LittleChandlerorderedthedrinks。Theblushwhichhadrisentohisfaceafewmomentsbeforewasestablishingitself。Atriflemadehimblushatanytime：andnowhefeltwarmandexcited。ThreesmallwhiskieshadgonetohisheadandGallaher’sstrongcigarhadconfusedhismind，forhewasadelicateandabstinentperson。TheadventureofmeetingGallaheraftereightyears，offindinghimselfwithGallaherinCorless’ssurroundedbylightsandnoise，oflisteningtoGallaher’sstoriesandofsharingforabriefspaceGallaher’svagrantandtriumphantlife，upsettheequipoiseofhissensitivenature。Hefeltacutelythecontrastbetweenhisownlifeandhisfriend’s，anditseemedtohimunjust。Gallaherwashisinferiorinbirthandeducation。Hewassurethathecoulddosomethingbetterthanhisfriendhadeverdone，orcouldeverdo，somethinghigherthanmeretawdryjournalismifheonlygotthechance。Whatwasitthatstoodinhisway？Hisunfortunatetimidity！Hewishedtovindicatehimselfinsomeway，toasserthismanhood。HesawbehindGallaher’srefusalofhisinvitation。
　　GallaherwasonlypatronizinghimbyhisfriendlinessjustashewaspatronizingIrelandbyhisvisit。
　　Thebarmanbroughttheirdrinks。LittleChandlerpushedoneglasstowardshisfriendandtookuptheotherboldly。
　　`Whoknows？’hesaid，astheyliftedtheirglasses。`WhenyoucomenextyearImayhavethepleasureofwishinglonglifeandhappinesstoMrandMrsIgnatiusGallaher。’
　　IgnatiusGallaherintheactofdrinkingclosedoneeyeexpressivelyovertherimofhisglass。Whenhehaddrunkhesmackedhislipsdecisively，setdownhisglassandsaid：
　　`Nobloomingfearofthat，myboy。I’mgoingtohavemyflingfirstandseeabitoflifeandtheworldbeforeIputmyheadinthesack-
　　ifIeverdo。’
　　`Somedayyouwill，’saidLittleChandlercalmly。
　　IgnatiusGallaherturnedhisorangetieandslate-blueeyesfulluponhisfriend。
　　`Youthinkso？’hesaid。
　　`You’llputyourheadinthesack，’repeatedLittleChandlerstoutly，`likeeveryoneelseifyoucanfindthegirl。’
　　Hehadslightlyemphasizedhistone，andhewasawarethathehadbetrayedhimself；but，thoughthecolourhadheightenedinhischeek，hedidnotflinchfromhisfriends’gaze。IgnatiusGallaherwatchedhimforafewmomentsandthensaid：
　　`Ifeveritoccurs，youmaybetyourbottomdollarthere’llbenomooningandspooningaboutit。Imeantomarrymoney。She’llhaveagoodfataccountatthebankorshewon’tdoforme。’
　　LittleChandlershookhishead。
　　`Why，manalive，’saidIgnatiusGallaher，vehemently，`doyouknowwhatitis？I’veonlytosaythewordandtomorrowIcanhavethewomanandthecash。Youdon’tbelieveit？Well，Iknowit。Therearehundreds-whatamIsaying？-thousandsofrichGermansandJews，rottenwithmoney，that’donlybetooglad……Youwaitawhile，myboy。SeeifIdon’tplaymycardsproperly。WhenIgoaboutathingImeanbusiness，Itellyou。Youjustwait。’
　　Hetossedhisglasstohismouth，finishedhisdrinkandlaughedloudly。
　　Thenhelookedthoughtfullybeforehimandsaidinacalmertone：
　　`ButI’minnohurry。Theycanwait。Idon’tfancytyingmyselfuptoonewoman，youknow。’
　　Heimitatedwithhismouththeactoftastingandmadeawryface。
　　`Mustgetabitstale，Ishouldthink，’hesaid。
　　LittleChandlersatintheroomoffthehall，holdingachildinhisarms。Tosavemoneytheykeptnoservant，butAnnie’syoungsisterMonicacameforanhourorsointhemorningandanhourorSointheeveningtohelp。ButMonicahadgonehomelongago。Itwasaquartertonine。LittleChandlerhadcomehomelateforteaand，moreover，hehadforgottentobringAnniehometheparcelofcoffeefromBewley’s。Ofcourseshewasinabadhumourandgavehimshortanswers。Shesaidshewoulddowithoutanytea，butwhenitcamenearhetimeatwhichtheshopatthecornerclosedshedecidedtogooutherselfforaquarterofapoundofteaandtwopoundsofsugar。Sheputthesleepingchilddeftlyinhisarmsandsaid：
　　`Here。Don’twakenhim。’
　　Alittlelampwithawhitechinashadestooduponthetableanditslightfelloveraphotographwhichwasenclosedinaframeofcrumpledhorn。ItwasAnnie’sphotograph。LittleChandlerlookedatit，pausingatthethintightlips。SheworethepalebluesummerblousewhichhehadbroughtherhomeasapresentoneSaturday。Ithadcosthimtenandelevenpence；
　　butwhatanagonyofnervousnessithadcosthim！Howhehadsufferedthatday，waitingattheshopdooruntiltheshopwasempty，standingatthecounterandtryingtoappearathiseasewhilethegirlpiledladies’blousesbeforehim，payingatthedeskandforgettingtotakeuptheoddpennyofhischange，beingcalledbackbythecashier，andfinally，strivingtohidehisblushesashelefttheshopbyexaminingtheparceltoseeifitwasSecurelytied。WhenhebroughttheblousehomeAnniekissedhimandsaiditwasveryprettyandstylish；butwhensheheardthepriceshethrewtheblouseonthetableandsaiditwasaregularswindletochargetenandelevenpenceforit。Atfirstshewantedtotakeitback，butwhenshetrieditonshewasdelightedwithit，especiallywiththemakeofthesleeves，andkissedhimandsaidhewasverygoodtothinkofher。
　　Hm！……
　　Helookedcoldlyintotheeyesofthephotographandtheyansweredcoldly。
　　Certainlytheywereprettyandthefaceitselfwaspretty。Buthefoundsomethingmeaninit。Whywasitsounconsciousandladylike？Thecomposureofthegyesirritatedhim。Theyrepelledhimanddefiedhim：therewasnopassioninthem，norapture。HethoughtofwhatGallaherhadsaidaboutrichJewesses。ThosedarkOrientaleyes，hethought，howfulltheyareofpassion，ofvoluptuouslonging！……Whyhadhemarriedtheeyesinthephotograph？
　　Hecaughthimselfupatthequestionandglancednervouslyroundtheroom。Hefoundsomethingmeanintheprettyfurniturewhichhehadboughtforhishouseonthehiresystem。Anniehadchosenitherselfanditremindedhimofher。Ittoowasprimandpretty。Adullresentmentagainsthislifeawokewithinhim。Couldhenotescapefromhislittlehouse？WasittoolateforhimtotrytolivebravelylikeGallaher？CouldhegotoLondon？
　　Therewasthefurniturestilltobepaidfor。Ifhecouldonlywriteabookandgetitpublished，thatmightopenthewayforhim。
　　AvolumeofByron’spoemslaybeforehimonthetable。Heopeneditcautiouslywithhislefthandlestheshouldwakenthechildandbegantoreadthefirstpoeminthebook：Hushedarethewindsandstilltheeveninggloom，Note’enaZephyrwandersthroughthegrove，WhilstIreturntoviewmyMargaret’stombAndscatterflowersonthedustIlove。Hepaused。Hefelttherhythmoftheverseabouthimintheroom。Howmelancholyitwas！Couldhe，too，writelikethat，expressthemelancholyofhissoulinverse？Thereweresomanythingshewantedtodescribe：hissensationofafewhoursbeforeonGrattanBridge，forexample。Ifhecouldgetbackagainintothatmood……
　　Thechildawokeandbegantocry。Heturnedfromthepageandtriedtohushit：butitwouldnotbehushed。Hebegantorockittoandfroinhisarms，butitswailingcrygrewkeener。Herockeditfasterwhilehiseyesbegantoreadthesecondstanza：Withinthisnarrowcellreclinesherclay，Thatclaywhereonce……Itwasuseless。Hecouldn’tread。Hecouldn’tdoanything。Thewailingofthechildpiercedthedrumofhisear。Itwasuseless，useless！Hewasaprisonerforlife。Hisarmstrembledwithangerandsuddenlybendingtothechild’sfaceheshouted：
　　`Stop！’
　　Thechildstoppedforaninstant，hadaspasmoffrightandbegantoscream。Hejumpedupfromhischairandwalkedhastilyupanddowntheroomwiththechildinhisarms。itbegantosobpiteously，losingitsbreathforfourorfiveseconds，andthenburstingoutanew。Thethinwallsoftheroomechoedthesound。Hetriedtosootheit，butitsobbedmoreconvulsively。Helookedatthecontractedandquiveringfaceofthechildandbegantobealarmed。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……he……begantocry……Icouldn’t……Ididn’tdoanything……What？’
　　Givingnoheedtohimshebegantowalkupanddowntheroom，claspingthechildtightlyinherarmsandmurmuring：
　　`Mylittleman！Mylittlemannie！Was’oufrightened，love？’……Therenow，love！Therenow！……Lambabaun！Mamma’slittlelamboftheworld！……
　　Therenow！’
　　LittleChandlerfelthischeekssuffusedwithshameandhestoodbackoutofthelamplight。Helistenedwhiletheparoxysmofthechild’ssobbinggrewlessandless；andtearsofremorsestartedtohiseyes。
　　Counterparts
　　Thebellrangfuriouslyand，whenMissParkerwenttothetube，afuriousvoicecalledoutinapiercingNorthofIrelandaccent：
　　`SendFarringtonhere！’
　　MissParkerreturnedtohermachine，sayingtoamanwhowaswritingatadesk：
　　`MrAlleynewantsyouupstairs。’
　　Themanmuttered`Blasthim！’underhisbreathandpushedbackhischairtostandup。Whenhestooduphewastallandofgreatbulk。
　　Hehadahangingface，darkwine-coloured，withfaireyebrowsandmoustache：
　　hiseyesbulgedforwardslightlyandthewhitesofthemweredirty。Heliftedupthecounterand，passingbytheclients，wentoutoftheofficewithaheavystep。
　　Hewentheavilyupstairsuntilhecametothesecondlanding，whereadoorboreabrassplatewiththeinscriptionMrAlleyne。Herehehalted，puffingwithlabourandvexation，andknocked。Theshrillvoicecried：
　　`Comein！’
　　ThemanenteredMrAlleyne’sroom。SimultaneouslyMrAlleyne，alittlemanwearinggold-rimmedglassesonaclean-shavenface，shothisheadupoverapileofdocuments。Theheaditselfwassopinkandhairlessitseemedlikealargeeggreposingonthepapers。MrAlleynedidnotloseamoment：
　　`Farrington？Whatisthemeaningofthis？WhyhaveIalwaystocomplainofyou？MayIaskyouwhyyouhaven’tmadeacopyofthatcontractbetweenBodleyandKirwan？Itoldyouitmustbereadybyfouro’clock。’
　　`ButMrShellysaid，sir——’
　　`MrShellysaid，sir……KindlyattendtowhatIsayandnottowhatMrShellysays，sir。Youhavealwayssomeexcuseoranotherforshirkingwork。LetmetellyouthatifthecontractisnotcopiedbeforethiseveningI’lllaythematterbeforeMrCrosbie……Doyouhearmenow？’
　　`Yes，sir。’
　　`Doyouhearmenow？……Ayandanotherlittlematter！Imightaswellbetalkingtothewallastalkingtoyou。Understandonceforallthatyougetahalfanhourforyourlunchandnotanhourandahalf。Howmanycoursesdoyouwant？I’dliketoknow……Doyoumindmenow？’
　　`Yes，sir。’
　　MrAlleynebenthisheadagainuponhispileofpapers。ThemanstaredfixedlyatthepolishedskullwhichdirectedtheaffairsofCrosbie&；
　　Alleyne，gaugingitsfragility。Aspasmofragegrippedhisthroatforafewmomentsandthenpassed，leavingafteritasharpsensationofthirst。
　　Themanrecognizedthesensationandfeltthathemusthaveagoodnight’sdrinking。Themiddleofthemonthwaspassedand，ifhecouldgetthecopydoneintime，MrAlleynemightgivehimanorderonthecashier。Hestoodstill，gazingfixedlyattheheaduponthepileofpapers。SuddenlyMrAlleynebegantoupsetallthepapers，searchingforsomething。Then，asifhehadbeenunawareoftheman’spresencetillthatmoment，heshotuphisheadagain，saying：
　　`Eh？Areyougoingtostandthereallday？Uponmyword，Farrington，youtakethingseasy！’
　　`Iwaswaitingtosee……’
　　`Verygood，youneedn’twaittosee。Godownstairsanddoyourwork。’
　　Themanwalkedheavilytowardsthedoorand，ashewentoutoftheroom，heheardMrAlleynecryafterhimthatifthecontractwasnotcopiedbyeveningMrCrosbiewouldhearofthematter。
　　Hereturnedtohisdeskinthelowerofficeandcountedthesheetswhichremainedtobecopied。Hetookuphispenanddippeditintheink，buthecontinuedtostarestupidlyatthelastwordshehadwritten：InnocaseshallthesaidBernardBodleybe……Theeveningwasfallingandinafewminutestheywouldbelightingthegas：thenhecouldwrite。
　　Hefeltthathemustslakethethirstinhisthroat。Hestoodupfromhisdeskand，liftingthecounterasbefore，passedoutoftheoffice。Ashewaspassingoutthechiefclerklookedathiminquiringly。
　　`It’sallright，MrShelly，’saidtheman，pointingwithhisfingertoindicatetheobjectiveofhisjourney。
　　Thechiefclerkglancedatthehat-rack，but，seeingtherowcomplete，offerednoremark。Assoonashewasonthelandingthemanpulledashepherd’splaidcapoutofhispocket，putitonhisheadandranquicklydownthericketystairs。Fromthestreetdoorhewalkedonfurtivelyontheinnersideofthepathtowardsthecornerandallatoncedivedintoadoorway。
　　HewasnowsafeinthedarksnugofO’Neill’sshop，and，fillingupthelittlewindowthatlookedintothebarwithhisinflamedface，thecolourofdarkwineordarkmeat，hecalledout：
　　`Here，Pat，giveusag。p。，likeagoodfellow。’
　　Thecuratebroughthimaglassofplainporter。Themandrankitatagulpandaskedforacarawayseed。Heputhispennyonthecounterand，leavingthecuratetogropeforitInthegloom，retreatedoutofthesnugasfurtivelyashehadenteredit。
　　Darkness，accompaniedbyathickfog，wasgainingupontheduskofFebruaryandthelampsinEustaceStreethadbeenlit。Themanwentupbythehousesuntilhereachedthedooroftheoffice，wonderingwhetherhecouldfinishhiscopyintime。Onthestairsamoistpungentodourofperfumessalutedhisnose：evidentlyMissDelacourhadcomewhilehewasoutinO’Neill’s。
　　Hecrammedhiscapbackagainintohispocketandre-enteredtheoffice，assuminganairofabsent-mindedness。
　　`MrAlleynehasbeencallingforyou，’saidthechiefclerkseverely。
　　`Wherewereyou？’
　　Themanglancedatthetwoclientswhowerestandingatthecounterasiftointimatethattheirpresencepreventedhimfromanswering。Astheclientswerebothmalethechiefclerkallowedhimselfalaugh。
　　`Iknowthatgame，’hesaid。`Fivetimesinonedayisalittlebit……
　　Well，youbetterlooksharpandgetacopyofourcorrespondenceintheDelacourcaseforMrAlleyne。’
　　Thisaddressinthepresenceofthepublic，hisrunupstairs，andtheporterhehadgulpeddownsohastilyconfusedthemanandashesatdownathisdesktogetwhatwasrequired，herealizedhowhopelesswasthetaskoffinishinghiscopyofthecontractbeforehalfpastfive。Thedarkdampnightwascomingandhelongedtospenditinthebars，drinkingwithhisfriendsamidtheglareofgasandtheclatterofglasses。HegotouttheDelacourcorrespondenceandpassedoutoftheoffice。HehopedMrAlleynewouldnotdiscoverthatthelasttwolettersweremissing。
　　ThemoistpungentperfumelayallthewayuptoMrAlleyne’sroom。MissDelacourwasamiddle-agedwomanofJewishappearance。MrAlleynewassaidtobesweetonheroronhermoney。Shecametotheofficeoftenandstayedalongtimewhenshecame。Shewassittingbesidehisdesknowinanaromaofperfumes，smoothingthehandleofherumbrellaandnoddingthegreatblackfeatherinherhat。MrAlleynehadswivelledhischairroundtofaceherandthrownhisrightfootjauntilyuponhisleftknee。Themanputthecorrespondenceonthedeskandbowedrespectfully，butneitherMrAlleynenorMissDelacourtookanynoticeofhisbow。MrAlleynetappedafingeronthecorrespondenceandthenflickedittowardshimasiftosay：`That’sallright，youcango。’
　　Themanreturnedtothelowerofficeandsatdownagainathisdesk。
　　Hestaredintentlyattheincompletephrase：InnocaseshallthesaidBernardBodleybe……andthoughthowstrangeitwasthatthelastthreewordsbeganwiththesameletter。ThechiefclerkbegantohurryMissParker，sayingshewouldneverhavetheletterstypedintimeforpost。Themanlistenedtotheclickingofthemachineforafewminutesandthensettoworktofinishhiscopy。Buthisheadwasnotclearandhismindwanderedawaytotheglareandrattleofthepublic-house。Itwasanightforhotpunches。Hestruggledonwithhiscopy，butwhentheclockstruckfivehehadstillfourteenpagestowrite。Blastit！Hecouldn’tfinishitintime。Helongedtoexecratealoud，tobringhisfistdownonsomethingviolently。HewassoenragedthathewroteBernardBernardinsteadofBernardBodleyandhadtobeginagainonacleansheet。
　　Hefeltstrongenoughtoclearoutthewholeofficesinglehanded。Hisbodyachedtodosomething，torushOutandrevelinviolence。Alltheindignitiesofhislifeenragedhim。
　　Couldheaskthecashierprivatelyforanadvance？No，thecashierwasnogood，nodamngood：hewouldn’tgiveanadvance……Heknewwherehewouldmeettheboys：LeonardandO’HalloranandNoseyFlynn。Thebarometerofhisemotionalnaturewassetforaspellofriot。
　　Hisimaginationhadsoabstractedhimthathisnamewascalledtwicebeforeheanswered。MrAlleyneandMissDelacourwerestandingoutsidethecounterandalltheclerkshadturnedroundinanticipationofsomething。
　　Themangotupfromhisdesk。MrAlleynebeganatiradeofabuse，sayingthattwolettersweremissing。Themanansweredthatheknewnothingaboutthem，thathehadmadeafaithfulcopy。Thetiradecontinued：itwassobitterandviolentthatthemancouldhardlyrestrainhisfistfromdescendingupontheheadofthemanikinbeforehim。
　　`Iknownothingaboutanyothertwoletters，’hesaidstupidly。
　　`You-know-nothing。Ofcourseyouknownothing，’saidMrAlleyne。
　　`Tellme，’headded，glancingfirstforapprovaltotheladybesidehim，`doyoutakemeforafool？Doyouthinkmeanutterfool？’
　　Themanglancedfromthelady’sfacetothelittleegg-shapedheadandbackagain；and，almostbeforehewasawareofit，histonguehadfoundafelicitousmoment：
　　`Idon’tthink，sir，’hesaid，`thatthat’safairquestiontoputtome。’
　　Therewasapauseintheverybreathingoftheclerks。Everyonewasastounded（theauthorofthewitticismnolessthanhisneighbours）andMissDelacour，whowasastoutamiableperson，begantosmilebroadly。
　　MrAlleyneflushedtothehueofawildroseandhismouthtwitchedwithadwarf’spassion。Heshookhisfistintheman’sfacetillitseemedtovibrateliketheknobofsomeelectricmachine：
　　`Youimpertinentruffian！Youimpertinentruffian！I’llmakeshortworkofyou！Waittillyousee！You’llapologizetomeforyourimpertinenceoryou’llquittheofficeinstanter！You’llquitthis，I’mtellingyou，oryou’llapologizetome！’
　　Hestoodinadoorwayoppositetheoffice，watchingtoseeifthecashierwouldcomeoutalone。Alltheclerkspassedoutandfinallythecashiercameoutwiththechiefclerk。Itwasnousetryingtosayawordtohimwhenhewaswiththechiefclerk。Themanfeltthathispositionwasbadenough。HehadbeenobligedtoofferanabjectapologytoMrAlleyneforhisimpertinence，butheknewwhatahornet’snesttheofficewouldbeforhim。HecouldrememberthewayinwhichMrAlleynehadhoundedlittlePeakeoutoftheofficeinordertomakeroomforhisownnephew。Hefeltsavageandthirstyandrevengeful，annoyedwithhimselfandwitheveryoneelse。MrAlleynewouldnevergivehimanhour’srest；hislifewouldbeahelltohim。Hehadmadeaproperfoolofhimselfthistime。Couldhenotkeephistongueinhischeek？Buttheyhadneverpulledtogetherfromthefirst，heandMrAlleyne，eversincethedayMrAlleynehadoverheardhimmimickinghisNorthofIrelandaccenttoamuseHigginsandMissParker；
　　thathadbeenthebeginningofit。HemighthavetriedHigginsforthemoney，butsureHigginsneverhadanythingforhimself。Amanwithtwoestablishmentstokeepup，ofcoursehecouldn’t……
　　Hefelthisgreatbodyagainachingforthecomfortofthepublic-house。
　　ThefoghadbeguntochillhimandhewonderedcouldhetouchPatinO’Neill’s。
　　Hecouldnottouchhimformorethanabob-andabobwasnouse。Yethemustgetmoneysomewhereorother：hehadspenthislastpennyfortheg。p。andsoonitwouldbetoolateforgettingmoneyanywhere。Suddenly，ashewasfingeringhiswatchchain，hethoughtofTerryKelly’spawn-officeinFleetStreet。Thatwasthedart！Whydidn’thethinkofitsooner？
　　HewentthroughthenarrowalleyofTempleBarquickly，mutteringtohimselfthattheycouldallgotohell，becausehewasgoingtohaveagoodnightofit。TheclerkinTerryKelly’ssaidAcrown！buttheconsignorheldoutforsixshillings；andintheendthesixshillingswasallowedhimliterally。Hecameoutofthepawn-officejoyfully，makingalittlecylinderofthecoinsbetweenhisthumbandfingers。InWestmorelandStreetthefootpathswerecrowdedwithyoungmenandwomenreturningfrombusiness，andraggedurchinsranhereandthereyellingoutthenamesoftheeveningeditions。Themanpassedthroughthecrowd，lookingonthespectaclegenerallywithproudsatisfactionandstaringmasterfullyattheoffice-girls。Hisheadwasfullofthenoisesoftram-gongsandswishingtrolleysandhisnosealreadysniffedthecurlingfumesofpunch。Ashewalkedonhepreconsideredthetermsinwhichhewouldnarratetheincidenttotheboys：
　　`So，Ijustlookedathim-coolly，youknow，andlookedather。ThenIlookedbackathimagain-takingmytimeyouknow。"Idon’tthinkthat’safairquestiontoputtome，"saysI。’
　　NoseyFlynnwassittingupinhisusualcornerofDavyByrne’sand，whenheheardthestory，hestoodFarringtonahalf-one，sayingitwasassmartathingaseverheheard。Farringtonstoodadrinkinhisturn。
　　AfterawhileO’HalloranandPaddyLeonardcameinandthestorywasrepeatedtothem。O’Halloranstoodtailorsofmalt，hot，allroundandtoldthestoryoftheretorthehadmadetothechiefclerkwhenhewasinCallan’sofFownes’sStreet；but，astheretortwasafterthemanneroftheliberalshepherdsintheeclogues，hehadtoadmitthatitwasnotascleverasFarrington’sretort。AtthisFarringtontoldtheboystopolishoffthatandhaveanother。
　　JustastheywerenamingtheirpoisonswhoshouldcomeinbutHiggins！
　　Ofcoursehehadtojoininwiththeothers。Themenaskedhimtogivehisversionofit，andhedidsowithgreatvivacity，forthesightoffivesmallhotwhiskieswasveryexhilarating。EveryoneroaredlaughingwhenheshowedthewayinwhichMrAlleyneshookhisfistinFarrington’sface。ThenheimitatedFarrington，saying，`Andherewasmynabs，ascoolasyouplease，’whileFarringtonlookedatthecompanyoutofhisheavydirtyeyes，smilingandattimesdrawingforthstraydropsofliquorfromhismoustachewiththeaidofhislowerlip。
　　Whenthatroundwasovertherewasapause。O’Halloranhadmoney，butneitheroftheothertwoseemedtohaveany；sothewholepartylefttheshopsomewhatregretfully。AtthecornerofDukeStreetHigginsandNoseyFlynnbevelledofftotheleft，whiletheotherthreeturnedbacktowardsthecity。Rainwasdrizzlingdownonthecoldstreetsand，whentheyreachedtheBallastOffice，FarringtonsuggestedtheScotchHouse。Thebarwasfullofmenandloudwiththenoiseoftonguesandglasses。Thethreemenpushedpastthewhiningmatch-sellersatthedoorandformedalittlepartyatthecornerofthecounter。Theybegantoexchangestories。LeonardintroducedthemtoayoungfellownamedWeatherswhowasperformingattheTivoliasanacrobatandknockaboutartiste。Farringtonstoodadrinkallround。WeatherssaidhewouldtakeasmallIrishandApollinaris。Farrington，whohaddefinitenotionsofwhatwaswhat，askedtheboyswouldtheyhaveanApollinaristoo；buttheboystoldTimtomaketheirshot。Thetalkbecametheatrical。O’HalloranstoodaroundandthenFarringtonstoodanotherround，WeathersprotestingthatthehospitalitywastooIrish。Hepromisedtogettheminbehindthescenesandintroducethemtosomenicegirls。
　　O’HalloransaidthatheandLeonardwouldgo，butthatFarringtonwouldn’tgobecausehewasamarriedman；andFarrington’sheavydirtyeyesleeredatthecompanyintokenthatheunderstoodhewasbeingchaffed。WeathersmadethemallhavejustonelittletinctureathisexpenseandpromisedtomeetthemlateronatMulligan’sinPoolbegStreet。
　　WhentheScotchHouseclosedtheywentroundtoMulligan’s。TheywentintotheparlouratthebackandO’Halloranorderedsmallhotspecialsallround。Theywereallbeginningtofeelmellow。FarringtonwasjuststandinganotherroundwhenWeatherscameback。MuchtoFarrington’sreliefhedrankaglassofbitterthistime。Fundsweregettinglow，buttheyhadenoughtokeepthemgoing。Presentlytwoyoungwomenwithbighatsandayoungmaninachecksuitcameinandsatatatablecloseby。WeatherssalutedthemandtoldthecompanythattheywereoutoftheTivoli。Farrington’seyeswanderedateverymomentinthedirectionofoneoftheyoungwomen。
　　Therewassomethingstrikinginherappearance。Animmensescarfofpeacock-bluemuslinwaswoundroundherhatandknottedinagreatbowunderherchin；
　　andsheworebrightyellowgloves，reachingtotheelbow。Farringtongazedadmiringlyattheplumparmwhichshemovedveryoftenandwithmuchgrace；
　　andwhen，afteralittletime，sheansweredhisgazeheadmiredstillmoreherlargedarkbrowneyes。Theobliquestaringexpressioninthemfascinatedhim。Sheglancedathimonceortwiceand，whenthepartywasleavingtheroom，shebrushedagainsthischairandsaid`O，pardon！’inaLondonaccent。Hewatchedherleavetheroominthehopethatshewouldlookbackathim，buthewasdisappointed。Hecursedhiswantofmoneyandcursedalltheroundshehadstood，particularlyallthewhiskiesandApollinariswhichhehadstoodtbWeathers。Iftherewasonethingthathehateditwasasponge。Hewassoangrythathelostcountoftheconversationofhisfriends。
　　WhenPaddyLeonardcalledhimhefoundthattheyweretalkingaboutfeatsofstrength。WeatherswasshowinghisbicepsmuscletothecompanyandboastingsomuchthattheothertwohadcalledonFarringtontoupholdthenationalhonour。Farringtonpulleduphissleeveaccordinglyandshowedhisbicepsmuscletothecompany。Thetwoarmswereexaminedandcomparedandfinallyitwasagreedtohaveatrialofstrength。Thetablewasclearedandthetwomenrestedtheirelbowsonit，claspinghands。WhenPaddyLeonardsaid`Go！’eachwastotrytobringdowntheother’shandontothetable。
　　Farringtonlookedveryseriousanddetermined。
　　Thetrialbegan。AfteraboutthirtysecondsWeathersbroughthisopponent’shandslowlydownontothetable。Farrington’sdarkwine-colouredfaceflusheddarkerstillwithangerandhumiliationathavingbeendefeatedbysuchastripling。
　　`You’renottoputtheweightofyourbodybehindit。Playfair，’hesaid。
　　`Who’snotplayingfair？’saidtheother。
　　`Comeonagain。Thetwobestoutofthree。’
　　Thetrialbeganagain。TheveinsstoodoutonFarrington’sforehead，andthepallorofWeathers’complexionchangedtopeony。Theirhandsandarmstrembledunderthestress。AfteralongstruggleWeathersagainbroughthisopponent’shandslowlyontothetable。Therewasamurmurofapplausefromthespectators。Thecurate，whowasstandingbesidethetable，noddedhisredheadtowardsthevictorandsaidwithstupidfamiliarity：
　　`Ah！that’stheknack！’
　　`Whatthehelldoyouknowaboutit？’saidFarringtonfiercely，turningontheman。`Whatdoyouputinyourgabfor？’
　　`Sh，sh！’saidO’Halloran，observingtheviolentexpressionofFarrington’sface。`Ponyup，boys。We’llhavejustonelittlesmahanmoreandthenwe’llbeoff。’
　　Averysullen-facedmanstoodatthecornerofO’ConnellBridgewaitingforthelittleSandymounttramtotakehimhome。Hewasfullofsmoulderingangerandrevengefulness。Hefelthumiliatedanddiscontented；hedidnotevenfeeldrunk；andhehadonlytwopenceinhispocket。Hecursedeverything。
　　Hehaddoneforhimselfintheoffice，pawnedhiswatch，spentallhismoney；andhehadnotevengotdrunk。Hebegantofeelthirstyagainandhelongedtobebackagaininthehot，reekingpublic-house。Hehadlosthisreputationasastrongman，havingbeendefeatedtwicebyamereboy。
　　Hisheartswelledwithfuryand，whenhethoughtofthewomaninthebighatwhohadbrushedagainsthimandsaidPardon！hisfurynearlychokedhim。
　　HistramlethimdownatShelbourneRoadandhesteeredhisgreatbodyalongintheshadowofthewallofthebarracks。Heloathedreturningtohishome。Whenhewentinbytheside-doorhefoundthekitchenemptyandthekitchenfirenearlyout。Hebawledupstairs：
　　`Ada！Ada！’
　　Hiswifewasalittlesharp-facedwomanwhobulliedherhusbandwhenhewassoberandwasbulliedbyhimwhenhewasdrunk。Theyhadfivechildren。
　　Alittleboycamerunningdownthestairs。
　　`Whoisthat？’Saidtheman，peeringthroughthedarkness。
　　`Me，pa。’
　　`Whoareyou？Charlie？’
　　`No，pa。Tom。’
　　`Where’syourmother？’
　　`She’soutatthechapel。’
　　`That’sright……Didshethinkofleavinganydinnerforme？’
　　`Yes，pa。I——’
　　`Lightthelamp。Whatdoyoumeanbyhavingtheplaceindarkness？Aretheotherchildreninbed？’
　　Themansatdownheavilyononeofthechairswhilethelittleboylitthelamp。Hebegantomimichisson’sflataccent，sayinghalftohimself：
　　`Atthechapel。Atthechapel，ifyouplease！’Whenthelampwaslithebangedhisfistonthetableandshouted：
　　`What’sformydinner？’
　　`I’mgoing……tocookit，pa，’saidthelittleboy。Themanjumpedupfuriouslyandpointedtothefire。
　　`Onthatfire！Youletthefireout！ByGod，I’llteachyoutodothatagain！’
　　Hetookasteptothedoorandseizedthewalking-stickwhichwasstandingbehindit。
　　`I’llteachyoutoletthefireout！’hesaid，rollinguphissleeveinordertogivehisarmfreeplay。
　　Thelittleboycried`O，pa！’andranwhimperingroundthetable，butthemanfollowedhimandcaughthimbythecoat。Thelittleboylookedabouthimwildlybut，seeingnowayofescape，felluponhisknees。
　　`Now，you’llletthefireoutthenexttime！’saidtheman，strikingathimvigorouslywiththestick。`Takethat，youlittlewhelp！’
　　Theboyutteredasquealofpainasthestickcuthisthigh。Heclaspedhishandstogetherintheairandhisvoiceshookwithfright。
　　`O，pa！’hecried。`Don’tbeatme，pa！AndI’ll……I’llsayaHailMaryforyou……I’llsayaHailMaryforyou，pa，ifyoudon’tbeatme……I’llsayaHailMary……’
　　Clay
　　Thematronhadgivenherleavetogooutassoonasthewomen’steawasover，andMarialookedforwardtohereveningout。Thekitchenwasspickandspan：thecooksaidyoucouldseeyourselfinthebigcopperboilers。
　　Thefirewasniceandbrightandononeoftheside-tableswerefourverybigbarmbracks。Thesebarmbracksseemeduncut；butifyouwentcloseryouwouldseethattheyhadbeencutintolongthickevenslicesandwerereadytobehandedroundattea。Mariahadcutthemherself。
　　Mariawasavery，verysmallpersonindeed，butshehadaverylongnoseandaverylongchin。Shetalkedalittlethroughhernose，alwayssoothingly：`Yes，mydear，’and`No，mydear。’Shewasalwayssentforwhenthewomenquarrelledovertheirtubsandalwayssucceededinmakingpeace。Onedaythematronhadsaidtoher：
　　`Maria，youareaveritablepeace-maker！’
　　Andthesub-matronandtwooftheBoardladieshadheardthecompliment。
　　AndGingerMooneywasalwayssayingwhatshe-wouldn’tdotothedummywhohadchargeoftheironsifitwasn’tforMaria。EveryonewassofondofMaria。
　　Thewomenwouldhavetheirteaatsixo’clockandshewouldbeabletogetawaybeforeseven。FromBallsbridgetothePillar，twentyminutes；
　　fromthePillartoDrumcondra，twentyminutes；andtwentyminutestobuythethings。Shewouldbetherebeforeeight。ShetookoutherpursewiththesilverclaspsandreadagainthewordsAPresentfromBelfast。
　　ShewasveryfondofthatpursebecauseJoehadbroughtittoherfiveyearsbeforewhenheandAlphyhadgonetoBelfastonaWhit-Mondaytrip。
　　Inthepurseweretwohalf-crownsandsomecoppers。Shewouldhavefiveshillingsclearafterpayingthetramfare。Whataniceeveningtheywouldhave，allthechildrensinging！OnlyshehopedthatJoewouldn’tcomeindrunk。Hewassodifferentwhenhetookanydrink。
　　Oftenhehadwantedhertogoandlivewiththem；butshewouldhavefeltherselfintheway（thoughJoe’swifewaseversonicewithher）andshehadbecomeaccustomedtothelifeofthelaundry。Joewasagoodfellow。
　　ShehadnursedhimandAlphytoo；andJoeusedoftentosay：
　　`Mammaismamma，butMariaismypropermother。’
　　Afterthebreak-upathometheboyshadgotherthatpositioninthe`DublinbyLamplight’laundry，andshelikedit。SheusedtohavesuchabadopinionofProtestants，butnowshethoughttheywereverynicepeople，alittlequietandserious，butstillverynicepeopletolivewith。Thenshehadherplantsintheconservatoryandshelikedlookingafterthem。
　　Shehadlovelyfernsandwax-plantsand，wheneveranyonecametovisither，shealwaysgavethevisitoroneortwoslipsfromherconservatory。
　　Therewasonethingshedidn’tlikeandthatwasthetractsonthewalls；
　　butthematronwassuchanicepersontodealwith，sogenteel。
　　Whenthecooktoldhereverythingwasreadyshewentintothewomen’S
　　roomandbegantopullthebigbell。Inafewminutesthewomenbegantocomeinbytwosandthrees，wipingtheirsteaminghandsintheirpetticoatsandpullingdownthesleevesoftheirblousesovertheirredsteamingarms。
　　Theysettleddownbeforetheirhugemugswhichthecookandthedummyfilledupwithhottea，alreadymixedwithmilkandsugarinhugetincans。Mariasuperintendedthedistributionofthebarmbrackandsawthateverywomangotherfourslices。Therewasagreatdealoflaughingandjokingduringthemeal。LizzieFlemingsaidMariawassuretogettheringand，thoughFleminghadsaidthatforsomanyHallowEves，Mariahadtolaughandsayshedidn’twantanyringormaneither；andwhenshelaughedhergrey-greeneyessparkledwithdisappointedshynessandthetipofhernosenearlymetthetipofherchin。ThenGingerMooneylifteduphermugofteaandproposedMaria’shealth，whilealltheotherwomenclatteredwiththeirmugsonthetable，andsaidshewassorryshehadn’tasupofportertodrinkitin。AndMarialaughedagaintillthetipofhernosenearlymetthetipofherchinandtillherminutebodynearlyshookitselfasunder，becausesheknewthatMooneymeantwell，thoughofcourseshehadthenotionsofacommonwoman。
　　Butwasn’tMariagladwhenthewomenhadfinishedtheirteaandthecookandthedummyhadbeguntoclearawaythetea-things！Shewentintoherlittlebedroomand，rememberingthatthenextmorningwasamassmorning，changedthehandofthealarmfromseventosix。Thenshetookoffherworkingskirtandherhouse-bootsandlaidherbestskirtoutonthebedandhertinydress-bootsbesidethefootofthebed。Shechangedherblousetooand，asshestoodbeforethemirror，shethoughtofhowsheusedtodressformassonSundaymorningwhenshewasayounggirl；andshelookedwithquaintaffectionatthediminutivebodywhichshehadsooftenadorned。
　　Inspiteofitsyearsshefounditanicetidylittlebody。
　　Whenshegotoutsidethestreetswereshiningwithrainandshewasgladofheroldbrownwaterproof。Thetramwasfullandshehadtositonthelittlestoolattheendofthecar，facingallthepeople，withhertoesbarelytouchingthefloor。Shearrangedinhermindallshewasgoingtodo，andthoughthowmuchbetteritwastobeindependentandtohaveyourownmoneyinyourpocket。Shehopedtheywouldhaveaniceevening。
　　Shewassuretheywould，butshecouldnothelpthinkingwhatapityitwasAlphyandJoewerenotspeaking。Theywerealwaysfallingoutnow，butwhentheywereboystogethertheyusedtobethebestoffriends；butsuchwaslife。
　　ShegotoutofhertramatthePillarandferretedherwayquicklyamongthecrowds。ShewentintoDownes’scakeshopbuttheshopwassofullofpeoplethatitwasalongtimebeforeshecouldgetherselfattendedto。
　　Sheboughtadozenofmixedpennycakes，andatlastcameoutoftheshopladenwithabigbag。Thenshethoughtwhatelsewouldshebuy：shewantedtobuysomethingreallynice。Theywouldbesuretohaveplentyofapplesandnuts。Itwashardtoknowwhattobuyandallshecouldthinkofwascake。Shedecidedtobuysomeplumcake，butDownes’splumcakehadnotenoughalmondicingontopofit，soshewentovertoashopinHenryStreet。
　　Hereshewasalongtimeinsuitingherself，andthestylishyoungladybehindthecounter，whowasevidentlyalittleannoyedbyher，askedherwasitwedding-cakeshewantedtobuy。ThatmadeMariablushandsmileattheyounglady；buttheyoungladytookitallveryseriouslyandfinallycutathicksliceofplumcake，parcelleditupandsaid：
　　`Two-and-four，please。’
　　ShethoughtshewouldhavetostandintheDrumcondratrambecausenoneoftheyoungmenseemedtonoticeher，butanelderlygentlemanmaderoomforher。Hewasastoutgentlemanandheworeabrownhardhat；hehadasquareredfaceandagreyishmoustache。Mariathoughthewasacolonel-lookinggentlemanandshereflectedhowmuchmorepolitehewasthantheyoungmenwhosimplystaredstraightbeforethem。ThegentlemanbegantochatwithheraboutHallowEveandtherainyweather。Hesupposedthebagwasfullofgoodthingsforthelittleonesandsaiditwasonlyrightthattheyoungstersshouldenjoythemselveswhiletheywereyoung。Mariaagreedwithhimandfavouredhimwithdemurenodsandhems。Hewasverynicewithher，andwhenshewasgettingoutattheCanalBridgeshethankedhimandbowed，andhebowedtoherandraisedhishatandsmiledagreeably；andwhileshewasgoingupalongtheterrace，bendinghertinyheadundertherain，shethoughthoweasyitwastoknowagentlemanevenwhenhehasadroptaken。
　　Everybodysaid：`O，here’sMaria！’whenshecametoJoe’shouse。
　　Joewasthere，havingcomehomefrombusiness，andallthechildrenhadtheirSundaydresseson。Thereweretwobiggirlsinfromnextdoorandgamesweregoingon。Mariagavethebagofcakestotheeldestboy，Alphy，todivide，andMrsDonnellysaiditwastoogoodofhertobringsuchabigbagofcakes，andmadeallthechildrensay：
　　`Thanks，Maria。’
　　ButMariasaidshehadbroughtsomethingspecialforpapaandmamma，somethingtheywouldbesuretolike，andshebegantolookforherplumcake。
　　ShetriedinDownes’sbagandtheninthepocketsofherwaterproofandthenonthehallstand，butnowherecouldshefindit。Thensheaskedallthechildrenhadanyofthemeatenit-bymistake，ofcourse-butthechildrenallsaidnoandlookedasiftheydidnotliketoeatcakesiftheyweretobeaccusedofstealing。EverybodyhadasolutionforthemysteryandMrsDonnellysaiditwasplainthatMariahadleftitbehindherinthetram。Maria，rememberinghowconfusedthegentlemanwiththegreyishmoustachehadmadeher，colouredwithshameandvexationanddisappointment。
　　Atthethoughtofthefailureofherlittlesurpriseandofthetwoandfourpenceshehadthrownawayfornothingshenearlycriedoutright。