`TheGermancardinalwouldn’tsubmit。HelefttheChurch。’
MrCunningham’swordshadbuiltupthevastimageoftheChurchinthemindsofhishearers。Hisdeep，raucousvoicehadthrilledthemasitutteredthewordofbeliefandsubmission。WhenMrsKernancameintotheroom，dryingherhands，shecameintoasolemncompany。Shedidnotdisturbthesilence，butleanedovertherailatthefootofthebed。
`IoncesawJohnMacHale，’saidMrKernan，`andI’llneverforgetitaslongasIlive。’
Heturnedtowardshiswifetobeconfirmed。
`Ioftentoldyouthat？’
MrsKernannodded。
`ItwasattheunveilingofSirJohnGray’sstatue。EdmundDwyerGraywasspeaking，blatheringaway，andherewasthisoldfellow，crabbed-lookingoldchap，lookingathimfromunderhisbushyeyebrows。’
MrKernanknittedhisbrowsand，loweringhisheadlikeanangrybull，glaredathiswife。
`God！’heexclaimed，resuminghisnaturalface，`Ineversawsuchaneyeinaman’shead。Itwasasmuchastosay：Ihaveyouproperlytaped，mylad。Hehadaneyelikeahawk。’
`NoneoftheGrayswasanygood，’saidMrPower。
Therewasapauseagain。MrPowerturnedtoMrsKernanandsaidwithabruptjoviality：
`Well，MrsKernan，we’regoingtomakeyourmanhereagoodholypiousandGod-fearingRomanCatholic。’
Heswepthisarmroundthecompanyinclusively。
`We’reallgoingtomakearetreattogetherandconfessoursins-andGodknowswewantitbadly。’
`Idon’tmind，’saidMrKernan，smilingalittlenervously。
MrsKernanthoughtitwouldbewisertoconcealhersatisfaction。Soshesaid：
`Ipitythepoorpriestthathastolistentoyourtale。’
MrKernan’sexpressionchanged。
`Ifhedoesn’tlikeit，’hesaidbluntly，`hecan……dotheotherthing。
I’lljusttellhimmylittletaleofwoe。I’mnotsuchabadfellow——’
MrCunninghamintervenedpromptly。
`We’llallrenouncethedevil，’hesaid，`together，notforgettinghisworksandpomps。’
`Getbehindme，Satan！’saidMrFogarty，laughingandlookingattheothers。
MrPowersaidnothing。Hefeltcompletelyout-generalled。Butapleasedexpressionflickeredacrosshisface。
`Allwehavetodo，’saidMrCunningham，`istostandupwithlightedcandlesinourhandsandrenewourbaptismalvows。’
`O，don’tforgetthecandle，Tom，’saidMrM’Coy，`whateveryoudo。’
`What？’saidMrKernan。`MustIhaveacandle？’
`Oyes，’saidMrCunningham。
`No，damnitall，’saidMrKernansensibly，`Idrawthelinethere。
I’lldothejobrightenough。I’lldotheretreatbusinessandconfession，and……allthatbusiness。But……nocandles！No，damnitall，Ibarthecandles！’
Heshookhisheadwithfarcicalgravity。
`Listentothat！’saidhiswife。
`Ibarthecandles，’saidMrKernan，consciousofhavingcreatedaneffectonhisaudienceandcontinuingtoshakehisheadtoandfro。`I
barthemagic-lanternbusiness。’
Everyonelaughedheartily。
`There’saniceCatholicforyou！’saidhiswife。
`Nocandles！’repeatedMrKernanobdurately。`That’soff！’
ThetranseptoftheJesuitChurchinGardinerStreetwasalmostfull；
andstillateverymomentgentlemenenteredfromthesidedoorand，directedbythelay-brother，walkedontiptoealongtheaislesuntiltheyfoundseatingaccommodation。Thegentlemenwereallwelldressedandorderly。
Thelightofthelampsofthechurchfelluponanassemblyofblackclothesandwhitecollars，relievedhereandtherebytweeds，ondarkmottledpillarsofgreenmarbleandonlugubriouscanvases。Thegentlemensatinthebenches，havinghitchedtheirtrousersslightlyabovetheirkneesandlaidtheirhatsinsecurity。Theysatwellbackandgazedformallyatthedistantspeckofredlightwhichwassuspendedbeforethehighaltar。
InoneofthebenchesnearthepulpitsatMrCunninghamandMrKernan。
InthebenchbehindsatMrM’Coyalone：andinthebenchbehindhimsatMrPowerandMrFogarty。MrM’Coyhadtriedunsuccessfullytofindaplaceinthebenchwiththeothers，and，whenthepartyhadsettleddownintheformofaquincunx，hehadtriedunsuccessfullytomakecomicremarks。
Asthesehadnotbeenwellreceived，hehaddesisted。Evenhewassensibleofthedecorousatmosphereandevenhebegantorespondtothereligiousstimulus。Inawhisper，MrCunninghamdrewMrKernan’sattentiontoMrHarford，themoneylender，whosatsomedistanceoff，andtoMrFanning，theregistrationagentandmayor-makerofthecity，whowassittingimmediatelyunderthepulpitbesideoneofthenewlyelectedcouncillorsoftheward。
TotherightsatoldMichaelGrimes，theownerofthreepawnbroker’sshops，andDanHogan’snephew，whowasupforthejobintheTownClerk’soffice。
FartherinfrontsatMrHendrick，thechiefreporterofTheFreeman’sJournal，andpoorO’Carroll，anoldfriendofMrKernan’s，whohadbeenatonetimeaconsiderablecommercialfigure。Gradually，asherecognizedfamiliarfaces，MrKernanbegantofeelmoreathome。Hishat，whichhadbeenrehabilitatedbyhiswife，resteduponhisknees。Onceortwicehepulleddownhiscuffswithonehandwhileheheldthebrimofhishatlightly，butfirmly，withtheotherhand。
Apowerful-lookingfigure，theupperpartofwhichwasdrapedwithawhitesurplice，wasobservedtobestrugglingupintothepulpit。Simultaneouslythecongregationunsettled，producedhandkerchiefsandkneltuponthemwithcare。MrKernanfollowedthegeneralexample。Thepriest’sfigurenowstooduprightinthepulpit，two-thirdsofitsbulk，crownedbyamassiveredface，appearingabovethebalustrade。
FatherPurdonkneltdown，turnedtowardstheredspeckoflightand，coveringhisfacewithhishands，prayed。Afteraninterval，heuncoveredhisfaceandrose。Thecongregationrosealsoandsettledagainonitsbenches。MrKernanrestoredhishattoitsoriginalpositiononhiskneeandpresentedanattentivefacetothepreacher。Thepreacherturnedbackeachwidesleeveofhissurplicewithanelaboratelargegestureandslowlysurveyedthearrayoffaces。Thenhesaid：
`Forthechildrenofthisworldarewiserintheirgenerationthanthechildrenoflight。Whereforemakeuntoyourselvesfriendsoutofthemammonofiniquitysothatwhenyoudietheymayreceiveyouintoeverlastingdwellings。’
FatherPurdondevelopedthetextwithresonantassurance。ItwasoneofthemostdifficulttextsinalltheScriptures，hesaid，tointerpretproperly。ItwasatextwhichmightseemtothecasualobserveratvariancewiththeloftymoralityelsewherepreachedbyJesusChrist。But，hetoldhishearers，thetexthadseemedtohimspeciallyadaptedfortheguidanceofthosewhoselotitwastoleadthelifeoftheworldandwhoyetwishedtoleadthatlifenotinthemannerofworldlings。Itwasatextforbusinessmenandprofessionalmen。JesusChrist，withHisdivineunderstandingofeverycrannyofourhumannature，understoodthatallmenwerenotcalledtothereligiouslife，thatbyfarthevastmajoritywereforcedtoliveintheworld，and，toacertainextent，fortheworld：andinthissentenceHedesignedtogivethemawordofcounsel，settingbeforethemasexemplarsinthereligiouslifethoseveryworshippersofMammonwhowereofallmentheleastsolicitousinmattersreligious。
Hetoldhishearersthathewastherethateveningfornoterrifying，noextravagantpurpose；butasamanoftheworldspeakingtohisfellow-men。
Hecametospeaktobusinessmenandhewouldspeaktotheminabusiness-likeway。Ifhemightusethemetaphor，hesaid，hewastheirspiritualaccountant；
andhewishedeachandeveryoneofhishearerstoopenhisbooks，thebooksofhisspirituallife，andseeiftheytalliedaccuratelywithconscience。
JesusChristwasnotahardtaskmaster。Heunderstoodourlittlefailings，understoodtheweaknessofourpoorfallennature，understoodthetemptationsofthislife。Wemighthavehad，weallhadfromtimetotime，ourtemptations：
wemighthave，weallhad，ourfailings。Butonethingonly，hesaid，hewouldaskofhishearers。Andthatwas：tobestraightandmanlywithGod。
Iftheiraccountstalliedineverypointtosay：
`Well，Ihaveverifiedmyaccounts。Ifindallwell。’
Butif，asmighthappen，thereweresomediscrepancies，toadmitthetruth，tobefrankandsaylikeaman：
`Well，Ihavelookedintomyaccounts。Ifindthiswrongandthiswrong。
But，withGod’sgrace，Iwillrectifythisandthis。Iwillsetrightmyaccounts。’
TheDead
Lily，thecaretaker’sdaughter，wasliterallyrunoffherfeet。Hardlyhadshebroughtonegentlemanintothelittlepantrybehindtheofficeonthegroundfloorandhelpedhimoffwithhisovercoat，thanthewheezyhall-doorbellclangedagainandshehadtoscamperalongthebarehallwaytoletinanotherguest。Itwaswellforhershehadnottoattendtotheladiesalso。ButMissKateandMissJuliahadthoughtofthatandhadconvertedthebathroomupstairsintoaladies’dressing-room。MissKateandMissJuliawerethere，gossipingandlaughingandfussing，walkingaftereachothertotheheadofthestairs，peeringdownoverthebanistersandcallingdowntoLilytoaskherwhohadcome。
Itwasalwaysagreataffair，theMissesMorkan’sannualdance。Everybodywhoknewthemcametoit，membersofthefamily，oldfriendsofthefamily，themembersofJulia’schoir，anyofKate’spupilsthatweregrownupenough，andevensomeofMaryJane’spupilstoo。Neveroncehaditfallenflat。
Foryearsandyearsithadgoneoffinsplendidstyle，aslongasanyonecouldremember：eversinceKateandJulia，afterthedeathoftheirbrotherPat，hadleftthehouseinStoneyBatterandtakenMaryJane，theironlyniece，tolivewiththeminthedark，gaunthouseonUsher’sIsland，theupperpartofwhichtheyhadrentedfromMrFulham，thecorn-factoronthegroundfloor。Thatwasagoodthirtyyearsagoifitwasaday。MaryJane，whowasthenalittlegirlinshortclothes，wasnowthemainpropofthehousehold，forshehadtheorganinHaddingtonRoad。ShehadbeenthroughtheAcademyandgaveapupils’concerteveryyearintheupperroomoftheAncientConcertRooms。Manyofherpupilsbelongedtothebetter-classfamiliesontheKingstownandDalkeyline。Oldastheywere，herauntsalsodidtheirshare。Julia，thoughshewasquitegrey，wasstilltheleadingsopranoinAdamandEve’s，andKate，beingtoofeebletogoaboutmuch，gavemusiclessonstobeginnersontheoldsquarepianointhebackroom。
Lily，thecaretaker’sdaughter，didhousemaid’sworkforthem。Thoughtheirlifewasmodest，theybelievedineatingwell；thebestofeverything：
diamond-bonesirloins，three-shillingteaandthebestbottledstout。ButLilyseldommadeamistakeintheorders，sothatshegotonwellwithherthreemistresses。Theywerefussy，thatwasall。Buttheonlythingtheywouldnotstandwasbackanswers。
Ofcourse，theyhadgoodreasontobefussyonsuchanight。Andthenitwaslongafterteno’clockandyettherewasnosignofGabrielandhiswife。BesidestheyweredreadfullyafraidthatFreddyMalinsmightturnupscrewed。TheywouldnotwishforworldsthatanyofMaryJane’spupilsshouldseehimundertheinfluence；andwhenhewaslikethatitwassometimesveryhardtomanagehim。FreddyMalinsalwayscamelate，buttheywonderedwhatcouldbekeepingGabriel：andthatwaswhatbroughtthemeverytwominutestothebanisterstoaskLilyhadGabrielorFreddycome。
`O，MrConroy，’saidLilytoGabrielwhensheopenedthedoorforhim，`MissKateandMissJuliathoughtyouwerenevercoming。Goodnight，MrsConroy。’
`I’llengagetheydid，’saidGabriel，`buttheyforgetthatmywifeheretakesthreemortalhourstodressherself。’
Hestoodonthemat，scrapingthesnowfromhisgoloshes，whileLilyledhiswifetothefootofthestairsandcalledout：
`MissKate，here’sMrsConroy。’
KateandJuliacametoddlingdownthedarkstairsatonce。BothofthemkissedGabriel’swife，saidshemustbeperishedalive，andaskedwasGabrielwithher。
`HereIamasrightasthemail，AuntKate！Goonup。I’llfollow，’
calledoutGabrielfromthedark。
Hecontinuedscrapinghisfeetvigorouslywhilethethreewomenwentupstairs，laughing，totheladies’dressing-room。Alightfringeofsnowlaylikeacapeontheshouldersofhisovercoatandliketoecapsonthetoesofhisgoloshes；and，asthebuttonsofhisovercoatslippedwithasqueakingnoisethroughthesnow-stiffenedfrieze，acold，fragrantairfromout-of-doorsescapedfromcrevicesandfolds。
`Isitsnowingagain，MrConroy？’askedLily。
Shehadprecededhimintothepantrytohelphimoffwithhisovercoat。
Gabrielsmiledatthethreesyllablesshehadgivenhissurnameandglancedather。Shewasaslim，growinggirl，paleincomplexionandwithhay-colouredhair。Thegasinthepantrymadeherlookstillpaler。Gabrielhadknownherwhenshewasachildandusedtositontheloweststepnursingaragdoll。
`Yes，Lily，’heanswered，`andIthinkwe’reinforanightofit。’
Helookedupatthepantryceiling，whichwasshakingwiththestampingandshufflingoffeetonthefloorabove，listenedforamomenttothepianoandthenglancedatthegirl，whowasfoldinghisovercoatcarefullyattheendofashelf。
`Tellme，Lily，’hesaidinafriendlytone，`doyoustillgotoschool？’
`Ono，sir，’sheanswered。`I’mdoneschoolingthisyearandmore。’
`O，then，’saidGabrielgaily，`Isupposewe’llbegoingtoyourweddingoneofthesefinedayswithyouryoungman，eh？’
Thegirlglancedbackathimoverhershoulderandsaidwithgreatbitterness：
`Thementhatisnowisonlyallpalaverandwhattheycangetoutofyou。’
Gabrielcoloured，asifhefelthehadmadeamistake，and，withoutlookingather，kickedoffhisgoloshesandflickedactivelywithhismufflerathispatent-leathershoes。
Hewasastout，tallishyoungman。Thehighcolourofhischeekspushedupwardseventohisforehead，whereitscattereditselfinafewformlesspatchesofpalered；andonhishairlessfacetherescintillatedrestlesslythepolishedlensesandthebrightgiltrimsoftheglasseswhichscreenedhisdelicateandrestlesseyes。Hisglossyblackhairwaspartedinthemiddleandbrushedinalongcurvebehindhisearswhereitcurledslightlybeneaththegrooveleftbyhishat。
Whenhehadflickedlustreintohisshoeshestoodupandpulledhiswaistcoatdownmoretightlyonhisplumpbody。Thenhetookacoinrapidlyfromhispocket。
`OLily，’hesaid，thrustingitintoherhands，`it’sChristmastime，isn’tit？Just……here’salittle……’
Hewalkedrapidlytowardsthedoor。
`Ono，sir！’criedthegirl，followinghim。`Really，sir，Iwouldn’ttakeit。’
`Christmas-time！Christmas-time！’saidGabriel，almosttrottingtothestairsandwavinghishandtoherindeprecation。
Thegirl，seeingthathehadgainedthestairs，calledoutafterhim：
`Well，thankyou，sir。’
Hewaitedoutsidethedrawing-roomdooruntilthewaltzshouldfinish，listeningtotheskirtsthatsweptagainstitandtotheshufflingoffeet。
Hewasstilldiscomposedbythegirl’sbitterandsuddenretort。Ithadcastagloomoverhimwhichhetriedtodispelbyarranginghiscuffsandthebowsofhistie。Hethentookfromhiswaistcoatpocketalittlepaperandglancedattheheadingshehadmadeforhisspeech。HewasundecidedaboutthelinesfromRobertBrowning，forhefearedtheywouldbeabovetheheadsofhishearers。SomequotationthattheywouldrecognizefromShakespeareorfromtheMelodieswouldbebetter。Theindelicateclackingofthemen’sheelsandtheshufflingoftheirsolesremindedhimthattheirgradeofculturedifferedfromhis。Hewouldonlymakehimselfridiculousbyquotingpoetrytothemwhichtheycouldnotunderstand。Theywouldthinkthathewasairinghissuperioreducation。Hewouldfailwiththemjustashehadfailedwiththegirlinthepantry。Hehadtakenupawrongtone。
Hiswholespeechwasamistakefromfirsttolast，anutterfailure。
Justthenhisauntsandhiswifecameoutoftheladies’dressing-room。
Hisauntsweretwosmall，plainlydressedoldwomen。AuntJuliawasaninchorsothetaller。Herhair，drawnlowoverthetopsofherears，wasgrey；andgreyalso，withdarkershadows，washerlargeflaccidface。Thoughshewasstoutinbuildandstooderect，hersloweyesandpartedlipsgavehertheappearanceofawomanwhodidnotknowwhereshewasorwhereshewasgoing。AuntKatewasmorevivacious。Herface，healthierthanhersister’s，wasallpuckersandcreases，likeashrivelledredapple，andherhair，braidedinthesameold-fashionedway，hadnotlostitsripenutcolour。
TheybothkissedGabrielfrankly。Hewastheirfavouritenephew，thesonoftheirdeadeldersister，Ellen，whohadmarriedT。J。ConroyofthePortandDocks。
`Grettatellsmeyou’renotgoingtotakeacabbacktoMonkstowntonight，Gabriel，’saidAuntKate。
`No，’saidGabriel，turningtohiswife，`wehadquiteenoughofthatlastyear，hadn’twe？Don’tyouremember，AuntKate，whatacoldGrettagotoutofit？Cabwindowsrattlingalltheway，andtheeastwindblowinginafterwepassedMerrion。Veryjollyitwas。Grettacaughtadreadfulcold。’
AuntKatefrownedseverelyandnoddedherheadateveryword。
`Quiteright，Gabriel，quiteright，’shesaid。`Youcan’tbetoocareful。’
`ButasforGrettathere，’saidGabriel，`she’dwalkhomeinthesnowifshewerelet。’
MrsConroylaughed。
`Don’tmindhim，AuntKate，’shesaid。`He’sreallyanawfulbother，whatwithgreenshadesforTom’seyesatnightandmakinghimdothedumb-bells，andforcingEvatoeatthestirabout。Thepoorchild！Andshesimplyhatesthesightofit！……O，butyou’llneverguesswhathemakesmewearnow！’
Shebrokeoutintoapealoflaughterandglancedatherhusband，whoseadmiringandhappyeyeshadbeenwanderingfromherdresstoherfaceandhair。Thetwoauntslaughedheartily，too，forGabriel’ssolicitudewasastandingjokewiththem。
`Goloshes！’saidMrsConroy。`That’sthelatest。Wheneverit’swetunderfootImustputonmygoloshes。Tonighteven，hewantedmetoputthemon，butIwouldn’t。Thenextthinghe’llbuymewillbeadivingsuit。’
Gabriellaughednervouslyandpattedhistiereassuringly，whileAuntKatenearlydoubledherself，soheartilydidsheenjoythejoke。ThesmilesoonfadedfromAuntJulia’sfaceandhermirthlesseyesweredirectedtowardshernephew’sface。Afterapausesheasked：
`Andwhataregoloshes，Gabriel？’
`Goloshes，Julia！’exclaimedhersister。`Goodnessme，don’tyouknowwhatgoloshesare？Youwearthemoveryour……overyourboots，Gretta，isn’tit？’
`Yes，’saidMrsConroy。`Gutta-perchathings。Webothhaveapairnow。
GabrielsayseveryonewearsthemontheContinent。’
`O，ontheContinent，’murmuredAuntJulia，noddingherheadslowly。
Gabrielknittedhisbrowsandsaid，asifhewereslightlyangered：
`It’snothingverywonderful，butGrettathinksitveryfunny，becauseshesaysthewordremindsherofChristyMinstrels。’
`Buttellme，Gabriel，’saidAuntKate，withbrisktact。`Ofcourse，you’veseenabouttheroom。Grettawassaying……’
`O，theroomisallright，’repliedGabriel。`I’vetakenoneintheGresham。’
`Tobesure，’saidAuntKate，`byfarthebestthingtodo。Andthechildren，Gretta，you’renotanxiousaboutthem？’
`O，foronenight，’saidMrsConroy。`Besides，Bessiewilllookafterthem。’
`Tobesure，’saidAuntKateagain。`Whatacomfortitistohaveagirllikethat，oneyoucandependon！There’sthatLily，I’msureIdon’tknowwhathascomeoverherlately。She’snotthegirlshewasatall。’
Gabrielwasabouttoaskhisauntsomequestionsonthispoint，butshebrokeoffsuddenlytogazeafterhersister，whohadwandereddownthestairsandwascraningherneckoverthebanisters。
`Now，Iaskyou，’shesaidalmosttestily，`whereisJuliagoing？Julia！
Julia！Whereareyougoing？’
Julia，whohadgonehalf-waydownoneflight，camebackandannouncedblandly：
`Here’sFreddy。’
Atthesamemomentaclappingofhandsandafinalflourishofthepianisttoldthatthewaltzhadended。Thedrawing-roomdoorwasopenedfromwithinandsomecouplescameout。AuntKatedrewGabrielasidehurriedlyandwhisperedintohisear：
`Slipdown，Gabriel，likeagoodfellowandseeifhe’sallright，anddon’tlethimupifhe’sscrewed。I’msurehe’sscrewed。I’msureheis。’
Gabrielwenttothestairsandlistenedoverthebanisters。Hecouldheartwopersonstalkinginthepantry。ThenherecognizedFreddyMalins’
laugh。Hewentdownthestairsnoisily。
`It’ssucharelief，’saidAuntKatetoMrsConroy，`thatGabrielishere。Ialwaysfeeleasierinmymindwhenhe’shere……Julia，there’sMissDalyandMissPowerwilltakesomerefreshment。Thanksforyourbeautifulwaltz，MissDaly。Itmadelovelytime。’
Atallwizen-facedman，withastiffgrizzledmoustacheandswarthyskin，whowaspassingoutwithhispartner，said：
`Andmaywehavesomerefreshment，too，MissMorkan？’
`Julia，’saidAuntKatesummarily，`andhere’sMrBrowneandMissFurlong。
Takethemin，Julia，withMissDalyandMissPower。’
`I’mthemanfortheladies，’saidMrBrowne，pursinghislipsuntilhismoustachebristled，andsmilinginallhiswrinkles。`Youknow，MissMorkan，thereasontheyaresofondofmeis——’
Hedidnotfinishhissentence，but，seeingthatAuntKatewasoutofearshot，atonceledthethreeyoungladiesintothebackroom。Themiddleoftheroomwasoccupiedbytwosquaretablesplacedendtoend，andontheseAuntJuliaandthecaretakerwerestraighteningandsmoothingalargecloth。Onthesideboardwerearrayeddishesandplates，andglassesandbundlesofknivesandforksandspoons。ThetopoftheclosedSquarepianoservedalsoasasideboardforviandsandsweets。Atasmallersideboardinonecornertwoyoungmenwerestanding，drinkinghop-bitters。
MrBrowneledhischargesthitherandinvitedthemall，injest，tosomeladies’punch，hot，strong，andsweet。Astheysaidtheynevertookanythingstrong，heopenedthreebottlesoflemonadeforthem。Thenheaskedoneoftheyoungmentomoveaside，and，takingholdofthedecanter，filledoutforhimselfagoodlymeasureofwhisky。Theyoungmeneyedhimrespectfullywhilehetookatrialsip。
`Godhelpme，’hesaid，smiling，`it’sthedoctor’sorder。’
Hiswizenedfacebrokeintoabroadersmile，andthethreeyoungladieslaughedinmusicalechotohispleasantry，swayingtheirbodiestoandfro，withnervousjerksoftheirshoulders。Theboldestsaid：
`O，now，MrBrowne，I’msurethedoctorneverorderedanythingofthekind。’
MrBrownetookanothersipofhiswhiskyandsaid，withsidlingmimicry：
`Well，yousee，I’mthefamousMrsCassidy，whoisreportedtohavesaid：\"Now，MaryGrimes，ifIdon’ttakeit，makemetakeit，forIfeelIwantit。\"’
HishotfacehadleanedforwardalittletooconfidentiallyandhehadassumedaverylowDublinaccent，sothattheyoungladies，withoneinstinct，receivedhisspeechinsilence。MissFurlong，whowasoneofMaryJane’spupils，askedMissDalywhatwasthenameoftheprettywaltzshehadplayed；
andMrBrowne，seeingthathewasignored，turnedpromptlytothetwoyoungmen，whoweremoreappreciative。
Ared-facedyoungwoman，dressedinpansy，cameintotheroom，excitedlyclappingherhandsandcrying：
`Quadrilles！Quadrilles！’
CloseonherheelscameAuntKate，crying：
`Twogentlemenandthreeladies，MaryJane！’
`O，here’sMrBerginandMrKerrigan，’saidMaryJane。`MrKerrigan，willyoutakeMissPower？MissFurlong，mayIgetyouapartner，MrBergin。
O，that’lljustdonow。’
`Threeladies，MaryJane，’saidAuntKate。
Thetwoyounggentlemenaskedtheladiesiftheymighthavethepleasure，andMaryJaneturnedtoMissDaly。
`O，MissDaly，you’rereallyawfullygood，afterplayingforthelasttwodances，butreallywe’resoshortofladiestonight。’
`Idon’tmindintheleast，MissMorkan。’
`ButI’veanicepartnerforyou，MrBartellD’Arcy，thetenor。I’llgethimtosinglateron。AllDublinisravingabouthim。’
`Lovelyvoice，lovelyvoice！’saidAuntKate。
AsthepianohadtwicebegunthepreludetothefirstfigureMaryJaneledherrecruitsquicklyfromtheroom。TheyhadhardlygonewhenAuntJuliawanderedslowlyintotheroom，lookingbehindheratsomething。
`Whatisthematter，Julia？’askedAuntKateanxiously。`Whoisit？’
Julia，whowascarryinginacolumnoftable-napkins，turnedtohersisterandsaid，simply，asifthequestionhadsurprisedher：
`It’sonlyFreddy，Kate，andGabrielwithhim。’
Infact，rightbehindherGabrielcouldbeseenpilotingFreddyMalinsacrossthelanding。Thelatter，ayoungmanofaboutforty，wasofGabriel’ssizeandbuild，withveryroundshoulders。Hisfacewasfleshyandpallid，touchedwithcolouronlyatthethickhanginglobesofhisearsandatthewidewingsofhisnose。Hehadcoarsefeatures，abluntnose，aconvexandrecedingbrow，tumidandprotrudedlips。Hisheavy-liddedeyesandthedisorderofhisscantyhairmadehimlooksleepy。HewaslaughingheartilyinahighkeyatastorywhichhehadbeentellingGabrielonthestairsandatthesametimerubbingtheknucklesofhisleftfistbackwardsandforwardsintohislefteye。
`Goodevening，Freddy，’saidAuntJulia。
FreddyMalinsbadetheMissesMorkangoodeveninginwhatseemedanoff-handfashionbyreasonofthehabitualcatchinhisvoiceandthen，seeingthatMrBrownewasgrinningathimfromthesideboard，crossedtheroomonrathershakylegsandbegantorepeatinanundertonethestoryhehadjusttoldtoGabriel。
`He’snotsobad，ishe？’saidAuntKatetoGabriel。
Gabriel’sbrowsweredark，butheraisedthemquicklyandanswered：
`O，no，hardlynoticeable。’
`Now，isn’theaterriblefellow！’shesaid。`AndhispoormothermadehimtakethepledgeonNewYear’sEve。Butcomeon，Gabriel，intothedrawing-room。’
BeforeleavingtheroomwithGabrielshesignalledtoMrBrownebyfrowningandshakingherforefingerinwarningtoandfro。MrBrownenoddedinanswerand，whenshehadgone，saidtoFreddyMalins：
`Now，then，Teddy，I’mgoingtofillyououtagoodglassoflemonadejusttobuckyouup。’
FreddyMalins，whowasnearingtheclimaxofhisstory，wavedtheofferasideimpatiently，butMrBrowne，havingfirstcalledFreddyMalins’attentiontoadisarrayinhisdress，filledoutandhandedhimafullglassoflemonade。
FreddyMalins’lefthandacceptedtheglassmechanically，hisrighthandbeingengagedinthemechanicalreadjustmentofhisdress。MrBrowne，whosefacewasoncemorewrinklingwithmirth，pouredoutforhimselfaglassofwhiskywhileFreddyMalinsexploded，beforehehadwellreachedtheclimaxofhisstory，inakinkofhigh-pitchedbronchiticlaughterand，settingdownhisuntastedandoverflowingglass，begantoruntheknucklesofhisleftfistbackwardsandforwardsintohislefteye，repeatingwordsofhislastphraseaswellashisfitoflaughterwouldallowhim。
GabrielcouldnotlistenwhileMaryJanewasplayingherAcademypiece，fullofrunsanddifficultpassages，tothehusheddrawing-room。Helikedmusic，butthepieceshewasplayinghadnomelodyforhimandhedoubtedwhetherithadanymelodyfortheotherlisteners，thoughtheyhadbeggedMaryJanetoplaysomething。Fouryoungmen，whohadcomefromtherefreshment-roomtostandinthedoorwayatthesoundofthepiano，hadgoneawayquietlyincouplesafterafewminutes。TheonlypersonswhoseemedtofollowthemusicwereMaryJaneherself，herhandsracingalongthekeyboardorliftedfromitatthepauseslikethoseofapriestessinmomentaryimprecation，andAuntKatestandingatherelbowtoturnthepage。
Gabriel’seyes，irritatedbythefloor，whichglitteredwithbeeswaxundertheheavychandelier，wanderedtothewallabovethepiano。ApictureofthebalconysceneinRomeoandJuliethungthereandbesideitwasapictureofthetwomurderedprincesintheTowerwhichAuntJuliahadworkedinred，blue，andbrownwoolswhenshewasagirl。Probablyintheschooltheyhadgonetoasgirlsthatkindofworkhadbeentaughtforoneyear。Hismotherhadworkedforhimasabirthdaypresentawaistcoatofpurpletabinet，withlittlefoxes’headsuponit，linedwithbrownsatinandhavingroundmulberrybuttons。Itwasstrangethathismotherhadhadnomusicaltalent，thoughAuntKateusedtocallherthebrainscarrieroftheMorkanfamily。BothsheandJuliahadalwaysseemedalittleproudoftheirseriousandmatronlysister。Herphotographstoodbeforethepier-glass。
ShehadanopenbookonherkneesandwaspointingoutsomethinginittoConstantinewho，dressedinaman-o’-warsuit，layatherfeet。Itwasshewhohadchosenthenamesofhersons，forshewasverysensibleofthedignityoffamilylife。Thankstoher，ConstantinewasnowseniorcurateinBalbrigganand，thankstoher，GabrielhimselfhadtakenhisdegreeintheRoyalUniversity。Ashadowpassedoverhisfaceasherememberedhersullenoppositiontohismarriage。Someslightingphrasesshehadusedstillrankledinhismemory；onceshehadspokenofGrettaasbeingcountrycuteandthatwasnottrueofGrettaatall。ItwasGrettawhohadnursedherduringallherlastlongillnessintheirhouseatMonkstown。
HeknewthatMaryJanemustbeneartheendofherpiece，forshewasplayingagaintheopeningmelodywithrunsofscalesaftereverybar，andwhilehewaitedfortheendtheresentmentdieddowninhisheart。Thepieceendedwithatrillofoctavesinthetrebleandafinaldeepoctaveinthebass。GreatapplausegreetedMaryJaneas，blushingandrollinguphermusicnervously，sheescapedfromtheroom。Themostvigorousclappingcamefromthefouryoungmeninthedoorwaywhohadgoneawaytotherefreshment-roomatthebeginningofthepiecebuthadcomebackwhenthepianohadstopped。
Lancerswerearranged。GabrielfoundhimselfpartneredwithMissIvors。
Shewasafrank-mannered，talkativeyounglady，withafreckledfaceandprominentbrowneyes。Shedidnotwearalow-cutbodice，andthelargebroochwhichwasfixedinthefrontofhercollarboreonitanIrishdeviceandmotto。
Whentheyhadtakentheirplacesshesaidabruptly：
`Ihaveacrowtopluckwithyou。’
`Withme？’saidGabriel。
Shenoddedherheadgravely。
`Whatisit？’askedGabriel，smilingathersolemnmanner。
`WhoisG。C。？’answeredMissIvors，turninghereyesuponhim。
Gabrielcolouredandwasabouttoknithisbrows，asifhedidnotunderstand，whenshesaidbluntly：
`O，innocentAmy！IhavefoundoutthatyouwriteforTheDailyExpress。
Now，aren’tyouashamedofyourself？’
`WhyshouldIbeashamedofmyself？’askedGabriel，blinkinghiseyesandtryingtosmile。
`Well，I’mashamedofyou，’saidMissIvorsfrankly。`Tosayyou’dwriteforapaperlikethat。Ididn’tthinkyouwereaWestBriton。’
AlookofperplexityappearedonGabriel’sface。ItwastruethathewrotealiterarycolumneveryWednesdayinTheDailyExpress，forwhichhewaspaidfifteenshillings。ButthatdidnotmakehimaWestBritonsurely。Thebookshereceivedforreviewwerealmostmorewelcomethanthepaltrycheque。Helovedtofeelthecoversandturnoverthepagesofnewlyprintedbooks。Nearlyeverydaywhenhisteachinginthecollegewasendedheusedtowanderdownthequaystothesecond-handbooksellers，toHickey’sonBachelor’sWalk，toWebb’sorMassey’sonAston’sQuay，ortoO’Clohissey’sintheby-street。Hedidnotknowhowtomeethercharge。
Hewantedtosaythatliteraturewasabovepolitics。Buttheywerefriendsofmanyyears’standingandtheircareershadbeenparallel，firstattheUniversityandthenasteachers：hecouldnotriskagrandiosephrasewithher。Hecontinuedblinkinghiseyesandtryingtosmileandmurmuredlamelythathesawnothingpoliticalinwritingreviewsofbooks。
Whentheirturntocrosshadcomehewasstillperplexedandinattentive。
MissIvorspromptlytookhishandinawarmgraspandsaidinasoftfriendlytone：
`Ofcourse，Iwasonlyjoking。Come，wecrossnow。’
WhentheyweretogetheragainshespokeoftheUniversityquestionandGabrielfeltmoreatease。AfriendofhershadshownherhisreviewofBrowning’spoems。Thatwashowshehadfoundoutthesecret：butshelikedthereviewimmensely。
Thenshesaidsuddenly：
`O，MrConroy，willyoucomeforanexcursiontotheAranIslesthissummer？We’regoingtostaythereawholemonth。ItwillbesplendidoutintheAtlantic。Yououghttocome。MrClancyiscoming，andMrKilkellyandKathleenKearney。ItwouldbesplendidforGrettatooifshe’dcome。
She’sfromConnacht，isn’tshe？’
`Herpeopleare，’saidGabrielshortly。
`Butyouwillcome，won’tyou？’saidMissIvors，layingherwarmhandeagerlyonhisarm。
`Thefactis，’saidGabriel，`Ihavejustarrangedtogo——’
`Gowhere？’askedMissIvors。
`Well，youknow，everyyearIgoforacyclingtourwithsomefellowsandso——’
`Butwhere？’askedMissIvors。
`Well，weusuallygotoFranceorBelgiumorperhapsGermany，’saidGabrielawkwardly。
`AndwhydoyougotoFranceandBelgium，’saidMissIvors，`insteadofvisitingyourownland？’
`Well，’saidGabriel，`it’spartlytokeepintouchwiththelanguagesandpartlyforachange。’
`Andhaven’tyouyourownlanguagetokeepintouchwith-Irish？’askedMissIvors。
`Well，’saidGabriel，`ifitcomestothat，youknow，Irishisnotmylanguage。’
Theirneighbourshadturnedtolistentothecross-examination。Gabrielglancedrightandleftnervouslyandtriedtokeephisgoodhumourundertheordeal，whichwasmakingablushinvadehisforehead。
`Andhaven’tyouyourownlandtovisit，’continuedMissIvors，`thatyouknownothingof，yourownpeople，andyourowncountry？’
`O，totellyouthetruth，’retortedGabrielsuddenly，`I’msickofmyowncountry，sickofit！’
`Why？’askedMissIvors。
Gabrieldidnotanswer，forhisretorthadheatedhim。
`Why？’repeatedMissIvors。
Theyhadtogovisitingtogetherand，ashehadnotansweredher，MissIvorssaidwarmly：
`Ofcourse，you’venoanswer。’
Gabrieltriedtocoverhisagitationbytakingpartinthedancewithgreatenergy。Heavoidedhereyes，forhehadseenasourexpressiononherface。Butwhentheymetinthelongchainhewassurprisedtofeelhishandfirmlypressed。Shelookedathimfromunderherbrowsforamomentquizzicallyuntilhesmiled。Then，justasthechainwasabouttostartagain，shestoodontiptoeandwhisperedintohisear：
`WestBriton！’
WhenthelancerswereoverGabrielwentawaytoaremotecorneroftheroomwhereFreddyMalins’motherwassitting。Shewasastout，feebleoldwomanwithwhitehair。Hervoicehadacatchinitlikeherson’sandshestutteredslightly。ShehadbeentoldthatFreddyhadcomeandthathewasnearlyallright。Gabrielaskedherwhethershehadhadagoodcrossing。
ShelivedwithhermarrieddaughterinGlasgowandcametoDublinonavisitonceayear。Sheansweredplacidlythatshehadhadabeautifulcrossingandthatthecaptainhadbeenmostattentivetoher。ShespokealsoofthebeautifulhouseherdaughterkeptinGlasgow，andofallthefriendstheyhadthere。WhilehertonguerambledonGabrieltriedtobanishfromhismindallmemoryoftheunpleasantincidentwithMissIvors。Ofcoursethegirl，orwoman，orwhatevershewas，wasanenthusiast，buttherewasatimeforallthings。Perhapsheoughtnottohaveansweredherlikethat。
ButshehadnorighttocallhimaWestBritonbeforepeople，eveninjoke。
Shehadtriedtomakehimridiculousbeforepeople，hecklinghimandstaringathimwithherrabbit’seyes。
Hesawhiswifemakingherwaytowardshimthroughthewaltzingcouples。
Whenshereachedhimshesaidintohisear：
`Gabriel，AuntKatewantstoknowwon’tyoucarvethegooseasusual。
MissDalywillcarvethehamandI’lldothepudding。’
`Allright，’saidGabriel。
`She’ssendingintheyoungeronesfirstassoonasthiswaltzisoversothatwe’llhavethetabletoourselves。’
`Wereyoudancing？’askedGabriel。
`OfcourseIwas。Didn’tyouseeme？WhatrowhadyouwithMollyIvors？’
`Norow。Why？Didshesayso？’
`Somethinglikethat。I’mtryingtogetthatMrD’Arcytosing。He’sfullofconceit，Ithink。’
`Therewasnorow，’saidGabrielmoodily，`onlyshewantedmetogoforatriptothewestofIrelandandIsaidIwouldn’t。’
Hiswifeclaspedherhandsexcitedlyandgavealittlejump。
`O，dogo，Gabriel，’shecried。`I’dlovetoseeGalwayagain。’
`Youcangoifyoulike，’saidGabrielcoldly。
Shelookedathimforamoment，thenturnedtoMrsMalinsandsaid：
`There’sanicehusbandforyou，MrsMalins。’
WhileshewasthreadingherwaybackacrosstheroomMrsMalins，withoutadvertingtotheinterruption，wentontotellGabrielwhatbeautifulplacestherewereinScotlandandbeautifulscenery。Herson-in-lawbroughtthemeveryyeartothelakesandtheyusedtogofishing。Herson-in-lawwasasplendidfisher。Onedayhecaughtabeautifulbigfishandthemaninthehotelcookeditfortheirdinner。
Gabrielhardlyheardwhatshesaid。Nowthatsupperwascomingnearhebegantothinkagainabouthisspeechandaboutthequotation。WhenhesawFreddyMalinscomingacrosstheroomtovisithismotherGabrielleftthechairfreeforhimandretiredintotheembrasureofthewindow。
Theroomhadalreadyclearedandfromthebackroomcametheclatterofplatesandknives。Thosewhostillremainedinthedrawing-roomseemedtiredofdancingandwereconversingquietlyinlittlegroups。Gabriel’swarm，tremblingfingerstappedthecoldpaneofthewindow。Howcoolitmustbeoutside！Howpleasantitwouldbetowalkoutalone，firstalongbytheriverandthenthroughthepark！ThesnowwouldbelyingonthebranchesofthetreesandformingabrightcaponthetopoftheWellingtonMonument。Howmuchmorepleasantitwouldbetherethanatthesupper-table！
Heranovertheheadingsofhisspeech：Irishhospitality，sadmemories，theThreeGraces，Paris，thequotationfromBrowning。Herepeatedtohimselfaphrasehehadwritteninhisreview：`Onefeelsthatoneislisteningtoathought-tormentedmusic。’MissIvorshadpraisedthereview。Wasshesincere？Hadshereallyanylifeofherownbehindallherpropagandism？
Therehadneverbeenanyill-feelingbetweenthemuntilthatnight。Itunnervedhimtothinkthatshewouldbeatthesupper-table，lookingupathim，whilehespoke，withhercriticalquizzingeyes。Perhapsshewouldnotbesorrytoseehimfailinhisspeech。Anideacameintohismindandgavehimcourage。Hewouldsay，alludingtoAuntKateandAuntJulia：
`LadiesandGentlemen，thegenerationwhichisnowonthewaneamongusmayhavehaditsfaults，butformypartIthinkithadcertainqualitiesofhospitality，ofhumour，ofhumanity，whichthenewandveryseriousandhyper-educatedgenerationthatisgrowinguparoundusseemstometolack。’Verygood：thatwasoneforMissIvors。Whatdidhecarethathisauntswereonlytwoignorantoldwomen？
Amurmurintheroomattractedhisattention。MrBrownewasadvancingfromthedoor，gallantlyescortingAuntJulia，wholeaneduponhisarm，smilingandhangingherhead。Anirregularmusketryofapplauseescortedheralsoasfarasthepianoandthen，asMaryJaneseatedherselfonthestool，andAuntJulia，nolongersmiling，halfturnedsoastopitchhervoicefairlyintotheroom，graduallyceased。Gabrielrecognizedtheprelude。
ItwasthatofanoldsongofAuntJulia’s-`ArrayedfortheBridal’。
Hervoice，strongandclearintone，attackedwithgreatspirittherunswhichembellishtheair，andthoughshesangveryrapidlyshedidnotmisseventhesmallestofthegracenotes。Tofollowthevoice，withoutlookingatthesinger’sface，wastofeelandsharetheexcitementofswiftandsecureflight。Gabrielapplaudedloudlywithalltheothersatthecloseofthesong，andloudapplausewasborneinfromtheinvisiblesupper-table。
ItsoundedsogenuinethatalittlecolourstruggledintoAuntJulia’sfaceasshebenttoreplaceinthemusic-standtheoldleather-boundsong-bookthathadherinitialsonthecover。FreddyMalins，whohadlistenedwithhisheadperchedsidewaystohearherbetter，wasstillapplaudingwheneveryoneelsehadceasedandtalkinganimatedlytohismother，whonoddedherheadgravelyandslowlyinacquiescence。Atlast，whenhecouldclapnomore，hestoodupsuddenlyandhurriedacrosstheroomtoAuntJuliawhosehandheseizedandheldinbothhishands，shakingitwhenwordsfailedhimorthecatchinhisvoiceprovedtoomuchforhim。
`Iwasjusttellingmymother，’hesaid，`Ineverheardyousingsowell，never。No，Ineverheardyourvoicesogoodasitistonight。Now！
Wouldyoubelievethatnow？That’sthetruth。Uponmywordandhonourthat’sthetruth。Ineverheardyourvoicesoundsofreshandso……soclearandfresh，never。’
AuntJuliasmiledbroadlyandmurmuredsomethingaboutcomplimentsasshereleasedherhandfromhisgrasp。MrBrowneextendedhisopenhandtowardsherandsaidtothosewhowerenearhiminthemannerofashowmanintroducingaprodigytoanaudience：
`MissJuliaMorkan，mylatestdiscovery！’
HewaslaughingveryheartilyatthishimselfwhenFreddyMalinsturnedtohimandsaid：
`Well，Browne，ifyou’reseriousyoumightmakeaworsediscovery。AllIcansayisIneverheardhersinghalfsowellaslongasIamcominghere。Andthat’sthehonesttruth。’
`NeitherdidI，’saidMrBrowne。`Ithinkhervoicehasgreatlyimproved。’
AuntJuliashruggedhershouldersandsaidwithmeekpride：
`ThirtyyearsagoIhadn’tabadvoiceasvoicesgo。’
`IoftentoldJulia，’saidAuntKateemphatically，`thatshewassimplythrownawayinthatchoir。Butsheneverwouldbesaidbyme。’
Sheturnedasiftoappealtothegoodsenseoftheothersagainstarefractorychild，whileAuntJuliagazedinfrontofher，avaguesmileofreminiscenceplayingonherface。
`No，’continuedAuntKate，`shewouldn’tbesaidorledbyanyone，slavingthereinthatchoirnightandday，nightandday。Sixo’clockonChristmasmorning！Andallforwhat？’
`Well，isn’titforthehonourofGod，AuntKate？’askedMaryJane，twistingroundonthepiano-stoolandsmiling。