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：
`Nobloomingfearofthat，myboy。I’mgoingtohavemyflingfirstandseeabitoflifeandtheworldbeforeIputmyheadinthesack-
ifIeverdo。’
`Somedayyouwill，’saidLittleChandlercalmly。
IgnatiusGallaherturnedhisorangetieandslate-blueeyesfulluponhisfriend。
`Youthinkso？’hesaid。
`You’llputyourheadinthesack，’repeatedLittleChandlerstoutly，`likeeveryoneelseifyoucanfindthegirl。’
Hehadslightlyemphasizedhistone，andhewasawarethathehadbetrayedhimself；but，thoughthecolourhadheightenedinhischeek，hedidnotflinchfromhisfriends’gaze。IgnatiusGallaherwatchedhimforafewmomentsandthensaid：
`Ifeveritoccurs，youmaybetyourbottomdollarthere’llbenomooningandspooningaboutit。Imeantomarrymoney。She’llhaveagoodfataccountatthebankorshewon’tdoforme。’
LittleChandlershookhishead。
`Why，manalive，’saidIgnatiusGallaher，vehemently，`doyouknowwhatitis？I’veonlytosaythewordandtomorrowIcanhavethewomanandthecash。Youdon’tbelieveit？Well，Iknowit。Therearehundreds-whatamIsaying？-thousandsofrichGermansandJews，rottenwithmoney，that’donlybetooglad……Youwaitawhile，myboy。SeeifIdon’tplaymycardsproperly。WhenIgoaboutathingImeanbusiness，Itellyou。Youjustwait。’
Hetossedhisglasstohismouth，finishedhisdrinkandlaughedloudly。
Thenhelookedthoughtfullybeforehimandsaidinacalmertone：
`ButI’minnohurry。Theycanwait。Idon’tfancytyingmyselfuptoonewoman，youknow。’
Heimitatedwithhismouththeactoftastingandmadeawryface。
`Mustgetabitstale，Ishouldthink，’hesaid。
LittleChandlersatintheroomoffthehall，holdingachildinhisarms。Tosavemoneytheykeptnoservant，butAnnie’syoungsisterMonicacameforanhourorsointhemorningandanhourorSointheeveningtohelp。ButMonicahadgonehomelongago。Itwasaquartertonine。LittleChandlerhadcomehomelateforteaand，moreover，hehadforgottentobringAnniehometheparcelofcoffeefromBewley’s。Ofcourseshewasinabadhumourandgavehimshortanswers。Shesaidshewoulddowithoutanytea，butwhenitcamenearhetimeatwhichtheshopatthecornerclosedshedecidedtogooutherselfforaquarterofapoundofteaandtwopoundsofsugar。Sheputthesleepingchilddeftlyinhisarmsandsaid：
`Here。Don’twakenhim。’
Alittlelampwithawhitechinashadestooduponthetableanditslightfelloveraphotographwhichwasenclosedinaframeofcrumpledhorn。ItwasAnnie’sphotograph。LittleChandlerlookedatit，pausingatthethintightlips。SheworethepalebluesummerblousewhichhehadbroughtherhomeasapresentoneSaturday。Ithadcosthimtenandelevenpence；
butwhatanagonyofnervousnessithadcosthim！Howhehadsufferedthatday，waitingattheshopdooruntiltheshopwasempty，standingatthecounterandtryingtoappearathiseasewhilethegirlpiledladies’blousesbeforehim，payingatthedeskandforgettingtotakeuptheoddpennyofhischange，beingcalledbackbythecashier，andfinally，strivingtohidehisblushesashelefttheshopbyexaminingtheparceltoseeifitwasSecurelytied。WhenhebroughttheblousehomeAnniekissedhimandsaiditwasveryprettyandstylish；butwhensheheardthepriceshethrewtheblouseonthetableandsaiditwasaregularswindletochargetenandelevenpenceforit。Atfirstshewantedtotakeitback，butwhenshetrieditonshewasdelightedwithit，especiallywiththemakeofthesleeves，andkissedhimandsaidhewasverygoodtothinkofher。
Hm！……
Helookedcoldlyintotheeyesofthephotographandtheyansweredcoldly。
Certainlytheywereprettyandthefaceitselfwaspretty。Buthefoundsomethingmeaninit。Whywasitsounconsciousandladylike？Thecomposureofthegyesirritatedhim。Theyrepelledhimanddefiedhim：therewasnopassioninthem，norapture。HethoughtofwhatGallaherhadsaidaboutrichJewesses。ThosedarkOrientaleyes，hethought，howfulltheyareofpassion，ofvoluptuouslonging！……Whyhadhemarriedtheeyesinthephotograph？
Hecaughthimselfupatthequestionandglancednervouslyroundtheroom。Hefoundsomethingmeanintheprettyfurniturewhichhehadboughtforhishouseonthehiresystem。Anniehadchosenitherselfanditremindedhimofher。Ittoowasprimandpretty。Adullresentmentagainsthislifeawokewithinhim。Couldhenotescapefromhislittlehouse？WasittoolateforhimtotrytolivebravelylikeGallaher？CouldhegotoLondon？
Therewasthefurniturestilltobepaidfor。Ifhecouldonlywriteabookandgetitpublished，thatmightopenthewayforhim。
AvolumeofByron’spoemslaybeforehimonthetable。Heopeneditcautiouslywithhislefthandlestheshouldwakenthechildandbegantoreadthefirstpoeminthebook：Hushedarethewindsandstilltheeveninggloom，Note’enaZephyrwandersthroughthegrove，WhilstIreturntoviewmyMargaret’stombAndscatterflowersonthedustIlove。Hepaused。Hefelttherhythmoftheverseabouthimintheroom。Howmelancholyitwas！Couldhe，too，writelikethat，expressthemelancholyofhissoulinverse？Thereweresomanythingshewantedtodescribe：hissensationofafewhoursbeforeonGrattanBridge，forexample。Ifhecouldgetbackagainintothatmood……
Thechildawokeandbegantocry。Heturnedfromthepageandtriedtohushit：butitwouldnotbehushed。Hebegantorockittoandfroinhisarms，butitswailingcrygrewkeener。Herockeditfasterwhilehiseyesbegantoreadthesecondstanza：Withinthisnarrowcellreclinesherclay，Thatclaywhereonce……Itwasuseless。Hecouldn’tread。Hecouldn’tdoanything。Thewailingofthechildpiercedthedrumofhisear。Itwasuseless，useless！Hewasaprisonerforlife。Hisarmstrembledwithangerandsuddenlybendingtothechild’sfaceheshouted：
`Stop！’
Thechildstoppedforaninstant，hadaspasmoffrightandbegantoscream。Hejumpedupfromhischairandwalkedhastilyupanddowntheroomwiththechildinhisarms。itbegantosobpiteously，losingitsbreathforfourorfiveseconds，andthenburstingoutanew。Thethinwallsoftheroomechoedthesound。Hetriedtosootheit，butitsobbedmoreconvulsively。Helookedatthecontractedandquiveringfaceofthechildandbegantobealarmed。Hecountedsevensobswithoutabreakbetweenthemandcaughtthechildtohisbreastinfright。Ifitdied！……
Thedoorwasburstopenandayoungwomanranin，panting。
`Whatisit？Whatisit？’shecried。
Thechild，hearingitsmother’svoice，brokeoutintoaparoxysmofsobbing。
`It’snothing，Annie……it’snothing……Hebegantocry……’
Sheflungherparcelsonthefloorandsnatchedthechildfromhim。
`Whathaveyoudonetohim？’shecried，glaringintohisface。
LittleChandlersustainedforonemomentthegazeofhereyesandhisheartclosedtogetherashemetthehatredinthem。Hebegantostammer：
`It’snothing……He……he……begantocry……Icouldn’t……Ididn’tdoanything……What？’
Givingnoheedtohimshebegantowalkupanddowntheroom，claspingthechildtightlyinherarmsandmurmuring：
`Mylittleman！Mylittlemannie！Was’oufrightened，love？’……Therenow，love！Therenow！……Lambabaun！Mamma’slittlelamboftheworld！……
Therenow！’
LittleChandlerfelthischeekssuffusedwithshameandhestoodbackoutofthelamplight。Helistenedwhiletheparoxysmofthechild’ssobbinggrewlessandless；andtearsofremorsestartedtohiseyes。
Counterparts
Thebellrangfuriouslyand，whenMissParkerwenttothetube，afuriousvoicecalledoutinapiercingNorthofIrelandaccent：
`SendFarringtonhere！’
MissParkerreturnedtohermachine，sayingtoamanwhowaswritingatadesk：
`MrAlleynewantsyouupstairs。’
Themanmuttered`Blasthim！’underhisbreathandpushedbackhischairtostandup。Whenhestooduphewastallandofgreatbulk。
Hehadahangingface，darkwine-coloured，withfaireyebrowsandmoustache：
hiseyesbulgedforwardslightlyandthewhitesofthemweredirty。Heliftedupthecounterand，passingbytheclients，wentoutoftheofficewithaheavystep。
Hewentheavilyupstairsuntilhecametothesecondlanding，whereadoorboreabrassplatewiththeinscriptionMrAlleyne。Herehehalted，puffingwithlabourandvexation，andknocked。Theshrillvoicecried：
`Comein！’
ThemanenteredMrAlleyne’sroom。SimultaneouslyMrAlleyne，alittlemanwearinggold-rimmedglassesonaclean-shavenface，shothisheadupoverapileofdocuments。Theheaditselfwassopinkandhairlessitseemedlikealargeeggreposingonthepapers。MrAlleynedidnotloseamoment：
`Farrington？Whatisthemeaningofthis？WhyhaveIalwaystocomplainofyou？MayIaskyouwhyyouhaven’tmadeacopyofthatcontractbetweenBodleyandKirwan？Itoldyouitmustbereadybyfouro’clock。’
`ButMrShellysaid，sir——’
`MrShellysaid，sir……KindlyattendtowhatIsayandnottowhatMrShellysays，sir。Youhavealwayssomeexcuseoranotherforshirkingwork。LetmetellyouthatifthecontractisnotcopiedbeforethiseveningI’lllaythematterbeforeMrCrosbie……Doyouhearmenow？’
`Yes，sir。’
`Doyouhearmenow？……Ayandanotherlittlematter！Imightaswellbetalkingtothewallastalkingtoyou。Understandonceforallthatyougetahalfanhourforyourlunchandnotanhourandahalf。Howmanycoursesdoyouwant？I’dliketoknow……Doyoumindmenow？’
`Yes，sir。’
MrAlleynebenthisheadagainuponhispileofpapers。ThemanstaredfixedlyatthepolishedskullwhichdirectedtheaffairsofCrosbie&；
Alleyne，gaugingitsfragility。Aspasmofragegrippedhisthroatforafewmomentsandthenpassed，leavingafteritasharpsensationofthirst。
Themanrecognizedthesensationandfeltthathemusthaveagoodnight’sdrinking。Themiddleofthemonthwaspassedand，ifhecouldgetthecopydoneintime，MrAlleynemightgivehimanorderonthecashier。Hestoodstill，gazingfixedlyattheheaduponthepileofpapers。SuddenlyMrAlleynebegantoupsetallthepapers，searchingforsomething。Then，asifhehadbeenunawareoftheman’spresencetillthatmoment，heshotuphisheadagain，saying：
`Eh？Areyougoingtostandthereallday？Uponmyword，Farrington，youtakethingseasy！’
`Iwaswaitingtosee……’
`Verygood，youneedn’twaittosee。Godownstairsanddoyourwork。’
Themanwalkedheavilytowardsthedoorand，ashewentoutoftheroom，heheardMrAlleynecryafterhimthatifthecontractwasnotcopiedbyeveningMrCrosbiewouldhearofthematter。
Hereturnedtohisdeskinthelowerofficeandcountedthesheetswhichremainedtobecopied。Hetookuphispenanddippeditintheink，buthecontinuedtostarestupidlyatthelastwordshehadwritten：InnocaseshallthesaidBernardBodleybe……Theeveningwasfallingandinafewminutestheywouldbelightingthegas：thenhecouldwrite。
Hefeltthathemustslakethethirstinhisthroat。Hestoodupfromhisdeskand，liftingthecounterasbefore，passedoutoftheoffice。Ashewaspassingoutthechiefclerklookedathiminquiringly。
`It’sallright，MrShelly，’saidtheman，pointingwithhisfingertoindicatetheobjectiveofhisjourney。
Thechiefclerkglancedatthehat-rack，but，seeingtherowcomplete，offerednoremark。Assoonashewasonthelandingthemanpulledashepherd’splaidcapoutofhispocket，putitonhisheadandranquicklydownthericketystairs。Fromthestreetdoorhewalkedonfurtivelyontheinnersideofthepathtowardsthecornerandallatoncedivedintoadoorway。
HewasnowsafeinthedarksnugofO’Neill’sshop，and，fillingupthelittlewindowthatlookedintothebarwithhisinflamedface，thecolourofdarkwineordarkmeat，hecalledout：
`Here，Pat，giveusag。p。，likeagoodfellow。’
Thecuratebroughthimaglassofplainporter。Themandrankitatagulpandaskedforacarawayseed。Heputhispennyonthecounterand，leavingthecuratetogropeforitInthegloom，retreatedoutofthesnugasfurtivelyashehadenteredit。
Darkness，accompaniedbyathickfog，wasgainingupontheduskofFebruaryandthelampsinEustaceStreethadbeenlit。Themanwentupbythehousesuntilhereachedthedooroftheoffice，wonderingwhetherhecouldfinishhiscopyintime。Onthestairsamoistpungentodourofperfumessalutedhisnose：evidentlyMissDelacourhadcomewhilehewasoutinO’Neill’s。
Hecrammedhiscapbackagainintohispocketandre-enteredtheoffice，assuminganairofabsent-mindedness。
`MrAlleynehasbeencallingforyou，’saidthechiefclerkseverely。
`Wherewereyou？’
Themanglancedatthetwoclientswhowerestandingatthecounterasiftointimatethattheirpresencepreventedhimfromanswering。Astheclientswerebothmalethechiefclerkallowedhimselfalaugh。
`Iknowthatgame，’hesaid。`Fivetimesinonedayisalittlebit……
Well，youbetterlooksharpandgetacopyofourcorrespondenceintheDelacourcaseforMrAlleyne。’
Thisaddressinthepresenceofthepublic，hisrunupstairs，andtheporterhehadgulpeddownsohastilyconfusedthemanandashesatdownathisdesktogetwhatwasrequired，herealizedhowhopelesswasthetaskoffinishinghiscopyofthecontractbeforehalfpastfive。Thedarkdampnightwascomingandhelongedtospenditinthebars，drinkingwithhisfriendsamidtheglareofgasandtheclatterofglasses。HegotouttheDelacourcorrespondenceandpassedoutoftheoffice。HehopedMrAlleynewouldnotdiscoverthatthelasttwolettersweremissing。
ThemoistpungentperfumelayallthewayuptoMrAlleyne’sroom。MissDelacourwasamiddle-agedwomanofJewishappearance。MrAlleynewassaidtobesweetonheroronhermoney。Shecametotheofficeoftenandstayedalongtimewhenshecame。Shewassittingbesidehisdesknowinanaromaofperfumes，smoothingthehandleofherumbrellaandnoddingthegreatblackfeatherinherhat。MrAlleynehadswivelledhischairroundtofaceherandthrownhisrightfootjauntilyuponhisleftknee。Themanputthecorrespondenceonthedeskandbowedrespectfully，butneitherMrAlleynenorMissDelacourtookanynoticeofhisbow。MrAlleynetappedafingeronthecorrespondenceandthenflickedittowardshimasiftosay：`That’sallright，youcango。’
Themanreturnedtothelowerofficeandsatdownagainathisdesk。
Hestaredintentlyattheincompletephrase：InnocaseshallthesaidBernardBodleybe……andthoughthowstrangeitwasthatthelastthreewordsbeganwiththesameletter。ThechiefclerkbegantohurryMissParker，sayingshewouldneverhavetheletterstypedintimeforpost。Themanlistenedtotheclickingofthemachineforafewminutesandthensettoworktofinishhiscopy。Buthisheadwasnotclearandhismindwanderedawaytotheglareandrattleofthepublic-house。Itwasanightforhotpunches。Hestruggledonwithhiscopy，butwhentheclockstruckfivehehadstillfourteenpagestowrite。Blastit！Hecouldn’tfinishitintime。Helongedtoexecratealoud，tobringhisfistdownonsomethingviolently。HewassoenragedthathewroteBernardBernardinsteadofBernardBodleyandhadtobeginagainonacleansheet。
Hefeltstrongenoughtoclearoutthewholeofficesinglehanded。Hisbodyachedtodosomething，torushOutandrevelinviolence。Alltheindignitiesofhislifeenragedhim。
Couldheaskthecashierprivatelyforanadvance？No，thecashierwasnogood，nodamngood：hewouldn’tgiveanadvance……Heknewwherehewouldmeettheboys：LeonardandO’HalloranandNoseyFlynn。Thebarometerofhisemotionalnaturewassetforaspellofriot。
Hisimaginationhadsoabstractedhimthathisnamewascalledtwicebeforeheanswered。MrAlleyneandMissDelacourwerestandingoutsidethecounterandalltheclerkshadturnedroundinanticipationofsomething。
Themangotupfromhisdesk。MrAlleynebeganatiradeofabuse，sayingthattwolettersweremissing。Themanansweredthatheknewnothingaboutthem，thathehadmadeafaithfulcopy。Thetiradecontinued：itwassobitterandviolentthatthemancouldhardlyrestrainhisfistfromdescendingupontheheadofthemanikinbeforehim。
`Iknownothingaboutanyothertwoletters，’hesaidstupidly。
`You-know-nothing。Ofcourseyouknownothing，’saidMrAlleyne。
`Tellme，’headded，glancingfirstforapprovaltotheladybesidehim，`doyoutakemeforafool？Doyouthinkmeanutterfool？’
Themanglancedfromthelady’sfacetothelittleegg-shapedheadandbackagain；and，almostbeforehewasawareofit，histonguehadfoundafelicitousmoment：
`Idon’tthink，sir，’hesaid，`thatthat’safairquestiontoputtome。’
Therewasapauseintheverybreathingoftheclerks。Everyonewasastounded（theauthorofthewitticismnolessthanhisneighbours）andMissDelacour，whowasastoutamiableperson，begantosmilebroadly。
MrAlleyneflushedtothehueofawildroseandhismouthtwitchedwithadwarf’spassion。Heshookhisfistintheman’sfacetillitseemedtovibrateliketheknobofsomeelectricmachine：
`Youimpertinentruffian！Youimpertinentruffian！I’llmakeshortworkofyou！Waittillyousee！You’llapologizetomeforyourimpertinenceoryou’llquittheofficeinstanter！You’llquitthis，I’mtellingyou，oryou’llapologizetome！’
Hestoodinadoorwayoppositetheoffice，watchingtoseeifthecashierwouldcomeoutalone。Alltheclerkspassedoutandfinallythecashiercameoutwiththechiefclerk。Itwasnousetryingtosayawordtohimwhenhewaswiththechiefclerk。Themanfeltthathispositionwasbadenough。HehadbeenobligedtoofferanabjectapologytoMrAlleyneforhisimpertinence，butheknewwhatahornet’snesttheofficewouldbeforhim。HecouldrememberthewayinwhichMrAlleynehadhoundedlittlePeakeoutoftheofficeinordertomakeroomforhisownnephew。Hefeltsavageandthirstyandrevengeful，annoyedwithhimselfandwitheveryoneelse。MrAlleynewouldnevergivehimanhour’srest；hislifewouldbeahelltohim。Hehadmadeaproperfoolofhimselfthistime。Couldhenotkeephistongueinhischeek？Buttheyhadneverpulledtogetherfromthefirst，heandMrAlleyne，eversincethedayMrAlleynehadoverheardhimmimickinghisNorthofIrelandaccenttoamuseHigginsandMissParker；
thathadbeenthebeginningofit。HemighthavetriedHigginsforthemoney，butsureHigginsneverhadanythingforhimself。Amanwithtwoestablishmentstokeepup，ofcoursehecouldn’t……
Hefelthisgreatbodyagainachingforthecomfortofthepublic-house。
ThefoghadbeguntochillhimandhewonderedcouldhetouchPatinO’Neill’s。
Hecouldnottouchhimformorethanabob-andabobwasnouse。Yethemustgetmoneysomewhereorother：hehadspenthislastpennyfortheg。p。andsoonitwouldbetoolateforgettingmoneyanywhere。Suddenly，ashewasfingeringhiswatchchain，hethoughtofTerryKelly’spawn-officeinFleetStreet。Thatwasthedart！Whydidn’thethinkofitsooner？
HewentthroughthenarrowalleyofTempleBarquickly，mutteringtohimselfthattheycouldallgotohell，becausehewasgoingtohaveagoodnightofit。TheclerkinTerryKelly’ssaidAcrown！buttheconsignorheldoutforsixshillings；andintheendthesixshillingswasallowedhimliterally。Hecameoutofthepawn-officejoyfully，makingalittlecylinderofthecoinsbetweenhisthumbandfingers。InWestmorelandStreetthefootpathswerecrowdedwithyoungmenandwomenreturningfrombusiness，andraggedurchinsranhereandthereyellingoutthenamesoftheeveningeditions。Themanpassedthroughthecrowd，lookingonthespectaclegenerallywithproudsatisfactionandstaringmasterfullyattheoffice-girls。Hisheadwasfullofthenoisesoftram-gongsandswishingtrolleysandhisnosealreadysniffedthecurlingfumesofpunch。Ashewalkedonhepreconsideredthetermsinwhichhewouldnarratetheincidenttotheboys：
`So，Ijustlookedathim-coolly，youknow，andlookedather。ThenIlookedbackathimagain-takingmytimeyouknow。\"Idon’tthinkthat’safairquestiontoputtome，\"saysI。’
NoseyFlynnwassittingupinhisusualcornerofDavyByrne’sand，whenheheardthestory，hestoodFarringtonahalf-one，sayingitwasassmartathingaseverheheard。Farringtonstoodadrinkinhisturn。
AfterawhileO’HalloranandPaddyLeonardcameinandthestorywasrepeatedtothem。O’Halloranstoodtailorsofmalt，hot，allroundandtoldthestoryoftheretorthehadmadetothechiefclerkwhenhewasinCallan’sofFownes’sStreet；but，astheretortwasafterthemanneroftheliberalshepherdsintheeclogues，hehadtoadmitthatitwasnotascleverasFarrington’sretort。AtthisFarringtontoldtheboystopolishoffthatandhaveanother。
JustastheywerenamingtheirpoisonswhoshouldcomeinbutHiggins！
Ofcoursehehadtojoininwiththeothers。Themenaskedhimtogivehisversionofit，andhedidsowithgreatvivacity，forthesightoffivesmallhotwhiskieswasveryexhilarating。EveryoneroaredlaughingwhenheshowedthewayinwhichMrAlleyneshookhisfistinFarrington’sface。ThenheimitatedFarrington，saying，`Andherewasmynabs，ascoolasyouplease，’whileFarringtonlookedatthecompanyoutofhisheavydirtyeyes，smilingandattimesdrawingforthstraydropsofliquorfromhismoustachewiththeaidofhislowerlip。
Whenthatroundwasovertherewasapause。O’Halloranhadmoney，butneitheroftheothertwoseemedtohaveany；sothewholepartylefttheshopsomewhatregretfully。AtthecornerofDukeStreetHigginsandNoseyFlynnbevelledofftotheleft，whiletheotherthreeturnedbacktowardsthecity。Rainwasdrizzlingdownonthecoldstreetsand，whentheyreachedtheBallastOffice，FarringtonsuggestedtheScotchHouse。Thebarwasfullofmenandloudwiththenoiseoftonguesandglasses。Thethreemenpushedpastthewhiningmatch-sellersatthedoorandformedalittlepartyatthecornerofthecounter。Theybegantoexchangestories。LeonardintroducedthemtoayoungfellownamedWeatherswhowasperformingattheTivoliasanacrobatandknockaboutartiste。Farringtonstoodadrinkallround。WeatherssaidhewouldtakeasmallIrishandApollinaris。Farrington，whohaddefinitenotionsofwhatwaswhat，askedtheboyswouldtheyhaveanApollinaristoo；buttheboystoldTimtomaketheirshot。Thetalkbecametheatrical。O’HalloranstoodaroundandthenFarringtonstoodanotherround，WeathersprotestingthatthehospitalitywastooIrish。Hepromisedtogettheminbehindthescenesandintroducethemtosomenicegirls。
O’HalloransaidthatheandLeonardwouldgo，butthatFarringtonwouldn’tgobecausehewasamarriedman；andFarrington’sheavydirtyeyesleeredatthecompanyintokenthatheunderstoodhewasbeingchaffed。WeathersmadethemallhavejustonelittletinctureathisexpenseandpromisedtomeetthemlateronatMulligan’sinPoolbegStreet。
WhentheScotchHouseclosedtheywentroundtoMulligan’s。TheywentintotheparlouratthebackandO’Halloranorderedsmallhotspecialsallround。Theywereallbeginningtofeelmellow。FarringtonwasjuststandinganotherroundwhenWeatherscameback。MuchtoFarrington’sreliefhedrankaglassofbitterthistime。Fundsweregettinglow，buttheyhadenoughtokeepthemgoing。Presentlytwoyoungwomenwithbighatsandayoungmaninachecksuitcameinandsatatatablecloseby。WeatherssalutedthemandtoldthecompanythattheywereoutoftheTivoli。Farrington’seyeswanderedateverymomentinthedirectionofoneoftheyoungwomen。
Therewassomethingstrikinginherappearance。Animmensescarfofpeacock-bluemuslinwaswoundroundherhatandknottedinagreatbowunderherchin；
andsheworebrightyellowgloves，reachingtotheelbow。Farringtongazedadmiringlyattheplumparmwhichshemovedveryoftenandwithmuchgrace；
andwhen，afteralittletime，sheansweredhisgazeheadmiredstillmoreherlargedarkbrowneyes。Theobliquestaringexpressioninthemfascinatedhim。Sheglancedathimonceortwiceand，whenthepartywasleavingtheroom，shebrushedagainsthischairandsaid`O，pardon！’inaLondonaccent。Hewatchedherleavetheroominthehopethatshewouldlookbackathim，buthewasdisappointed。Hecursedhiswantofmoneyandcursedalltheroundshehadstood，particularlyallthewhiskiesandApollinariswhichhehadstoodtbWeathers。Iftherewasonethingthathehateditwasasponge。Hewassoangrythathelostcountoftheconversationofhisfriends。
WhenPaddyLeonardcalledhimhefoundthattheyweretalkingaboutfeatsofstrength。WeatherswasshowinghisbicepsmuscletothecompanyandboastingsomuchthattheothertwohadcalledonFarringtontoupholdthenationalhonour。Farringtonpulleduphissleeveaccordinglyandshowedhisbicepsmuscletothecompany。Thetwoarmswereexaminedandcomparedandfinallyitwasagreedtohaveatrialofstrength。Thetablewasclearedandthetwomenrestedtheirelbowsonit，claspinghands。WhenPaddyLeonardsaid`Go！’eachwastotrytobringdowntheother’shandontothetable。
Farringtonlookedveryseriousanddetermined。
Thetrialbegan。AfteraboutthirtysecondsWeathersbroughthisopponent’shandslowlydownontothetable。Farrington’sdarkwine-colouredfaceflusheddarkerstillwithangerandhumiliationathavingbeendefeatedbysuchastripling。
`You’renottoputtheweightofyourbodybehindit。Playfair，’hesaid。
`Who’snotplayingfair？’saidtheother。
`Comeonagain。Thetwobestoutofthree。’
Thetrialbeganagain。TheveinsstoodoutonFarrington’sforehead，andthepallorofWeathers’complexionchangedtopeony。Theirhandsandarmstrembledunderthestress。AfteralongstruggleWeathersagainbroughthisopponent’shandslowlyontothetable。Therewasamurmurofapplausefromthespectators。Thecurate，whowasstandingbesidethetable，noddedhisredheadtowardsthevictorandsaidwithstupidfamiliarity：
`Ah！that’stheknack！’
`Whatthehelldoyouknowaboutit？’saidFarringtonfiercely，turningontheman。`Whatdoyouputinyourgabfor？’
`Sh，sh！’saidO’Halloran，observingtheviolentexpressionofFarrington’sface。`Ponyup，boys。We’llhavejustonelittlesmahanmoreandthenwe’llbeoff。’
Averysullen-facedmanstoodatthecornerofO’ConnellBridgewaitingforthelittleSandymounttramtotakehimhome。Hewasfullofsmoulderingangerandrevengefulness。Hefelthumiliatedanddiscontented；hedidnotevenfeeldrunk；andhehadonlytwopenceinhispocket。Hecursedeverything。
Hehaddoneforhimselfintheoffice，pawnedhiswatch，spentallhismoney；andhehadnotevengotdrunk。Hebegantofeelthirstyagainandhelongedtobebackagaininthehot，reekingpublic-house。Hehadlosthisreputationasastrongman，havingbeendefeatedtwicebyamereboy。
Hisheartswelledwithfuryand，whenhethoughtofthewomaninthebighatwhohadbrushedagainsthimandsaidPardon！hisfurynearlychokedhim。
HistramlethimdownatShelbourneRoadandhesteeredhisgreatbodyalongintheshadowofthewallofthebarracks。Heloathedreturningtohishome。Whenhewentinbytheside-doorhefoundthekitchenemptyandthekitchenfirenearlyout。Hebawledupstairs：
`Ada！Ada！’
Hiswifewasalittlesharp-facedwomanwhobulliedherhusbandwhenhewassoberandwasbulliedbyhimwhenhewasdrunk。Theyhadfivechildren。
Alittleboycamerunningdownthestairs。
`Whoisthat？’Saidtheman，peeringthroughthedarkness。
`Me，pa。’
`Whoareyou？Charlie？’
`No，pa。Tom。’
`Where’syourmother？’
`She’soutatthechapel。’
`That’sright……Didshethinkofleavinganydinnerforme？’
`Yes，pa。I——’
`Lightthelamp。Whatdoyoumeanbyhavingtheplaceindarkness？Aretheotherchildreninbed？’
Themansatdownheavilyononeofthechairswhilethelittleboylitthelamp。Hebegantomimichisson’sflataccent，sayinghalftohimself：
`Atthechapel。Atthechapel，ifyouplease！’Whenthelampwaslithebangedhisfistonthetableandshouted：
`What’sformydinner？’
`I’mgoing……tocookit，pa，’saidthelittleboy。Themanjumpedupfuriouslyandpointedtothefire。
`Onthatfire！Youletthefireout！ByGod，I’llteachyoutodothatagain！’
Hetookasteptothedoorandseizedthewalking-stickwhichwasstandingbehindit。
`I’llteachyoutoletthefireout！’hesaid，rollinguphissleeveinordertogivehisarmfreeplay。
Thelittleboycried`O，pa！’andranwhimperingroundthetable，butthemanfollowedhimandcaughthimbythecoat。Thelittleboylookedabouthimwildlybut，seeingnowayofescape，felluponhisknees。
`Now，you’llletthefireoutthenexttime！’saidtheman，strikingathimvigorouslywiththestick。`Takethat，youlittlewhelp！’
Theboyutteredasquealofpainasthestickcuthisthigh。Heclaspedhishandstogetherintheairandhisvoiceshookwithfright。
`O，pa！’hecried。`Don’tbeatme，pa！AndI’ll……I’llsayaHailMaryforyou……I’llsayaHailMaryforyou，pa，ifyoudon’tbeatme……I’llsayaHailMary……’
Clay
Thematronhadgivenherleavetogooutassoonasthewomen’steawasover，andMarialookedforwardtohereveningout。Thekitchenwasspickandspan：thecooksaidyoucouldseeyourselfinthebigcopperboilers。
Thefirewasniceandbrightandononeoftheside-tableswerefourverybigbarmbracks。Thesebarmbracksseemeduncut；butifyouwentcloseryouwouldseethattheyhadbeencutintolongthickevenslicesandwerereadytobehandedroundattea。Mariahadcutthemherself。
Mariawasavery，verysmallpersonindeed，butshehadaverylongnoseandaverylongchin。Shetalkedalittlethroughhernose，alwayssoothingly：`Yes，mydear，’and`No，mydear。’Shewasalwayssentforwhenthewomenquarrelledovertheirtubsandalwayssucceededinmakingpeace。Onedaythematronhadsaidtoher：
`Maria，youareaveritablepeace-maker！’
Andthesub-matronandtwooftheBoardladieshadheardthecompliment。
AndGingerMooneywasalwayssayingwhatshe-wouldn’tdotothedummywhohadchargeoftheironsifitwasn’tforMaria。EveryonewassofondofMaria。
Thewomenwouldhavetheirteaatsixo’clockandshewouldbeabletogetawaybeforeseven。FromBallsbridgetothePillar，twentyminutes；
fromthePillartoDrumcondra，twentyminutes；andtwentyminutestobuythethings。Shewouldbetherebeforeeight。ShetookoutherpursewiththesilverclaspsandreadagainthewordsAPresentfromBelfast。
ShewasveryfondofthatpursebecauseJoehadbroughtittoherfiveyearsbeforewhenheandAlphyhadgonetoBelfastonaWhit-Mondaytrip。
Inthepurseweretwohalf-crownsandsomecoppers。Shewouldhavefiveshillingsclearafterpayingthetramfare。Whataniceeveningtheywouldhave，allthechildrensinging！OnlyshehopedthatJoewouldn’tcomeindrunk。Hewassodifferentwhenhetookanydrink。
Oftenhehadwantedhertogoandlivewiththem；butshewouldhavefeltherselfintheway（thoughJoe’swifewaseversonicewithher）andshehadbecomeaccustomedtothelifeofthelaundry。Joewasagoodfellow。
ShehadnursedhimandAlphytoo；andJoeusedoftentosay：
`Mammaismamma，butMariaismypropermother。’
Afterthebreak-upathometheboyshadgotherthatpositioninthe`DublinbyLamplight’laundry，andshelikedit。SheusedtohavesuchabadopinionofProtestants，butnowshethoughttheywereverynicepeople，alittlequietandserious，butstillverynicepeopletolivewith。Thenshehadherplantsintheconservatoryandshelikedlookingafterthem。
Shehadlovelyfernsandwax-plantsand，wheneveranyonecametovisither，shealwaysgavethevisitoroneortwoslipsfromherconservatory。
Therewasonethingshedidn’tlikeandthatwasthetractsonthewalls；
butthematronwassuchanicepersontodealwith，sogenteel。
Whenthecooktoldhereverythingwasreadyshewentintothewomen’S
roomandbegantopullthebigbell。Inafewminutesthewomenbegantocomeinbytwosandthrees，wipingtheirsteaminghandsintheirpetticoatsandpullingdownthesleevesoftheirblousesovertheirredsteamingarms。
Theysettleddownbeforetheirhugemugswhichthecookandthedummyfilledupwithhottea，alreadymixedwithmilkandsugarinhugetincans。Mariasuperintendedthedistributionofthebarmbrackandsawthateverywomangotherfourslices。Therewasagreatdealoflaughingandjokingduringthemeal。LizzieFlemingsaidMariawassuretogettheringand，thoughFleminghadsaidthatforsomanyHallowEves，Mariahadtolaughandsayshedidn’twantanyringormaneither；andwhenshelaughedhergrey-greeneyessparkledwithdisappointedshynessandthetipofhernosenearlymetthetipofherchin。ThenGingerMooneylifteduphermugofteaandproposedMaria’shealth，whilealltheotherwomenclatteredwiththeirmugsonthetable，andsaidshewassorryshehadn’tasupofportertodrinkitin。AndMarialaughedagaintillthetipofhernosenearlymetthetipofherchinandtillherminutebodynearlyshookitselfasunder，becausesheknewthatMooneymeantwell，thoughofcourseshehadthenotionsofacommonwoman。
Butwasn’tMariagladwhenthewomenhadfinishedtheirteaandthecookandthedummyhadbeguntoclearawaythetea-things！Shewentintoherlittlebedroomand，rememberingthatthenextmorningwasamassmorning，changedthehandofthealarmfromseventosix。Thenshetookoffherworkingskirtandherhouse-bootsandlaidherbestskirtoutonthebedandhertinydress-bootsbesidethefootofthebed。Shechangedherblousetooand，asshestoodbeforethemirror，shethoughtofhowsheusedtodressformassonSundaymorningwhenshewasayounggirl；andshelookedwithquaintaffectionatthediminutivebodywhichshehadsooftenadorned。
Inspiteofitsyearsshefounditanicetidylittlebody。
Whenshegotoutsidethestreetswereshiningwithrainandshewasgladofheroldbrownwaterproof。Thetramwasfullandshehadtositonthelittlestoolattheendofthecar，facingallthepeople，withhertoesbarelytouchingthefloor。Shearrangedinhermindallshewasgoingtodo，andthoughthowmuchbetteritwastobeindependentandtohaveyourownmoneyinyourpocket。Shehopedtheywouldhaveaniceevening。
Shewassuretheywould，butshecouldnothelpthinkingwhatapityitwasAlphyandJoewerenotspeaking。Theywerealwaysfallingoutnow，butwhentheywereboystogethertheyusedtobethebestoffriends；butsuchwaslife。
ShegotoutofhertramatthePillarandferretedherwayquicklyamongthecrowds。ShewentintoDownes’scakeshopbuttheshopwassofullofpeoplethatitwasalongtimebeforeshecouldgetherselfattendedto。
Sheboughtadozenofmixedpennycakes，andatlastcameoutoftheshopladenwithabigbag。Thenshethoughtwhatelsewouldshebuy：shewantedtobuysomethingreallynice。Theywouldbesuretohaveplentyofapplesandnuts。Itwashardtoknowwhattobuyandallshecouldthinkofwascake。Shedecidedtobuysomeplumcake，butDownes’splumcakehadnotenoughalmondicingontopofit，soshewentovertoashopinHenryStreet。
Hereshewasalongtimeinsuitingherself，andthestylishyoungladybehindthecounter，whowasevidentlyalittleannoyedbyher，askedherwasitwedding-cakeshewantedtobuy。ThatmadeMariablushandsmileattheyounglady；buttheyoungladytookitallveryseriouslyandfinallycutathicksliceofplumcake，parcelleditupandsaid：
`Two-and-four，please。’
ShethoughtshewouldhavetostandintheDrumcondratrambecausenoneoftheyoungmenseemedtonoticeher，butanelderlygentlemanmaderoomforher。Hewasastoutgentlemanandheworeabrownhardhat；hehadasquareredfaceandagreyishmoustache。Mariathoughthewasacolonel-lookinggentlemanandshereflectedhowmuchmorepolitehewasthantheyoungmenwhosimplystaredstraightbeforethem。ThegentlemanbegantochatwithheraboutHallowEveandtherainyweather。Hesupposedthebagwasfullofgoodthingsforthelittleonesandsaiditwasonlyrightthattheyoungstersshouldenjoythemselveswhiletheywereyoung。Mariaagreedwithhimandfavouredhimwithdemurenodsandhems。Hewasverynicewithher，andwhenshewasgettingoutattheCanalBridgeshethankedhimandbowed，andhebowedtoherandraisedhishatandsmiledagreeably；andwhileshewasgoingupalongtheterrace，bendinghertinyheadundertherain，shethoughthoweasyitwastoknowagentlemanevenwhenhehasadroptaken。
Everybodysaid：`O，here’sMaria！’whenshecametoJoe’shouse。
Joewasthere，havingcomehomefrombusiness，andallthechildrenhadtheirSundaydresseson。Thereweretwobiggirlsinfromnextdoorandgamesweregoingon。Mariagavethebagofcakestotheeldestboy，Alphy，todivide，andMrsDonnellysaiditwastoogoodofhertobringsuchabigbagofcakes，andmadeallthechildrensay：
`Thanks，Maria。’
ButMariasaidshehadbroughtsomethingspecialforpapaandmamma，somethingtheywouldbesuretolike，andshebegantolookforherplumcake。
ShetriedinDownes’sbagandtheninthepocketsofherwaterproofandthenonthehallstand，butnowherecouldshefindit。Thensheaskedallthechildrenhadanyofthemeatenit-bymistake，ofcourse-butthechildrenallsaidnoandlookedasiftheydidnotliketoeatcakesiftheyweretobeaccusedofstealing。EverybodyhadasolutionforthemysteryandMrsDonnellysaiditwasplainthatMariahadleftitbehindherinthetram。Maria，rememberinghowconfusedthegentlemanwiththegreyishmoustachehadmadeher，colouredwithshameandvexationanddisappointment。
Atthethoughtofthefailureofherlittlesurpriseandofthetwoandfourpenceshehadthrownawayfornothingshenearlycriedoutright。