MrsMercerstooduptogo：shewassorryshecouldn’twaitanylonger，butitwasaftereighto’clockandshedidnotliketobeoutlate，asthenightairwasbadforher。WhenshehadgoneIbegantowalkupanddowntheroom，clenchingmyfists。Myauntsaid：
`I’mafraidyoumayputoffyourbazaarforthisnightofOurLord。’
Atnineo’clockIheardmyuncle’slatchkeyinthehalldoor。Iheardhimtalkingtohimselfandheardthehallstandrockingwhenithadreceivedtheweightofhisovercoat。Icouldinterpretthesesigns。WhenhewasmidwaythroughhisdinnerIaskedhimtogivemethemoneytogotothebazaar。Hehadforgotten。
`Thepeopleareinbedandaftertheirfirstsleepnow，’hesaid。
Ididnotsmile。Myauntsaidtohimenergetically：
`Can’tyougivehimthemoneyandlethimgo？You’vekepthimlateenoughasitis。’
Myunclesaidhewasverysorryhehadforgotten。Hesaidhebelievedintheoldsaying：`AllworkandnoplaymakesJackadullboy。’HeaskedmewhereIwasgoingand，whenItoldhimasecondtime，heaskedmedidIknowTheArab’sFarewelltohisSteed。WhenIleftthekitchenhewasabouttorecitetheopeninglinesofthepiecetomyaunt。
IheldaflorintightlyinmyhandasIstrodedownBuckinghamStreettowardsthestation。Thesightofthestreetsthrongedwithbuyersandglaringwithgasrecalledtomethepurposeofmyjourney。Itookmyseatinathird-classcarriageofadesertedtrain。Afteranintolerabledelaythetrainmovedoutofthestationslowly。Itcreptonwardamongruinoushousesandoverthetwinklingriver。AtWestlandRowStationacrowdofpeoplepressedtothecarriagedoors；buttheportersmovedthemback，sayingthatitwasaspecialtrainforthebazaar。Iremainedaloneinthebarecarriage。Inafewminutesthetraindrewupbesideanimprovisedwoodenplatform。Ipassedoutontotheroadandsawbythelighteddialofaclockthatitwastenminutestoten。Infrontofmewasalargebuildingwhichdisplayedthemagicalname。
Icouldnotfindanysixpennyentranceand，fearingthatthebazaarwouldbeclosed，Ipassedinquicklythroughaturnstile，handingashillingtoaweary-lookingman。Ifoundmyselfinabighallgirdedathalfitsheightbyagallery。Nearlyallthestallswereclosedandthegreaterpartofthehallwasindarkness。Irecognizedasilencelikethatwhichpervadesachurchafteraservice。Iwalkedintothecentreofthebazaartimidly。Afewpeopleweregatheredaboutthestallswhichwerestillopen。
Beforeacurtain，overwhichthewordsCafé；Chantantwerewrittenincolouredlamps，twomenwerecountingmoneyonasalver。Ilistenedtothefallofthecoins。
RememberingwithdifficultywhyIhadcome，Iwentovertooneofthestallsandexaminedporcelainvasesandfloweredtea-sets。Atthedoorofthestallayoungladywastalkingandlaughingwithtwoyounggentlemen。
IremarkedtheirEnglishaccentsandlistenedvaguelytotheirconversation。
`O，Ineversaidsuchathing！’
`O，butyoudid！’
`O，butIdidn’t！’
`Didn’tshesaythat？’
`Yes。Iheardher。’
`O，there’sa……fib！’
Observingme，theyoungladycameoverandaskedmedidIwishtobuyanything。Thetoneofhervoicewasnotencouraging；sheseemedtohavespokentomeoutofasenseofduty。Ilookedhumblyatthegreatjarsthatstoodlikeeasternguardsateithersideofthedarkentrancetothestallandmurmured：
`No，thankyou。’
Theyoungladychangedthepositionofoneofthevasesandwentbacktothetwoyoungmen。Theybegantotalkofthesamesubject。Onceortwicetheyoungladyglancedatmeoverhershoulder。
Ilingeredbeforeherstall，thoughIknewmystaywasuseless，tomakemyinterestinherwaresseemthemorereal。ThenIturnedawayslowlyandwalkeddownthemiddleofthebazaar。Iallowedthetwopenniestofallagainstthesixpenceinmypocket。Iheardavoicecallfromoneendofthegallerythatthelightwasout。Theupperpartofthehallwasnowcompletelydark。
GazingupintothedarknessIsawmyselfasacreaturedrivenandderidedbyvanity；andmyeyesburnedwithanguishandanger。
Eveline
Shesatatthewindowwatchingtheeveninginvadetheavenue。Herheadwasleanedagainstthewindowcurtains，andinhernostrilswastheodourofdustycretonne。Shewastired。
Fewpeoplepassed。Themanoutofthelasthousepassedonhiswayhome；
sheheardhisfootstepsclackingalongtheconcretepavementandafterwardscrunchingonthecinderpathbeforethenewredhouses。Onetimethereusedtobeafieldthereinwhichtheyusedtoplayeveryeveningwithotherpeople’schildren。ThenamanfromBelfastboughtthefieldandbuilthousesinit-notliketheirlittlebrownhouses，butbrightbrickhouseswithshiningroofs。Thechildrenoftheavenueusedtoplaytogetherinthatfield-theDevines，theWaters，theDunns，littleKeoghthecripple，sheandherbrothersandsisters。Ernest，however，neverplayed：hewastoogrownup。Herfatherusedoftentohunttheminoutofthefieldwithhisblackthornstick；butusuallylittleKeoghusedtokeepnixandcalloutwhenhesawherfathercoming。Stilltheyseemedtohavebeenratherhappythen。Herfatherwasnotsobadthen；andbesides，hermotherwasalive。Thatwasalongtimeago；sheandherbrothersandsisterswereallgrownup；hermotherwasdead。TizzieDunnwasdead，too，andtheWatershadgonebacktoEngland。Everythingchanges。Nowshewasgoingtogoawayliketheothers，toleaveherhome。
Home！Shelookedroundtheroom，reviewingallitsfamiliarobjectswhichshehaddustedonceaweekforsomanyyears，wonderingwhereonearthallthedustcamefrom。Perhapsshewouldneverseeagainthosefamiliarobjectsfromwhichshehadneverdreamedofbeingdivided。AndyetduringallthoseyearsshehadneverfoundoutthenameofthepriestwhoseyellowingphotographhungonthewallabovethebrokenharmoniumbesidethecolouredprintofthepromisesmadetoBlessedMargaretMaryAlacoque。Hehadbeenaschoolfriendofherfather。Wheneverheshowedthephotographtoavisitorherfatherusedtopassitwithacasualword：
`HeisinMelbournenow。’
Shehadconsentedtogoaway，toleaveherhome。Wasthatwise？Shetriedtoweigheachsideofthequestion。Inherhomeanywayshehadshelterandfood；shehadthosewhomshehadknownallherlifeabouther。Ofcourseshehadtoworkhard，bothinthehouseandatbusiness。WhatwouldtheysayofherintheStoreswhentheyfoundoutthatshehadrunawaywithafellow？Sayshewasafool，perhaps；andherplacewouldbefilledupbyadvertisement。MissGavanwouldbeglad。Shehadalwayshadanedgeonher，especiallywhenevertherewerepeoplelistening。
`MissHill，don’tyouseetheseladiesarewaiting？’
`Looklively，MissHill，please。’
ShewouldnotcrymanytearsatleavingtheStores。
Butinhernewhome，inadistantunknowncountry，itwouldnotbelikethat。Thenshewouldbemarried-she，Eveline。Peoplewouldtreatherwithrespectthen。Shewouldnotbetreatedashermotherhadbeen。Evennow，thoughshewasovernineteen，shesometimesfeltherselfindangerofherfather’sviolence。SheknewitwasthatthathadgivenherthePalpitations。
Whentheyweregrowinguphehadnevergoneforher，likeheusedtogoforHarryandErnest，becauseshewasagirl；butlatterlyhehadbeguntothreatenherandsaywhathewoulddotoheronlyforherdeadmother’ssake。Andnowshehadnobodytoprotecther，ErnestwasdeadandHarry，whowasinthechurchdecoratingbusiness，wasnearlyalwaysdownsomewhereinthecountry。Besides，theinvariablesquabbleformoneyonSaturdaynightshadbeguntowearyherunspeakably。Shealwaysgaveherentirewages-sevenshillings-andHarryalwayssentupwhathecould，butthetroublewastogetanymoneyfromherfather。Hesaidsheusedtosquanderthemoney，thatshehadnohead，thathewasn’tgoingtogiveherhishard-earnedmoneytothrowaboutthestreets，andmuchmore，forhewasusuallyfairlybadonSaturdaynight。IntheendhewouldgiveherthemoneyandaskherhadsheanyintentionofbuyingSunday’sdinner。Thenshehadtorushoutasquicklyasshecouldanddohermarketing，holdingherblackleatherpursetightlyinherhandassheelbowedherwaythroughthecrowdsandreturninghomelateunderherloadofprovisions。Shehadhardworktokeepthehousetogetherandtoseethatthetwoyoungchildrenwhohadbeenlefttoherchargewenttoschoolregularlyandgottheirmealsregularly。
Itwashardwork-ahardlife-butnowthatshewasabouttoleaveitshedidnotfinditawhollyundesirablelife。
ShewasabouttoexploreanotherlifewithFrank。Frankwasverykind，manly，open-hearted。Shewastogoawaywithhimbythenight-boattobehiswifeandtolivewithhiminBuenosAires，wherehehadahomewaitingforher。Howwellsherememberedthefirsttimeshehadseenhim；hewaslodginginahouseonthemainroadwheresheusedtovisit。Itseemedafewweeksago。Hewasstandingatthegate，hispeakedcappushedbackonhisheadandhishairtumbledforwardoverafaceofbronze。Thentheyhadcometoknoweachother。HeusedtomeetheroutsidetheStoreseveryeveningandseeherhome。HetookhertoseeTheBohemianGirlandshefeltelatedasshesatinanunaccustomedpartofthetheatrewithhimHewasawfullyfondofmusicandsangalittle。Peopleknewthattheywerecourting，and，whenhesangaboutthelassthatlovesasailor，shealwaysfeltpleasantlyconfused。HeusedtocallherPoppensoutoffun。
Firstofallithadbeenanexcitementforhertohaveafellowandthenshehadbeguntolikehim。Hehadtalesofdistantcountries。HehadstartedasadeckboyatapoundamonthonashipoftheAllanLinegoingouttoCanada。Hetoldherthenamesoftheshipshehadbeenonandthenamesofthedifferentservices。HehadsailedthroughtheStraitsofMagellanandhetoldherstoriesoftheterriblePatagonians。HehadfallenonhisfeetinBuenosAires，hesaid，andhadcomeovertotheoldcountryjustforaholiday。Ofcourse，herfatherhadfoundouttheaffairandhadforbiddenhertohaveanythingtosaytohim。
`Iknowthesesailorchaps，’hesaid。
OnedayhehadquarrelledwithFrank，andafterthatshehadtomeetherloversecretly。
Theeveningdeepenedintheavenue。Thewhiteoftwolettersinherlapgrewindistinct。OnewastoHarry；theotherwastoherfather。Ernes！
hadbeenherfavourite，butshelikedHarrytoo。Herfatherwasbecomingoldlately，shenoticed；hewouldmissher。Sometimeshecouldbeverynice。Notlongbefore，whenshehadbeenlaidupforaday，hehadreadheroutaghoststoryandmadetoastforheratthefire。Anotherday，whentheirmotherwasalive，theyhadallgoneforapicnictotheHillofHowth。Sherememberedherfatherputtingonhermother’sbonnettomakethechildrenlaugh。
Hertimewasrunningout，butshecontinuedtositbythewindow，leaningherheadagainstthewindowcurtain，inhalingtheodourofdustycretonne。
Downfarintheavenueshecouldhearastreetorganplaying。Sheknewtheair。Strangethatitshouldcomethatverynighttoremindherofthepromisetohermother，herpromisetokeepthehometogetheraslongasshecould。Sherememberedthelastnightofhermother’sillness；shewasagainintheclose，darkroomattheothersideofthehallandoutsidesheheardamelancholyairofItaly。Theorgan-playerhadbeenorderedtogoawayandgivensixpence。Sherememberedherfatherstruttingbackintothesick-roomsaying：
`DamnedItalians！comingoverhere！’
Asshemusedthepitifulvisionofhermother’slifelaiditsspellontheveryquickofherbeing-thatlifeofcommonplacesacrificesclosinginfinalcraziness。Shetrembledassheheardagainhermother’svoicesayingconstantlywithfoolishinsistence：
`DerevaunSeraun！DerevaunSeraun！’
Shestoodupinasuddenimpulseofterror。Escape！Shemustescape！
Frankwouldsaveher。Hewouldgiveherlife，perhapslove，too。Butshewantedtolive。Whyshouldshebeunhappy？Shehadarighttohappiness。
Frankwouldtakeherinhisarms，foldherinhisarms。Hewouldsaveher。
ShestoodamongtheswayingcrowdinthestationattheNorthWall。
Heheldherhandandsheknewthathewasspeakingtoher，sayingsomethingaboutthepassageoverandoveragain。Thestationwasfullofsoldierswithbrownbaggages。Throughthewidedoorsoftheshedsshecaughtaglimpseoftheblackmassoftheboat，lyinginbesidethequaywall，withilluminedportholes。Sheanswerednothing。Shefelthercheekpaleandcoldand，outofamazeofdistress，sheprayedtoGodtodirecther，toshowherwhatwasherduty。Theboatblewalongmournfulwhistleintothemist。
Ifshewent，tomorrowshewouldbeontheseawithFrank，steamingtowardsBuenosAires。Theirpassagehadbeenbooked。Couldshestilldrawbackafterallhehaddoneforher？Herdistressawokeanauseainherbodyandshekeptmovingherlipsinsilentferventprayer。
Abellclangeduponherheart。Shefelthimseizeherhand：`Come！’
Alltheseasoftheworldtumbledaboutherheart。Hewasdrawingherintothem：hewoulddrownher。Shegrippedwithbothhandsattheironrailing。
`Come！’
No！No！No！Itwasimpossible。Herhandsclutchedtheironinfrenzy。
Amidtheseasshesentacryofanguish。
`Eveline！Evvy！’
Herushedbeyondthebarrierandcalledtohertofollow。Hewasshoutedattogoon，buthestillcalledtoher。Shesetherwhitefacetohim，passive，likeahelplessanimal。Hereyesgavehimnosignofloveorfarewellorrecognition。
AfterTheRace
ThecarscamescuddingintowardsDublin，runningevenlylikepelletsinthegrooveoftheNaasRoad。AtthecrestofthehillatInchicoresightseershadgatheredinclumpstowatchthecarscareeringhomeward，andthroughthischannelofpovertyandinactiontheContinentspeditswealthandindustry。Nowandagaintheclumpsofpeopleraisedthecheerofthegratefullyoppressed。Theirsympathy，however，wasforthebluecars-thecarsoftheirfriends，theFrench。
TheFrench，moreover，werevirtualvictors。Theirteamhadfinishedsolidly；theyhadbeenplacedsecondandthirdandthedriverofthewinningGermancarwasreportedaBelgian。Eachbluecar，therefore，receivedadoublemeasureofwelcomeasittoppedthecrestofthehill，andeachcheerofwelcomewasacknowledgedwithsmilesandnodsbythoseinthecar。InoneofthesetrimlybuiltcarswasapartyoffouryoungmenwhosespiritsseemedtobeatpresentwellabovethelevelofsuccessfulGallicism：
infact，thesefouryoungmenwerealmosthilarious。TheywereCharlesSé；gouin，theownerofthecar；André；Riviè；re，ayoungelectricianofCanadianbirth；ahugeHungariannamedVillonaandaneatlygroomedyoungmannamedDoyle。Sé；gouinwasingoodhumourbecausehehadunexpectedlyreceivedsomeordersinadvance（hewasabouttostartamotorestablishmentinParis）andRiviè；rewasingoodhumourbecausehewastobeappointedmanageroftheestablishment；thesetwoyoungmen（whowerecousins）werealsoingoodhumourbecauseofthesuccessoftheFrenchcars。Villonawasingoodhumourbecausehehadhadaverysatisfactoryluncheon；and，besides，hewasanoptimistbynature。Thefourthmemberoftheparty，however，wastooexcitedtobegenuinelyhappy。
Hewasabouttwenty-sixyearsofage，withasoft，light-brownmoustacheandratherinnocent-lookinggreyeyes。Hisfather，whohadbegunlifeasanadvancedNationalist，hadmodifiedhisviewsearly。HehadmadehismoneyasabutcherinKingstown，andbyopeningshopsinDublinandinthesuburbshehadmadehismoneymanytimesover。HehadalsobeenfortunateenoughtosecuresomeofthepolicecontractsandintheendhehadbecomerichenoughtobealludedtointheDublinnewspapersasamerchantprince。
HehadsenthissontoEnglandtobeeducatedinabigCatholiccollegeandhadafterwardssenthimtoDublinUniversitytostudylaw。Jimmydidnotstudyveryearnestlyandtooktobadcoursesforawhile。Hehadmoneyandhewaspopular；andhedividedhistimecuriouslybetweenmusicalandmotoringcircles。ThenhehadbeensentforatermtoCambridgetoseealittlelife。Hisfather，remonstrative，butcovertlyproudoftheexcess，hadpaidhisbillsandbroughthimhome。ItwasatCambridgethathehadmetSé；gouin。Theywerenotmuchmorethanacquaintancesasyet，butJimmyfoundgreatpleasureinthesocietyofonewhohadseensomuchoftheworldandwasreputedtoownsomeofthebiggesthotelsinFrance。
Suchaperson（ashisfatheragreed）waswellworthknowing，evenifhehadnotbeenthecharmingcompanionhewas。Villonawasentertainingalso-abrilliantpianist-but，unfortunately，verypoor。
Thecarranonmerrilywithitscargoofhilariousyouth。Thetwocousinssatonthefrontseat；JimmyandhisHungarianfriendsatbehind。DecidedlyVillonawasinexcellentspirits；hekeptupadeepbasshumofmelodyformilesoftheroad。TheFrenchmenflungtheirlaughterandlightwordsovertheirshoulders，andoftenJimmyhadtostrainforwardtocatchthequickphrase。Thiswasnotaltogetherpleasantforhim，ashehadnearlyalwaystomakeadeftguessatthemeaningandshoutbackasuitableanswerinthefaceofahighwind。Besides，Villona’shummingwouldconfuseeverybody；
thenoiseofthecar，too。
Rapidmotionthroughspaceelatesone；sodoesnotoriety；sodoesthepossessionofmoney。ThesewerethreegoodreasonsforJimmy’sexcitement。
HehadbeenseenbymanyofhisfriendsthatdayinthecompanyoftheseContinentals。AtthecontrolSé；gouinhadpresentedhimtooneoftheFrenchcompetitorsand，inanswertohisconfusedmurmurofcompliment，theswarthyfaceofthedriverhaddisclosedalineofshiningwhiteteeth。
Itwaspleasantafterthathonourtoreturntotheprofaneworldofspectatorsamidnudgesandsignificantlooks。Thenastomoney-hereallyhadagreatsumunderhiscontrol。Sé；gouin，perhaps，wouldnotthinkitagreatsum，butJimmywho，inspiteoftemporaryerrors；wasathearttheinheritorofsolidinstincts，knewwellwithwhatdifficultyithadbeengottogether。
Thisknowledgehadpreviouslykepthisbillswithinthelimitsofreasonablerecklessness，andifhehadbeensoconsciousofthelabourlatentinmoneywhentherehadbeenquestionmerelyofsomefreakofthehigherintelligence，howmuchmoresonowwhenhewasabouttostakethegreaterpartofhissubstance！Itwasaseriousthingforhim。
Ofcourse，theinvestmentwasagoodone，andSé；gouinhadmanagedtogivetheimpressionthatitwasbyafavouroffriendshipthemiteofIrishmoneywastobeincludedinthecapitaloftheconcern。Jimmyhadarespectforhisfather’sshrewdnessinbusinessmatters，andinthiscaseithadbeenhisfatherwhohadfirstsuggestedtheinvestment；moneytobemadeinthemotorbusiness，potsofmoney。Moreover，Sé；gouinhadtheunmistakableairofwealth。Jimmysetouttotranslateintodays’
workthatlordlycarinwhichhesat。Howsmoothlyitran！Inwhatstyletheyhadcomecareeringalongthecountryroads！Thejourneylaidamagicalfingeronthegenuinepulseoflifeandgallantlythemachineryofhumannervesstrovetoanswertheboundingcoursesoftheswiftblueanimal。
TheydrovedownDameStreet。Thestreetwasbusywithunusualtraffic，loudwiththehornsofmotoristsandthegongsofimpatienttram-drivers。
NeartheBankSé；gouindrewupandJimmyandhisfriendalighted。
Alittleknotofpeoplecollectedonthefootpathtopayhomagetothesnortingmotor。ThepartywastodinetogetherthateveninginSé；gouin’shoteland，meanwhile，Jimmyandhisfriend，whowasstayingwithhim，weretogohometodress。ThecarsteeredoutslowlyforGraftonStreetwhilethetwoyoungmenpushedtheirwaythroughtheknotofgazers。Theywalkednorthwardwithacuriousfeelingofdisappointmentintheexercise，whilethecityhungitspaleglobesoflightabovetheminahazeofsummerevening。
InJimmy’shousethisdinnerhadbeenpronouncedanoccasion。Acertainpridemingledwithhisparents’trepidation，acertaineagerness，also，toplayfastandloose，forthenamesofgreatforeigncitieshaveatleastthisvirtue。Jimmy，too，lookedverywellwhenhewasdressed，andashestoodinthehall，givingalastequationtothebowsofhisdresstie，hisfathermayhavefeltevencommerciallysatisfiedathavingsecuredforhissonqualitiesoftenunpurchasable。Hisfather，therefore，wasunusuallyfriendlywithVillona，andhismannerexpressedarealrespectforforeignaccomplishments；butthissubtletyofhishostwasprobablylostupontheHungarian，whowasbeginningtohaveasharpdesireforhisdinner。
Thedinnerwasexcellent，exquisite。Sé；gouin，Jimmydecided，hadaveryrefinedtaste。ThepartywasincreasedbyayoungEnglishmannamedRouthwhomJimmyhadseenwithSé；gouinatCambridge。Theyoungmensuppedinasnugroomlitbyelectriccandlelamps。Theytalkedvolublyandwithlittlereserve。Jimmy，whoseimaginationwaskindling，conceivedthelivelyyouthoftheFrenchmentwinedelegantlyuponthefirmframeworkoftheEnglishman’smanner。Agracefulimageofhis，hethought，andajustone。Headmiredthedexteritywithwhichtheirhostdirectedtheconversation。
Thefiveyoungmenhadvarioustastesandtheirtongueshadbeenloosened。
Villona，withimmenserespect，begantodiscovertothemildlysurprisedEnglishmanthebeautiesoftheEnglishmadrigal，deploringthelossofoldinstruments。Riviè；re，notwhollyingenuously，undertooktoexplaintoJimmythetriumphoftheFrenchmechanicians。TheresonantvoiceoftheHungarianwasabouttoprevailinridiculeofthespuriouslutesoftheromanticpainterswhenSé；gouinshepherdedhispartyintopolitics。
Herewascongenialgroundforall。Jimmy，undergenerousinfluences，felttheburiedzealofhisfatherwaketolifewithinhim：hearousedthetorpidRouthatlast。TheroomgrewdoublyhotandSé；gouin’staskgrewhardereachmoment：therewasevendangerofpersonalspite。ThealerthostatanopportunityliftedhisglasstoHumanity，andwhenthetoasthadbeendrunkhethrewopenawindowsignificantly。
Thatnightthecityworethemaskofacapital。ThefiveyoungmenstrolledalongStephen’sGreeninafaintcloudofaromaticsmoke。Theytalkedloudlyandgailyandtheircloaksdangledfromtheirshoulders。Thepeoplemadewayforthem。AtthecornerofGraftonStreetashortfatmanwasputtingtwohandsomeladiesonacarinchargeofanotherfatman。Thecardroveoffandtheshortfatmancaughtsightoftheparty。
`André；。’
`It’sFarley！’
Atorrentoftalkfollowed。FarleywasanAmerican。Nooneknewverywellwhatthetalkwasabout。VillonaandRiviè；rewerethenoisiest，butallthemenwereexcited。Theygotuponacar，squeezingthemselvestogetheramidmuchlaughter。Theydrovebythecrowd，blendednowintosoftcolours，toamusicofmerrybells。TheytookthetrainatWestlandRowandinafewseconds，asitseemedtoJimmy，theywerewalkingoutofKingstownStation。Theticket-collectorsalutedJimmy；hewasanoldman：
`Finenight，sir！’
Itwasaserenesummernight；theharbourlaylikeadarkenedmirrorattheirfeet。Theyproceededtowardsitwithlinkedarms，singingCadetRousselinchorus，stampingtheirfeetatevery：
`Ho！Ho！Hohé；，vraiment！’
TheygotintoarowboatattheslipandmadeoutfortheAmerican’syacht。Therewastobesupper，music，cards。Villonasaidwithconviction：
`Itisdelightful！’
Therewasayachtpianointhecabin。VillonaplayedawaltzforFarleyandRiviè；re，FarleyactingascavalierandRiviè；reaslady。
Thenanimpromptusquaredance，themendevisingoriginalfigures。Whatmerriment！Jimmytookhispartwithawill；thiswasseeinglife，atleast。
ThenFarleygotoutofbreathandcried`Stop！’Amanbroughtinalightsupper，andtheyoungmensatdowntoitforform’ssake。Theydrank，however：itwasBohemian。TheydrankIreland，England，France，Hungary，theUnitedStatesofAmerica。Jimmymadeaspeech，alongspeech，Villonasaying`Hear！hear！’whenevertherewasapause。Therewasagreatclappingofhandswhenhesatdown。Itmusthavebeenagoodspeech。Farleyclappedhimonthebackandlaughedloudly。Whatjovialfellows！Whatgoodcompanytheywere！
Cards！cards！Thetablewascleared。Villonareturnedquietlytohispianoandplayedvoluntariesforthem。Theothermenplayedgameaftergame，flingingthemselvesboldlyintotheadventure。TheydrankthehealthoftheQueenofHeartsandoftheQueenofDiamonds。Jimmyfeltobscurelythelackofanaudience：thewitwasflashing。Playranveryhighandpaperbegantopass。Jimmydidnotknowexactlywhowaswinning，butheknewthathewaslosing。Butitwashisownfault，forhefrequentlymistookhiscardsandtheothermenhadtocalculatehisIOUsforhim。Theyweredevilsoffellows，buthewishedtheywouldstop：itwasgettinglate。
SomeonegavethetoastoftheyachtTheBelleofNewport，andthensomeoneproposedonegreatgameforafinish。
Thepianohadstopped；Villonamusthavegoneupondeck。Itwasaterriblegame。Theystoppedjustbeforetheendofittodrinkforluck。JimmyunderstoodthatthegamelaybetweenRouthandSé；gouin。Whatexcitement！Jimmywasexcitedtoo；hewouldlose，ofcourse。Howmuchhadhewrittenaway？
Themenrosetotheirfeettoplaythelasttricks，talkingandgesticulating。
Routhwon。Thecabinshookwiththeyoungmen’scheeringandthecardswerebundledtogether。Theybeganthentogatherinwhattheyhadwon。
FarleyandJimmyweretheheaviestlosers。
Heknewthathewouldregretitinthemorning，butatpresenthewasgladoftherest，gladofthedarkstuporthatwouldcoveruphisfolly。
Heleanedhiselbowsonthetableandrestedhisheadbetweenhishands，countingthebeatsofhistemples。ThecabindooropenedandhesawtheHungarianstandinginashaftofgreylight：
`Daybreak，gentlemen！’
TwoGallants
ThegreywarmeveningofAugusthaddescendeduponthecity，andamildwarmair，amemoryofsummer，circulatedinthestreets。Thestreets，shutteredforthereposeofSunday，swarmedwithagailycolouredcrowd。Likeilluminedpearlsthelampsshonefromthesummitsoftheirtallpolesuponthelivingtexturebelow，which，changingshapeandhueunceasingly，sentupintothewarmgreyeveningairanunchanging，unceasingmurmur。
TwoyoungmencamedownthehillofRutlandSquare。Oneofthemwasjustbringingalongmonologuetoaclose。Theother，whowalkedonthevergeofthepathandwasattimesobligedtostepontotheroad，owingtohiscompanion’srudeness，woreanamused，listeningface。Hewassquatandruddy。Ayachtingcapwasshovedfarbackfromhisforehead，andthenarrativetowhichhelistenedmadeconstantwavesofexpressionbreakforthoverhisfacefromthecornersofhisnoseandeyesandmouth。Littlejetsofwheezinglaughterfollowedoneanotheroutofhisconvulsedbody。
Hiseyes，twinklingwithcunningenjoyment，glancedateverymomenttowardshiscompanion’sface。Onceortwiceherearrangedthelightwaterproofwhichhehadslungoveroneshoulderintoreadorfashion。Hisbreeches，hiswhiterubbershoes，andhisjauntilyslungwaterproofexpressedyouth。
Buthisfigurefellintorotundityatthewaist，hishairwasscantandgrey，andhisface，whenthewavesofexpressionhadpassedoverit，hadaravagedlook。
Whenhewasquitesurethatthenarrativehadendedhelaughednoiselesslyforfullyhalfaminute。Thenhesaid：
`Well！……Thattakesthebiscuit！’
Hisvoiceseemedwinnowedofvigour；andtoenforcehiswordsheaddedwithhumour：
`Thattakesthesolitary，unique，and，ifImaysocallit，recherché；biscuit！’
Hebecameseriousandsilentwhenhehadsaidthis。Histonguewastired，forhehadbeentalkingalltheafternooninapublic-houseinDorsetStreet。
MostpeopleconsideredLenehanaleech，butinspiteofthisreputation，hisadroitnessandeloquencehadalwayspreventedhisfriendsfromforminganygeneralpolicyagainsthim。Hehadabravemannerofcominguptoapartyoftheminabarandofholdinghimselfnimblyatthebordersofthecompanyuntilhewasincludedinaround。Hewasasportingvagrantarmedwithavaststockofstories，limericks，andriddles。Hewasinsensitivetoallkindsofdiscourtesy。Nooneknewhowheachievedthesterntaskofliving，buthisnamewasvaguelyassociatedwithracingtissues。
`Andwheredidyoupickherup，Corley？’heasked。
Corleyranhistongueswiftlyalonghisupperlip。
`Onenight，man，’hesaid，`IwasgoingalongDameStreetandIspottedafinetartunderWaterhouse’sclock，andsaidgoodnight，youknow。Sowewentforawalkroundbythecanal，andshetoldmeshewasaslaveyinahouseinBaggotStreet。Iputmyarmroundherandsqueezedherabitthatnight。ThennextSunday，man，Imetherbyappointment。WewentouttoDonnybrookandIbroughtherintoafieldthere。Shetoldmesheusedtogowithadairyman……Itwasfine，man。Cigaretteseverynightshe’dbringme，andpayingthetramoutandback。Andonenightshebroughtmetwobloodyfinecigars-O，therealcheese，youknownthattheoldfellowusedtosmoke……Iwasafraid，man，she’dgetinthefamilyway。
Butshe’suptothedodge。’
`Maybeshethinksyou’llmarryher，’saidLenehan。
`ItoldherIwasoutofajob，’saidCorley。`ItoldherIwasinPim’s。
Shedoesn’tknowmyname。Iwastoohairytotellherthat。ButshethinksI’mabitofclass，youknow。’
Lenehanlaughedagain，noiselessly。
`OfallthegoodoneseverIheard，’hesaid，`thatemphaticallytakesthebiscuit。’
Corley’sstrideacknowledgedthecompliment。Theswingofhisburlybodymadehisfriendexecuteafewlightskipsfromthepathtotheroadwayandbackagain。Corleywasthesonofaninspectorofpolice，andhehadinheritedhisfather’sframeandgait。’Hewalkedwithhishandsbyhissides，holdinghimselferectandswayinghisheadfromsidetoside。Hisheadwaslarge，globular，andoily；itsweatedinallweathers；andhislargeroundhat，setuponitsideways，lookedlikeabulbwhichhadgrownoutofanother。Healwaysstaredstraightbeforehimasifhewereonparade，andwhenhewishedtogazeaftersomeoneinthestreet，itwasnecessaryforhimtomovehisbodyfromthehips。Atpresenthewasabouttown。Wheneveranyjobwasvacantafriendwasalwaysreadytogivehimthehardword。
Hewasoftentobeseenwalkingwithpolicemeninplainclothes，talkingearnestly。Heknewtheinnersideofallaffairsandwasfondofdeliveringfinaljudgements。Hespokewithoutlisteningtothespeechofhiscompanions。
Hisconversationwasmainlyabouthimself：whathehadsaidtosuchapersonandwhatsuchapersonhadsaidtohim，andwhathehadsaidtosettlethematter。WhenhereportedthesedialoguesheaspiratedthefirstletterofhisnameafterthemannerofFlorentines。
Lenehanofferedhisfriendacigarette。AsthetwoyoungmenwalkedonthroughthecrowdCorleyoccasionallyturnedtosmileatsomeofthepassinggirls，butLenehan’sgazewasfixedonthelargefaintmooncircledwithadoublehalo。Hewatchedearnestlythepassingofthegreyweboftwilightacrossitsface。Atlengthhesaid：
`Well……tellme，Corley，Isupposeyou’llbeabletopullitoffallright，eh？’
Corleyclosedoneeyeexpressivelyasananswer。
`Isshegameforthat？’askedLenehandubiously。`Youcanneverknowwomen。’
`She’sallright，’saidCorley。`Iknowthewaytogetaroundher，man。
She’sabitgoneonme。’
`You’rewhatIcallagayLothario，’saidLenehan。`AndtheproperkindofaLothario，too！’
Ashadeofmockeryrelievedtheservilityofhismanner。Tosavehimselfhehadthehabitofleavinghisflatteryopentotheinterpretationofraillery。ButCorleyhadnotasubtlemind。
`There’snothingtotouchagoodslavey，’heaffirmed。`Takemytipforit。’
`Byonewhohastriedthemall，’saidLenehan。
`FirstIusedtogowithgirls，youknow，’saidCorley，unbosoming；
`girlsofftheSouthCircular。Iusedtotakethemout，man，onthetramsomewhereandpaythetram，ortakethemtoabandoraplayatthetheatre，orbuythemchocolateandsweetsorsomethingthatway。Iusedtospendmoneyonthemrightenough，’headded，inaconvincingtone，asifhewasconsciousofbeingdisbelieved。
ButLenehancouldwellbelieveit；henoddedgravely。
`Iknowthatgame，’hesaid，`andit’samug’sgame。’
`AnddamnthethingIevergotoutofit，’saidCorley。
`Dittohere，’saidLenehan。
`Onlyoffofoneofthem，’saidCorley。
Hemoistenedhisupperlipbyrunninghistonguealongit。Therecollectionbrightenedhiseyes。He，too，gazedatthepalediscofthemoon，nownearlyveiled，andseemedtomeditate。
`Shewas……abitofallright，’hesaidregretfully。
Hewassilentagain。Thenheadded：
`She’sontheturfnow。IsawherdrivingdownEarlStreetonenightwithtwofellowswithheronacar。’
`Isupposethat’syourdoing，’saidLenehan。
`Therewasothersatherbeforeme，’saidCorleyphilosophically。
ThistimeLenehanwasinclinedtodisbelieve。Heshookhisheadtoandfroandsmiled。
`Youknowyoucan’tkidme，Corley，’hesaid。
`HonesttoGod！’saidCorley。`Didn’tshetellmeherself？’
Lenehanmadeatragicgesture。
`Basebetrayer！’hesaid。
AstheypassedalongtherailingsofTrinityCollege，Lenehanskippedoutintotheroadandpeeredupattheclock。
`Twentyafter，’hesaid。
`Timeenough，’saidCorley。`She’llbethereallright。Ialwaysletherwaitabit。’
Lenehanlaughedquietly。
`Ecod！Corley，youknowhowtotakethem，’hesaid。
`I’muptoalltheirlittletricks，’Corleyconfessed。
`Buttellme，’saidLenehanagain，`areyousureyoucanbringitoffallright？Youknowit’saticklishjob。They’redamncloseonthatpoint。
Eh？……What？’
Hisbrightsmalleyessearchedhiscompanion’sfaceforreassurance。
Corleyswunghisheadtoandfroasiftotossasideaninsistentinsect，andhisbrowsgathered。
`I’llpullitoff，’hesaid。`Leaveittome，can’tyou？’
Lenehansaidnomore。Hedidnotwishtorufflehisfriend’stemper，tobesenttothedevilandtoldthathisadvicewasnotwanted。Alittletactwasnecessary。ButCorley’sbrowwassoonsmoothagain。Histhoughtswererunninganotherway。
`She’safinedecenttart，’hesaid，withappreciation；`that’swhatsheis。’
TheywalkedalongNassauStreetandthenturnedintoKildareStreet。
Notfarfromtheporchoftheclubaharpiststoodintheroadway，playingtoalittleringoflisteners。Hepluckedatthewiresheedlessly，glancingquicklyfromtimetotimeatthefaceofeachnew-comerandfromtimetotime，wearilyalso，atthesky。Hisharp，too，heedlessthathercoveringshadfallenaboutherknees，seemedwearyalikeoftheeyesofstrangersandofhermaster’shands。OnehandplayedinthebassthemelodyofSilent，OMoyle，whiletheotherhandcareeredinthetrebleaftereachgroupofnotes。Thenotesoftheairsoundeddeepandfull。
Thetwoyoungmenwalkedupthestreetwithoutspeaking，themournfulmusicfollowingthem。WhentheyreachedStephen’sGreentheycrossedtheroad。Herethenoiseoftrams，thelights，andthecrowd，releasedthemfromtheirsilence。
`Theresheis！’saidCorley。
AtthecornerofHumeStreetayoungwomanwasstanding。Sheworeabluedressandawhitesailorhat。Shestoodonthekerbstone，swingingasunshadeinonehand。Lenehangrewlively。
`Let’shavealookather，Corley，’hesaid。
Corleyglancedsidewaysathisfriend，andanunpleasantgrinappearedonhisface。
`Areyoutryingtogetinsideme？’heasked。
`Damnit！’saidLenehanboldly，`Idon’twantanintroduction。AllI
wantistohavealookather。I’mnotgoingtoeather。’
`O……Alookather？’saidCorley，moreamiably。`Well。I’lltellyouwhat。I’llgooverandtalktoherandyoucanpassby。’
`Right！’saidLenehan。
CorleyhadalreadythrownonelegoverthechainswhenLenehancalledout：
`Andafter？Wherewillwemeet？’
`Halften，’answeredCorley，bringingoverhisotherleg。
`Where？’
`CornerofMerrionStreet。We’llbecomingback。’
`Workitallrightnow，’saidLenehaninfarewell。
Corleydidnotanswer。Hesaunteredacrosstheroadswayinghisheadfromsidetoside。Hisbulk，hiseasypace，andthesolidsoundofhisbootshadsomethingoftheconquerorinthem。Heapproachedtheyoungwomanand，withoutsaluting，beganatoncetoconversewithher。Sheswungherumbrellamorequicklyandexecutedhalfturnsonherheels。Onceortwicewhenhespoketoheratclosequartersshelaughedandbentherhead。
Lenehanobservedthemforafewminutes。Thenhewalkedrapidlyalongbesidethechainsatsomedistanceandcrossedtheroadobliquely。AsheapproachedHumeStreetcornerhefoundtheairheavilyscented，andhiseyesmadeaswiftanxiousscrutinyoftheyoungwoman’sappearance。ShehadherSundayfineryon。Herbluesergeskirtwasheldatthewaistbyabeltofblackleather。Thegreatsilverbuckleofherbeltseemedtodepressthecentreofherbody，catchingthelightstuffofherwhiteblouselikeaclip。Sheworeashortblackjacketwithmother-of-pearlbuttons，andaraggedblackboa。Theendsofhertullecollarettehadbeencarefullydisorderedandabigbunchofredflowerswaspinnedinherbosomstemsupwards。Lenehan’seyesnotedapprovinglyherstoutshortmuscularbody。
Frankrudehealthglowedinherface，onherfatredcheeksandinherunabashedblueeyes。Herfeatureswereblunt。Shehadbroadnostrils，astragglingmouthwhichlayopeninacontentedleer，andtwoprojectingfrontteeth。AshepassedLenehantookoffhiscap，and，afterabouttenseconds，Corleyreturnedasalutetotheair。Thishedidbyraisinghishandvaguelyandpensivelychangingtheangleofpositionofhishat。
LenehanwalkedasfarastheShelbourneHotel，wherehehaltedandwaited。
Afterwaitingforalittletimehesawthemcomingtowardshimand，whentheyturnedtotheright，hefollowedthem，steppinglightlyinhiswhiteshoes，downonesideofMerrionSquare。Ashewalkedonslowly，timinghispacetotheirs，hewatchedCorley’sheadwhichturnedateverymomenttowardstheyoungwoman’sfacelikeabigballrevolvingonapivot。HekeptthepairinviewuntilhehadseenthemclimbingthestairsoftheDonnybrooktram；thenheturnedaboutandwentbackthewayhehadcome。
Nowthathewasalonehisfacelookedolder。Hisgaietyseemedtoforsakehim，andashecamebytherailingsoftheDuke’sLawnheallowedhishandtorunalongthem。Theairwhichtheharpisthadplayedbegantocontrolhismovements。Hissoftlypaddedfeetplayedthemelodywhilehisfingerssweptascaleofvariationsidlyalongtherailingsaftereachgroupofnotes。
HewalkedlistlesslyroundStephen’sGreenandthendownGraftonStreet。