LittleChandlerorderedthedrinks。Theblushwhichhadrisentohisfaceafewmomentsbeforewasestablishingitself。Atriflemadehimblushatanytime：andnowhefeltwarmandexcited。ThreesmallwhiskieshadgonetohisheadandGallaher’sstrongcigarhadconfusedhismind，forhewasadelicateandabstinentperson。TheadventureofmeetingGallaheraftereightyears，offindinghimselfwithGallaherinCorless’ssurroundedbylightsandnoise，oflisteningtoGallaher’sstoriesandofsharingforabriefspaceGallaher’svagrantandtriumphantlife，upsettheequipoiseofhissensitivenature。Hefeltacutelythecontrastbetweenhisownlifeandhisfriend’s，anditseemedtohimunjust。Gallaherwashisinferiorinbirthandeducation。Hewassurethathecoulddosomethingbetterthanhisfriendhadeverdone，orcouldeverdo，somethinghigherthanmeretawdryjournalismifheonlygotthechance。Whatwasitthatstoodinhisway？Hisunfortunatetimidity！Hewishedtovindicatehimselfinsomeway，toasserthismanhood。HesawbehindGallaher’srefusalofhisinvitation。
GallaherwasonlypatronizinghimbyhisfriendlinessjustashewaspatronizingIrelandbyhisvisit。
Thebarmanbroughttheirdrinks。LittleChandlerpushedoneglasstowardshisfriendandtookuptheotherboldly。
`Whoknows？’hesaid，astheyliftedtheirglasses。`WhenyoucomenextyearImayhavethepleasureofwishinglonglifeandhappinesstoMrandMrsIgnatiusGallaher。’
IgnatiusGallaherintheactofdrinkingclosedoneeyeexpressivelyovertherimofhisglass。Whenhehaddrunkhesmackedhislipsdecisively，setdownhisglassandsaid：