandler，`we’lljusthaveonemorenow。’
　　IgnatiusGallahertookoutalargegoldwatchandlookedatit。
　　`Isittobethelast？’heSaid。`Because，youknow，Ihaveana。p。’
　　`O，yes，positively，’saidLittleChandler。
　　`Verywell，then，’saidIgnatiusGallaher，`letushaveanotheroneasadeocandoirus-that’sgoodvernacularforasmallwhisky，Ibelieve。’