Thoughhiseyestooknoteofmanyelementsofthecrowdthroughwhichhepassed，theydidsomorosely。Hefoundtrivialallthatwasmeanttocharmhim，anddidnotanswertheglanceswhichinvitedhimtobebold。Heknewthathewouldhavetospeakagreatdeal，toinventandtoamuse，andhisbrainandthroatweretoodryforsuchatask。TheproblemofhowhecouldpassthehourstillhemetCorleyagaintroubledhimalittle。Hecouldthinkofnowayofpassingthembuttokeeponwalking。HeturnedtotheleftwhenhecametothecornerofRutlandSquare，andfeltmoreateaseinthedarkquietstreet，thesombrelookofwhichsuitedhismood。Hepausedatlastbeforethewindowofapoor-lookingshopoverwhichthewordsRefreshmentBarwereprintedinwhiteletters。Ontheglassofthewindowweretwoflyinginscriptions：GingerBeerandGingerAle。ACuthamwasexposedonagreatbluedish，whilenearitonaplatelayasegmentofverylightplum-pudding。Heeyedthisfoodearnestlyforsometime，andthen，afterglancingwarilyupanddownthestreet，wentintotheshopquickly。
Hewashungry，for，exceptsomebiscuitswhichhehadaskedtwogrudgingcuratestobringhim，hehadeatennothingsincebreakfast-time。Hesatdownatanuncoveredwoodentableoppositetwowork-girlsandamechanic。
Aslatternlygirlwaitedonhim。
`Howmuchisaplateofpeas？’heasked。
`Threehalfpence，sir，’saidthegirl。
`Bringmeaplateofpeas，’hesaid，`andabottleofgingerbeer。’
Hespokeroughlyinordertobeliehisairofgentility，forhisentryhadbeenfollowedbyapauseoftalk。Hisfacewasheated。Toappearnaturalhepushedhiscapbackonhisheadandplantedhiselbowsonthetable。
Themechanicandthetwowork-girlsexaminedhimpointbypointbeforeresumingtheirconversationinasubduedvoice。Thegirlbroughthimaplateofgrocer’shotpeas，seasonedwithpepperandvinegar，afork，andhisgingerbeer。Heatehisfoodgreedilyandfounditsogoodthathemadeanoteoftheshopmentally。WhenhehadeatenallthepeashesippedhisgingerbeerandsatforsometimethinkingofCorley’sadventure。Inhisimaginationhebeheldthepairofloverswalkingalongsomedarkroad；
heheardCorley’svoiceindeepenergeticgallantries，andsawagaintheleeroftheyoungwoman’smouth。Thisvisionmadehimfeelkeenlyhisownpovertyofpurseandspirit。Hewastiredofknockingabout，ofpullingthedevilbythetail，ofshiftsandintrigues。Hewouldbethirty-oneinNovember。Wouldhenevergetagoodjob？Wouldheneverhaveahomeofhisown？Hethoughthowpleasantitwouldbetohaveawarmfiretositbyandagooddinnertositdownto。Hehadwalkedthestreetslongenoughwithfriendsandwithgirls。Heknewwhatthosefriendswereworth：
heknewthegirlstoo。Experiencehadembitteredhisheartagainsttheworld。Butallhopehadnotlefthim。Hefeltbetterafterhavingeatenthanhehadfeltbefore，lesswearyofhislife，lessvanquishedinspirit。
Hemightyetbeabletosettledowninsomesnugcornerandlivehappilyifhecouldonlycomeacrosssomegoodsimple-mindedgirlwithalittleoftheready。
Hepaidtwopencehalfpennytotheslatternlygirl，andwentoutoftheshoptobeginhiswanderingagain。HewentintoCapelStreetandwalkedalongtowardstheCityHall。ThenheturnedintoDameStreet。AtthecornerofGeorge’sStreethemettwofriendsofhis，andstoppedtoconversewiththem。Hewasgladthathecouldrestfromallhiswalking。HisfriendsaskedhimhadheseenCorley，andwhatwasthelatest。HerepliedthathehadspentthedaywithCorley。Hisfriendstalkedverylittle。Theylookedvacantlyaftersomefiguresinthecrowd，andsometimesmadeacriticalremark。OnesaidthathehadseenMacanhourbeforeinWestmorelandStreet。
AtthisLenehansaidthathehadbeenwithMacthenightbeforeinEgan’s。
TheyoungmanwhohadseenMacinWestmorelandStreetaskedwasittruethatMachadwonabitoverabilliardsmatch。Lenehandidnotknow：hesaidthatHolohanhadstoodthemdrinksinEgan’s。
HelefthisfriendsataquartertotenandwentupGeorge’sStreet。
HeturnedtotheleftattheCityMarketsandwalkedonintoGraftonStreet。
Thecrowdofgirlsandyoungmenhadthinned，andonhiswayupthestreetheheardmanygroupsandcouplesbiddingoneanothergoodnight。HewentasfarastheclockoftheCollegeofSurgeons：itwasonthestrokeoften。HesetoffbrisklyalongthenorthernsideoftheGreen，hurryingforfearCorleyshouldreturntoosoon。WhenhereachedthecornerofMerrionStreethetookhisstandintheshadowofalamp，andbroughtoutoneofthecigaretteswhichhehadreservedandlitit。Heleanedagainstthelamp-postandkepthisgazefixedonthepartfromwhichheexpectedtoseeCorleyandtheyoungwomanreturn。
Hismindbecameactiveagain。HewonderedhadCorleymanageditsuccessfully。
Hewonderedifhehadaskedheryetorifhewouldleaveittothelast。
Hesufferedallthepangsandthrillsofhisfriend’ssituationaswellasthoseofhisown。ButthememoryofCorley’sslowlyrevolvingheadcalmedhimsomewhat：hewassureCorleywouldpullitoffallright。AllatoncetheideastruckhimthatperhapsCorleyhadseenherhomebyanotherway，andgivenhimtheslip。Hiseyessearchedthestreet：therewasnosignofthem。YetitwassurelyhalfanhoursincehehadseentheclockoftheCollegeofSurgeons。WouldCorleydoathinglikethat？HelithisFastcigaretteandbegantosmokeitnervously。Hestrainedhiseyesaseachtramstoppedatthefarcornerofthesquare。Theymusthavegonehomebyanotherway。Thepaperofhiscigarettebrokeandheflungitintotheroadwithacurse。
Suddenlyhesawthemcomingtowardshim。Hestartedwithdelight，andkeepingclosetohislamp-posttriedtoreadtheresultintheirwalk。
Theywerewalkingquickly，theyoungwomantakingquickshortsteps，whileCorleykeptbesideherwithhislongstride。Theydidnotseemtobespeaking。
Anintimationoftheresultprickedhimlikethepointofasharpinstrument。
HeknewCorleywouldfail；heknewitwasnogo。
TheyturneddownBaggotStreet，andhefollowedthematonce，takingtheotherfootpath。Whentheystoppedhestoppedtoo。Theytalkedforafewmoments，andthentheyoungwomanwentdownthestepsintotheareaofahouse。Corleyremainedstandingattheedgeofthepath，alittledistancefromthefrontsteps。Someminutespassed。Thenthehall-doorwasopenedslowlyandcautiously。Awomancamerunningdownthefrontstepsandcoughed。Corleyturnedandwenttowardsher。Hisbroadfigurehidhersfromviewforafewsecondsandthenshereappeared，runningupthesteps。
Thedoorclosedonher，andCorleybegantowalkswiftlytowardsStephen’sGreen。
Lenehanhurriedoninthesamedirection。Somedropsoflightrainfell。
Hetookthemasawarning，andglancingbacktowardsthehousewhichtheyoungwomanhadenteredtoseethathewasnotobserved，heraneagerlyacrosstheroad。Anxietyandhisswiftrunmadehimpant。Hecalledout：
`Hallo，Corley！’
Corleyturnedhisheadtoseewhohadcalledhim，andthencontinuedwalkingasbefore。Lenehanranafterhim，settlingthewaterproofonhisshoulderswithonehand。
`Hallo，Corley！’hecriedagain。
Hecamelevelwithhisfriendandlookedkeenlyinhisface。Hecouldseenothingthere。
`Well？’hesaid。`Diditcomeoff？’
TheyhadreachedthecornerofElyPlace。Stillwithoutanswering，Corleyswervedtotheleftandwentupthesidestreet。Hisfeatureswerecomposedinsterncalm。Lenehankeptupwithhisfriend，breathinguneasily。Hewasbaffled，andanoteofmenacepiercedthroughhisvoice。
`Can’tyoutellus？’hesaid。`Didyoutryher？’
Corleyhaltedatthefirstlampandstaredgrimlybeforehim。Thenwithagravegestureheextendedahandtowardsthelightand，smiling，openeditslowlytothegazeofhisdisciple。Asmallgoldcoinshoneinthepalm。
TheBoardingHouse
MrsMooneywasabutcher’sdaughter。Shewasawomanwhowasquiteabletokeepthingstoherself：adeterminedwoman。Shehadmarriedherfather’sforeman，andopenedabutcher’sshopnearSpringGardens。Butassoonashisfather-in-lawwasdeadMrMooneybegantogotothedevil。Hedrank，plunderedthetill，ranheadlongintodebt。Itwasnousemakinghimtakethepledge：hewassuretobreakoutagainafewdaysafter。Byfightinghiswifeinthepresenceofcustomersandbybuyingbadmeatheruinedhisbusiness。Onenighthewentforhiswifewiththecleaver，andshehadtosleepinaneighbour’shouse。
Afterthattheylivedapart。Shewenttothepriestandgotaseparationfromhim，withcareofthechildren。Shewouldgivehimneithermoneynorfoodnorhouse-room；andsohewasobligedtoenlisthimselfasasheriff’sman。Hewasashabbystoopedlittledrunkardwithawhitefaceandawhitemoustacheandwhiteeyebrows，pencilledabovehislittleeyes，whichwerepink-veinedandraw；andalldaylonghesatinthebailiff’sroom，waitingtobeputonajob。MrsMooney，whohadtakenwhatremainedofhermoneyoutofthebutcherbusinessandsetupaboardinghouseinHardwickeStreet，wasabigimposingwoman。HerhousehadafloatingpopulationmadeupoftouristsfromLiverpoolandtheIsleofManand，occasionally，artistesfromthemusichalls。Itsresidentpopulationwasmadeupofclerksfromthecity。Shegovernedthehousecunninglyandfirmly，knewwhentogivecredit，whentobesternandwhentoletthingspass。AlltheresidentyoungmenspokeofherasTheMadam。
MrsMooney’syoungmenpaidfifteenshillingsaweekforboardandlodgings（beerorstoutatdinnerexcluded）。Theysharedincommontastesandoccupationsandforthisreasontheywereverychummywithoneanother。Theydiscussedwithoneanotherthechancesoffavouritesandoutsiders。JackMooney，theMadam’sson，whowasclerktoacommissionagentinFleetStreet，hadthereputationofbeingahardcase。Hewasfondofusingsoldiers’obscenities：
usuallyhecamehomeinthesmallhours。Whenhemethisfriendshehadalwaysagoodonetotellthem，andhewasalwayssuretobeontoagoodthing-thatistosay，alikelyhorseoralikelyartiste。Hewasalsohandywiththemitsandsangcomicsongs。OnSundaynightstherewouldoftenbeareunioninMrsMooney’sfrontdrawing-room。Themusic-hallartisteswouldoblige；andSheridanplayedwaltzesandpolkasandvampedaccompaniments。
PollyMooney，theMadam’sdaughter，wouldalsosing。Shesang：I’ma……naughtygirlYouneedn’tsham：
YouknowIam。Pollywasaslimgirlofnineteen；shehadlightsofthairandasmallfullmouth。Hereyes，whichweregreywithashadeofgreenthroughthem，hadahabitofglancingupwardswhenshespokewithanyone，whichmadeherlooklikealittleperversemadonna。MrsMooneyhadfirstsentherdaughtertobeatypistinacorn-factor’soffice，butasadisreputablesheriff’smanusedtocomeeveryotherdaytotheoffice，askingtobeallowedtosayawordtohisdaughter，shehadtakenherdaughterhomeagainandsethertodohousework。AsPollywasverylively，theintentionwastogivehertherunoftheyoungmen。Besides，youngmenliketofeelthatthereisayoungwomannotveryfaraway。Polly，ofcourse，flirtedwiththeyoungmen，butMrsMooney，whowasashrewdjudge，knewthattheyoungmenwereonlypassingthetimeaway：noneofthemmeantbusiness。
Thingswentonsoforalongtime，andMrsMooneybegantothinkofsendingPollybacktotypewriting，whenshenoticedthatsomethingwasgoingonbetweenPollyandoneoftheyoungmen。Shewatchedthepairandkeptherowncounsel。
Pollyknewthatshewasbeingwatched，butstillhermother’spersistentsilencecouldnotbemisunderstood。Therehadbeennoopencomplicitybetweenmotheranddaughter，noopenunderstanding，butthoughpeopleinthehousebegantotalkoftheaffair，stillMrsMooneydidnotintervene。Pollybegantogrowalittlestrangeinhermanner，andtheyoungmanwasevidentlyperturbed。Atlast，whenshejudgedittobetherightmoment，MrsMooneyintervened。Shedealtwithmoralproblemsasacleaverdealswithmeat：
andinthiscaseshehadmadeuphermind。
ItwasabrightSundaymorningofearlysummer，promisingheat，butwithafreshbreezeblowing。Allthewindowsoftheboardinghousewereopenandthelacecurtainsballoonedgentlytowardsthestreetbeneaththeraisedsashes。ThebelfryofGeorge’sChurchsentoutconstantpeals，andworshippers，singlyoringroups，traversedthelittlecircusbeforethechurch，revealingtheirpurposebytheirself-containeddemeanournolessthanbythelittlevolumesintheirglovedhands。Breakfastwasoverintheboardinghouse，andthetableofthebreakfast-roomwascoveredwithplatesonwhichlayyellowstreaksofeggswithmorselsofbacon-fatandbacon-rind。MrsMooneysatinthestrawarm-chairandwatchedtheservantMaryremovethebreakfastthings。ShemadeMarycollectthecrustsandpiecesofbrokenbreadtohelptomakeTuesday’sbread-pudding。Whenthetablewascleared，thebrokenbreadcollected，thesugarandbuttersafeunderlockandkey，shebegantoreconstructtheinterviewwhichshehadhadthenightbeforewithPolly。Thingswereasshehadsuspected：shehadbeenfrankinherquestionsandPollyhadbeenfrankinheranswers。
Bothhadbeensomewhatewkward，ofcourse。Shehadbeenmadeawkwardbyhernotwishingtoreceivethenewsintoocavalierafashionortoseemtohaveconnived，andPollyhadbeenmadeawkwardnotmerelybecauseallusionsofthatkindalwaysmadeherawkward，butalsobecauseshedidnotwishittobethoughtthatinherwiseinnocenceshehaddivinedtheintentionbehindhermother’stolerance。
MrsMooneyglancedinstinctivelyatthelittlegiltclockonthemantelpieceassoonasshehadbecomeawarethroughherreveriethatthebellsofGeorge’sChurchhadstoppedringing。Itwasseventeenminutespasteleven：shewouldhavelotsoftimetohavethematteroutwithMrDoranandthencatchshorttwelveatMarlboroughStreet。Shewassureshewouldwin。Tobeginwith，shehadalltheweightofsocialopiniononherside：shewasanoutragedmother。Shehadallowedhimtolivebeneathherroof，assumingthathewasamanofhonour，andhehadsimplyabusedherhospitality。Hewasthirty-fourorthirty-fiveyearsofage，sothatyouthcouldnotbepleadedashisexcuse；norcouldignorancebehisexcuse，sincehewasamanwhohadseensomethingoftheworld。HehadsimplytakenadvantageofPolly’syouthandinexperience：thatwasevident。Thequestionwas：Whatreparationwouldhemake？
Theremustbereparationmadeinsuchacase。Itisallverywellfortheman：hecangohiswaysasifnothinghadhappened，havinghadhismomentofpleasure，butthegirlhastobearthebrunt。Somemotherswouldbecontenttopatchupsuchanaffairforasumofmoney：shehadknowncasesofit。Butshewouldnotdoso。Forheronlyonereparationcouldmakeupforthelossofherdaughter’shonour：marriage。
ShecountedallhercardsagainbeforesendingMaryuptoMrDoran’sroomtosaythatshewishedtospeakwithhim。Shefeltsureshewouldwin。Hewasaseriousyoungman，notrakishorloud-voicedliketheothers。
IfithadbeenMrSheridanorMrMeadeorBantamLyons，hertaskwouldhavebeenmuchharder。Shedidnotthinkhewouldfacepublicity。Allthelodgersinthehouseknewsomethingoftheaffair；detailshadbeeninventedbysome。Besides，hehadbeenemployedforthirteenyearsinagreatCatholicwine-merchant’soffice，andpublicitywouldmeanforhim，perhaps，thelossofhisjob。Whereasifheagreedallmightbewell。Sheknewhehadagoodscrewforonething，andshesuspectedhehadabitofstuffputby。
Nearlythehalf-hour！Shestoodupandsurveyedherselfinthepier-glass。
Thedecisiveexpressionofhergreatfloridfacesatisfiedher，andshethoughtofsomemotherssheknewwhocouldnotgettheirdaughtersofftheirhands。
MrDoranwasveryanxiousindeedthisSundaymorning。Hehadmadetwoattemptstoshave，buthishandhadbeensounsteadythathehadbeenobligedtodesist。Threedays’reddishbeardfringedhisjaws，andeverytwoorthreeminutesamistgatheredonhisglassessothathehadtotakethemoffandpolishthemwithhispocket-handkerchief。Therecollectionofhisconfessionofthenightbeforewasacauseofacutepaintohim；thepriesthaddrawnouteveryridiculousdetailoftheaffair，andintheendhadsomagnifiedhissinthathewasalmostthankfulatbeingaffordedaloopholeofreparation。Theharmwasdone。Whatcouldhedonowbutmarryherorrunaway？Hecouldnotbrazenitout。Theaffairwouldbesuretobetalkedof，andhisemployerwouldbecertaintohearofit。Dublinissuchasmallcity：everyoneknowseveryoneelse’sbusiness。HefelthisheartleapwarmlyinhisthroatasheheardinhisexcitedimaginationoldMrLeonardcallingoutinhisraspingvoice：`SendMrDoranhere，please。’
Allhislongyearsofservicegonefornothing！Allhisindustryanddiligencethrownaway！Asayoungmanhehadsownhiswildoats，ofcourse；
hehadboastedofhisfree-thinkinganddeniedtheexistenceofGodtohiscompanionsinpublic-houses。Butthatwasallpassedanddonewith……
nearly。HestillboughtacopyofReynoldsNewspapereveryweek，butheattendedtohisreligiousduties，andfornine-tenthsoftheyearlivedaregularlife。Hehadmoneyenoughtosettledownon；itwasnotthat。Butthefamilywouldlookdownonher。Firstofalltherewasherdisreputablefather，andthenhermother’sboardinghousewasbeginningtogetacertainfame。Hehadanotionthathewasbeinghad。Hecouldimaginehisfriendstalkingoftheaffairandlaughing。Shewasalittlevulgar；sometimesshesaid`Iseen’and`IfIhad’veknown。’Butwhatwouldgrammarmatterifhereallylovedher？Hecouldnotmakeuphismindwhethertolikeherordespiseherforwhatshehaddone。Ofcoursehehaddoneittoo。Hisinstincturgedhimtoremainfree，nottomarry。
Onceyouaremarriedyouaredonefor，itsaid。
Whilehewassittinghelplesslyonthesideofthebedinshirtandtrousers，shetappedlightlyathisdoorandentered。Shetoldhimall，thatshehadmadeacleanbreastofittohermotherandthathermotherwouldspeakwithhimthatmorning。Shecriedandthrewherarmsroundhisneck，saying：
`OBob！Bob！WhatamItodo？WhatamItodoatall？’
Shewouldputanendtoherself，shesaid。
Hecomfortedherfeebly，tellinghernottocry，thatitwouldbeallright，neverfear。Hefeltagainsthisshirttheagitationofherbosom。
Itwasnotaltogetherhisfaultthatithadhappened。Herememberedwell，withthecuriouspatientmemoryofthecelibate，thefirstcasualcaressesherdress，herbreath，herfingershadgivenhim。Thenlateonenightashewasundressingforbedshehadtappedathisdoor，timidly。
Shewantedtorelighthercandleathis，forhershadbeenblownoutbyagust。Itwasherbathnight。Sheworealooseopencombing-jacketofprintedflannel。Herwhiteinstepshoneintheopeningofherfurryslippersandthebloodglowedwarmlybehindherperfumedskin。Fromherhandsandwriststooasshelitandsteadiedhercandleafaintperfumearose。
Onnightswhenhecameinverylateitwasshewhowarmeduphisdinner。
Hescarcelyknewwhathewaseating，feelingherbesidehimalone，atnight，inthesleepinghouse。Andherthoughtfulness！Ifthenightwasanywaycoldorwetorwindytherewassuretobealittletumblerofpunchreadyforhim。Perhapstheycouldbehappytogether……
Theyusedtogoupstairstogetherontiptoe，eachwithacandle，andonthethirdlandingexchangereluctantgoodnights。Theyusedtokiss。
Herememberedwellhereyes，thetouchofherhandandhisdelirium……
Butdeliriumpasses。Heechoedherphrase，applyingittohimself：`WhatamItodo？’Theinstinctofthecelibatewarnedhimtoholdback。
Butthesinwasthere；evenhissenseofhonourtoldhimthatreparationmustbemadeforsuchasin。
WhilehewassittingwithheronthesideofthebedMarycametothedoorandsaidthatthemissuswantedtoseehimintheparlour。Hestooduptoputonhiscoatandwaistcoat，morehelplessthanever。Whenhewasdressedhewentovertohertocomforther。Itwouldbeallright，neverfear。Helefthercryingonthebedandmoaningsoftly：`0myGod！’
Goingdownthestairshisglassesbecamesodimmedwithmoisturethathehadtotakethemoffandpolishthem。Helongedtoascendthroughtheroofandflyawaytoanothercountrywherehewouldneverhearagainofhistrouble，andyetaforcepushedhimdownstairsstepbystep。TheimplacablefacesofhisemployerandoftheMadamstareduponhisdiscomfiture。OnthelastflightofstairshepassedJackMooney，whowascomingupfromthepantrynursingtwobottlesofBass。Theysalutedcoldly；andthelover’seyesrestedforasecondortwoonathickbulldogfaceandapairofthickshortarms。WhenhereachedthefootofthestaircaseheglancedupandsawJackregardinghimfromthedoorofthereturn-room。
Suddenlyherememberedthenightwhenoneofthemusic-hallartistes，alittleblondLondoner，hadmadearatherfreeallusiontoPolly。ThereunionhadbeenalmostbrokenuponaccountofJack’sviolence。Everyonetriedtoquiethim。Themusic-hallartiste，alittlepalerthanusual，keptsmilingandsayingthattherewasnoharmmeant；butJackkeptshoutingathimthatifanyfellowtriedthatsortofagameonwithhissisterhe’dbloodywellputhisteethdownhisthroat：sohewould。
Pollysatforalittletimeonthesideofthebed，crying。Thenshedriedhereyesandwentovertothelooking-glass。Shedippedtheendofthetowelinthewater-jugandrefreshedhereyeswiththecoolwater。
Shelookedatherselfinprofileandreadjustedahairpinaboveherear。
Thenshewentbacktothebedagainandsatatthefoot。Sheregardedthepillowsforalongtime，andthesightofthemawakenedinhermindsecret，amiablememories。Sherestedthenapeofherneckagainstthecoolironbedrailandfellintoareverie。Therewasnolongeranyperturbationvisibleonherface。
Shewaitedonpatiently，almostcheerfully，withoutalarm，hermemoriesgraduallygivingplacetohopesandvisionsofthefuture。Herhopesandvisionsweresointricatethatshenolongersawthewhitepillowsonwhichhergazewasfixed，orrememberedthatshewaswaitingforanything。
Atlastsheheardhermothercalling。Shestartedtoherfeetandrantothebanisters。
`Polly！Polly！’
`Yes，mamma？’
`Comedown，dear。MrDoranwantstospeaktoyou。’
Thensherememberedwhatshehadbeenwaitingfor。
ALittleCloud
EightyearsbeforehehadseenhisfriendoffattheNorthWallandwishedhimGod-speed。Gallaherhadgoton。Youcouldtellthatatoncebyhistravelledair，hiswell-cuttweedsuit，andfearlessaccent。Fewfellowshadtalentslikehis，andfewerstillcouldremainunspoiledbysuchsuccess。
Gallaher’sheartwasintherightplaceandhehaddeservedtowin。Itwassomethingtohaveafriendlikethat。
LittleChandler’sthoughtseversincelunch-timehadbeenofhismeetingwithGallaher，ofGallaher’sinvitation，andofthegreatcityLondonwhereGallaherlived。HewascalledLittleChandlerbecause，thoughhewasbutslightlyundertheaveragestature，hegaveonetheideaofbeingalittleman。Hishandswerewhiteandsmall，hisframewasfragile，hisvoicewasquietandhismannerswererefined。Hetookthegreatestcareofhisfairsilkenhairandmoustache，andusedperfumediscreetlyonhishandkerchief。
Thehalf-moonsofhisnailswereperfect，andwhenhesmiledyoucaughtaglimpseofarowofchildishwhiteteeth。
AchesatathisdeskintheKing’sInnshethoughtwhatchangesthoseeightyearshadbrought。ThefriendwhomhehadknownunderashabbyandnecessitousguisehadbecomeabrilliantfigureontheLondonPress。Heturnedoftenfromhistiresomewritingtogazeoutoftheofficewindow。
Theglowofalateautumnsunsetcoveredthegrassplotsandwalks。Itcastashowerofkindlygoldendustontheuntidynursesanddecrepitoldmenwhodrowsedonthebenches；itflickereduponallthemovingfigures-onthechildrenwhoranscreamingalongthegravelpathsandoneveryonewhopassedthroughthegardens。Hewatchedthesceneandthoughtoflife；
and（asalwayshappenedwhenhethoughtoflife）hebecamesad。Agentlemelancholytookpossessionofhim。Hefelthowuselessitwastostruggleagainstfortune，thisbeingtheburdenofwisdomwhichtheageshadbequeathedtohim。
Herememberedthebooksofpoetryuponhisshelvesathome。Hehadboughttheminhisbachelordaysandmanyanevening，ashesatinthelittleroomoffthehall，hehadbeentemptedtotakeonedownfromthebookshelfandreadoutsomethingtohiswife。Butshynesshadalwaysheldhimback；
andsothebookshadremainedontheirshelves。Attimesherepeatedlinestohimselfandthisconsoledhim。
Whenhishourhadstruckhestoodupandtookleaveofhisdeskandofhisfellow-clerkspunctiliously。HeemergedfromunderthefeudalarchoftheKing’sInns，aneatmodestfigure，andwalkedswiftlydownHenriettaStreet。Thegoldensunsetwaswaningandtheairhadgrownsharp。Ahordeofgrimychildrenpopulatedthestreet。Theystoodorranintheroadway，orcrawledupthestepsbeforethegapingdoors，orsquattedlikemiceuponthethresholds。LittleChandlergavethemnothought。Hepickedhiswaydeftlythroughallthatminutevermin-likelifeandundertheshadowofthegauntspectralmansionsinwhichtheoldnobilityofDublinhadroistered。Nomemoryofthepasttouchedhim，forhismindwasfullofapresentjoy。
HehadneverbeeninCorless’s，butheknewthevalueofthename。Heknewthatpeoplewentthereafterthetheatretoeatoystersanddrinkliqueurs；andhehadheardthatthewaiterstherespokeFrenchandGerman。
Walkingswiftlybyatnighthehadseencabsdrawnupbeforethedoorandrichly-dressedladies，escortedbycavaliers，alightandenterquickly。
Theyworenoisydressesandmanywraps。Theirfaceswerepowderedandtheycaughtuptheirdresses，whentheytouchedearth，likealarmedAtalantas。
Hehadalwayspassedwithoutturninghisheadtolook。Itwashishabittowalkswiftlyinthestreetevenbyday，andwheneverhefoundhimselfinthecitylateatnighthehurriedonhiswayapprehensivelyandexcitedly。
Sometimes，however，hecourtedthecausesofhisfear。Hechosethedarkestandnarroweststreetsand，ashewalkedboldlyforward，thesilencethatwasspreadabouthisfootstepstroubledhim；thewandering，silentfigurestroubledhim；andattimesasoundoflowfugitivelaughtermadehimtremblelikealeaf。
HeturnedtotherighttowardsCapelStreet。IgnatiusGallaherontheLondonPress！Whowouldhavethoughtitpossibleeightyearsbefore？Still，nowthathereviewedthepast，LittleChandlercouldremembermanysignsoffuturegreatnessinhisfriend。PeopleusedtosaythatIgnatiusGallaherwaswild。Ofcourse，hedidmixwitharakishsetoffellowsatthattime；
drankfreelyandborrowedmoneyonallsides。Intheendhehadgotmixedupinsomeshadyaffair，somemoneytransaction：atleast，thatwasoneversionofhisflight。Butnobodydeniedhimtalent。Therewasalwaysacertain……somethinginIgnatiusGallaherthatimpressedyouinspiteofyourself。Evenwhenhewasoutatelbowsandathiswits’endformoneyhekeptupaboldface。LittleChandlerremembered（andtheremembrancebroughtaslightflushofpridetohischeek）oneofIgnatiusGallaher’ssayingswhenhewasinatightcorner：
`Half-timenow，boys，’heusedtosaylight-heartedly。`Where’smyconsideringcap？’
ThatwasIgnatiusGallaherallout；and，damnit，youcouldn’tbutadmirehimforit。
LittleChandlerquickenedhispace。Forthefirsttimeinhislifehefelthimselfsuperiortothepeoplehepassed。ForthefirsttimehissoulrevoltedagainstthedullineleganceofCapelStreet。Therewasnodoubtaboutit：ifyouwantedtosucceedyouhadtogoaway。YoucoulddonothinginDublin。AshecrossedGrattanBridgehelookeddowntherivertowardsthelowerquaysandpitiedthepoorstuntedhouses。Theyseemedtohimabandoftramps，huddledtogetheralongtheriver-banks，theiroldcoatscoveredwithdustandsoot，stupefiedbythepanoramaofsunsetandwaitingforthefirstchillofnighttobidthemarise，shakethemselvesandbegone。
Hewonderedwhetherhecouldwriteapoemtoexpresshisidea。PerhapsGallahermightbeabletogetitintosomeLondonpaperforhim。Couldhewritesomethingoriginal？Hewasnotsurewhatideahewishedtoexpress，butthethoughtthatapoeticmomenthadtouchedhimtooklifewithinhimlikeaninfanthope。Hesteppedonwardbravely。
EverystepbroughthimnearertoLondon，fartherfromhisownsoberinartisticlife。Alightbegantotrembleonthehorizonofhismind。Hewasnotsoold-thirty-two。Histemperamentmightbesaidtobejustatthepointofmaturity。Thereweresomanydifferentmoodsandimpressionsthathewishedtoexpressinverse。Hefeltthemwithinhim。Hetriedtoweighhissoultoseeifitwasapoet’ssoul。Melancholywasthedominantnoteofhistemperament，hethought，butitwasamelancholytemperedbyrecurrencesoffaithandresignationandsimplejoy。Ifhecouldgiveexpressiontoitinabookofpoemsperhapsmenwouldlisten。Hewouldneverbepopular：
hesawthat。Hecouldnotswaythecrowd，buthemightappealtoalittlecircleofkindredminds。TheEnglishcritics，perhaps，wouldrecognizehimasoneoftheCelticschoolbyreasonofthemelancholytoneofhispoems；besidesthat，hewouldputinallusions。Hebegantoinventsentencesandphrasesfromthenoticewhichhisbookwouldget。`MrChandlerhasthegiftofeasyandgracefulverse’……`Awistfulsadnesspervadesthesepoems’……`TheCelticnote’。ItwasapityhisnamewasnotmoreIrish-looking。
Perhapsitwouldbebettertoinserthismother’snamebeforethesurname：
ThomasMaloneChandler；orbetterstill：T。MaloneChandler。HewouldspeaktoGallaheraboutit。
Hepursuedhisreveriesoardentlythathepassedhisstreetandhadtoturnback。AshecamenearCorless’shisformeragitationbegantoovermasterhimandhehaltedbeforethedoorinindecision。Finallyheopenedthedoorandentered。
Thelightandnoiseofthebarheldhimatthedoorwayforafewmoments。
Helookedabouthim，buthissightwasconfusedbytheshiningofmanyredandgreenwine-glasses。Thebarseemedtohimtobefullofpeopleandhefeltthatthepeoplewereobservinghimcuriously。Heglancedquicklytorightandleft（frowningslightlytomakehiserrandappearserious），butwhenhissightclearedalittlehesawthatnobodyhadturnedtolookathim：andthere，Sureenough，wasIgnatiusGallaherleaningwithhisbackagainstthecounterandhisfeetplantedfarapart。
`Hallo，Tommy，oldhero，hereyouare！Whatisittobe？Whatwillyouhave？I’mtakingwhisky：betterstuffthanwegetacrossthewater。Soda？
Lithia？Nomineral？I’mthesame。Spoilstheflavour……Here，garç；on，bringustwohalvesofmaltwhisky，likeagoodfellow……Well，andhowhaveyoubeenpullingalongsinceIsawyoulast？DearGod，howoldwe’regetting！Doyouseeanysignsofageinginme-eh，what？Alittlegreyandthinonthetop-what？’
IgnatiusGallahertookoffhishatanddisplayedalargeclosely-croppedhead。Hisfacewasheavy，pale，andclean-shaven。Hiseyes，whichwereofbluishslate-colour，relievedhisunhealthypallorandshoneoutplainlyabovethevividorangetiehewore。Betweentheserivalfeaturesthelipsappearedverylongandshapelessandcolourless。Hebenthisheadandfeltwithtwosympatheticfingersthethinhairatthecrown。LittleChandlershookhisheadasadenial。IgnatiusGallaherputonhishatagain。
`Itpullsyoudown，’hesaid。`Presslife。Alwayshurryandscurry，lookingforcopyandsometimesnotfindingit：andthen，alwaystohavesomethingnewinyourstuff。Damnproofsandprinters，Isay，forafewdays。I’mdeucedglad，Icantellyou，togetbacktotheoldcountry。
Doesafellowgood，abitofaholiday。IfeelatonbettersinceIlandedagainindear，dirtyDublin……Hereyouare，Tommy。Water？Saywhen。’
LittleChandlerallowedhiswhiskytobeverymuchdiluted。
`Youdon’tknowwhat’sgoodforyou，myboy，’saidIgnatiusGallaher。
`Idrinkmineneat。’
`Idrinkverylittleasarule，’saidLittleChandlermodestly。`Anoddhalf-oneorsowhenImeetanyoftheoldcrowd：that’sall。’
`Ahwell，’saidIgnatiusGallahercheerfully，`here’stousandtooldtimesandoldacquaintance。’
Theyclinkedglassesanddrankthetoast。
`Imetsomeoftheoldgangtoday，’saidIgnatiusGallaher。`O’Haraseemstobeinabadway。What’shedoing？’
`Nothing，’saidLittleChandler。`He’sgonetothedogs。’
`ButHoganhasagoodsit，hasn’the？’
`Yes，be’sintheLandCommission。’
`ImethimonenightinLondonandheseemedtobeveryflush……PoorO’Hara！Booze，Isuppose？’
`Otherthings，too，’saidLittleChandlershortly。
IgnatiusGallaherlaughed。
`Tommy，’hesaid，`Iseeyouhaven’tchangedanatom。You’retheverysameseriouspersonthatusedtolecturemeonSundaymorningswhenIhadasoreheadandafuronmytongue。You’dwanttoknockaboutabitintheworld。Haveyouneverbeenanywhereevenforatrip？’
`I’vebeentotheIsleofMan，’saidLittleChandler。
IgnatiusGallaherlaughed。
`TheIsleofMan！’hesaid。`GotoLondonorParis：Paris，forchoice。
That’ddoyougood。’
`HaveyouseenParis？’
`IshouldthinkIhave！I’veknockedabouttherealittle。’
`Andisitreallysobeautifulastheysay？’askedLittleChandler。
HesippedalittleofhisdrinkwhileIgnatiusGallaherfinishedhisboldly。
`Beautiful？’saidIgnatiusGallaher，pausingonthewordandontheflavourofhisdrink。`It’snotsobeautiful，youknow。Ofcourseitisbeautiful……Butit’sthelifeofParis；that’sthething。Ah，there’snocitylikeParisforgaiety，movement，excitement……’
LittleChandlerfinishedhiswhiskyand，aftersometrouble，succeededincatchingthebarman’seye。Heorderedthesameagain。
`I’vebeentotheMoulinRouge，’IgnatiusGallahercontinuedwhenthebarmanhadremovedtheirglasses，`andI’vebeentoalltheBohemiancafé；s。
Hotstuff！Notforapiouschaplikeyou，Tommy。’
LittleChandlersaidnothinguntilthebarmanreturnedwithtwoglasses：
thenhetouchedhisfriend’sglasslightlyandreciprocatedtheformertoast。Hewasbeginningtofeelsomewhatdisillusioned。Gallaher’saccentandwayofexpressinghimselfdidnotpleasehim。Therewassomethingvulgarinhisfriendwhichliehadnotobservedbefore。ButperhapsitwasonlytheresultoflivinginLondonamidthebustleandcompetitionofthePress。
Theoldpersonalcharmwasstillthereunderthisnewgaudymanner。And，afterall，Gallaherhadlived，hehadseentheworld。LittleChandlerlookedathisfriendenviously。
`EverythinginParisisgay，’saidIgnatiusGallaher。`Theybelieveinenjoyinglife-anddon’tyouthinkthey’reright？IfyouwanttoenjoyyourselfproperlyyoumustgotoParis。And，mindyou，they’veagreatfeelingfortheIrishthere。WhentheyheardIwasfromIrelandtheywerereadytoeatme，man。’
LittleChandlertookfourorfivesipsfromhisglass。
`Tellme，’hesaid，`isittruethatParisisso……immoralastheysay？’
IgnatiusGallahermadeacatholicgesturewithhisrightarm。
`Everyplaceisimmoral，’hesaid。`OfcourseyoudofindspicybitsinParis。Gotooneofthestudents’balls，forinstance。That’slively，ifyoulike，whenthecocottesbegintoletthemselvesloose。Youknowwhattheyare，Isuppose？’
`I’veheardofthem，’saidLittleChandler。
IgnatiusGallaherdrankoffhiswhiskyandshookhishead。
`Ah，’hesaid，`youmaysaywhatyoulike。There’snowomanliketheParisienne-forstyle，forgo。’
`Thenitisanimmoralcity，’saidLittleChandler，withtimidinsistence-`Imean，comparedwithLondonorDublin？’
`London！’saidIgnatiusGallaher。`It’ssixofoneandhalfadozenoftheother。YouaskHogan，myboy。IshowedhimabitaboutLondonwhenhewasoverthere。He’dopenyoureye……Isay，Tommy，don’tmakepunchofthatwhisky：liquorup。’
`No，really。’
`O，comeon，anotheronewon’tdoyouanyharm。Whatisit？Thesameagain，Isuppose？’
`Well……allright。’
`Franç；ois，thesameagain……Willyousmoke，Tommy？’
IgnatiusGallaherproducedhiscigar-case。Thetwofriendslittheircigarsandpuffedattheminsilenceuntiltheirdrinkswereserved。
`I’lltellyoumyopinion，’saidIgnatiusGallaher，emergingaftersometimefromthecloudsofsmokeinwhichhehadtakenrefuge，`it’sarumworld。Talkofimmorality！I’veheardofcases-whatamIsaying？-I’veknownthem：casesof……immorality……’
IgnatiusGallaherpuffedthoughtfullyathiscigarandthen，inacalmhistorian’stone，heproceededtosketchforhisfriendsomepicturesofthecorruptionwhichwasrifeabroad。HesummarizedthevicesofmanycapitalsandseemedinclinedtoawardthepalmtoBerlin。Somethingshecouldnotvouchfor（hisfriendshadtoldhim），butofothershehadhadpersonalexperience。Hesparedneitherranknorcaste。HerevealedmanyofthesecretsofreligioushousesontheContinentanddescribedsomeofthepracticeswhichwerefashionableinhighsociety，andendedbytelling，withdetails，astoryaboutanEnglishduchess-astorywhichheknewtobetrue。Littlechandlerwasastonished。
`Ah，well，’saidIgnatiusGallaher，`hereweareinoldjog-alongDublinwherenothingisknownofsuchthings。’
`Howdullyoumustfindit，’saidLittleChandler，`afteralltheotherplacesyou’veseen！’
`Well，’saidIgnatiusGallaher，`it’sarelaxationtocomeoverhere，youknow。And，afterall，it’stheoldcountry，astheysay，isn’tit？
Youcan’thelphavingacertainfeelingforit。That’shumannature……
Buttellmesomethingaboutyourself。Hogantoldmeyouhad……tastedthejoysofconnubialbliss。Twoyearsago，wasn’tit？’
LittleChandlerblushedandsmiled。
`Yes，’hesaid。`IwasmarriedlastMaytwelvemonths。’
`Ihopeit’snottoolateinthedaytooffermybestwishes，’saidIgnatiusGallaher。`Ididn’tknowyouraddressorI’dhavedonesoatthetime。’
Heextendedhishand，whichLittleChandlertook。
`Well，Tommy，’hesaid，`Iwishyouandyourseveryjoyinlife，oldchap，andtonsofmoney，andmayyouneverdietillIshootyou。Andthat’sthewishofasincerefriend，anoldfriend。Youknowthat？’
`Iknowthat，’saidLittleChandler。
`Anyyoungsters？’saidIgnatiusGallaher。
LittleChandlerblushedagain。
`Wehaveonechild，’hesaid。
`Sonordaughter？’
`Alittleboy。’
IgnatiusGallaherslappedhisfriendsonorouslyontheback。
`Bravo，’hesaid，`Iwouldn’tdoubtyou，Tommy。’
LittleChandlersmiled，lookedconfusedlyathisglassandbithislowerlipwiththreechildishlywhitefrontteeth。
`Ihopeyou’llspendaneveningwithus，’hesaid，`beforeyougoback。
Mywifewillbedelightedtomeetyou。Wecanhavealittlemusicand——’
`Thanksawfully，oldchap，’saidIgnatiusGallaher，`I’msorrywedidn’tmeetearlier。ButImustleavetomorrownight。’
`Tonight，perhaps……？`
`I’mawfullysorry，oldman。YouseeI’moverherewithanotherfellow，cleveryoungchapheistoo，andwearrangedtogotoalittlecard-party。
Onlyforthat……’
`O，inthatcase……’
`Butwhoknows？’saidIgnatiusGallaherconsiderately。`NextyearI
maytakealittleskipoverherenowthatI’vebrokentheice。It’sonlyapleasuredeferred。’
`Verywell，’saidLittleChandler，`thenexttimeyoucomewemusthaveaneveningtogether。That’sagreednow，isn’tit？’
`Yes，that’sagreed，’saidIgnatiusGallaher。`NextyearifIcome，paroled’honneur。’
`Andtoclinchthebargain，’saidLittleChandler，`we’lljusthaveonemorenow。’
IgnatiusGallahertookoutalargegoldwatchandlookedatit。
`Isittobethelast？’heSaid。`Because，youknow，Ihaveana。p。’
`O，yes，positively，’saidLittleChandler。
`Verywell，then，’saidIgnatiusGallaher，`letushaveanotheroneasadeocandoirus-that’sgoodvernacularforasmallwhisky，Ibelieve。’
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