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