ButJoesaiditdidn’tmatterandmadehersitdownbythefire。Hewasverynicewithher。Hetoldherallthatwentoninhisoffice，repeatingforherasmartanswerwhichhehadmadetothemanager。MariadidnotunderstandwhyJoelaughedsomuchovertheanswerhehadmade，butshesaidthatthemanagermusthavebeenaveryoverbearingpersontodealwith。Joesaidhewasn’tsobadwhenyouknewhowtotakehim，thathewasadecentsortsolongasyoudidn’trubhimthewrongway。MrsDonnellyplayedthepianoforthechildrenandtheydancedandsang。Thenthetwonext-doorgirlshandedroundthenuts。Nobodycouldfindthenutcrackers，andJoewasnearlygettingcrossoveritandaskedhowdidtheyexpectMariatocracknutswithoutanutcracker。ButMariasaidshedidn’tlikenutsandthattheyweren’ttobotherabouther。ThenJoeaskedwouldshetakeabottleofstout，andMrsDonnellysaidtherewasportwinetoointhehouseifshewouldpreferthat。Mariasaidshewouldrathertheydidn’taskhertotakeanything：butJoeinsisted。
SoMarialethimhavehiswayandtheysatbythefiretalkingoveroldtimesandMariathoughtshewouldputinagoodwordforAlphy。ButJoecriedthatGodmightstrikehimstonedeadifeverhespokeawordtohisbrotheragainandMariasaidshewassorryshehadmentionedthematter。MrsDonnellytoldherhusbanditwasagreatshameforhimtospeakthatwayofhisownfleshandblood，butJoesaidthatAlphywasnobrotherofhisandtherewasnearlybeingarowontheheadofit。ButJoesaidhewouldnotlosehistemperonaccountofthenightitwas，andaskedhiswifetoopensomemorestout。Thetwonext-doorgirlshadarrangedsomeHallowEvegamesandsooneverythingwasmerryagain。MariawasdelightedtoseethechildrensomerryandJoeandhiswifeillsuchgoodspirits。
Thenext-doorgirlsputsomesaucersonthetableandthenledthechildrenuptothetable，blindfold。Onegottheprayer-bookandtheotherthreegotthewater；andwhenoneofthenext-doorgirlsgottheringMrsDonnellyshookherfingerattheblushinggirlasmuchastosay：O，Iknowallaboutit！TheyinsistedthenonblindfoldingMariaandleadingheruptothetabletoseewhatshewouldget；and，whiletheywereputtingonthebandage，Marialaughedandlaughedagaintillthetipofhernosenearlymetthetipofherchin。
Theyledheruptothetableamidlaughingandjoking，andsheputherhandoutintheairasshewastoldtodo。Shemovedherhandabouthereandthereintheairanddescendedononeofthesaucers。Shefeltasoftwetsubstancewithherfingersandwassurprisedthatnobodyspokeortookoffherbandage。Therewasapauseforafewseconds；andthenagreatdealofscufflingandwhispering。Somebodysaidsomethingaboutthegarden，andatlastMrsDonnellysaidsomethingverycrosstooneofthenext-doorgirlsandtoldhertothrowitoutatonce：thatwasnoplay。Mariaunderstoodthatitwaswrongthattimeandsoshehadtodoitoveragain：andthistimeshegottheprayer-book。
AfterthatMrsDonnellyplayedMissMcCloud’sReelforthechildren，andJoemadeMariatakeaglassofwine。Soontheywereallquitemerryagain，andMrsDonnellysaidMariawouldenteraconventbeforetheyearwasoutbecauseshehadgottheprayer-book。MariahadneverseenJoesonicetoheras-hewasthatnight，sofullofpleasanttalkandreminiscences。
Shesaidtheywereallverygoodtoher。
AtlastthechildrengrewtiredandsleepyandJoeaskedMariawouldshenotsingsomelittlesongbeforeshewent，oneoftheoldsongs。MrsDonnellysaid`Doplease，Maria！’andsoMariahadtogetupandstandbesidethepiano。MrsDonnellybadethechildrenbequietandlistentoMaria’ssong。Thensheplayedthepreludeandsaid`Now，Maria！’
andMaria，blushingverymuch，begantosinginatinyquaveringvoice。
Shesang`IDreamtthatIDwelt’，andwhenshecametothesecondverseshesangagain：IdreamtthatIdweltinmarblehallsWithvassalsandserfsatmyside，AndofallwhoassembledwithinthosewallsThatIwasthehopeandthepride。
Ihadrichestoogreattocount，couldboastOfahighancestralname，ButIalsodreamt，whichpleasedmemost，Thatyoulovedmestillthesame。Butnoonetriedtoshowherhermistake；andwhenshehadendedhersongJoewasverymuchmoved。HesaidthattherewasnotimelikethelongagoandnomusicforhimlikepooroldBalfe，whateverotherpeoplemightsay；
andhiseyesfilledupsomuchwithtearsthathecouldnotfindwhathewaslookingforandintheendhehadtoaskhiswifetotellhimwherethecorkscrewwas。
APainfulCase
MrJamesDuffylivedinChapelizodbecausehewishedtoliveasfaraspossiblefromthecityofwhichhewasacitizenandbecausehefoundalltheothersuburbsofDublinmean，modern，andpretentious。Helivedinanoldsombrehouse，andfromhiswindowshecouldlookintothedisuseddistilleryorupwardsalongtheshallowriveronwhichDublinisbuilt。
Theloftywallsofhisuncarpetedroomwerefreefrompictures。Hehadhimselfboughteveryarticleoffurnitureintheroom：ablackironbedstead，anironwash-stand，fourcanechairs，aclothes-rack，acoal-scuttle，afenderandirons，andasquaretableonwhichlayadoubledesk。Abookcasehadbeenmadeinanalcovebymeansofshelvesofwhitewood。Thebedwasclothedwithwhitebedclothesandablackandscarletrugcoveredthefoot。
Alittlehand-mirrorhungabovethewash-standandduringthedayawhite-shadedlampstoodasthesoleornamentofthemantelpiece。Thebooksonthewhitewoodenshelveswerearrangedfrombelowupwardsaccordingtobulk。AcompleteWordsworthstoodatoneendofthelowestshelfandacopyoftheMaynoothCatechism，sewnintotheclothcoverofanotebook，stoodatoneendofthetopshelf。Writingmaterialswerealwaysonthedesk。InthedesklayamanuscripttranslationofHauptmann’sMichaelKramer，thestagedirectionsofwhichwerewritteninpurpleink，andalittlesheafofpapersheldtogetherbyabrasspin。Inthesesheetsasentencewasinscribedfromtimetotimeand，inanironicalmoment，theheadlineofanadvertisementforBileBeanshadbeenpastedontothefirstsheet。Onliftingthelidofthedeskafaintfragranceescaped-thefragranceofnewcedar-woodpencilsorabottleofgumorofanover-ripeapplewhichmighthavebeenleftthereandforgotten。
MrDuffyabhorredanythingwhichbetokenedphysicalormentaldisorder。
Amedievaldoctorwouldhavecalledhimsaturnine。Hisface，whichcarriedtheentiretaleofhisyears，wasofthebrowntintofDublinstreets。
Onhislongandratherlargeheadgrewdryblackhair，andatawnymoustachedidnotquitecoveranunamiablemouth。Hischeekbonesalsogavehisfaceaharshcharacter；buttherewasnoharshnessintheeyeswhich，lookingattheworldfromundertheirtawnyeyebrows，gavetheimpressionofamaneveralerttogreetaredeeminginstinctinothersbutoftendisappointed。
Helivedatalittledistancefromhisbody，regardinghisownactswithdoubtfulside-glances。Hehadanoddautobiographicalhabitwhichledhimtocomposeinhismindfromtimetotimeashortsentenceabouthimselfcontainingasubjectinthethirdpersonandapredicateinthepasttense。
Henevergaveaimstobeggars，andwalkedfirmly，carryingastouthazel。
HehadbeenformanyyearscashierofaprivatebankinBaggotStreet。
EverymorninghecameinfromChapelizodbytram。AtmiddayhewenttoDanBurke’sandtookhislunchabottleoflagerbeerandasmalltrayfulofarrowrootbiscuits。Atfouro’clockhewassetfree。Hedinedinaneating-houseinGeorge’sStreetwherehefelthimselfsafefromthesocietyofDublin’sgildedyouthandwheretherewasacertainplainhonestyinthebilloffare。Hiseveningswerespenteitherbeforehislandlady’spianoorroamingabouttheoutskirtsofthecity。HislikingforMozart’smusicbroughthimsometimestoanoperaoraconcert：theseweretheonlydissipationsofhislife。
Hehadneithercompanionsnorfriends，churchnorcreed。Helivedhisspirituallifewithoutanycommunionwithothers，visitinghisrelativesatChristmasandescortingthemtothecemeterywhentheydied。Heperformedthesetwosocialdutiesforolddignity’ssake，butconcedednothingfurthertotheconventionswhichregulatetheciviclife。Heallowedhimselftothinkthatincertaincircumstanceshewouldrobhisbankbut，asthesecircumstancesneverarose，hisliferolledoutevenly-anadventurelesstale。
OneeveninghefoundhimselfsittingbesidetwoladiesintheRotunda。
Thehouse，thinlypeopledandsilent，gavedistressingprophecyoffailure。
Theladywhosatnexthimlookedroundatthedesertedhouseonceortwiceandthensaid：
`Whatapitythereissuchapoorhousetonight！It’ssohardonpeopletohavetosingtoemptybenches。’
Hetooktheremarkasaninvitationtotalk。Hewassurprisedthatsheseemedsolittleawkward。Whiletheytalkedhetriedtofixherpermanentlyinhismemory。Whenhelearnedthattheyounggirlbesideherwasherdaughterhejudgedhertobeayearorsoyoungerthanhimself。Herface，whichmusthavebeenhandsome，hadremainedintelligent。Itwasanovalfacewithstronglymarkedfeatures。Theeyeswereverydarkblueandsteady。
Theirgazebeganwithadefiantnote，butwasconfusedbywhatseemedadeliberateswoonofthepupilintotheiris，revealingforaninstantatemperamentofgreatsensibility。Thepupilreasserteditselfquickly，thishalf-disclosednaturefellagainunderthereignofprudence，andherastrakhanjacket，mouldingabosomofacertainfullness，struckthenoteofdefiancemoredefinitely。
HemetheragainafewweeksafterwardsataconcertinEarlsfortTerraceandseizedthemomentswhenherdaughter’sattentionwasdivertedtobecomeintimate。Shealludedonceortwicetoherhusband，buthertonewasnotsuchastomaketheallusionawarning。HernamewasMrsSinico。Herhusband’sgreat-great-grandfatherhadcomefromLeghorn。HerhusbandwascaptainofamercantileboatplyingbetweenDublinandHolland；andtheyhadonechild。
Meetingherathirdtimebyaccident，hefoundcouragetomakeanappointment。
Shecame。Thiswasthefirstofmanymeetings；theymetalwaysintheeveningandchosethemostquietquartersfortheirwalkstogether。MrDuffy，however，hadadistasteforunderhandwaysand，findingthattheywerecompelledtomeetstealthily，heforcedhertoaskhimtoherhouse。CaptainSinicoencouragedhisvisits，thinkingthathisdaughter’shandwasinquestion。
Hehaddismissedhiswifesosincerelyfromhisgalleryofpleasuresthathedidnotsuspectthatanyoneelsewouldtakeaninterestinher。Asthehusbandwasoftenawayandthedaughteroutgivingmusiclessons，MrDuffyhadmanyopportunitiesofenjoyingthelady’ssociety。Neitherhenorshehadhadanysuchadventurebeforeandneitherwasconsciousofanyincongruity。
Littlebylittleheentangledhisthoughtswithhers。Helentherbooks，providedherwithideas，sharedhisintellectuallifewithher。Shelistenedtoall。
Sometimesinreturnforhistheoriesshegaveoutsomefactofherownlife。Withalmostmaternalsolicitudesheurgedhimtolethisnatureopentothefull：shebecamehisconfessor。HetoldherthatforsometimehehadassistedatthemeetingsofanIrishSocialistParty，wherehehadfelthimselfauniquefigureamidstascoreofsoberworkmeninagarretlitbyaninefficientoil-lamp。Whenthepartyhaddividedintothreesections，eachunderitsownleaderandinitsowngarret，hehaddiscontinuedhisattendances。Theworkmen’sdiscussions，hesaid，weretootimorous；theinteresttheytookinthequestionofwageswasinordinate。Hefeltthattheywerehard-featuredrealistsandthattheyresentedanexactitudewhichwastheproduceofaleisurenotwithintheirreach。Nosocialrevolution，hetoldher，wouldbelikelytostrikeDublinforsomecenturies。
Sheaskedhimwhydidhenotwriteouthisthoughts。Forwhat？heaskedher，withcarefulscorn。Tocompetewithphrasemongers，incapableofthinkingconsecutivelyforsixtyseconds？Tosubmithimselftothecriticismsofanobtusemiddleclasswhichentrusteditsmoralitytopolicemenanditsfineartstoimpresarios？
HewentoftentoherlittlecottageoutsideDublin；oftentheyspenttheireveningsalone。Littlebylittle，astheirthoughtsentangled，theyspokeofsubjectslessremote。Hercompanionshipwaslikeawarmsoilaboutanexotic。Manytimessheallowedthedarktofalluponthem，refrainingfromlightingthelamp。Thedarkdiscreetroom，theirisolation，themusicthatstillvibratedintheirearsunitedthem。Thisunionexaltedhim，woreawaytheroughedgesofhischaracter，emotionalizedhismentallife。
Sometimeshecaughthimselflisteningtothesoundofhisownvoice。Hethoughtthatinhereyeshewouldascendtoanangelicalstature；and，asheattachedtheferventnatureofhiscompanionmoreandmorecloselytohim，heheardthestrangeimpersonalvoicewhichherecognizedashisown，insistingonthesoul’Sincurableloneliness。Wecannotgiveourselves，itsaid：weareourown。Theendofthesediscourseswasthatonenight，duringwhichshehadshowneverysignofunusualexcitement，MrsSinicocaughtuphishandpassionatelyandpressedittohercheek。
MrDuffywasverymuchsurprised。Herinterpretationofhiswordsdisillusionedhim。Hedidnotvisitherforaweek；thenhewrotetoheraskinghertomeethim。AshedidnotwishtheirlastinterviewtobetroubledbytheinfluenceoftheirruinedconfessionaltheymetinalittlecakeshopneartheParkgate。Itwascoldautumnweather，butinspiteofthecoldtheywanderedupanddowntheroadsoftheParkfornearlythreehours。Theyagreedtobreakofftheirintercourse：everybond，hesaid，isabondtosorrow。WhentheycameoutoftheParktheywalkedinsilencetowardsthetram；buthereshebegantotremblesoviolentlythat，fearinganothercollapseonherpart，hebadehergood-byequicklyandlefther。Afewdayslaterhereceivedaparcelcontaininghisbooksandmusic。
Fouryearspassed。MrDuffyreturnedtohisevenwayoflife。Hisroomstillborewitnessoftheorderlinessofhismind。Somenewpiecesofmusicencumberedthemusic-standinthelowerroomandonhisshelvesstoodtwovolumesbyNietzsche：ThusSpakeZarathustraandTheGayScience。
Hewroteseldominthesheafofpaperswhichlayinhisdesk。Oneofhissentences，writtentwomonthsafterhislastinterviewwithMrsSinico，read：Lovebetweenmanandwomanisimpossiblebecausetheremustnotbesexualintercourse，andfriendshipbetweenmanandwomanisimpossiblebecausetheremustbesexualintercourse。Hekeptawayfromconcertslestheshouldmeether。Hisfatherdied；thejuniorpartnerofthebankretired。
AndstilleverymorninghewentintothecitybytramandeveryeveningwalkedhomefromthecityafterhavingdinedmoderatelyinGeorge’sStreetandreadtheeveningpaperfordessert。
Oneeveningashewasabouttoputamorselofcornedbeefandcabbageintohismouthhishandstopped。Hiseyesfixedthemselvesonaparagraphintheeveningpaperwhichhehadproppedagainstthewater-carafe。Hereplacedthemorseloffoodonhisplateandreadtheparagraphattentively。
Thenhedrankaglassofwater，pushedhisplatetooneside，doubledthepaperdownbeforehimbetweenhiselbowsandreadtheparagraphoverandoveragain。Thecabbagebegantodepositacoldwhitegreaseonhisplate。
Thegirlcameovertohimtoaskwashisdinnernotproperlycooked。Hesaiditwasverygoodandateafewmouthfulsofitwithdifficulty。Thenhepaidhisbillandwentout。
HewalkedalongquicklythroughtheNovembertwilight，hisstouthazelstickstrikingthegroundregularly，thefringeofthebuffMailpeepingoutofaside-pocketofhistightreeferovercoat。OnthelonelyroadwhichleadsfromtheParkgatetoChapelizodheslackenedhispace。
Hisstickstruckthegroundlessemphatically，andhisbreath，issuingirregularly，almostwithasighingsound，condensedinthewintryair。
Whenhereachedhishousehewentupatoncetohisbedroomand，takingthepaperfromhispocket，readtheparagraphagainbythefailinglightofthewindow。Hereaditnotaloud，butmovinghislipsasapriestdoeswhenhereadstheprayersSecreto。Thiswastheparagraph：DEATHOFALADYATSYDNEYPARADE
APAINFULCASE
TodayattheCityofDublinHospitaltheDeputyCoroner（intheabsenceofMrLeverett）heldaninquestonthebodyofMrsEmilySinico，agedforty-threeyears，whowaskilledatSydneyParadeStationyesterdayevening。Theevidenceshowedthatthedeceasedlady，whileattemptingtocrosstheline，wasknockeddownbytheengineoftheteno’clockslowtrainfromKingstown，therebysustaininginjuriesoftheheadandrightsidewhichledtoherdeath。
JamesLennon，driveroftheengine，statedthathehadbeenintheemploymentoftherailwaycompanyforfifteenyears。Onhearingtheguard’swhistlehesetthetraininmotionandasecondortwoafterwardsbroughtittorestinresponsetoloudcries。Thetrainwasgoingslowly。
P。Dunne，railwayporter，statedthatasthetrainwasabouttostartheobservedawomanattemptingtocrossthelines。Herantowardsherandshouted，but，beforehecouldreachher，shewascaughtbythebufferoftheengineandfelltotheground。
Ajuror。`Yousawtheladyfall？’
Witness。`Yes。’
Police-SergeantCrolydeposedthatwhenhearrivedhefoundthedeceasedlyingontheplatformapparentlydead。Heha-thebodytakentothewaiting-roompendingthearrivaloftheambulance。
Constable57corroborated。
DrHalpin，assistanthouse-surgeonoftheCityofDublinHospital，statedthatthedeceasedhadtwolowerribsfracturedandhadsustainedseverecontusionsoftherightshoulder。Therightsideoftheheadhadbeeninjuredinthefall。Theinjurieswerenotsufficienttohavecauseddeathinanormalperson。Death，inhisopinion，hadbeenprobablyduetoshockandsuddenfailureoftheheart’saction。
MrH。B。PattersonFinlay，onbehalfoftherailwaycompany，expressedhisdeepregretattheaccident。Thecompanyhadalwaystakeneveryprecautiontopreventpeoplecrossingthelinesexceptbythebridges，bothbyplacingnoticesineverystationandbytheuseofpatentspringgatesatlevelcrossings。Thedeceasedhadbeeninthehabitofcrossingthelineslateatnightfromplatformtoplatformand，inviewofcertainothercircumstancesofthecase，hedidnotthinktherailwayofficialsweretoblame。
CaptainSinico，ofLeoville，SydneyParade，husbandofthedeceased，alsogaveevidence。Hestatedthatthedeceasedwashiswife。HewasnotinDublinatthetimeoftheaccidentashehadarrivedonlythatmorningfromRotterdam。Theyhadbeenmarriedfortwenty-twoyearsandhadlivedhappilyuntilabouttwoyearsago，whenhiswifebegantoberatherintemperateinherhabits。
MissMarySinicosaidthatoflatehermotherhadbeeninthehabitofgoingoutatnighttobuyspirits。She，witness，hadoftentriedtoreasonwithhermotherandhadinducedhertojoinaLeague。Shewasnotathomeuntilanhouraftertheaccident。
ThejuryreturnedaverdictinaccordancewiththemedicalevidenceandexoneratedLennonfromallblame。
TheDeputy-Coronersaiditwasamostpainfulcase，andexpressedgreatsympathywithCaptainSinicoandhisdaughter。Heurgedontherailwaycompanytotakestrongmeasurestopreventthepossibilityofsimilaraccidentsinthefuture。Noblameattachedtoanyone。MrDuffyraisedhiseyesfromthepaperandgazedoutofhiswindowonthecheerlesseveninglandscape。TheriverlayquietbesidetheemptydistilleryandfromtimetotimealightappearedinsomehouseontheLucanroad。
Whatanend！Thewholenarrativeofherdeathrevoltedhimanditrevoltedhimtothinkthathehadeverspokentoherofwhatheheldsacred。Thethreadbarephrases，theinaneexpressionsofsympathy，thecautiouswordsofareporterwonovertoconcealthedetailsofacommonplacevulgardeathattackedhisstomach。Notmerelyhadshedegradedherself；shehaddegradedhim。Hesawthesqualidtractofhervice，miserableandmalodorous。Hissoul’scompanion！Hethoughtofthehobblingwretcheswhomhehadseencarryingcansandbottlestobefilledbythebarman。
JustGod，whatanend！Evidentlyshehadbeenunfittolive，withoutanystrengthofpurpose，aneasypreytohabits，oneofthewrecksonwhichcivilizationhasbeenreared。Butthatshecouldhavesunksolow！Wasitpossiblehehaddeceivedhimselfsoutterlyabouther？Herememberedheroutburstofthatnightandinterpreteditinaharshersensethanhehadeverdone。Hehadnodifficultynowinapprovingofthecoursehehadtaken。
Asthelightfailedandhismemorybegantowanderhethoughtherhandtouchedhis。Theshockwhichhadfirstattackedhisstomachwasnowattackinghisnerves。Heputonhisovercoatandhatquicklyandwentout。Thecoldairmethimonthethreshold；itcreptintothesleevesofhiscoat。Whenhecametothepublic-houseatChapelizodBridgehewentinandorderedahotpunch。
Theproprietorservedhimobsequiouslybutdidnotventuretotalk。
Therewerefiveorsixworking-menintheshopdiscussingthevalueofagentleman’sestateinCountyKildare。Theydrankatintervalsfromtheirhugepinttumblersandsmoked，spittingoftenonthefloorandsometimesdraggingthesawdustovertheirspitswiththeirheavyboots。MrDuffysatonhisstoolandgazedatthemwithoutseeingorhearingthem。Afterawhiletheywentoutandhecalledforanotherpunch。Hesatalongtimeoverit。Theshopwasveryquiet。TheproprietorsprawledonthecounterreadingtheHeraldandyawning。Nowandagainatramwasheardswishingalongthelonelyroadoutside。
Ashesatthere，livingoverhislifewithherandevokingalternatelythetwoimagesinwhichhenowconceivedher，herealizedthatshewasdead，thatshehadceasedtoexist，thatshehadbecomeamemory。Hebegantofeelillatease。Heaskedhimselfwhatelsecouldhehavedone。Hecouldnothavecarriedonacomedyofdeceptionwithher；hecouldnothavelivedwithheropenly。Hehaddonewhatseemedtohimbest。Howwashetoblame？Nowthatshewasgoneheunderstoodhowlonelyherlifemusthavebeen，sittingnightafternight，aloneinthatroom。Hislifewouldbelonelytoountilhe，too，died，ceasedtoexist，becameamemory-ifanyonerememberedhim。
Itwasafternineo’clockwhenhelefttheshop。Thenightwascoldandgloomy。HeenteredtheParkbythefirstgateandwalkedalongunderthegaunttrees。Hewalkedthroughthebleakalleyswheretheyhadwalkedfouryearsbefore。Sheseemedtobenearhiminthedarkness。Atmomentsheseemedtofeelhervoicetouchhisear，herhandtouchhis。Hestoodstilltolisten。Whyhadhewithheldlifefromher？Whyhadhesentencedhertodeath？Hefelthismoralnaturefallingtopieces。
WhenhegainedthecrestoftheMagazineHillhehaltedandlookedalongtherivertowardsDublin，thelightsofwhichburnedredlyandhospitablyinthecoldnight。Helookeddowntheslopeand，atthebase，intheshadowofthewallofthePark，hesawsomehumanfigureslying。Thosevenalandfurtivelovesfilledhimwithdespair。Hegnawedtherectitudeofhislife；
hefeltthathehadbeenoutcastfromlife’sfeast。Onehumanbeinghadseemedtolovehimandhehaddeniedherlifeandhappiness：hehadsentencedhertoignominy，adeathOfshame。Heknewthattheprostratecreaturesdownbythewallwerewatchinghimandwishedhimgone。Noonewantedhim；
hewasoutcastfromlife’sfeast。Heturnedhiseyestothegreygleamingriver，windingalongtowardsDublin。BeyondtheriverhesawagoodstrainwindingoutofKingsbridgeStation，likeawormwithafieryheadwindingthroughthedarkness，obstinatelyandlaboriously。Itpassedslowlyoutofsight；butstillheheardinhisearsthelaboriousdroneoftheenginereiteratingthesyllablesofhername。
Heturnedbackthewayhehadcome，therhythmoftheenginepoundinginhisears。Hebegantodoubttherealityofwhatmemorytoldhim。Hehaltedunderatreeandallowedtherhythmtodieaway。Hecouldnotfeelhernearhiminthedarknessnorhervoicetouchhisear。Hewaitedforsomeminuteslistening。Hecouldhearnothing：thenightwasperfectlysilent。Helistenedagain：perfectlysilent。Hefeltthathewasalone。
IvyDayInTheCommitteeRoom
OldJackrakedthecinderstogetherwithapieceofcardboardandspreadthemjudiciouslyoverthewhiteningdomeofcoals。Whenthedomewasthinlycoveredhisfacelapsedintodarknessbut，ashesethimselftofanthefireagain，hiscrouchingshadowascendedtheoppositewallandhisfaceslowlyre-emergedintolight。Itwasanoldman’sface，verybonyandhairy。
Themoistblueeyesblinkedatthefireandthemoistmouthfellopenattimes，munchingonceortwicemechanicallywhenitclosed。Whenthecindershadcaughthelaidthepieceofcardboardagainstthewall，sighedandsaid：
`That’sbetternow，MrO’Connor。’
MrO’Connor，agrey-hairedyoungman，whosefacewasdisfiguredbymanyblotchesandpimples，hadjustbroughtthetobaccoforacigaretteintoashapelycylinder，butwhenspokentoheundidhishandiworkmeditatively。
Thenhebegantorollthetobaccoagainmeditativelyandafteramoment’sthoughtdecidedtolickthepaper。
`DidMrTierneysaywhenhe’dbeback？’heaskedinahuskyfalsetto。
`Hedidn’tsay。’
MrO’Connorputhiscigaretteintohismouthandbegantosearchhispockets。Hetookoutapackofthinpasteboardcards。
`I’llgetyouamatch，’saidtheoldman。
`Nevermind，this’lldo，’saidMrO’Connor。
Heselectedoneofthecardsandreadwhatwasprintedonit：MUNICIPALELECTIONS
ROYALEXCHANGEWARD
MrRichardJ。Tierney，P。L。G。，respectfullySolicitsthefavourofyourvoteandinfluenceatthecomingelectionintheRoyalExchangeWard。MrO’ConnorhadbeenengagedbyTierney’sagenttocanvassonepartofthewardbut，astheweatherwasinclementandhisbootsletinthewet，hespentagreatpartofthedaysittingbythefireintheCommitteeRoominWicklowStreetwithJack，theoldcaretaker。Theyhadbeensittingthussincetheshortdayhadgrowndark。ItwasthesixthofOctober，dismalandcoldoutofdoors。
MrO’Connortoreastripoffthecardand，lightingit，lithiscigarette。
Ashedidsotheflamelitupaleafofdarkglossyivyinthelapelofhiscoat。Theoldmanwatchedhimattentivelyandthen，takingupthepieceofcardboardagain，begantofanthefireslowlywhilehiscompanionsmoked。
`Ah，yes，’hesaid，continuing，`it’shardtoknowwhatwaytobringupchildren。Nowwho’dthinkhe’dturnoutlikethat！IsenthimtotheChristianBrothersandIdonewhatIcouldforhim，andtherehegoesboozingabout。Itriedtomakehimsomewhatdecent。’
Hereplacedthecardboardwearily。
`OnlyI’manoldmannowI’dchangehistuneforhim。I’dta&；ethesticktohisbackandbeathimwhileIcouldstandoverhim-asIdonemanyatimebefore。Themotheryouknow，shecockshimupwiththisandthat……’
`That’swhatruinschildren，’saidMrO’Connor。
`Tobesureitis，’saidtheoldman。`Andlittlethanksyougetforit，onlyimpudence。Hetakesth’upperhandofmewheneverheseesI’veasuptaken。What’stheworldcomingtowhensonsspeaksthatwaytotheirfathers？’
`Whatageishe？’saidMrO’Connor。
`Nineteen，’saidtheoldman。
`Whydon’tyouputhimtosomething？’
`Sure，amn’tIneverdoneatthedrunkenbowsyeversinceheleftschool？
"Iwon’tkeepyou，"Isays。"Youmustgetajobforyourself。"But，sureit’sworsewheneverhegetsajob；hedrinksitall。’
MrO’Connorshookhisheadinsympathy，andtheoldmanfellsilent，gazingintothefire。Someoneopenedthedooroftheroomandcalledout：
`Hello！IsthisaFreemasons’meeting？’
`Who’sthat？’saidtheoldman。
`Whatareyoudoinginthedark？’askedavoice。
`Isthatyou，Hynes？’askedMrO’Connor。
`Yes。Whatareyoudoinginthedark？’SaidMrHynes，advancingintothelightofthefire。
Hewasatall，Slenderyoungmanwithalightbrownmoustache。Imminentlittledropsofrainhungatthebrimofhishatandthecollarofhisjacket-coatwasturnedup。
`Well，Mat，’hesaidtoMrO’Connor，`howgoesit？’
MrO’Connorshookhishead。Theoldmanleftthehearth，andafterstumblingabouttheroomreturnedwithtwocandlestickswhichhethrustoneaftertheotherintothefireandcarriedtothetable。Adenudedroomcameintoviewandthefirelostallitscheerfulcolour。Thewallsoftheroomwerebareexceptforacopyofanelectionaddress。Inthemiddleoftheroomwasasmalltableonwhichpaperswereheaped。
MrHynesleanedagainstthemantelpieceandasked：
`Hashepaidyouyet？’
`Notyet，’saidMrO’Connor。`IhopetoGodhe’llnotleaveusinthelurchtonight。’
MrHyneslaughed。
`O，he’llpayyou。Neverfear，’hesaid。
`Ihopehe’lllooksmartaboutitifhemeansbusiness，’saidMrO’Connor。
`Whatdoyouthink，Jack？’saidMrHynessatiricallytotheoldman。
Theoldmanreturnedtohisseatbythefire，saying：
`Itisn’tbuthehasit，anyway。Notliketheothertinker。’
`Whatothertinker？’saidMrHynes。
`Colgan，’saidtheoldmanscornfully。
`ItisbecauseColgan’saworking-manyousaythat？What’sthedifferencebetweenagoodhonestbricklayerandapublican-eh？Hasn’ttheworking-manasgoodarighttobeintheCorporationasanyoneelse-ay，andabetterrightthanthoseshoneensthatarealwayshatinhandbeforeanyfellowwithahandletohisname？Isn’tthatso，Mat？’saidMrHynes，addressingMrO’Connor。
`Ithinkyou’reright，’saidMrO’Connor。
`Onemanisaplainhonestmanwithnohunker-slidingabouthim。Hegoesintorepresentthelabourclasses。Thisfellowyou’reworkingforonlywantstogetsomejoborother。’
`Ofcourse，theworking-classesshouldberepresented，’saidtheoldman。
`Theworking-man，’saidMrHynes，`getsallkicksandnohalfpence。
Butit’slabourproduceseverything。Theworking-manisnotlookingforfatjobsforhissonsandnephewsandcousins。Theworking-manisnotgoingtodragthehonourofDublininthemudtopleaseaGermanmonarch。’
`How’sthat？’saidtheoldman。
`Don’tyouknowtheywanttopresentanaddressofwelcometoEdwardRexifhecomesherenextyear？Whatdowewantkowtowingtoaforeignking？’
`Ourmanwon’tvotefortheaddress，’saidMrO’Connor。`HegoesinontheNationalistticket。’
`Won’the？’saidMrHynes。`Waittillyouseewhetherhewillornot。
Iknowhim。IsitTrickyDickyTierney？’
`ByGod！perhapsyou’reright，Joe，’saidMrO’Connor。`Anyway，Iwishhe’dturnupwiththespondulicks。’
Thethreemenfellsilent。Theoldmanbegantorakemorecinderstogether。
MrHynestookoffhishat，shookitandthenturneddownthecollarofhiscoat，displaying，ashedidso，anivyleafinthelapel。
`Ifthismanwasalive，’hesaid，pointingtotheleaf，`we’dhavenotalkofanaddressofwelcome。’
`That’strue，’saidMrO’Connor。
`Musha，Godbewiththemtimes！’saidtheoldman。`Therewassomelifeinitthen。’
Theroomwassilentagain。Thenabustlinglittlemanwithasnufflingnoseandverycoldearspushedinthedoor。Hewalkedoverquicklytothefire，rubbinghishandsasifheintendedtoproduceasparkfromthem。
`Nomoney，boys，’hesaid。
`Sitdownhere，MrHenchy，’saidtheoldman，offeringhimhischair。
`O，don’tstir，Jack，don’tstir，’saidMrHenchy。
HenoddedcurtlytoMrHynesandsatdownonthechairwhichtheoldmanvacated。
`DidyouserveAungierStreet？’heaskedMrO’Connor。
`Yes，’saidMrO’Connor，beginningtosearchhispocketsformemoranda。
`DidyoucallonGrimes？’
`Idid。’
`Well？Howdoeshestand？’
`Hewouldn’tpromise。Hesaid："Iwon’ttellanyonewhatwayI’mgoingtovote。"ButIthinkhe’llbeallright。’
`Whyso？’
`Heaskedmewhothenominatorswere；andItoldhim，ImentionedFatherBurke’sname。Ithinkit’llbeallright。’
MrHenchybegantosnuffleandtorubhishandsoverthefireataterrificspeed。Thenhesaid：
`FortheloveofGod，Jack，bringusabitofcoal。Theremustbesomeleft。’
Theoldmanwentoutoftheroom。
`It’snogo，’saidMrHenchy，shakinghishead。`Iaskedthelittleshoeboy，buthesaid："O，now，MrHenchy，whenIseetheworkgoingonproperlyIwon’tforgetyou，youmaybesure。"Meanlittletinker！’Usha，howcouldhebeanythingelse？’
`WhatdidItellyou，Mat？’saidMrHynes。`TrickyDickyTierney。’
`O，he’sastrickyastheymake`em，’saidMrHenchy。`Hehasn’tgotthoselittlepig’seyesfornothing。Blasthissoul！Couldn’thepayuplikeamaninsteadof："O，nowMrHenchy，ImustspeaktoMrFanning……
I’vespentalotofmoney。"Meanlittleschoolboyofhell！Isupposeheforgetsthetimehislittleoldfatherkeptthehand-me-downshopinMary’sLane。’
`Butisthatafact？’askedMrO’Connor。
`God，yes，’saidMrHenchy。`Didyouneverhearthat？AndthemenusedtogoinonSundaymorningbeforethehouseswereopentobuyawaistcoatoratrousers-moya！ButTrickyDicky’slittleoldfatheralwayshadatrickylittleblackbottleupinacorner。Doyoumindnow？That’sthat。
That’swherehefirstsawthelight。’
Theoldmanreturnedwithafewlumpsofcoalwhichheplacedhereandthereonthefire。
`That’sanicehow-do-you-do，’saidMrO’Connor。`Howdoesheexpectustoworkforhimifhewon’tstumpup？’
`Ican’thelpit，’saidMrHenchy。`IexpecttofindthebailiffsinthehallwhenIgohome。’
MrHyneslaughedand，shovinghimselfawayfromthemantelpiecewiththeaidofhisshoulders，madereadytoleave。
`It’llbeallrightwhenKingEddiecomes，’hesaid。`Well，boys，I’moffforthepresent。Seeyoulater。`Bye，’bye。’
Hewentoutoftheroomslowly。NeitherMrHenchynortheoldmansaidanything，but，justasthedoorwasclosing，MrO’Connor，whohadbeenstaringmoodilyintothefire，calledoutsuddenly：
`’Bye，Joe。’
MrHenchywaitedafewmomentsandthennoddedinthedirectionofthedoor。
`Tellme，’hesaidacrossthefire，`whatbringsourfriendinhere？
Whatdoeshewant？’
`’Usha，poorJoel’saidMrO’Connor，throwingtheendofhiscigaretteintothefire，`he’shardup，liketherestofus。’
MrHenchysnuffledvigorouslyandspatsocopiouslythathenearlyputoutthefire，whichutteredahissingprotest。
`Totellyoumyprivateandcandidopinion，’hesaid。`Ithinkhe’samanfromtheothercamp。He’saspyofColgan’s，ifyouaskme。Justgoroundandtryandfindouthowthey’regettingon。Theywon’tsuspectyou。Doyoutwig？’
`Ah，poorJoeisadecentskin，’saidMrO’Connor。
`Hisfatherwasadecent，respectableman，’MrHenchyadmitted。`PooroldLarryHynes！Manyagoodturnhedidinhisday！ButI’mgreatlyafraidourfriendisnotnineteencarat。Damnit，Icanunderstandafellowbeinghardup，butwhatIcan’tunderstandisafellowsponging。Couldn’thehavesomesparkofmanhoodabouthim？’
`Hedoesn’tgetawarmwelcomefrommewhenhecomes，saidtheoldman。
`Lethimworkforhisownsideandnotcomespyingaroundhere。’
`Idon’tknow，’saidMrO’Connordubiously，ashetookoutcigarette-papersandtobacco。`IthinkJoeHynesisastraightman。He’sacleverchap，too，withthepen。Doyourememberthatthinghewrote……？’
`Someofthesehillsidersandfeniansareabittoocleverifyouaskme，’saidMrHenchy。`Doyouknowwhatmyprivateandcandidopinionisaboutsomeofthoselittlejokers？IbelievehalfofthemareinthepayoftheCastle。’
`There’snoknowing，’saidtheoldman。
`O，butIknowitforafact，’saidMrHenchy。`They’reCastlehacks……
Idon’tsayHynes……No，damnit，Ithinkhe’sastrokeabovethat……Butthere’sacertainlittlenoblemanwithacock-eye-youknowthepatriotI’malludingto？’
MrO’Connornodded。
`There’salinealdescendantofMajorSirrforyouifyoulike！O，theheart’sbloodofapatriot！That’safellownowthat’dsellhiscountryforfourpence-ay-andgodownonhisbendedkneesandthanktheAlmightyChristhehadacountrytosell。’
Therewasaknockatthedoor。
`Comein！’saidMrHenchy。
Apersonresemblingapoorclergymanorapooractorappearedinthedoorway。Hisblackclothesweretightlybuttonedonhisshortbodyanditwasimpossibletosaywhetherheworeaclergyman’scollaroralayman’s，becausethecollarofhisshabbyfrock-coat，theuncoveredbuttonsofwhichreflectedthecandle-light，wasturnedupabouthisneck。Heworearoundhatofhardblackfelt。Hisface，shiningwithraindrops，hadtheappearanceofdampyellowcheesesavewheretworosyspotsindicatedthecheek-bones。
Heopenedhisverylongmouthsuddenlytoexpressdisappointmentandatthesametimeopenedwidehisverybrightblueeyestoexpresspleasureandsurprise。
`O，FatherKeon！’saidMrHenchy，jumpingupfromhischair。`Isthatyou？Comein！’
`O，no，no，no，’saidFatherKeonquickly，pursinghislipsasifhewereaddressingachild。
`Won’tyoucomeinandsitdown？’
`No，no，no！’saidFatherKeon，speakinginadiscreet，indulgent，velvetyvoice。`Don’tletmedisturbyounow！I’mjustlookingforMrFanning……
’
`He’sroundattheBlackEagle，’saidMrHenchy。`Butwon’tyoucomeinandsitdownaminute？’
`No，no，thankyou。Itwasjustalittlebusinessmatter，saidFatherKeon。`Thankyou，indeed。’
HeretreatedfromthedoorwayandMrHenchy，seizingoneofthecandlesticks，wenttothedoortolighthimdownstairs。
`O，don’ttrouble，Ibeg！’
`No，butthestairsissodark。’
`No，no，Icansee……Thankyou，indeed。’
`Areyourightnow？’
`Allright，thanks……Thanks。’
MrHenchyreturnedwiththecandlestickandputitonthetable。Hesatdownagainatthefire。Therewassilenceforafewmoments。
`Tellme，John，’saidMrO’Connor，lightinghiscigarettewithanotherpasteboardcard。
`Hm？’
`Whatisheexactly？’
`Askmeaneasierone，’saidMrHenchy。
`Fanningandhimselfseemtomeverythick。They’reofteninKavanagh’stogether。Isheapriestatall？’
`Mmmyes，Ibelieveso……Ithinkhe’swhatyoucallablacksheep。Wehaven’tmanyofthem，thankGod！butwehaveafew……He’sanunfortunatemanofsomekind……’
`Andhowdoesheknockitout？’askedMrO’Connor。
`That’sanothermystery。’
`Isheattachedtoanychapelorchurchorinstitutionor——’
`No，’saidMrHenchy，`Ithinkhe’stravellingonhisownaccount……
Godforgiveme，’headded，`Ithoughthewasthedozenofstout。’
`Isthereanychanceofadrinkitself？’askedMrO’Connor。
`I’mdrytoo，’saidtheoldman。
`Iaskedthatlittleshoeboythreetimes，’saidMrHenchy，wouldhesendupadozenofstout。Iaskedhimagainnow，buthewasleaningonthecounterinhisshirt-sleeveshavingadeepgosterwithAldermanCowley。
`Whydidn’tyouremindhim？’saidMrO’Connor。
`Well，Iwouldn’tgooverwhilehewastalkingtoAldermanCowley。I
justwaitedtillIcaughthiseye，andsaid："AboutthatlittlematterIwasspeakingtoyouabout……""That’llbeallright，MrH。，"hesaid。
Yerra，surethelittlehop-o’-my-thumbhasforgottenallaboutit。’
`There’ssomedealoninthatquarter，’saidMrO’Connorthoughtfully。