WEBVTT 1 00:00:02.960 --> 00:00:08.400 Story twelve of Dubliner's. This is a LibriVox recording. All 2 00:00:08.400 --> 00:00:11.919 LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information 3 00:00:12.119 --> 00:00:17.679 or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox dot org. Dubliner's by 4 00:00:17.760 --> 00:00:23.480 James Joyce, Story twelve Ivy Day in the committee room, 5 00:00:25.120 --> 00:00:28.399 Old Jack raked the cinders together with a piece of 6 00:00:28.480 --> 00:00:32.799 cardboard and spread them judiciously over the whitening dome of coals. 7 00:00:33.520 --> 00:00:37.399 When the dome was thinly covered, his face lapsed into darkness. 8 00:00:37.479 --> 00:00:40.359 But as he set himself to fan the fire again, 9 00:00:40.920 --> 00:00:44.280 his crouching shadow ascended the opposite wall, and his face 10 00:00:44.679 --> 00:00:48.880 slowly re emerged into light. It was an old man's face, 11 00:00:49.359 --> 00:00:53.280 very bony and hairy. The moist blue eyes blinked at 12 00:00:53.280 --> 00:00:56.119 the fire, and the moist mouth fell open at times, 13 00:00:56.640 --> 00:01:00.359 munching once or twice mechanically. When it closed. When the 14 00:01:00.399 --> 00:01:03.320 cinders had caught, he laid the piece of cardboard against 15 00:01:03.359 --> 00:01:07.680 the wall, sighed, and said, that's better now, mister O'Connor. 16 00:01:09.040 --> 00:01:12.519 Mister O'Connor, a gray haired young man whose face was 17 00:01:12.560 --> 00:01:16.079 disfigured by many blotches and pimples, had just brought the 18 00:01:16.120 --> 00:01:20.120 tobacco for a cigarette into a shapely cylinder, but when 19 00:01:20.159 --> 00:01:24.799 spoken to he undid his handiwork meditatively. Then he began 20 00:01:24.840 --> 00:01:28.799 to roll the tobacco again meditatively, and after a moment's thought, 21 00:01:28.879 --> 00:01:32.879 decided to lick the paper. Did mister Tierney say when 22 00:01:32.879 --> 00:01:36.760 he'd be back, he asked, in a sky falsetto. He 23 00:01:36.840 --> 00:01:41.200 didn't say. Mister O'Connor put his cigarette into his mouth 24 00:01:41.239 --> 00:01:43.879 and began to search his pockets. He took out a 25 00:01:43.920 --> 00:01:47.959 pack of thin pasteboard cards. I'll get you a match, 26 00:01:48.480 --> 00:01:53.040 said the old man. Never mind, this'll do, said mister O'Connor. 27 00:01:53.959 --> 00:01:56.079 He selected one of the cards and read what was 28 00:01:56.120 --> 00:02:03.159 printed on it. Municipal Elections, Royal Exchange Ward, Mister Richard J. 29 00:02:03.400 --> 00:02:07.200 Tyraney p l G. Respectfully solicits the favor of your 30 00:02:07.280 --> 00:02:10.439 vote and influence at the coming election in the Royal 31 00:02:10.520 --> 00:02:15.479 Exchange Ward. Mister O'Connor had been engaged by Tyranney's agent 32 00:02:15.599 --> 00:02:18.599 to canvass one part of the ward, but as the 33 00:02:18.599 --> 00:02:21.000 weather was inclement and his boots led in the wet, 34 00:02:21.439 --> 00:02:23.599 he spent a great part of the day sitting by 35 00:02:23.639 --> 00:02:26.759 the fire in the committee room on Wicklow Street with Jack, 36 00:02:26.960 --> 00:02:30.800 the old caretaker they had been sitting thus since the 37 00:02:30.840 --> 00:02:34.319 short day had grown dark. It was the sixth of October, 38 00:02:34.759 --> 00:02:38.960 dismal and cold. Out of doors, mister O'Connor tore his 39 00:02:39.080 --> 00:02:42.400 trip off the card and, lighting it, lit his cigarette. 40 00:02:43.199 --> 00:02:45.479 As he did so, the flame lit up a leaf 41 00:02:45.599 --> 00:02:49.680 of dark glossy ivy the lapel of his coat. The 42 00:02:49.719 --> 00:02:52.400 old man watched him attentively, and then, taking up the 43 00:02:52.400 --> 00:02:55.680 piece of cardboard again, began to fan the fire slowly 44 00:02:55.759 --> 00:03:00.719 while his companion smoked. Ah, yes, he said, continuing, it's 45 00:03:00.719 --> 00:03:03.879 hard to know what way to bring up children. Now, 46 00:03:04.159 --> 00:03:06.919 who'd think he'd turn out like that? I sent him 47 00:03:07.080 --> 00:03:09.360 to the Christian brothers, and I had done what I 48 00:03:09.360 --> 00:03:12.879 could him, and then he goes boozing about. I tried 49 00:03:12.879 --> 00:03:17.000 to make him some way decent. He replaced the cardboard wearily. 50 00:03:18.000 --> 00:03:21.520 Only I'm an old man now. I change his tune 51 00:03:21.560 --> 00:03:24.280 for him. I take the stick to his back and 52 00:03:24.360 --> 00:03:26.639 beat him while I could stand over him, as I 53 00:03:26.680 --> 00:03:29.400 had done many a time before. The mother, you know, 54 00:03:29.599 --> 00:03:33.520 she cooks him this and that. That's what ruins children, 55 00:03:33.599 --> 00:03:36.439 said mister O'Connor. To be sure, it is, said the 56 00:03:36.479 --> 00:03:40.599 old man, and many things should get for it. Only impudence. 57 00:03:41.280 --> 00:03:43.560 He takes the upper hand of me whenever he sees 58 00:03:43.599 --> 00:03:46.759 I've a supp taken. What's the world coming to? When 59 00:03:46.840 --> 00:03:50.680 sons speak that way to their fathers? What age is? 60 00:03:50.759 --> 00:03:55.800 He said? Mister O'Connor nineteen, said the old man, Why 61 00:03:55.879 --> 00:03:59.039 don't you put him to something? Sure, amped I never 62 00:03:59.120 --> 00:04:01.719 done at the drunken bowsy ever since he left school. 63 00:04:02.479 --> 00:04:04.719 I won't keep you. I says, you must get a 64 00:04:04.800 --> 00:04:08.520 job for yourself. But sure, it's worse. Whenever he gets 65 00:04:08.520 --> 00:04:12.360 a job, he drinks it all. Mister O'Connor shook his 66 00:04:12.360 --> 00:04:15.919 head in sympathy, and the old man fell silent, gazing 67 00:04:16.000 --> 00:04:18.839 into the fire. Someone opened the door of the room 68 00:04:18.839 --> 00:04:23.800 and called out, Hello, Is this a freemason's meeting? Who's that? 69 00:04:24.240 --> 00:04:27.079 Said the old man? What are you doing in the dark, 70 00:04:27.199 --> 00:04:33.000 asked a voice. Is that you Hines, asked mister O'Connor. Yes, 71 00:04:33.399 --> 00:04:35.879 what are you doing in the dark? Said mister Hines, 72 00:04:36.040 --> 00:04:39.360 advancing into the light of the fire. He was a tall, 73 00:04:39.439 --> 00:04:43.000 slender young man with a light brown mustache. Imminent. Little 74 00:04:43.079 --> 00:04:45.360 drops of rain hung at the brim of his hat, 75 00:04:45.480 --> 00:04:48.759 and the collar of his jacket coat was turned up well. 76 00:04:48.800 --> 00:04:52.519 Matt he says to mister O'Connor, how goes it? Mister 77 00:04:52.560 --> 00:04:55.920 O'Connor shook his head. The old man left the hearth, and, 78 00:04:55.959 --> 00:04:59.399 after stumbling about the room, returned with two candlesticks, which 79 00:04:59.399 --> 00:05:02.199 he thrust one after the other into the fire and 80 00:05:02.279 --> 00:05:05.920 carried to the table. A denuded room came into view, 81 00:05:06.120 --> 00:05:09.399 and the fire lost all its cheerful color. The walls 82 00:05:09.439 --> 00:05:11.720 of the room were bare except for a copy of 83 00:05:11.759 --> 00:05:15.439 an election address. In the middle of the room was 84 00:05:15.480 --> 00:05:19.279 a small table on which papers were heaped. Mister Hines 85 00:05:19.399 --> 00:05:22.759 leaned against the mantelpiece and asked, has he paid you yet? 86 00:05:23.600 --> 00:05:26.079 Not yet, said mister O'Connor. I hope to God he'll 87 00:05:26.079 --> 00:05:30.079 not leave us in the lurch tonight. Mister Hines laughed, Oh, 88 00:05:30.199 --> 00:05:34.040 he'll pay you. Never fear, he said. I hope he'll 89 00:05:34.040 --> 00:05:37.000 look smart about it if he means business, said mister O'Connor. 90 00:05:37.839 --> 00:05:41.000 What do you think, Jack, said mister Hines satirically to 91 00:05:41.040 --> 00:05:44.319 the old man. The old man returned to his seat 92 00:05:44.319 --> 00:05:47.759 by the fire, saying it isn't but he has it anyway, 93 00:05:48.240 --> 00:05:52.279 not like the other tinker. What other tinker, said, mister Hines. 94 00:05:52.680 --> 00:05:57.600 Colgan said the old man scornfully? Is it because Colgan's 95 00:05:57.600 --> 00:06:00.279 a working man? You say that? What's the difference between 96 00:06:00.319 --> 00:06:04.040 a good, honest bricklayer and a publican? Eh? Hasn't the 97 00:06:04.079 --> 00:06:05.600 working man as good a right to be in the 98 00:06:05.600 --> 00:06:08.759 corporation as any one else? Ay? And a better right 99 00:06:08.800 --> 00:06:11.560 than those shoeings that are always had in hand before 100 00:06:11.600 --> 00:06:14.959 any fellow with a handle to his name. Isn't that so, matt, 101 00:06:15.120 --> 00:06:18.639 said mister Hines, addressing mister connor. I think you're right, 102 00:06:18.680 --> 00:06:22.959 said mister O'Connor. One man is a plain, honest man, 103 00:06:22.959 --> 00:06:25.720 with no hunker sliding about him. He goes in to 104 00:06:25.759 --> 00:06:29.480 represent the labor classes. This fellow you're working for only 105 00:06:29.519 --> 00:06:33.480 once some job or other. Of course, the working classes 106 00:06:33.480 --> 00:06:37.360 should be represented, said the old man. The working man, 107 00:06:37.680 --> 00:06:41.360 said mister Hines, gets all kicks and no halfpence, but 108 00:06:41.439 --> 00:06:45.360 its labor produces everything. The working man is not for 109 00:06:45.480 --> 00:06:48.399 looking for fat jobs for his sons and nephews and cousins. 110 00:06:49.079 --> 00:06:52.000 The working man is not going to drag the honor 111 00:06:52.040 --> 00:06:54.639 of Dublin in the mud to please a German monarch. 112 00:06:55.879 --> 00:06:59.240 How's that? Said the old man. Don't you know they 113 00:06:59.240 --> 00:07:01.920 want to present an address of welcome to Edward Rex. 114 00:07:01.959 --> 00:07:04.519 If he comes here next year, what do you want 115 00:07:04.800 --> 00:07:09.000 cowtowing to a foreign king. Our man won't vote for 116 00:07:09.040 --> 00:07:12.399 the address, said mister O'Connor. He goes in on the 117 00:07:12.480 --> 00:07:17.040 nationalist's ticket, won't he said mister Hines. Wait till you 118 00:07:17.079 --> 00:07:19.920 see whether he will or not. I know him. Is 119 00:07:19.920 --> 00:07:24.160 it tricky? Dicky Tyrney? By God? Perhaps you're right, Joe, 120 00:07:24.199 --> 00:07:27.360 said mister O'Connor. Anyway, I wish he'd turn up with 121 00:07:27.399 --> 00:07:32.199 the spondulicks. The three men fell silent. The old man 122 00:07:32.279 --> 00:07:35.639 began to rake more cinders together. Mister Hines took off 123 00:07:35.639 --> 00:07:38.319 his hat, shook it, and then turned down the collar 124 00:07:38.360 --> 00:07:41.480 of his coat, displaying as he did, an ivy leaf 125 00:07:41.600 --> 00:07:45.600 in the lapel. If this man was alive, he said, 126 00:07:45.639 --> 00:07:47.839 pointing to the leaf, we'd have no talk of an 127 00:07:47.879 --> 00:07:53.720 address of welcome. That's true, said mister O'Connor. Musha, God 128 00:07:53.800 --> 00:07:56.399 be with them times, said the old man. There was 129 00:07:56.439 --> 00:07:59.839 some life in it. Then the room was silent again. 130 00:08:01.079 --> 00:08:03.560 Then a bustling little man with a snuffling nose and 131 00:08:03.600 --> 00:08:06.360 a very cold ear as pushed in the door. He 132 00:08:06.439 --> 00:08:09.040 walked over quickly to the fire, rubbing his hands as 133 00:08:09.040 --> 00:08:13.040 if he intended to produce a spark from them. No money, boys, 134 00:08:13.360 --> 00:08:17.319 he said, sit down here, mister Henchy, said the old man, 135 00:08:17.399 --> 00:08:21.879 offering his chair. Oh don't stir, Jack, don't stir, said 136 00:08:21.920 --> 00:08:25.560 mister Henchy. He nodded curtly to mister Hines and sat 137 00:08:25.600 --> 00:08:28.480 down on the chair which the old man vacated. Did 138 00:08:28.519 --> 00:08:32.639 you serve on Gear Street, he said to mister O'Connor. Yes, 139 00:08:32.679 --> 00:08:35.960 said mister O'Connor, beginning to search his pockets for memoranda. 140 00:08:36.399 --> 00:08:40.279 Did you call on Grimes? I did? Well? How does 141 00:08:40.320 --> 00:08:44.320 he stand? He wouldn't promise. He said, I won't tell 142 00:08:44.360 --> 00:08:47.159 any one what way I'm going to vote, but I 143 00:08:47.159 --> 00:08:50.919 think you'll be all right. Why so he asked me 144 00:08:50.960 --> 00:08:53.600 who the nominators were, and I told him I mentioned 145 00:08:53.639 --> 00:08:57.360 Father Burke's name. I think it'll be all right. Mister 146 00:08:57.440 --> 00:08:59.720 Henchy began to snuffle and to rub his hands over 147 00:08:59.759 --> 00:09:02.879 the fire at a terrific speed. Then he said, for 148 00:09:02.960 --> 00:09:04.960 the love of God, Jack, bring us a bit of coal. 149 00:09:05.120 --> 00:09:08.279 There must be some left. The old man went out 150 00:09:08.320 --> 00:09:12.000 of the room. It's no go, said mister Henchey, shaking 151 00:09:12.000 --> 00:09:14.080 his head. I asked the little shoe boy, but he 152 00:09:14.159 --> 00:09:17.559 said Oh now, mister Henchy, when I see work going 153 00:09:17.559 --> 00:09:20.240 on properly, I won't forget you. You may be sure, 154 00:09:21.039 --> 00:09:25.399 mean little tinker Usha, How could he be anything else? 155 00:09:26.720 --> 00:09:29.840 What did I tell you, Matt, said mister Hines. Tricky 156 00:09:30.039 --> 00:09:33.679 Dicky Tyranny, he's as tricky as they make em, said 157 00:09:33.679 --> 00:09:37.480 mister Henchey. He hasn't got those little pig's eyes for nothing. 158 00:09:37.600 --> 00:09:40.799 Blast his soul. Couldn't he pay up like a man 159 00:09:40.879 --> 00:09:44.159 instead of Oh now, mister Henchey, I must speak to 160 00:09:44.240 --> 00:09:48.799 mister Fanning. I've got lots of money, mean little schoolboy 161 00:09:48.799 --> 00:09:51.200 of Hell. I hope he forgets the time his little 162 00:09:51.200 --> 00:09:54.480 old father kept the hand me down shop in Mary's Lane. 163 00:09:55.639 --> 00:09:59.039 But is that a fact, asked mister O'Connor. God yes, 164 00:09:59.080 --> 00:10:02.639 said mister Henchey. Did you never hear that? And the 165 00:10:02.679 --> 00:10:04.759 men used to go in on Sunday morning before the 166 00:10:04.759 --> 00:10:08.200 houses were opened, to buy a waistcoat or a trouser's moya. 167 00:10:08.519 --> 00:10:11.360 But Tricky Dicky's little old father always had a tricky 168 00:10:11.399 --> 00:10:14.639 little black bottle up in a corner. Do you mind now? 169 00:10:15.360 --> 00:10:20.279 That's that? That's where he first saw the light. The 170 00:10:20.320 --> 00:10:22.360 old man returned with a few lumps of coal which 171 00:10:22.360 --> 00:10:25.279 he placed here and there on the fire. That's a 172 00:10:25.360 --> 00:10:28.279 nice how ye do, said mister O'Connor. How does he 173 00:10:28.320 --> 00:10:30.399 expect us to work for him if he won't stump up? 174 00:10:31.559 --> 00:10:34.399 I can't help it, said mister Henchey. I expect to 175 00:10:34.440 --> 00:10:36.200 find the bailiffs in the hall when I go home. 176 00:10:37.120 --> 00:10:40.320 Mister Hines laughed, and, shoving himself away from the mantelpiece 177 00:10:40.360 --> 00:10:42.480 with the aid of his shoulders, made ready to leave. 178 00:10:43.519 --> 00:10:47.039 It'll be all right when King Eddie comes. He said, Well, boys, 179 00:10:47.039 --> 00:10:49.360 I'm off for the present, see you later. Bye bye. 180 00:10:51.080 --> 00:10:53.600 He went out of the room slowly. Neither mister Henchy 181 00:10:53.759 --> 00:10:56.440 nor the old man said anything, But just as the 182 00:10:56.480 --> 00:10:59.840 door was closing, mister O'Connor, who had been staring moodily 183 00:10:59.840 --> 00:11:04.399 in the fire, called out suddenly by Joe. Mister Henchy 184 00:11:04.440 --> 00:11:06.840 waited a few minutes, and then nodded in the direction 185 00:11:06.919 --> 00:11:10.320 of the door. Tell me, he says, across the fire. 186 00:11:10.840 --> 00:11:14.159 What brings our friend in here? What does he want? Usha, 187 00:11:14.360 --> 00:11:17.399 poor Joe, said mister O'Connor, throwing the end of his 188 00:11:17.440 --> 00:11:20.879 cigarette into the fire. He's hard up like the rest 189 00:11:20.879 --> 00:11:26.200 of us, mister Henchy snuffled, vigorously and spat so copiously 190 00:11:26.399 --> 00:11:29.080 that he nearly put out the fire, which uttered a 191 00:11:29.159 --> 00:11:33.080 hissing protest. I'll tell you my private and candid opinion, 192 00:11:33.200 --> 00:11:35.679 he said. I think he's a man from the other camp. 193 00:11:36.120 --> 00:11:38.879 He's a spy of Colgan's. If he asks me just 194 00:11:38.919 --> 00:11:41.240 go around and try and find out how they're getting on. 195 00:11:41.879 --> 00:11:46.000 They won't suspect you, do you, twig Ah. Poor Joe 196 00:11:46.080 --> 00:11:49.799 is a decent skin, said mister O'Connor. His father was 197 00:11:49.840 --> 00:11:53.720 a decent, respectable man. Mister Henchy admitted, poor old Larry 198 00:11:53.799 --> 00:11:56.200 Hines many a good turn he did in his day. 199 00:11:56.759 --> 00:11:59.919 But I'm greatly afraid our friend is not nineteen carrot 200 00:12:00.440 --> 00:12:03.200 damn it. I can understand a fellow being hard up, 201 00:12:03.399 --> 00:12:06.279 but what I can't understand is a fellow's sponging. Couldn't 202 00:12:06.279 --> 00:12:09.720 he have some spark of manhood about him? He doesn't 203 00:12:09.720 --> 00:12:12.039 get a warm welcome for me when he comes, said 204 00:12:12.039 --> 00:12:14.480 the old man. Let him work for his side and 205 00:12:14.559 --> 00:12:18.559 not come spying around here. I don't know, said mister 206 00:12:18.600 --> 00:12:21.879 O'Connor dubiously, as he took out cigarette papers and tobacco. 207 00:12:22.960 --> 00:12:25.360 I think Joe Hines is a straight man. He's a 208 00:12:25.360 --> 00:12:27.759 clever chap too with the pen. Do you remember that 209 00:12:27.879 --> 00:12:31.600 thing he wrote? Some of these Hillsiders and Fenians are 210 00:12:31.639 --> 00:12:34.039 a bit too clever. If he asks me, said mister Henchy, 211 00:12:34.639 --> 00:12:36.919 do you know what my private and candid opinion is 212 00:12:37.000 --> 00:12:39.960 about some of those little jokers. I believe half of 213 00:12:40.000 --> 00:12:43.279 them are in the pay of the castle. There's no knowing, 214 00:12:43.639 --> 00:12:46.200 said the old man. Oh but I know it for 215 00:12:46.279 --> 00:12:49.840 a fact, said mister Henchy. They're castle hacks. I don't 216 00:12:49.879 --> 00:12:52.440 say Hines, No, damn it. I think he's a stroke 217 00:12:52.480 --> 00:12:55.399 above that. But there's a certain little nobleman with a 218 00:12:55.440 --> 00:12:58.840 cock eye, you know, the patriot I'm alluding to. Mister 219 00:12:58.960 --> 00:13:02.840 O'Connor nodded. There's a lineal descent of major, sir, if 220 00:13:02.840 --> 00:13:06.840 you like, Oh the heart's blood of a patriot. That fellow, 221 00:13:06.919 --> 00:13:10.200 now that haud sell his country for fourpence ay, and 222 00:13:10.320 --> 00:13:12.480 go down on his bended knee and think the almighty 223 00:13:12.519 --> 00:13:15.600 cris he had a country to sell. There was a 224 00:13:15.679 --> 00:13:20.720 knock at the door, Come in, said mister Henshy. A 225 00:13:20.759 --> 00:13:24.399 person resembling a poor clergyman or a poor actor appeared 226 00:13:24.399 --> 00:13:27.919 in the doorway. His black clothes were tightly buttoned, on 227 00:13:28.039 --> 00:13:30.639 his short body, and it was impossible to say whether 228 00:13:31.039 --> 00:13:34.360 he wore a clergyman's collar or a layman's because the 229 00:13:34.399 --> 00:13:37.559 collar of his shabby frock coat and the uncovered buttons 230 00:13:37.840 --> 00:13:40.440 of which reflected the candle light, was turned up above 231 00:13:40.440 --> 00:13:44.399 his head. He wore a round hat of hard black felt. 232 00:13:44.759 --> 00:13:48.039 His face, shining with rain drops, had the appearance of 233 00:13:48.159 --> 00:13:51.919 damp yellow cheese, save where two rosy spots indicated the 234 00:13:51.960 --> 00:13:55.799 cheek bones. He opened his very long mouth suddenly to 235 00:13:55.879 --> 00:13:59.120 express disappointment, and at the same time open wide his 236 00:13:59.279 --> 00:14:03.200 very bright blue eyes to express pleasure and surprise. Oh, 237 00:14:03.240 --> 00:14:06.799 father Keon, said mister Henchy, jumping up from his chair. 238 00:14:07.320 --> 00:14:12.000 Is that you come in? No, no, no, no, said 239 00:14:12.200 --> 00:14:15.039 Father Keon, quickly, pursing his lips as though he were 240 00:14:15.080 --> 00:14:20.200 addressing a child. Won't you come in and sit down? No, no, no, 241 00:14:20.720 --> 00:14:25.000 said Father Keenan, speaking in a discreet, indulgent, velvety voice. 242 00:14:25.639 --> 00:14:28.320 Don't let me disturb you now, I'm just looking for 243 00:14:28.440 --> 00:14:32.559 mister Fanning. He's round at the Black Eagle, said mister Henchy. 244 00:14:32.639 --> 00:14:35.440 But won't you come in and sit down a minute? No, no, 245 00:14:35.679 --> 00:14:38.440 thank you. It was just a little business matter, said 246 00:14:38.480 --> 00:14:42.720 father keenan, I thank you. Indeed, he retreated from the doorway, 247 00:14:43.039 --> 00:14:45.840 and mister Henchy, seizing one of the candlesticks, went to 248 00:14:45.879 --> 00:14:49.240 the door to light him downstairs. Oh, don't trouble, I 249 00:14:49.279 --> 00:14:53.519 beg no, but the stairs is so dark. No, no, 250 00:14:53.679 --> 00:14:57.120 I can see. Thank you. Indeed, are you all right now? 251 00:14:57.440 --> 00:15:02.639 All right? Thanks? Thanks. Mister Henchy returned with the candlestick 252 00:15:02.679 --> 00:15:05.080 and put it on the table. He sat down again 253 00:15:05.120 --> 00:15:08.559 at the fire. There was a silence for a few moments. 254 00:15:09.679 --> 00:15:12.840 Tell me, John, said mister O'Connor, lighting his cigarette with 255 00:15:12.879 --> 00:15:18.720 another pasteboard card. Hum, what is he exactly? Ask me? 256 00:15:18.759 --> 00:15:22.840 An easier one, said mister Henchy. Fanning and himself seemed 257 00:15:22.840 --> 00:15:26.039 to me very thick. They're often in kavanaughs together. Is 258 00:15:26.080 --> 00:15:29.799 he a priest at all? M yes, I believe so. 259 00:15:30.519 --> 00:15:33.120 I think he's what you call a black sheep. We 260 00:15:33.240 --> 00:15:35.639 haven't many of them, thank god, but we have a few. 261 00:15:36.320 --> 00:15:39.600 He's an unfortunate man of some kind. And how does 262 00:15:39.639 --> 00:15:43.600 he knock it out? Asked mister O'Connor. That's another mystery. 263 00:15:43.840 --> 00:15:47.039 Is he attached to any chapel or church or institution 264 00:15:47.399 --> 00:15:50.879 or no, said mister Henchy. I think he's traveling on 265 00:15:50.919 --> 00:15:54.159 his own account. God forgive me, he added, I thought 266 00:15:54.519 --> 00:15:57.559 he was the dozen of stout? Is there any chance 267 00:15:57.559 --> 00:16:01.039 of a drink itself, asked mister O'Connor. I'm dry too, 268 00:16:01.240 --> 00:16:04.159 said the old man. I asked that little shoe boy 269 00:16:04.200 --> 00:16:07.279 three times, said mister Henshey. Wouldn't he send up a 270 00:16:07.320 --> 00:16:10.320 dozen of stout? I asked him again now, But he's 271 00:16:10.399 --> 00:16:12.480 leaning on the counter in his shirt sleeves, having a 272 00:16:12.519 --> 00:16:16.960 deep goster with Alderman Cowley. Why didn't you remind him, 273 00:16:17.080 --> 00:16:20.519 said mister O'Connor. Well, I couldn't go over while he 274 00:16:20.639 --> 00:16:23.440 was talking to Alderman Cowley. I just waited till I 275 00:16:23.440 --> 00:16:26.080 caught his eye and said about that little manner I 276 00:16:26.120 --> 00:16:29.120 was speaking to you about before. That'll be all right, 277 00:16:29.240 --> 00:16:33.759 mister h She said, yea, I'm sure the little hop 278 00:16:33.840 --> 00:16:38.440 Oh my thumb is forgotten all about it. There's some 279 00:16:38.639 --> 00:16:42.200 deal on in that quarter, said mister O'Connor thoughtfully. I 280 00:16:42.240 --> 00:16:44.480 saw the three of them hard at it yesterday at 281 00:16:44.559 --> 00:16:48.480 Suffolk Street corner. I think I know the little game thereat, 282 00:16:48.559 --> 00:16:51.720 said mister Henshey. You must owe the city father's money 283 00:16:51.759 --> 00:16:55.200 nowadays if you want to be made Lord mayor then 284 00:16:55.240 --> 00:16:58.759 they'll make you lord mayor. By God, I'm seriously thinking 285 00:16:58.799 --> 00:17:01.759 of becoming a city father myself. What do you think 286 00:17:01.960 --> 00:17:05.200 would I do the job? Mister O'Connor laughed, as far 287 00:17:05.240 --> 00:17:08.799 as owing money goes. Driving out of the mansion house, 288 00:17:08.839 --> 00:17:11.680 said mister Henchy, and all my vermin with Jack here 289 00:17:11.759 --> 00:17:15.400 standing up behind me in a powdered wig. Eh and 290 00:17:15.519 --> 00:17:19.079 make me your private secretary, John, Yes, and I'll make 291 00:17:19.160 --> 00:17:24.039 Father Key on my private chaplain. We'll have a family party. Faith, 292 00:17:24.079 --> 00:17:27.519 mister Henchey, said the old man. You keep a better 293 00:17:27.559 --> 00:17:29.759 style than some of them. I was talking one day 294 00:17:29.759 --> 00:17:32.200 to old Keegan the porter, and how do you like 295 00:17:32.240 --> 00:17:34.960 your new master? Pat, says I to him, you have 296 00:17:35.039 --> 00:17:39.880 him much entertaining, now, says I entertaining. He says he'd 297 00:17:39.920 --> 00:17:42.319 live on the smell of an oil rag. And do 298 00:17:42.359 --> 00:17:44.839 you know what he told me? Now? I declare to 299 00:17:44.880 --> 00:17:48.640 God I didn't believe him. What said mister Henchy And 300 00:17:48.759 --> 00:17:52.279 mister O'Connor, He told me, what do you think of 301 00:17:52.319 --> 00:17:54.839 a Lord Mayor of Dublin sending out for a pound 302 00:17:54.880 --> 00:17:57.599 of chops for his dinner? How's that for high living? 303 00:17:57.720 --> 00:18:01.839 He says? Wisha wish to says a pound of chops, 304 00:18:01.880 --> 00:18:05.680 says he coming into the mansion house. Wish us says 305 00:18:05.680 --> 00:18:08.359 I what kind of people is going at all? Now? 306 00:18:09.960 --> 00:18:11.559 At this point there was a knock at the door 307 00:18:11.720 --> 00:18:14.359 and a boy put in his head. What is it? 308 00:18:14.519 --> 00:18:17.640 Said the old man from the Black Eagle, said, the 309 00:18:17.640 --> 00:18:20.640 boy walking in sideways and depositing a basket on the 310 00:18:20.640 --> 00:18:24.119 floor with a noise of shaken bottles. The old man 311 00:18:24.160 --> 00:18:26.400 helped the boy to transfer the bottles from the basket 312 00:18:26.440 --> 00:18:29.920 to the table and counted the full tally. After the transfer, 313 00:18:30.000 --> 00:18:32.160 the boy put his basket on his arm and asked 314 00:18:32.440 --> 00:18:36.519 any bottles? What bottles, said the old man. Won't you 315 00:18:36.599 --> 00:18:39.799 let us drink them first, asked mister Henshey. I was 316 00:18:39.880 --> 00:18:43.400 told to ask for the bottles. Come back tomorrow, said 317 00:18:43.400 --> 00:18:47.160 the old man. Here. Boy said, mister Henshey, will you 318 00:18:47.240 --> 00:18:49.240 run over to old Farrells and ask him to lend 319 00:18:49.279 --> 00:18:53.119 us a corkscrew for mister Henshey, say, tell him we 320 00:18:53.200 --> 00:18:56.759 won't keep it a minute. Leave the basket here. The 321 00:18:56.799 --> 00:18:59.319 boy went out, and mister Henchey began to rub his 322 00:18:59.359 --> 00:19:03.000 hands cheerfully, saying, ah, well, he's not so bad after all. 323 00:19:03.160 --> 00:19:06.799 He's as good as his word. Anyhow, there's no tumblers, 324 00:19:07.000 --> 00:19:10.119 said the old man. Oh don't let that trouble you, jack, 325 00:19:10.240 --> 00:19:13.880 said mister Henchey. Many the goods man before now drank 326 00:19:13.920 --> 00:19:17.359 out of the bottle. Anyway, it's better than nothing, said 327 00:19:17.359 --> 00:19:21.319 mister O'Connor. He's not a bad sort, said mister Henchy. 328 00:19:21.680 --> 00:19:24.519 Only Fanning has such a loan of him. He means, well, 329 00:19:24.559 --> 00:19:28.400 you know, in his own tinpot way. The boy came 330 00:19:28.440 --> 00:19:31.440 back with the corkscrew. The old man opened three bottles 331 00:19:31.640 --> 00:19:34.480 and was handing back the corkscrew when mister Henchy said 332 00:19:34.480 --> 00:19:37.599 to the boy, would you like a drink's boy, if 333 00:19:37.599 --> 00:19:41.279 you please, sir, said the boy. The old man opened 334 00:19:41.319 --> 00:19:44.599 another bottle grudgingly and handed it to the boy. What 335 00:19:44.680 --> 00:19:49.279 age are you, he asked, seventeen, said the boy. As 336 00:19:49.319 --> 00:19:51.519 the old man said nothing further, the boy took the 337 00:19:51.519 --> 00:19:55.359 bottle and said, here's my best respects sir. To mister Henchy, 338 00:19:56.039 --> 00:19:58.759 drank the contents, put the bottle back on the table, 339 00:19:59.119 --> 00:20:02.240 wiped his mouth with his sleeve. Then he took up 340 00:20:02.240 --> 00:20:05.000 the corkscrew and went out the door sideways, muttering some 341 00:20:05.200 --> 00:20:09.359 form of salutation. That's the way it begins, said the 342 00:20:09.400 --> 00:20:13.480 old man. The thin edge of the wedge, said mister Henchy. 343 00:20:14.279 --> 00:20:17.359 The old man distributed the three bottles which he had opened, 344 00:20:17.400 --> 00:20:21.279 and the men drank from them simultaneously. After having drank, 345 00:20:21.519 --> 00:20:24.759 each placed his bottle on the mantelpiece within hand's reach 346 00:20:25.079 --> 00:20:29.160 and drew in a long breath of satisfaction. Well I 347 00:20:29.279 --> 00:20:31.559 did a good day's work to day, said mister Henchy, 348 00:20:31.599 --> 00:20:36.200 after a pause. That's so, John, Yes, I got him 349 00:20:36.359 --> 00:20:39.119 one or two sure things in Dawson Street, Crofton and 350 00:20:39.160 --> 00:20:43.920 myself between ourselves. You know Crofton, he's a decent chap 351 00:20:43.920 --> 00:20:46.319 of course, but he's not worth a damn as a canvasser. 352 00:20:46.759 --> 00:20:49.119 He hasn't a word to throw to a dog. He 353 00:20:49.200 --> 00:20:51.960 stands and looks at the people while I do the talking. 354 00:20:53.599 --> 00:20:56.279 Here two men entered the room. One of them was 355 00:20:56.319 --> 00:20:59.720 a very fat man whose blue serge clothes seemed to 356 00:20:59.720 --> 00:21:02.839 be in danger of falling from his sloping figure. He 357 00:21:02.920 --> 00:21:05.960 had a big face which resembled a young ox's face, 358 00:21:06.000 --> 00:21:10.480 an expression, staring blue eyes, and a grizzled mustache. The 359 00:21:10.559 --> 00:21:13.640 other man, who was much younger and frailer, had a thin, 360 00:21:13.839 --> 00:21:17.599 clean shaven face. He wore a very high double collar 361 00:21:17.880 --> 00:21:21.839 in a wide brim bowler hat. Hello, Crofton, said mister 362 00:21:21.880 --> 00:21:25.240 Henchy to the fat man, talk of the devil. Where 363 00:21:25.240 --> 00:21:27.599 did the booze come from? Asked the young man. Did 364 00:21:27.599 --> 00:21:32.640 the cow calve? Oh? Of course, lions spots the drink 365 00:21:32.720 --> 00:21:36.599 first thing, said mister O'Connor, laughing. Is that the way 366 00:21:36.640 --> 00:21:40.319 you chaps canvas? Asked mister Lyons. And Crofton and I 367 00:21:40.480 --> 00:21:43.599 out in the cold and rain looking for votes. Why 368 00:21:43.759 --> 00:21:47.200 blast your soul, said mister Henchey. I'd get more votes 369 00:21:47.240 --> 00:21:49.680 in five minutes than you'd two get in a week. 370 00:21:51.119 --> 00:21:54.799 Open two bottles of stout, jack, said mister O'Connor. How 371 00:21:54.839 --> 00:21:57.839 can I, said the old man, when there's no coke? Screw? 372 00:21:58.920 --> 00:22:02.119 Wait wait now, well, said mister Henchy, getting up quickly. 373 00:22:02.559 --> 00:22:05.400 Did you ever see this little trick? He took two 374 00:22:05.440 --> 00:22:07.680 bottles from the table and carried them to the fire 375 00:22:08.119 --> 00:22:10.559 and put them on the hob. Then he sat down 376 00:22:10.720 --> 00:22:13.400 again by the fire and took another drink from his bottle. 377 00:22:14.319 --> 00:22:16.799 Mister Lyon sat at the edge of the table, pushing 378 00:22:16.799 --> 00:22:18.920 his hat towards the nape of his neck, and began 379 00:22:18.960 --> 00:22:22.799 to swing his legs. Which is my bottle? He asked? 380 00:22:23.240 --> 00:22:26.799 This lad, said mister Henchy. Mister Crofton sat down on 381 00:22:26.839 --> 00:22:29.200 a box and looked fixedly at the other bottle on 382 00:22:29.279 --> 00:22:32.720 the hob. He was silent for two reasons. The first reason, 383 00:22:32.880 --> 00:22:35.440 sufficient in itself, was that he had nothing to say. 384 00:22:36.200 --> 00:22:39.799 The second reason was that he considered his companions beneath him. 385 00:22:40.359 --> 00:22:43.160 He had been a canvasser for Wilkins the Conservative, but 386 00:22:43.240 --> 00:22:46.279 when the Conservatives had withdrawn their man, and choosing the 387 00:22:46.359 --> 00:22:49.799 lesser of two evils, given their support to the nationalist's candidate, 388 00:22:50.319 --> 00:22:53.440 he had been engaged to work for mister Tyrney. In 389 00:22:53.480 --> 00:22:57.400 a few minutes, an apologetic was heard as the cork 390 00:22:57.480 --> 00:23:01.000 flew out of mister Lyon's bottle. Mister Lyons jumped off 391 00:23:01.039 --> 00:23:03.319 the table, went to the fire, took his bottle and 392 00:23:03.359 --> 00:23:06.880 carried it back to the table. I was just telling them, Crofton, 393 00:23:07.079 --> 00:23:10.160 said mister Henshey, that we got a few good votes today. 394 00:23:10.839 --> 00:23:14.400 Who did you get, asked mister Lyons. Well, I got 395 00:23:14.440 --> 00:23:17.720 Parks for one, and I got Atkinson for two, and 396 00:23:17.799 --> 00:23:20.640 got Ward of Dawson Street. Fine, old chap he is 397 00:23:20.680 --> 00:23:25.480 too regular, old tough, old conservative. But isn't your candidate 398 00:23:25.519 --> 00:23:30.000 a nationalist? Said he? A respectable man, said I he's 399 00:23:30.079 --> 00:23:33.119 in favor of whatever will benefit this country. He's a 400 00:23:33.160 --> 00:23:36.559 big ratepayer, I said. He has extensive house property in 401 00:23:36.599 --> 00:23:39.400