DUBLINERS (14/15), by James Joyce (1882-1941).
Difficulty: Hard    Uploaded: 4 months, 2 weeks ago by soybeba     Last Activity: an hour ago
54% Upvoted
1% Translated but not Upvoted
475 Units
55% Translated
54% Upvoted
GRACIA..


Dos caballeros que estaban en el baño en ese momento trataron de levantarlo: pero estaba totalmente inerme. Yacía acurrucado al pie de la escalera por la que había caído. Lograron voltearlo.
Su sombrero había rodado a unos metros y su ropa estaba manchada con la suciedad y el lodo del piso en el que había quedado, boca abajo.
Sus ojos estaban cerrados y respiraba con un gruñido. Un fino hilo de sangre goteaba desde la esquina de su boca.

Estos dos caballeros y uno de los curas lo llevaron por las escaleras y lo acostaron de nuevo en el suelo del bar. En dos minutos estuvo rodeado por un círculo de hombres. El encargado del bar preguntó a todos quién era y quién estaba con él. Nadie sabía quién era, pero uno de los curas dijo que había servido al caballero un pequeño ron.

"¿Estaba solo?", preguntó el encargado.

"No, señor. Había dos caballeros con él". "¿Y dónde están?". Nadie lo sabía; una voz dijo: "Denle aire. Se ha desmayado''. El círculo de curiosos se distendió y volvió a cerrarse elásticamente. En el suelo teselado se había formado una medalla de sangre cerca de la cabeza del hombre. El encargado, alarmado por la palidez gris de la cara del hombre, mandó llamar a un policía.

Su cuello estaba abierto y su corbata desabrochada. Abrió los ojos por un momento, suspiró y volvió a cerrarlos. Uno de los caballeros que lo había subido, tenía un sombrero de seda abollado en la mano. El encargado preguntó repetidamente si nadie sabía quién era el hombre herido o a dónde se habían ido sus amigos. La puerta del bar se abrió y entró un inmenso policía. Una multitud que lo había seguido por el callejón se apiñó fuera de la puerta, luchando por mirar a través de los paneles de vidrio.

El encargado inmediatamente comenzó a narrar lo que sabía. El agente, un hombre joven de rasgos gruesos e inmóviles, escuchaba. Movía la cabeza lentamente a derecha e izquierda y del encargado a la persona que estaba en el suelo, como si temiera ser víctima de alguna ilusión. Luego se quitó el guante, sacó un cuadernillo de la cintura, lamió la mina del lápiz y se aprestó a redactar. Preguntó con un sospechoso acento provinciano: "¿Quién es ese hombre? ¿Cuál es su nombre y dirección?". Un joven en traje de ciclista se abrió paso a través del círculo de mirones. Se arrodilló enseguida junto al herido y pidió agua. El policía también se arrodilló para ayudar. El joven lavó la sangre de la boca del herido y después pidió un poco de coñac.
El policía repitió la orden de manera autoritaria hasta que un cura vino corriendo con el vaso. El brandy fue introducido en la garganta del hombre. En pocos segundos abrió los ojos y miró a su alrededor.
Miró el círculo de rostros y luego, al entender, se esforzó por levantarse.

"¿Está bien ahora?" preguntó el joven en traje de ciclismo.

"Chis, no es nada", dijo el hombre herido, tratando de ponerse de pie.

Se le ayudó a ponerse de pie. El encargado mencionó algo de un hospital y algunos de los mirones dieron consejos. El sombrero de seda abollado fue colocado sobre la cabeza del hombre. El agente preguntó: "¿Dónde vive?". Sin responder, el hombre, empezó a atusarse los extremos del bigote.
Se tomó su accidente a la ligera. No era nada, dijo: solo un pequeño accidente. Hablaba con voz muy ronca.

"¿Dónde vive?", repitió el agente.

El hombre dijo que le buscaran un taxi. Mientras se debatía este punto, un caballero alto y ágil, de tez clara y vestido con un largo abrigo amarillo, se acercó desde el fondo del bar. Al ver el espectáculo, gritó: "¡Hola, Tom, viejo! ¿Cuál es el problema?'' ''Chis, no pasa nada'', dijo el hombre.

El recién llegado observó la deplorable figura que estaba ante sí y luego se volvió hacia el policía, diciendo: ''Está bien, agente. Lo llevaré a casa''. El policía tocó su casco y contestó: ''Muy bien, Sr. Power''. '' Venga, Tom'', dijo el Sr. Power, cogiendo a su amigo por el brazo. ''No hay huesos rotos. ¿Qué? ¿Puedes andar?'' el joven en traje de ciclista cogió al hombre por el brazo y la multitud se dividió.

''¿Cómo te encontraste en este lío?'' preguntó el Sr. Power.

''El señor se cayó por las escaleras'', dijo el joven.

"Le es...toy muy a..grade..cido, señor", dijo el hombre herido.

"Por nada." "¿Po...demos tomar un poco...?" "No ahora. No ahora". Los tres hombres salieron del bar y la multitud pasó lentamente por las puertas hacia el callejón. El encargado llevó al agente a las escaleras para inspeccionar la escena del accidente. Estuvieron de acuerdo en que el caballero debió haber dado un paso en falso. Los clientes volvieron a la barra y un cura se ocupó de eliminar los rastros de sangre del suelo.

Cuando salieron a Grafton Street, el Sr. Power silbó llamando a un desconocido. De nuevo, el hombre herido dijo tan bien como pudo: "Le 'stoy muy 'gradecido, señor. Espero que nos 'contremos de nuevo. Me lla...mo Kernan". La conmoción y el dolor incipiente lo habían despejado en parte.

"Ni lo mencione" dijo el joven-.

Se dieron la mano. El Sr. Kernan fue izado al coche y, mientras el Sr. Power daba indicaciones al cochero, expresó su gratitud al joven y se lamentó que no pudieran tomar una copita juntos.

"En otra ocasión", dijo el joven.

El coche se fue en dirección de la calle Westmoreland. Al pasar por Ballast Office, el reloj marcaba las nueve y media. Un viento fresco del este les azotó, soplando desde la boca del rio. El Sr. Kernan estaba acurrucado de frío. Su amigo le pidió que le dijera qué había pasado

''..o uedo''.contestó, ''.e .uele la .engua''. ''Muestra''. El otro se inclinó sobre el pozo del coche y miró a la boca del Sr. Kernan, pero no pudo ver. Encendió una cerilla y, abrigándola en sus manos, miró de nuevo en la boca que el Sr. Kernan abrió obedientemente. El movimiento de vaivén del coche llevaba la cerilla hacia y desde la boca abierta. Los dientes inferiores y las encías estaban cubiertas de sangre coagulada y un diminuto trozo de lengua parecía haber sido arrancado. El fósforo se apagó.

"Eso está feo", dijo el Sr. Power.

"Chis, no es nada", dijo el Sr. Kernan, cerrando la boca y levantando el cuello de su sucio abrigo.

El Sr. Kernan era un viajero comercial de la vieja escuela que creía en la dignidad de su vocación. Nunca había sido visto en la ciudad sin un sombrero de seda de cierta decencia y un par de polainas. Decía que gracias a estas dos piezas de vestir, un hombre siempre podría ser aceptable. Continuaba la tradición de su Napoleón, el gran Blackwhite, cuya memoria evocaba a veces por la leyenda y el mimetismo.
Las modalidades modernas de los negocios solo le habían permitido disponer de un pequeño despacho en la calle Crowe, en cuya persiana estaba escrito el nombre de su empresa con la dirección, Londres, E.C. En la repisa de la chimenea de esta pequeña oficina había un pequeño batallón de vasijas de plomo y sobre la mesa, delante de la ventana, había cuatro o cinco cuencos de porcelana que solían estar medio llenos de un líquido negro. De estos cuencos probó el té el Sr. Kernan. Tomó un sorbo, lo absorbió, saturó con él su paladar y luego lo escupió en la chimenea. Luego hizo una pausa para juzgar.

El Sr. Power, un hombre mucho más joven, trabajaba en la Oficina de la Real Policía Irlandesa en el Castillo de Dublín. El arco de su subida social se cruzó con el arco del descenso de su amigo, pero el declive del Sr. Kernan estaba mitigado por el hecho de que algunos de aquellos amigos que le habían conocido en su momento de mayor éxito seguían estimándole como personaje.
El Sr. Power era uno de esos amigos. Sus inexplicables deudas eran proverbiales en su círculo; era un joven sin complejos.

El coche se detuvo en frente de una casa pequeña en la carretera de Glasnevin, y el Sr. Kernan fue ayudado a entrar en la casa. Su esposa lo acostó mientras el Sr. Power se sentaba abajo en la cocina a preguntar a los niños a qué colegio iban y en qué libro estaban. Los hijos, dos niñas y un niño, conscientes de la impotencia de su padre y de la ausencia de su madre, empezaron a hacer payasada con él. Se sorprendió por sus modales y sus acentos, y su frente se puso pensativa. Después de un rato, la señora Kernan entró en la cocina y exclamó: "¡Qué visión! Oh, va a quitarse la vida algún día y eso es todo lo que hay. Ha estado bebiendo desde el viernes". El Sr. Power le explicó cuidadosamente que él no era responsable, que había llegado a la escena por pura casualidad, La Sra. Kernan, recordando los buenos oficios del señor Power durante unas disputas domésticas, así como muchos préstamos, pequeños pero oportunos, dijo: "Oh, no tiene que decirme eso, Sr. Power. Sé que usted es su amigo, no como algunos de los otros con los que pasa tiempo. Están listos siempre que tenga dinero en su bolsillo para mantenerlo alejado de su esposa y familia.
¡Buenos amigos! ¿Con quién estaba esta noche, me gustaría saberlo?". El Sr. Power Power sacudió la cabeza pero no dijo nada.

"Lo siento mucho", continuó, "no tengo nada en la casa para ofrecerle. Pero si espera un minuto haré un pedido a la esquina, a Fogarty". El Sr. Power se levantó.

"Estábamos esperándolo que volviera a casa con el dinero. Parece que nunca piensa que tiene un hogar". "Oh, ahora, Sra. Kernan", dijo el Sr. Power, "haremos que cambie de vida. Hablaré con Martin. Él es el hombre. Vendremos por aquí una de estas noches y lo hablaremos". Ella lo acompañó a la puerta. El chofer pataleaba por el sendero y movía los brazos para calentarse.

''Es muy amable por su parte traerlo a casa'', dijo ella.

No hay de qué'', dijo el Sr. Power.

Subió en el coche. Levantó el sombrero alegremente mientras se alejaba.

''Vamos a hacer un nuevo hombre de él, '' dijo. ''Buenas noches, Sra Kernan'', los ojos sorprendidos de la señora Kernan observaron el coche hasta que se perdió de vista.
Luego se detuvieron, y ella entró en la casa y vació los bolsillos de su marido.

Era una mujer activa y práctica, de mediana edad. No mucho antes, había celebrado sus bodas de plata y renovado su intimidad con su marido, bailando el vals con él, siendo acompañados por el Sr. Power. En sus días de cortejo, el señor Kernan le había parecido una figura no carente de cortesía: y ella aún se apresuraba a la puerta de la capilla cada vez que se informaba de una boda y, al ver a la pareja nupcial, recordaba con vivo placer cómo había pasado fuera de la Iglesia Star of the Sea en Sandymount, apoyándose en el brazo de un hombre jovial bien alimentado, que estaba vestido elegantemente con una gabardina y pantalones lavanda y llevaba un sombrero de seda elegantemente equilibrado sobre el otro brazo. Después de tres semanas había encontrado fastidiosa su vida de esposa y, más tarde, cuando estaba empezando a encontrarla insoportable, se había convertido en madre. El papel de madre no le presentaba dificultades insuperables y durante veinticinco años había llevado con maña la casa para su marido. Sus dos hijos mayores eran lanzados. Uno estaba en una tienda de telas en Glasgow y el otro era empleado de un comerciante de té en Belfast.
Eran buenos hijos, escribían regularmente y a veces enviaban dinero a casa. Los otros hijos estaban todavía en la escuela.

Al día siguiente, el Sr. Kernan envió una carta a su oficina y permaneció en cama. Ella le preparaba caldo de carne y lo reprendía enérgicamente. Aceptaba sus frecuentes intemperancias como parte del clima, lo curaba diligentemente cada vez que se enfermaba y siempre trataba de que desayunara.
Había maridos peores. Él nunca había sido violento desde que los niños habían crecido y ella sabía que él caminaría hasta el final de Thomas Street y volvería para conseguir incluso un pequeño pedido.

Dos noches después sus amigos fueron a verlo. Los hizo subir a su dormitorio, cuyo aire estaba impregnado de un aroma personal. y les dio sillas junto al fuego. La lengua del Sr. Kernan, cuyo ocasional dolor punzante lo hizo un poco irritable durante el día, se volvió más cortés. Se sentaba en la cama apoyado con almohadas y el poco color de sus mejillas hinchadas hacía que parecieran cenizas calientes. Pidió disculpas a sus invitados por el desorden del dormitorio, pero al mismo tiempo los miró un poco orgulloso, con el orgullo de un veterano.

Estaba totalmente inconsciente de que era víctima de un complot que sus amigos, el Sr. Cunningham, el Sr. M'Coy y el Sr. Power, habían revelado a la Sra. Kernan en el salón. La idea era del Sr. Power pero su desarrollo fue encargado al Sr. Cunningham. El señor Kernan era de ascendencia protestante y, aunque se había convertido a la fe católica en el momento de su matrimonio, no habían pasado veinte años desde que estaba en el seno de la Iglesia.
Además, le gustaba tomar el partido contrario al catolicismo.

El Sr. Cunningham era el hombre adecuado para tal caso. Era un colega mayor del Sr. Power. Su propia vida doméstica no era muy feliz. La gente tenía gran simpatía por él porque se sabía que se había casado con una mujer impresentable que era una borracha incurable. Él le había puesto la casa seis veces; y cada vez ella le había empeñado los muebles.

Todos respetaban al pobre Martin Cunningham. Era un hombre muy sensato, influyente e inteligente. Su hoja de conocimiento humano, astucia natural particularizada por una larga asociación con casos en los tribunales policiales, había sido templada por breves inmersiones en las aguas de la filosofía general. Estaba bien informado. Sus amigos se inclinaban ante sus opiniones y consideraban que su rostro era como el de Shakespeare.

Cuando se le reveló el complot, la Sra. Kernan había dicho: "Lo dejo todo en sus manos, Sr. Cunningham". Después de un cuarto de siglo de vida matrimonial, le quedaban muy pocas ilusiones. Para ella la religión era una costumbre y sospechaba que un hombre de la edad de su marido no cambiaría mucho antes de morir. Estaba tentada de ver una curiosa conveniencia en su accidente y, de no ser porque no deseaba parecer sanguinaria, habría dicho a los caballeros que la lengua del Sr. Kernan no sufriría por ser acortada.
Sin embargo, el Sr. Cunningham era un hombre capaz; y la religión era la religión.
El plan podría ser beneficioso y, al menos, no podría ser perjudicial. Sus creencias no eran extravagantes. Ella creía invariablemente en el Sagrado Corazón como la más útil de todas las devociones católicas y aprobaba los sacramentos. Su fe estaba limitada por su cocina pero, si se lo pedían, también podía creer en la banshee y en el Espíritu Santo.

Los hombres empezaron a hablar del accidente. El Sr. Cunningham dijo que una vez había encontrado un caso similar. Un hombre de setenta años se había mordido la lengua durante un ataque epiléptico y la lengua se había completado de nuevo para que nadie pudiera ver ni rastro de la mordedura.

"Bueno, no tengo setenta años", dijo el inválido.

"Dios no lo permita", dijo el señor Cunningham.

"No le duele ahora?", preguntó el Sr. M'Coy.

El señor M'Coy había sido en un momento un tenor de cierta reputación. Su esposa, que había sido soprano, todavía enseñaba a los niños pequeños a tocar el piano en condiciones asequibles. La línea de su vida no había sido la distancia más corta entre dos puntos y durante breves períodos se había visto obligado a vivir por su ingenio. Había sido empleado del ferrocarril Midland, promotor de anuncios para The Irish Times y para The Freeman's Journal, viajante a comisión de una empresa carbonífera, agente de investigaciones privadas, empleado de la oficina del subcomisario y recientemente secretario del juez de instrucción de la ciudad. Su nuevo cargo le hizo interesarse profesionalmente por el caso del Sr. Kernan.

"¿Dolor? No mucho", respondió el Sr. Kernan. "Pero es tan repugnante. Siento como si quisiera vomitar". "Eso es la bebida", dijo el Sr. Cunningham con firmeza.

''No,'' dijo el Sr. Kernan. ''Creo que me resfrié en el coche. Me sube algo a la garganta, flema o...'' “Mucosidad”, dijo el Sr. M'Coy.

''Sigue viniendo como desde abajo de mi garganta; cosa repugnante''. ''Sí, sí'' dijo el Sr. M'Coy, ''es el pecho''. Miró al Sr. Cunningham y al Sr. Power al mismo tiempo con un aire desafiante. El Sr. Cunningham sacudió la cabeza rápidamente y el Sr. Power dijo: '' Ah, bueno, bien está lo que bien acaba''. ''Le agradezco mucho a usted, viejo amigo'' dijo el inválido.

El Sr. Power agitó la mano.

''Esos otros muchachos con quienes estaba...'' "¿con quién estaba?" preguntó el Sr. Cunningham.

''Un tipo. No conozco su nombre. Caramba,¿cuál es su nombre? Un pequeño tipo con cabello color arena...''Y quién más? “ “Harford.” “Hum,” dijo el Sr Cunningham.

Cuando el señor Cunningham hizo esa observación, la gente se calló. Se sabía que el que hablaba tenía fuentes secretas de información. En este caso el monosílabo tenía una intención moral. El Sr. Harford a veces era uno de un pequeño destacamento que dejaba la ciudad poco después del mediodía del domingo con el propósito de llegar lo más pronto posible a alguna taberna en las afueras de la ciudad donde sus miembros se calificaban como viajeros 'de bona fide'. Pero sus compañeros de viaje nunca habían consentido en pasar por alto su origen. Había comenzado la vida como un financiero oscuro prestando pequeñas sumas de dinero a los trabajadores con intereses usurarios. Más tarde, se había asociado con un señor bajito y muy gordo, el Sr. Goldberg, en el Liffey Loan Bank. Aunque nunca había abrazado más que el código ético judío, sus correligionarios católicos, cuando habían sufrido en persona o por poder sus exacciones, hablaban de él amargamente por ser un judio irlandés y analfabeto y vio cómo la desaprobación divina de la usura se manifestaba a través de la persona de su hijo idiota.
Otras veces se recordaban sus puntos buenos.

''Me pregunto dónde se ha ido'' dijo el Sr. Kernan.

Deseaba que los detalles del incidente siguieran siendo vagos. Deseaba que sus amigos pensaran que había habido algún error, que el Sr. Harford y él se habían perdido. Sus amigos, que conocían muy bien los modales de beber del señor Harford, guardaron silencio. El Sr. Power dijo de nuevo: "Bien está lo que bien acaba". El Sr. Kernan cambió de tema inmediatamente.

"Era un joven decente, ese médico", dijo. "Solo por él...". "Oh, solo por él", dijo el Sr. Power, "podría haber sido un caso de siete días, sin opción a multa". "Sí, sí", dijo el Sr. Kernan, tratando de recordar. "Ahora recuerdo que había un policía. Parecía un muchacho decente. ¿Cómo sucedió?". "Sucedió que estabas borracho, Tom", dijo el Sr. Cunningham con gravedad.

"Buena factura", dijo el Sr. Kernan, con la misma gravedad.

"Supongo que arreglaste con el agente, Jack", dijo el Sr. M'Coy.

Al Sr. Power no le gustaba el uso de su nombre de pila. No era un hombre recto, pero no podía olvidar que el Sr. M'Coy había hecho recientemente una cruzada en busca de maletas y portamaletas para que la Sra. M'Coy pudiera cumplir compromisos imaginarios en el campo. Más que el hecho de haber sido víctima, le molestaba lo bajo del juego. Por tanto, respondió a la pregunta como si la hubiera formulado el señor Kernan.

La narración indignó al señor Kernan. Era plenamente consciente de su ciudadanía, deseaba vivir con su ciudad en términos mutuamente honorables y le molestaba cualquier afrenta que le hicieran aquellos a los que llamaba palurdos del campo.

"¿Para esto pagamos los impuestos?", preguntaba. "Para alimentar y vestir a estos ignorantes... y no son otra cosa". El Sr. Cunningham se rio. Él era funcionario del Castillo solo en horas de oficina.

"¿Cómo podrían ser otra cosa, Tom?", dijo.

Adoptó un marcado acento provinciano y dijo en tono de mando: "¡65, toma tu repollo!". Todos se echaron a reír. El Sr. M'Coy, que quería tomar parte de la conversación por cualquiera manera, fingió que nunca había oído la historia. El Sr. Cunningham dijo: ''Se supone ...dicen, ya sabes... que tiene lugar en el depósito donde consiguen a estos grandes y atronadores tipos del campo, omadhauns, ya sabes, para ejercitar. El sargento les hace ponerse en fila contra la pared y levantar los platos''. Ilustró la historia con gestos grotescos.

"En la cena, sabéis. Entonces tiene un maldito gran tazón de repollo delante de él en la mesa y una maldita cuchara grande como una pala. Toma un montón de repollo en la cuchara y lo lanza al otro lado de la habitación y los pobres diablos tienen que intentar atraparlo en sus platos: '65, toma tu repollo'". Todos volvieron a reír: pero el Sr. Kernan todavía estaba un poco indignado. Dijo que escribiría una carta a los periódicos.

"Estos palurdos que vienen aquí," dijo "creen que pueden mandar a la gente. No necesito decirte, Martin, qué clase de hombres son". El Sr. Cunningham emitió un asentimiento moderado.

''Es como todo en este mundo'' dijo. ''Encuentras unos malos y unos buenos''. ''Oh, si, encuentras algunos buenos tipos, seguro'', dijo el Sr. Kernan, satisfecho.

''Es mejor no decirles nada", dijo el Sr. M'Coy. ''¡Es lo que pienso!''. La Sra Kernan entró en la sala y, colocando una bandeja sobre la mesa, dijo: ''Sírvanse, caballeros''. El Sr. Power se levantó para presidir, ofreciéndole su silla. Ella la rechazó, diciendo que estaba planchando abajo, y, después de haber intercambiado un gesto de asentimiento con el Sr. Cunningham a espaldas del Sr. Power, se preparó para abandonar la sala. Su marido le gritó: "¿Y no tienes nada para mí, cariño?". "¡Oh, tú! El dorso de mi mano para ti!", dijo con aspereza la Sra. Kernan.

Su marido le replicó: "¡Nada para el pobre maridito!". Asumió una cara y voz tan cómica que la distribución de las botellas de cerveza tuvo lugar en medio de la alegría general.

Los caballeros bebieron en sus vasos, pusieron los vasos de nuevo sobre la mesa e hicieron una pausa. Entonces el Sr. Cunningham se volvió hacia el Sr. Power y dijo casualmente: "El jueves por la noche, dijiste, Jack". "El jueves, sí," dijo el Sr. Power.

"¡Muy bien!", dijo el Sr. Cunningham rápidamente.

"Podemos reunirnos en M'Auley's", dijo el Sr. M'Coy. "Ese será el lugar más conveniente". "Pero no debemos llegar tarde", dijo el Sr. Power con seriedad, “porque seguro que estará abarrotado hasta las puertas”. "Podemos encontrarnos a las siete y media", dijo el Sr. M'Coy.

"¡Muy bien!", dijo el Sr. Cunningham.

"¡Estaremos a las siete y media en lo de M'Auley!". Hubo un breve silencio. El Sr. Kernan esperó para ver si había captado la confianza de sus amigos. Entonces preguntó: "¿Qué hay en el ambiente?". "Oh, no es nada", dijo el Sr. Cunningham. "Es solo un asuntito que estamos arreglando para el jueves". "La ópera, ¿verdad?", dijo el Sr. Kernan.

''No, no, '' dijo el Sr. Cunningham en tono evasivo, ''solo es un pequeño...asunto espiritual''. ''Oh'', dijo el Sr. Kernan.

Hubo silencio de nuevo. Y el Sr. Power dijo, sin rodeos''. ''Para decirle la verdad, Tom, vamos a retirarnos''. "Sí, eso es'', dijo el Sr. Cunningham, ''Jack y yo y el Sr. M'Coy aqui...vamos a lavar la jarra''. Usó la metáfora con cierta energía casera y, animado por su propia voz, siguió: ''Ve, podemos admitir que somos una buena colección de canallas, todos y cada uno. Digo, todos y cada uno", añadió con una caridad gruñona y dirigiéndose al Sr. Power. "¡Confiésalo ahora!". "Lo admito", dijo el señor Power.

"Y yo lo reconozco", dijo el Sr. M'Coy.

"Así que vamos a lavar la jarra juntos", dijo el Sr. Cunningham.

Pareció que le había asaltado un pensamiento. Se volvió de repente hacia el inválido y dijo: "¿Sabes qué se me acaba de ocurrir, Tom? Podrías unirte y tendríamos un juego a cuatro manos". "Buena idea", dijo el Sr. Power. "Los cuatro juntos". El Sr. Kernan guardó silencio. La propuesta tenía muy poco significado para su mente pero, comprendiendo que algunos entes espirituales estaban a punto de preocuparse por él, pensó que le debía a su dignidad mostrar el cuello rígido. No tomó parte en la conversación por mucho tiempo pero ecuchó, con un aire con aire de serena enemistad, mientras sus amigos discutían sobre los jesuitas.

''No tengo tal mala opinión de los jesuitas'', dijo, interviniendo largamente. ''Son un órden educado. Creo que también tienen buenas intenciones.'' ''Son el más grande órgen en la Iglesia, Tom'', dijo el Sr. Cunningham, con entusiasmo. “The General of the Jesuits stands next to the Pope.” “There’s no mistake about it,” said Mr M’Coy, “if you want a thing well done and no flies about it you go to a Jesuit. They’re the boyos have influence. I’ll tell you a case in point....” “The Jesuits are a fine body of men,” said Mr Power.

“It’s a curious thing,” said Mr Cunningham, “about the Jesuit Order.
Every other order of the Church had to be reformed at some time or other but the Jesuit Order was never once reformed. It never fell away.” “Is that so?” asked Mr M’Coy.

“That’s a fact,” said Mr Cunningham. “That’s history.” “Look at their church, too,” said Mr Power. “Look at the congregation they have.” “The Jesuits cater for the upper classes,” said Mr M’Coy.

“Of course,” said Mr Power.

“Yes,” said Mr Kernan. “That’s why I have a feeling for them. It’s some of those secular priests, ignorant, bumptious——” “They’re all good men,” said Mr Cunningham, “each in his own way. The Irish priesthood is honoured all the world over.” “O yes,” said Mr Power.

“Not like some of the other priesthoods on the continent,” said Mr M’Coy, “unworthy of the name.” “Perhaps you’re right,” said Mr Kernan, relenting.

“Of course I’m right,” said Mr Cunningham. “I haven’t been in the world all this time and seen most sides of it without being a judge of character.” The gentlemen drank again, one following another’s example. Mr Kernan seemed to be weighing something in his mind. He was impressed. He had a high opinion of Mr Cunningham as a judge of character and as a reader of faces. He asked for particulars.

“O, it’s just a retreat, you know,” said Mr Cunningham. “Father Purdon is giving it. It’s for business men, you know.” “He won’t be too hard on us, Tom,” said Mr Power persuasively.

“Father Purdon? Father Purdon?” said the invalid.

“O, you must know him, Tom,” said Mr Cunningham stoutly. “Fine jolly fellow! He’s a man of the world like ourselves.” “Ah, ... yes. I think I know him. Rather red face; tall.” “That’s the man.” “And tell me, Martin.... Is he a good preacher?” “Munno.... It’s not exactly a sermon, you know. It’s just kind of a friendly talk, you know, in a common-sense way.” Mr Kernan deliberated. Mr M’Coy said: “Father Tom Burke, that was the boy!” “O, Father Tom Burke,” said Mr Cunningham, “that was a born orator. Did you ever hear him, Tom?” “Did I ever hear him!” said the invalid, nettled. “Rather! I heard him....” “And yet they say he wasn’t much of a theologian,” said Mr Cunningham.

“Is that so?” said Mr M’Coy.

“O, of course, nothing wrong, you know. Only sometimes, they say, he didn’t preach what was quite orthodox.” “Ah! ... he was a splendid man,” said Mr M’Coy.

“I heard him once,” Mr Kernan continued. “I forget the subject of his discourse now. Crofton and I were in the back of the ... pit, you know ... the——” “The body,” said Mr Cunningham.

“Yes, in the back near the door. I forget now what.... O yes, it was on the Pope, the late Pope. I remember it well. Upon my word it was magnificent, the style of the oratory. And his voice! God! hadn’t he a voice! _The Prisoner of the Vatican_, he called him. I remember Crofton saying to me when we came out——” “But he’s an Orangeman, Crofton, isn’t he?” said Mr Power.

“‘Course he is,” said Mr Kernan, “and a damned decent Orangeman too. We went into Butler’s in Moore Street—faith, I was genuinely moved, tell you the God’s truth—and I remember well his very words. _Kernan_, he said, _we worship at different altars_, he said, _but our belief is the same_. Struck me as very well put.” “There’s a good deal in that,” said Mr Power. “There used always to be crowds of Protestants in the chapel where Father Tom was preaching.” “There’s not much difference between us,” said Mr M’Coy.

“We both believe in——” He hesitated for a moment.

“... in the Redeemer. Only they don’t believe in the Pope and in the mother of God.” “But, of course,” said Mr Cunningham quietly and effectively, “our religion is _the_ religion, the old, original faith.” “Not a doubt of it,” said Mr Kernan warmly.

Mrs Kernan came to the door of the bedroom and announced: “Here’s a visitor for you!” “Who is it?” “Mr Fogarty.” “O, come in! come in!” A pale oval face came forward into the light. The arch of its fair trailing moustache was repeated in the fair eyebrows looped above pleasantly astonished eyes. Mr Fogarty was a modest grocer. He had failed in business in a licensed house in the city because his financial condition had constrained him to tie himself to second-class distillers and brewers. He had opened a small shop on Glasnevin Road where, he flattered himself, his manners would ingratiate him with the housewives of the district. He bore himself with a certain grace, complimented little children and spoke with a neat enunciation. He was not without culture.

Mr Fogarty brought a gift with him, a half-pint of special whisky. He inquired politely for Mr Kernan, placed his gift on the table and sat down with the company on equal terms. Mr Kernan appreciated the gift all the more since he was aware that there was a small account for groceries unsettled between him and Mr Fogarty. He said: “I wouldn’t doubt you, old man. Open that, Jack, will you?” Mr Power again officiated. Glasses were rinsed and five small measures of whisky were poured out. This new influence enlivened the conversation. Mr Fogarty, sitting on a small area of the chair, was specially interested.

“Pope Leo XIII.,” said Mr Cunningham, “was one of the lights of the age. His great idea, you know, was the union of the Latin and Greek Churches. That was the aim of his life.” “I often heard he was one of the most intellectual men in Europe,” said Mr Power. “I mean, apart from his being Pope.” “So he was,” said Mr Cunningham, “if not _the_ most so. His motto, you know, as Pope, was _Lux upon Lux—Light upon Light_.” “No, no,” said Mr Fogarty eagerly. “I think you’re wrong there. It was _Lux in Tenebris_, I think—_Light in Darkness_.” “O yes,” said Mr M’Coy, “_Tenebrae_.” “Allow me,” said Mr Cunningham positively, “it was _Lux upon Lux_. And Pius IX. his predecessor’s motto was _Crux upon Crux_—that is, _Cross upon Cross_—to show the difference between their two pontificates.” The inference was allowed. Mr Cunningham continued.

“Pope Leo, you know, was a great scholar and a poet.” “He had a strong face,” said Mr Kernan.

“Yes,” said Mr Cunningham. “He wrote Latin poetry.” “Is that so?” said Mr Fogarty.

Mr M’Coy tasted his whisky contentedly and shook his head with a double intention, saying: “That’s no joke, I can tell you.” “We didn’t learn that, Tom,” said Mr Power, following Mr M’Coy’s example, “when we went to the penny-a-week school.” “There was many a good man went to the penny-a-week school with a sod of turf under his oxter,” said Mr Kernan sententiously. “The old system was the best: plain honest education. None of your modern trumpery....” “Quite right,” said Mr Power.

“No superfluities,” said Mr Fogarty.

He enunciated the word and then drank gravely.

“I remember reading,” said Mr Cunningham, “that one of Pope Leo’s poems was on the invention of the photograph—in Latin, of course.” “On the photograph!” exclaimed Mr Kernan.

“Yes,” said Mr Cunningham.

He also drank from his glass.

“Well, you know,” said Mr M’Coy, “isn’t the photograph wonderful when you come to think of it?” “O, of course,” said Mr Power, “great minds can see things.” “As the poet says: _Great minds are very near to madness_,” said Mr Fogarty.

Mr Kernan seemed to be troubled in mind. He made an effort to recall the Protestant theology on some thorny points and in the end addressed Mr Cunningham.

“Tell me, Martin,” he said. “Weren’t some of the popes—of course, not our present man, or his predecessor, but some of the old popes—not exactly ... you know ... up to the knocker?” There was a silence. Mr Cunningham said: “O, of course, there were some bad lots.... But the astonishing thing is this. Not one of them, not the biggest drunkard, not the most ... out-and-out ruffian, not one of them ever preached _ex cathedra_ a word of false doctrine. Now isn’t that an astonishing thing?” “That is,” said Mr Kernan.

“Yes, because when the Pope speaks _ex cathedra_,” Mr Fogarty explained, “he is infallible.” “Yes,” said Mr Cunningham.

“O, I know about the infallibility of the Pope. I remember I was younger then.... Or was it that——?” Mr Fogarty interrupted. He took up the bottle and helped the others to a little more. Mr M’Coy, seeing that there was not enough to go round, pleaded that he had not finished his first measure. The others accepted under protest. The light music of whisky falling into glasses made an agreeable interlude.

“What’s that you were saying, Tom?” asked Mr M’Coy.

“Papal infallibility,” said Mr Cunningham, “that was the greatest scene in the whole history of the Church.” “How was that, Martin?” asked Mr Power.

Mr Cunningham held up two thick fingers.

“In the sacred college, you know, of cardinals and archbishops and bishops there were two men who held out against it while the others were all for it. The whole conclave except these two was unanimous. No!
They wouldn’t have it!” “Ha!” said Mr M’Coy.

“And they were a German cardinal by the name of Dolling ... or Dowling ... or——” “Dowling was no German, and that’s a sure five,” said Mr Power, laughing.

“Well, this great German cardinal, whatever his name was, was one; and the other was John MacHale.” “What?” cried Mr Kernan. “Is it John of Tuam?” “Are you sure of that now?” asked Mr Fogarty dubiously. “I thought it was some Italian or American.” “John of Tuam,” repeated Mr Cunningham, “was the man.” He drank and the other gentlemen followed his lead. Then he resumed: “There they were at it, all the cardinals and bishops and archbishops from all the ends of the earth and these two fighting dog and devil until at last the Pope himself stood up and declared infallibility a dogma of the Church _ex cathedra_. On the very moment John MacHale, who had been arguing and arguing against it, stood up and shouted out with the voice of a lion: ‘_Credo!_’” “_I believe!_” said Mr Fogarty.

“_Credo!_” said Mr Cunningham. “That showed the faith he had. He submitted the moment the Pope spoke.” “And what about Dowling?” asked Mr M’Coy.

“The German cardinal wouldn’t submit. He left the church.” Mr Cunningham’s words had built up the vast image of the church in the minds of his hearers. His deep raucous voice had thrilled them as it uttered the word of belief and submission. When Mrs Kernan came into the room drying her hands she came into a solemn company. She did not disturb the silence, but leaned over the rail at the foot of the bed.

“I once saw John MacHale,” said Mr Kernan, “and I’ll never forget it as long as I live.” He turned towards his wife to be confirmed.

“I often told you that?” Mrs Kernan nodded.

“It was at the unveiling of Sir John Gray’s statue. Edmund Dwyer Gray was speaking, blathering away, and here was this old fellow, crabbed-looking old chap, looking at him from under his bushy eyebrows.” Mr Kernan knitted his brows and, lowering his head like an angry bull, glared at his wife.

“God!” he exclaimed, resuming his natural face, “I never saw such an eye in a man’s head. It was as much as to say: _I have you properly taped, my lad_. He had an eye like a hawk.” “None of the Grays was any good,” said Mr Power.

There was a pause again. Mr Power turned to Mrs Kernan and said with abrupt joviality: “Well, Mrs Kernan, we’re going to make your man here a good holy pious and God-fearing Roman Catholic.” He swept his arm round the company inclusively.

“We’re all going to make a retreat together and confess our sins—and God knows we want it badly.” “I don’t mind,” said Mr Kernan, smiling a little nervously.

Mrs Kernan thought it would be wiser to conceal her satisfaction. So she said: “I pity the poor priest that has to listen to your tale.” Mr Kernan’s expression changed.

“If he doesn’t like it,” he said bluntly, “he can ... do the other thing. I’ll just tell him my little tale of woe. I’m not such a bad fellow——” Mr Cunningham intervened promptly.

“We’ll all renounce the devil,” he said, “together, not forgetting his works and pomps.” “Get behind me, Satan!” said Mr Fogarty, laughing and looking at the others.

Mr Power said nothing. He felt completely out-generalled. But a pleased expression flickered across his face.

“All we have to do,” said Mr Cunningham, “is to stand up with lighted candles in our hands and renew our baptismal vows.” “O, don’t forget the candle, Tom,” said Mr M’Coy, “whatever you do.” “What?” said Mr Kernan. “Must I have a candle?” “O yes,” said Mr Cunningham.

“No, damn it all,” said Mr Kernan sensibly, “I draw the line there.
I’ll do the job right enough. I’ll do the retreat business and confession, and ... all that business. But ... no candles! No, damn it all, I bar the candles!” He shook his head with farcical gravity.

“Listen to that!” said his wife.

“I bar the candles,” said Mr Kernan, conscious of having created an effect on his audience and continuing to shake his head to and fro. “I bar the magic-lantern business.” Everyone laughed heartily.

“There’s a nice Catholic for you!” said his wife.

“No candles!” repeated Mr Kernan obdurately. “That’s off!” The transept of the Jesuit Church in Gardiner Street was almost full; and still at every moment gentlemen entered from the side door and, directed by the lay-brother, walked on tiptoe along the aisles until they found seating accommodation. The gentlemen were all well dressed and orderly. The light of the lamps of the church fell upon an assembly of black clothes and white collars, relieved here and there by tweeds, on dark mottled pillars of green marble and on lugubrious canvases. The gentlemen sat in the benches, having hitched their trousers slightly above their knees and laid their hats in security. They sat well back and gazed formally at the distant speck of red light which was suspended before the high altar.

In one of the benches near the pulpit sat Mr Cunningham and Mr Kernan.
In the bench behind sat Mr M’Coy alone: and in the bench behind him sat Mr Power and Mr Fogarty. Mr M’Coy had tried unsuccessfully to find a place in the bench with the others and, when the party had settled down in the form of a quincunx, he had tried unsuccessfully to make comic remarks. As these had not been well received he had desisted. Even he was sensible of the decorous atmosphere and even he began to respond to the religious stimulus. In a whisper Mr Cunningham drew Mr Kernan’s attention to Mr Harford, the moneylender, who sat some distance off, and to Mr Fanning, the registration agent and mayor maker of the city, who was sitting immediately under the pulpit beside one of the newly elected councillors of the ward. To the right sat old Michael Grimes, the owner of three pawnbroker’s shops, and Dan Hogan’s nephew, who was up for the job in the Town Clerk’s office. Farther in front sat Mr Hendrick, the chief reporter of _The Freeman’s Journal_, and poor O’Carroll, an old friend of Mr Kernan’s, who had been at one time a considerable commercial figure. Gradually, as he recognised familiar faces, Mr Kernan began to feel more at home. His hat, which had been rehabilitated by his wife, rested upon his knees. Once or twice he pulled down his cuffs with one hand while he held the brim of his hat lightly, but firmly, with the other hand.

A powerful-looking figure, the upper part of which was draped with a white surplice, was observed to be struggling up into the pulpit.
Simultaneously the congregation unsettled, produced handkerchiefs and knelt upon them with care. Mr Kernan followed the general example. The priest’s figure now stood upright in the pulpit, two-thirds of its bulk, crowned by a massive red face, appearing above the balustrade.

Father Purdon knelt down, turned towards the red speck of light and, covering his face with his hands, prayed. After an interval, he uncovered his face and rose. The congregation rose also and settled again on its benches. Mr Kernan restored his hat to its original position on his knee and presented an attentive face to the preacher.
The preacher turned back each wide sleeve of his surplice with an elaborate large gesture and slowly surveyed the array of faces. Then he said: _“For the children of this world are wiser in their generation than the children of light. Wherefore make unto yourselves friends out of the mammon of iniquity so that when you die they may receive you into everlasting dwellings.”_ Father Purdon developed the text with resonant assurance. It was one of the most difficult texts in all the Scriptures, he said, to interpret properly. It was a text which might seem to the casual observer at variance with the lofty morality elsewhere preached by Jesus Christ.
But, he told his hearers, the text had seemed to him specially adapted for the guidance of those whose lot it was to lead the life of the world and who yet wished to lead that life not in the manner of worldlings. It was a text for business men and professional men. Jesus Christ, with His divine understanding of every cranny of our human nature, understood that all men were not called to the religious life, that by far the vast majority were forced to live in the world and, to a certain extent, for the world: and in this sentence He designed to give them a word of counsel, setting before them as exemplars in the religious life those very worshippers of Mammon who were of all men the least solicitous in matters religious.

He told his hearers that he was there that evening for no terrifying, no extravagant purpose; but as a man of the world speaking to his fellow-men. He came to speak to business men and he would speak to them in a businesslike way. If he might use the metaphor, he said, he was their spiritual accountant; and he wished each and every one of his hearers to open his books, the books of his spiritual life, and see if they tallied accurately with conscience.

Jesus Christ was not a hard taskmaster. He understood our little failings, understood the weakness of our poor fallen nature, understood the temptations of this life. We might have had, we all had from time to time, our temptations: we might have, we all had, our failings. But one thing only, he said, he would ask of his hearers. And that was: to be straight and manly with God. If their accounts tallied in every point to say: “Well, I have verified my accounts. I find all well.” But if, as might happen, there were some discrepancies, to admit the truth, to be frank and say like a man: “Well, I have looked into my accounts. I find this wrong and this wrong. But, with God’s grace, I will rectify this and this. I will set right my accounts.”
unit 1
GRACE.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 2 weeks ago
unit 2
unit 3
He lay curled up at the foot of the stairs down which he had fallen.
2 Translations, 3 Upvotes, Last Activity 1 week, 6 days ago
unit 4
They succeeded in turning him over.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 2 weeks ago
unit 6
His eyes were closed and he breathed with a grunting noise.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 2 weeks ago
unit 7
A thin stream of blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 2 weeks ago
unit 9
In two minutes he was surrounded by a ring of men.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 1 week, 6 days ago
unit 10
The manager of the bar asked everyone who he was and who was with him.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 1 week, 6 days ago
unit 11
No one knew who he was but one of the curates said he had served the gentleman with a small rum.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 1 week, 6 days ago
unit 12
“Was he by himself?” asked the manager.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 1 week, 6 days ago
unit 13
“No, sir.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 1 week, 6 days ago
unit 15
He’s fainted.” The ring of onlookers distended and closed again elastically.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 1 week, 5 days ago
unit 16
A dark medal of blood had formed itself near the man’s head on the tessellated floor.
2 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 1 week, 5 days ago
unit 17
The manager, alarmed by the grey pallor of the man’s face, sent for a policeman.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 1 week, 5 days ago
unit 18
His collar was unfastened and his necktie undone.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 1 week, 5 days ago
unit 19
He opened his eyes for an instant, sighed and closed them again.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 1 week, 5 days ago
unit 20
One of gentlemen who had carried him upstairs held a dinged silk hat in his hand.
2 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 1 week, 5 days ago
unit 21
unit 22
The door of the bar opened and an immense constable entered.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 1 week, 6 days ago
unit 24
The manager at once began to narrate what he knew.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 1 week, 6 days ago
unit 25
The constable, a young man with thick immobile features, listened.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 1 week, 5 days ago
unit 28
He asked in a suspicious provincial accent: “Who is the man?
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 1 week, 5 days ago
unit 30
He knelt down promptly beside the injured man and called for water.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 1 week, 4 days ago
unit 31
The constable knelt down also to help.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 1 week, 4 days ago
unit 32
The young man washed the blood from the injured man’s mouth and then called for some brandy.
2 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 1 week, 4 days ago
unit 34
The brandy was forced down the man’s throat.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 1 week, 5 days ago
unit 35
In a few seconds he opened his eyes and looked about him.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 1 week, 5 days ago
unit 36
He looked at the circle of faces and then, understanding, strove to rise to his feet.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 1 week, 5 days ago
unit 37
“You’re all right now?” asked the young man in the cycling-suit.
2 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 1 week, 4 days ago
unit 38
“Sha, ’s nothing,” said the injured man, trying to stand up.
2 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 1 week, 4 days ago
unit 39
He was helped to his feet.
2 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 1 week, 4 days ago
unit 40
The manager said something about a hospital and some of the bystanders gave advice.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 1 week, 5 days ago
unit 41
The battered silk hat was placed on the man’s head.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 1 week, 5 days ago
unit 43
He made light of his accident.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 1 week, 5 days ago
unit 44
It was nothing, he said: only a little accident.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 1 week, 5 days ago
unit 45
He spoke very thickly.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 1 week, 4 days ago
unit 46
“Where do you live?” repeated the constable.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 1 week, 4 days ago
unit 47
The man said they were to get a cab for him.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 1 week, 4 days ago
unit 49
Seeing the spectacle, he called out: “Hallo, Tom, old man!
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 1 week, 4 days ago
unit 50
What’s the trouble?” “Sha, ’s nothing,” said the man.
2 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 1 week, 3 days ago
unit 53
“No bones broken.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 1 week, 4 days ago
unit 54
What?
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 1 week, 4 days ago
unit 56
“How did you get yourself into this mess?” asked Mr Power.
2 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 1 week, 3 days ago
unit 57
“The gentleman fell down the stairs,” said the young man.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 1 week, 4 days ago
unit 58
“I’ ’ery ’uch o’liged to you, sir,” said the injured man.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 1 week, 4 days ago
unit 59
“Not at all.” “’ant we have a little...?” “Not now.
2 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 1 week, 3 days ago
unit 60
Not now.” The three men left the bar and the crowd sifted through the doors into the laneway.
3 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 1 week, 2 days ago
unit 61
The manager brought the constable to the stairs to inspect the scene of the accident.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 1 week, 4 days ago
unit 62
They agreed that the gentleman must have missed his footing.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 1 week, 4 days ago
unit 64
When they came out into Grafton Street, Mr Power whistled for an outsider.
2 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 1 week, 3 days ago
unit 65
The injured man said again as well as he could: “I’ ’ery ’uch o’liged to you, sir.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 1 week, 4 days ago
unit 66
I hope we’ll ’eet again.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 1 week, 4 days ago
unit 67
’y na’e is Kernan.” The shock and the incipient pain had partly sobered him.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 1 week, 3 days ago
unit 68
“Don’t mention it,” said the young man.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 1 week, 3 days ago
unit 69
They shook hands.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 1 week, 3 days ago
unit 71
“Another time,” said the young man.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 1 week, 3 days ago
unit 72
The car drove off towards Westmoreland Street.
2 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 1 week, 2 days ago
unit 73
As it passed Ballast Office the clock showed half-past nine.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 1 week, 3 days ago
unit 74
A keen east wind hit them, blowing from the mouth of the river.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 1 week, 3 days ago
unit 75
Mr Kernan was huddled together with cold.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 1 week, 3 days ago
unit 76
His friend asked him to tell how the accident had happened.
3 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 1 week, 2 days ago
unit 79
The swaying movement of the car brought the match to and from the opened mouth.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 1 week, 3 days ago
unit 81
The match was blown out.
2 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 1 week, 2 days ago
unit 82
“That’s ugly,” said Mr Power.
2 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 1 week, 2 days ago
unit 84
unit 85
He had never been seen in the city without a silk hat of some decency and a pair of gaiters.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 1 week, 3 days ago
unit 86
By grace of these two articles of clothing, he said, a man could always pass muster.
2 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 1 week, 2 days ago
unit 90
From these bowls Mr Kernan tasted tea.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 1 week, 1 day ago
unit 91
unit 92
Then he paused to judge.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 1 week, 1 day ago
unit 93
unit 95
Mr Power was one of these friends.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 1 week, 1 day ago
unit 96
His inexplicable debts were a byword in his circle; he was a debonair young man.
2 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 1 week, 1 day ago
unit 97
unit 100
unit 101
After a while Mrs Kernan entered the kitchen, exclaiming: “Such a sight!
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 1 week, 2 days ago
unit 102
O, he’ll do for himself one day and that’s the holy alls of it.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 1 week, 2 days ago
unit 105
I know you’re a friend of his, not like some of the others he does be with.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 1 week, 2 days ago
unit 106
unit 107
Nice friends!
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 1 week, 2 days ago
unit 108
Who was he with tonight, I’d like to know?” Mr Power shook his head but said nothing.
2 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 1 week, 1 day ago
unit 109
unit 110
But if you wait a minute I’ll send round to Fogarty’s at the corner.” Mr Power stood up.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 1 week, 1 day ago
unit 111
“We were waiting for him to come home with the money.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 1 week, 1 day ago
unit 113
I’ll talk to Martin.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 1 week, 1 day ago
unit 114
He’s the man.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 1 week, 1 day ago
unit 115
We’ll come here one of these nights and talk it over.” She saw him to the door.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 1 week, 1 day ago
unit 116
unit 117
“It’s very kind of you to bring him home,” she said.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 1 week ago
unit 118
“Not at all,” said Mr Power.
2 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 1 week ago
unit 119
He got up on the car.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 1 week ago
unit 120
As it drove off he raised his hat to her gaily.
2 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 1 week ago
unit 121
“We’ll make a new man of him,” he said.
2 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 1 week ago
unit 123
Then she withdrew them, went into the house and emptied her husband’s pockets.
2 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 1 week ago
unit 124
She was an active, practical woman of middle age.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 1 week, 1 day ago
unit 129
Her two eldest sons were launched.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 1 week, 1 day ago
unit 130
One was in a draper’s shop in Glasgow and the other was clerk to a tea-merchant in Belfast.
2 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 days, 14 hours ago
unit 131
They were good sons, wrote regularly and sometimes sent home money.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 1 week, 1 day ago
unit 132
The other children were still at school.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 1 week, 1 day ago
unit 133
Mr Kernan sent a letter to his office next day and remained in bed.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 1 week, 1 day ago
unit 134
She made beef-tea for him and scolded him roundly.
2 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 1 week ago
unit 136
There were worse husbands.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 1 week ago
unit 138
Two nights after his friends came to see him.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 1 week ago
unit 144
The idea had been Mr Power’s but its development was entrusted to Mr Cunningham.
2 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 days, 9 hours ago
unit 146
He was fond, moreover, of giving side-thrusts at Catholicism.
2 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 days, 8 hours ago
unit 147
Mr Cunningham was the very man for such a case.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 1 week ago
unit 148
He was an elder colleague of Mr Power.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 1 week ago
unit 149
His own domestic life was not very happy.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 1 week ago
unit 151
He had set up house for her six times; and each time she had pawned the furniture on him.
2 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 days, 8 hours ago
unit 152
Everyone had respect for poor Martin Cunningham.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 1 week ago
unit 153
He was a thoroughly sensible man, influential and intelligent.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 1 week ago
unit 155
He was well informed.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 days, 15 hours ago
unit 156
His friends bowed to his opinions and considered that his face was like Shakespeare’s.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 days, 15 hours ago
unit 160
However, Mr Cunningham was a capable man; and religion was religion.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 days, 8 hours ago
unit 161
The scheme might do good and, at least, it could do no harm.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 5 days, 16 hours ago
unit 162
Her beliefs were not extravagant.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 5 days, 16 hours ago
unit 165
The gentlemen began to talk of the accident.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 5 days, 16 hours ago
unit 166
Mr Cunningham said that he had once known a similar case.
2 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 4 days, 10 hours ago
unit 168
“Well, I’m not seventy,” said the invalid.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 days, 1 hour ago
unit 169
“God forbid,” said Mr Cunningham.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 days, 1 hour ago
unit 170
“It doesn’t pain you now?” asked Mr M’Coy.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 days, 1 hour ago
unit 171
Mr M’Coy had been at one time a tenor of some reputation.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 4 days, 10 hours ago
unit 172
His wife, who had been a soprano, still taught young children to play the piano at low terms.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 days, 1 hour ago
unit 175
His new office made him professionally interested in Mr Kernan’s case.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 5 days, 16 hours ago
unit 176
“Pain?
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 5 days, 16 hours ago
unit 177
Not much,” answered Mr Kernan.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 5 days, 16 hours ago
unit 178
“But it’s so sickening.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 5 days, 16 hours ago
unit 179
I feel as if I wanted to retch off.” “That’s the boose,” said Mr Cunningham firmly.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 5 days, 16 hours ago
unit 180
“No,” said Mr Kernan.
2 Translations, 3 Upvotes, Last Activity 4 days, 9 hours ago
unit 181
“I think I caught a cold on the car.
2 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 4 days, 9 hours ago
unit 182
There’s something keeps coming into my throat, phlegm or——” “Mucus.” said Mr M’Coy.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 4 days, 9 hours ago
unit 185
Mr Power waved his hand.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 2 days, 22 hours ago
unit 186
“Those other two fellows I was with——” “Who were you with?” asked Mr Cunningham.
3 Translations, 0 Upvotes, Last Activity 2 days, 21 hours ago
unit 187
“A chap.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 2 days, 22 hours ago
unit 188
I don’t know his name.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 2 days, 22 hours ago
unit 189
Damn it now, what’s his name?
2 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 2 days, 22 hours ago
unit 190
unit 191
When Mr Cunningham made that remark, people were silent.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 4 days, 9 hours ago
unit 192
It was known that the speaker had secret sources of information.
2 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 2 days, 9 hours ago
unit 193
In this case the monosyllable had a moral intention.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 4 days, 9 hours ago
unit 195
But his fellow-travellers had never consented to overlook his origin.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 3 days, 2 hours ago
unit 197
unit 199
At other times they remembered his good points.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 3 days, 22 hours ago
unit 200
“I wonder where did he go to,” said Mr Kernan.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 3 days, 22 hours ago
unit 201
He wished the details of the incident to remain vague.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 4 days, 1 hour ago
unit 203
His friends, who knew quite well Mr Harford’s manners in drinking, were silent.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 4 days, 1 hour ago
unit 204
Mr Power said again: “All’s well that ends well.” Mr Kernan changed the subject at once.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 4 days, 1 hour ago
unit 205
“That was a decent young chap, that medical fellow,” he said.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 4 days, 1 hour ago
unit 207
“I remember now there was a policeman.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 3 days, 22 hours ago
unit 208
Decent young fellow, he seemed.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 3 days, 22 hours ago
unit 210
“True bill,” said Mr Kernan, equally gravely.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 2 days, 22 hours ago
unit 211
“I suppose you squared the constable, Jack,” said Mr M’Coy.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 3 days, 22 hours ago
unit 212
Mr Power did not relish the use of his Christian name.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 3 days, 22 hours ago
unit 214
unit 215
He answered the question, therefore, as if Mr Kernan had asked it.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 3 days, 2 hours ago
unit 216
The narrative made Mr Kernan indignant.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 3 days, 2 hours ago
unit 218
“Is this what we pay rates for?” he asked.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 2 days, 22 hours ago
unit 219
unit 220
He was a Castle official only during office hours.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 2 days, 22 hours ago
unit 221
“How could they be anything else, Tom?” he said.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 2 days, 22 hours ago
unit 226
“At dinner, you know.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 2 days, 2 hours ago
unit 227
unit 229
He talked of writing a letter to the papers.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 1 day, 18 hours ago
unit 230
“These yahoos coming up here,” he said, “think they can boss the people.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 1 day, 18 hours ago
unit 231
unit 232
“It’s like everything else in this world,” he said.
2 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 10 hours ago
unit 234
“It’s better to have nothing to say to them,” said Mr M’Coy.
2 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 10 hours ago
unit 237
Her husband called out to her: “And have you nothing for me, duckie?” “O, you!
2 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 10 hours ago
unit 238
The back of my hand to you!” said Mrs Kernan tartly.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 1 day, 11 hours ago
unit 240
The gentlemen drank from their glasses, set the glasses again on the table and paused.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 1 day, 2 hours ago
unit 242
“Righto!” said Mr Cunningham promptly.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 1 day, 2 hours ago
unit 243
“We can meet in M’Auley’s,” said Mr M’Coy.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 1 day, 2 hours ago
unit 245
“Righto!” said Mr Cunningham.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 18 hours ago
unit 246
“Half-seven at M’Auley’s be it!” There was a short silence.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 18 hours ago
unit 247
Mr Kernan waited to see whether he would be taken into his friends’ confidence.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 18 hours ago
unit 248
unit 251
There was silence again.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 9 hours ago
unit 253
I say, one and all,” he added with gruff charity and turning to Mr Power.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 2 hours ago
unit 254
“Own up now!” “I own up,” said Mr Power.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 2 hours ago
unit 255
“And I own up,” said Mr M’Coy.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 2 hours ago
unit 256
“So we’re going to wash the pot together,” said Mr Cunningham.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 2 hours ago
unit 257
A thought seemed to strike him.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 2 hours ago
unit 259
unit 260
“The four of us together.” Mr Kernan was silent.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 2 hours ago
unit 263
unit 264
“They’re an educated order.
1 Translations, 0 Upvotes, Last Activity an hour ago
unit 267
They’re the boyos have influence.
0 Translations, 0 Upvotes, Last Activity None
unit 269
unit 271
It never fell away.” “Is that so?” asked Mr M’Coy.
0 Translations, 0 Upvotes, Last Activity None
unit 272
“That’s a fact,” said Mr Cunningham.
0 Translations, 0 Upvotes, Last Activity None
unit 273
“That’s history.” “Look at their church, too,” said Mr Power.
0 Translations, 0 Upvotes, Last Activity None
unit 275
“Of course,” said Mr Power.
0 Translations, 0 Upvotes, Last Activity None
unit 276
“Yes,” said Mr Kernan.
0 Translations, 0 Upvotes, Last Activity None
unit 277
“That’s why I have a feeling for them.
0 Translations, 0 Upvotes, Last Activity None
unit 281
“Of course I’m right,” said Mr Cunningham.
0 Translations, 0 Upvotes, Last Activity None
unit 283
Mr Kernan seemed to be weighing something in his mind.
0 Translations, 0 Upvotes, Last Activity None
unit 284
He was impressed.
0 Translations, 0 Upvotes, Last Activity None
unit 286
He asked for particulars.
0 Translations, 0 Upvotes, Last Activity None
unit 287
“O, it’s just a retreat, you know,” said Mr Cunningham.
0 Translations, 0 Upvotes, Last Activity None
unit 288
“Father Purdon is giving it.
0 Translations, 0 Upvotes, Last Activity None
unit 290
“Father Purdon?
0 Translations, 0 Upvotes, Last Activity None
unit 291
Father Purdon?” said the invalid.
0 Translations, 0 Upvotes, Last Activity None
unit 292
“O, you must know him, Tom,” said Mr Cunningham stoutly.
0 Translations, 0 Upvotes, Last Activity None
unit 293
“Fine jolly fellow!
0 Translations, 0 Upvotes, Last Activity None
unit 294
He’s a man of the world like ourselves.” “Ah, ... yes.
0 Translations, 0 Upvotes, Last Activity None
unit 295
I think I know him.
0 Translations, 0 Upvotes, Last Activity None
unit 300
“Rather!
0 Translations, 0 Upvotes, Last Activity None
unit 302
“Is that so?” said Mr M’Coy.
0 Translations, 0 Upvotes, Last Activity None
unit 303
“O, of course, nothing wrong, you know.
0 Translations, 0 Upvotes, Last Activity None
unit 305
... he was a splendid man,” said Mr M’Coy.
0 Translations, 0 Upvotes, Last Activity None
unit 306
“I heard him once,” Mr Kernan continued.
0 Translations, 0 Upvotes, Last Activity None
unit 307
“I forget the subject of his discourse now.
0 Translations, 0 Upvotes, Last Activity None
unit 309
“Yes, in the back near the door.
0 Translations, 0 Upvotes, Last Activity None
unit 310
I forget now what.... O yes, it was on the Pope, the late Pope.
0 Translations, 0 Upvotes, Last Activity None
unit 311
I remember it well.
0 Translations, 0 Upvotes, Last Activity None
unit 312
Upon my word it was magnificent, the style of the oratory.
0 Translations, 0 Upvotes, Last Activity None
unit 313
And his voice!
0 Translations, 0 Upvotes, Last Activity None
unit 314
God!
0 Translations, 0 Upvotes, Last Activity None
unit 315
hadn’t he a voice!
0 Translations, 0 Upvotes, Last Activity None
unit 316
_The Prisoner of the Vatican_, he called him.
0 Translations, 0 Upvotes, Last Activity None
unit 318
unit 323
“We both believe in——” He hesitated for a moment.
0 Translations, 0 Upvotes, Last Activity None
unit 324
“... in the Redeemer.
0 Translations, 0 Upvotes, Last Activity None
unit 327
come in!” A pale oval face came forward into the light.
0 Translations, 0 Upvotes, Last Activity None
unit 329
Mr Fogarty was a modest grocer.
0 Translations, 0 Upvotes, Last Activity None
unit 333
He was not without culture.
0 Translations, 0 Upvotes, Last Activity None
unit 334
Mr Fogarty brought a gift with him, a half-pint of special whisky.
0 Translations, 0 Upvotes, Last Activity None
unit 337
He said: “I wouldn’t doubt you, old man.
0 Translations, 0 Upvotes, Last Activity None
unit 338
Open that, Jack, will you?” Mr Power again officiated.
0 Translations, 0 Upvotes, Last Activity None
unit 339
Glasses were rinsed and five small measures of whisky were poured out.
0 Translations, 0 Upvotes, Last Activity None
unit 340
This new influence enlivened the conversation.
0 Translations, 0 Upvotes, Last Activity None
unit 341
unit 342
unit 343
His great idea, you know, was the union of the Latin and Greek Churches.
0 Translations, 0 Upvotes, Last Activity None
unit 347
“I think you’re wrong there.
0 Translations, 0 Upvotes, Last Activity None
unit 349
And Pius IX.
0 Translations, 0 Upvotes, Last Activity None
unit 351
Mr Cunningham continued.
0 Translations, 0 Upvotes, Last Activity None
unit 353
“Yes,” said Mr Cunningham.
0 Translations, 0 Upvotes, Last Activity None
unit 354
“He wrote Latin poetry.” “Is that so?” said Mr Fogarty.
0 Translations, 0 Upvotes, Last Activity None
unit 356
“The old system was the best: plain honest education.
0 Translations, 0 Upvotes, Last Activity None
unit 357
None of your modern trumpery....” “Quite right,” said Mr Power.
0 Translations, 0 Upvotes, Last Activity None
unit 358
“No superfluities,” said Mr Fogarty.
0 Translations, 0 Upvotes, Last Activity None
unit 359
He enunciated the word and then drank gravely.
0 Translations, 0 Upvotes, Last Activity None
unit 361
“Yes,” said Mr Cunningham.
0 Translations, 0 Upvotes, Last Activity None
unit 362
He also drank from his glass.
0 Translations, 0 Upvotes, Last Activity None
unit 364
Mr Kernan seemed to be troubled in mind.
0 Translations, 0 Upvotes, Last Activity None
unit 366
“Tell me, Martin,” he said.
0 Translations, 0 Upvotes, Last Activity None
unit 368
Mr Cunningham said: “O, of course, there were some bad lots....
0 Translations, 0 Upvotes, Last Activity None
unit 369
But the astonishing thing is this.
0 Translations, 0 Upvotes, Last Activity None
unit 371
Now isn’t that an astonishing thing?” “That is,” said Mr Kernan.
0 Translations, 0 Upvotes, Last Activity None
unit 373
“O, I know about the infallibility of the Pope.
0 Translations, 0 Upvotes, Last Activity None
unit 375
He took up the bottle and helped the others to a little more.
0 Translations, 0 Upvotes, Last Activity None
unit 377
The others accepted under protest.
0 Translations, 0 Upvotes, Last Activity None
unit 378
unit 379
“What’s that you were saying, Tom?” asked Mr M’Coy.
0 Translations, 0 Upvotes, Last Activity None
unit 381
Mr Cunningham held up two thick fingers.
0 Translations, 0 Upvotes, Last Activity None
unit 383
The whole conclave except these two was unanimous.
0 Translations, 0 Upvotes, Last Activity None
unit 384
No!
0 Translations, 0 Upvotes, Last Activity None
unit 385
They wouldn’t have it!” “Ha!” said Mr M’Coy.
0 Translations, 0 Upvotes, Last Activity None
unit 392
“_Credo!_” said Mr Cunningham.
0 Translations, 0 Upvotes, Last Activity None
unit 393
“That showed the faith he had.
0 Translations, 0 Upvotes, Last Activity None
unit 395
“The German cardinal wouldn’t submit.
0 Translations, 0 Upvotes, Last Activity None
unit 401
“I often told you that?” Mrs Kernan nodded.
0 Translations, 0 Upvotes, Last Activity None
unit 402
“It was at the unveiling of Sir John Gray’s statue.
0 Translations, 0 Upvotes, Last Activity None
unit 405
It was as much as to say: _I have you properly taped, my lad_.
0 Translations, 0 Upvotes, Last Activity None
unit 407
There was a pause again.
0 Translations, 0 Upvotes, Last Activity None
unit 410
Mrs Kernan thought it would be wiser to conceal her satisfaction.
0 Translations, 0 Upvotes, Last Activity None
unit 413
I’ll just tell him my little tale of woe.
0 Translations, 0 Upvotes, Last Activity None
unit 414
I’m not such a bad fellow——” Mr Cunningham intervened promptly.
0 Translations, 0 Upvotes, Last Activity None
unit 416
Mr Power said nothing.
0 Translations, 0 Upvotes, Last Activity None
unit 417
He felt completely out-generalled.
0 Translations, 0 Upvotes, Last Activity None
unit 418
But a pleased expression flickered across his face.
0 Translations, 0 Upvotes, Last Activity None
unit 420
“Must I have a candle?” “O yes,” said Mr Cunningham.
0 Translations, 0 Upvotes, Last Activity None
unit 421
unit 422
I’ll do the job right enough.
0 Translations, 0 Upvotes, Last Activity None
unit 423
unit 424
But ... no candles!
0 Translations, 0 Upvotes, Last Activity None
unit 426
“Listen to that!” said his wife.
0 Translations, 0 Upvotes, Last Activity None
unit 428
“I bar the magic-lantern business.” Everyone laughed heartily.
0 Translations, 0 Upvotes, Last Activity None
unit 429
“There’s a nice Catholic for you!” said his wife.
0 Translations, 0 Upvotes, Last Activity None
unit 430
“No candles!” repeated Mr Kernan obdurately.
0 Translations, 0 Upvotes, Last Activity None
unit 432
The gentlemen were all well dressed and orderly.
0 Translations, 0 Upvotes, Last Activity None
unit 436
In one of the benches near the pulpit sat Mr Cunningham and Mr Kernan.
0 Translations, 0 Upvotes, Last Activity None
unit 439
As these had not been well received he had desisted.
0 Translations, 0 Upvotes, Last Activity None
unit 445
unit 449
Mr Kernan followed the general example.
0 Translations, 0 Upvotes, Last Activity None
unit 452
After an interval, he uncovered his face and rose.
0 Translations, 0 Upvotes, Last Activity None
unit 453
The congregation rose also and settled again on its benches.
0 Translations, 0 Upvotes, Last Activity None
unit 461
It was a text for business men and professional men.
0 Translations, 0 Upvotes, Last Activity None
unit 466
Jesus Christ was not a hard taskmaster.
0 Translations, 0 Upvotes, Last Activity None
unit 469
But one thing only, he said, he would ask of his hearers.
0 Translations, 0 Upvotes, Last Activity None
unit 470
And that was: to be straight and manly with God.
0 Translations, 0 Upvotes, Last Activity None
unit 473
I find this wrong and this wrong.
0 Translations, 0 Upvotes, Last Activity None
unit 474
But, with God’s grace, I will rectify this and this.
0 Translations, 0 Upvotes, Last Activity None
unit 475
I will set right my accounts.”
0 Translations, 0 Upvotes, Last Activity 2 months ago

GRACE.

Two gentlemen who were in the lavatory at the time tried to lift him
up: but he was quite helpless. He lay curled up at the foot of the
stairs down which he had fallen. They succeeded in turning him over.
His hat had rolled a few yards away and his clothes were smeared with
the filth and ooze of the floor on which he had lain, face downwards.
His eyes were closed and he breathed with a grunting noise. A thin
stream of blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.

These two gentlemen and one of the curates carried him up the stairs
and laid him down again on the floor of the bar. In two minutes he was
surrounded by a ring of men. The manager of the bar asked everyone who
he was and who was with him. No one knew who he was but one of the
curates said he had served the gentleman with a small rum.

“Was he by himself?” asked the manager.

“No, sir. There was two gentlemen with him.”

“And where are they?”

No one knew; a voice said:

“Give him air. He’s fainted.”

The ring of onlookers distended and closed again elastically. A dark
medal of blood had formed itself near the man’s head on the tessellated
floor. The manager, alarmed by the grey pallor of the man’s face, sent
for a policeman.

His collar was unfastened and his necktie undone. He opened his eyes
for an instant, sighed and closed them again. One of gentlemen who had
carried him upstairs held a dinged silk hat in his hand. The manager
asked repeatedly did no one know who the injured man was or where had
his friends gone. The door of the bar opened and an immense constable
entered. A crowd which had followed him down the laneway collected
outside the door, struggling to look in through the glass panels.

The manager at once began to narrate what he knew. The constable, a
young man with thick immobile features, listened. He moved his head
slowly to right and left and from the manager to the person on the
floor, as if he feared to be the victim of some delusion. Then he drew
off his glove, produced a small book from his waist, licked the lead of
his pencil and made ready to indite. He asked in a suspicious
provincial accent:

“Who is the man? What’s his name and address?”

A young man in a cycling-suit cleared his way through the ring of
bystanders. He knelt down promptly beside the injured man and called
for water. The constable knelt down also to help. The young man washed
the blood from the injured man’s mouth and then called for some brandy.
The constable repeated the order in an authoritative voice until a
curate came running with the glass. The brandy was forced down the
man’s throat. In a few seconds he opened his eyes and looked about him.
He looked at the circle of faces and then, understanding, strove to
rise to his feet.

“You’re all right now?” asked the young man in the cycling-suit.

“Sha, ’s nothing,” said the injured man, trying to stand up.

He was helped to his feet. The manager said something about a hospital
and some of the bystanders gave advice. The battered silk hat was
placed on the man’s head. The constable asked:

“Where do you live?”

The man, without answering, began to twirl the ends of his moustache.
He made light of his accident. It was nothing, he said: only a little
accident. He spoke very thickly.

“Where do you live?” repeated the constable.

The man said they were to get a cab for him. While the point was being
debated a tall agile gentleman of fair complexion, wearing a long
yellow ulster, came from the far end of the bar. Seeing the spectacle,
he called out:

“Hallo, Tom, old man! What’s the trouble?”

“Sha, ’s nothing,” said the man.

The new-comer surveyed the deplorable figure before him and then turned
to the constable, saying:

“It’s all right, constable. I’ll see him home.”

The constable touched his helmet and answered:

“All right, Mr Power!”

“Come now, Tom,” said Mr Power, taking his friend by the arm. “No bones
broken. What? Can you walk?”

The young man in the cycling-suit took the man by the other arm and the
crowd divided.

“How did you get yourself into this mess?” asked Mr Power.

“The gentleman fell down the stairs,” said the young man.

“I’ ’ery ’uch o’liged to you, sir,” said the injured man.

“Not at all.”

“’ant we have a little...?”

“Not now. Not now.”

The three men left the bar and the crowd sifted through the doors into
the laneway. The manager brought the constable to the stairs to inspect
the scene of the accident. They agreed that the gentleman must have
missed his footing. The customers returned to the counter and a curate
set about removing the traces of blood from the floor.

When they came out into Grafton Street, Mr Power whistled for an
outsider. The injured man said again as well as he could:

“I’ ’ery ’uch o’liged to you, sir. I hope we’ll ’eet again. ’y na’e is
Kernan.”

The shock and the incipient pain had partly sobered him.

“Don’t mention it,” said the young man.

They shook hands. Mr Kernan was hoisted on to the car and, while Mr
Power was giving directions to the carman, he expressed his gratitude
to the young man and regretted that they could not have a little drink
together.

“Another time,” said the young man.

The car drove off towards Westmoreland Street. As it passed Ballast
Office the clock showed half-past nine. A keen east wind hit them,
blowing from the mouth of the river. Mr Kernan was huddled together
with cold. His friend asked him to tell how the accident had happened.

“I ’an’t, ’an,” he answered, “’y ’ongue is hurt.”

“Show.”

The other leaned over the well of the car and peered into Mr Kernan’s
mouth but he could not see. He struck a match and, sheltering it in the
shell of his hands, peered again into the mouth which Mr Kernan opened
obediently. The swaying movement of the car brought the match to and
from the opened mouth. The lower teeth and gums were covered with
clotted blood and a minute piece of the tongue seemed to have been
bitten off. The match was blown out.

“That’s ugly,” said Mr Power.

“Sha, ’s nothing,” said Mr Kernan, closing his mouth and pulling the
collar of his filthy coat across his neck.

Mr Kernan was a commercial traveller of the old school which believed
in the dignity of its calling. He had never been seen in the city
without a silk hat of some decency and a pair of gaiters. By grace of
these two articles of clothing, he said, a man could always pass
muster. He carried on the tradition of his Napoleon, the great
Blackwhite, whose memory he evoked at times by legend and mimicry.
Modern business methods had spared him only so far as to allow him a
little office in Crowe Street on the window blind of which was written
the name of his firm with the address—London, E.C. On the mantelpiece
of this little office a little leaden battalion of canisters was drawn
up and on the table before the window stood four or five china bowls
which were usually half full of a black liquid. From these bowls Mr
Kernan tasted tea. He took a mouthful, drew it up, saturated his palate
with it and then spat it forth into the grate. Then he paused to judge.

Mr Power, a much younger man, was employed in the Royal Irish
Constabulary Office in Dublin Castle. The arc of his social rise
intersected the arc of his friend’s decline, but Mr Kernan’s decline
was mitigated by the fact that certain of those friends who had known
him at his highest point of success still esteemed him as a character.
Mr Power was one of these friends. His inexplicable debts were a byword
in his circle; he was a debonair young man.

The car halted before a small house on the Glasnevin road and Mr Kernan
was helped into the house. His wife put him to bed while Mr Power sat
downstairs in the kitchen asking the children where they went to school
and what book they were in. The children—two girls and a boy, conscious
of their father’s helplessness and of their mother’s absence, began
some horseplay with him. He was surprised at their manners and at their
accents, and his brow grew thoughtful. After a while Mrs Kernan entered
the kitchen, exclaiming:

“Such a sight! O, he’ll do for himself one day and that’s the holy alls
of it. He’s been drinking since Friday.”

Mr Power was careful to explain to her that he was not responsible,
that he had come on the scene by the merest accident. Mrs Kernan,
remembering Mr Power’s good offices during domestic quarrels, as well
as many small, but opportune loans, said:

“O, you needn’t tell me that, Mr Power. I know you’re a friend of his,
not like some of the others he does be with. They’re all right so long
as he has money in his pocket to keep him out from his wife and family.
Nice friends! Who was he with tonight, I’d like to know?”

Mr Power shook his head but said nothing.

“I’m so sorry,” she continued, “that I’ve nothing in the house to offer
you. But if you wait a minute I’ll send round to Fogarty’s at the
corner.”

Mr Power stood up.

“We were waiting for him to come home with the money. He never seems to
think he has a home at all.”

“O, now, Mrs Kernan,” said Mr Power, “we’ll make him turn over a new
leaf. I’ll talk to Martin. He’s the man. We’ll come here one of these
nights and talk it over.”

She saw him to the door. The carman was stamping up and down the
footpath, and swinging his arms to warm himself.

“It’s very kind of you to bring him home,” she said.

“Not at all,” said Mr Power.

He got up on the car. As it drove off he raised his hat to her gaily.

“We’ll make a new man of him,” he said. “Good-night, Mrs Kernan.”

Mrs Kernan’s puzzled eyes watched the car till it was out of sight.
Then she withdrew them, went into the house and emptied her husband’s
pockets.

She was an active, practical woman of middle age. Not long before she
had celebrated her silver wedding and renewed her intimacy with her
husband by waltzing with him to Mr Power’s accompaniment. In her days
of courtship Mr Kernan had seemed to her a not ungallant figure: and
she still hurried to the chapel door whenever a wedding was reported
and, seeing the bridal pair, recalled with vivid pleasure how she had
passed out of the Star of the Sea Church in Sandymount, leaning on the
arm of a jovial well-fed man, who was dressed smartly in a frock-coat
and lavender trousers and carried a silk hat gracefully balanced upon
his other arm. After three weeks she had found a wife’s life irksome
and, later on, when she was beginning to find it unbearable, she had
become a mother. The part of mother presented to her no insuperable
difficulties and for twenty-five years she had kept house shrewdly for
her husband. Her two eldest sons were launched. One was in a draper’s
shop in Glasgow and the other was clerk to a tea-merchant in Belfast.
They were good sons, wrote regularly and sometimes sent home money. The
other children were still at school.

Mr Kernan sent a letter to his office next day and remained in bed. She
made beef-tea for him and scolded him roundly. She accepted his
frequent intemperance as part of the climate, healed him dutifully
whenever he was sick and always tried to make him eat a breakfast.
There were worse husbands. He had never been violent since the boys had
grown up and she knew that he would walk to the end of Thomas Street
and back again to book even a small order.

Two nights after his friends came to see him. She brought them up to
his bedroom, the air of which was impregnated with a personal odour,
and gave them chairs at the fire. Mr Kernan’s tongue, the occasional
stinging pain of which had made him somewhat irritable during the day,
became more polite. He sat propped up in the bed by pillows and the
little colour in his puffy cheeks made them resemble warm cinders. He
apologised to his guests for the disorder of the room, but at the same
time looked at them a little proudly, with a veteran’s pride.

He was quite unconscious that he was the victim of a plot which his
friends, Mr Cunningham, Mr M’Coy and Mr Power had disclosed to Mrs
Kernan in the parlour. The idea had been Mr Power’s but its development
was entrusted to Mr Cunningham. Mr Kernan came of Protestant stock and,
though he had been converted to the Catholic faith at the time of his
marriage, he had not been in the pale of the Church for twenty years.
He was fond, moreover, of giving side-thrusts at Catholicism.

Mr Cunningham was the very man for such a case. He was an elder
colleague of Mr Power. His own domestic life was not very happy. People
had great sympathy with him for it was known that he had married an
unpresentable woman who was an incurable drunkard. He had set up house
for her six times; and each time she had pawned the furniture on him.

Everyone had respect for poor Martin Cunningham. He was a thoroughly
sensible man, influential and intelligent. His blade of human
knowledge, natural astuteness particularised by long association with
cases in the police courts, had been tempered by brief immersions in
the waters of general philosophy. He was well informed. His friends
bowed to his opinions and considered that his face was like
Shakespeare’s.

When the plot had been disclosed to her, Mrs Kernan had said:

“I leave it all in your hands, Mr Cunningham.”

After a quarter of a century of married life, she had very few
illusions left. Religion for her was a habit and she suspected that a
man of her husband’s age would not change greatly before death. She was
tempted to see a curious appropriateness in his accident and, but that
she did not wish to seem bloody-minded, she would have told the
gentlemen that Mr Kernan’s tongue would not suffer by being shortened.
However, Mr Cunningham was a capable man; and religion was religion.
The scheme might do good and, at least, it could do no harm. Her
beliefs were not extravagant. She believed steadily in the Sacred Heart
as the most generally useful of all Catholic devotions and approved of
the sacraments. Her faith was bounded by her kitchen but, if she was
put to it, she could believe also in the banshee and in the Holy Ghost.

The gentlemen began to talk of the accident. Mr Cunningham said that he
had once known a similar case. A man of seventy had bitten off a piece
of his tongue during an epileptic fit and the tongue had filled in
again so that no one could see a trace of the bite.

“Well, I’m not seventy,” said the invalid.

“God forbid,” said Mr Cunningham.

“It doesn’t pain you now?” asked Mr M’Coy.

Mr M’Coy had been at one time a tenor of some reputation. His wife, who
had been a soprano, still taught young children to play the piano at
low terms. His line of life had not been the shortest distance between
two points and for short periods he had been driven to live by his
wits. He had been a clerk in the Midland Railway, a canvasser for
advertisements for _The Irish Times_ and for _The Freeman’s Journal_, a
town traveller for a coal firm on commission, a private inquiry agent,
a clerk in the office of the Sub-Sheriff and he had recently become
secretary to the City Coroner. His new office made him professionally
interested in Mr Kernan’s case.

“Pain? Not much,” answered Mr Kernan. “But it’s so sickening. I feel as
if I wanted to retch off.”

“That’s the boose,” said Mr Cunningham firmly.

“No,” said Mr Kernan. “I think I caught a cold on the car. There’s
something keeps coming into my throat, phlegm or——”

“Mucus.” said Mr M’Coy.

“It keeps coming like from down in my throat; sickening thing.”

“Yes, yes,” said Mr M’Coy, “that’s the thorax.”

He looked at Mr Cunningham and Mr Power at the same time with an air of
challenge. Mr Cunningham nodded his head rapidly and Mr Power said:

“Ah, well, all’s well that ends well.”

“I’m very much obliged to you, old man,” said the invalid.

Mr Power waved his hand.

“Those other two fellows I was with——”

“Who were you with?” asked Mr Cunningham.

“A chap. I don’t know his name. Damn it now, what’s his name? Little
chap with sandy hair....”

“And who else?”

“Harford.”

“Hm,” said Mr Cunningham.

When Mr Cunningham made that remark, people were silent. It was known
that the speaker had secret sources of information. In this case the
monosyllable had a moral intention. Mr Harford sometimes formed one of
a little detachment which left the city shortly after noon on Sunday
with the purpose of arriving as soon as possible at some public-house
on the outskirts of the city where its members duly qualified
themselves as _bona fide_ travellers. But his fellow-travellers had
never consented to overlook his origin. He had begun life as an obscure
financier by lending small sums of money to workmen at usurious
interest. Later on he had become the partner of a very fat short
gentleman, Mr Goldberg, in the Liffey Loan Bank. Though he had never
embraced more than the Jewish ethical code his fellow-Catholics,
whenever they had smarted in person or by proxy under his exactions,
spoke of him bitterly as an Irish Jew and an illiterate and saw divine
disapproval of usury made manifest through the person of his idiot son.
At other times they remembered his good points.

“I wonder where did he go to,” said Mr Kernan.

He wished the details of the incident to remain vague. He wished his
friends to think there had been some mistake, that Mr Harford and he
had missed each other. His friends, who knew quite well Mr Harford’s
manners in drinking, were silent. Mr Power said again:

“All’s well that ends well.”

Mr Kernan changed the subject at once.

“That was a decent young chap, that medical fellow,” he said. “Only for
him——”

“O, only for him,” said Mr Power, “it might have been a case of seven
days, without the option of a fine.”

“Yes, yes,” said Mr Kernan, trying to remember. “I remember now there
was a policeman. Decent young fellow, he seemed. How did it happen at
all?”

“It happened that you were peloothered, Tom,” said Mr Cunningham
gravely.

“True bill,” said Mr Kernan, equally gravely.

“I suppose you squared the constable, Jack,” said Mr M’Coy.

Mr Power did not relish the use of his Christian name. He was not
straight-laced, but he could not forget that Mr M’Coy had recently made
a crusade in search of valises and portmanteaus to enable Mrs M’Coy to
fulfil imaginary engagements in the country. More than he resented the
fact that he had been victimised he resented such low playing of the
game. He answered the question, therefore, as if Mr Kernan had asked
it.

The narrative made Mr Kernan indignant. He was keenly conscious of his
citizenship, wished to live with his city on terms mutually honourable
and resented any affront put upon him by those whom he called country
bumpkins.

“Is this what we pay rates for?” he asked. “To feed and clothe these
ignorant bostooms ... and they’re nothing else.”

Mr Cunningham laughed. He was a Castle official only during office
hours.

“How could they be anything else, Tom?” he said.

He assumed a thick provincial accent and said in a tone of command:

“65, catch your cabbage!”

Everyone laughed. Mr M’Coy, who wanted to enter the conversation by any
door, pretended that he had never heard the story. Mr Cunningham said:

“It is supposed—they say, you know—to take place in the depot where
they get these thundering big country fellows, omadhauns, you know, to
drill. The sergeant makes them stand in a row against the wall and hold
up their plates.”

He illustrated the story by grotesque gestures.

“At dinner, you know. Then he has a bloody big bowl of cabbage before
him on the table and a bloody big spoon like a shovel. He takes up a
wad of cabbage on the spoon and pegs it across the room and the poor
devils have to try and catch it on their plates: 65, _catch your
cabbage_.”

Everyone laughed again: but Mr Kernan was somewhat indignant still. He
talked of writing a letter to the papers.

“These yahoos coming up here,” he said, “think they can boss the
people. I needn’t tell you, Martin, what kind of men they are.”

Mr Cunningham gave a qualified assent.

“It’s like everything else in this world,” he said. “You get some bad
ones and you get some good ones.”

“O yes, you get some good ones, I admit,” said Mr Kernan, satisfied.

“It’s better to have nothing to say to them,” said Mr M’Coy. “That’s my
opinion!”

Mrs Kernan entered the room and, placing a tray on the table, said:

“Help yourselves, gentlemen.”

Mr Power stood up to officiate, offering her his chair. She declined
it, saying she was ironing downstairs, and, after having exchanged a
nod with Mr Cunningham behind Mr Power’s back, prepared to leave the
room. Her husband called out to her:

“And have you nothing for me, duckie?”

“O, you! The back of my hand to you!” said Mrs Kernan tartly.

Her husband called after her:

“Nothing for poor little hubby!”

He assumed such a comical face and voice that the distribution of the
bottles of stout took place amid general merriment.

The gentlemen drank from their glasses, set the glasses again on the
table and paused. Then Mr Cunningham turned towards Mr Power and said
casually:

“On Thursday night, you said, Jack.”

“Thursday, yes,” said Mr Power.

“Righto!” said Mr Cunningham promptly.

“We can meet in M’Auley’s,” said Mr M’Coy. “That’ll be the most
convenient place.”

“But we mustn’t be late,” said Mr Power earnestly, “because it is sure
to be crammed to the doors.”

“We can meet at half-seven,” said Mr M’Coy.

“Righto!” said Mr Cunningham.

“Half-seven at M’Auley’s be it!”

There was a short silence. Mr Kernan waited to see whether he would be
taken into his friends’ confidence. Then he asked:

“What’s in the wind?”

“O, it’s nothing,” said Mr Cunningham. “It’s only a little matter that
we’re arranging about for Thursday.”

“The opera, is it?” said Mr Kernan.

“No, no,” said Mr Cunningham in an evasive tone, “it’s just a little
... spiritual matter.”

“O,” said Mr Kernan.

There was silence again. Then Mr Power said, point blank:

“To tell you the truth, Tom, we’re going to make a retreat.”

“Yes, that’s it,” said Mr Cunningham, “Jack and I and M’Coy here—we’re
all going to wash the pot.”

He uttered the metaphor with a certain homely energy and, encouraged by
his own voice, proceeded:

“You see, we may as well all admit we’re a nice collection of
scoundrels, one and all. I say, one and all,” he added with gruff
charity and turning to Mr Power. “Own up now!”

“I own up,” said Mr Power.

“And I own up,” said Mr M’Coy.

“So we’re going to wash the pot together,” said Mr Cunningham.

A thought seemed to strike him. He turned suddenly to the invalid and
said:

“D’ye know what, Tom, has just occurred to me? You might join in and
we’d have a four-handed reel.”

“Good idea,” said Mr Power. “The four of us together.”

Mr Kernan was silent. The proposal conveyed very little meaning to his
mind but, understanding that some spiritual agencies were about to
concern themselves on his behalf, he thought he owed it to his dignity
to show a stiff neck. He took no part in the conversation for a long
while but listened, with an air of calm enmity, while his friends
discussed the Jesuits.

“I haven’t such a bad opinion of the Jesuits,” he said, intervening at
length. “They’re an educated order. I believe they mean well too.”

“They’re the grandest order in the Church, Tom,” said Mr Cunningham,
with enthusiasm. “The General of the Jesuits stands next to the Pope.”

“There’s no mistake about it,” said Mr M’Coy, “if you want a thing well
done and no flies about it you go to a Jesuit. They’re the boyos have
influence. I’ll tell you a case in point....”

“The Jesuits are a fine body of men,” said Mr Power.

“It’s a curious thing,” said Mr Cunningham, “about the Jesuit Order.
Every other order of the Church had to be reformed at some time or
other but the Jesuit Order was never once reformed. It never fell
away.”

“Is that so?” asked Mr M’Coy.

“That’s a fact,” said Mr Cunningham. “That’s history.”

“Look at their church, too,” said Mr Power. “Look at the congregation
they have.”

“The Jesuits cater for the upper classes,” said Mr M’Coy.

“Of course,” said Mr Power.

“Yes,” said Mr Kernan. “That’s why I have a feeling for them. It’s some
of those secular priests, ignorant, bumptious——”

“They’re all good men,” said Mr Cunningham, “each in his own way. The
Irish priesthood is honoured all the world over.”

“O yes,” said Mr Power.

“Not like some of the other priesthoods on the continent,” said Mr
M’Coy, “unworthy of the name.”

“Perhaps you’re right,” said Mr Kernan, relenting.

“Of course I’m right,” said Mr Cunningham. “I haven’t been in the world
all this time and seen most sides of it without being a judge of
character.”

The gentlemen drank again, one following another’s example. Mr Kernan
seemed to be weighing something in his mind. He was impressed. He had a
high opinion of Mr Cunningham as a judge of character and as a reader
of faces. He asked for particulars.

“O, it’s just a retreat, you know,” said Mr Cunningham. “Father Purdon
is giving it. It’s for business men, you know.”

“He won’t be too hard on us, Tom,” said Mr Power persuasively.

“Father Purdon? Father Purdon?” said the invalid.

“O, you must know him, Tom,” said Mr Cunningham stoutly. “Fine jolly
fellow! He’s a man of the world like ourselves.”

“Ah, ... yes. I think I know him. Rather red face; tall.”

“That’s the man.”

“And tell me, Martin.... Is he a good preacher?”

“Munno.... It’s not exactly a sermon, you know. It’s just kind of a
friendly talk, you know, in a common-sense way.”

Mr Kernan deliberated. Mr M’Coy said:

“Father Tom Burke, that was the boy!”

“O, Father Tom Burke,” said Mr Cunningham, “that was a born orator. Did
you ever hear him, Tom?”

“Did I ever hear him!” said the invalid, nettled. “Rather! I heard
him....”

“And yet they say he wasn’t much of a theologian,” said Mr Cunningham.

“Is that so?” said Mr M’Coy.

“O, of course, nothing wrong, you know. Only sometimes, they say, he
didn’t preach what was quite orthodox.”

“Ah! ... he was a splendid man,” said Mr M’Coy.

“I heard him once,” Mr Kernan continued. “I forget the subject of his
discourse now. Crofton and I were in the back of the ... pit, you know
... the——”

“The body,” said Mr Cunningham.

“Yes, in the back near the door. I forget now what.... O yes, it was on
the Pope, the late Pope. I remember it well. Upon my word it was
magnificent, the style of the oratory. And his voice! God! hadn’t he a
voice! _The Prisoner of the Vatican_, he called him. I remember Crofton
saying to me when we came out——”

“But he’s an Orangeman, Crofton, isn’t he?” said Mr Power.

“‘Course he is,” said Mr Kernan, “and a damned decent Orangeman too. We
went into Butler’s in Moore Street—faith, I was genuinely moved, tell
you the God’s truth—and I remember well his very words. _Kernan_, he
said, _we worship at different altars_, he said, _but our belief is the
same_. Struck me as very well put.”

“There’s a good deal in that,” said Mr Power. “There used always to be
crowds of Protestants in the chapel where Father Tom was preaching.”

“There’s not much difference between us,” said Mr M’Coy.

“We both believe in——”

He hesitated for a moment.

“... in the Redeemer. Only they don’t believe in the Pope and in the
mother of God.”

“But, of course,” said Mr Cunningham quietly and effectively, “our
religion is _the_ religion, the old, original faith.”

“Not a doubt of it,” said Mr Kernan warmly.

Mrs Kernan came to the door of the bedroom and announced:

“Here’s a visitor for you!”

“Who is it?”

“Mr Fogarty.”

“O, come in! come in!”

A pale oval face came forward into the light. The arch of its fair
trailing moustache was repeated in the fair eyebrows looped above
pleasantly astonished eyes. Mr Fogarty was a modest grocer. He had
failed in business in a licensed house in the city because his
financial condition had constrained him to tie himself to second-class
distillers and brewers. He had opened a small shop on Glasnevin Road
where, he flattered himself, his manners would ingratiate him with the
housewives of the district. He bore himself with a certain grace,
complimented little children and spoke with a neat enunciation. He was
not without culture.

Mr Fogarty brought a gift with him, a half-pint of special whisky. He
inquired politely for Mr Kernan, placed his gift on the table and sat
down with the company on equal terms. Mr Kernan appreciated the gift
all the more since he was aware that there was a small account for
groceries unsettled between him and Mr Fogarty. He said:

“I wouldn’t doubt you, old man. Open that, Jack, will you?”

Mr Power again officiated. Glasses were rinsed and five small measures
of whisky were poured out. This new influence enlivened the
conversation. Mr Fogarty, sitting on a small area of the chair, was
specially interested.

“Pope Leo XIII.,” said Mr Cunningham, “was one of the lights of the
age. His great idea, you know, was the union of the Latin and Greek
Churches. That was the aim of his life.”

“I often heard he was one of the most intellectual men in Europe,” said
Mr Power. “I mean, apart from his being Pope.”

“So he was,” said Mr Cunningham, “if not _the_ most so. His motto, you
know, as Pope, was _Lux upon Lux—Light upon Light_.”

“No, no,” said Mr Fogarty eagerly. “I think you’re wrong there. It was
_Lux in Tenebris_, I think—_Light in Darkness_.”

“O yes,” said Mr M’Coy, “_Tenebrae_.”

“Allow me,” said Mr Cunningham positively, “it was _Lux upon Lux_. And
Pius IX. his predecessor’s motto was _Crux upon Crux_—that is, _Cross
upon Cross_—to show the difference between their two pontificates.”

The inference was allowed. Mr Cunningham continued.

“Pope Leo, you know, was a great scholar and a poet.”

“He had a strong face,” said Mr Kernan.

“Yes,” said Mr Cunningham. “He wrote Latin poetry.”

“Is that so?” said Mr Fogarty.

Mr M’Coy tasted his whisky contentedly and shook his head with a double
intention, saying:

“That’s no joke, I can tell you.”

“We didn’t learn that, Tom,” said Mr Power, following Mr M’Coy’s
example, “when we went to the penny-a-week school.”

“There was many a good man went to the penny-a-week school with a sod
of turf under his oxter,” said Mr Kernan sententiously. “The old system
was the best: plain honest education. None of your modern trumpery....”

“Quite right,” said Mr Power.

“No superfluities,” said Mr Fogarty.

He enunciated the word and then drank gravely.

“I remember reading,” said Mr Cunningham, “that one of Pope Leo’s poems
was on the invention of the photograph—in Latin, of course.”

“On the photograph!” exclaimed Mr Kernan.

“Yes,” said Mr Cunningham.

He also drank from his glass.

“Well, you know,” said Mr M’Coy, “isn’t the photograph wonderful when
you come to think of it?”

“O, of course,” said Mr Power, “great minds can see things.”

“As the poet says: _Great minds are very near to madness_,” said Mr
Fogarty.

Mr Kernan seemed to be troubled in mind. He made an effort to recall
the Protestant theology on some thorny points and in the end addressed
Mr Cunningham.

“Tell me, Martin,” he said. “Weren’t some of the popes—of course, not
our present man, or his predecessor, but some of the old popes—not
exactly ... you know ... up to the knocker?”

There was a silence. Mr Cunningham said:

“O, of course, there were some bad lots.... But the astonishing thing
is this. Not one of them, not the biggest drunkard, not the most ...
out-and-out ruffian, not one of them ever preached _ex cathedra_ a word
of false doctrine. Now isn’t that an astonishing thing?”

“That is,” said Mr Kernan.

“Yes, because when the Pope speaks _ex cathedra_,” Mr Fogarty
explained, “he is infallible.”

“Yes,” said Mr Cunningham.

“O, I know about the infallibility of the Pope. I remember I was
younger then.... Or was it that——?”

Mr Fogarty interrupted. He took up the bottle and helped the others to
a little more. Mr M’Coy, seeing that there was not enough to go round,
pleaded that he had not finished his first measure. The others accepted
under protest. The light music of whisky falling into glasses made an
agreeable interlude.

“What’s that you were saying, Tom?” asked Mr M’Coy.

“Papal infallibility,” said Mr Cunningham, “that was the greatest scene
in the whole history of the Church.”

“How was that, Martin?” asked Mr Power.

Mr Cunningham held up two thick fingers.

“In the sacred college, you know, of cardinals and archbishops and
bishops there were two men who held out against it while the others
were all for it. The whole conclave except these two was unanimous. No!
They wouldn’t have it!”

“Ha!” said Mr M’Coy.

“And they were a German cardinal by the name of Dolling ... or Dowling
... or——”

“Dowling was no German, and that’s a sure five,” said Mr Power,
laughing.

“Well, this great German cardinal, whatever his name was, was one; and
the other was John MacHale.”

“What?” cried Mr Kernan. “Is it John of Tuam?”

“Are you sure of that now?” asked Mr Fogarty dubiously. “I thought it
was some Italian or American.”

“John of Tuam,” repeated Mr Cunningham, “was the man.”

He drank and the other gentlemen followed his lead. Then he resumed:

“There they were at it, all the cardinals and bishops and archbishops
from all the ends of the earth and these two fighting dog and devil
until at last the Pope himself stood up and declared infallibility a
dogma of the Church _ex cathedra_. On the very moment John MacHale, who
had been arguing and arguing against it, stood up and shouted out with
the voice of a lion: ‘_Credo!_’”

“_I believe!_” said Mr Fogarty.

“_Credo!_” said Mr Cunningham. “That showed the faith he had. He
submitted the moment the Pope spoke.”

“And what about Dowling?” asked Mr M’Coy.

“The German cardinal wouldn’t submit. He left the church.”

Mr Cunningham’s words had built up the vast image of the church in the
minds of his hearers. His deep raucous voice had thrilled them as it
uttered the word of belief and submission. When Mrs Kernan came into
the room drying her hands she came into a solemn company. She did not
disturb the silence, but leaned over the rail at the foot of the bed.

“I once saw John MacHale,” said Mr Kernan, “and I’ll never forget it as
long as I live.”

He turned towards his wife to be confirmed.

“I often told you that?”

Mrs Kernan nodded.

“It was at the unveiling of Sir John Gray’s statue. Edmund Dwyer Gray
was speaking, blathering away, and here was this old fellow,
crabbed-looking old chap, looking at him from under his bushy
eyebrows.”

Mr Kernan knitted his brows and, lowering his head like an angry bull,
glared at his wife.

“God!” he exclaimed, resuming his natural face, “I never saw such an
eye in a man’s head. It was as much as to say: _I have you properly
taped, my lad_. He had an eye like a hawk.”

“None of the Grays was any good,” said Mr Power.

There was a pause again. Mr Power turned to Mrs Kernan and said with
abrupt joviality:

“Well, Mrs Kernan, we’re going to make your man here a good holy pious
and God-fearing Roman Catholic.”

He swept his arm round the company inclusively.

“We’re all going to make a retreat together and confess our sins—and
God knows we want it badly.”

“I don’t mind,” said Mr Kernan, smiling a little nervously.

Mrs Kernan thought it would be wiser to conceal her satisfaction. So
she said:

“I pity the poor priest that has to listen to your tale.”

Mr Kernan’s expression changed.

“If he doesn’t like it,” he said bluntly, “he can ... do the other
thing. I’ll just tell him my little tale of woe. I’m not such a bad
fellow——”

Mr Cunningham intervened promptly.

“We’ll all renounce the devil,” he said, “together, not forgetting his
works and pomps.”

“Get behind me, Satan!” said Mr Fogarty, laughing and looking at the
others.

Mr Power said nothing. He felt completely out-generalled. But a pleased
expression flickered across his face.

“All we have to do,” said Mr Cunningham, “is to stand up with lighted
candles in our hands and renew our baptismal vows.”

“O, don’t forget the candle, Tom,” said Mr M’Coy, “whatever you do.”

“What?” said Mr Kernan. “Must I have a candle?”

“O yes,” said Mr Cunningham.

“No, damn it all,” said Mr Kernan sensibly, “I draw the line there.
I’ll do the job right enough. I’ll do the retreat business and
confession, and ... all that business. But ... no candles! No, damn it
all, I bar the candles!”

He shook his head with farcical gravity.

“Listen to that!” said his wife.

“I bar the candles,” said Mr Kernan, conscious of having created an
effect on his audience and continuing to shake his head to and fro. “I
bar the magic-lantern business.”

Everyone laughed heartily.

“There’s a nice Catholic for you!” said his wife.

“No candles!” repeated Mr Kernan obdurately. “That’s off!”

The transept of the Jesuit Church in Gardiner Street was almost full;
and still at every moment gentlemen entered from the side door and,
directed by the lay-brother, walked on tiptoe along the aisles until
they found seating accommodation. The gentlemen were all well dressed
and orderly. The light of the lamps of the church fell upon an assembly
of black clothes and white collars, relieved here and there by tweeds,
on dark mottled pillars of green marble and on lugubrious canvases. The
gentlemen sat in the benches, having hitched their trousers slightly
above their knees and laid their hats in security. They sat well back
and gazed formally at the distant speck of red light which was
suspended before the high altar.

In one of the benches near the pulpit sat Mr Cunningham and Mr Kernan.
In the bench behind sat Mr M’Coy alone: and in the bench behind him sat
Mr Power and Mr Fogarty. Mr M’Coy had tried unsuccessfully to find a
place in the bench with the others and, when the party had settled down
in the form of a quincunx, he had tried unsuccessfully to make comic
remarks. As these had not been well received he had desisted. Even he
was sensible of the decorous atmosphere and even he began to respond to
the religious stimulus. In a whisper Mr Cunningham drew Mr Kernan’s
attention to Mr Harford, the moneylender, who sat some distance off,
and to Mr Fanning, the registration agent and mayor maker of the city,
who was sitting immediately under the pulpit beside one of the newly
elected councillors of the ward. To the right sat old Michael Grimes,
the owner of three pawnbroker’s shops, and Dan Hogan’s nephew, who was
up for the job in the Town Clerk’s office. Farther in front sat Mr
Hendrick, the chief reporter of _The Freeman’s Journal_, and poor
O’Carroll, an old friend of Mr Kernan’s, who had been at one time a
considerable commercial figure. Gradually, as he recognised familiar
faces, Mr Kernan began to feel more at home. His hat, which had been
rehabilitated by his wife, rested upon his knees. Once or twice he
pulled down his cuffs with one hand while he held the brim of his hat
lightly, but firmly, with the other hand.

A powerful-looking figure, the upper part of which was draped with a
white surplice, was observed to be struggling up into the pulpit.
Simultaneously the congregation unsettled, produced handkerchiefs and
knelt upon them with care. Mr Kernan followed the general example. The
priest’s figure now stood upright in the pulpit, two-thirds of its
bulk, crowned by a massive red face, appearing above the balustrade.

Father Purdon knelt down, turned towards the red speck of light and,
covering his face with his hands, prayed. After an interval, he
uncovered his face and rose. The congregation rose also and settled
again on its benches. Mr Kernan restored his hat to its original
position on his knee and presented an attentive face to the preacher.
The preacher turned back each wide sleeve of his surplice with an
elaborate large gesture and slowly surveyed the array of faces. Then he
said:

_“For the children of this world are wiser in their generation than the
children of light. Wherefore make unto yourselves friends out of the
mammon of iniquity so that when you die they may receive you into
everlasting dwellings.”_

Father Purdon developed the text with resonant assurance. It was one of
the most difficult texts in all the Scriptures, he said, to interpret
properly. It was a text which might seem to the casual observer at
variance with the lofty morality elsewhere preached by Jesus Christ.
But, he told his hearers, the text had seemed to him specially adapted
for the guidance of those whose lot it was to lead the life of the
world and who yet wished to lead that life not in the manner of
worldlings. It was a text for business men and professional men. Jesus
Christ, with His divine understanding of every cranny of our human
nature, understood that all men were not called to the religious life,
that by far the vast majority were forced to live in the world and, to
a certain extent, for the world: and in this sentence He designed to
give them a word of counsel, setting before them as exemplars in the
religious life those very worshippers of Mammon who were of all men the
least solicitous in matters religious.

He told his hearers that he was there that evening for no terrifying,
no extravagant purpose; but as a man of the world speaking to his
fellow-men. He came to speak to business men and he would speak to them
in a businesslike way. If he might use the metaphor, he said, he was
their spiritual accountant; and he wished each and every one of his
hearers to open his books, the books of his spiritual life, and see if
they tallied accurately with conscience.

Jesus Christ was not a hard taskmaster. He understood our little
failings, understood the weakness of our poor fallen nature, understood
the temptations of this life. We might have had, we all had from time
to time, our temptations: we might have, we all had, our failings. But
one thing only, he said, he would ask of his hearers. And that was: to
be straight and manly with God. If their accounts tallied in every
point to say:

“Well, I have verified my accounts. I find all well.”

But if, as might happen, there were some discrepancies, to admit the
truth, to be frank and say like a man:

“Well, I have looked into my accounts. I find this wrong and this
wrong. But, with God’s grace, I will rectify this and this. I will set
right my accounts.”