WEBVTT 1 00:00:00.840 --> 00:00:04.919 Story number fifteen, Part three of Doubliner's This is a 2 00:00:05.000 --> 00:00:08.279 LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. 3 00:00:08.480 --> 00:00:12.039 For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox dot org. 4 00:00:12.839 --> 00:00:19.920 Recording by Hugh MacGuire. Dubliners by James Joyce. Story number fifteen, 5 00:00:21.000 --> 00:00:26.800 The Dead, Part three. Missus Mallins was helped down the 6 00:00:26.800 --> 00:00:30.120 front steps by her son and mister Brown, and, after 7 00:00:30.199 --> 00:00:34.359 many maneuvers, hoisted into the cab. Freddy Malins clambered in 8 00:00:34.439 --> 00:00:36.799 after her and spent a long time settling her on 9 00:00:36.840 --> 00:00:41.719 the seat, mister Brown helping him with advice. At last 10 00:00:41.759 --> 00:00:44.719 she was settled comfortably, and Freddy Malins invited mister Brown 11 00:00:44.759 --> 00:00:47.640 into the cab. There was a good deal of confused talk, 12 00:00:47.679 --> 00:00:50.799 and then mister Brown got into the cab. The cabman 13 00:00:50.880 --> 00:00:53.200 settled his rug over his knees and bent down for 14 00:00:53.280 --> 00:00:57.039 the address. The confusion grew greater, and the cabman was 15 00:00:57.039 --> 00:01:00.240 directed differently by Freddy Malins and mister Brown, each of 16 00:01:00.240 --> 00:01:02.320 whom had his head out through window of the cab. 17 00:01:03.280 --> 00:01:05.719 The difficulty was to know where to drop mister Brown 18 00:01:05.799 --> 00:01:08.159 along the route, and Aunt Kay and Aunt Julie and 19 00:01:08.200 --> 00:01:10.840 Mary Jane helped the discussion from the doorstep with cross 20 00:01:10.920 --> 00:01:16.200 directions and contradirections and an abundance of laughter. As for 21 00:01:16.280 --> 00:01:19.719 Freddy Malins, he was speechless with laughter. He popped his 22 00:01:19.799 --> 00:01:22.159 head in and out of the window every moment to 23 00:01:22.239 --> 00:01:24.519 the great danger of his hat, and told his mother 24 00:01:24.640 --> 00:01:28.079 how the discussion was progressing, till at last mister Brown 25 00:01:28.200 --> 00:01:31.599 shouted to the bewildered cabman above the din of everyone's laughter. 26 00:01:31.760 --> 00:01:35.519 Do you know Trinity College, Yes, sir, said the cabman. Well, 27 00:01:35.640 --> 00:01:38.760 drive bang up against Trinity College gates, said mister Brown, 28 00:01:38.799 --> 00:01:42.319 and then we'll tell you where to go. You understand now, Yes, sir, 29 00:01:42.400 --> 00:01:46.200 said the cabman. Make like a bird for Trinity College. Right, Sir, 30 00:01:46.319 --> 00:01:49.239 said the cabman. The horse was whipped up, and the 31 00:01:49.280 --> 00:01:52.680 cab rattled off along the key amid a chorus of laughter. 32 00:01:52.760 --> 00:01:56.959 And Adieus Gabriel had not gone to the door with 33 00:01:57.000 --> 00:01:59.519 the others. He was in a dark part of the hall, 34 00:01:59.599 --> 00:02:02.959 gazing up the staircase. A woman was standing near the 35 00:02:03.000 --> 00:02:06.319 top of the first flight in the shadow. Also he 36 00:02:06.319 --> 00:02:08.199 could not see her face, but he could see the 37 00:02:08.280 --> 00:02:11.240 terra cotta and salmon pink panels of her skirt, which 38 00:02:11.280 --> 00:02:14.879 the shadow made appear black and white. It was his wife. 39 00:02:15.639 --> 00:02:19.960 She was leaning on the banisters, listening to something. Gabriel 40 00:02:20.039 --> 00:02:22.719 was surprised at her stillness and strained his ear to 41 00:02:22.800 --> 00:02:26.159 listen also, but he could hear little save the noise 42 00:02:26.199 --> 00:02:29.439 of laughter and dispute on the front steps. A few 43 00:02:29.520 --> 00:02:31.800 chords struck on the piano, and a few notes of 44 00:02:31.840 --> 00:02:36.080 a man's voice singing. He stood still in the gloom 45 00:02:36.080 --> 00:02:39.439 of the hall, trying to catch the air that the 46 00:02:39.520 --> 00:02:42.879 voice was singing, and gazing up at his wife. There 47 00:02:42.919 --> 00:02:45.159 was grace and mystery in her attitude, as if she 48 00:02:45.240 --> 00:02:48.680 were a symbol of something. He asked himself, what is 49 00:02:48.719 --> 00:02:52.199 a woman standing on the stairs in the shadow, listening 50 00:02:52.280 --> 00:02:56.520 to distant music a symbol of If he were a painter, 51 00:02:56.639 --> 00:03:00.840 he would paint her in that attitude. Blue felt hat 52 00:03:00.879 --> 00:03:03.639 would show off the bronze of her hair against the darkness, 53 00:03:04.520 --> 00:03:06.599 and the dark panels of her skirt would show off 54 00:03:06.639 --> 00:03:09.840 the light ones distant music. He would call the picture 55 00:03:09.840 --> 00:03:13.280 if he were a painter. The hall door was closed, 56 00:03:13.520 --> 00:03:16.479 and Aunt Kate, Aunt Julia, and Mary Jane came down 57 00:03:16.599 --> 00:03:22.400 the hall, still laughing. Well, isn't Freddy terrible? Said Mary Jane. 58 00:03:22.639 --> 00:03:27.039 He's really terrible. Gabriel said nothing, but pointed up the 59 00:03:27.039 --> 00:03:30.599 stairs towards where his wife was standing. Now the hall 60 00:03:30.680 --> 00:03:33.599 door was closed, the voice and the piano could be 61 00:03:33.639 --> 00:03:37.080 heard more clearly. Gabriel held up his hand for them 62 00:03:37.080 --> 00:03:40.280 to be silent. The song seemed to be in the 63 00:03:40.360 --> 00:03:43.560 old Irish tonality, and the singer seemed uncertain, both of 64 00:03:43.599 --> 00:03:47.319 his words and of his voice. The voice, made plaintive 65 00:03:47.439 --> 00:03:51.360 by distance and by the singer's hoarseness, faintly illuminated the 66 00:03:51.439 --> 00:03:55.960 cadence of the air with words expressing grief. Oh the 67 00:03:56.039 --> 00:03:59.199 rain falls on my heavy locks, and the dew wets 68 00:03:59.240 --> 00:04:04.960 my skin. My babe lies cold, Oh, exclaimed Mary Jane. 69 00:04:05.000 --> 00:04:08.759 It's Bartel Darcy singing, and he wouldn't sing all the night. Oh, 70 00:04:08.800 --> 00:04:10.680 I'll get him to sing a song before he goes. 71 00:04:11.400 --> 00:04:15.159 Oh do, Mary Jane, said, Aunt Kate. Mary Jane brushed 72 00:04:15.240 --> 00:04:18.319 past the others and ran to the staircase, But before 73 00:04:18.360 --> 00:04:21.120 she reached it, the singing stopped and the piano was 74 00:04:21.160 --> 00:04:24.800 closed abruptly. Oh what a pity, she cried, Is he 75 00:04:24.879 --> 00:04:29.480 coming down? Greta Gabriel heard his wife answer yes, and 76 00:04:29.560 --> 00:04:32.639 saw her come down towards them. A few steps behind 77 00:04:32.639 --> 00:04:38.120 her were mister Bartell Darcy and miss O'Callahan. Oh, mister Darcy, 78 00:04:38.160 --> 00:04:40.560 cried Mary Jane. It's downright mean of you to break 79 00:04:40.560 --> 00:04:43.079 off like that when we were all in raptures listening 80 00:04:43.120 --> 00:04:46.800 to you. I've been at him all the evening, said 81 00:04:46.800 --> 00:04:50.920 miss O'Callahan, and missus Conroy too, and he told us 82 00:04:50.920 --> 00:04:55.120 he had a dreadful cold and couldn't sing. Oh, mister Darcy, 83 00:04:55.160 --> 00:04:58.439 said Aunt Kate. Now that was a great fib to tell. 84 00:05:00.519 --> 00:05:02.800 Can't you see that? I'm horse as a crow, said 85 00:05:02.800 --> 00:05:07.240 mister Darcy roughly. He went into the pantry hastily and 86 00:05:07.319 --> 00:05:10.759 put on his overcoat. The others, taken aback by his 87 00:05:10.879 --> 00:05:14.399 rude speech, could find nothing to say. Aunt Kate wrinkled 88 00:05:14.399 --> 00:05:17.600 her brows and made signs the others to drop the subject. 89 00:05:18.199 --> 00:05:24.000 Mister Darcy stood, swathing his neck carefully and frowning. It's 90 00:05:24.040 --> 00:05:27.480 the weather, said Aunt Julia, after a pause. Yes everybody 91 00:05:27.480 --> 00:05:31.680 has cold, said Aunt Kate readily. Everybody, they say, said 92 00:05:31.680 --> 00:05:34.319 Mary Jane. We haven't had snow like it for thirty years. 93 00:05:34.360 --> 00:05:37.040 And I read this morning in the newspapers that snow 94 00:05:38.160 --> 00:05:43.360 is general all over Ireland. I love the look of snow, 95 00:05:43.399 --> 00:05:47.160 said Aunt Julius. Sadly, so do I said Miss O'Callahan. 96 00:05:47.600 --> 00:05:49.959 I think Christmas is never really Christmas unless we have 97 00:05:50.040 --> 00:05:53.839 snow on the ground. But poor mister Darcy doesn't like 98 00:05:53.879 --> 00:05:58.040 the snow, said Aunt Kate, smiling. Mister Darcy came from 99 00:05:58.040 --> 00:06:01.839 the pantry, fully swathed and buttoned, and in a repentant tone, 100 00:06:01.920 --> 00:06:05.240 told them the history of his cold. Everyone gave him 101 00:06:05.240 --> 00:06:07.720 advice and said it was a great pity, and urged 102 00:06:07.800 --> 00:06:09.800 him to be very careful of his throat. In the 103 00:06:09.920 --> 00:06:13.879 night air, Gabriel watched his wife, who did not join 104 00:06:13.959 --> 00:06:18.959 in the conversation. She was standing right under the dusty fanlight, 105 00:06:20.079 --> 00:06:22.319 and the flame of the gas lit up the rich 106 00:06:22.399 --> 00:06:25.639 bronze of her hair, which he had seen her drying 107 00:06:25.839 --> 00:06:29.199 at the fire a few days before. She was in 108 00:06:29.279 --> 00:06:32.319 the same attitude and seemed unaware of the talk about her. 109 00:06:33.120 --> 00:06:35.680 At last, she turned towards them, and Gabriel saw that 110 00:06:35.759 --> 00:06:38.759 there was color on her cheeks, and that her eyes 111 00:06:38.800 --> 00:06:43.079 were shining. A sudden tide of joy went leaping out 112 00:06:43.120 --> 00:06:47.240 of his heart. Mister Darcy, she said, what is the 113 00:06:47.319 --> 00:06:51.560 name of that song you were singing. It's called the 114 00:06:51.639 --> 00:06:54.680 Lass of Ogrim, said mister Darcy, but I couldn't remember 115 00:06:54.680 --> 00:06:58.399 it properly. Why do you know it the Lass of Ogrim, 116 00:06:58.480 --> 00:07:02.480 she repeated. I could think of the name. It's a 117 00:07:02.600 --> 00:07:05.279 very nice air, said Mary Jane. I'm sorry you were 118 00:07:05.319 --> 00:07:08.920 not in voice to night now, Mary Jane said, Aunt Kate, 119 00:07:09.000 --> 00:07:14.319 don't annoy mister Darcy. I won't have him annoyed. Seeing 120 00:07:14.319 --> 00:07:16.759 that all were ready to start, she shepherded them to 121 00:07:16.839 --> 00:07:20.199 the door, where good night was said. Well, good night, 122 00:07:20.240 --> 00:07:23.519 Aunt Kate, and thanks for the pleasant evening. Good night, Gabriel. 123 00:07:23.600 --> 00:07:26.519 Good night, Gretta. Good night, Aunt Kate, and thanks ever 124 00:07:26.600 --> 00:07:29.439 so much. Good night, Aunt Julia. Oh, good night, Greta. 125 00:07:29.480 --> 00:07:32.120 I didn't see you. Good night, mister Darcy. Good night, 126 00:07:32.120 --> 00:07:35.680 Miss O'Callahan, good night, Miss Morgan. Good night again. Good 127 00:07:35.759 --> 00:07:40.279 night all save home, good night, good night. The morning 128 00:07:40.360 --> 00:07:43.879 was still dark. A dull yellow light brooded over the 129 00:07:43.959 --> 00:07:48.279 houses and the river, and the sky seemed to be descending. 130 00:07:49.160 --> 00:07:53.199 It was slushy underfoot, and only streaks and patches of 131 00:07:53.240 --> 00:07:56.120 snow lay on the roofs, on the parapets of the quay, 132 00:07:56.759 --> 00:08:01.240 and on the area railings. The lamps were still burning 133 00:08:01.399 --> 00:08:04.920 redly in the murky air, and across the river the 134 00:08:05.000 --> 00:08:08.560 palace of the four Courts stood out menacingly against the 135 00:08:08.560 --> 00:08:13.279 heavy sky. She was walking on before him with mister 136 00:08:13.319 --> 00:08:16.800 Bartell Darcy, her shoes in a brown parcel tucked under 137 00:08:16.800 --> 00:08:20.560 one arm, and her hands holding her skirt up from 138 00:08:20.560 --> 00:08:25.439 the slush. She had no longer any grace of attitude, 139 00:08:25.560 --> 00:08:29.240 but Gabriel's eyes were still bright with happiness. The blood 140 00:08:29.240 --> 00:08:32.879 went bounding along his veins, and the thoughts went rioting 141 00:08:32.919 --> 00:08:38.799 through his brain. Proud, joyful, tender, valorous. She was walking 142 00:08:38.799 --> 00:08:41.360 on before him, so lightly and so erect, that he 143 00:08:41.440 --> 00:08:44.399 longed to run after her, noiselessly, catch her by the shoulders, 144 00:08:44.399 --> 00:08:48.600 and say something foolish and affectionate into her ear. She 145 00:08:48.639 --> 00:08:51.320 seemed to him so frail that he longed to defend 146 00:08:51.360 --> 00:08:54.159 her against something, and then to be alone with her. 147 00:08:55.480 --> 00:08:58.639 Moments of their secret life together burst like stars upon 148 00:08:58.679 --> 00:09:03.399 his memory. A heliotrope envelope was lying beside his breakfast cup, 149 00:09:03.480 --> 00:09:06.559 and he was caressing it with his hand. Birds were 150 00:09:06.559 --> 00:09:09.480 twittering in the ivy, and the sunny web of the 151 00:09:09.519 --> 00:09:14.120 curtain was shimmering along the floor. He could not eat 152 00:09:14.159 --> 00:09:19.759 for happiness. They were standing on the crowded platform, and 153 00:09:19.799 --> 00:09:22.120 he was placing a ticket inside the warm palm of 154 00:09:22.120 --> 00:09:25.080 her glove. He was standing with her in the cold, 155 00:09:25.200 --> 00:09:27.799 looking in through a grated window at a man making 156 00:09:27.879 --> 00:09:32.399 bottles in a roaring furnace. It was very cold. Her face, 157 00:09:32.559 --> 00:09:35.159 fragrant in the cold air, was quite close to his. 158 00:09:35.799 --> 00:09:38.279 And suddenly he called out to the man at the furnace, 159 00:09:39.240 --> 00:09:42.039 is the fire hot, sir? But the man could not 160 00:09:42.159 --> 00:09:44.240 hear with the noise of the furnace. It was just 161 00:09:44.279 --> 00:09:48.000 as well, he might have answered rudely. A wave of 162 00:09:48.080 --> 00:09:50.720 yet more tender joy escaped from his heart and went 163 00:09:50.799 --> 00:09:55.720 coursing in warm flood along his arteries like the tender 164 00:09:55.759 --> 00:09:59.799 fire of stars. Moments of their life together that no 165 00:09:59.840 --> 00:10:02.480 on one knew of or would ever know of, broke 166 00:10:02.639 --> 00:10:06.480 upon and illuminated his memory. He longed to recall to 167 00:10:06.559 --> 00:10:09.440 her those moments, to make her forget the years of 168 00:10:09.480 --> 00:10:13.039 their dull existence together and remember only their moments of ecstasy. 169 00:10:13.919 --> 00:10:16.480 For the years he felt had not quenched his soul 170 00:10:16.600 --> 00:10:20.840 or hers, their children, His writing, her household cares had 171 00:10:20.879 --> 00:10:25.200 not quenched all their soul's tender fire. In one letter 172 00:10:25.240 --> 00:10:27.799 that he had written to her then, he had said, 173 00:10:28.159 --> 00:10:31.440 why is it that words like these seemed to me 174 00:10:31.639 --> 00:10:35.399 so dull and cold? Is it because there is no 175 00:10:35.480 --> 00:10:40.960 word tender enough to be your name? Like distant music? 176 00:10:41.000 --> 00:10:43.480 These words that he had written years before, were born 177 00:10:43.519 --> 00:10:46.600 towards him from the past. He longed to be alone 178 00:10:46.600 --> 00:10:49.720 with her when the others had gone away, when he 179 00:10:49.759 --> 00:10:52.879 and she were in the room in the hotel, then 180 00:10:52.919 --> 00:10:56.679 they would be alone together. He would call her softly, Greta. 181 00:10:57.360 --> 00:11:00.000 Perhaps she would not hear at once, she would be undressed. 182 00:11:00.840 --> 00:11:03.039 Then something in his voice would strike her. She would 183 00:11:03.080 --> 00:11:06.480 turn and look at him. At the corner of Wine 184 00:11:06.480 --> 00:11:08.879 Tavern Street, they met a cab. He was glad of 185 00:11:08.919 --> 00:11:12.879 its rattling noise, as it saved him from conversation. She 186 00:11:13.080 --> 00:11:16.200 was looking out of the window and seemed tired. The 187 00:11:16.240 --> 00:11:19.200 others spoke only a few words, pointing out some building 188 00:11:19.440 --> 00:11:23.320 or street. The horse galloped along wearily under the murky 189 00:11:23.360 --> 00:11:28.080 morning sky, dragging his old rattling box after his heels, 190 00:11:28.639 --> 00:11:31.759 and Gabriel was again in a cab with her, galloping 191 00:11:31.799 --> 00:11:35.759 to catch the boat. Galloping to their honeymoon. As the 192 00:11:35.799 --> 00:11:40.279 cab drove across O'Connell Bridge, Miss O'Callahan said, they say 193 00:11:40.320 --> 00:11:43.559 you never cross O'Connell Bridge without seeing a white horse. 194 00:11:45.799 --> 00:11:48.519 I see a white man this time, said Gabriel. Where, 195 00:11:48.639 --> 00:11:52.600 asked mister Bartell Darcy. Gabriel pointed to the statue, on 196 00:11:52.679 --> 00:11:57.000 which lay patches of snow. Then he nodded familiarly to 197 00:11:57.120 --> 00:12:00.159 it and waved his hand. Good Night, Dan, he said. Gay. 198 00:12:01.879 --> 00:12:05.559 When the cab drew up before the hotel, Gabriel jumped out, and, 199 00:12:05.720 --> 00:12:08.720 in spite of mister Bartell Darcy's protest, paid the driver. 200 00:12:10.279 --> 00:12:12.679 He gave the man a shilling over his fare. The 201 00:12:12.720 --> 00:12:15.639 man saluted and said, a prosperous new year to you, sir. 202 00:12:16.360 --> 00:12:21.440 The same to you, said Gabriel, cordially. She leaned for 203 00:12:21.440 --> 00:12:23.559 a moment on his arm, and getting out of the cab, 204 00:12:23.879 --> 00:12:27.440 and while standing at the kerbstone bidding the others good night, 205 00:12:28.200 --> 00:12:30.559 she leaned lightly on his arm, as lightly as when 206 00:12:30.600 --> 00:12:33.159 she had danced with him a few hours before. He 207 00:12:33.279 --> 00:12:35.600 felt proud and happy, then happy that she was his, 208 00:12:36.279 --> 00:12:40.600 proud of her grace and wifely carriage. But now after 209 00:12:40.639 --> 00:12:43.600 the kindling again of so many memories. The first touch 210 00:12:43.600 --> 00:12:47.360 of her body, musical and strange and perfumed, sent through 211 00:12:47.440 --> 00:12:51.240 him a keen pang of lust. Under Cover of her silence, 212 00:12:51.279 --> 00:12:54.080 he pressed her arm closely to his side, and as 213 00:12:54.080 --> 00:12:56.519 they stood at the hotel door, he felt that they 214 00:12:56.559 --> 00:13:00.240 had escaped from their lives and duties, escaped from home 215 00:13:00.360 --> 00:13:03.240 and friends, and run away, together with the wild and 216 00:13:03.399 --> 00:13:07.519 radiant hearts, to a new adventure. An old man was 217 00:13:07.600 --> 00:13:10.519 dozing in a great hooded chair in the hall. He 218 00:13:10.600 --> 00:13:13.320 lit a candle in the office and went before them 219 00:13:13.360 --> 00:13:16.519 to the stairs. They followed him in silence, their feet 220 00:13:16.639 --> 00:13:21.360 falling in soft thuds on the thickly carpeted stairs. She 221 00:13:21.519 --> 00:13:24.639 mounted the stairs behind the porter, her head bowed in 222 00:13:24.679 --> 00:13:27.720 the ascent, her frail shoulders curved as with a burden, 223 00:13:28.240 --> 00:13:31.960 her skirt girt tightly about her. He could have flung 224 00:13:31.960 --> 00:13:34.399 his arms about her hips and held her still, for 225 00:13:34.440 --> 00:13:37.480 his arms were trembling with desire to seize her, and 226 00:13:37.600 --> 00:13:40.080 only the stress of his nails against the palms of 227 00:13:40.120 --> 00:13:43.399 his hands held the wild impulse of his body and check. 228 00:13:44.480 --> 00:13:49.200 The porter halted on the stairs to settle his guttering candle. 229 00:13:49.799 --> 00:13:53.600 They halted too, on the steps below him. In the silence, 230 00:13:53.639 --> 00:13:56.919 Gabriel could hear the falling of the molten wax into 231 00:13:56.960 --> 00:13:59.679 the tray and the thumping of his own heart against 232 00:13:59.720 --> 00:14:03.840 his rears ribbs. The porter led them along a corridor 233 00:14:04.000 --> 00:14:09.519 and opened the door. Then he set his unstable candle 234 00:14:09.600 --> 00:14:12.320 down on a toilet table and asked at what hour 235 00:14:12.399 --> 00:14:16.480 they were to be called in the morning, Eight, said Gabriel. 236 00:14:17.360 --> 00:14:19.840 The porter pointed to the tap of the electric light 237 00:14:20.039 --> 00:14:23.120 and began a muttered apology, but Gabriel cut him short. 238 00:14:23.799 --> 00:14:25.919 We don't want any light. We have light enough from 239 00:14:25.960 --> 00:14:29.080 the street, and I say, he added, pointing to the candle, 240 00:14:29.440 --> 00:14:32.080 you might remove that handsome article like a good man. 241 00:14:33.559 --> 00:14:35.960 The porter took up his candle again, but slowly, for 242 00:14:36.039 --> 00:14:38.679 he was surprised by such a novel idea. Then he 243 00:14:38.759 --> 00:14:42.440 mumbled good night and went out. Gabriel shut the lock 244 00:14:42.519 --> 00:14:46.200 to a ghastly light from the street lamp lay in 245 00:14:46.240 --> 00:14:49.919 a long shaft from one window to the door. Gabriel 246 00:14:49.960 --> 00:14:53.639 threw his overcoat and hat on a couch and crossed 247 00:14:53.679 --> 00:14:56.559 the room towards the window. He looked down into the 248 00:14:56.600 --> 00:14:59.840 street in order that his emotion might calm a little. 249 00:15:00.519 --> 00:15:03.000 Then he turned and leaned against a chest of drawers 250 00:15:03.000 --> 00:15:05.879 with his back to the light. She had taken off 251 00:15:05.879 --> 00:15:08.679 her hat and cloak and was standing before a large 252 00:15:08.679 --> 00:15:14.519 swinging mirror, unhooking her waist. Gabriel paused for a few moments, 253 00:15:14.559 --> 00:15:18.320 watching her, and then said, Gretta. She turned away from 254 00:15:18.320 --> 00:15:20.879 the mirror slowly and walked along the shaft of light 255 00:15:20.960 --> 00:15:25.159 towards him. Her face looked so serious and weary that 256 00:15:25.240 --> 00:15:30.480 the words would not pass Gabriel's lips. No, it was 257 00:15:30.519 --> 00:15:35.279 not the moment yet, you look tired, he said, I 258 00:15:35.320 --> 00:15:41.279 am a little. She answered, you don't feel ill or weak, No, tired, 259 00:15:41.360 --> 00:15:44.679 that's all. She went on to the window and stood 260 00:15:44.679 --> 00:15:49.279 there looking out. Gabriel waited again, and then, fearing that 261 00:15:49.399 --> 00:15:53.480 diffidence was about to conquer him, he said abruptly, by 262 00:15:53.519 --> 00:15:56.799 the way, Greta, what is it you know that poor 263 00:15:56.799 --> 00:16:02.320 fellow melons? He said quickly, yes, what about him? Well, 264 00:16:02.440 --> 00:16:04.799 poor fellow, he's a decent sort of chap after all, 265 00:16:04.919 --> 00:16:08.360 continued Gabriel in a false voice. He gave me back 266 00:16:08.399 --> 00:16:11.399 the sovereign I lent him, and I didn't expect it. Really. 267 00:16:13.200 --> 00:16:15.399 It's a pity he wouldn't keep away from that brown 268 00:16:15.840 --> 00:16:19.720 because He's not a bad fellow. Really, he was trembling 269 00:16:19.720 --> 00:16:25.000 now with annoyance. Why did she seem so abstracted? He 270 00:16:25.080 --> 00:16:27.679 did not know how he could begin. Was she annoyed 271 00:16:27.679 --> 00:16:30.399 too about something? If she would only turn to him, 272 00:16:30.440 --> 00:16:32.799 or come to him of her own accord, to take 273 00:16:32.799 --> 00:16:35.600 her as she was would be brutal. No, he must 274 00:16:35.639 --> 00:16:38.360 see some ardor in her eyes first. He longed to 275 00:16:38.399 --> 00:16:42.200 be master of her strange mood. When did you lend 276 00:16:42.279 --> 00:16:46.440 him the pound? She asked? After a pause. Gabriel strove 277 00:16:46.519 --> 00:16:49.559 to restrain himself from breaking out into brutal language about 278 00:16:49.759 --> 00:16:53.600 the Sottish melons and his pound. He longed to cry 279 00:16:53.639 --> 00:16:56.600 to her from his soul, to crush her body against his, 280 00:16:56.799 --> 00:17:01.960 to overmaster her, But he said, oh, at Christmas, when 281 00:17:01.960 --> 00:17:04.960 he opened that little Christmas card shop in Henry Street, 282 00:17:05.839 --> 00:17:08.480 he was in such a fever of rage and desire 283 00:17:08.519 --> 00:17:10.559 that he did not hear her come from the window. 284 00:17:11.799 --> 00:17:15.359 She stood before him for an instant, looking at him strangely, 285 00:17:16.960 --> 00:17:19.920 then suddenly raising herself on tiptoe and resting her hands 286 00:17:20.000 --> 00:17:23.559 lightly on his shoulders, she kissed him. You are a 287 00:17:23.680 --> 00:17:29.400 very generous person, Gabriel, she said. Gabriel trembling with delight 288 00:17:29.480 --> 00:17:32.200 at her sudden kiss and at the quaintness of her phrase, 289 00:17:32.720 --> 00:17:36.519 put his hands on her hair and began smoothing it back, scarcely, 290 00:17:36.559 --> 00:17:39.839 touching it with his fingers. The washing had made it 291 00:17:39.920 --> 00:17:43.680 fine and brilliant. His heart was brimming over with happiness, 292 00:17:44.559 --> 00:17:46.319 just when he was wishing for it. She had come 293 00:17:46.359 --> 00:17:50.160 to him of her own accord. Perhaps her thoughts had 294 00:17:50.160 --> 00:17:54.039 been running with his. Perhaps she had felt the impetuous 295 00:17:54.079 --> 00:17:57.200 desire that was in him, and then the yielding mood 296 00:17:57.240 --> 00:18:00.160 had come upon her. Now that she had fallen to 297 00:18:00.240 --> 00:18:02.960 him so easily, he wondered why he had been so diffident. 298 00:18:03.759 --> 00:18:07.880 He stood, holding her head between his hands, then slipping 299 00:18:08.359 --> 00:18:11.359 one arm swiftly about her body, and drawing her towards him. 300 00:18:11.400 --> 00:18:16.079 He said, softly, Gretta, dear, what are you thinking about. 301 00:18:17.119 --> 00:18:19.759 She did not answer, nor yield wholly to his arm. 302 00:18:20.200 --> 00:18:23.720 He said, again, softly, tell me what it is, Greta, 303 00:18:24.319 --> 00:18:26.240 I think I know what is the matter? Do I know? 304 00:18:27.880 --> 00:18:31.759 She did not answer at once. Then she said, an 305 00:18:31.759 --> 00:18:35.720 outburst of tears, Oh, I'm thinking about that song, the 306 00:18:35.799 --> 00:18:39.759 Lass of Ogrim. She broke loose from him and ran 307 00:18:39.880 --> 00:18:42.200 to the bed and throwing her arms across the bed 308 00:18:42.319 --> 00:18:46.039 rail hid her face. Gabriel stood stock still for a 309 00:18:46.079 --> 00:18:50.720 moment in astonishment, and then followed her. As he passed 310 00:18:50.720 --> 00:18:54.039 in the way of the cheval glass, he caught sight 311 00:18:54.079 --> 00:18:57.880 of himself in full length, his broad, well filled shirt front, 312 00:18:58.480 --> 00:19:01.079 the face whose expression a way puzzled him when he 313 00:19:01.119 --> 00:19:05.640 saw it in a mirror, and his glimmering, gilt rimmed eyeglasses. 314 00:19:06.000 --> 00:19:08.640 He halted a few paces from her and said, what 315 00:19:08.759 --> 00:19:12.599 about the song? Why does that make you cry? She 316 00:19:12.759 --> 00:19:15.000 raised her head from her arms and dried her eyes 317 00:19:15.039 --> 00:19:17.720 on the back of her hand like a child. A 318 00:19:17.799 --> 00:19:20.960 kinder note than he had intended went into his voice. 319 00:19:21.519 --> 00:19:26.200 Why Greta, he asked, I am thinking about a person 320 00:19:26.279 --> 00:19:29.759 long ago who used to sing that song. And who 321 00:19:29.839 --> 00:19:34.720 was that person long ago? Asked Gabriel, smiling. It was 322 00:19:34.759 --> 00:19:37.359 a person I used to know in Galway when I 323 00:19:37.400 --> 00:19:41.160 was living with my grandmother, she said. The smile passed 324 00:19:41.200 --> 00:19:44.400 away from Gabriel's face. A dull anger began to gather 325 00:19:45.240 --> 00:19:47.160 again at the back of his mind, and the dull 326 00:19:47.240 --> 00:19:51.279 fires of his lust began to glow angrily in his veins. 327 00:19:51.920 --> 00:19:54.680 Some one you were in love with, he asked ironically. 328 00:19:56.640 --> 00:19:58.720 It was a young boy I used to know, she answered, 329 00:19:59.400 --> 00:20:02.640 named Mike Fury. He used to sing that song, the 330 00:20:02.720 --> 00:20:08.480 lass of Ogram. He was very delicate. Gabriel was silent. 331 00:20:08.680 --> 00:20:10.799 He did not wish her to think that he was 332 00:20:10.880 --> 00:20:16.039 interested in this delicate boy. I can see him so plainly, 333 00:20:16.160 --> 00:20:21.119 she said, after a moment. Such eyes as he had, 334 00:20:21.200 --> 00:20:27.119 big dark eyes, and such an expression in them, an expression. Oh, 335 00:20:27.200 --> 00:20:32.640 then you are in love with him, said Gabriel. I 336 00:20:32.720 --> 00:20:34.680 used to go out walking with him, she said, when 337 00:20:34.720 --> 00:20:39.359 I was in Galway. A thought flew across Gabriel's mind. 338 00:20:41.160 --> 00:20:43.279 Perhaps that was why he wanted to go to Galway 339 00:20:43.359 --> 00:20:47.759 with that Ivors girl, he said coldly. She looked at 340 00:20:47.799 --> 00:20:52.400 him and asked, in surprise what for Her eyes made 341 00:20:52.400 --> 00:20:55.880 Gabriel feel awkward. He shrugged his shoulders and said, how 342 00:20:55.880 --> 00:20:59.559 do I know to see him? Perhaps? She looked away 343 00:20:59.559 --> 00:21:02.000 from him along the shaft of light towards the window 344 00:21:02.079 --> 00:21:09.000 in silence. He's dead, she said at length. He died 345 00:21:09.000 --> 00:21:13.240 when he was only seventeen. Isn't it a terrible thing 346 00:21:13.319 --> 00:21:18.200 to die so young as that? And what was he 347 00:21:18.880 --> 00:21:23.240 asked Gabriel still ironically. He was in the gas works 348 00:21:23.279 --> 00:21:27.960 she said. Gabriel felt humiliated by the failure of his 349 00:21:28.039 --> 00:21:32.000 irony and by the evocation of this figure from the dead, 350 00:21:32.640 --> 00:21:35.680 a boy in the gas works. While he had been 351 00:21:35.720 --> 00:21:38.279 full of memories of their secret life together, full of 352 00:21:38.319 --> 00:21:42.000 tenderness and joy and desire, she had been comparing him 353 00:21:42.240 --> 00:21:46.160 in her mind with another. A shameful consciousness of his 354 00:21:46.240 --> 00:21:50.200 own person assailed him. He saw himself as a ludicrous figure, 355 00:21:50.759 --> 00:21:53.599 acting as a penny boy for his aunts, a nervous, 356 00:21:53.759 --> 00:21:58.440 well meaning sentimentalist, or rating to vulgarians, and idealizing his 357 00:21:58.519 --> 00:22:03.400 own clownish lust, the pitiable, fatuous fellow he had caught 358 00:22:03.400 --> 00:22:07.440 a glimpse of in the mirror. Instinctively, he turned his 359 00:22:07.519 --> 00:22:10.119 back more to the light, lest she might see the 360 00:22:10.200 --> 00:22:14.400 shame that burned upon his forehead. He tried to keep 361 00:22:14.480 --> 00:22:17.279 up his tone of cold interrogation, but his voice when 362 00:22:17.319 --> 00:22:20.759 he spoke, was humble and indifferent. I suppose you were 363 00:22:20.759 --> 00:22:24.720 in love with this Michael Fury Gretta, he said, I 364 00:22:24.880 --> 00:22:28.359 was great with him at that time, She said, her 365 00:22:28.440 --> 00:22:32.799 voice was veiled and sad. Gabriel, feeling now how vain 366 00:22:32.839 --> 00:22:35.039 it would be to try to lead her whither he 367 00:22:35.119 --> 00:22:39.480 had purposed caressed one of her hands and said, also sadly, 368 00:22:41.359 --> 00:22:44.319 and what did he die of? So young? Greta consumption? 369 00:22:44.519 --> 00:22:50.359 Was it? I think he died from me, she answered. 370 00:22:51.880 --> 00:22:55.200 A vague terror seized Gabriel at this answer, as if 371 00:22:55.839 --> 00:22:58.240 at that hour when he had hoped to triumph, some 372 00:22:58.559 --> 00:23:03.680 impalpable and vignant, addictive being was coming against him, gathering 373 00:23:03.759 --> 00:23:07.480 forces against him in its vague world. But he shook 374 00:23:07.559 --> 00:23:09.920 himself free of it with an effort of reason, and 375 00:23:10.039 --> 00:23:13.680 continued to caress her hand. He did not question her again, 376 00:23:13.799 --> 00:23:15.960 for he felt that she would tell him of herself. 377 00:23:16.519 --> 00:23:19.599 Her hand was warm and moist, it did not respond 378 00:23:19.640 --> 00:23:22.559 to his touch, but he continued to caress it, just 379 00:23:22.640 --> 00:23:25.519 as he had caressed her first letter to him that 380 00:23:25.599 --> 00:23:31.480 spring morning. It was in the winter, she said, about 381 00:23:31.480 --> 00:23:34.000 the beginning of winter, when I was going to leave 382 00:23:34.039 --> 00:23:37.440 my grandmother's and come up here to the convent. And 383 00:23:37.519 --> 00:23:39.640 he was ill at the time in his lodgings in 384 00:23:39.720 --> 00:23:43.720 Galway and wouldn't be let out. And his people in 385 00:23:43.799 --> 00:23:47.039 Otterard were written to He was in decline, they said, 386 00:23:47.160 --> 00:23:51.240 or something like that. I never knew. Rightly, She paused 387 00:23:51.279 --> 00:23:55.200 for a moment and sighed, poor fellow. She said, he 388 00:23:55.279 --> 00:23:56.799 was very fond of me, and he was such a 389 00:23:56.920 --> 00:24:00.680 gentle boy. We used to go out together walking Gabriel 390 00:24:01.279 --> 00:24:03.680 like the way they do in the country. He was 391 00:24:03.720 --> 00:24:07.000 going to study singing, only for his health. He had 392 00:24:07.039 --> 00:24:11.799 a very good voice. Poor Michael fury well and then 393 00:24:11.880 --> 00:24:16.000 asked Gabriel. And then when it came time for me 394 00:24:16.039 --> 00:24:18.240 to leave Galway and come up to the convent, he 395 00:24:18.319 --> 00:24:20.359 was much worse, and I wouldn't be let to see him. 396 00:24:20.400 --> 00:24:22.160 So I wrote him a letter saying I was going 397 00:24:22.279 --> 00:24:24.799 up to Dublin and would be back in the summer, 398 00:24:24.839 --> 00:24:28.119 and hoping he would be better. Then she paused for 399 00:24:28.160 --> 00:24:30.079 a moment to get her voice under control, and then 400 00:24:30.119 --> 00:24:33.319 went on. Then the night before I left, I was 401 00:24:33.359 --> 00:24:36.839