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