Grace
　　Twogentlemenwhowereinthelavatoryatthetimetriedtolifthimup：
　　buthewasquitehelpless。Helaycurledupatthefootofthestairsdownwhichhehadfallen。Theysucceededinturninghimover。Hishathadrolledafewyardsawayandhisclothesweresmearedwiththefilthandoozeoftheflooronwhichhehadlain，facedownwards。Hiseyeswereclosedandhebreathedwithagruntingnoise。Athinstreamofbloodtrickledfromthecornerofhismouth。
　　Thesetwogentlemenandoneofthecuratescarriedhimupthestairsandlaidhimdownagainonthefloorofthebar。Intwominuteshewassurroundedbyaringofmen。Themanagerofthebaraskedeveryonewhohewasandwhowaswithhim。Nooneknewwhohewas，butoneofthecuratessaidhehadservedthegentlemanwithasmallrum。
　　`Washebyhimself？’askedthemanager。
　　`No，sir。Therewastwogentlemenwithhim。’
　　`Andwherearethey？’
　　Nooneknew；avoicesaid：
　　`Givehimair。He’sfainted。’
　　Theringofonlookersdistendedandclosedagainelastically。Adarkmedalofbloodhadformeditselfneartheman’sheadonthetessellatedfloor。Themanager，alarmedbythegreypalloroftheman’sface，sentforapoliceman。
　　Hiscollarwasunfastenedandhisnecktieundone。Heopenedhiseyesforaninstant，sighedandclosedthemagain。Oneofthegentlemenwhohadcarriedhimupstairsheldadingedsilkhatinhishand。Themanageraskedrepeatedlydidnooneknowwhotheinjuredmanwasorwherehadhisfriendsgone。Thedoorofthebaropenedandanimmenseconstableentered。
　　Acrowdwhichhadfollowedhimdownthelanewaycollectedoutsidethedoor，strugglingtolookinthroughtheglasspanels。
　　Themanageratoncebegantonarratewhatheknew。Theconstable，ayoungmanwiththickimmobilefeatures，listened。Hemovedhisheadslowlytorightandleftandfromthemanagertothepersononthefloor，asifhefearedtobethevictimofsomedelusion。Thenhedrewoffhisglove，producedasmallbookfromhiswaist，lickedtheleadofhispencilandmadereadytoindite。Heaskedinasuspiciousprovincialaccent：
　　`Whoistheman？What’shisnameandaddress？’
　　Ayoungmaninacycling-suitclearedhiswaythroughtheringofbystanders。
　　Hekneltdownpromptlybesidetheinjuredmanandcalledforwater。Theconstablekneltdownalsotohelp。Theyoungmanwashedthebloodfromtheinjuredman’smouthandthencalledforsomebrandy。Theconstablerepeatedtheorderinanauthoritativevoiceuntilacuratecamerunningwiththeglass。Thebrandywasforceddowntheman’sthroat。Inafewsecondsheopenedhiseyesandlookedabouthim。Helookedatthecircleoffacesandthen，understanding，strovetorisetohisfeet。
　　`You’reallrightnow？’askedtheyoungmaninthecyclingsuit。
　　`Sha，’snothing，’saidtheinjuredman，tryingtostandup。
　　Hewashelpedtohisfeet。Themanagersaidsomethingaboutahospitalandsomeofthebystandersgaveadvice。Thebatteredsilkhatwasplacedontheman’shead。Theconstableasked：
　　`Wheredoyoulive？’
　　Theman，withoutanswering，begantotwirltheendsofhismoustache。
　　Hemadelightofhisaccident。Itwasnothing，hesaid：onlyalittleaccident。
　　Hespokeverythickly。
　　`Wheredoyoulive？’repeatedtheconstable。
　　Themansaidtheyweretogetacabforhim。Whilethepointwasbeingdebatedatallagilegentlemanoffaircomplexion，wearingalongyellowulster，camefromthefarendofthebar。Seeingthespectacle，hecalledout：
　　`Hallo，Tom，oldman！What’sthetrouble？’
　　`Sha，’snothing，’saidtheman。
　　Thenewcomersurveyedthedeplorablefigurebeforehimandthenturnedtotheconstable，saying：
　　`It’sallright，constable。I’llseehimhome。’
　　Theconstabletouchedhishelmetandanswered：
　　`Allright，MrPower！’
　　`Comenow，Tom，’saidMrPower，takinghisfriendbythearm。`Nobonesbroken：What？Canyouwalk？’
　　Theyoungmaninthecycling-suittookthemanbytheotherarmandthecrowddivided。
　　`Howdidyougetyourselfintothismess？’askedMrPower。
　　`Thegentlemanfelldownthestairs，’saidtheyoungman。
　　`I’’ery’ucho’ligedtoyou，sir，’saidtheinjuredman。
　　`Notatall。’
　　`’an’twehavealittle……？’
　　`Notnow。Notnow。’
　　Thethreemenleftthebarandthecrowdsiftedthroughthedoorsintothelaneway。Themanagerbroughttheconstabletothestairstoinspectthesceneoftheaccident。Theyagreedthatthegentlemanmusthavemissedhisfooting。Thecustomersreturnedtothecounter，andacuratesetaboutremovingthetracesofbloodfromthefloor。
　　WhentheycameoutintoGraftonStreet，MrPowerwhistledforanoutsider。
　　Theinjuredmansaidagainaswellashecould：
　　`I’’ery’ucho’ligedtoyou，sir。Ihopewe’ll’eetagain。’yna’eisKernan。’
　　Theshockandtheincipientpainhadpartlysoberedhim。
　　`Don’tmentionit，’saidtheyoungman。
　　Theyshookhands。MrKernanwashoistedontothecarand，whileMrPowerwasgivingdirectionstothecarman，heexpressedhisgratitudetotheyoungmanandregrettedthattheycouldnothavealittledrinktogether。
　　`Anothertime，’saidtheyoungman。
　　ThecardroveofftowardsWestmorelandStreet。AsitpassedtheBallastOfficetheclockshowedhalfpastnine。Akeeneastwindhitthem，blowingfromthemouthoftheriver。MrKernanwashuddledtogetherwithcold。
　　Hisfriendaskedhimtotellhowtheaccidenthadhappened。
　　`I’an’t’an，’heanswered，`’y’ongueishurt。’
　　`Show。’
　　TheotherleanedoverthewheelofthecarandpeeredintoMrKernan’smouthbuthecouldnotsee。Hestruckamatchand，shelteringitintheshellofhishands，peeredagainintothemouthwhichMrKernanopenedobediently。Theswayingmovementofthecarbroughtthematchtoandfromtheopenedmouth。Thelowerteethandgumswerecoveredwithclottedbloodandaminutepieceofthetongueseemedtohavebeenbittenoff。Thematchwasblownout。
　　`That’sugly，’saidMrPower。
　　`Sha，’snothing，’saidMrKernan，closinghismouthandpullingthecollarofhisfilthycoatacrosshisneck。
　　MrKernanwasacommercialtravelleroftheoldschoolwhichbelievedinthedignityofitscalling。Hehadneverbeenseeninthecitywithoutasilkhatofsomedecencyandapairofgaiters。Bygraceofthesetwoarticlesofclothing，hesaid，amancouldalwayspassmuster。HecarriedonthetraditionofhisNapoleon，thegreatBlackwhite，whosememoryheevokedattimesbylegendandmimicry。ModernbusinessmethodshadsparedhimonlysofarastoallowhimalittleofficeinCroweStreet，onthewindowblindofwhichwaswrittenthenameofhisfirmwiththeaddress-London，EC。Onthemantelpieceofthislittleofficealittleleadenbattalionofcanisterswasdrawnupandonthetablebeforethewindowstoodfourorfivechinabowlswhichwereusuallyhalffullofablackliquid。FromthesebowlsMrKernantastedtea。Hetookamouthful，drewitup，saturatedhispalatewithitandthenspatitforthintothegrate。
　　Thenhepausedtojudge。
　　MrPower，amuchyoungerman，wasemployedintheRoyalIrishConstabularyOfficeinDublinCastle。Thearcofhissocialriseintersectedthearcofhisfriend’sdecline，butMrKernan’sdeclinewasmitigatedbythefactthatcertainofthosefriendswhohadknownhimathishighestpointofsuccessstillesteemedhimasacharacter。MrPowerwasoneofthesefriends。
　　Hisinexplicabledebtswereabywordinhiscircle；hewasadebonairyoungman。
　　ThecarhaltedbeforeasmallhouseontheGlasnevinRoadandMrKernanwashelpedintothehouse。Hiswifeputhimtobed，whileMrPowersatdownstairsinthekitchenaskingthechildrenwheretheywenttoschoolandwhatbooktheywerein。Thechildren-twogirlsandaboy，consciousoftheirfather’shelplessnessandoftheirmother’sabsence，begansomehorseplaywithhim。Hewassurprisedattheirmannersandattheiraccents，andhisbrowgrewthoughtful。AfterawhileMrsKernanenteredthekitchen，exclaiming：
　　`Suchasight！Oh，he’lldoforhimselfonedayandthat’stheholyallsofit。He’sbeendrinkingsinceFriday。’
　　MrPowerwascarefultoexplaintoherthathewasnotresponsible，thathehadcomeonthescenebythemerestaccident。MrsKernan，rememberingMrPower’sgoodofficesduringdomesticquarrels，aswellasmanysmall，butopportuneloans，said：
　　`O，youneedn’ttellmethat，MrPower。Iknowyou’reafriendofhis，notlikesomeoftheothershedoesbewith。They’reallrightsolongashehasmoneyinhispockettokeephimoutfromhiswifeandfamily。
　　Nicefriends！Whowashewithtonight，I’dliketoknow？’
　　MrPowershookhisheadbutsaidnothing。
　　`I’msosorry，’shecontinued，`thatI’venothinginthehousetoofferyou。ButifyouwaitaminuteI’llsendroundtoFogarty’s，atthecorner。’
　　MrPowerstoodup。
　　`Wewerewaitingforhimtocomehomewiththemoney。Heneverseemstothinkhehasahomeatall。’
　　`O，now，MrsKernan，’saidMrPower，`we’llmakehimturnoveranewleaf。I’lltalktoMartin。He’stheman。We’llcomehereoneofthesenightsandtalkitover。’
　　Shesawhimtothedoor。Thecarmanwasstampingupanddownthefootpath，andswinginghisarmstowarmhimself。
　　`It’sverykindofyoutobringhimhome，’shesaid。
　　`Notatall，’saidMrPower。
　　Hegotuponthecar。Asitdroveoffheraisedhishattohergaily。
　　`We’llmakeanewmanofhim，’hesaid。`Goodnight，MrsKernan。’
　　MrsKernan’spuzzledeyeswatchedthecartillitwasoutofsight。
　　Thenshewithdrewthem，wentintothehouseandemptiedherhusband’spockets。
　　Shewasanactive，practicalwomanofmiddleage。NotlongbeforeshehadcelebratedhersilverweddingandrenewedherintimacywithherhusbandbywaltzingwithhimtoMrPower’saccompaniment。Inherdaysofcourtship，MrKernanhadseemedtoheranotungallantfigure：andshestillhurriedtothechapeldoorwheneveraweddingwasreportedand，seeingthebridalpair，recalledwithvividpleasurehowshehadpassedoutoftheStaroftheSeaChurchinSandymount，leaningonthearmofajovialwell-fedman，whowasdressedsmartlyinafrock-coatandlavendertrousersandcarriedasilkhatgracefullybalanceduponhisotherarm。Afterthreeweeksshehadfoundawife’slifeirksomeand，lateron，whenshewasbeginningtofinditunbearable，shehadbecomeamother。Thepartofmotherpresentedtohernoinsuperabledifficultiesandfortwenty-fiveyearsshehadkepthouseshrewdlyforherhusband。Hertwoeldestsonswerelaunched。Onewasinadraper’sshopinGlasgowandtheotherwasclerktoatea-merchantinBelfast。Theyweregoodsons，wroteregularlyandsometimessenthomemoney。Theotherchildrenwerestillatschool。
　　MrKernansentalettertohisofficenextdayandremainedinbed。
　　Shemadebeef-teaforhimandscoldedhimroundly。Sheacceptedhisfrequentintemperanceaspartoftheclimate，healedhimdutifullywheneverhewassickandalwaystriedtomakehimeatabreakfast。Therewereworsehusbands。
　　Hehadneverbeenviolentsincetheboyshadgrownup，andsheknewthathewouldwalktotheendofThomasStreetandbackagaintobookevenasmallorder。
　　Twonightsafter，hisfriendscametoseehim。Shebroughtthemuptohisbedroom，theairofwhichwasimpregnatedwithapersonalodour，andgavethemchairsatthefire。MrKernan’stongue，theoccasionalstingingpainofwhichhadmadehimsomewhatirritableduringtheday，becamemorepolite。Hesatproppedupinthebedbypillowsandthelittlecolourinhispuffycheeksmadethemresemblewarmcinders。Heapologizedtohisguestsforthedisorderoftheroom，butatthesametimelookedatthemalittleproudly，withaveteran’spride。
　　Hewasquiteunconsciousthathewasthevictimofaplotwhichhisfriends，MrCunningham，MrM’Coy，andMrPowerhaddisclosedtoMrsKernanintheparlour。TheideahadbeenMrPower’s，butitsdevelopmentwasentrustedtoMrCunningham。MrKernancameofProtestantstock，and，thoughhehadbeenconvertedtotheCatholicfaithatthetimeofhismarriage，hehadnotbeeninthepaleoftheChurchfortwentyyears。Hewasfond，moreover，ofgivingside-thrustsatCatholicism。
　　MrCunninghamwastheverymanforsuchacase。HewasaneldercolleagueofMrPower。Hisowndomesticlifewasnotveryhappy。Peoplehadgreatsympathywithhim，foritwasknownthathehadmarriedanunpresentablewomanwhowasanincurabledrunkard。Hehadsetuphouseforhersixtimes；
　　andeachtimeshehadpawnedthefurnitureonhim。
　　EveryonehadrespectforpoorMartinCunningham。Hewasathoroughlysensibleman，influentialandintelligent。Hisbladeofhumanknowledge，naturalastutenessparticularizedbylongassociationwithcasesinthepolicecourts，hadbeentemperedbybriefimmersionsinthewatersofgeneralphilosophy。Hewaswellinformed。HisfriendsbowedtohisopinionsandconsideredthathisfacewaslikeShakespeare’s。
　　Whentheplothadbeendisclosedtoher，MrsKernanhadsaid：
　　`Ileaveitallinyourhands，MrCunningham。’
　　Afteraquarterofacenturyofmarriedlife，shehadveryfewillusionsleft。Religionforherwasahabit，andshesuspectedthatamanofherhusband’sagewouldnotchangegreatlybeforedeath。Shewastemptedtoseeacuriousappropriatenessinhisaccidentand，butthatshedidnotwishtoseembloody-minded，shewouldhavetoldthegentlementhatMrKernan’stonguewouldnotsufferbybeingshortened。However，MrCunninghamwasacapableman；andreligionwasreligion。Theschememightdogoodand，atleast，itcoulddonoharm。Herbeliefswerenotextravagant。ShebelievedsteadilyintheSacredHeartasthemostgenerallyusefulofallCatholicdevotionsandapprovedofthesacraments。Herfaithwasboundedbyherkitchen，but，ifshewasputtoit，shecouldbelievealsointhebansheeandintheHolyGhost。
　　Thegentlemenbegantotalkoftheaccident。MrCunninghamsaidthathehadonceknownasimilarcase。Amanofseventyhadbittenoffapieceofhistongueduringanepilepticfitandthetonguehadfilledinagain，sothatnoonecouldseeatraceofthebite。
　　`Well，I’mnotseventy，’saidtheinvalid。
　　`Godforbid，’saidMrCunningham。
　　`Itdoesn’tpainyounow？’askedMrM’Coy。
　　MrM’Coyhadbeenatonetimeatenorofsomereputation。Hiswife，whohadbeenasoprano，stilltaughtyoungchildrentoplaythepianoatlowterms。Hislineoflifehadnotbeentheshortestdistancebetweentwopointsandforshortperiodshehadbeendriventolivebyhiswits。
　　HehadbeenaclerkintheMidlandRailway，acanvasserforadvertisementsforTheIrishTimesandforTheFreeman’sJournal，atowntravellerforacoalfirmoncommission，aprivateinquiryagent，aclerkintheofficeoftheSub-Sheriff，andhehadrecentlybecomesecretarytotheCityCoroner。HisnewofficemadehimprofessionallyinterestedinMrKernan’scase。
　　`Pain？Notmuch，’answeredMrKernan。`Butit’ssosickening。IfeelasifIwantedtoretchoff。’
　　`That’sthebooze，’saidMrCunninghamfirmly。
　　`No，’saidMrKernan。`IthinkIcaughtcoldonthecar。There’ssomethingkeepscomingintomythroat，phlegmor——’
　　`Mucus，’saidMrM’Coy。
　　`Itkeepscominglikefromdowninmythroat；sickeningthing。’
　　`Yes，yes，’saidMrM’Coy，`that’sthethorax。’
　　HelookedatMrCunninghamandMrPoweratthesametimewithanairofchallenge。MrCunninghamnoddedhisheadrapidlyandMrPowersaid：
　　`Ahwell，all’swellthatendswell。’
　　`I’mverymuchobligedtoyou，oldman，’saidtheinvalid。
　　MrPowerwavedhishand。
　　`ThoseothertwofellowsIwaswith——’
　　`Whowereyouwith？’askedMrCunningham。
　　`Achap。Idon’tknowhisname。Damnitnow，what’shisname？Littlechapwithsandyhair……’
　　`Andwhoelse？’
　　`Harford。’
　　`Hm，’saidMrCunningham。
　　WhenMrCunninghammadethatremark，peopleweresilent。Itwasknownthatthespeakerhadsecretsourcesofinformation。Inthiscasethemonosyllablehadamoralintention。MrHarfordsometimesformedoneofalittledetachmentwhichleftthecityshortlyafternoononSundaywiththepurposeofarrivingassoonaspossibleatsomepublic-houseontheoutskirtsofthecitywhereitsmembersdulyqualifiedthemselvesasbona-fidetravellers。Buthisfellow-travellershadneverconsentedtooverlookhisorigin。Hehadbegunlifeasanobscurefinancierbylendingsmallsumsofmoneytoworkmenatusuriousinterest。Lateronhehadbecomethepartnerofaveryfat，shortgentleman，MrGoldberg，intheLiffeyLoanBank。ThoughhehadneverembracedmorethantheJewishethicalcode，hisfellow-Catholics，whenevertheyhadsmartedinpersonorbyproxyunderhisexactions，spokeofhimbitterlyasanIrishJewandanilliterate，andsawdivinedisapprovalofusurymademanifestthroughthepersonofhisidiotson。Atothertimestheyrememberedhisgoodpoints。
　　`Iwonderwheredidhegoto，’saidMrKernan。
　　Hewishedthedetailsoftheincidenttoremainvague。Hewishedhisfriendstothinktherehadbeensomemistake，thatMrHarfordandhehadmissedeachother。Hisfriends，whoknewquitewellMrHarford’smannersindrinking，weresilent。MrPowersaidagain：
　　`All’swellthatendswell。’
　　MrKernanchangedthesubjectatonce。
　　`Thatwasadecentyoungchap，thatmedicalfellow，’hesaid。`Onlyforhim——’
　　`O，onlyforhim，’saidMrPower，`itmighthavebeenacaseofsevendays，withouttheoptionofafine。’
　　`Yes，yes，’saidMrKernan，tryingtoremember。`Iremembernowtherewasapoliceman。Decentyoungfellow，heseemed。Howdidithappenatall？’
　　`Ithappenedthatyouwerepeloothered，Tom，’saidMrCunninghamgravely。
　　`Truebill，’saidMrKernan，equallygravely。
　　`Isupposeyousquaredtheconstable，Jack，’saidMrM’Coy。
　　MrPowerdidnotrelishtheuseofhisChristianname。Hewasnotstrait-laced，buthecouldnotforgetthatMrM’CoyhadrecentlymadeacrusadeinsearchofvalisesandportmanteauxtoenableMrsM’Coytofulfilimaginaryengagementsinthecountry。Morethanheresentedthefactthathehadbeenvictimized，heresentedsuchlowplayingofthegame。Heansweredthequestion，therefore，asifMrKernanhadaskedit。
　　ThenarrativemadeMrKernanindignant。Hewaskeenlyconsciousofhiscitizenship，wishedtolivewithhiscityontermsmutuallyhonourableandresentedanyaffrontputuponhimbythosewhomhecalledcountrybumpkins。
　　`Isthiswhatwepayratesfor？’heasked。`Tofeedandclothetheseignorantbostooms……andthey’renothingelse。’
　　MrCunninghamlaughed。HewasaCastleofficialonlyduringofficehours。
　　`Howcouldtheybeanythingelse，Tom？’hesaid。
　　Heassumedathick，provincialaccentandsaidinatoneofcommand：
　　`65，catchyourcabbage！’
　　Everyonelaughed。MrM’Coy，whowantedtoentertheconversationbyanydoor，pretendedthathehadneverheardthestory；MrCunninghamsaid：
　　`Itissupposed-theysay，youknow-totakeplaceinthedepotwheretheygetthesethunderingbigcountryfellows，omadhauns，youknow，todrill。Thesergeantmakesthemstandinarowagainstthewallandholduptheirplates。’Heillustratedthestorybygrotesquegestures。
　　`Atdinner，youknow。Thenhehasabloodybigbowlofcabbagebeforehimonthetableandabloodybigspoonlikeashovel。Hetakesupawadofcabbageonthespoonandpegsitacrosstheroomandthepoordevilshavetotryandcatchitontheirplates：65，catchyourcabbage。’
　　Everyonelaughedagain：butMrKernanwassomewhatindignantstill。
　　Hetalkedofwritingalettertothepapers。
　　`Theseyahooscominguphere，’hesaid，`thinktheycanbossthepeople。
　　Ineedn’ttellyou，Martin，whatkindofmentheyare。’
　　MrCunninghamgaveaqualifiedassent。
　　`It’slikeeverythingelseinthisworld，’hesaid。`Yougetsomebadonesandyougetsomegoodones。’
　　`Oyes，yougetsomegoodones，Iadmit，’saidMrKernan，satisfied。
　　`It’sbettertohavenothingtosaytothem，’saidMrM’Coy。`That’smyopinion！’
　　MrsKernanenteredtheroomand，placingatrayonthetable，said：
　　`Helpyourselves，gentlemen。’
　　MrPowerstooduptoofficiate，offeringherhischair。Shedeclinedit，sayingshewasironingdownstairs，and，afterhavingexchangedanodwithMrCunninghambehindMrPower’sback，preparedtoleavetheroom。
　　Herhusbandcalledouttoher：
　　`Andhaveyounothingforme，duckie？’
　　`O，you！Thebackofmyhandtoyou！’saidMrsKernantartly。
　　Herhusbandcalledafterher：
　　`Nothingforpoorlittlehubby！’
　　Heassumedsuchacomicalfaceandvoicethatthedistributionofthebottlesofstouttookplaceamidgeneralmerriment。
　　Thegentlemendrankfromtheirglasses，settheglassesagainonthetableandpaused。ThenMrCunninghamturnedtowardsMrPowerandsaidcasually：
　　`OnThursdaynight，yousaid，Jack？’
　　`Thursday，yes，’saidMrPower。
　　`Righto！’saidMrCunninghampromptly。
　　`WecanmeetinM’Auley’s，’saidMrM’Coy。`That’llbethemostconvenientplace。’
　　`Butwemustn’tbelate，’saidMrPowerearnestly，`becauseitissuretobecrammedtothedoors。’
　　`Wecanmeetathalf-seven，’saidMrM’Coy。
　　`Righto！’saidMrCunningham。
　　`Half-sevenatM’Auley’sbeit！’
　　Therewasashortsilence。MrKernanwaitedtoseewhetherhewouldbetakenintohisfriends’confidence。Thenheasked：
　　`What’sinthewind？’
　　`O，it’snothing，’saidMrCunningham。`It’sonlyalittlematterthatwe’rearrangingaboutforThursday。’
　　`Theopera，isit？’saidMrKernan。
　　`No，no，’saidMrCunninghaminanevasivetone，`it’sjustalittle……
　　spiritualmatter。’
　　`O，’saidMrKernan。
　　Therewassilenceagain。ThenMrPowersaid，point-blank：
　　`Totellyouthetruth，Tom，we’regoingtomakearetreat。’
　　`Yes，that’sit，’saidMrCunningham，`JackandIandM’Coyhere-we’reallgoingtowashthepot。’
　　Heutteredthemetaphorwithacertainhomelyenergyand，encouragedbyhisownvoice，proceeded：
　　`Yousee，wemayaswellalladmitwe’reanicecollectionofscoundrels，oneandall。Isay，oneandall，’headdedwithgruffcharityandturningtoMrPower。`Ownupnow！’
　　`Iownup，’saidMrPower。
　　`AndIownup，’saidMrM’Coy。
　　`Sowe’regoingtowashthepottogether，’saidMrCunningham。
　　Athoughtseemedtostrikehim。Heturnedsuddenlytotheinvalidandsaid：
　　`D’yeknowwhat，Tom，hasjustoccurredtome？Youmightjoininandwe’dhaveafour-handedreel。’
　　`Goodidea，’saidMrPower。`Thefourofustogether。’
　　MrKernanwassilent。Theproposalconveyedverylittlemeaningtohismind，but，understandingthatsomespiritualagencieswereabouttoconcernthemselvesonhisbehalf，hethoughtheowedittohisdignitytoshowastiffneck。Hetooknopartintheconversationforalongwhile，butlistened，withanairofcalmenmity，whilehisfriendsdiscussedtheJesuits。
　　`Ihaven’tsuchabadopinionoftheJesuits，’hesaid，interveningatlength。`They’reaneducatedorder。Ibelievetheymeanwell，too。’
　　`They’rethegrandestorderintheChurch，Tom，’saidMrCunningham，withenthusiasm。`TheGeneraloftheJesuitsstandsnexttothePope。’
　　`There’snomistakeaboutit，’saidMrM’Coy，`ifyouwantathingwelldoneandnofliesabout，yougotoaJesuit。They’retheboyoshaveinfluence。
　　I`Iltellyouacaseinpoint……’
　　`TheJesuitsareafinebodyofmen，’saidMrPower。
　　`It’sacuriousthing，’saidMrCunningham，`abouttheJesuitOrder。
　　EveryotherorderoftheChurchhadtobereformedatsometimeorother，buttheJesuitOrderwasneveroncereformed。Itneverfellaway。’
　　`Isthatso？’askedMrM’Coy。
　　`That’safact，’saidMrCunningham。`That’shistory。’
　　`Lookattheirchurch，too，’saidMrPower。`Lookatthecongregationtheyhave。’
　　`TheJesuitscaterfortheupperclasses，’saidMrM’Coy。
　　`Ofcourse，’saidMrPower。
　　`Yes，’saidMrKernan。`That’swhyIhaveafeelingforthem。It’ssomeofthosesecularpriests，ignorant，bumptious——’
　　`They’reallgoodmen，’saidMrCunningham，`eachinhisownway。TheIrishpriesthoodishonouredalltheworldover。’
　　`Oyes，’saidMrPower。
　　`NotlikesomeoftheotherpriesthoodsontheContinent，saidMrM`Coy，`unworthyofthename。’`Perhapsyou’reright，’saidMrKernan，relenting。
　　`OfcourseI’mright，’saidMrCunningham。`Ihaven’tbeenintheworldallthistimeandseenmostsidesofitwithoutbeingajudgeofcharacter。’
　　Thegentlemendrankagain，onefollowinganother’sexample。MrKernanseemedtobeweighingsomethinginhismind。Hewasimpressed。HehadahighopinionofMrCunninghamasajudgeofcharacterandasareaderoffaces。Heaskedforparticulars。
　　`O，it’sjustaretreat，youknow，’saidMrCunningham。`FatherPurdonisgivingit。It’sforbusinessmen，youknow。’
　　`Hewon’tbetoohardonus，Tom，’saidMrPowerpersuasively。
　　`FatherPurdon？FatherPurdon？’saidtheinvalid。
　　`O，youmustknowhim，Tom，’saidMrCunningham，stoutly。`Fine，jollyfellow！He’samanoftheworldlikeourselves。’
　　`Ah……yes。IthinkIknowhim。Ratherredface；tall。’
　　`That’stheman。’
　　`Andtellme，Martin……Isheagoodpreacher？’
　　`Munno……It’snotexactlyasermon，youknow。It’sjustakindofafriendlytalk，youknow，inacommon-senseway。’
　　MrKernandeliberated。MrM’Coysaid：
　　`FatherTomBurke，thatwastheboy！’
　　`O，FatherTomBurke，’saidMrCunningham，`thatwasabornorator。
　　Didyoueverhearhim，Tom？’
　　`DidIeverhearhim！’saidtheinvalid，nettled。`Rather！Iheardhim……
　　’
　　`Andyettheysayhewasn’tmuchofatheologian，’saidMrCunningham。
　　`Isthatso？’saidMrM’Coy。
　　`O，ofcourse，nothingwrong，youknow。Onlysometimes，theysay，hedidn’tpreachwhatwasquiteorthodox。’
　　`Ah！……hewasasplendidman，’saidMrM’Coy。
　　`Iheardhimonce，’MrKernancontinued。`Iforgetthesubjectofhisdiscoursenow。CroftonandIwereinthebackofthe……pit，youknow……
　　the——’
　　`Thebody，’saidMrCunningham。
　　`Yes，inthebacknearthedoor。Iforgotnowwhat……Oyes，itwasonthePope，thelatePope。Irememberitwell。Uponmyworditwasmagnificent，thestyleoftheoratory。Andhisvoice！God！hadn’theavoice！ThePrisoneroftheVatican，hecalledhim。IrememberCroftonsayingtomewhenwecameout——’
　　`Buthe’sanOrangeman，Crofton，isn’the？’saidMrPower。
　　`’Courseheis，’saidMrKernan，`andadamneddecentOrangeman，too。
　　WewentintoButler’sinMooreStreetfaith，Iwasgenuinelymoved，tellyoutheGod’struth-andIrememberwellhisverywords。Kernan，hesaid，weworshipatdifferentaltars，hesaid，butourbeliefisthesame。Struckmeasverywellput。’
　　`There’sagooddealinthat，’saidMrPower。`ThereusedalwaysbecrowdsofProtestantsinthechapelwhereFatherTomwaspreaching。’
　　`There’snotmuchdifferencebetweenus，’saidMrM’Coy。`Webothbelievein——’
　　Hehesitatedforamoment。
　　`……intheRedeemer。Onlytheydon’tbelieveinthePopeandinthemotherofGod。’
　　`But，ofcourse，’saidMrCunninghamquietlyandeffectively，`ourreligionisthereligion，theold，originalfaith。’
　　`Notadoubtofit，’saidMrKernanwarmly。
　　MrsKernancametothedoorofthebedroomandannounced：
　　`Here’savisitorforyou！’
　　`Whoisit？’
　　`MrFogarty。’
　　`O，comein！comein！’
　　Apale，ovalfacecameforwardintothelight。Thearchofitsfairtrailingmoustachewasrepeatedinthefaireyebrowsloopedabovepleasantlyastonishedeyes。MrFogartywasamodestgrocer。Hehadfailedinbusinessinalicensedhouseinthecitybecausehisfinancialconditionhadconstrainedhimtotiehimselftosecond-classdistillersandbrewers。HehadopenedasmallshoponGlasnevinRoadwhere，heflatteredhimself，hismannerswouldingratiatehimwiththehousewivesofthedistrict。Heborehimselfwithacertaingrace，complimentedlittlechildrenandspokewithaneatenunciation。Hewasnotwithoutculture。
　　MrFogartybroughtagiftwithhim，ahalf-pintofspecialwhisky。HeinquiredpolitelyforMrKernan，placedhisgiftonthetableandsatdownwiththecompanyonequalterms。MrKernanappreciatedthegiftallthemoresincehewasawarethattherewasasmallaccountforgroceriesunsettledbetweenhimandMrFogarty。Hesaid：
　　`Iwouldn’tdoubtyou，oldman。Openthat，Jack，willyou？’
　　MrPoweragainofficiated。Glasseswererinsedandfivesmallmeasuresofwhiskywerepouredout。Thisnewinfluenceenlivenedtheconversation。
　　MrFogarty，sittingonasmallareaofthechair，wasspeciallyinterested。
　　`PopeLeoXIII，’saidMrCunningham，`wasoneofthelightsoftheage。
　　Hisgreatidea，youknow，wastheunionoftheLatinandGreekChurches。
　　Thatwastheaimofhislife。’
　　`IoftenheardhewasoneofthemostintellectualmeninEurope，’saidMrPower。`Imean，apartfromhisbeingPope。’
　　`Sohewas，’saidMrCunningham，`ifnotthemostso。Hismotto，youknow，asPope，wasLuxuponLux-lightuponlight。’
　　`No，no，’saidMrFogartyeagerly。`Ithinkyou’rewrongthere。ItwasLuxinTenebris，Ithink-LightinDarkness。’
　　`Oyes，’saidMrM’Coy，`Tenebrae。’
　　`Allowme，’saidMrCunninghampositively，`itwasLuxuponLux。
　　AndPiusIXhispredecessor’smottowasCruxuponCrux-thatis，CrossuponCross-toshowthedifferencebetweentheirtwopontificates。’
　　Theinferencewasallowed。MrCunninghamcontinued。
　　`PopeLeo，youknow，wasagreatscholarandapoet。’
　　`Hehadastrongface，’saidMrKernan。
　　`Yes，’saidMrCunningham。`HewroteLatinpoetry。’
　　`Isthatso？’saidMrFogarty。
　　MrM’Coytastedhiswhiskycontentedlyandshookhisheadwithadoubleintention，saying：
　　`That’snojoke，Icantellyou。’
　　`Wedidn’tlearnthat，Tom，’saidMrPower，followingMrM’Coy’sexample，`whenwewenttothepenny-a-weekschool。’
　　`Therewasmanyagoodmanwenttothepenny-a-weekschoolwithasodofturfunderhisoxter，’saidMrKernansententiously。`Theoldsystemwasthebest：plainhonesteducation。Noneofyourmoderntrumpery……’
　　`Quiteright，’saidMrPower。
　　`Nosuperfluities，’saidMrFogarty。
　　Heenunciatedthewordandthendrankgravely。
　　`Irememberreading，’saidMrCunningham，`thatoneofPopeLeo’spoemswasontheinventionofthephotographinLatin，ofcourse。’
　　`Onthephotograph！’exclaimedMrKernan。
　　`Yes，’saidMrCunningham。
　　Healsodrankfromhisglass。
　　`Well，youknow，’saidMrM’Coy，`isn’tthephotographwonderfulwhenyoucometothinkofit？’
　　`O，ofcourse，’saidMrPower，`greatmindscanseethings。’
　　`Asthepoetsays：Greatmindsareveryneartomadness，’saidMrFogarty。
　　MrKernanseemedtobetroubledinmind。HemadeanefforttorecalltheProtestanttheologyonsomethornypointsandintheendaddressedMrCunningham。
　　`Tellme，Martin，’hesaid。`Weren’tsomeofthePopes-ofcourse，notourpresentman，orhispredecessor，butsomeoftheoldPopes-notexactly……youknow……uptotheknocker？’
　　Therewasasilence。MrCunninghamsaid：
　　`O，ofcourse，thereweresomebadlots……Buttheastonishingthingisthis。Notoneofthem，notthebiggestdrunkard，notthemost……out-and-outruffian，notoneofthemeverpreachedexcathedraawordoffalsedoctrine。Nowisn’tthatanastonishingthing？’
　　`Thatis，’saidMrKernan。
　　`Yes，becausewhenthePopespeaksexcathedra，’MrFogartyexplained，`heisinfallible。’
　　`Yes，’saidMrCunningham。
　　`O，IknowabouttheinfallibilityofthePope。IrememberIwasyoungerthen……Orwasitthat-？’
　　MrFogartyinterrupted。Hetookupthebottleandhelpedtheotherstoalittlemore。MrM’Coy，seeingthattherewasnotenoughtogoround，pleadedthathehadnotfinishedhisfirstmeasure。Theothersacceptedunderprotest。Thelightmusicofwhiskyfallingintoglassesmadeanagreeableinterlude。
　　`What’sthatyouweresaying，Tom？’askedMrM’Coy。
　　`Papalinfallibility，’saidMrCunningham，`thatwasthegreatestsceneinthewholehistoryoftheChurch。’
　　`Howwasthat，Martin？’askedMrPower。
　　MrCunninghamhelduptwothickfingers。
　　`Inthesacredcollege，youknow，ofcardinalsandarchbishopsandbishopsthereweretwomenwhoheldoutagainstitwhiletheotherswereallforit。Thewholeconclaveexceptthesetwowasunanimous。No！Theywouldn’thaveit！’
　　`Ha！’saidMrM’Coy。
　　`AndtheywereaGermancardinalbythenameofDolling……orDowling……
　　or——’
　　`DowlingwasnoGerman，andthat’sasurefive，’saidMrPower，laughing。
　　`Well，thisgreatGermancardinal，whateverhisnamewas，wasone；andtheotherwasJohnMacHale。’
　　`What？’criedMrKernan。`IsitJohnofTuam？’
　　`Areyousureofthatnow？’askedMrFogartydubiously。`IthoughtitwassomeItalianorAmerican。’
　　`JohnofTuam，’repeatedMrCunningham，`wastheman。’
　　Hedrankandtheothergentlemenfollowedhislead。Thenheresumed：
　　`Theretheywereatit，allthecardinalsandbishopsandarchbishopsfromalltheendsoftheearthandthesetwofightingdoganddeviluntilatlastthePopehimselfstoodupanddeclaredinfallibilityadogmaoftheChurchexcathedra。OntheverymomentJohnMacHale，whohadbeenarguingandarguingagainstit，stoodupandshoutedoutwiththevoiceofalion："Credo！"’
　　`Ibelieve！’saidMrFogarty。
　　`Credo！’saidMrCunningham。`Thatshowedthefaithhehad。HesubmittedthemomentthePopespoke。’
　　`AndwhataboutDowling？’askedMrM’Coy。