`IsawthethreeofthemhardatityesterdayatSuffolkStreetcorner。’
　　`IthinkIknowthelittlegamethey’reat，’saidMrHenchy。`YoumustowetheCityFathersmoneynowadaysifyouwanttobemadeLordMayor。
　　Thenthey’llmakeyouLordMayor。ByGod！I’mthinkingseriouslyofbecomingaCityFathermyself。Whatdoyouthink？WouldIdoforthejob？’
　　MrO’Connorlaughed。
　　`Sofarasowingmoneygoes……’
　　`DrivingoutoftheMansionHouse，’saidMrHenchy，`inallmyvermin，withJackherestandingupbehindmeinapowderedwig-eh？’
　　`Andmakemeyourprivatesecretary，John。’
　　`Yes。AndI`llmakeFatherKeonmyprivatechaplain。We’llhaveafamilyparty。’
　　`Faith，MrHenchy，’saidtheoldman，`you’dkeepupbetterstylethansomeofthem。IwastalkingonedaytooldKeegan，theporter。"Andhowdoyoulikeyournewmaster，Pat？"saysItohim。"Youhaven’tmuchentertainingnow，"saysI。"Entertaining！"sayshe。"He’dliveonthesmellofanoil-rag。"
　　Anddoyouknowwhathetoldme？Now，IdeclaretoGod，Ididn’tbelievehim。’
　　`What？’saidMrHenchyandMrO’Connor。
　　`Hetoldme："WhatdoyouthinkofaLordMayorofDublinsendingoutforapoundofchopsforhisdinner？How’sthatforhighliving？"sayshe。"Wisha！wisha，"saysI。"Apoundofchops，"sayshe，"comingintotheMansionHouse。""Wisha！"saysI，"whatkindofpeopleisgoingatallnow？"’
　　Atthispointtherewasaknockatthedoor，andaboyputinhishead。
　　`Whatisit？’saidtheoldman。
　　`FromtheBlackEagle，’saidtheboy，walkinginsidewaysanddepositingabasketonthefloorwithanoiseofshakenbottles。
　　Theoldmanhelpedtheboytotransferthebottlesfromthebaskettothetableandcountedthefulltally。Afterthetransfertheboyputhisbasketonhisarmandasked：
　　`Anybottles？’
　　`Whatbottles？’saidtheoldman。
　　`Won’tyouletusdrinkthemfirst？’saidMrHenchy。
　　`Iwastoldtoaskforthebottles。’
　　`Comebacktomorrow，’saidtheoldman。
　　`Here，boy！’saidMrHenchy，`willyourunovertoO’Farrell’sandaskhimtolendusacorkscrew-forMrHenchy，say。Tellhimwewontkeepitaminute。Leavethebasketthere。’
　　TheboywentoutandMrHenchybegantorubhishandscheerfully，saying：
　　`Ah，well，he’snotsobadafterall。He’sasgoodashisword，anyhow。’
　　`There’snotumblers，’saidtheoldman。
　　`O，don’tletthattroubleyou，Jack，’saidMrHenchy。`Many’sthegoodmanbeforenowdrankoutofthebottle。’
　　`Anyway，it’sbetterthannothing，’saidMrO’Connor。
　　`He’snotabadsort，’saidMrHenchy，`onlyFanninghassuchaloanofhim。Hemeanswell，youknow，inhisowntinpotway。’
　　Theboycamebackwiththecorkscrew。TheoldmanopenedthreebottlesandwashandingbackthecorkscrewwhenMrHenchysaidtotheboy：
　　`Wouldyoulikeadrink，boy？’
　　`Ifyouplease，sir，’saidtheboy。
　　Theoldmanopenedanotherbottlegrudgingly，andhandedittotheboy。
　　`Whatageareyou？’heasked。
　　`Seventeen，’saidtheboy。
　　Astheoldmansaidnothingfurther，theboytookthebottle，said：
　　`Here’smybestrespects，sir，toMrHenchy，’drankthecontents，putthebottlebackonthetableandwipedhismouthwithhissleeve。Thenhetookupthecorkscrewandwentoutofthedoorsideways，mutteringsomeformofsalutation。
　　`That’sthewayitbegins，’saidtheoldman。
　　`Thethinedgeofthewedge，’saidMrHenchy。
　　Theoldmandistributedthethreebottleswhichhehadopenedandthemendrankfromthemsimultaneously。Afterhavingdrunkeachplacedhisbottleonthemantelpiecewithinhand’sreachanddrewinalongbreathofsatisfaction。
　　`Well，Ididagoodday’sworktoday，’saidMrHenchy，afterapause。
　　`Thatso，John？’
　　`Yes。IgothimoneortwosurethingsinDawsonStreet，Croftonandmyself。Betweenourselves，youknow，Crofton（he’sadecentchap，ofcourse），buthe’snotworthadamnasacanvasser。Hehasn’tawordtothrowtoadog。HestandsandlooksatthepeoplewhileIdothetalking。’
　　Heretwomenenteredtheroom。Oneofthemwasaveryfatman，whosebluesergeclothesseemedtobeindangeroffallingfromhisslopingfigure。
　　Hehadabigfacewhichresembledayoungox’sfaceinexpression，Staringblueeyesandagrizzledmoustache。Theotherman，whowasmuchyoungerandfrailer，hadathin，clean-shavenface。Heworeaveryhighdoublecollarandawide-brimmedbowlerhat。
　　`Hello，Crofton！’saidMrHenchytothefatman。`Talkofthedevil……
　　’
　　`Wheredidtheboozecomefrom？’askedtheyoungman。`Didthecowcalve？’
　　`O，ofcourse，Lyonsspotsthedrinkfirstthing！’saidMrO’Connor，laughing。
　　`Isthatthewayyouchapscanvass，’saidMrLyons，`andCroftonandIoutinthecoldandrainlookingforvotes？’
　　`Why，blastyoursoul，’saidMrHenchy，`I’dgetmorevotesinfiveminutesthanyoutwo’dgetinaweek。’
　　`Opentwobottlesofstout，Jack，’saidMrO’Connor。
　　`HowcanI？’saidtheoldman，`whenthere’snocorkscrew？’
　　`Waitnow，waitnow！’saidMrHenchy，gettingupquickly。`Didyoueverseethislittletrick？’
　　Hetooktwobottlesfromthetableand，carryingthemtothefire，putthemonthehob。Thenhesatdownagainbythefireandtookanotherdrinkfromhisbottle。MrLyonssatontheedgeofthetable，pushedhishattowardsthenapeofhisneckandbegantoswinghislegs。
　　`Whichismybottle？’heasked。
　　`This，lad，’saidMrHenchy。
　　MrCroftonsatdownonaboxandlookedfixedlyattheotherbottleonthehob。Hewassilentfortworeasons。Thefirstreason，sufficientinitself，wasthathehadnothingtosay；thesecondreasonwasthatheconsideredhiscompanionsbeneathhim。HehadbeenacanvasserforWilkins，theConservative，butwhentheConservativeshadwithdrawntheirmanand，choosingthelesseroftwoevils，giventheirsupporttotheNationalistcandidate，hehadbeenengagedtoworkforMrTierney。
　　Inafewminutesanapologetic`Pok！’washeardasthecorkflewoutofMrLyons’bottle。MrLyonsjumpedoffthetable，wenttothefire，tookhisbottleandcarrieditbacktothetable。
　　`Iwasjusttellingthem，Crofton，’saidMrHenchy，`thatwegotagoodfewvotestoday。’
　　`Whodidyouget？’askedMrLyons。
　　`Well，IgotParkesforone，andIgotAtkinsonfortwo，andIgotWardofDawsonStreet。Fineoldchapheis，too-regularoldtoff，oldConservative！
　　"Butisn’tyourcandidateaNationalist？"saidhe。"He’sarespectableman，"saidI。"He’sinfavourofwhateverwillbenefitthiscountry。He’sabigratepayer，"Isaid。"Hehasextensivehousepropertyinthecityandthreeplacesofbusiness，andisn’tittohisownadvantagetokeepdowntherates？He’saprominentandrespectedcitizen，"saidI，"andaPoorLawGuardian，andhedoesn’tbelongtoanyparty，good，bad，orindifferent。"That’sthewaytotalkto’em。’
　　`AndwhatabouttheaddresstotheKing？’saidMrLyons，afterdrinkingandsmackinghislips。
　　`Listentome，’saidMrHenchy。`Whatwewantinthiscountry，asI
　　saidtooldWard，iscapital。TheKing’scomingherewillmeananinfluxofmoneyintothiscountry。ThecitizensofDublinwillbenefitbyit。
　　Lookatallthefactoriesdownbythequaysthere，idle！Lookatallthemoneythereisinthecountryifweonlyworkedtheoldindustries，themills，theship-buildingyardsandfactories。It’scapitalwewant。’
　　`Butlookhere，John，’saidMrO’Connor。`WhyshouldwewelcometheKingofEngland？Didn’tParnellhimself……’
　　`Parnell，’saidMrHenchy，`isdead。Now，here’sthewayIlookatit。
　　Here’sthischapcometothethroneafterhisoldmotherkeepinghimoutofittillthemanwasgrey。He’samanoftheworld，andhemeanswellbyus。He’sajollyfine，decentfellow，ifyouaskme，andnodamnnonsenseabouthim。Hejustsaystohimself："TheoldoneneverwenttoseethesewildIrish。ByChrist，I’llgomyselfandseewhatthey’relike。"Andarewegoingtoinsultthemanwhenhecomesoverhereonafriendlyvisit？
　　Eh？Isn’tthatright，Crofton？’
　　MrCroftonnoddedhishead。
　　`Butafterallnow，’saidMrLyonsargumentatively，`KingEdward’slife，youknow，isnotthevery……’
　　`Letbygonesbebygones，’saidMrHenchy。`Iadmirethemanpersonally。
　　He’sjustanordinaryknockaboutlikeyouandme。He’sfondofhisglassofgrogandhe’sabitofarake，perhaps，andhe’sagoodsportsman。Damnit，can’tweIrishplayfair？’
　　`That’sallveryfine，’saidMrLyons。`ButlookatthecaseofParnellnow。’
　　`InthenameofGod，’saidMrHenchy，`where’stheanalogybetweenthetwocases？’
　　`WhatImean，’saidMrLyons，`iswehaveourideals。Why，now，wouldwewelcomeamanlikethat？DoyouthinknowafterwhathedidParnellwasafitmantoleadus？Andwhy，then，wouldwedoitforEdwardtheSeventh？’
　　`ThisisParnell’sanniversary，’saidMrO’Connor，`anddon’tletusstirupanybadblood。Weallrespecthimnowthathe’sdeadandgone-
　　eventheConservatives，’headded，turningtoMrCrofton。
　　Pok！ThetardycorkflewoutofMrCrofton’sbottle：MrCroftongotupfromhisboxandwenttothefire。Ashereturned-withhiscapturehesaidinadeepvoice：
　　`Oursideofthehouserespectshim，becausehewasagentleman。’
　　`Rightyouare，Crofton！’saidMrHenchyfiercely。`Hewastheonlymanthatcouldkeepthatbagofcatsinorder。"Down，yedogs！Liedown，yecurs！"That’sthewayhetreatedthem。Comein，Joe！Comein！’hecalledout，catchingsightofMrHynesinthedoorway。
　　MrHynescameinslowly。
　　`Openanotherbottleofstout，Jack，’saidMrHenchy。`O，Iforgotthere’snocorkscrew！Here，showmeonehereandI’llputitatthefire。’
　　Theoldmanhandedhimanotherbottleandheplaceditonthehob。
　　`Sitdown，Joe，’saidMrO’Connor，`we’rejusttalkingabouttheChief。’
　　`Ay，ay！’saidMrHenchy。
　　MrHynessatonthesideofthetablenearMrLyonsbutsaidnothing。
　　`There’soneofthem，anyhow，’saidMrHenchy，`thatdidn’trenegehim。
　　ByGod，I’llsayforyou，Joe！No，byGod，youstucktohimlikeaman！’
　　`O，Joe，’saidMrO’Connorsuddenly。`Giveusthatthingyouwrote-
　　doyouremember？Haveyougotitonyou？’
　　`O，ay！’saidMrHenchy。`Giveusthat。Didyoueverhearthat，Crofton？
　　Listentothisnow：splendidthing。’
　　`Goon，’saidMrO’Connor。`Fireaway，Joe。’
　　MrHynesdidnotseemtorememberatoncethepiecetowhichtheywerealluding，but，afterreflectingawhile，hesaid：
　　`O，thatthingisit……Sure，that’soldnow。’
　　`Outwithit，man！’saidMrO’Connor。
　　`’Sh，’sh，’saidMrHenchy。`Now，Joe！’
　　MrHyneshesitatedalittlelonger。Thenamidthesilencehetookoffhishat，laiditonthetableandstoodup。Heseemedtoberehearsingthepieceinhismind。Afteraratherlongpauseheannounced：THEDEATHOFPARNELL
　　6thOctober，1891Heclearedhisthroatonceortwiceandthenbegantorecite：Heisdead。OurUncrownedKingisdead。
　　O，Erin，mournwithgriefandwoeForheliesdeadwhomthefellgangOfmodernhypocriteslaidlow。
　　HeliesslainbythecowardhoundsHeraisedtogloryfromthemire；
　　AndErin’shopesandErin’sdreamsPerishuponhermonarch’spyre。
　　Inpalace，cabinorincotTheIrishheartwhere’eritbeIsbowedwithwoe-forheisgoneWhowouldhavewroughtherdestiny。
　　HewouldhavehadhisErinfamed，Thegreenflaggloriouslyunfurled，Herstatesmen，bards，andwarriorsraisedBeforethenationsoftheWorld。
　　Hedreamed（alas，’twasbutadream！）
　　OfLiberty：butashestroveToclutchthatidol，treacherySunderedhimfromthethingheloved。
　　Shameonthecoward，caitiffhandsThatsmotetheirLordorwithalossBetrayedhimtotherabble-routOffawningpriests-nofriendsofhis。
　　MayeverlastingshameconsumeThememoryofthosewhotriedTobefoulandsmeartheexaltednameOfonewhospurnedtheminhispride。
　　Hefellasfallthemightyones，Noblyundauntedtothelast，AnddeathhasnowunitedhimWithErin’sheroesofthepast。
　　Nosoundofstrifedisturbhissleep！
　　Calmlyherests：nohumanpainOrhighambitionspurshimnowThepeaksofglorytoattain。
　　Theyhadtheirway：theylaidhimlow。
　　ButErin，list，hisspiritmayRise，likethePhoenixfromtheflames，Whenbreaksthedawningoftheday，ThedaythatbringsusFreedom’sreign。
　　AndonthatdaymayErinwellPledgeinthecupsheliftstoJoyOnegrief-thememoryofParnell。MrHynessatdownagainonthetable。Whenhehadfinishedhisrecitationtherewasasilenceandthenaburstofclapping：evenMrLyonsclapped。
　　Theapplausecontinuedforalittletime。Whenithadceasedalltheauditorsdrankfromtheirbottlesinsilence。
　　Pok！ThecorkflewoutofMrHynes’bottle，butMrHynesremainedsittingflushedandbareheadedonthetable。Hedidnotseemtohaveheardtheinvitation。
　　`Goodman，Joel’saidMrO’Connor，takingouthiscigarettepapersandpouchthebettertohidehisemotion。
　　`Whatdoyouthinkofthat，Crofton？’criedMrHenchy。`Isn’tthatfine？
　　What？’
　　MrCroftonsaidthatitwasaveryfinepieceofwriting。
　　AMother
　　MrHolohan，assistantsecretaryoftheEireAbuSociety，hadbeenwalkingupanddownDublinfornearlyamonth，withhishandsandpocketsfullofdirtypiecesofpaper，arrangingabouttheseriesofconcerts。
　　Hehadagameleg，andforthishisfriendscalledhimHoppyHolohan。Hewalkedupanddownconstantly，stoodbythehouratstreetcornersarguingthepoint，andmadenotes；butintheenditwasMrsKearneywhoarrangedeverything。
　　MissDevlinhadbecomeMrsKearneyoutofspite。Shehadbeeneducatedinahigh-classconvent，whereshehadlearnedFrenchandmusic。Asshewasnaturallypaleandunbendinginmannershemadefewfriendsatschool。
　　Whenshecametotheageofmarriageshewassentouttomanyhouses，whereherplayingandivorymannersweremuchadmired。Shesatamidthechillycircleofheraccomplishments，waitingforsomesuitortobraveitandofferherabrilliantlife。Buttheyoungmenwhomshemetwereordinaryandshegavethemnoencouragement，tryingtoconsoleherromanticdesiresbyeatingagreatdealofTurkishDelightinsecret。However，whenshedrewnearthelimitandherfriendsbegantoloosentheirtonguesabouther，shesilencedthembymarryingMrKearney，whowasabootmakeronOrmondQuay。
　　Hewasmucholderthanshe。Hisconversation，whichwasserious，tookplaceatintervalsinhisgreatbrownbeard。Afterthefirstyearofmarriedlife，MrsKearneyperceivedthatsuchamanwouldwearbetterthanaromanticperson，butsheneverputherownromanticideasaway。Hewassober，thrifty，andpious；hewenttothealtareveryfirstFriday，sometimeswithher，oftenerbyhimself。Butsheneverweakenedinherreligionandwasagoodwifetohim。Atsomepartyinastrangehousewhensheliftedhereyebroweversoslightlyhestooduptotakehisleaveand，whenhiscoughtroubledhim，sheputtheeiderdownquiltoverhisfeetandmadeastrongrumpunch。
　　Forhispart，hewasamodelfather。Bypayingasmallsumeveryweekintoasociety，heensuredforbothhisdaughtersadowryofonehundredpoundseachwhentheycametotheageoftwenty-four。Hesenttheolderdaughter，Kathleen，toagoodconvent，whereshelearnedFrenchandmusic，andafterwardspaidherfeesattheAcademy。EveryyearinthemonthofJulyMrsKearneyfoundoccasiontosaytosomefriend：
　　`MygoodmanispackingusofftoSkerriesforafewweeks。’
　　IfitwasnotSkerriesitwasHowthorGreystones。
　　WhentheIrishRevivalbegantobeappreciableMrsKearneydeterminedtotakeadvantageofherdaughter’snameandbroughtanIrishteachertothehouse。KathleenandhersistersentIrishpicturepostcardstotheirfriendsandthesefriendssentbackotherIrishpicturepostcards。OnspecialSundays，whenMrKearneywentwithhisfamilytothepro-cathedral，alittlecrowdofpeoplewouldassembleaftermassatthecornerofCathedralStreet。
　　TheywereallfriendsoftheKearneys-musicalfriendsorNationalistfriends，and，whentheyhadplayedeverylittlecounterofgossip，theyshookhandswithoneanotheralltogether，laughingatthecrossingofsomanyhands，andsaidgood-byetooneanotherinIrish。SoonthenameofMissKathleenKearneybegantobeheardoftenonpeople’slips。Peoplesaidthatshewasverycleveratmusicandaverynicegirland，moreover，thatshewasabelieverinthelanguagemovement。MrsKearneywaswellcontentatthis。ThereforeshewasnotsurprisedwhenonedayMrHolohancametoherandproposedthatherdaughtershouldbetheaccompanistataseriesoffourgrandconcertswhichhisSocietywasgoingtogiveintheAncientConcertRooms。Shebroughthimintothedrawing-room，madehimsitdownandbroughtoutthedecanterandthesilverbiscuit-barrel。
　　Sheenteredheartandsoulintothedetailsoftheenterprise，advisedanddissuaded：andfinallyacontractwasdrawnupbywhichKathleenwastoreceiveeightguineasforherservicesasaccompanistatthefourgrandconcerts。
　　AsMrHolohanwasanoviceinsuchdelicatemattersasthewordingofbillsandthedisposingofitemsforaprogramme，MrsKearneyhelpedhim。
　　Shehadtact。Sheknewwhatartistesshouldgointocapitalsandwhatartistesshouldgointosmalltype。SheknewthatthefirsttenorwouldnotliketocomeonafterMrMeade’scomicturn。Tokeeptheaudiencecontinuallydivertedsheslippedthedoubtfulitemsinbetweentheoldfavourites。MrHolohancalledtoseehereverydaytohaveheradviceonsomepoint。Shewasinvariablyfriendlyandadvising-homely，infact。Shepushedthedecantertowardshim，saying：
　　`Now，helpyourself，MrHolohan！’
　　Andwhilehewashelpinghimselfshesaid：
　　`Don’tbeafraid！Don’tbeafraidofit！’
　　Everythingwentonsmoothly。MrsKearneyboughtsomelovelyblush-pinkcharmeuseinBrownThomas’stoletintothefrontofKathleen’sdress。
　　Itcostaprettypenny；butthereareoccasionswhenalittleexpenseisjustifiable。Shetookadozenoftwo-shillingticketsforthefinalconcertandsentthemtothosefriendswhocouldnotbetrustedtocomeotherwise。
　　Sheforgotnothing，and，thankstoher，everythingthatwastobedonewasdone。
　　TheconcertsweretobeonWednesday，Thursday，Friday，andSaturday。
　　WhenMrsKearneyarrivedwithherdaughterattheAncientConcertRoomsonWednesdaynightshedidnotlikethelookofthings。Afewyoungmen，wearingbrightbluebadgesintheircoats，stoodidleinthevestibule；
　　noneofthemworeeveningdress。Shepassedbywithherdaughterandaquickglancethroughtheopendoorofthehallshowedherthecauseofthestewards’idleness。Atfirstshewonderedhadshemistakenthehour。
　　No，itwastwentyminutestoeight。
　　Inthedressing-roombehindthestageshewasintroducedtothesecretaryoftheSociety，MrFitzpatrick。Shesmiledandshookhishand。Hewasalittleman，withawhite，vacantface。Shenoticedthatheworehissoftbrownhatcarelesslyonthesideofhisheadandthathisaccentwasflat。
　　Heheldaprogrammeinhishand，and，whilehewastalkingtoher，hechewedoneendofitintoamoistpulp。Heseemedtobeardisappointmentslightly。
　　MrHolohancameintothedressing-roomeveryfewminuteswithreportsfromthebox-office。Theartistestalkedamongthemselvesnervously，glancedfromtimetotimeatthemirrorandrolledandunrolledtheirmusic。
　　Whenitwasnearlyhalfpasteight，thefewpeopleinthehallbegantoexpresstheirdesiretobeentertained。MrFitzpatrickcamein，smiledvacantlyattheroom，andsaid：
　　`Well，now，ladiesandgentlemen。Isupposewe’dbetteropentheball。’
　　MrsKearneyrewardedhisveryflatfinalsyllablewithaquickstareofcontempt，andthensaidtoherdaughterencouragingly：
　　`Areyouready，dear？’
　　Whenshehadanopportunity，shecalledMrHolohanasideandaskedhimtotellherwhatitmeant。MrHolohandidnotknowwhatitmeant。Hesaidthatthecommitteehadmadeamistakeinarrangingforfourconcerts：fourweretoomany。
　　`Andtheartistes！’saidMrsKearney。`Ofcoursetheyaredoingtheirbest，butreallytheyarenotgood。’
　　MrHolohanadmittedthattheartisteswerenogood，butthecommittee，hesaid，haddecidedtoletthefirstthreeconcertsgoastheypleasedandreserveallthetalentforSaturdaynight。MrsKearneysaidnothing，but，asthemediocreitemsfollowedoneanotherontheplatformandthefewpeopleinthehallgrewfewerandfewer，shebegantoregretthatshehadputherselftoanyexpenseforsuchaconcert。Therewassomethingshedidn’tlikeinthelookofthings，andMrFitzpatrick’svacantsmileirritatedherverymuch。However，shesaidnothingandwaitedtoseehowitwouldend。Theconcertexpiredshortlybeforeten，andeveryonewenthomequickly。
　　TheconcertonThursdaynightwasbetterattended，butMrsKearneysawatoncethatthehousewasfilledwithpaper。Theaudiencebehavedindecorously，asiftheconcertwereaninformaldressrehearsal。MrFitzpatrickseemedtoenjoyhimself；hewasquiteunconsciousthatMrsKearneywastakingangrynoteofhisconduct。Hestoodattheedgeofthescreen，fromtimetotimejuttingouthisheadandexchangingalaughwithtwofriendsinthecornerofthebalcony。Inthecourseoftheevening，MrsKearneylearnedthattheFridayconcertwastobeabandonedandthatthecommitteewasgoingtomoveheavenandearthtosecureabumperhouseonSaturdaynight。
　　Whensheheardthis，shesoughtoutMrHolohan。Shebuttonholedhimashewaslimpingoutquicklywithaglassoflemonadeforayoungladyandaskedhimwasittrue。Yes，itwastrue。
　　`But，ofcourse，thatdoesn’talterthecontract，’shesaid。`Thecontractwasforfourconcerts。’
　　MrHolohanseemedtobeinahurry；headvisedhertospeaktoMrFitzpatrick。
　　MrsKearneywasnowbeginningtobealarmed。ShecalledMrFitzpatrickawayfromhisscreenandtoldhimthatherdaughterhadsignedforfourconcertsandthat，ofcourse，accordingtothetermsofthecontract，sheshouldreceivethesumoriginallystipulatedfor，whetherthesocietygavethefourconcertsornot。MrFitzpatrick，whodidnotcatchthepointatissueveryquickly，seemedunabletoresolvethedifficultyandsaidthathewouldbringthematterbeforethecommittee。MrsKearney’sangerbegantoflutterinhercheekandshehadallshecoulddotokeepfromasking：
　　`AndwhoistheCometty，pray？’
　　Butsheknewthatitwouldnotbeladyliketodothat：soshewassilent。
　　LittleboysweresentoutintotheprincipalstreetsofDublinearlyonFridaymorningwithbundlesofhandbills。Specialpuffsappearedinalltheeveningpapers，remindingthemusic-lovingpublicofthetreatwhichwasinstoreforitonthefollowingevening。MrsKearneywassomewhatreassured，butshethoughtwelltotellherhusbandpartofhersuspicions。
　　HelistenedcarefullyandsaidthatperhapsitwouldbebetterifhewentwithheronSaturdaynight。Sheagreed。SherespectedherhusbandinthesamewayassherespectedtheGeneralPostOffice，assomethinglarge，secure，andfixed；andthoughsheknewthesmallnumberofhistalentssheappreciatedhisabstractvalueasamale。Shewasgladthathehadsuggestedcomingwithher。Shethoughtherplansover。
　　Thenightofthegrandconcertcame。MrsKearney，withherhusbandanddaughter，arrivedattheAncientConcertRoomsthree-quartersofanhourbeforethetimeatwhichtheconcertwastobegin。Byillluckitwasarainyevening。MrsKearneyplacedherdaughter’sclothesandmusicinchargeofherhusbandandwentalloverthebuildinglookingforMrHolohanorMrFitzpatrick。Shecouldfindneither。Sheaskedthestewardswasanymemberofthecommitteeinthehalland，afteragreatdealoftrouble，astewardbroughtoutalittlewomannamedMissBeirne，towhomMrsKearneyexplainedthatshewantedtoseeoneofthesecretaries。MissBeirneexpectedthemanyminuteandaskedcouldshedoanything。MrsKearneylookedsearchinglyattheoldishfacewhichwasscrewedintoanexpressionoftrustfulnessandenthusiasmandanswered：
　　`No，thankyou！’
　　Thelittlewomanhopedtheywouldhaveagoodhouse。Shelookedoutattherainuntilthemelancholyofthewetstreeteffacedallthetrustfulnessandenthusiasmfromhertwistedfeatures。Thenshegavealittlesighandsaid：
　　`Ah，well！Wedidourbest，thedearknows。’
　　MrsKearneyhadtogobacktothedressing-room。
　　Theartisteswerearriving。Thebassandthesecondtenorhadalreadycome。Thebass，MrDuggan，wasaslenderyoungmanwithascatteredblackmoustache。Hewasthesonofahallporterinanofficeinthecityand，asaboy，hehadsungprolongedbassnotesintheresoundinghall。
　　Fromthishumblestatehehadraisedhimselfuntilhehadbecomeafirst-rateartiste。Hehadappearedingrandopera。Onenight，whenanoperaticartistehadfallenill，hehadundertakenthepartofthekingintheoperaofMaritanaattheQueen’sTheatre。Hesanghismusicwithgreatfeelingandvolumeandwaswarmlywelcomedbythegallery；but，unfortunately，hemarredthegoodimpressionbywipinghisnoseinhisglovedhandonceortwiceoutofthoughtlessness。Hewasunassumingandspokelittle。Hesaidyoussosoftlythatitpassedunnoticedandheneverdrankanythingstrongerthanmilk，forhisvoice’ssake。MrBell，thesecondtenor，wasafair-hairedlittlemanwhocompetedeveryyearforprizesattheFeisCeoil。Onhisfourthtrialhehadbeenawardedabronzemedal。Hewasextremelynervousandextremelyjealousofothertenorsandhecoveredhisnervousjealousywithanebullientfriendliness。Itwashishumourtohavepeopleknowwhatanordealaconcertwastohim。
　　ThereforewhenhesawMrDugganhewentovertohimandasked：
　　`Areyouinittoo？’
　　`Yes，’saidMrDuggan。
　　MrBelllaughedathisfellow-sufferer，heldouthishandandsaid：
　　`Shake！’
　　MrsKearneypassedbythesetwoyoungmenandwenttotheedgeofthescreentoviewthehouse。Theseatswerebeingfilleduprapidlyandapleasantnoisecirculatedintheauditorium。Shecamebackandspoketoherhusbandprivately。TheirconversationwasevidentlyaboutKathleen，fortheybothglancedatheroftenasshestoodchattingtooneofherNationalistfriends，MissHealy，thecontralto。Anunknownsolitarywomanwithapalefacewalkedthroughtheroom。Thewomenfollowedwithkeeneyesthefadedbluedresswhichwasstretcheduponameagrebody。SomeonesaidthatshewasMadamGlynn，thesoprano。
　　`Iwonderwheredidtheydigherup，’saidKathleentoMissHealy。`I’msureIneverheardofher。’
　　MissHealyhadtosmile。MrHolohanlimpedintothedressing-roomatthatmomentandthetwoyoungladiesaskedhimwhowastheunknownwoman。
　　MrHolohansaidthatshewasMadamGlynnfromLondon。MadamGlynntookherstandinacorneroftheroom，holdingarollofmusicstifflybeforeherandfromtimetotimechangingthedirectionofherstartledgaze。
　　Theshadowtookherfadeddressintoshelterbutfellrevengefullyintothelittlecupbehindhercollar-bone。Thenoiseofthehallbecamemoreaudible。ThefirsttenorandthebaritonearrivedtogetherTheywerebothwelldressed，stout，andcomplacent，andtheybroughtabreathofopulenceamongthecompany。
　　MrsKearneybroughtherdaughterovertothem，andtalkedtothemamiably。
　　Shewantedtobeongoodtermswiththembut，whileshestrovetobepolite，hereyesfollowedMrHolohaninhislimpinganddeviouscourses。Assoonasshecouldsheexcusedherselfandwentoutafterhim。
　　`MrHolohan，Iwanttospeaktoyouforamoment，shesaid。’
　　Theywentdowntoadiscreetpartofthecorridor。MrsKearneyaskedhimwhenwasherdaughtergoingtobepaid。MrHolohansaidthatMrFitzpatrickhadchargeofthat。MrsKearneysaidthatshedidn’tknowanythingaboutMrFitzpatrick。Herdaughterhadsignedacontractforeightguineasandshewouldhavetobepaid。MrHolohansaidthatitwasn’thisbusiness。
　　`Whyisn’tityourbusiness？’askedMrsKearney。`Didn’tyouyourselfbringherthecontract？Anyway，ifit’snotyourbusiness，it’smybusiness，andImeantoseetoit。’
　　`You’dbetterspeaktoMrFitzpatrick，’saidMrHolohandistinctly。
　　`Idon’tknowanythingaboutMrFitzpatrick，’repeatedMrsKearney。
　　`Ihavemycontract，andIintendtoseethatitiscarriedout。’
　　Whenshecamebacktothedressing-roomhercheekswereslightlysuffused。
　　Theroomwaslively。TwomeninoutdoordresshadtakenpossessionofthefireplaceandwerechattingfamiliarlywithMissHealyandthebaritone。
　　TheyweretheFreemanmanandMrO’MaddenBurke。TheFreemanmanhadcomeintosaythathecouldnotwaitfortheconcertashehadtoreportthelecturewhichanAmericanpriestwasgivingintheMansionHouse。HesaidtheyweretoleavethereportforhimattheFreemanofficeandhewouldseethatitwentin。Hewasagrey-hairedmanwithaplausiblevoiceandcarefulmanners。Heheldanextinguishedcigarinhishandandthearomaofcigarsmokefloatednearhim。Hehadnotintendedtostayamoment，becauseconcertsandartistesboredhimconsiderably，butheremainedleaningagainstthemantelpiece。MissHealystoodinfrontofhim，talkingandlaughing。Hewasoldenoughtosuspectonereasonforherpoliteness，butyoungenoughinspirittoturnthemomenttoaccount。
　　Thewarmth，fragrance，andcolourofherbodyappealedtohissenses。Hewaspleasantlyconsciousthatthebosomwhichhesawriseandfallslowlybeneathhimroseandfellatthatmomentforhim，thatthelaughterandfragranceandwilfulglanceswerehistribute。Whenhecouldstaynolongerhetookleaveofherregretfully。
　　`O’MaddenBurkewillwritethenotice，’heexplainedtoMrHolohan，`andI’llseeitin。’
　　`Thankyouverymuch，MrHendrick，’saidMrHolohan。`You’llseeitin，Iknow。Now，won’tyouhavealittlesomethingbeforeyougo？’
　　`Idon’tmind，’saidMrHendrick。
　　Thetwomenwentalongsometortuouspassagesandupadarkstaircaseandcametoasecludedroomwhereoneofthestewardswasuncorkingbottlesforafewgentlemen。OneofthesegentlemenwasMrO’MaddenBurke，whohadfoundouttheroombyinstinct。Hewasasuave，elderlymanwhobalancedhisimposingbody，whenatrest，uponalargesilkumbrella。Hismagniloquentwesternnamewasthemoralumbrellauponwhichhebalancedthefineproblemofhisfinances。Hewaswidelyrespected。
　　WhileMrHolohanwasentertainingtheFreemanmanMrsKearneywasspeakingsoanimatedlytoherhusbandthathehadtoaskhertolowerhervoice。Theconversationoftheothersinthedressing-roomhadbecomestrained。MrBell，thefirstitem，stoodreadywithhismusicbuttheaccompanistmadenosign。Evidentlysomethingwaswrong。MrKearneylookedstraightbeforehim，strokinghisbeard，whileMrsKearneyspokeintoKathleen’searwithsubduedemphasis。Fromthehallcamesoundsofencouragement，clappingandstampingoffeet。ThefirsttenorandthebaritoneandMissHealystoodtogether，waitingtranquilly，butMrBell’snervesweregreatlyagitatedbecausehewasafraidtheaudiencewouldthinkthathehadcomelate。
　　MrHolohanandMrO’MaddenBurkecameintotheroom。InamomentMrHolohanperceivedthehush。HewentovertoMrsKearneyandspokewithherearnestly。Whiletheywerespeakingthenoiseinthehallgrewlouder。
　　MrHolohanbecameveryredandexcited。Hespokevolubly，butMrsKearneysaidcurtlyatintervals：
　　`Shewon’tgoon。Shemustgethereightguineas。’
　　MrHolohanpointeddesperatelytowardsthehallwheretheaudiencewasclappingandstamping。HeappealedtoMrKearneyandtoKathleen。ButMrKearneycontinuedtostrokehisbeardandKathleenlookeddown，movingthepointofhernewshoe：itwasnotherfault。MrsKearneyrepeated：
　　`Shewon’tgoonwithouthermoney。’
　　AfteraswiftstruggleoftonguesMrHolohanhobbledoutinhaste。Theroomwassilent。WhenthestrainofthesilencehadbecomesomewhatpainfulMissHealysaidtothebaritone：
　　`HaveyouseenMrsPatCampbellthisweek？’
　　Thebaritonehadnotseenherbuthehadbeentoldthatshewasveryfine。Theconversationwentnofurther。Thefirsttenorbenthisheadandbegantocountthelinksofthegoldchainwhichwasextendedacrosshiswaist，smilingandhummingrandomnotestoobservetheeffectonthefrontalsinus。FromtimetotimeeveryoneglancedatMrsKearney。
　　ThenoiseintheauditoriumhadrisentoaclamourwhenMrFitzpatrickburstintotheroom，followedbyMrHolohan，whowaspanting。Theclappingandstampinginthehallwerepunctuatedbywhistling。MrFitzpatrickheldafewbanknotesinhishand。HecountedoutfourintoMrsKearney’shandandsaidshewouldgettheotherhalfattheinterval。MrsKearneysaid：
　　`Thisisfourshillingsshort。’
　　ButKathleengatheredinherskirtandsaid：`Now，MrBell，’
　　tothefirstitem，whowasshakinglikeanaspen。Thesingerandtheaccompanistwentouttogether。Thenoiseinthehalldiedaway。Therewasapauseofafewseconds，andthenthepianowasheard。
　　ThefirstpartoftheconcertwasverysuccessfulexceptforMadamGlynn’sitem。ThepoorladysangKillarneyinabodilessgaspingvoice，withalltheold-fashionedmannerismsofintonationandpronunciationwhichshebelievedlentelegancetohersinging。Shelookedasifshehadbeenresurrectedfromanoldstage-wardrobeandthecheaperpartsofthehallmadefunofherhighwailingnotes。Thefirsttenorandthecontralto，however，broughtdownthehouse。KathleenplayedaselectionofIrishairswhichwasgenerouslyapplauded。Thefirstpartclosedwithastirringpatrioticrecitationdeliveredbyayoungladywhoarrangedamateurtheatricals。
　　Itwasdeservedlyapplauded，and，whenitwasended，themenwentoutfortheinterval，content。
　　Allthistimethedressing-roomwasahiveofexcitement。InonecornerwereMrHolohan，MrFitzpatrick，MissBeirne，twoofthestewards，thebaritone，thebass，andMrO’MaddenBurke。MrO’MaddenBurkesaiditwasthemostscandalousexhibitionhehadeverwitnessed。MissKathleenKearney’smusicalcareerwasendedinDublinafterthat，hesaid。ThebaritonewasaskedwhatdidhethinkofMrsKearney’sconduct。Hedidnotliketosayanything。Hehadbeenpaidhismoneyandwishedtobeatpeacewithmen。
　　However，hesaidthatMrsKearneymighthavetakentheartistesintoconsideration。Thestewardsandthesecretariesdebatedhotlyastowhatshouldbedonewhentheintervalcame。
　　`IagreewithMissBeirne，’saidMrO’MaddenBurke。`Payhernothing。’
　　InanothercorneroftheroomwereMrsKearneyandherhusband，MrBell，MissHealy，andtheyoungladywhohadtorecitethepatrioticpiece。MrsKearneysaidthatthecommitteehadtreatedherscandalously。Shehadsparedneithertroublenorexpenseandthiswashowshewasrepaid。
　　Theythoughttheyhadonlyagirltodealwithandthat，therefore，theycouldrideroughshodoverher。Butshewouldshowthemtheirmistake。
　　Theywouldn’thavedaredtohavetreatedherlikethatifshehadbeenaman。Butshewouldseethatherdaughtergotherrights：shewouldn’tbefooled。Iftheydidn’tpayhertothelastfarthingshewouldmakeDublinring。Ofcourseshewassorryforthesakeoftheartistes。Butwhatelsecouldshedo？Sheappealedtothesecondtenor，whosaidhethoughtshehadnotbeenwelltreated。ThensheappealedtoMissHealy。MissHealywantedtojointheothergroup，butshedidnotliketodosobecauseshewasagreatfriendofKathleen’sandtheKearneyshadofteninvitedhertotheirhouse。
　　AssoonasthefirstpartwasendedMrFitzpatrickandMrHolohanwentovertoMrsKearneyandtoldherthattheotherfourguineaswouldbepaidafterthecommitteemeetingonthefollowingTuesdayandthat，incaseherdaughterdidnotplayforthesecondpart，thecommitteewouldconsiderthecontractbrokenandwouldpaynothing。
　　`Ihaven’tseenanycommittee，’saidMrsKearneyangrily。`Mydaughterhashercontract。Shewillgetfourpoundseightintoherhandorafootshewon’tputonthatplatform。’
　　`I’msurprisedatyou，MrsKearney，’saidMrHolohan。`Ineverthoughtyouwouldtreatusthisway。’
　　`Andwhatwaydidyoutreatme？’askedMrsKearney。
　　Herfacewasinundatedwithanangrycolourandshelookedasifshewouldattacksomeonewithherhands。
　　`I’maskingformyrights，’shesaid。
　　`Youmighthavesomesenseofdecency，’saidMrHolohan。
　　`MightI，indeed？……AndwhenIaskwhenmydaughterisgoingtobepaidIcan’tgetacivilanswer。’
　　Shetossedherheadandassumedahaughtyvoice：
　　`Youmustspeaktothesecretary。It’snotmybusiness。I’magreatfellowfol-the-diddle-I-do。’
　　`Ithoughtyouwerealady，’saidMrHolohan，walkingawayfromherabruptly。
　　AfterthatMrsKearney’sconductwascondemnedonallhands：everyoneapprovedofwhatthecommitteehaddone。Shestoodatthedoor，haggardwithrage，arguingwithherhusbandanddaughter，gesticulatingwiththem。
　　Shewaiteduntilitwastimeforthesecondparttobegininthehopethatthesecretarieswouldapproachher。ButMissHealyhadkindlyconsentedtoplayoneortwoaccompaniments。MrsKearneyhadtostandasidetoallowthebaritoneandhisaccompanisttopassuptotheplatform。Shestoodstillforaninstantlikeanangrystoneimageand，whenthefirstnotesofthesongstruckherear，shecaughtupherdaughter’scloakandsaidtoherhusband：
　　`Getacab！’
　　Hewentoutatonce。MrsKearneywrappedthecloakroundherdaughterandfollowedhim。AsshepassedthroughthedoorwayshestoppedandglaredintoMrHolohan’sface。
　　`I’mnotdonewithyouyet，’shesaid。
　　`ButI’mdonewithyou，’saidMrHolohan。
　　Kathleenfollowedhermothermeekly。MrHolohanbegantopaceupanddowntheroominordertocoolhimself，forhefelthisskinonfire。
　　`That’sanicelady！’hesaid。`O，she’sanicelady！’
　　`Youdidtheproperthing，Holohan，’saidMrO’MaddenBurke，poiseduponhisumbrellainapproval。